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Regent’s School long lost friends reunited
What a festive season the Regent’s School community
must have had in December this year! It included a series of lively
Christmas celebrations in both primary and secondary school, traditional
Christmas Concert and the most recent event of all, the Regent’s Grand
Reunion - 2004.
On Saturday December 18, more than 200 former students
and teachers who had attended the Regent’s School, some as far back as its
establishment in 1995, reunited to celebrate the nearly ten years of great
fond memories they had shared in the past.
The celebration took place at the newly built Round
Square Complex situated near the entrance of the Regent’s School, Pattaya
campus. This was where the formal part took place, which included a
presentation, an introduction of new alumni committee members and speeches
from Dr. Virachai Techavijit, the founder and owner of the Regent’s
School, as well as Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai, the president of the
Old Regentonians Association (2000-2006).
One of the many highlights of this reunion was said to be
the announcement of the ‘Students’ Choices Award - 2004', namely Mr.
Mill (Maths), Ms. Stewart (English), Mr. Williams (P.E.), and Mrs. and Mr.
Hasker (English). They are the teachers who the majority of Old Regentonians
had voted for on the alumni website (www.alumni.regents.ac.th) to be
‘favourite teachers’ of all time in terms of their teaching quality and
their excellent relations with students.
The event ended with a fantastic gala dinner of
international cuisine prepared and served by Amari Resort Hotel, a fireworks
display and nice music performed by a live band called Giant Swinging of
Zentika, from a well-known pub in Bangkok.
Big thanks to Dr. Virachai, former students’ parents
and owner of P. Kung Pao Restaurant (Bangkok), the school staff, especially
Khun Kirsty, the bursar, and everyone who helped make this reunion a
reality.
The next grand reunion is scheduled to be held in the
summer of 2006 in Bangkok, hopefully at the Bangkok campus, following its
success this year.
When asked how he sees the work of the Old Regentonians Association,
Natthapoj said he views it as working towards future cooperation among its
highly potential global network seeded at the Regent’s School, including
setting up a fund to service the less fortunate.
Redemptorist School for the Blind teachers and students donate blood for King’s birthday
Suchada Tupchai
Teachers and students from the Redemptorist School for
the Blind in Pattaya recently donated blood to honor His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday at the Somdej Prabaromratchatewi Na
Sriracha Hospital in Sriracha District.
 Checking
for blood type ... “Jeb!”
Tharawut Kamneodsuk, assistant director at the school
explained that is activity was established 10 years ago and the school has
participated in the donation of blood every year since.
Twenty-eight teachers and students donated blood. The
children were very grateful that they could pay their respects to His
Majesty and be useful to others in need of blood. Most of the children were
able to give blood, but only a few children couldn’t donate because of
their health, and were saddened that they couldn’t contribute.
 Donating
blood ... “I can hardly wait for the cookies and orange juice”
The children who could donate cheered up their friends who could not
donate blood, and the physicians and hospital officers took care of them
and presented information about donating blood and taking care of their
health. The hospital also offered snacks to the children after donating
blood, which made the children very happy that they could participate in
such an honorable activity for society.
Computers for Thai Kids Charity Project sends out 420th donated computer to school in Chaiyaphun
Jeep and Lek of the “Computers For Thai Kids Charity
Project” in Pattaya have been refurbishing and sending out donated
computers to schools all over Thailand for the past 6 years.
The
computers and accessories were for the most part donated by individuals
locally. (From left to right) Nittaya Sresaard of the Pattaya Library (who
set up the transfer), Ajarn Thongintra Putmarisa (Headmaster of Bantat
School), Dasemsan Jitsom (owner of K-Pat Computer in Chaiyaphun, who have
volunteered to maintain the computers), and last but not least, Lek of the
Computers For Thai Kids Charity Project.
On their recent visit to Chaiyaphun, once again it seemed
like the entire village showed up for the donation of the computers, from
the pu yai ban on down, since the school badly needed the donation and it is
a very big event to receive the computers.
The computers and accessories were for the most part
donated by individuals locally. After refurbishing and repair, Jeep and Lek
further donated the computers to the Bantat School in Amphur Pukeow in
Chaiyaphun province on December 4, 2004.
Since its inception, the Computers For Thai Kids Charity
Project has now sent out more than 420 computers to schools all over
Thailand, have given computer instruction to hundreds of poor Thai kids in
Pattaya, and are sponsoring 82 deserving kids who have shown great potential
in free computer classes, to stay in government schools. When funds are
available, the kids coming for computer instruction are also fed a
nutritious meal after their classes. For some, this is the only meal they
receive each day.
Jeep and Lek need all the help they can get to run this
project and have requests for thousands of computers from hundreds of
schools throughout Thailand. If you have any working computer equipment in
the Pentium class and above that you have upgraded or can spare, this is the
place to donate them, as they do get out to the neediest areas and this
charity project is strictly volunteer with no one on any payroll or
receiving any remuneration for their efforts. All the computers must come
from inside Thailand since Thai customs procedures preclude importing
donated computers from abroad. The project can also use funds to repair
donated computers, feed the kids, and to help support the most needy to stay
in school.
If you are able to assist Jeep and Lek in their worthwhile endeavor,
please contact Glenn “Jeep” Holthaus or Jaruay “Lek” Kingjorhor at
[email protected] phone: 038-424-998 or visit their website for more info
on their “Computers For Thai Kids Charity Project”:
http://jeep.htmlplanet.com
Community gathers for King Taksin ceremony
Suchada Tupchai
City officials, military servicemen, police, and members
of the general public gathered to pay respects to Pattaya’s King Taksin
Monument. Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presided over the worship ceremony
on December 28, which is designated as King Taksin Memorial Day.
 Pichit
Gym Thai Pichaiyut Institute presents ancient Thai sword fighting, known as
krabi krabong.
The event started at 6 a.m. with a dedication and
offerings of flowers and leis placed at the foot of the monument, after
which a Buddhist religious ceremony was performed.
An ancient Thai martial arts exhibition was presented by
the Pichit Gym Thai Pichaiyut Institute and the boxers from the Yod Thong
Boxing Camp put on an exhibition fight. A band parade by students from
Pattaya School No. 5 added music and color to the day’s celebrations.
Sid
Yodthong Boxing Camp presents a Muay Thai show.
King Taksin was born on March 23, 1734. He was a Phraya
Kamphaengphet before Ayudthaya’s second fall in 1767, and gathered
approximately 500 troops, leaving the Wat Pichai Camp and traveling to
Chonburi. He continued to Chantaburi, stopping at Ban Nong Yai (behind the
present Pattaya police station). It was during this time that Pattaya gained
its name.
 Students
from Pattaya School No. 5 band add music and color to the day’s
celebrations.
The first worship ceremony at the King Taksin Monument commenced on April
17, 1954, and shortly after, December 28 was designated as King Taksin
Memorial Day. During this commemoration day, public officials, military
personnel and members of the public come to pay tribute to one of
Thailand’s most memorable kings, and make merit for society.
The
students take part in the worship ceremony for King Taksin.
Pattaya prepares for National Children’s Day
1 million baht allotted for children’s activities throughout the
city and community
Suchada Tupchai
Thailand’s National Children’s Day is held on the
second Saturday of January each year, which this year falls on January 8. To
celebrate the event, for the first time Pattaya City is hosting an open day
at city hall with plenty of fun and games.
In a meeting held at city hall last week, deputy mayors
Wuttisak Rermkijikarn and Wattana Jantaworanont met with councilors and
department heads to discuss the planned activities.
“The mayor sees the importance of educating children
and providing activities for them on Children’s Day ... As part of the
policy, we will hold an open day at city hall and other buildings for the
children of Pattaya to visit. A number of activities have been planned, such
as music, exhibitions, games, windsurfing and handing out gifts to the
children,” said Wattana. He also said the focus would be on fun and
education.
Deputy Mayor Wattana added that 1 million baht was
budgeted for the day’s activities, which include participation from city
schools and communities in support of the area’s youth sector.
The celebrations are held each year around the country
and the prime minister has urged all children to study hard, work hard in
school, and have the courage to think and speak for themselves. The
premier’s message is aimed encouraging the nation’s children to forge a
lifetime of learning through reading, thinking and acting upon new ideas.
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