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Freemasons gather to celebrate Installation extravaganza
Last month Freemasons of different nationalities,
religions and races converged at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya
to witness and celebrate the installation of Bro. Kancharid Disbaedya and
Bro. Richard ‘Middy’ Campbell as masters of Lodge Lane Xang and Lodge
Pattaya West Winds respectively. Both lodges are on the roll of the Grand
Lodge of Scotland.
Middy
Campbell (4th
left) RW Master of Lodge Pattaya West Winds with his Wardens and office
bearers.
The formalities and ceremonies of Masonic installation
being done, members, their families and guests adjourned to the majestic
surroundings of the Grand Ballroom at the Royal Cliff Grand Hotel for the
Installation Harmony, which was more like a regal banquet, vibrant with
pomp and purpose rather than a quiet sombre affair as it may sound like.
Bro.
Kancharid and Bro. Middy are raised onto their chairs as the Master’s
Song reaches a crescendo.
Right Worshipful Depute District Grand Master Dr.
Daljit Singh Nagreh presided at both the momentous Masonic gatherings of
installing the new masters, their office bearers and the festive board. He
was supported by his deputation from the District Grand Lodge of the
Middle East based in Malaysia, complemented by scores of Masonic
dignitaries who attended from the far corners of the Masonic fraternity.
 Bro.
Duncan Niven’s presentation of the toast to the haggis was
very…Scottish.
Diners partook in the glorious feast and marvelled at
the solemnity of the presentation of the traditional Haggis as could be
delivered only in the best spirit of the Scots accompanied by an authentic
Scottish piper and two robust whisky-toting guards. The newly installed
Bro. Duncan Niven RWM of Lodge St. John performed the conferral and the
ceremony in his finest Scottish cadence and blessed by the Deputy District
Grand Master Dr. Daljit Singh Nagreh.
Freemasons and guests alike were awed by the splendour
and nobility of the ceremonies performed by brethren of the various
lodges. The speeches, poems and the Master’s Song sung by the full body
of Freemasons, all in all created a unique and electrifying atmosphere as
was witnessed by the few non-masons privileged to attend.
A
Scots bagpiper leads in the haggis carried by Bro. David Garred and
followed by Kevin Fisher and David Doll, two robust
whisky-toting guards.
In his speech to the congregation Bro. Middy Campbell
RWM of Lodge Pattaya West Winds said, “To be installed in the Chair of
King Solomon is indeed a great honour and yet a distinct challenge to a
new master. A master who is expected to be a symbol of knowledge,
morality, justice and wisdom to a diverse gathering of men from all walks
of life whose differences should not be allowed to outweigh their very
similarities, the bond of Freemasonry. Lodge Pattaya West Winds is now 12
years old, having been consecrated on the 20th
of February 1993, and for myself as Master, the Wardens & Office
Bearers who have accepted responsibility of guiding the Lodge in the year
2005 not only requires our dedication to office but all of us as a body of
Freemasons need to demonstrate that we have the ability to take this lodge
even further by using to the best of our ability our Masonic attributes,
particularly brotherly love & relief to the afflicted.”
RWDDGM
Daljit Singh Nagreh and his deputation with RWM Kancharid Disbaedya
(center) and his Wardens and office bearers of Lodge Lane Xang.
In regards to the recent tsunami disaster that hit
southern Thailand and other countries Bro. Middy said, “Here I would say
what an auspicious start to this year has been made by brethren of this
lodge in dedicating themselves to those suffering as a result of the
tsunami that devastated the entire area. They had an idea to help those in
desperate need and put this into operation. Friends were called upon all
over the planet and pleas made to all and sundry and lo and behold …
they were off!”
Bro. Middy thanked the various organisations and individuals who
selflessly contributed funds and their time in helping with the temporary
shelter project. They included the Grand Lodge of Western Australia,
Jesters Care 4 Kids, Sportsman Inn, Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, UK
Charity Club members of Lodge Pattaya West Winds and the many other donors
who wish to remain anonymous.
Freemasons
from different countries and constitutions in their colourful regalia.
Students at Rayong Youth Vocational Training Center receive well-earned completion certificates
Center officially opens new building
Suchada Tupchai
At 10 a.m. on March 11, Utai Suwan, Rayong deputy
governor presided over the graduation ceremonies at the Rayong Youth
Vocational Training Center.
The event also saw the official handover of a new
building donated by members of the private sector. The new building was a
joint effort between Jesters Care for Kids, Rayong Ladies Circle (RLC) and
the Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC). Members from the three
organizations were present at the morning ceremonies.
Lewis
Underwood, Utai Suwan, Av Khanijou and Helle Ransten cut the ribbons
declaring the renovated arts building open.
Certificates for Scout training were given to 96
children under the care of the Rayong Youth Vocational Training Center.
The training was to instill a sense of personal discipline within the
kids.
 The
new “Arts Shop” is unveiled.
Students who had completed vocation training in 4
disciplines (cooking, agriculture, art, and food and beverage management)
were also awarded their certificates. The vocational training courses run
by the center provide an opportunity for kids attending the course to
become more self sufficient in the community.
Deputy Governor Utai Suwan and honored guests proudly
presented certificates to graduating members.
 Lewis
Underwood from the Jesters Care for Kids, and Helle Ransten from the
Rayong Ladies Circle receive certificates of appreciation from Rayong
Deputy Governor Utai Suwan.
Members of organizations that had supported the project
in Rayong, Jesters Care for Kids, RLC, PILC and the Career Development
Center, were also awarded certificates of thanks.
Following the awards ceremony, the official ribbon
cutting was held to open the newly renovated building at the Rayong Youth
Correction Center.
 Av
Khanijou (center) receives her certificate on behalf of the Pattaya
International Ladies Club.
The Jesters Care for Kids, RLC and PILC organizations
contributed 790,000 to go towards rebuilding toilet facilities for girls
and boys at the center, after the dilapidated building was in such a bad
state that the hygiene risk to the children was deemed too high.
 Deputy
Governor Utai Suwan receives a gift of appreciation from the PILC.
The donation also included 150,000 baht to renovate the
building used for teaching arts. The course run at this building enables
children to develop skills that allow their work to be available and
accepted in the marketplace, bringing in extra income.
Deputy Governor Utai Suwan said, “I am pleased to see these efforts
benefiting the children ... The vocational aspect will allow these
children the choice and opportunity to develop themselves and avoid drug
use and use their time wisely. The results reflect positively on the
children once they leave the center and become model citizens rather than
blaming society for their lot in life.”
Practical
training in progress inside the arts building.
Woody
and honored guests present certificates to the children who completed
courses in cooking, agriculture, art, and food and beverage management.
Pattaya International Music Festival this weekend
Beach Road closed, Second Road two-way
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Be prepared for traffic snarls and parking nightmares
in town this weekend, as Pattaya’s annual International Music Festival
gets underway today, Friday, March 18. The “fun” will last through to
Sunday, March 20.
Beach Road will be closed off to traffic from 4 p.m. to
3 a.m. throughout festival, and Pattaya Second Road will become two-way
when Beach Road is closed.
Over 1,000 regional, Pattaya and Banglamung police,
military personnel and volunteers will be on duty to ensure safety and
convenience to visitors and motorists. There is limited parking from
Second Road up to Third Road.
As for the festival, opening ceremonies will take place
at the Bali Hai Stage, from 7 p.m. today.
This year’s event is being promoted as having a more
international flavor. “Music Box” is the theme.
A total of three stages, “World Box” featuring
international artists, “Love Box” for Asian artists and the “Peace
Box” for Thai musicians, have been set up around the city The “World
Box” stage is at Bali Hai Pier. The “Love Box” is located near The
Market Pattaya (between Soi 6 and 5). The “Peace Box” can be found
between Soi 9 and 10.
Thai and international artist Tata Young will headline
the main stage. Baby Vox, Makato Koshinaka, Ken Chu (F4), Tony An and
Dylan Kuo will head up the Asian mix on the Beach Road stage.
Well known Thai artists include AB Normal, Armchair,
Blackhead, Saturday Seiko, Joey Boy Clash and Taxi. The shows are
free.
The
“World Box” stage featuring international artists is at Bali Hai Pier.
The “Love Box” stage featuring Asian artists is located near The
Market Pattaya (between Soi 6 and 5) and the “Peace Box”stage
featuring Thai musicians can be found between Soi 9 and 10.
Friday March 18th
Saturday March 19th
Sunday March 20th
PC Classic 2005: ESC comes ‘aboard’ as Platinum Sponsor
Children will be the winners
Peter Cummins
The European Security Concepts (ESC) Company, Security
and Communication Specialists and their affiliated ESC Property Services
has taken the lead by opting for the top Platinum sponsorship in the
forthcoming PC Classic. Thus, with more than 20 other companies,
organizations and clubs which have joined as co-sponsors, the winners of
this year’s event are clearly the disaffected, disadvantaged and
disabled children in Pattaya, Jomtien and along the Eastern Seaboard.
 The
Original ‘PC Classicers’ Dave Wales (L) and Peter Cummins.
This correspondent has sometimes been “accused” of
writing about yachting events before they have been held; yea, even,
writing up some Pattaya, Samui and Phuket events while being down in
Sydney and elsewhere far away from the scene of the action.
But the forthcoming Pattaya Mail PC Classic Royal Cliff
Beach Resort International Regatta is an easy one and I can select the
winners one week before the event to be held on Saturday, March 26.
All Regatta proceeds, as in previous years, will be
disbursed to the needy children, through the good offices of the Rotary
Club of Jomtien Pattaya. This instils confidence and guarantees a
transparency which will leave no doubt in the minds of the generous
sponsors that their contributions have reached the children who most need
help.
Ocean
Marina Yacht Club sailors: coming ‘north’ for the PC Classic.
The total event, the daytime yacht racing and the
splendid gala dinner at the newly opened Royal Varuna Clubhouse, is
sponsored and catered by the five star Royal Cliff. The days’ schedule
has been clearly outlined in advertorials in the Pattaya Mail for
some three weeks now, and does not need elaborating here.
Royal
Varuna: busy days.
Chairperson of the Regatta Organizing Committee, Judy
Hoppe who, fortuitously, is also incumbent president of the Rotary Club of
Jomtien-Pattaya, sees a great event in the offing. There could be well in
excess of 60 craft, ranging to the tiny Optimist junior sailor, through
Lasers and other mono-hulls, a big fleet of the powerful beach-launched
catamarans, many of which – even the single-handers – carry enormous
spinnakers.
Finally, the organizers hope for a big fleet from
Varuna’s southern neighbour, the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, with
keelboats, ocean going catamarans and tri-marans. It is going to be a
splendid, colourful panorama along the Royal Varuna and Royal Cliff
seafronts, as the fleets move into contention for the top honours.
The PC Classic is really in the vanguard of exponential
development in the marine leisure sector in Thailand, with regattas,
long-distance international races, cruising, and windsurfing, among the
many burgeoning sectors.
All are welcome to the PC Classic. Again, see the
advertorial, this issue, Pattaya Mail.
The Royal Varuna Yacht Club has some charter dinghies
available: Contact Khun James: [email protected]
Also the Ocean Marina has some keelboats (Platus) for charter. Contact
Gary Baguley, [email protected]
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