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Chakri Dynasty commemorated on April 6
Banks and businesses to close in observance of holiday
Chakri Dynasty - Chronology of the
present-day Dynasty of Thailand
King Buddhayodfa the Great (Rama I)
1782-1809
The first King of the Chakri Dynasty moved the capital
city from Thonburi to Bangkok and built the Grand Palace that houses the
Emerald Buddha. Helped release Thailand from Burmese control after
Ayuthaya succumbed 14 years earlier.
King Buddhaloetla (Rama II) 1809-1824
The first great poet king of the Chakri Dynasty,
renowned for his literature.
King Nangklao (Rama III) 1824-1851
Extensively encouraged international trading and
education, enhanced promotion of Buddhism and built many temples.
King Mongkut (Rama IV) 1851-1868
Modernized Thailand in both commerce and education.
Known as the “Father of Thai Scientists” and famous for his astrology.
King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) 1868-1910
One of the most beloved and revered kings, He abolished
slavery, extensively contacted the Western world, modernized the
government, education, transportation, and communication. His diplomacy
skills saved Thailand from being colonized during colonial period.
King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) 1910-1925
A great poet king. Continued the work of Rama V in
modernizing Thailand. Promoted education and established the Boy Scouts in
Thailand.
King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) 1925-1935
Granted the Constitution to Thailand in 1932. Thailand changed from
Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy.
King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII)
1935-1946
A direct grandson of King Rama V. Known as the father of modern Thai
medicine.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great
(Rama IX) 1946 to the present
A true monarch of the people and guiding light for the whole Thai
nation. Saved Thailand from many crises, dedicated to raising the living
standards of the poor, especially in remote regions.
Chakri Day (April 6) was first instituted by H.M.
King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in the year 1919 to commemorate all the Kings in
the Chakri Dynasty, which started with Rama I and continues to this day
with Rama IX, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
The reigning Kings in the House of Chakri brought peace
and tranquility to the people within Thailand’s borders and successfully
protected the Kingdom, maintaining sovereignty and integrity through
crucial periods threatened by European colonization and two World Wars.
In commemorating Chakri Day, the national flag is
proudly displayed by the people of Thailand and both government officials
and members of the community participate in traditional ceremonies, making
offerings of flowers and garlands at the many statues of Kings in the
House of Chakri.
The Chakri Dynasty, or the House of Chakri, followed
the reign of King Taksin the Great, when He abdicated due to poor health.
The Chakri Dynasty was ushered in on 6 April 1782 when a close aid of King
Taksin, General Chakri, marched back into Thonburi and assumed the throne
as H.M. King Buddhayodfa the Great. Each Monarch thereafter has had
“Rama” as part of their title.
Banks, government offices and most business offices
will be closed on Wednesday, April 6 in observance of this special day.
Rotary Club of Plutaluang hosts charity concert starring
Ad Carabao as they celebrate 10 years
Pacharapol Panrak
In celebration of 10 successful years, the Rotary Club
of Plutaluang held a special charity concert at the Plutaluang Wittaya
School.
Rotarians donated 50,000 baht towards building new
homes for tsunami affected residents in the southern provinces, handed out
prizes to winners in a local poetry contest, donated a computer to the
Plutaluang police station and raincoats to 8 village headmen to wear as
they make their rounds inspecting the communities.
The highlight of the event was a special concert at the
school for Rotarians and members of the public starring Ad Carabao.
The Rotary Club has successfully helped residents in the area and
worked with international clubs for the greater good of society.
Ad
Carabao and band members wowed the audience with true music for life.
Taweep
Taengkaew presided over the Rotary Charity Concert and opened the
champagne, as Plutaluang Rotary members shot out silly foam to celebrate
the club’s 10 successful years.
Taweep
Taengkaew hands prizes to Plutaluang poetry contest winners.
Taweep
Taengkaew ceremoniously presents 50,000 baht to go towards building new
homes for Thailand’s tsunami victims in the 6 affected provinces.
Everyone,
young and old enjoyed the charity concert.
German engineering “Made in Thailand”
Liebherr holds “Customer Days”
Thomas Sassen
In 1998, north of Rayong, the German company Liebherr
(Thailand) Co. Ltd., a worldwide producer of construction machines,
airplane parts and refrigerators, first opened a subsidiary with 30
employees for the production of cement mixers. Since that time the company
has grown and now has about 100 employees.
The 2004 business year saw the company’s first net
profits. To mark the success, management decided to hold a “Customer
Days” event on February 24-25. Although six years had passed, this was
deemed the grand opening for the company. It was well earned.
Eberhard
Podleska leads Rayong Governor Sanuer Chantra on a tour of the factory.
The factory was festively decorated for the 100 guests
and visitors who came to the opening. Guests of honor included Sanuer
Chantra, governor of Rayong Province, and Waraporn Choeysa-Ard, director
of the BOI’s Eastern Region Investment & Economic Center.
 Eberhard
Podleska, managing director of Liebherr (Thailand) Co. Ltd. reiterated
that customers are the company’s most valuable assets.
After the welcome cocktail the managing director of
Liebherr Thailand, Eberhard Podleska, spoke to the guests. At the
beginning of his speech he gave a brief overview over the company’s
history and explained why the official grand opening was delayed year by
year.
“As you can see, our factory is now well utilized and
profitable,” Podleska said. “This is the reason why we decided to do
the official opening ceremony now. We called the event ‘Customer Days’
as a customer is the most valuable asset for a company and we would like
to improve and deepen the relationship with you.”
He explained that parts of the production are for
export to Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Myanmar. The cement mixers
are also partly distributed by a partner dealer, Uawithya Machinery.
Sanuer Chantra, the governor of Rayong also gave a
speech. He talked about Rayong’s development into an industrial center,
and said that there are already 1,400 industrial companies in the region.
“Liebherr was the first company in the Eastern Seaboard area to
manufacture equipment for the production and transport of concrete. At the
time the decision was made, the concrete demand in Thailand was high, as
was the demand for equipment to transport it,” he said.
“Just at the time when Liebherr bought the land for
the factory and wanted to start the production, the economic crash started
and the market for concrete equipment collapsed. But Liebherr did not stop
its plans and did not withdraw from Thailand. As the governor of this
province I must say that I’m glad that Liebherr continued the investment
despite the economical crisis, and accepted the losses due to low
utilization of production. And now we see here a successful and profitable
company with nearly 100 employees,” the governor said.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, a party with champagne and fireworks
were held. On a tour of the premises and through the factory halls the
guests viewed the production. The “Customers Days” finished off with
an excellent buffet, served by the Amari Orchid Resort Pattaya, and a
raffle was held in the afternoon.
Pattaya’s Big Heart-Tsunami Silent Auction
Staff Reporter
After many months of fund raising, the time to present
the fruits of the Tsunami Silent Auction recently took place in Bangkok.
The occasion was the annual general meeting of the Thai
Hotels Association and in the presence of the president and entire board
of the THA, the board of ATTA (Association of Thai Travel Agents) and the
newly elected Bangkok governor, Apirak Kosayodhin, a cheque for the amount
of Bt158,650.00 was handed over.
Chanin
Donavanik, THA President (2nd right) receives the cheque from Andrew Wood,
GM Chao Phya Hotel (right), Chatchawal Supachayanond, GM Dusit Resort
Pattaya (2nd left), Dheerawat Bhunlapiwat (centre) EAM Chaophya Park and
Peter Malhotra, MD Pattaya Mail.
Chanin Donovanik, the president of the Thai Hotels
Association, made special mentions and thanks for such a splendid effort.
He promised, and gave his board’s commitment, that the funds will be
made immediately available to the two southern chapters of the THA and the
funds would be distributed to the orphans and loved ones of hotel
employees who were lost. The three districts to benefit will be those
hardest hit by the tsunami, namely the areas around Phang Nga, Krabi, Kao
Lak, Phi Phi and Phuket.
Andrew
Khoo (center), GM Hard Rock Hotel presents a cheque to Chanin Donavanik,
THA President whilst Siritorn Kraivisutsap, HR director, Hard Rock Hotel,
Chatchawal Supachayanont, GM Dusit Resort Pattaya and Bundarik Kusolvitya
President of the THA (Eastern Chapter) look on.
In his presentation speech Andrew Wood, on behalf of
all of the Silent Auction sponsors, donors and benefactors said, “The
events of December 26, 2004, were tragic for the whole industry. Our
thoughts and prayers went out to all colleagues who were lost and missing,
many trying to help tourists and others when the tsunami hit. The
situation in the southern districts, where most of the damage occurred,
has been on many of our minds and we wanted to try to do something to
help, particularly for hotel employees and their families.
“Hence the idea of the silent auction to raise funds
to be used by the THA for relief efforts. The auction actually started as
a small affair, using prizes from the Chaophya Park’s New Year party,
but with the help of many, we managed to raise this to something bigger
and in the end collected over 158,000 baht which we are delighted to
present to Khun Chanin and the board.”
 At
the THA meeting Apirak Kosayodhin the Governor of Bangkok (BMA) spoke of
setting a budget of almost one hundred million baht to promote Bangkok to
the world, through road shows and travel fairs. Pattaya and the eastern
seaboard would certainly gain from the influx of tourists into the
country.
He added, “I must also say a number of heartfelt
thank you’s today ... the most important is to all of the donors who
have sent monies for the fund raising.
“Secondly to all the hotels around Thailand who
donated generous gifts for the auction from as far away as Hat Yai, Chiang
Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Song, Nong Khai, Kanchanaburi, Bangkok, Pattaya,
Cha Am and even Phuket.”
Wood went on to add, “I must also thank Pattaya Mail
Publishing Co Ltd., and Pratheep “Peter” Malhotra, its managing
director, owner of the Pattaya Mail, Chiang Mai Mail, Pattaya Blatt and
the Pattaya Mail TV channel, for his un-stinting support, offering many
pages of advertorials for our fund raising effort, in all his
publications, without any thought of financial gain or favor. Thank You
Khun Pratheep.”
Wood concluded, “My thanks finally, to Chanin
Donovanik, Chatchawal Suphachayanon (THA Eastern Chapter president and
general manager of the Dusit Resort, Pattaya) and Prakit, THA secretary
general. They have been very helpful to me personally, for allowing the
THA to be the central point for the fund raising, and to then agree to the
administration and disbursement of the funds to the needy.”
Following Andrew’s brief speech there was a
presentation by Pratheep, Chatchawal and Dheerawat to Chanin, with a
cheque for that amount.
Over 300 people attended the packed luncheon meeting at the Swissotel
Le Concorde, Bangkok. Later in the meeting the THA president also thanked
Andrew Khoo, general manager of the Hard Rock Hotel, Pattaya for his staff
donation of Bt100,000 to the association, also for use in tsunami relief
operations. The president explained that with the Silent Auction and the
Hard Rock Hotel’s contributions, the association’s fund had risen to
over Bt 600,000. Clearly, Pattaya hearts are big and generous when you
consider that almost 45% of all the association’s fund raising had a
strong link to friends and acquaintances from Pattaya! Well done and thank
you!
AIS donates new sports grounds to Sriracha Municipality
Suchada Tupchai
Early this month, Weerawit Wiwatwanich, deputy governor
of Chonburi Province, presided over the ceremony in which Somprasong
Bunyachai, chairman of the board of Advanced Info Service (AIS) Public Co.
Ltd. presented land to build a sports facility in Sriracha. This was part
of their Love Link project to support families and society.
Weerawit
Wiwatwanich, deputy governor of Chonburi, accepted the Sriracha sports
playground basketball court from Somprasong Bunyachai, chairman of the
board of Advanced Info Service (AIS) Public Co. Ltd. during the donation
ceremony.
Somprasong said, “AIS has always held activities for
Thai families under the Love Link Project with the purpose of supporting
the family institution. We have held many activities to give something
back to society such as family seminars, AIS family rallies, building the
provincial Infant Center, and supporting other sports activities. All of
these activities encourage family unity, which is the basis for
development of our country.”
 Pom
Pom Girls from Bangkok University lead the cheers at the opening ceremony.
He went on to say, “We realize that our youth is the
future of our society and they are important to the county’s
development; therefore we should show them attention while they are
growing up by giving them love and care. This includes supporting all
useful and wholesome activities for our young people. We are cooperating
with the Sriracha Municipality to build the AIS Sports Grounds; a standard
basketball court with electricity, complete with sports equipment for the
youth and public to use. This is so they will have an open sports area for
exercise and other recreational activities, which could help reduce drug
related problems.”
After the opening ceremony, a colorful parade took
place with cheerleaders from Bangkok University showing off their
beautifully choreographed skills.
A friendly basketball game was also played between the Dutchy Boys all
stars team and the Chonburi Youth team.
A
friendly basketball game also played between the Dutchy Boys all stars
team and the Chonburi Youth team.
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