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Indian community celebrates the completion of the
Siri Guru Ramdas Sukhniwas - Home for the Elderly
Staff Reporters
The Thai-Indian community in Pattaya and the eastern
seaboard has grown considerably since the early 1970s. Most of them are
well settled and have become a part of the Pattaya citizenry.
The Thai-Indian community as they are referred to are
actually Thai born and are citizens of this country, but through their
devotion to their heritage have kept the Indian-Sikh faiths and traditions
as best as they possibly can.
 A
car bearing the image of Lord Buddha leads the procession.
Not only that, but the Thai-Indian community has always
played an active role in community matters, be they social, political or
commercial.
The earlier settlers have now become a little older and
the youngsters are slowly but surely taking over their parents’
businesses.
20 years ago, the leaders of the Indian community had
the foresight to buy a 2 rai piece of land, which they kept aside until
the time was right to built a home for the elderly.
The construction was budgeted at 12 million baht and
was funded by funds collected from the Indian community and more
especially from the kind donation of Sardool Singh Khanijou.
Amrik Singh Kalra, president of the Thai Sikh community
in Pattaya, said that the home was under construction over a period of 15
years. The facility, which includes a small Sikh temple, can hold up to
500 people.
Named the Siri Guru Ramdas Sukhniwas Place - Home for
the Elderly, the institution is under the care of the Pattaya Welfare
Association of The Sikh Temple in Pattaya.
On December 1, General Panlop Pinmanee, deputy director
of the Internal Security Command presided over the opening ceremonies,
which was attended by a multitude of Indians from around the country.
The ceremonies began at the Sikh Temple on Soi 17 and
where a procession led by 33 members of the S.G.T.B. Khalsa Girls Sr. Sec.
School, Bagpipe Marching band from Delhi, India marched through Walking
Street to the home which is situated in Soi 13, Thappraya Road. The parade
was beautifully decorated, especially the throne car which was adorned
with flowers, colourful fabrics and the Thai flag. Each member of the
parade carried the Thai flag in tribute to His Majesty the King and a flag
with the insignia of the Sikh religion.
Amrik Singh said, ‘the home would be open to receive
residents on January 1, 2006. Residents will not have to pay anything to
stay in the home, but their families may make donations towards the upkeep
of the facility and ease the burden on the Sikh temple. The Sikh religion
teaches one to have a charitable spirit and to help others of all
religions and nationalities.’
The next day members of the Sikh community and the Internal Security
Command presented school equipment, coats and school uniforms to
schoolchildren at Wat Boonsamphan School. This is an ongoing monthly
project of the kind-hearted members of the Indian community in Thailand.
People
carried flags bearing the Royal emblem and the insignia of the Sikhs.
Pol.
Col. Somnuek Changate, superintendent of the Pattaya Police personally
escorts the procession.
Sardool
Singh Khanijou (left) and General Panlop Pinmanee unveil the marble sign
of the new home.
Sikhs
sing and chant from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Scriptures, in
the small in-house temple.
General
Panlop Pinmanee plants a commemorative tree around the fountain.
The
visitors present students with school amenities.
The
S.G.T.B. Khalsa Girls Sr. Sec. School, Bagpipe Marching band escorts the
VIPs around the new premises.
The
Thai Indian community parades into the elderly home grounds.
Christmas Tree light-up raises funds in aid of the Camillian Social Centre
Fund-raiser will alleviate the suffering of HIV/AIDS patients
Suchada Tupchai
This year’s Christmas Tree Light Up signified the
beginning of the Christmas season with an emphasis on the Hard Rock ethos of
“Love all, serve all”. This year’s charity of choice was the Camillian
Centre for AIDS victims in Rayong.
 Fr.
Giovanni Contarin from the Camillian Social Center Rayong thanks everyone
for their much-needed support.
The Christmas tree adorned with red ribbons, symbolizing
awareness of AIDS victims and also to mark the World AIDS Day were switched
on at Hard Rock Hotel on December 2 in a grand ceremony of lights and
fireworks. This also heralded the start of a fund-raising drive to support
HIV and AIDS sufferers in the Eastern region, including babies who have
contracted the disease from their mothers during pregnancy.
Amongst the many benefactors attending were Hard Rock GM
Andrew Khoo, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Member of Parliament, Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn, Pinyo Tunwiseth, chairman of the Chonburi Provincial
Administration Organization, and Pratheep Malhotra, managing director of Pattaya
Mail. Fr Giovanni Contarin the caring priest at the Camillian Social
Center in Rayong was in attendance to accept the kind donations in support
of his children.
 Andrew
Khoo, GM of Hard Rock Pattaya speaks about the charity project.
The charity dinner was held in the Hall of Fame where
guests were treated to dazzling performances from the glitzy Alangkarn show,
Tiffany’s Cabaret and a music performance by Melt, Hard Rock Caf้’s
in-house band.
An auction was held, where items such as hotel rooms,
dinners and other valuable items were up for grabs, which also raised a
large sum of money.
Fr Giovanni introduced a book created by the HIV/AIDS
children. Entitled, “The Bridge of Hope” and published in both Thai and
English, the book is designed to make people think about the dangers of HIV
and AIDS. It tells the stories of 20 children at the Camillian Social Center
and adds the hope that people will better understand when they see the
children’s lives.
The “The Bridge of Hope” is available for 100 baht.
The center’s work is being carried out by the Camillian Religious Order of
Thailand, headed by Fr. Giovanni Contarin and Fr. Siranon Sanpetch, in the
spirit of their Founder St. Camillus de Lellis (1550-1614) who started
“the new school of charity” to serve the poor and sick in Italy as “a
mother cares for her sick child”.
For more information about the Camillian Centre in Rayong please call 038
685480 or 038 691480, fax 038 687480. www.camillian-rayong.org
Chanyuth
Hengtrakul, MP for Chonburi, presses the button to light up the Christmas
tree as Fr. Giovanni Contarin, Andrew Khoo, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn,
Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, Pinyo Tunwiseth, Chairman of the Chonburi
Provincial Administration Organization, Police Colonel Ithiphol Ithisanchai,
superintendent of the Immigration Police and Pratheep Malhotra look on.
MP
Chanyuth Hengtrakul amused everyone with his light-hearted remarks.
Tony
Malhotra and Rungratree Thongsai emceed throughout the evening and also
played auctioneers raising a considerable amount of money.
The
Alangkarn Show was an exceptionally glitzy one.
Hundreds
of residents and visitors attended this worthwhile charity function.
Warm and Happy Families as children receive scholarships and donations from YWCA and PSC
Narisa Nitikarn
Warm Family Day 2005, an annual event organized by YWCA
Bangkok-Pattaya Center was held at Mike’s Shopping Mall on November 24,
led by chairwoman of the association Nittaya Patimasongkroh, and with Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn and president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association Thanet Supornsahasrungsi also attending.
 (From
right) Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Gerry Carpenter, president of Pattaya
Sports Club and others present scholarships to the students.
Nittaya said that the Warm Family project is one of the
main activities of the association, having been initiated in 1995 to honor
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn’s third cycle. The project helps
needy children attend school, receive a decent meal once a day and keep them
away from drugs, as well as providing them with an education. In 2005, 103
sponsors gave scholarships to more than 500 children at 45 schools.
The project helps poor and underprivileged children who
have little access to education, and receives support from a lot of people
and organizations that donate money to the cause. This year donations went
to help children at 45 schools in Pattaya, Chonburi Region 3 and other
schools under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, with a total of
500 schoolchildren benefiting.
 Nittaya
Patimasongkroh, chairwoman of the Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya Center accepts
additional grants from Banjong Bantoonprayuch and Thanet Supornsahasrungsi.
Each year the donors and the children are given a chance
to meet each other on Warm Family Day.
After the welcoming speech and message of thanks, the
donations were presented to representatives of each of the schools, and
plaques of appreciation were given to the Nai Eng Foundation, Swiss man
Luzius Metier, who gave 100,000 baht, the “Soul Searchers” meditation
group who “adopted” 12 children, Simon Simms who “adopted” 8
children, Virginia Sorensen, president of the Association of Filipinos in
Thailand Eastern Region Chapter who gave two grants, Banjong Bantoonprayuch
who gave two grants, and Dieter H Precourt from the Rotary Club of
Taksin-Pattaya who gave one grant.
 Nittaya
Patimasongkroh, chairwoman of the Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya Center accepts an
additional grant from Dieter H. Precourt from the Rotary Club of
Taksin-Pattaya.
Bernie Tuppin, charity chairman of Pattaya Sports Club
also announced donations for this year.
The PSC currently funds 130 of the 350-400 scholarships
under the YWCA’s Warm Families scheme. These scholarships help primary
school children and relieve the financial pressure on parents and guardians.
However, as these children move on to secondary level that pressure
increases enormously. Poorer families sometimes find it necessary to remove
their children from the system as they simply cannot afford to continue.
PSC decided to address this problem with the introduction
of a secondary school scholarship.
 Nittaya
Patimasongkroh, chairwoman of the Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya Center accepts
additional grants from the Nai Eng Foundation.
The criteria for selection of these children, who already
receive PSC’s support, is primarily needs-based. Most of the children come
from broken homes and are cared for by single parents or close family
members. While academic levels were not paramount, most of the children
selected were high achievers with a dedicated attitude to learning. The
children had to have both the permission of their carers as well as the
recommendation of their teachers to participate.
The scholarship will guarantee the student support for
three years at B10,000 per year, the initial intake will be 20 students and
it is planned to increase by 20 students per year to a level of 60 students.
This programme would not have been possible without the help of the YWCA who
have kindly agreed to administer the scheme.
The funding will begin at the beginning of school year
2006 and cover years 7-8-9 but the successful children were presented to the
community at the Warm Families Day held at Mike Shopping Mall.
During the event children performed many interesting and beautiful shows,
and one girl, who burst into tears, said thanks to the sponsors in the name
of all the children.
Nittaya
Patimasongkroh, chairwoman of the Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya Center accepts an
additional grant from Nonglak Fakruk.
Judy
Hoppe Past President of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya gives prizes to
the performers.
One of
the beautiful performances by the students.
Bernie
Tuppin (standing right), charity chairman of Pattaya Sport Club, and (seated
from left) Premrudee Jittiwuthikarn, YWCA member; Nittaya Patimasongkroh,
chairwoman of the Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya Center; and Gerry Carpenter,
president of the Pattaya Sports Club have their photos taken with the
children who received scholarships from the Pattaya Sports Club.
Eager
yet respectful children await their turn to accept a scholarship from their
benevolent hosts.
Father Ray’s Pattaya Farm dream becomes a reality
Redemptorist Center one step closer to self-sufficiency.
Helle Rantsén
PILC Welfare Chairperson
On the 10th of December members from the Rotary Club of
Jomtien-Pattaya and Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) met in the
beautiful surroundings at the Pattaya Farm situated on a 23-rai plot of
land just behind Lotus on Sukhumvit Road, which is owned by the
Redemptorist Organisation. After one year, the day had finally come when
the Pattaya Farm committee could hand over the organic vegetables farm to
the Redemptorist organisation on land owned by the Father Ray Foundation.
 Father
Lawrence Patin thanks all those concerned for their benevolence.
The farm has 2 purposes: one is to supply the
Redemptorist organisation with vegetables, mushrooms and fish. What is
produced at the farm cannot feed the 1000 mouths cared for by the
Redemptorist Center, but can cover about 30% of the vegetables, mushrooms
and fish needed. Thus, the center is getting closer to Father Ray’s
dream of self sufficiency.
Another purpose, just as important, is the education
the farm can provide. It gives children, cared for at the Street Kids Home
or any other of the Redemptorist homes in Pattaya, a chance to visit a
working farm to find out how a farm is maintained and cared for on a daily
basis.
On the opening day the farm was visited by all 160
children from the Street Kid’s Home, who entertained the guests with
beautiful Thai dancing and Thai boxing. Vegetables produced at the farm
were being served for the guests to give them an idea just how tasty
organic vegetables are. It was an afternoon at the Pattaya Farm that
everyone enjoyed.
It had been a dream of the late Father Ray of the Redemptorist
Organisation to create such an organic vegetable farm. Now this dream has
become a reality thanks to the Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya, the Pattaya
International Ladies Club, Rotary Club of Eagle Hawk Australia, Rotary
Club Watford-Nord England and Rotary International.
The
fertile farm in all its ‘Morning Glory’, as far as the eye can see.
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Chris
Gibbins, President of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya (right) and
Rotarian Henny Vermey, Chairman of Community Service and supervisor
of the farm project present certificates of appreciation to Helle
Rantsen, (left) PILC Welfare Chairperson, Lerkpong Choycharoenporn,
(center) Expert on Bio Agriculture, Rayong Protection and
Observation Center and Sharon Tibbitts, president of PILC.
Members
of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya attend the ceremonies.
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Children
stand proudly behind a table bearing bags full of vegetables grown
at the farm. The vegetables are ready for consumption. |
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PILC
members seem really happy for the children. |
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Children
from the Home for Street Kids entertain the visitors. |
Teenagers represent majority of new AIDS cases, says health minister
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Half of the people in Thailand who have contracted AIDS
have died, and this year alone 18,000 new infections have been reported,
most of them in the 15-19 year age group.
 Pinij
Jarusombat, Public Health Minister presided over the “Stop AIDS. Keep
the Promise” rally.
This grim statistic was revealed by Pinij Jarusombat,
public health minister, when he presided over the “Stop AIDS. Keep the
Promise” rally in Pattaya on November 30, held in observance of the
United Nations World AIDS Day, which was held the following day.
Five hundred cyclists joined a parade along with stars
from RS Promotions including Nathan Oman, “Dan-D2B” Vorawache
Danuwongse, “Balloon” Phinsuda Tanpairo, and Nantawat Asirapojanakul.
Marchers and bicyclists started out from the district
office, turned left past the Dolphin Roundabout and onto Beach Road, then
entered Walking Street, finishing at Bali Hai Pier, a total distance of 8
kilometers.
 Pinij
Jarusombat leads a team of government employees and stars in the rally.
Pinij said that 40.3 million people are infected
worldwide with 4.9 million new infections, which amounts to 13,500 new
cases per day, mostly in the 15-24 year age group. In Thailand there have
been 1.1 million cases reported and of those 560,000 have already died.
This year 18,000 new infections have been reported, mostly in the 15-19
year age group. Phinit warned teenagers to control their feelings and
refrain from sex until the right age. The Public Health Ministry hopes
that by the end of 2006 more than 50 percent of sexually active teenagers
will use condoms.
Minister
Pinij leads the participants in a declaration of equality.
The
bicycles set off from city hall.
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