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Pattaya alive with color and excitement for a sunny, happy Children’s Day
‘Read and think if you want to be clever’ advises PM Thaksin
Staff reporters
Pattaya was alive with events and color on National Children’s Day,
with a host of activities taking place and thousands of children out
having a wonderful time. The grown-ups joining in were having nearly as
much fun themselves.
It was
packed at city hall, where there were many activities.
The Thai government has designated the second Saturday of January each
year as National Children’s Day - an important day, as children
represent the future of the Thai nation. This year it fell on January 14
and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra coined the slogan in the
Children’s Communiqué: “To Be Clever You Have To Read A Lot, Think A
Lot”.
Tiffany Theatre in cooperation with Rotary
Marina and YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya held the Tiffany’s Singing Contest 2006
and a painting competition, and gave study grants to the winners of
each.
At Pattaya City Hall, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn read the Children’s
Communiqué, telling children to place great importance on reading and
thinking as instructed by the prime minister to grow into the future
mind and body of the nation. He also presented gifts to capable
students, as Pattaya City Council had prepared lots of them such as
dolls, jigsaw puzzles, bingo games and the main prizes of bicycles,
which drew great excitement from the children. All 10 local Pattaya
schools were represented, and private organizations brought cakes and
food along for the children.
City hall had prepared many activities to allow the children to show off
their talents. A music stage was set up which drew a lot of attention.
There was a food corner, games zones and prize areas, and the place was
packed with children and parents. The children also viewed a mock-up
Pattaya City Council meeting and the mayor opened his office to children
who wanted to experience his work atmosphere.
Having fun on National Children’s Day at
Botany Beach Resort.
At Sattahip Municipality, council members and community board members
organized Children’s Day celebrations at Sahachai Pattana Market
football pitch. Sattahip Mayor Narong Bunbanjaetsri read the Children’s
Communiqué, telling them that the prime minister says if they want to be
clever they have to read and think, because reading and thinking gives
growth to strong wisdom. Parents should encourage children to read and
think creatively and reasonably to aid development. The mayor and his
guests then presented gifts to all children in attendance.
Tiffany Theatre in cooperation with Rotary Marina and YWCA
Bangkok-Pattaya organized an event with Chonburi Governor Pisit
Ketphasook presiding over the opening ceremony. The Tiffany’s Singing
Contest 2006 was held and a painting competition gave study grants to
the winners. Food and drink was provided for free throughout. Tiffany’s
also put on a free show for children and parents with over 1,000 in
attendance.
At Nuknan Pavilion, Alcazar Company’s general manager Kittiwong
Chaisupachi and marketing and public relations manager Vimolphan
Phettrakul judged the Alcazar Junior Singing Contest 2006, which was
divided into various categories like country, international and
Thai-international. Free food and drinks were available and prizes were
given out. Many schools put on performances, like the Pong Lang by
Pattaya Arunothai School.
 Children
truly enjoyed the fun and games at Mabprachan School.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand in cooperation with Pattaya City
Council organized National Children’s Day celebrations by bringing 155
children from Bangkok orphanages and schools to Pattaya. Mayor Niran
along with Suraphon Svetasreni, deputy governor for publicity and public
relations of the TAT, welcomed them. A painting activity was organized
for children to express their feelings on the 60th anniversary of His
Majesty the King ascending the throne, and the artworks will be sent to
children in the three southernmost provinces.
Some activities were held before the official day. At Wat Chaimongkol
Nursery, Pattaya City Council gave children the opportunity to perform
in front of guests. Mayor Niran presided over the opening ceremony with
Suratt Mekavarakul, president of the Culture Association as chairman of
the organizing committee. Free food and drinks were provided.
Hundreds of
kids (and parents) crowded the stage at the National Children’s Day
celebrations in Nongprue Municipal Administration.
At Boonyasamphan School, Somchok Yindeesuk organized celebrations
supported by parents, YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya and Pattaya Sport Club, who
provided food and drinks. Games, singing, dancing and bowling were
organized, and gifts were given out.
Banglamung district chief Supakit Thamsatitman presided over the
National Children’s Day celebrations at Nongprue Municipal
Administration, which have been held there for eight years in
succession. Children were given the chance to show their talents on
stage and join in games. Food and treat corners were set up. The event
was attended by a thousand children and parents.
 Magician
Henk Romeijn (left), worked his magic at Botany Beach Resort.
At Bann Mabprachan School many organizations and sponsors like Marriott
Resort and Spa, Samitivej Hospital Sriracha, Samsung, and community
members organized a merit making ceremony and many children’s
activities. The Pattaya Buddha Amulet Club led by Namchai Deevri
presented a study grant of 20,000 baht to the school. The event was
simple but everyone had a good time.
At Banglamung Home for Boys celebrations were held which were honored by
the presence of Veravit Vivatthanavanich, deputy governor of Chonburi
who presided over the festivities. The activities included performances
by children, elderly people and handicapped people who are all under the
care of the institution.
 At
Wat Chaimongkol Nursery, Pattaya City Council gave children the
opportunity to perform in front of guests.
At Central Festival Center, other than children’s activities there was a
prize giving for the 5th ceramics painting contest for the HRH Princess
Siribhachudhabhorn Cup, which had been held on December 12. The winner
was Miss Amoey Baka from Sattahip Wittayakom School, who won the Primary
level event, and Miss Panisa Yusuk from Darasamut who won the Secondary
level event. The center also organized children’s activities, which were
greatly enjoyed by parents and children.
Royal Garden Plaza held a “Kidscovery Open the World” activity in
cooperation with the Channel 9 program of the same name and the Cartoon
Pipopyomarach from Channel 7. Scientific activities, special shows,
games and toys were enjoyed by all. Painting workshops and doll dressing
workshops were also given.
 The
children truly felt the warmth and love of caring people during the FLB
event on Jomtien Beach.
At Beach Road Pratamnak FLB Bar, Walking Street gave a great time to 157
children from the Street Kids’ Home, playing on the beach with games
like musical chairs and balloon stomping, and after a meal the children
enjoyed playing in the sea on banana boats and jet skis. Color was added
by everyone in their yellow t-shirts.
Botany Beach Resort, led by general manager Kampol Supornsahatrangsi,
said that because many employees did not have the day off to take their
children out, the resort organized their own Children’s Day activities,
with guests also joining in. Magician Henk Romeijn, who has performed
magic shows for more than 20 years, added color with his balloon magic
and other tricks which had the children and adults amazed at his
abilities. Lots of games were also available.
 Hamming
it up at Banglamung Home for Boys.
Even though the weather was hot, Pattaya’s children had a happy time at
many locations with a host of events going on. The city was colorful
with balloons and dolls and toys, and the smiles on the faces of the
little children who participated in the activities on their day warmed
the heart of every grown-up who was present.
Activities at Banglamung
Home for Boys included performances by children, elderly people and
handicapped people who are all under the care of the institution.
Having fun on Kids’ Day, thanks to FLB and friends
A great time was had by the entire Pattaya Street Kids Home when friends
and customers of the FLB bar in Walking Street combined their resources from
all over the world to sponsor this event for National Children’s Day on
Saturday 14th January.
It was originally planned to raise enough money to be able to throw a small
party for 40 children from the home but the support was so strong that by
December more than 150,000 baht had been raised so the event organisers,
Ann-Marie and Bruce Eggleton, who are long term ex-pats living in Jomtien,
decided that not a single child from the home should be disappointed. They
extended the invite to the entire 157 children as well as the 30 staff that
work there also.
 Bruce
and Ann-Marie: Tired but very satisfied at the end of a wonderful day.
About 15 customers and staff of the FLB along with local ex-pats arrived
early to help with the planning and setting up of a very full day that went
off without a single hitch. The programme started with musical chairs
followed by balloon stomping and then lunch with fruit and ice cream
provided for more than 200. In the afternoon there was more fun and games
with many children winning great prizes. Speedboats, banana boats and
jet-skis were laid on and every child got to have their turn before a twin
pig roast was served at 4 p.m.
 Giving
a Teddy Bear a good home.
Then it was time for more than 160 presents to be raffled amongst the
children, which consisted of boys and girls from 5 to 19 years old. Eight
new bicycles were the star prizes and there were big beaming smiles all
round when they at last all got to find out what they had won. A lucky dip
prize was the final thing on the agenda before the kids headed back to their
home near Sukhumvit.
The first phases of the Street Kids Home were completed in 2002 on land
donated by the late Father Ray Brennan after whom the charity is now named.
FLB has a tradition of events like this and when the home was running short
of money for its final construction in 2002, the FLB combined with Misty’s
in Pattayaland Soi 2 to organise an auction evening where more than half a
million baht was raised to finish the job.
Heaps of smiling faces.
The sponsors for the day would like to thank Wanna and her staff from P72
in Walking Street for the superb catering. Howard Smart for supplying a
great sound system and our compere for the day Ben Abrahams. Tammy of
Portable Toilets Asia Ltd for both his products and all the help he gave us
with the marquees. The many Thai beach workers who gave gifts and money,
along with Ooy who owns the beach concession for supplying us with crisps
and soft drinks. A great big thank you goes to everyone that donated money
and helped to make this a fantastic day to remember. Lastly our thanks go to
the FLB for throwing a free party in the evening to celebrate the end of a
perfect day.
 Enjoying
lunch in the shade.
For anyone who would like to know more about the Father Ray Foundation you
should be prepared for your heartstrings to be tugged at when you take a
peek at their high tech Web Site <www.fr-ray.org>. A new building is
currently under construction and this will take the number of children that
can be sheltered to over 300, but they desperately need more help and
support to complete this much-needed project.
Sailing, yacht racing and cruising:
A burgeoning life-style for Thailand
Part 1: The genesis of the marine sector
Peter Cummins,
Pattaya
This is the first instalment of three articles describing the incredible
surge in Thailand’s marine sector and the huge number of subsidiary
industries which are an integral component of the marine infrastructure and
development. In the aftermath of the devastating tsunami in December 2004,
both the public and private sectors realized that Thailand’s beautiful
marine environment is one of the best capital assets the Kingdom has to
regain the economic, social and tourism high ground.
The successful completion of the 2005 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, sailed from
December 5 - 10, 2005, was a great overview of the marine development and
the Thai marine sector, now on the threshold of an exponential lifestyle
boom.
The inaugural Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, established in 1987 as a 60th
birthday tribute to HM the King of Thailand – himself a Gold Medallist
dinghy helmsman and a devoted sports aficionado, participating in many and
encouraging his people to do the same.
Not only a great lifestyle, but boosting the
economy as well. (Photo by Peter Cummins)
Now, with the beautiful coastlines of Thailand seen from all points of the
compass, beaches, lush tropical foliage and some of the best waterways in
the world - warm, gentle and inviting - the Kingdom is embracing a lifestyle
which the great populations from colder, northern climes can only fantasize
about – until, that is – they visit the Kingdom and see the splendours
first-hand.
Of course, for Thai people and those fortunate enough to be residents of the
Kingdom, all these marine facilities are just a step away and an
ever-increasing number of Thais and foreign residents are taking up marine
sports.
This trend is greatly enhanced by the ever-present symbiosis between the
hotel industry and tourism which is not merely a ‘marriage of convenience’,
it is, rather, complementary to the promoting of Thailand. Now the flagging
tourism industry is looking to the huge Thai marine leisure sector to
reverse the back-slide in tourist arrivals since the disastrous 2004
tsunami.
In fact, most of the major hotels with beach fronts have fleets of
catamarans for rent, offer sailing instruction for their guests and
permanently support regattas all around the country.
 A
catamaran nudges a pristine beach: what a beautiful life. (Photo by
Art/Asia)
As the world quickly learned, to its grief on 26 December 2004 when the
tsunami came “out of nowhere”, Thailand, along with many Asian, South Asian
and Southeast Asian countries, suffered disastrous loss of life, livelihoods
and, of course, a rapid decline in tourism numbers.
Fortunately, Suthep Keasangh, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(TAT) southern area, said recently that TAT had informed their offices in
Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and tour operators in other areas, “that the
situation (in the South) was back to normal”.
For its part, TAT has been made only too aware of the big drop in tourist
arrivals since the tsunami and, consequently, has seen fit to support marine
tourism as one of the best panaceas to helping overcome these shortfalls in
Thailand’s vital tourism trade. This not only translates into co-sponsoring
the numerous regattas now held annually in the north, south, east and west
of the Kingdom, but it has galvanized TAT into allocating considerable
funding through 2006 for promoting marine activities.
Further, when the Royal Thai Government abolished, some two years ago, the
absurd tax on the marine leisure industry of around 250 percent, which
totally crippled what promised to be a great money-spinner, in this
intervening two years it is becoming just that. There has been a phenomenal
growth of the marine tourism industry, with regattas, boat-building, marina
development and the numerous concomitant industries throughout the Kingdom.
Boating, a life cruising the seven seas, competitive yacht racing or just
“messing about in boats” (Kenneth Grahame’s “Wind in the Willows”) is,
granted, not everyone’s ideal. In fact, “Sailing”, according to Beard and
McKie in their dictionary of the same title, “is the fine art of getting wet
and becoming ill, while going nowhere at great expense.”
Many would tend to agree with this – even a lot of the sailors themselves.
Astride the four winds and the seven seas is for some the dream of a
lifetime; for others an anathema to be avoided at all cost.
“It takes a certain type to go sailing,” observed Scots-born writer Robert
Louis Stevenson more than a century ago, “for the sea is a horrible place,
stupefying to the mind and poisonous to the temper.” His catalogue of woes
runs the gamut from the “constant motion, the lack of space and the
villainous canned food…”
But being a sailor himself, Stevenson relents somewhat, noting the joy “when
you sight an island and drop anchor in a new world”. No doubt, this was
foremost in the minds of the big fleets which descended upon Phuket for the
19th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, as they have for the preceding 18, tsunami
notwithstanding.
Again, travel writer Paul Theroux also had some definite misgivings, penned
in his 1992 travelogue, “The Happy Isles of Oceania”, though Theroux’s
fixation is on the people who sail, rather than their domain. “I have never
liked any boat enough to want to live on it; but yachties love their boats.
What had driven them offshore in the first place? Had they always been so
orderly, or had sailing, with its miniscule space, forced them to become
frugal and fussy?” Theroux asks, somewhat rhetorically.
But there are now thousands who seek solace in the sea, from kings to
ambassadors, to the common folk, escaping from the madness we have created
on the land, and Thailand is rapidly joining the ranks indulging in many
forms of marine sports, with ready access to superb, warm and safe
waterways.
Even some families are opting to “go to sea’, a recent example being the
Peterson family from Cottesloe, Perth who took their son Jack, then only six
years old, on a circumnavigation over six years, with one of the prime ports
of call, Phuket. There they participated in the Regatta, meeting many
like-minded adventurers.
Of course, this is a solo venture and there are many others arranged for the
less confident, such as flotilla cruising, fully-equipped and manned
chartering tours arranged by Sunsail, one of the world’s largest and
best-known companies, now operating at several resorts in Thailand.
Sunsail’s manager, Simon James, has brought his commensurate skills to the
racing at successive Phuket King’s Cups, managing the huge responsibilities
incumbent upon such a venture, as well as ensuring that his Sunsail fleets
are fully booked. With the abolishment of the marine taxes and duties,
Sunsail was able to open new charters, replace many of their older boats
and, generally, contribute immensely to Thailand’s new marine-oriented
lifestyle.
Another - but very different - world cruise also sailing via Phuket was
undertaken by the four Coveneys, three brothers and one sister, sailing out
of Cork on their 50 ft. ketch (16 m.) the “Golden Apple”. The young people
chose to call their voyage “Sail Chernobyl”, raising funding to help the
victims of what was rated by the United Nations as the world’s worst
“environmental disaster in the history of Mankind”.
Belarus, the most insidiously affected by the nuclear leakage, was mooted to
have no people left by the year 2030. Thus “Sail Chernobyl” was aimed at
saving as many children as possible.
Next week’s story will focus on Pattaya, Phuket and the Eastern Seaboard as
the major players in the lifestyle game.
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