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100 youngsters ordain as novice
monks at Sattahip Temple
Young novice monks and
their families make merit
for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani.
Young novices make their
way round the temple grounds.
Dressed in pure white, the
young novices receive their saffron robes.
Youngsters from Sattahip
and Samaesarn districts express their loyalty
to His Majesty the King for his upcoming 81st birthday.
The newly ordained novice
monks at Sattahip Temple gather for a colorful photo.
Patcharapol Panrak
One hundred youngsters ordained as novice monks at Sattahip
Temple to make merit for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani, who passed
away on January 2, and to spend part of their summer studying within the
temple.
The ordination ceremony took place in the sermon hall at Sattahip Temple
on April 7, with the dean of Sattahip District Abbot Wibunthammabal
presiding, assisted by Deputy Mayor of Sattahip Municipality Brat
Bunbancherdsri, who also heads the Layman Party.
There were 80 youngsters from Sattahip District and 20 from Samaesarn
District taking part, and they expressed their loyalty to His Majesty
the King for his upcoming 81st birthday.
During summer school, the novices will learn about strength of
character, giving them the self-discipline to avoid excessive
participation in computer games, the exploitation of youngsters by
entrepreneurs more intent on making a profit from them than helping them
as growing individuals, and the temptations of drugs.
Diana Dragon Sports Corner celebrates 10th birthday
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Champagne corks popped on April 4 as the Diana Dragon Sports Corner
celebrated its 10th anniversary.
 Who
can guzzle a Chang Beer the fastest?
Sopin Thappajug, managing director of the Diana Group welcomed friends and
guests to the venue for an evening of music and good fun, with a fast-moving
roster of bands, singers, and comedians.
Guests were encouraged to join in the games, with prizes of Chang T-shirts
being handed out, and there was a competition to see who could drink a
bottle of Chang Beer in the fastest time.
Well-known singer David Inthee provided the musical highlight of the
evening, performing songs from his albums such as “Fak Faen Pom Duay” from
the albums “Mue Mai Had Rak” and “Sua Poen Wai”. The singer received
bouquets of flowers from his fans, including from Sopin.
Wasa Sukasem, manager of the Diana Dragon Sports Corner said that progress
for the venue had been remarkable in the 10 years since it had first opened.
“We started with a small shop, and now there are 150 seats to provide
service to Thai and foreign customers,” said Wasa. “They can relax with soft
music, and can if they wish join in games and beer drinking contests. The
first Friday of each month sees our Friday Night Party, which is especially
popular.”
The Diana Dragon Sports Corner is open every day from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight.
It is located on Soi Buakao across from Soi Diana Inn.
A comedy show leads the
entertainment before David Inthee’s concert.
David Inthee and his band
perform for an appreciative audience.
Management and honored guests
pour the champagne over the champagne tree during the celebration of Diana
Dragon’s 10th anniversary at Chang Beer House.
Traditional Songkran celebrated at Fountain of Life Pattaya
Lela Aukes-Niemer
On April 11, Sister Joan and the Fountain of Life staff invited
people from the community to come and celebrate Songkran with the children
in their care. Several members of the Pattaya International Ladies Club
(PILC) came to participate in this important event and celebrated with them.
The Fountain of Life staff was free from their regular routine work and the
children and staff shared a real “Songkran” Thai New Year celebration with
us. The Songkran festival is very much related to water, since people
believe that water splashing will induce abundant rainfalls in the incoming
year. Water is also a symbol to clean up bad things, so Thai citizens
traditionally wash up to start a clean new year.
Nang Rochana told the children about the meaning of Songkran and explained
how to perform the annual rite of showing respect to their elders. The
highlight of the event was when the younger Thais, paying respect to their
elders, sprinkle their elders’ hands with scented water.
Several PILC ladies attended, including last year’s president Roseanne,
Ingrid, Inga, Karin, Sheila, and others. We were all there to take part in
this celebration of delightful, colourful, and very wet fun, as a very
traditional event. It was a symbolic, beautiful day which, in fact, suitably
united the mutual relationship between members of the Fountain of Life, PILC
and the Thai society as a whole.
Many guests, including Pastor Fred from the Mercy Center and Bill from the
Jesters, all joined in with the children.
The Songkran Festival has proved to be the most important and grandest
festival of the year. The children played cultural games, performed song and
dance and performed serious rituals like bathing the Buddha image with
scented water. The children also took part in forming sand pagodas.
Afterwards, they washed the hands of guests, elders, and respected ones to
ask for their blessings. After that it was traditional cake, desserts and
goodies for everyone and lots of playing by splashing water at one another,
praying for good luck and good life. We all had a great time.
The Festival proved to be the
most important and grandest, children played cultural games, performed song
and dance and bathing the Buddha image with scented water, blessing were
then given by elders.
Chaine goes ‘amical’ at Pan Pan
Miss Terry Diner
The local chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the oldest gourmet
group in the world (started in 1248 - that’s a lot of dinners across the
table) held an evening with a difference last week. It was an evening
‘amical’ (friendly), a culinary adventure, but without the pomp and
circumstance usually associated with Chaine dinners.
 Local
Chaine Bailli Ranjith Chandrasiri welcomes members to the dinner.
It was held at Pan Pan in Jomtien, which has a glassed-in garden area behind
the main restaurant, which proved to be very suitable for the event. Holding
the “event” was the rationale for the dinner ‘amical’, rather than
adventurous cuisine, with the Italian food being produced by Pan Pan’s very
experienced Italian chef, Lamyuan and the owner Wanphen Prantera, who had
also trained overseas in Rome and Paris.
The reception wine was not a Prosecco, as many had predicted, but a neat
Campari, a palate-startling commencement for the evening. This was drunk
while consuming many small brochettes as appetizers.
President of the local Chaine, Ranjith Chandrasiri, welcomed everyone and
said that the venue was one of the most popular Italian family restaurants
in Pattaya, and was one that could promote friendship amongst the members
and guests.
 Hugh
Millar, emcee of the night.
After seating, the members were served the traditional Italian anti pasti of
Parma ham and melon balls, served with pizza bread and a very interesting
Radicchio salad, which had greens, fried potato, mozzarella cheese and
crispy bacon. It was superb. During this course, the Prosecco was served, a
wine that goes well with almost anything.
After much chat and discussion on many topics, and not just food, the second
course was brought in, and again was another different concoction, called a
Caponata Siciliana. This was a lukewarm sweet and sour combination with
eggplant, tomato, prawns, celery, olives and red capsicum. This was washed
down with a strong white at 14 percent, a Quater Bianco, being a combination
of Grillo, Catarratto, Carricante and Zibibbo grapes.
The main course was Roman farmhouse style ox tail, which had been roasted
and then simmered to make the meat fall off the bones. Julius would have
been proud of the fact that he had conquered Gaul, leaving a tradition for
the Chaine des Rotisseurs! A red wine accompanied this, a Chiaramonte, being
another Sicilian made from 100 percent Nero d’Avola grapes.
 Ranjith
explains to Dr. Iain for PMTV the true meaning of ‘amical’ culinary
adventure.
Desserts and further chat rounded out the evening, with a plate holding an
Italian style English trifle, chocolate truffle cake and pistachio ice cream
being served along with the wonderful traditional Limoncello, which
according to the MC Hugh Millar (Symphony restaurant) was 97 percent proof.
The proof of the pudding was in the drinking, or something similar!
It was a different evening, and was designed to be that way. Whilst the
Chaine is thought of as having rather ‘grand’ dinners, it was good to see
the lack of stuffiness and everyone letting their hair down. Some more than
others!
Dr. William van Ewijk and his
fiancée with Apple, Elfi and Meow Aamlid.
Jan Van Koss, Jan Olav and
Meow Aamlid, Dr. Iain Corness
and Elfi Seitz were chatting the night away.
It was an ‘amical’ evening, a
culinary adventure, but without the pomp
and circumstance usually associated with Chaine dinners.
Rotarians help foster peace though kindness
and service for schoolchildren in Narathiwat
Wat Choeng Khao School a perfect example of tolerance and harmonious co-existence
Happy Rotarians, the military, teachers and most
of all the children gather
for a group photograph at the presentation ceremonies.
John Botting &
Peter Thorand
On January 31 this year at very short notice members of the Rotary Club
Taksin-Pattaya and the Rotary Club (RC) of Chantanimit, Chantaburi, traveled
to Narathiwat in southern Thailand, a town which is 70 km from the border of
Malaysia. In this area the insurgency is very active and has been for many
years. In general, it’s a not very secure area for foreigners to visit.
 President
John Botting is hard at work again organising fundraisers to finance more
projects in the south.
The Rotarians who traveled there were President Wiboon, Past President
Jedsada, Past President Kosol, Past President Suvan, and Past President
Worarit from the RC Chantanimit, Chantaburi; from RC Taksin-Pattaya Charter
President and Project Chairman Peter Thorand, charter member Erwin Rohner
and executive secretary Michael Butler. Also attending was David Biow, one
of our sponsors and Hajo Schielmann.
On arrival an airline employee mentioned to us we are the first 5 foreigners
to arrive here on one day for many years!
In Narathiwat we were welcomed by the commander of the 3rd Infantry Regt,
MARDIV, RTMC at the HRH Princess Chulabhorn Camp, which is located at Tambol
Khok Kean, Ampor Mueng, Narathiwat Province. The camp is very near the
airport and from the time we arrived till we left we were constantly guarded
by many soldiers.
We moved into the rooms provided for us on the camp and enjoyed a Thai
lunch. Thereafter we changed and boarded the busses to take us to Wat Choeng
Khao School, Palukasmoa Sub-district, Bacho District, which is about 50 km
from the Royal Thai Marines camp.
Naturally, everyone was waiting for us at the school and on arrival the
festivities started. The area is poor and has high unemployment. Our project
consisted of the construction of a football field with a raised cement
floor, a Thai sala for the kids to use as a waiting area after school, and a
library. This will be the only library in this area which has a tiled floor.
All other floors were dirt.
The kids put on a traditional cultural dance, performed by two boys and
around 12 little girls. It was a very nice show with a lot of improvisation!
Considering they have nothing, the show was outstanding.
We provided them with sports equipment kindly donated by Rotarians Erwin &
Susi Rohner, and Erwin also handed out 300 candy sticks, which the kids
loved. CP Peter Thorand handed out 75 match box cars and he was nearly
mobbed by the boys. They have never had such a toy before and were overjoyed
at this gift.
At around 7 p.m. we gathered on the beach for a meal and get together.
Rotarian Michael provided the beverage for the evening. The police commander
for the region, Yongyut, joined us (he was a police chief in Pattaya &
Chantaburi previously). Also joining us were the headmaster of the school,
the teachers and all the military commanders who were responsible for
implementing this project.
Charter President Peter handed out some very special coins featuring King
Rama 5 on one side and different temples of Thailand on the other side, to
the people which where instrumental to make this project a success. The camp
commander was presented with a Rotary coin and the civilians all given an
info booklet on Rotary.
We enjoyed a great dinner and many stories were swapped and many friendships
formed. By around 10 p.m. we all went back to our rooms for a much needed
rest. The next day we left the camp around 10 a.m. and boarded our flight
back to Bangkok.
We’d like to give a big Thank You to our hosts, Capt. Nivech Bootsri,
Commander Southern Marines Task Force / 3rd Inf Rgt, MARDIV and Somchai,
R.T.M. Capt Pongsak Tongsai, LCDR Kitipumi & Lt Putporn, for the
professional way they implemented and completed the project, for their great
hospitality and security they provided during our stay.
This project was carried out by the two Rotary clubs mentioned here who
raised 150,000 baht in cash. We would like to also thank some of our
sponsors, King Seafood, Marriott Hotel & Spa, Chaiaboon Construction and
Sahip Tailors.
This was a pilot project for us in the deep south of Thailand and we are now
looking to help 4 more schools in the same way. Also we would like to give
each school a water purification system and help the rural clinics
(currently they are only First Aid stations).
Everyone down there told us what we have done is good, as the locals see
that the soldiers are also there to help and protect. When they see the way
we were helping them they see that other areas in this country are also
concerned about them. This way we can contribute to the poor in the area and
maybe help wean them away from the extremists and join the rest of the
country.
The two clubs working in this area are the RC of Taksin-Pattaya and the RC
of Chantanimit, Chantaburi. These 2 clubs are the first Rotary Clubs ever to
go there. The area is very poor and in need of anything we can provide them,
from healthcare to school supplies to clothes and more of the same that we
have just done there.
Our aim is to raise more funds and continue the same type of project for 4
more schools in the more outlying areas to give the community a place to
meet, the kids a safe place to play and the end result will be we push the
insurgents back.
Hopefully we can do this as we have just successfully completed our first
project and now have contacts in this area, an area no one wants to go and
every one is afraid. However, since we are partnered with the Royal Thai
Marines we are able to implement projects there and we need not to be afraid
as they are very professional in the way they contact their business.
As an old saying goes, “When you do good, good comes to you”.
We would like to appeal to some of our local businesses to come forward and
support our effort by donating to the new project, as we have to assist
another 4 schools.
For more information contact the project chairman, Peter Thorand
charterpresident @rotary-pattaya.org or call Peter on 081 909 9098, or
President John Botting, president@rotary-pattyaya. org or call John on 081
894 2118 or project member Michael Buttler, michael@
siambusinessservices.com
The military and local workers are to be
wholeheartedly thanked
for their tireless work in completing the projects.
The work completed, a lot of fun was had by all
at the presentation ceremonies.
Mozart enchants Globe Theatre
Jonathon Davie
In a city that is undoubtedly starved of classical music
performances, it is keen anticipation that we greet to launch of a new
home-grown musical enterprise. The newly formed Siam Chamber Orchestra,
founded by Suriyothai/Naresuan composer Richard Harvey with the backing of
the Royal Overseas League Thailand, is one such enterprise, but one that
proved well worthy of our attention. The programme, presented in the Globe
Theatre at the Regent’s School was a nicely balanced Mozart selection under
the baton of two conductors, Harvey himself for the first part and Leo
Phillips for the more substantial second half.
 Jonathon
Davie
The evening commenced with the champagne moment that is the Marriage of
Figaro overture, a fleeting moment of pure, heady musical effervescence.
Almost gone before it started, one felt that the newly formed orchestra was
warming up, but with its high energy levels, sparkling one moment, hammering
the next and cajoling in between, it had the desired curtain raising effect.
The SCO and Harvey were then joined on stage by Leo Phillips (this time in
his role of virtuoso violinist) and Nian Liu, virtuoso violist from
Shanghai, for the E flat Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and
Orchestra. This amazing work is rarely heard in Thailand but is one of
Mozart’s finest. Both soloists were on top form and the honeyed tones of Mr
Liu’s viola were as were as seductive as Phillips’ violin was brilliant.
The slow movement was very moving indeed, the large audience sat transfixed
before being stung back into life by the hyper-active and super-exuberant
last movement.
After a very well catered intermission, the orchestra returned, this time
with roles reversed for Harvey and Phillips, now Phillips the conductor and
Harvey the soloist for the Clarinet concerto in A, one of Mozart’s
last compositions. This is a beautiful piece, no doubt about that, but often
placed on too high a shelf by dint of it being one of the great composer’s
final offerings. The fact is… that it wasn’t meant to be! Although he talked
about death frequently, the 35 year old Mozart was not a morbid character
and this work was written for his friend, fellow freemason, showman,
drinking and gambling partner Anton Stadler, pioneer and virtuoso of the
then recently invented clarinet. It is a work written for a charmer and a
chancer, full of wit and vigour with one of the most beautiful Adagios
you’re ever likely to hear sandwiched between an elegant opening Allegro
and a sparkling Rondo. As soloist, Harvey did not disappoint, a twinkle in
his eye as he negotiated the passagework of the last movement with
insouciant ease.
A lengthy second half was concluded with the main course for the evening,
the towering and magnificent symphony number 41, “The Jupiter”. This
is an ambitious undertaking for any orchestra, particularly a small group,
where as the inner workings of the piece are laid out like the movement of
an intricate Swiss watch… Nowhere to hide here. This really was, rightly,
the highlight of the evening. The first movement with its elegant classical
structure spiced with amazing changes of key and colouration, came and went.
The achingly beautiful Adagio with its silken muted violin phrases
and pre-echoes of Wagner in the woodwind writing came and went, with not a
sound from the audience. The elegant minuet and trio, like a sorbet
between courses, came and went, giving the emotions a break before the
finale.
Woody Allen once said that the closing vivace of the Jupiter symphony “made
you believe in God”. What a defining moment in the cultural history of
mankind this fleeting, quicksilver 8 minutes or so is! It is like Mozart as
the magician and the supreme composer he had become. He sets out his five
different but complementary themes like cards on a table, then proceeds to
play such tricks with them that you are left dizzy and breathless. Under Leo
Phillips the SCO did a fine, really fine job of the entire work. There’s not
much that anyone can add to this masterpiece, the trick is to take as little
away as possible, providing a pure conduit from the amazing mind and soul of
Mozart the genius to the here and now. That’s the joy of music, it’s a bit
like watching a great painter making his brush-strokes … every performance
is just like the premiere, with life breathed anew into the notes on the
page. There was real life here. The audience leaping to their feet
and shouts of “bravo” was further evidence of that.
Well done SCO et al, Pattaya needs this kind of well-directed energy, let’s
have some more and don’t leave it too long!
Obituary: Piyapatch “Namphon” Malarat
Namphon’s home for the past 3 years was the Mercy Centre
Children’s Home. She had suffered from leukemia since she was 3 years old.
Ongoing treatments, plus chemotherapy and radiation were not able to bring
healing, and she passed away on Thursday March 27 at approximately 11:40
a.m.
 Piyapatch
“Namphon” Malarat
August 10, 1993 - March 27 2008
This is Namphon’s story. The story of a special child of Pattaya.
On Saturday March 28, many came to St Nikolas Church, Pattaya to say a last
farewell to this special 14 year old child they all knew. Many people and
organizations were involved in Namphon’s life, but let’s start with Namphon
herself and how she came to be at the Mercy Centre Children’s home.
A New Home
Namphon’s mother and biological father fought a lot and finally
separated when Namphon was still very young. Not long after Mom brought home
a new ‘foster father’ and not long after that she became pregnant again,
more fighting and beatings, a baby brother ‘Beer’ born … and another
‘separation’. Namphon spent most of her young life being cared for by a
variety of “Auntys’, always herself caring for her small brother and always
longing for a ‘family’ again.
 Namphon’s
little brother Beer, with Dianne Doell at the Mercy Centre.
Her mother ‘worked’ nights, and often disappeared for days at a time, but
finally when she was gone for weeks, kind hearted friends at Chumchon Kohpai
referred Namphon and her 6 mo. brother to Mercy. That was over 3 years ago,
and the Mercy Centre became their new family, able to provide care, shelter
and love and to make sure that Namphon received the medical treatment she
needed.
Fun at School
Namphon attended Fountain of Life School and was a smart kid. She
previously had very little education, being forced to leave school due to
her illness, then later to care for her baby brother. She really like
learning, but sometimes it was difficult for her to study because of her
illness. She was well-liked and had many friends at the Fountain of Life,
and will be missed by the other children there.
A Last wish
Namphon’s wish was to see her mother and father again before she
died, and the Mercy Centre was able to make this happen. Both of them were
at Namphon’s bedside for the last 2 days of her life, and this made her very
happy.
The Letters
Before she died, at the request of her doctors, Namphon wrote
some letters which have been translated. These are just a few extracts from
those letters.
 Namphon
after chemo with Kru Wannee of the Fountain of Life Center.
“Now I am very happy to stay at the children’s home. There are many other
children. I would like to be with those children because they smile when I
play with them. I feel like many people concern about me and love me. I am
happy to know that many people love me.”
“I know that I got leukemia but many people are concerned about me. I am
very happy reaching today with many other people’s support. I don’t care
about leukemia. I will fight with it. I will look after my brother well. My
Mom told me to love my brother, don’t leave him, be strong to look after
him.”
“I have love for everyone and gain love from everyone as well, even though I
didn’t stay with my mother. Lots of people are concerned about me, look
after me. I know that there are many other children who have faced worse
situations than me and are poorer than me. I am happy to be at the shelter.
I miss my Mom.”
 Namphon
with her little brother Beer.
“If I got heal from leukemia. My Mom and Dad might be very happy. If I got
better I would like to be a doctor or have my own shop so we could stay
together as a family. I wanted to be happy.”
And this was Namphon’s last letter:
“When I grow up I want to be a doctor like Doctor East so I could heal
myself and heal my mother, my brother and other people when they are sick. I
wanted to be a good doctor like Doctor East and Doctor Jeadsadha who look
after me many times. They are both very good. I wanted to be good doctor so
I can heal my leukemia. If I got better I wanted to stay with my mother and
brother. I wanted my brother to be smart at school so that when he graduated
he can get a job like my dream that I wanted to be a doctor. I don’t know
what Beer wanted to study or to be or what he dreams. I want him to get a
good job. I wanted whoever got cancer got healed or any other disease get
heal soon. Good bye to Doctor East and Doctor Jeadsadha.”
Some of the many people who were involved in Namphon’s life:
* The home referred to is Mercy Center - Children’s Home in Pattaya, where
Namphon lived with her brother Beer. Beer still lives there - a lively young
boy who now misses the sister who looked after him all his life.
* Namphon saw a pediatric hematologist, Dr. Preeda to begin procedure for
bone marrow transplant donor search, with all costs paid for by Take Care
Kids Foundation (Italy). Although donors were found, the procedure became
impossible because Namphon’s last relapse reduced possible success to less
than 10%. She was also treated by Dr. Sureeporn (East) and Dr. Jeadsadha, at
Chonburi Hospital and the medical staff at Banglamung Hospital.
* The Fountain of Life played an important part in Namphon’s life. She went
to school there and had many friends. She really enjoyed learning, but
sometimes it was difficult for her to study. She always received love and
encouragement from Sister Joan and the staff and volunteers at the Fountain
of Life.
* Jesters Care for Kids are the major supporter of the Fountain of Life, and
many Jesters attended Namphon’s funeral. The Jesters also contributed
towards the funeral costs, as did the PILC (Pattaya International Ladies
Club) who also support Fountain of Life and the Mercy Centre projects.
If you would like to read more about Namphon, or see the full text of her
letters, please visit the Mercy Centre website www. mercypattaya.com
A message from the Mercy Centre, Pattaya
Mercy Center and Fountain of Life want to thank all those who
through their kindness and generosity have helped Namphon and so many others
like her have a better life. It continues to be our greatest joy to be part
of a community that is so caring and works in so many ways to help bring
hope to those in need, particularly the children.
In the special letters Namphon wrote before she died, she talked about the
things she would like in her life. With humility, gratitude and love she
wrote of her life, and her desire to be with her ‘family’, who separated
when she was small. We thank God that her mother and father were both able
to be with her in her final days. There were, however, some other ‘dreams’
Namphon wrote about that have not yet become real. It is those special
requests that we ask any and all who are touched by Namphon’s story to help
us make her dreams come true:
* Namphon’s brother Beer’s future education: Namphon wrote that when she
‘grew up’ she wanted to be a doctor to care for other children with
leukemia, and that if she was not able to, then she wanted her young brother
Beer to have this opportunity. Those who would like to be a part of
Namphon’s dream for her brother come true, are invited to make a special
offering through the Mercy Center to be kept in trust for Beer’s future
education, whatever is most suitable for him at that time.
* Chonburi Hospital: Those who visited Namphon in Chonburi Hospital feel
that for those children especially who spend considerable time there as
Namphon did; it could use some ‘cheering up’ in terms of new and colorful
bedding, curtains, pictures, etc. When we visited the hospital to thank them
for their care of Namphon and discuss our desire to help, they showed us a
wonderful new children’s wing of the Chonburi Hospital. The building was
completed with funds raised through a local Thai foundation, but the
equipping and furnishing was just beginning, and apart from those things
that would obviously be transferred, they had no idea where the necessary
extra equipment & furnishing would come from.
We have asked them to provide a list of things needed for Mercy to use to
help raise support for a special memorial project. We also asked for a list
of those organizations already committed to help them, so we are not
duplicating efforts.
Those who would like to contribute toward either memorial project may make a
special designation through Mercy Center - Pattaya directly, or by using
on-line giving at our Mercy web site at: www.mercypattaya.com. Those wanting
more information may email: mercyp [email protected] or by mobile phone as
follows: Liz Shepherd: 086- 562-4080; Fred Doell: 086-688-5867; Dianne
Doell: 081-945-4307.
MERCY Center is an authorized charity project registered with Goodwill
Foundation – Thailand.
This story was written by Elaine Poole, in conjunction with the Mercy
Centre, and PILC and Jesters Care for Kids.
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