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Pratheep S. Malhotra installed as Governor
of District 3340 Rotary International
A multitude of Rotarians flock to Pattaya for 2 days of learning and fellowship
Past Rotary International President Bhichai Rattakul
installs Pratheep
as Governor of District 3340 R.I.
Incumbent DG Dr. Arnon Chirajavala (right)
congratulates Pratheep.
Panga Vathanakul, MD of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort
greets uncle Bhichai with a bouquet of flowers.
Panga Vathanakul congratulates Peter and Rani.
Charnyuth Hengtrakul, former MP of Chonburi
brings
warm greetings of good health and success.
PRIP Bhichai Rattakul mesmerises the crowd with his
introductory address as (l-r) Khun Rani, Pratheep, Dr. Arnon and Khun
Siriluk listen intently.
Ratmanee Tanyingyong, Governor (2008-09) of District
3330 R.I.
and Khun Vitit congratulate Pratheep and Rani.
Krai Tungsanga, Governor (2008-09) of District 3350
R.I.
and Khun Rungnapha extend their sincere wishes to Peter and Rani.
Pornsak Euerprasert, Governor (2008-09) of District
3360 R.I.
and Khun Jiraporn wish Peter and Rani a successful year as
governor.
Elfi, Bernie, Nittaya and Virginia pose with Khun
Bhichai.
The 61 clubs in Rotary International (RI) District
3340 turned out in force at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort to honor their
new District Governor (DG), Pratheep Malhotra. The installation ceremony
was held on May 3 in the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s Siam Ballroom, which
was only just large enough to house the 400 plus well-wishers who came
to see Pratheep Malhotra’s 21 years of selfless devotion to the ideals
of Rotary rewarded with the bestowing upon him of the governorship of
the district.
At a function such as this style of installation, it is usual to have a
keynote address, but it is not usual to be able to attract a speaker
with the exemplary credentials of the guest of honor, who is the most
respected Rotarian in Thailand, HE Bhichai Rattakul, former President of
Parliament, former Deputy Prime Minister, Past District Governor and
Past Rotary International Director, and the first Thai to become the
President of Rotary International in the year 2002-2003.
 Peter
pours his heart out to the audience, thanking one and all for the love
showered upon him.
However, before the address and installation of the governor by HE
Bhichai, other Rotary luminaries addressed the swelling audience,
including Dr. Arnon Chirajavala, the outgoing 3340 DG, PDG Som
In-Payoong who sang his eulogy, and the MC, PDG Rathprateep Kiratiurai.
PDG’s from other districts also came to lend their assistance with just
their presence lending so much credibility to the installation,
including PDG Xanxai Visitkul and PDG Krit Inthewat, along with Pratheep
Malhotra’s ‘classmates’ in Rotary DG (Elect) Krai Tungsanga (District
3350), DGE Pornsak Euerprasert and DGE Ratmanee Tanyingyong (District
3330).
However, it was not just Rotarians who were present from all the Rotary
Clubs in the district, but society’s leaders in Bangkok and Pattaya also
turned out to acknowledge Pratheep Malhotra’s attaining the top honor
for District 3340. These included Panga Vathanakul (MD Royal Cliff Beach
Resort) and her Rotarian husband Past President Chan Vathanakul, former
MP for Chonburi, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, many of the new Chonburi MPs and
government officials from city hall, and Sopin Thappajug, the associate
judge from the Youth and Family Court.
Almost every organization in Pattaya with connections to welfare and
tourism were represented, including Chaiwat Charoensook, director of the
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Pattaya Office and many PILC ladies
plus the president of Skål Thailand, Andrew Wood (also a Rotary Paul
Harris Fellow), with the YWCA group led by President Nittaya
Patimasongkroh, along with Premruedee Jittiwutthikarn, Elfi Seitz and
Victoria Sorrensen who sang tributes.
Keeping the many guests interested in the proceedings, there were some
other entertaining items too, including a welcome dance by Thai
performers, written by PDG Premprecha Dibbayawan; an Indian epic
supplied by Sopin Thappajug with an interesting leading ‘lady’ and then
Pratheep’s three sons, Prince, Tony and Dave who formed a trio with
guitars and sang a song for their father, which brought more than one
tear to the parent’s eyes.
When it was time for Pratheep to receive his badge of honor, this was
done by HE Bhichai, who in his official address said, “Pratheep was born
in Pitsanuloke, the second son to an Indian father and mother.
“The Malhotra parents ran a successful trading business in textiles,
typewriters and sewing machines, but Malhotra senior had an eye to the
future. It was he who decided that an ability in English was going to be
a pre-requisite for the future of business in Thailand. The most
accessible place for his boy to learn English would be to send him to
India. Malhotra senior also felt that this would give the young Pratheep
a chance to investigate and understand his Indian roots. Consequently,
he was sent to an Irish Catholic School in Mussoorie, India, at the
foothills of the Himalayas, when he was five years old.
“One of his most obvious traits is his enthusiasm. He will embrace an
idea or a concept and run with it, enthusing all those around him to
look ahead as well to what is being aimed for. The international man,
however, does always acknowledge his debt of gratitude to his parents
and to the other members of his family. While the symbolism may have
changed for Pratheep, in all his guises, his personal philosophy never
has. He retains the close bonds of the Thai/Indian family unit and a
respect for that concept, which his father and mother gave him. That is
now, in turn, being taught to his own three sons, nephews and nieces.
Hopefully, the strengths which come from that will continue through the
Malhotra lineage.
“One aspect that does set Peter apart from many others is his
understanding of people and their strengths and weaknesses, and he has
never stopped helping those in unfortunate circumstances.
“While Pratheep may seem an enigma to many, he is not really. He is just
a man driven by his own quest for excellence, a quest that has been the
same for all pioneers, whether they were the Pilgrim Fathers,
Christopher Columbus or Magellan. A pioneer has to have a mission, a
pioneer has to have forward vision and a pioneer has to have boundless
enthusiasm. Peter, the pioneer has all that.”
HE Bhichai, knowing Pratheep Malhotra’s stance regarding hard work,
ethics and goal setting, quoted the former British Prime Minister Maggie
Thatcher who said that one has to stick to one’s principles - if you
stand in the middle you get run over from both directions! Pratheep will
not suffer that fate.
Responding to HE Bhichai, Pratheep started with these words, “Out of the
gloom a voice spoke unto me and said, smile and be happy, things could
be worse. So I did smile and was happy and things did get worse.” Peter
explained that these were the words of one great Rotarian, the late Past
District Governor (PDG) Nelson Alexander who spoke them when he was
guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya in 1992 during
Peter’s term as president of the club.
“Nelson was a man best known for his love and devotion to his work,
especially in Rotary. He loved people. He loved life. He strived to see
everyone around him love themselves and be happy and contented. He was
always there to extend a helping hand, picked up those who stumbled over
and held them steady until they were strong again.
“Nelson had worked tirelessly and fought endlessly with the Rotary
bureaucracy in getting a Thai to become the RI President. His resolve
finally bore fruit in 2002, but sadly PDG Nelson was not to see the
fruition of his efforts.
“All the seeds that Nelson sowed for the great cause of Rotary will by
and by bear fruit and bring greater benefits to all mankind.”
Peter pledged to dedicate his year as District Governor to the memory of
Nelson.
Pratheep went on to mention that his own father had taken him to a
Rotary meeting as a young man, saying “One day you’ll be a president.”
Unfortunately he too was not to live long enough to see his second son
rise even higher than a president, to become a District Governor.
Pratheep thanked those people who had inspired and assisted him on his
way, including the HE Bhichai Rattakul himself, PDG Xanxai Visitkul, PDG
Premprecha Dibbayawan, PDG Krit Inthewat, PDG Niwes Khunawisaroot and
also his own elder brother Marlowe Malhotra, including his family
members, all role models in a selfless society as Rotary, a group
espousing ‘Service Above Self’.
The theme for RI in 2008-2009 is “Make Dreams Real”, an attempt by RI to
instigate projects to decrease child mortality under the age of five
years. The new RI President is Dong Kurn (D.K.) Lee from Korea, and he
has written, “Every child deserves the chance at a healthy life.
Unfortunately, every day, some 30,000 children under the age of five die
from preventable causes. When I first learned this statistic, I thought
that surely there had been a mistake, and the number was an error.
Unfortunately, it was not. Every day, around the world, children die
needlessly of pneumonia, measles, and malaria. Thousands die every day
from the lack of a most basic resource: clean water. And many more die
from a combination of factors, in which malnutrition and poverty play
major roles.”
It will be towards alleviating these shocking statistics that the new DG
Pratheep Malhotra will be guiding the 61 clubs from RI District 3340.
“Nothing happens on its own,” is almost Pratheep’s motto. He is a man
not afraid of hard work, and the children under five years of age will
have a wonderful champion of their cause.
It will be a busy year for DG Pratheep, but not one in which he will
shrink from the task in any way.
In 1932, Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor created The Four-Way Test, a code of
ethics adopted by Rotary. The test asks the following questions:
Of the things we think, say or do
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Pratheep Malhotra has applied the Four Way Test to his dealings, not
just within Rotary circles, but to his life in Pattaya, which explains
in some way the standing he enjoys within the local community, and by
the end of the next 12 months that standing will be within the greater
area of Thailand, covered by RI District 3340. The new DG will make sure
his governorship will be beneficial for those needy children under five
years.
Charter President Sumon Jaikid presents a bouquet to
Dr. Arnon and Khun Siriluk.
Peter’s elder brother Marlowe and his wife Malwinder
were present to see ‘little’ brother installed as District Governor.
PRID Bhichai gives moral support to (l-r) Suthasinee,
Thinakorn, Primprao, Yanyong and Krisda, volunteers of the Pattaya
Rotary Liaison Office, for their untiring work at the District Assembly.
(l-r) DG Dr. Arnon, PDG Premprecha, Suthasinee,
Primprao, DGE Pratheep, along with the Rotary Center in Thailand’s
dedicated and hardworking staff Danucha, Kulvadee and Kamonchanok
celebrate at the end of a most enjoyable evening.
(l-r) Chan Vathanakul, Sopin Tappajug, Panga
Vathanakul and Neera Srisumphan, philanthropists in their own right.
Pat, Judy and Sue are always there when you need them.
Peter’s daughter-in-law Rungratree (left) with her
sisters Chantima and Araya enjoying the proceedings.
The lovely ladies of the YWCA sing their hearts out
for the newly installed DG.
Dave, Tony and Prince (l-r) sing for their father.
To daddy with love. Tony, Prince, Rung and Dave bring
roses for their father.
President Elect Traisit Chokepatrachaikit of the
Rotary Club of Buriram presents
the Governor’s Home Club Banner to
President Brendan Kelly of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya to hang up
at Peter’s home club.
PDG Somchai Chiaranaipanit and Daranee present a
cheque for NT $ 37,700 (US$1,240) donated by Rotarians in Taiwan to PRID
Bhichai. They were joined by Mantana Phokwanmuang, Saran Chatdecha and
Piyachat Piyawattannarot who also made donations towards the Rotary Day
Sow the Seeds of Love Fund which will benefit projects to save
children’s lives.
Pratheep’s family came from far and wide to celebrate his
installation as District Governor.
AustCham in the Orangery
Dr Iain Corness
The Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) held another of its
very popular Seaboard Sundowners last weekend. The venue was a new one for
many of the members, as it was held on the top floor of Orangery by the Sea
restaurant in The Avenue on Second Road, where they were greeted by Orangery
marketing executive Sumalin Chucham.
 Paul
Wilkinson, general manager, Eastern Seaboard, Four Winds International
Moving Limited and James Howard, Consultant Milan Crosse Creative Ltd.
The function area was an open air and relaxed venue, with adequate seating
as well as room for standing and networking. And networking is what these
Seaboard Sundowners is all about. Newcomer Michael Furlong (and we’ll have
no jokes about 220 yards) MD of Steelstruct Engineering was seen getting all
the information he needed on equipment purchasing from John Ven Den Eyden,
MD of ARB Off-Road Accessories. Of course, if he had wanted second hand
equipment, co-sponsor Maurice Bromley from GoIndustry (formerly Henry
Butchers) could have assisted him there, and if he had needed any
fabrication in steel he could have spoken with the other co-sponsor Paul
Whyte, the GM of Tinfish, a company that does everything with metal, other
than putting fish inside tins!
 Andrew
H. Tiede, regional officer Air Traffic Management, International Civil
Aviation Organization and John Anderson, director, Meinhardt (Thailand) Ltd.
The prize for the best business card undoubtedly went to another newcomer
Stephen Bell. This had his name in large letters, white on blue, and large
enough that everyone could read it without fumbling for reading glasses
while holding a glass of the Australian Brokenhills red in one hand, and a
plate of canapés in the other. This lesson should be learned by AustCham
itself, which has produced business cards requiring both readers and
magnifying loupes to be able to read the name. Of course, with AustCham
chaps like Guy Srzednicki, you also need pronunciation classes!
Mingling, were the new AustCham president the affable Shane Torr; the
impeccably well be-suited Gary Woollacott, the immediate past president, and
AustCham executive director Martin Kyle who was taking happy snaps, or
rather aerial shots from his height.
Many of the Automotive Focus Group (AFG) members had come up following their
meeting which was addressed by Dr Supachai Manusphaibool, with the AFG past
president, the sartorial George Strampp (he’s American but we forgive him)
in a pink shirt with monogrammed mouse, newcomer Jo Tang, the MD of American
Axle chatting with arch-rival AFG president Mike Diamente from Dana and
Varadan Devanathan, the MD of Visteon.
 Greg
Byrne, Arthur G. Byrne Co., Inc.; Ron Kosinski, president, Forging and
Machining Technology; and Shane Torr, president, Australian - Thai Chamber
of Commerce.
Of course, the usual culprits were there, including Malcolm Scorer (AA
Insurance Brokers), Simon Matthews (Manpower), Peter Mewes (London
Consultancy), local AustCham representative Paul Wilkinson (Four Winds
International movers), Stuart Saunders the dental flosser with his amazing
credit card floss dispensers now containing 60 meters of life-giving thread,
John L. Hamilton (Waste Management Siam), Jeff Burrows (Waist Management)
and many others hiding behind large glasses of beer and wine.
As always, a well attended and fun evening. The date of the next Seaboard
Sundowners will be publicized in the Pattaya Mail.
Clinton Lovell, general
manager, All Seasons; Gary Woollacott,
chief executive officer, Opus Recruitment Ltd.; Peter Emblin,
vice president, Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Belinda Skinner, team leader,
Talent; Seksan Tammakoon, director,
Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce; and Nonie Adams, Regent’s School.
Philip O’Connor, Commissioning
& Start Up Engineer, Pearl Oil (Thailand) Ltd.;
Dr. lain Corness; Jitra Wongjuan, account executive, Watermark Capital
Management Co., Ltd.; Simon Matthers, general manager, Manpower;
Nawaporn Fuengfoo, legal advisor, Pattaya Legal.com
Seksan Tammakoon, director,
Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce; Mark Patman, general manager, ANCA
Manufacturing (Thailand) Ltd.; Supachai Manusphaibool, managing director, MR
& TS Co., Ltd.; Yanisa Ninlawong, office manager, ANCA Manufacturing
(Thailand) Ltd.
USS Germantown visits Pattaya
Sue K
A cocktail reception at More Bar and Grill was organized by the US
Navy League Thailand to welcome the officers and crew on board the USS
Germantown while on their port visit last week.
 Keith
G. Moore (right), Commanding Officer USS Germantown presents a painting of
the USS Germantown to Bobby Brooks, President of US Navy League Thailand.
Bobby Brooks, president and chairman of the US Navy League Thailand
explained the function of their organization.
There are over 100 members in Thailand and over 65,000 all over the world,
said Brooks. The main function of the US Navy League Thailand is to support
the sailors and officers when they visit our town with information and help.
With community affiliate sponsors and listed business people, the sailors
get to learn a little about the city, and are informed about the trustworthy
and reliable places to obtain what they need.
 The
USS Germantown (foreground).
Brooks said that everyone is welcome to support the cause, as this not only
helps the sailors, but also benefits the businesses here.
Commanding officer of the USS Germantown Keith G Moore talked about their
visit, saying that this three-day shore leave is to allow the 700 navy and
marine crew to relax, enjoy the sightseeing, and be involved in some local
community work, after which they will return to San Diego and reunite with
their families.
USS Germantown is named after the historical Pennsylvania district of
Germantown.
 Keith
G. Moore (right), Commanding Officer USS Germantown receives a memento from
event sponsor John Romero, Business Development Manager, National Air Cargo.
Now a residential section of Philadelphia, Germantown was founded in 1683.
It was the site of an important battle of the American War for Independence
fought on 4 October 1777 between the forces of General George Washington and
General Sir William Howe. On the morning of the battle, amidst dense fog,
the forces of Washington repelled 9,000 of Howe’s troops. The Americans,
however, were forced to retreat when the British ranks reformed and were
reinforced.
Ordered on March 26, 1982, USS Germantown was commissioned on February 8,
1986.
The ship played a significant role during Operations Desert Shield and
Desert Storm. The ship was in the Arabian Gulf for the entire operation and
deployed for a total of nine months. Germantown departed San Diego en route
to the Gulf on 1 December 1990 as part of the largest amphibious task force,
with 18 ships, to leave the West Coast since 1965. The ship participated in
mock amphibious assaults in the United Arab Emirates after the start of the
air war in preparation for a possible amphibious assault.
Kris Kritsanajootha and his
beautiful Moore team kept the event running smoothly.
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