|
Jesters 11th Anniversary Children’s Fair – Awesome!
The opening ceremony was
conducted by Mayor Ittiphol Khunplome, chief guest of honor joined by
(l-r) Tony Malhotra, Pattaya Mail director; Jintana Wetchote, head of
Pattaya education department; Chanatsa Suthithamrongsawat, member of
city council; Sopin Thappajug, Diana Group MD; Wilawan and Chanyuth
Hengtrakul, CEO of Sophon Cable, Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood, JCD chairman;
Choosak Sriwatchanapong, member of city council, Graham McDonald MD of
MBMG Group and Niti Kongkrut, director of TAT Pattaya. Together they
tugged on the long ceremonial ribbons to release colorful balloons into
the air and signal the event was officially underway.
The colorful marching
band from Pattaya School #3 performs with precision and enthusiasm while
the Jesters MC proudly brings on the Harleys to both open and conclude
the opening ceremony.
Mayor Ittiphol took time
out to spend some time with the children from Mercy Center.
The ever popular Bouncy
Kingdom never fails to provide children with loads of fun.
Mike Franklin
Photos by Pattaya Mail
Wow! Jesters 11th Anniversary Children’s Fair & Family Day was simply
awesome! The Fair headline in Pattaya Mail 2006 was ‘It goes from
strength to strength’, in 2007 it was WOW! We know how true it was then
- it still is, and so it was on Sunday 14th September 14 at the Diana
Garden Resort & Driving Range for the children, for the families, and
for 500 kids from the charities we support who came for a fun day out.
Seeing them in their colorful ‘Care for Kids’ event shirts smiling and
having a great time was a highlight of the day.
 A
warm welcoming speech from Woody.
The Diana Driving Range was in great condition following heavy rain all
week and luckily, in true Jesters tradition, the weather was kind all
day. It was sunny and hot in the morning and sunny and hot with a light
breeze in the afternoon. So there was nothing to deter the enthusiasm of
the organizers, the hundred stallholders, the performers entertaining
throughout the day, and the many, many families and fairgoers that came
by to enjoy this unique annual event in Pattaya. Far more came than last
year, indicating the growing success of this event.
Jester Kevin (‘Mighty Mitch’) set it all up at the Diana Garden Resort &
Driving Range, for the seventh consecutive year, with his genial
patience, efficiency and good humor. Riding shotgun with clipboard was
Wild Bill Freeman, collecting the stallholder’s fees and keeping the
Fair administration tight. The Diana Driving Range is a large enough
venue with ideal facilities to stage a major outdoor event on this
scale. It was the biggest and best layout yet, skillfully designed to
welcome fairgoers and make it easy for them to shop the stalls, relax in
the shaded areas, sample a wide variety of food stalls and enjoy the
activities.
 Bangkok
Hospital Pattaya nurses were there to give free blood pressure checks
for adults and children.
The demonstrations and stage performances were again enhanced by a 12m x
12m ante-stage and a crisp and audible sound system. The families came
in droves all day and the overwhelming sight was the multitude of happy
children having fun and displaying the 2008 colorful event shirt. After
all, it was their day. There was something for everyone to enjoy
throughout, including the Children’s Tug-of-War followed by the
Children’s Raffle, drawn at 4 pm with a fantastic range of prizes to be
won.
The action packed day began at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremony. Lewis
‘Woody’ Underwood, Jesters Charity Drive committee chairman, gave a warm
welcoming speech acknowledging the enormous support from all the
sponsors and especially the record breaking level of corporate
sponsorship supporting the 11th Anniversary Jesters Charity Drive.
Corporate sponsorship included four Diamond Sponsors (400,000 baht)
Steve J. Lake, Glencore International Indonesia, Herrod Foundation
Switzerland and Canadian Jackalope Open, plus 26 Platinum, 18 Gold, 22
Silver & 57 Bronze sponsors and 51 Pledge Program sponsors. A total of
just over 6.6 million baht, with the Children’s Fair and Party Night
Grand Raffle & Auction results still to be added. (Just in: the gate
total was 73,400 baht.)
 Sister
Joan and Sister Jemjit gave a warm welcome back to our beloved Mike
Franklin.
Due credit was afforded by name to the Honorary Jester committee members
who contribute essential skills, expertise and their time freely, to
make the fund raising effort of ‘Care for Kids’ successful. Mayor
Itthipol Khunplome, Sopin Thappajug (managing director of the Diana
Group and generous host to the Children’s Fair), Chanyuth Hengtrakul
(Former MP and Sophon Cable CEO), Niti Kongkrut (director of TAT Pattaya
Region 3), Lewis Underwood (chairman, Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity
Drive committee) and Graham Macdonald (JCD corporate sponsorship
director) pulled long, ceremonial ribbons, releasing colorful balloons
into the air and signaling the event was officially underway. Mayor
Ittiphol gave a welcoming address and the 2008 Jesters Children’s Fair
was a ‘Go’.
A colorful marching band from Pattaya School #3 played the National
Anthem and performed with precision and enthusiasm to open and conclude
the opening ceremony.
It would not be a Jesters Children’s Fair without Jesters MC proudly
bringing on the Harleys, so six immaculate gleaming machines with
engines at thunderous high throttle concluded the drive-in ceremony.
Then it was over to emcees Neil Smith, and Jester Poodle Pete (Thai), to
keep things going at pace throughout the day, and they did just that.
The lovely kids from the Fountain of Life released colorful balloons and
it was time for the activities to begin.
The Children’s Variety Show was first up at 10.30 a.m. featuring many of
the 140 kids from the Fountain of Life giving beautiful performances
representing the very young and the older kids attending the Center.
Orphans from the Ban Jing Jai orphanage, children from the Mercy Center
& Khopai Kindergarten, musicians & singers from the Redemptorist School
for the Blind and ISE Circus Art made up the first set with some Salsa
dancing rounding it off.
By then it was high noon and time for lots of exciting children’s games
enthusiastically organized by Linden Phanpho from ISE with fellow
teacher Brett Stone from St. Andrews.
The games were run in front of the stage with many prizes donated by
Double A Logistics, Pattaya International Ladies Club and lots of lovely
lollies from Bobby ‘Scar’ Taylor. That was just the first of three
children’s games sessions organized throughout the day.
The Variety Show then continued with members of the Ooi’s Taekwondo
branch of the International School of Martial Arts demonstrating their
skills. The small students showed that size is not essential to be an
accomplished martial artist and break blocks with flying kicks.
After another children’s games session the variety show continued with
the Pattaya Aikikai Aikido show until it was time for the presentation
of bicycles, donated by Mark Gorda to the 8 ‘Best of Class’ kids at the
Fountain of Life in loving memory of Chris Kays.
More children’s games followed and the ever popular Climbing Wall from
Geckotech and Clough Engineering, Bouncy Kingdom and the Horseshoe Point
extravaganza featuring pony rides and Floating Orbs on a 10m x 10m pool
was busy throughout the day.
More of the popular Cotton Candy stalls, sponsored by Capt. Steve
Ponter, were in evidence and again a huge success. Another exciting
innovation was ‘Pop’s Cool Zone’ - a music workshop put together by
musician Rick Bryant with a variety of instruments available for the
kids to try their hand at.
The Children’s Activity area was the best yet providing the most fun for
the younger ones. Primarily organized local international school
communities, these stalls featured all sorts of fun and games. Staff,
students and parents from Garden International School, St Andrews
International School, The Regent’s School and the International School
Eastern Seaboard (ISE) turned out in force to support the ‘Care for
Kids’ Charity Drive, and ensure fun for everyone.
The kids did not go hungry either, as the Fountain of Life had set up
mess tents providing a ‘fine dining’ facility for more than 500 children
to enjoy. Far more meals than the Fountain of Life Sisters and staff
normally prepare for kids at the center. For the fairgoers there were
many food stalls offering a wide variety of Western and Asian food &
snacks and something to tantalize every palate.
Meanwhile, the professional entertainers were back this time featuring
the popular Grammy teen band B.O.Y. performing a 40 minute set much to
everyone’s enjoyment, especially the teenage fairgoers.
Then it was time for the children in age groups to ‘take the strain’ in
an exciting and well matched tug-o-war.
The Children’s Raffle followed and featured 15 valuable draw prizes,
generously sponsored by Pattaya Sports Club, Mityon, Diana Group,
Pattaya Trader and Capt. Steve Ponter. The Children’s raffle raised over
131,000 baht largely due to the sterling work of student sales teams
from ISE and The Regent’s, and Double ‘A’ Logistics staff. Bernie Tuppin
and his team sweated it out all day, ably assisted by many willing
volunteers.
Raffle ticket sales during the day were encouraged with a variety of
incentive vouchers supplied by the Minor Food Group, courtesy of Bill
Heineke, redeemable at Dairy Queen, Swensen’s, Burger King, Sizzler and
The Pizza Company. CDs, posters & T shirts signed by Tata Young also
helped to boost sales. (see list of Children’s Raffle prize winners)
The final period of the fair was left to live music from Leo Blues Bar
Band and Pop’s Pattaya All Stars, a last tour of the stalls and, for the
organizers and stallholders, a well deserved visit to the Jesters beer
tent for a cold Heineken, San Miguel or Tiger beer, or the Blue Parrot
stall for a few chilled Margaritas, assuming there were any left at that
late stage.
Our thanks to all the ‘beer donors’ providing cans for the beer garden
valued at 158,425 baht. (See donor list). Noticeably donations come from
far away places now as the Jesters Charity Drives have become
established internationally. Lasse Adahl and Scar ran the 2 beer tents
this year. However, Paul Baker was also there again this year, having
arrived in time for the Fair with a corporate donation of 100,000 baht
from The Zima 3 Sakhalin ‘imbibers’ in Russia. Whatever next?
And, if it all got too exciting at any time, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
nurses were there to give free blood pressure checks for adults and
children. Grateful thanks as well to the BHP Ambulance Unit for being on
station all day to deal with any mishaps or emergencies.
There was never a dull moment and certainly no lack of enthusiasm or
enjoyment throughout the day. In fact, from very early on one could
detect a real ‘buzz’ at the fair, and a great atmosphere that lasted to
the close, many fairgoers staying right to the end. However, at 6 p.m.
it was time to wrap, with the inevitable few lingering on, sitting
around, enjoying the live music with a relaxing drink, wanting more, and
wondering how the day had passed so quickly.
It had been another hugely successful Jesters Children’s fair to
celebrate the Jesters 11th Anniversary ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive.
Truly a children’s day in a ‘one-off’ Children’s Park created uniquely
at the Diana Garden Resort & Driving range. It was a day for the whole
family to enjoy, and the only day of its kind for children on the
Eastern Seaboard throughout the year.
Finally, on behalf of the Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive
Committee, sincere thanks to all the fair-going families and children
that came to support the Jesters 2008 Children’s Fair, the stallholders,
the schools, our Charity Drive partners - namely Baltex, Jameson’s,
Pattaya Mail and the Diana Group; our first ever Diamond sponsors
Steve J. Lake, Glencore International Indonesia, the Herrod Foundation
Switzerland, Canadian Jackalope Open, and all the other corporate
sponsors: 26 Platinum, 18 Gold, 22 Silver, and 57 Bronze, plus 51 Pledge
program sponsors. Special thanks to Sopin and the Diana Group Management
for generously providing the Diana Garden Resort & Driving Range
facility for the seventh consecutive year.
Can it ever be better? Well, rest assured that the Jesters ‘Care for
Kids’ Charity Drive committee will, with your support, certainly try to
raise the bar again in 2009.
See it all on PMTV, Saturday 20th September.
‘Pop’s Cool Zone’ provided
a music workshop plus a mini concert.
Grammy teen band B.O.Y.
was a big hit at the show,
especially with the teenage fairgoers.
Various performances by
big and small kids
provided fun yet meaningful shows for fairgoers.
The small students from
Ooi’s Taekwondo’s Martial Arts showed that size is not essential to be
an accomplished martial artist and break blocks with flying kicks.
The presentation of
bicycles to the 8 ‘Best of Class’ kids at the Fountain of Life elicited
impressive smiles from donors and recipients.
School stalls, sports and
games plus the ever popular tug-o-war made a great day for all.
Horseshoe Point
extravaganza featuring pony rides and Floating Orbs on a 10m x 10m pool
was busy throughout the day.
Children’s Raffle Winners
1 3 Person Dome Tent
Sue Murphy
2 Two Radio Control Cars
Sam Dale & Max
3 Semi Pro Keyboard +Stand
Alan Griffiths
4 MP4 DVD Media Player
Udom Mayer
5 20" Colour TV
Samm Franklin
6 Toy Police Motorcycle
Gun Martin
7 Sports Equipment [Various]
Lawan Farrel
8 Digital Camera
Suzie Sayer
9 Refrigerated Water Cooler
Erica Coe
10 Acoustic Guitar With Case
Tum
11 Elec Scooter Car
Kevin Mitch
12 Thai/English Talking Dictionary Nim
13 Scanner Copy Print Phone Fax Ao Susithon
14 Mountain Bike
Kase Papekon
15 Pooh Bear Small
Nong
16 Pooh Bear Large
Russel Exeley
 |
|
Beer Donors
Sunkan, Fletcher, Cafe Kronborg, Banana,
Putte, Mikael, Peter, Tom, Sean McCoy, Mark Guthrie, Scott
Cosba, Janna B Goode, Beaver Bar & Grill, Goran The Jester,
Howie Appledorf, Fredrick, Ernie, Mike, Gator, Martin
Simonsson, Don Cameron, Lasse Nygre, Family Hermansson, Mark
P, David Peyers, Tim Beer Bar, Sam Jester, Sweet Lou, Geoff
Evans, Bund and Sandra De Ruiter, A Sangh, Mr. Padnara, DK
Bar Jomtien, Bupa Staff, Naranuch Kumpin, Com Sea Food,
Petcharin Stevens, Annajef, Chris Gibson, The team from
Sweden, Dirty Harry, Ryan Smith, Paul Stefan Dinessen, Chris
Brander, Josh MC, Hellboy, Michael Broughson, Robert Det,
Gavin Rockton, Lone Wolf |
AFG and AustCham rock Pattaya
|
(L to R) Dr. Iain
Corness, Peter Smith and Barry Main share a laugh. |
(L to R) Ray
D’Silva, general manager of Bosch Chassis Systems (Thailand)
Limited, Andrew Nguyen, operations manager of Air International
Thermal Systems, and James Falla, director Asean operations &
general manager of TSST Rayong of TRW Automotive. |
|
(L to R) Rosanne
Diamente of Women With a Mission and Sarah Allen, account
manager for JVK International Movers. |
(L to R) Barry
Main, solutions manager for Creative Solutions Ltd and Peter
Smith, director of AA Insurance Broker Co., Ltd. |
|
(L to R) Eugene
Cody, general manager for special projects of Tool (Thailand)
Ltd., Geoffrey R Storey, principle consultant with Change Mgt
and Shane Torr, AustCham president. |
(L to R) Shane
Torr, president of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce,
Geoff Morgan, SEA business development manager for Clough, Ben
Brahim, director of operations for the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya,
and Belinda Skinner, director with the Australian-Thai Chamber
of Commerce. |
|
(L to R) Kevin
Fisher, S.E. Asia director of Cranes and Equipment Asia Co.,
Ltd. and Robbie Loane, pipe yard manager with Canadoil Pipe Ltd.
|
(L to R) Somyot
Thongthangyai, senior sales executive with Loscam (Thailand)
Limited, Craig Somerville, customer relations manager for JVK
International Movers, and Somsak Nattakrannuwat, national sales
manager-Thailand for Loscam (Thailand) Limited. |
|
(L to R) Graeme
Moore of the United Group, Jim Brian, proposals manager of
Clough (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Geoff Morgan, SEA business
development manager for Clough. |
(L to R) Wararat
Sasom, marketing coordinator in the International Marketing and
Communication Department of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Sineenart
Soontornnon, marketing coordinator in the International
Marketing and Communication Department of Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya, Maurice Bromley, president of South African-Thai
Chamber of Commerce, and Pattaravadee Wangviriyapahan, marketing
coordinator in the International Marketing and Communication
Department of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. |
Dr. Iain Corness
The Automotive Focus Group (AFG) and the Australian Thai Chamber of
Commerce (AustCham) met, listened, discussed and enjoyed the Seaboard
Sundowners which was held last Friday night at the Hard Rock Hotel in
Pattaya.
The AFG meeting preceded the Sundowners and was addressed by the CEO of the
Laem Chabang International Terminal (LCIT), Matthew Hoag. His presentation
was certainly up-beat as far as Eastern Seaboard industry was concerned,
showing with easily understood graphics just how much growth there has been
in containerized volume, with no evidence of any let-up over the next few
years, despite governmental economic (mis)management.
Interestingly, Laem Chabang port is number 21 on the world listings by
volume, with Singapore being number 1. Bangkok is only number 73 with around
one third of the volume going through Laem Chabang. Laem Chabang itself has
seen 15 percent growth last year and this is expected to continue right
through till 2010.
Whilst the capabilities of Laem Chabang appear to be on track to be able to
handle the increased container volumes, Matt Hoag did spell out a few
problem areas. Primary amongst these was hinterland infrastructure. Getting
containers shipped around the country requires good roads, a workable rail
system or barges.
Matt Hoag did mention the excellent road system that has actually been in
place in Thailand for many years; however, when one truck can only shift two
containers, this is not the most efficient method of transport.
A rail link has more capacity, but the single track system between Bangkok
and Laem Chabang makes this a slow and inefficient means of transporting
containers.
The most efficient, according to the LCIT boss, was barging, and with the
river and canal system in operation, this is probably the best option
currently available for importers/exporters.
Following Matt Hoag’s address, and presentation of a nice bottle of
Australian white wine by AustCham executive member Belinda Skinner (Talent
+), the AFG members met up with the AustCham Seaboard Sundowners group to
continue an evening of discussions and business card exchanges. Holding
court was the PILC energizer Roseanne Diamente, who was substituting for
husband and AFG president Mike Diamente who was in the Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya recovering from surgery.
Shane Torr, the AustCham president was everywhere and has many ideas as to
how to more involve the Chamber’s Eastern Seaboard members with their
Bangkok counterparts. He is also open to any suggestions from members and
can be contacted through AustCham.
One of the sponsors for the evening was Clough Engineering, with the
business development manager for SE Asia, Geoff Morgan, present who was
another up-beat member, saying on Pattaya Mail TV that with the
energy crisis and further oil and gas exploration occurring, his group was
kept very busy providing such items as deep sea platforms for the gulf of
Thailand.
The other sponsor of the evening was the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya,
represented that evening by Elyes Ben Brahim, the director of operations,
who prefers to be known as ‘Big Ben’.
Many members of the Australian government Trade Commission were also present
with Maurine Lam, the senior trade commissioner being particularly charming.
Another charmer was Jaruree Pongruangrong (“Call me BeeBee”) the ‘Desk Whiz’
for the soon to be opened dusit D2 baraquda boutique hotel on Second Road.
She was assisted by the local D2 ‘guru’ (read GM in ordinary speak) Paolo
Randone.
The range of industries which are represented at an AustCham event is
enormous, with Peter Smith (AA Insurance Brokers) and Barry Main (PVC
Windows Thailand) in close confab, while another insurance broker, Urs
Zimmermann (EuropAsia) was seen discussing insurance on paint with Suraphol
Rujikarnchana, the MD of Dimet Siam, who just happens to manufacture Wattyl
paints (another well known Aussie company).
Of course, an AustCham meeting would not be the same without stalwarts such
as the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s lovely trio of Ann, Nan and Pik; Kevin
(the crane man) Fisher, John L Hamilton and his lovely wife Mattye, and
Graeme Moore now in a new job with a new company.
As always, this was an enjoyable evening, and a fruitful one for many who
were forging business contacts. Unfortunately, there will be no October
Seaboard Sundowners as AustCham will have its ‘away’ event in Phuket that
month, but will be back in Pattaya in November. Details will be published in
the Pattaya Mail.
Amari hosts PILC September lunch
Ingrid Cunliffe (right)
presents money raised
at the PILC Garage Sale to Tiew, who runs “Our Home”.
Ingrid Cunliffe (right) and
Kathleen Petras (left) of the Welfare team present a cheque to Wan from the
North Staff Library at the Redemptorist Centre.
Happy faces greet arriving
club members.
Elaine Poole, PILC
After the annual summer holiday break, it was back to business as
usual as 86 Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) members gathered for
their monthly lunch meeting. The Amari put on a great selection of Japanese
sushi and sashimi, as well as a salad bar, delicious hot buffet and a table
of desserts, cunningly designed to tempt everyone’s diet!
Marloes de Saegher, president, started the meeting by welcoming everyone
back and thanking the Amari for hosting the event. She then introduced 9 new
members, which brings the current membership up to over 250. The club seems
to grow from strength to strength.
The Welfare team was on hand, giving information about up-coming events and
members eagerly volunteered to get involved in some of the many welfare
projects this club supports.
Ingrid Cunliffe and Kathleen Petras of the Welfare team presented two
cheques to help two very worthwhile causes. The first, for 30,000 baht, was
raised at the PILC Garage Sale and was presented to Tiew, who runs “Our
Home” - a home for young girls who learn quilting skills to enable them to
become self-supporting. Tiew thanked PILC for its continuing support of this
project.
 The
Amari put on a delicious spread for the ladies.
The second cheque was presented to a charming young lady, Wan, from the
North Star Library at the Redemptorist Centre and this money will go to help
operate the library.
Woody Underwood gave a very interesting talk about the “Jesters Care for
Kids”, giving background on how the organization was formed from the
original “group of bikers” and how today it has grown into a major
fund-raising organization.
Since it began in 1998, Woody said the Jesters had raised over 38 million
baht for charities, specifically those involving the educational needs of
children. Last year alone, over 7 million baht was raised and every year,
every baht of this money is spent helping charities. It was clear to see
that not only was Woody proud of what he and his fellow “bikers” have
achieved, but also passionate about what the Jesters do.
On September 14 the Jesters Care for Kids held the 11th Annual Charity Drive
Children’s Fair at the Diana Garden Resort and Driving Range, North Pattaya.
This is a major fund-raising event, with entertainment and fun things going
on throughout the day. A great day out for the whole family!
Woody said that over the years, PILC have worked on many larger projects
with the Jesters, and a real partnership has been developed which he hoped
would continue to grow.
After lunch the raffle was drawn, which raised over 13,000 baht, with all
the money from the raffle money going directly to charity, providing monthly
food parcels for poor families.
If you would like more information about the Jesters Care for Kids, you can
visit their website www.care4kids.info. For information about PILC contact
Marloes de Saegher, president, 084-345-8434.
Woody Underwood (right) gives
a very interesting talk
about the Jesters Care for Kids charity drive.
Club president, Marloes de
Saegher welcomes everyone
back and thanks the Amari for hosting the event.
|
