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5,000 with Emperor Noodles as Vegetarian Festival gets underway
Mayor Ittiphol Khunplome
along with Pattaya City councilors convey their perspective on the
vegetarian festival.
Sonthaya Khunplome
presides over the opening ceremony of the vegetarian festival.
Wisit Chawalitnititham,
president of the Sawang Boriboon Foundation talks about the cultural
perspectives and the benefits of vegetarian consumption.
Members of the Sawan
Boriboon Foundation banging a gong and pouring holy water to ask
permission from the roadway ghost for the holy being to pass through the
path.
Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Mayor
Ittiphol Khunplome,
Sonthaya Khunplome and many dignitaries join in cooking
the highlight of the event, the Emperor Noodle,
as an opening for this year’s vegetarian festival.
Wannapa Wanasri and
Pratheep Malhotra, ran the procedure as well as explaining the meaning
of the festival in Thai and English respectively.
Pattaya Mail Reporters
September 28 saw the opening of the Pattaya Vegetarian Festival,
hosted by Pattaya City and the Sawang Boriboon Foundation, with 50 chefs
serving an estimated 5,000 people with Emperor Noodles cooked in a giant
pan.
Although the majority of those attending the festival between now and
October 8 will be of Chinese origin, many Thai and foreign tourists are
also expected to take part as the festival has become a highlight on
Pattaya’s calendar, with many restaurants and hotels participating.
The opening ceremony took place at the Sawang Boriboon Foundation in
Naklua, with Sontaya Khunplome, former minister of tourism and sports,
Mayor Itthipol Khunplome, and Wisit Chawalitnititham, president of the
Sawang Boriboon Foundation presiding.
Wisit said that the festival is based on ancient Buddhist tradition,
giving followers the opportunity to cleanse their bodies by not eating
meat or taking alcohol during these nine days.
 The
lady ‘Pae Yim’ is called ‘Sim Hua Roa’ or the Laughing Aunty.
The festival began at 9.19 a.m. with a religious ceremony, followed by a
grand parade that started from Bali Hai Pier at 12.29. The marchers
proceeded along Walking Street to the South Pattaya Police Box three-way
intersection, and then the parade separated in two directions. One line
passed along Pattaya Beach through to the Central Pattaya Junction,
while the other passed along Pattaya Second Road, stopping for a dragon
show at Mike Shopping Mall before proceeding to the TOT intersection.
The highlight of the opening was the cooking of a vast quantity of
Jakraphat fried noodles, or Emperor Noodles, in a pan measuring 2.59
meters in diameter. There were 5,000 portions being served, weighing in
total 1,800 kilograms. This is believed to be the biggest event of its
kind in the world for the serving of pan-fried noodles.
Vegetarian “pork” and “steamed fish” were also on the menu, along with
white tofu and a huge variety of vegetables. The chefs estimate they
would be using up to 500 kilos of cooking oil.
The total cost for this healthy and enormous meal this year is 147,747
baht, covering the 5,000 portions.
The annual vegetarian festival has its origins in the founding of the
Sawang Boriboon Foundation some 50 years ago by the Chinese business
community in Naklua. Many restaurants and food outlets are taking part,
a yellow flag with the Thai word “Jay” signifying that they are serving
vegetarian food.
Artistic chefs have
created a look thor (fruit from heaven) “tree” from a special kind of
batter, much like dim sum. Eating look thor is supposed to strengthen
your body and mind and provide you with a long life.
Thousands of people and
expatriates queuing up to receive the Holy Noodle
and the ‘Look Thor’ or the fruit from Heaven.
Incredible performances
from the Eng-Kor-Pabu troupe. Their appearances and shows are part of
most all Chinese Holy festivities, inlcuding Chinese New Year and the
Vegetarian Festival.
The Lion and Dragon dances
were the highlight of the parade.
Leaders of the Foundation
carry the ceremonial incense pot into
the holy ground to pay respects to their deity.
Eng-Kor-Pabu troops from
the Look Praya group
out of Nakorn Sawan lead the parade.
People of the Chinese
community set up tables of food in front of their houses
and later put money into the dragon’s mouth for it is believed to bring
good luck, prosperity and harmony.
Members of the Foundation
and residents join in the fun of the parade
to mark the beginning of the 9 days of only eating vegetarian food.
The Golden Dragon Look
Praya Group from Nakorn Sawan
create a fun atmosphere during the parade.
Younger kids from Pattaya
Schools join in the festivities.
Older members of the
Chinese community pay their respects by following
the rituals of lighting incense and candles to communicate with God.
Two of the many characters
in the ‘Eng-Kor-Pabu’ troop.
Pae Yim, ‘Smiling Uncle’,
an amusing character
in the dragon troop, greets the tourists.
The dragon and acrobatics
show from the Look Praya Group from Nakorn Sawan provide a thrilling
scene for the thousands of onlookers.
Project A.W.A.R.E. International Cleanup Day draws big turnout in Pattaya
Sheena Walls
On Saturday, September 20, Mermaids Dive Center, a PADI 5 Star
Career Development Center in Pattaya, organized the annual Project AWARE
International cleanup day of the beach and coral reef on Sak Island, just
off the coast of Pattaya.
Hailed as the biggest ever Project AWARE cleanup day in Pattaya, 176
participants with ages ranging from 7 upwards took part in this massive
environmental effort. Everyone registered at Mermaids Dive Center in Jomtien
and was treated to bacon and egg rolls whilst being kitted up for equipment
that they needed. All participants were transported to the 6 boats at Bali
Hai Pier in South Pattaya, which then cast off bound for Koh Sak.
Following initial briefings by Mermaids staff on board each boat about the
procedures for the day, overview of the dive site and safety procedures,
divers and snorkelers alike prepared their gear to enter the water on
arrival.
Once the Mermaids fleet, including a dedicated safety support speed boat,
had arrived at Koh Sak and all teams were made aware of their roles, divers
and snorkelers entered the water for cleanup session 1. For the next hour,
divers, snorkelers and passengers collected, counted and separated trash and
when everyone got back to their boat clutching their bags full of rubbish it
became obvious just how valuable an event this was proving to be.
Some of the trash collected on this session included a car seat, items of
clothing and a large amount of bottles. Each bottle was individually checked
and was put back in the water if contained living fish or organisms.
Back on board all the teams then settled down for a hearty lunch cooked on
board by the boat crews. The topic of lunchtime conversation was very much
about the trash that had been collected with everyone agreeing to be more
aware themselves in the future about recycling.
It was then time for all participants to swim over to the beach at Koh Sak
for cleanup session 2 and start collecting trash that had accumulated on the
beach both from being washed up and dumped there. Following this the entire
group of 176 participants assembled for a group photo on the beach with all
of the trash that had been collected. This was then picked up by the
Mermaids safety speed boat to add to the rest of the trash en route to
Pattaya.
Items found on the beach included a big stuffed teddy bear and after
persevering for more than 30 minutes, students and teachers alike from NIST
School in Bangkok unearthed a small boat.
After cleaning the beach the teams proceeded back to the boats and donned
their diving and snorkeling gear ready for cleanup session 3. As before
there was a dive and snorkeling brief outlining to each team their
objectives as well as the safety procedures. Each team entered the water and
endeavored to bring up even more waste from the reef below and in the
shallow waters.
Once all the dive and snorkel teams had completed the final cleanup session
and all heads on board the boats were accounted for, the fleet of 6 boats
and cargo (which now included a large amount of waste taken from the island)
upped anchors and set about returning to Pattaya. Upon arrival at the Bali
Hai Pier the trash, estimated at 1.5 tons, included bottles, tyres,
syringes, radios, fishing nets, car batteries and many more items.
The trash was off loaded on to pickup trucks and taken to the Pattaya Waste
Disposal area. All of the dive gear and participants then returned to
Mermaids Dive Center in Jomtien after a very rewarding day.
Later that evening a celebratory dinner was held at the Jomtien Boathouse
with a prize giving and auctions of dive gear in aid of Project AWARE. The
evening was opened by Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn. He said, “I am very
proud of what you have all achieved and a good example has been set for
everyone.”
Prizes for the raffle included Scuba BCDs, watches, clothing, spa sessions
and dinners generously donated by Mermaids Dive Center, Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya, Dive Supply, Aquamaster Good Tour & Travel, Chacrit Muay Thai
School Bangkok, Bike Zone, Aster Spring, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Coca Cola,
Nivea Sun, Dadriba, Tom Rosetti, Dive Junkie, Surface Marker Ltd., DAN Asia
Pacific, Opera Riserva Wine Bar Bangkok, The Residence Garden and Jomtien
Boathouse.
After a fantastic meal and prize giving all of the participants reiterated
what a fun and rewarding day it had been. Looking at the amount of trash
collected by the participants of this event and the continued concern for
our underwater and beach heritage, hopefully these events will continue and
we can continue to look after the treasures that exist under our oceans and
bring in thousands of visitors annually.
Every year an estimated seven billion tons of debris enter the world’s
oceans. The consequences are devastating as each year nearly one million
birds are killed by aquatic litter and an estimated 100,000 marine animals,
including dolphins, whales and sea turtles, choke or get tangled in debris.
Off the coast of Pattaya, especially in the near island, particular problems
are caused by trash being dumped over the side of boats rather than taken
for environmentally friendly rubbish disposal.
Sheena Walls, general manager of Mermaids Dive Center said, “Without the aid
of our sponsors and all our participants we would not be able to make this
huge positive impact on our local environment. Thank you to everyone who
took part and to all the Mermaids staff and students who devoted their time
to help prepare for this worthwhile cause.”
Elvis entertains Women with a Mission
at Jomtien Boathouse
Nong and the DHL staff, along
with Rosanne, Kylie and Bronwyn,
during the donation of a check for 30,000 baht.
Rosanne Diamente
On Thursday September 25, a special dinner and evening of
entertainment with Elvis was held at the Jomtien Boathouse Restaurant,
Jomtien Beach Road. A wonderful dinner was served by the Boathouse
Restaurant staff and organized by Kanikar. A slide show of the projects in
Mae Sot where presented a long with a presentation by Bronwyn Little, Kylie
Grimmer and Rosanne Diamente.
 Chitra
Chandrasiri (left) presents WWM with a donation.
On this evening 150,000 baht was raised for the WWM education programs in
the Thai / Burma boarder camps. All proceeds from the evening will go to
support the welfare and educational needs of refuge Myanmar children living
in camps on the Thailand border.
A special thank you goes to our sponsors for the evening DHL and special
friend Chitra Chandrasiri. Thank you too, for the wonderful auction and
raffle items donated by Ursula Antiques, Kalae, Arlette Cykman, Nancy
Srikumpol, Patricia Foulstone, Indian by Nature Restaurant, La Luna
Restaurant, Cafe New Orleans, Boathouse Restaurant, Residence Inn
Restaurant.
Women with a Mission (WWM) is a private group of three women who work to
organize direct help to people who need it. They are currently working to
help provide educational supplies (such as a photo copier) to benefit some
of the thousands of Burmese children living in the camps along the
Thailand/Myanmar Boarder (previously Burma). They are also trying to raise
money to supply the children with food, clothing and medical supplies. These
children have been displaced by both political uncertainty and more recently
a natural disaster, namely the devastating Cyclone Nargis, which left
thousands of children orphaned.
 (L
to R) Rosanne, Bronwyn and Kylie - Women with a Mission.
We are each devoted to being citizens of the global community, without
social, cultural or religious boundaries. In places where we donate our time
and resources, we respect the autonomy of local communities, encouraging
people to develop their own development processes.
We are committed to being financially accountable and use funds received
only for the purpose requested. We do not use any of the funds received for
expenses, in fact donating these ourselves. We are committed to providing
children of all ages, social and cultural backgrounds the necessary tools to
receive a proper education and assisting them with daily nutritional
requirements.
We subscribe to the belief that children have rights as human beings and
also need special care and protection. WWM work to help to meet these basic
needs and to expand the opportunities for children to reach their full
potential.
If you were unable to attend this Charity Event for Women With a Mission and
would like to learn more. Contact us at: wwm.burma @gmail.com or www.women
withamission.blogspot.com to learn more.
Kees Peperkamp (left) and Jan
Abbink (right)
carefully study the Women with a Mission brochure.
Burmese children in bamboo
school rooms in Mae Sot, Thailand.
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