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Thousands crowd the shore to watch annual long boat race
Sontaya Khunplome pays his
respects to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Pramote Channgam
In a day of flying oars splashing through water, the “Akaranava”
manned by the Royal Thai Army won HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s trophy and the
100,000 baht prize in the 2008 Traditional Long Boat Races held at
Mabprachan Reservoir over the weekend of November 22 & 23.
 The
captain of the “Akaranava” receives the HRH Princess Sirindhorn trophy and
100,000 baht from Rewat Pollook-In.
“Chalawan Singh-Leo” from Pichit Province won the HRH Princess Soamsawalee
trophy.
The atmosphere at the competition was competitive and jovial, including
amusing calling of the races. There were also water buffalo races and a long
drum competition with youth and adult categories, thumping out the beat to
urge on the rowers.
The 55 oarsmen of the “Akaranava” enjoyed their win in the long boat
category and 30 oarsmen of the “Chalawan Singh-Leo” won the small long boat
category, collecting the trophy and 50,000 prize.
In the International Long Boat competition this year six countries
participated. The winner was the Myanmar team which received the Chonburi
Governor’s trophy and 50,000 baht. The Thailand A and B teams were the
runners-up.
Rewat Pollook-In, vice-president of the Chonburi Provincial Administrative
Organization, said that this year’s traditional long boat race was the
eighth annual competition. Each year this event attracts more participating
teams and spectators.
The international teams’ participation was successful this year and it is
hoped to attract more international teams next year, he said.
Panawat Jaiyangyoun (left),
mayor of Pong Sub-district Municipality,
presents the Chonburi Governor’s trophy to the Myanmar team,
winner in the International Long Boat competition.
Certainly enough to scare away
evil spirits.
Traditionally dressed young
lasses lead the opening parade.
The Royal trophies arrive.
Don’t mess with us, we’re
tough.
Students from local schools
enjoy taking part in the opening parade.
Even the youngest local
students show how
well they can perform traditional Thai dance.
Keeping tradition alive
through classical dance.
Pure muscle and concentration.
Thousands of spectators line
the banks to enjoy the competition.
And they’re off…
A super battle on the water.
The race is on!
Close right to the finish
line.
Rotary campaign against polio a huge success
Fulfilling our promise to eradicate the dreaded disease from the face of the earth
Rotarians and health officials
dedicated to rid the world of polio. (l-r) PRID Noraseth Pathmanand, PDG Dr.
Saowaluk Rattanavich, Dr. Sujitra Nimmanit, Dr. Monthira Thongsaree and
District Governor Nominee Suchada Ithijarukul.
Rotary Centre in Thailand
In 1985, Rotary International launched PolioPlus, a 20-year
commitment to eradicate polio. PolioPlus is one of the most ambitious
humanitarian undertakings ever made by a private entity. It will serve as a
paradigm for private-public collaborations in the fight against disease well
into the 21st century. As the polio-eradication program grew, so did
Rotary’s commitment and involvement. By 1990, Rotary moved from providing
polio vaccine to children in developing countries to assisting health care
workers in the field, providing training for laboratory personnel to track
the polio virus and working with governments around the world in supporting
the historic health drive. Rotary looked to celebrate the global eradication
of polio in 2005, the organization’s centennial year.
 District
Governor Krai Tangsanga (3350) and District Governor Ratmanee Tanyingyong
(3330) determined to immunise all the children in their districts.
In the same year, Rotary set a goal to raise US$120 million to provide oral
polio vaccine to newborns in the developing world. When the campaign ended,
Rotary had doubled its goal, collecting more than $247 million. To date, the
PolioPlus program has contributed $373 million to the protection of nearly 2
billion children. By 2005, Rotary’s financial commitment reached nearly $500
million.
With its community-based network worldwide, Rotary is the volunteer arm of
the global partnership dedicated to eradicating polio. Rotary volunteers
assist in vaccine delivery, social mobilization, and logistical help in
co-operation with the national health ministries, WHO, UNICEF, and the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rotary’s volunteer efforts were
instrumental in the eradication of polio from the Western Hemisphere, which
was certified polio-free in 1994.
 PDG
Premprecha Dibbayawan (left) Chair of the District Rotary Foundation
Committee brought back a large amount of information for Rotarians in
District 3340 R.I.
In 2007, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated $100 million dollars
to the International Rotary Foundation for it to spend on polio vaccinations
around the world.
In the next three years, from this year to December 31, 2010, Rotarians
around the world will match the Gates’ donation with a further $100 million
to this campaign.
At a seminar on “United Rotary’s Protection of Thailand’s Children to Get
Rid of Polio” campaign, held on 20 November at the Rotary Centre in
Thailand, Past Rotary International Director Noraseth Pathmanand, president
of the National Rotary PolioPlus Committee, outlined the details of this
effective world campaign. He said the PolioPlus Project in Thailand started
in 1987 when Rotary Foundation gave $1,018,000 for acquiring the vaccination
drops.
 A
Rotarian holds up a “Stop Polio” poster.
For the last 13 years Rotary Clubs in Thailand and the Ministry of Public
Health have provided the Polio vaccines during the immunisation days. The
campaign in Thailand is a complete success as no case of polio has been
reported in the last 11 years.
This year the Ministry of Public Health will cooperate again with Rotary
Clubs in Thailand to vaccinate children on two immunisation days, once on
December 17, 2008 and again on January 14, 2009.
At the start of the project it was estimated that there were more than
350,000 people suffering from polio in 125 countries. During the course of
the successful vaccination campaign in many countries, there had been as
much as a 99% decrease in the number of polio victims.
A survey in 2007 found that only India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan
still have small outbreaks of polio.
According to an estimation made in February 2008, there are now fewer than
2,000 people afflicted by polio around the world.
The campaign this dreaded disease continues. If polio isn’t eradicated, the
world will continue to live under the threat of the disease. More than 10
million children will be paralyzed in the next 40 years if the world fails
to capitalize on its US$4 billion global investment in eradication.
Rotarians pose for a group
picture at the end of the PolioPlus seminar.
Charity Club of Pattaya members have
been drinking for charity
Christina Boden
The Charity Club of Pattaya descended on some of the local bars in
Pattaya to help raise funds for two charities. Sponsors could choose either
the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal or the Prostheses Foundation in Chiang
Mai <www.prostheses
foundation.or.th>
 Malcolm
with Bob Myers, Poppy Appeal organiser at Rosie O’Grady’s.
The pub crawl started from Shenanigans in the Avenue with club mascot
Bertram Bear, who got the easy option of sitting in a wheelchair which is
destined for someone in Isaan after the walk. After a tipple or two to get
them in trim for the walk they set off for Rosie O’Grady’s. Malcolm left
everyone standing as he went pounding the Pattaya streets, everyone thinking
it was because he was ex-army but it was all a ploy … he got to Rosie’s
quicker so he could enjoy the air con and Guinness longer than anyone else!
Darren was on hand to welcome the weary and very hot walkers, Colin the
other co-owner of Rosie’s came on the walk and crawled in the door gasping
for a Guinness and a cold cloth like the rest of the walkers, so Darren was
more than happy to oblige!
After a few more much needed drinks the baht bus was hailed for the next leg
to Jameson’s to be greeted by Kim and his busy staff.
 Kevin,
Kim and Som at Jameson’s.
Busy Kevin Fisher managed to get away from his work and caught up with the
crowd at Jameson’s where Kevin donned his billboard to start the slow
stagger towards Tropical Bert’s.
As the walkers approached Soi 6/1 the sound of Bert ringing the bell in
Tropical Bert’s put a spring into the walkers’ steps and encouraged a sprint
into the bar! The Tropical Bert’s girls were gathering the orders at great
speed to replenish them after the long 10 minute walk from Jameson’s.
The last leg was soon upon them and they finally managed to get to the last
venue with an even longer walk … across the road to the Queen Victoria Inn
where a tasty buffet was waiting.
All fed and very well watered it was time for the raffle. All the prizes
were claimed on the night.
Special thanks for the prizes that were donated by Rosie O’Grady’s,
Shenanigan’s, Tropical Bert’s, Queen Victoria Inn, and Mata Hari. The
Charity Club banner was donated by the Big Banner Company.
Amount raised: 102,000 baht, which will be split 50/50 between the 2
charities.
Kevin dons his billboard at
Jameson’s.
Bernard gives Bertram a well
earned drink in Rosie O’Grady’s.
Colin Tar & friends at
Tropical Bert’s.
Buddy and his pals.
Charity Club of Pattaya at the
last venue, the Queen Victoria Inn.
A century of wine making shared in an evening at Grappa
South African vineyard showcases wines with a hundred-year pedigree
Nattachai Chaiyaprom
(left) of BNK Pattaya Wine Gallery,
shares a taster with Sutham Phanthusak.
Sue K
Bovlei winery recently held two events to promote their fine
wines here in this, the city of variety. The first was at Grappa, which
is the Italian restaurant within the new Woodlands Suites in north
Pattaya, with a launch also taking place the following day at Luxor
Restaurant in south Pattaya.
 Frank
Meaker, the Bovlei wine maker, talks to the assembled guests at Grappa.
Over 150 wine connoisseurs turned up to sample a vast selection of reds
and whites at Grappa courtesy of the wine maker of Bovlei, Frank Meaker.
This particular evening was actually the final night of a tour that had
already visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Sumui and Phuket.
Presiding over the opening was His Excellency Douglas HM Gibson, the
South African Ambassador to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Mynmar, and
everything was coordinated by Allan Riddell, Consultant to the Board
S.A. Trade Promotion, and Natthachai of BNK Pattaya Wine Gallery Co.
Ltd.
Bovlei winery was founded in October a hundred and one years ago and
today it is the second oldest co-operative in South Africa. It’s a fairy
tale story of a company that has survived a century of turmoil through
highs and lows and has now embarked on a plan to position itself in the
Thai market.
 (Left-right)
Rungthip Suksrikarn, Alisa Phanthusak, Sue K and Reni Hildenbrand sample
some of the vintage produce on offer.
The Bovlei winery has about 38 members that cultivate 720 hectares and
produce on average about 7,500 tons of grapes per year. The vineyards
lie nestled on the slopes and in the very picturesque valleys around the
town of Wellington, which is about 70 kilometers from Cape Town.
Through the last five years, Bovlei has been reinventing itself in
producing vineyard specific wines culminating in the Centenary range of
wines which was launched in 2007. This range of wine embraces the
quality of the region and is an absolute pleasure to the wine
connoisseur. It was this selection of wines that delighted the guests at
Grappa, with the Pinotage being the star of the evening.
A special mention has to go to the GM of Woodlands Hotel & Resort,
Stephane Brimger, who was on hand to ensure that the canapés & snacks
were as plentiful as the wine.
Many familiar faces were there at Grappa including Sutham Phanthusak and
his daughter Alisa Phanthusak from Woodlands Hotels Group & Tiffany’s
Show, Reni Hildenbrand, who also hails from South Africa, Maurice D.
Bromley, President, S.A. Thai Chamber of Commerce and Martine Klein, F&B
Marketing Communications Coordinator, Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa.
The following day there was a luncheon at the Luxor Restaurant located
just behind Tuk-com where owner and chef, Bruno Begni, put on a
veritable feast that complimented each of the wines perfectly. Again His
Excellency Douglas HM Gibson was there to bring a sense of occasion to
the proceedings and was accompanied by his delightful wife Pam Gibson.
Bruno served up some canapés along with the Sauvignon Blanc then
Pan-fried goose liver on mango salad to go with the Gewuerztraminer.
Chenin Blanc was then served to accompany a light green curry cream soup
followed by the garuppa fillet marinated with balsamic vinegar to
compliment the Pinotage and then roasted duck fillet on Shiraz-shallot
reduction, which of course was especially created by Bruno to accompany
the Shiraz.. It was all rounded off with strawberries sautéed with
Ruby-Cabernet.
With a week of various wine launches throughout Thailand, Frank Meaker
told us that Pattaya was definitely the high point and he was delighted
with the response and hopes to return here again in the New Year.
The wines are currently being distributed throughout Thailand by
Natthachai of BNK Pattaya Wine Gallery.
His Excellency Douglas HM
Gibson, the South African Ambassador to Thailand (left) enjoys the
evening with Allan Riddell, Yudh Theerapat and Antoine Pierre-Hadad.
A hundred years of wine
making experience goes into the full Bovlei range.
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