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A joyous celebration in yellow
Pattaya administrators march
in the parade.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A sea of yellow met the blue of the sea as Pattaya gathered to pray
together, light candles and set off fireworks to bless our beloved “Por
Luang”, His Majesty the King on his 81st birthday.
 Mayor
Itthipol Khunplome led officials and citizens in praise to honor His Majesty
the King.
December 5 was a historic day for Thais to be able to celebrate our world’s
longest-reigning King. All came out dressed in yellow, the color of the day
on which Por Luang was born.
Thousands of celebrants made merit offering dry food and rice to monks and
novices and signed messages and cards to the monarch to offer their
blessings.
As dusk fell Pattaya City was lit by candlelight as all sang HM the King’s
anthem joining the rest of the millions around the country. Fireworks shot
into the night sky and burst over the sea, declaring the people’s pride and
praise for their beloved King.
The auspicious day began at 7 a.m. when Banglamung District Chief Mongkol
Thamakittikhun led more than 300 officials, students, merchants and
residents in offering food to 81 monks in front of the Banglamung District
Office.
 Pratheep
Malhotra humbly makes an offering in front of His Majesty the King’s image.
At 5 p.m. an honorary birthday procession in brilliant yellow moved along
Beach Road from the Royal Garden Plaza and down Walking Street to Bali Hai
Pier where the auspicious birthday ceremony began.
Mayor Itthipol Khunplome led more than 5,000 city administrators, officials,
military personnel, police, students, cadets and all including foreign
tourists to light candles to offer blessings to HM the King.
National flags and yellow flags with the 81st anniversary symbol of His
Majesty the King fluttered in the sea breeze.
Flowers were placed on a pedestal in front of HM the King’s image by
representatives from all the community who resoundingly sang Sadudee
Maharacha (celebration of the Great King) and the song “Father of the Land”.
Then more than 500 fireworks exploded for nearly 10 minutes, beautifying the
night sky as HM the King’s subjects also celebrated their good fortune for
his reign.
Beautiful young Thai classical
dancers perform for His Majesty the King.
A young student dances in
front of His Majesty the King’s image.
A young visitor pays homage to
His Majesty the King.
People from Pattaya’s business
and social/charitable organizations march in the parade whilst wearing
yellow in honor of His Majesty the King.
People of all levels gather to
light candles
and offer blessings to His Majesty the King.
The magnificent fireworks awe
the crowd.
We love our King and wish for
his long life.
Pattaya Mail employees enjoy
being a part of this grand activity.
The fabulous fireworks as seen
from the roof of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Beautiful balloons up, up and away
Pramote Channgam
It’s up, up and away in my beautiful balloon as Pattaya Flying
Fantasy 2008 International Air and Balloon Show lifted off spectacularly in
the learning areas of Watkamudomsuksa College. More than 50 balloons from
around the world joined the fun November 27 to 30.
On November 27 at Thammasat University Pattaya campus, Mayor Itthipol
Khunplome and Police Colonel Amrung Jitpakdee, president of the Thailand
Flying Association, opened the colorful event.
 Mayor
Itthipol Khunplome opens the show.
Also joining in were Niran Wattanasartsathorn, chief advisor to the mayor,
along with representatives from different organizations and the general
public watching the uplifting spectacle.
Organized by Pattaya City in association with the Flying Association of
Pattaya, the show follows on the success of the International Balloon Show
2007, which was held to pay honor to HM the King’s 80th birthday, hosted by
the army sports development and Flying Association of Thailand last
December.
In that five-day event, up to 200,000 spectators attended, making it a great
success, impressing Thais and foreigners alike. There were then calls for
the show to be organized again, so now it is marked on Pattaya’s tourism
calendar to be held every year.
 Thammasat
University student drum majorettes put on a great show.
For this year’s show, the flying association encouraged balloons with more
variety of colors and shapes to highlight the theme of fantasy. More than 30
balloons from Europe and Asia complied and the very colorful results were
seen in our skies for days.
The mayor said Pattaya has full facility to welcome tourists to this show
and the success of last year’s event proved that the show will attract
people annually and boost tourism.
As the balloons sailed above, kites joined them below. On the ground in the
evening there were beer gardens with stage shows and more than 60 food
kiosks serving spectators and hungry balloonists.
Performers such as Pong the Sun, Cham Cham Rum, and Thailand’s greatest
B-boys entertained while shows of Native Americans, cowboys, and other
activities galloped away at Horseshoe Point.
Thousands of people gather to
watch the spectacle.
It takes many people to fly
this “kite”.
Balloons prepare for takeoff.
Military dogs perform to the
delight of the crowd.
Pong the Sun performs.
Solidly anchored to the
ground, these spectacular kites are a sight to see.
Filling balloons with hot air
lights up the night sky.
Preparing for takeoff into the
night sky.
Royal Cliff celebrates 35 years
Princess Ubolratana presides over celebrations
HRH Princess Ubolratana
arrives at the Royal Cliff.
HRH Princess Ubolratana
graciously opens
the new wing of the PEACH convention center.
HRH Princess Ubolratana
watches the fireworks display.
Her Royal Highness Princess
Ubolratana graciously poses for a photo with the top level management of the
Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Elfi Seitz
Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana graciously presided over the
35-year anniversary celebration of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, the opening
of the new wing of its PEACH convention center and the launching of a new
logo.
Before Her Royal Highness arrived, invited guests, among them Tourism
Authority of Thailand Governor Phornsiri Manoharn, Chonburi Governor Surapon
Pongtadsirikun, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and
former Tourism and Sport Minister Sonthaya Khunplome, were hosted in typical
grand Royal Cliff style with fine buffet, wine and champagne.
In another hall a multimedia presentation was shown covering the past 35
years of Royal Cliff Beach Resort history.
Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the resort, welcomed the Princess.
“Five years ago, Your Royal Highness made our 30th anniversary a most
memorable event. We are indeed fortunate that tonight Your Royal Highness
has once again consented to preside over our celebrations with Royal style.
It is now my pleasure and duty to report upon the changes at the Royal Cliff
since that time,” the director said.
After the official celebration and a photo session with the executives,
famous GMM artist Shevanu ‘Namcha’ Yusananda and other young stars performed
on stage, followed by young dancers who showed a moving tribute to the ‘To
be number one’ program.
Initiated by the Princess, the program focuses on giving alternative
activities to youths at risk. This includes two-way communication between
youngsters and their families through fashion, internet and music-based
activities.
Later there were more performances by young dancers in the East Wing and a
sparkling fireworks display over the sea to finish off the celebratory
evening with a bang.
Since 1973, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s mission statement has also aimed
“To be number one”.
Tony Malhotra (3rd left),
Pattaya Mail director presents a congratulatory bouquet to Panga Vathanakul
(3rd right), managing director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort on this
special occasion. Looking on are Ranjith Chandrasiri (left), deputy general
manager of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Rungratree Thongsai (2nd left),
Elfi Seitz (2nd right), executive editor of the Pattaya Blatt, and Heidi
Glemeau.
Young artists perform for HRH
the Princess.
Colorful fireworks light up
the night sky.
Stop Polio Now - declare Rotarians and the public sectors
Children under the age of 5 to receive polio vaccines on 2 immunization days
DG (3360) Pornsak
Uerprasert, (3rd left), DG (3350) Krai Tungsanga, (6th left), DGN
Suchada Ithijarukul (4th right), DG (3330) Ratmanee Tanyinyong (3rd
right), DG (3340) Pratheep Malhotra (2nd right) stand firm with the team
of dedicated Polio eradicators.
By Pratheep Malhotra
Data courtesy of Global Polio Eradication Initiative
The Ministry of Health has declared December 17, 2008 and January 14,
2009 as National Polio Immunization Days.
Parents are strongly urged to bring their children under the age of 5 to
the various health centers around the country so that their children can
receive the polio vaccine to prevent them from being infected by the
deadly virus.
This is the second part of the four-pronged strategy which involves mass
immunization campaigns, known as National Immunization Days (NIDs). This
supplementary immunization is intended to complement - not replace -
routine immunization. The aim of mass campaigns is to interrupt
circulation of poliovirus by immunizing every child under 5 years of age
with two doses of OPV, regardless of previous immunization status.
The idea is to catch children who are either not immunized, or only
partially protected, and to boost immunity in those who have been
immunized. This way, every child in the most susceptible age group is
protected against polio at the same time - instantly depriving the virus
of the fertile seedbed on which its survival depends.
 These
two girls touched everyone’s hearts when they said, “Thank you Rotary
for stopping this terrible disease. We truly hope that we are the last
victims of Polio.”
NIDs are conducted in two rounds, one month apart. Because OPV does not
require a needle and syringe, volunteers with minimal training can serve
as vaccinators, increasing the number of vaccinators well beyond the
existing staff of a country’s Ministry of Health.
Three to five years of NIDs are usually required to eradicate polio, but
some countries require more time, especially those where routine
immunization coverage is low. NIDs are normally conducted during the
cool, dry season because logistics are simplified, immunological
response to OPV is improved and the potential damage to heat-sensitive
OPV is reduced.
Funding of the vaccines is made possible throughout the joint efforts of
the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, Rotary International and many other organizations all
over the world.
In Pattaya the local offices of the public health department will
conduct the immunization days at the Public Health Center in Soi Buakao
and at all community health centres including children development
centres and in 20 schools.
Doctors, nurses and volunteers including Rotarians will take part in
helping to immunize each and every child on both days from 9 a.m. until
4 p.m.
Earlier this week, the four Rotary district governors in Thailand held a
press conference in Bangkok to announce the many activities planned to
bring attention to and encourage the public to be aware of the threat of
polio to our children.
District 3350 is organizing an Eradicating Polio to Make Dreams Real
Fair on December 14 at the Benjasiri Park on Sukhumvit Road in
Bangkok where learned people will give the public information about
polio and its prevention. The fair will include exhibitions and
concerts.
On December 28, all 4 Rotary districts in Thailand will organize a
Walk-Run-A-Thon in many provinces in the country. This exercise is
organized to create awareness and reassure the public of “Rotary’s
promise to the children of the world” that we will not stop until we
have won the war against polio.
After 20 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners are on the brink of
eradicating this tenacious disease, but a strong push is needed now to
root it out once and for all. It is a window of opportunity of historic
proportions.
Contributions by not only Rotarians by also by people from all walks of
life will directly support immunization campaigns in developing
countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyze children,
robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by
their families.
As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world,
children everywhere remain at risk. The stakes are that high.
Lighthouse Club shines again
Andy Hall, Cees Cuijpers,
Jitra and John Hamilton share a laugh.
Looking up to Roger Yee,
sponsor Kevin Fisher and Paul Wilkinson.
A Special Correspondent
The Lighthouse Club held its latest Networking Evening at
Jameson’s on Friday, November 28. There was a great turn-out to support
the sponsors, Kevin Fisher and his company Crane & Equipment Asia Ltd
(CEA). Kevin went into great depths on explaining why CEA is different,
“When executing a project of any magnitude, a smooth operation on the
project is always preceded by a lot of hard work being done in the
office. Basically, nothing is left to chance. Simulation drawings are
prepared on 3D AutoCad and numerous calculations are done to ensure the
safety of the load and the people operating it. Good planning and
preparation is not an option, it is an absolute must on all our
projects.”
 Paul
Sutton, Cees Cuijpers and Matt O’Sullivan talk business at Jameson’s.
Kevin, who is also Treasurer of the Lighthouse Club (Pattaya Branch)
continued, “There is a full compliance culture which is overseen by the
Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality (SHE-Q) management system
which CEA operates constantly. It does not matter whether we are doing
oversized loads, heavy plant and machinery or factory relocations, SHE-Q
is always at the forefront of the planning by the project management
team who will evaluate and then develop and co-ordinate the
transportation of the load from the loading itself, carrying, unloading
and final placement or installation.”
 Mark
Thomson and Stuart Saunders show off the hidden beer mug trick.
Kevin was delighted with the turn-out as was the landlord Kim Fletcher
who laid on a wonderful spread for the event. Kim said he was,
“delighted to help such a worthwhile organisation as the Lighthouse Club
as he recognises all the good it does for the local community -
especially the families of construction workers.”
Many familiar faces were seen. John Hamilton from Waste Management
Services was seen in deep conversation with the sponsor; Peter Mewes of
the London Consultancy was chatting away with Ian Harrington of CUEL.
Roger Yee, one of Scott Wilson’s top engineers was waxing lyrical as did
Jimmy Howard with Paul Dobbs and his brother David. Paul Wilkinson of
Four Winds fame was in fine fettle and Gavin Perfect was his usual
brilliant self running around to make sure the sponsor and host were
both happy.
 Barry
Main, Peter Mewes and Carey Archer discuss politics over beer.
The guests were obviously thirsty because the sponsored beer soon ran
out. But Kevin was so delighted that he told Kim to keep the beer
coming. A great evening which rounded of the first year of the
Lighthouse Club in Pattaya. There will be no networking evening in
December and the next one is scheduled for the fourth Friday in January
- sponsored by Island Pools Construction on January 23 at Shenanigans
Jomtien at 6 pm. However, there is our special late lunch at Manhattans
at 2 pm on Thursday, December 18 - all interested please contact
[email protected]
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