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PCEC members learn all about Rotary International
Story by Darrel Vaught
Photo & caption
by Stuart Saunders
After the usual announcements, Master of Ceremonies (emcee) Richard
Silverberg announced the guest speaker for the regular Sunday meeting of the
Pattaya City Expats Club at the Amari’s Henry J. Beans Restaurant on Sunday,
March 1, a well known and popular member of the Pattaya community, Pratheep
(Peter) Malhotra.
 Media
‘mogul’ Peter Malhotra, District Governor of Rotary International District
3340, shares the history and purpose of Rotary with PCEC members.
Peter is the founder and managing director of the Pattaya Mail newspaper.
He is also very active in Rotary International and is the current District
Governor for the Northeastern District of Thailand (District 3340), which
includes 6 Rotary Clubs in Pattaya.
Peter began his presentation by showing a brief video entitled Humanity in
Motion, which described Rotary International’s efforts to immunize against
polio, provide scholarships, and eliminate hunger.
He then told everyone how Rotary International began with the first Rotary
Club, which was formed in 1905 in Chicago by Paul Harris, an attorney who
wished to capture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had
felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name derived from the early
practice of rotating meetings among members’ offices, which also gave it its
symbol of the wheel. Peter noted that the “keyhole” in the center of the
symbol denotes “control” as opposed to “freewheeling.”
By 1921, Rotary clubs had been formed on six continents. The organization
adopted the Rotary International name a year later. As Rotary grew, its
mission expanded beyond serving club members’ professional and social
interests. Rotarians began pooling their resources and contributing their
talents to help serve communities in need. He said what makes the
organization is the individual members, the Rotarians coming together to
serve others. He mentioned that the Rotarian’s motto is “Service above
Self.”
Peter said the first Rotary Club in Thailand was formed in 1930 in Bangkok.
He mentioned that in 1985, Rotary International through its worldwide
network of clubs established a goal to wipe out polio within 20 years.
Although not defeated, their efforts have greatly reduced the risk in the
world today; primarily by providing the polio vaccine to immunize children
in developing countries. Since 1985 over 2 billion children have been
immunized against polio. Although there has been no incidence of polio in
Thailand in the last 10 years, there is always the risk of its reoccurrence
as world travel is easy and it is possible someone with the disease could
enter Thailand. Thus, continued immunizations are essential.
Peter said that in 1955, the 25th anniversary of the Bangkok Club, they came
under Royal Patronage. Peter then read to the audience what HM the King said
at that time about the benefits of the Rotarians’ activities.
Peter mentioned various activities the Rotary Clubs in Thailand have
undertaken to improve literacy, eradicate polio, improve sanitary
conditions, and eliminate hunger. He said this year, the theme is to “Make
Dreams Real” by doing something to give children a future.
As an example, Peter related a story about one effort here in Thailand. A
young boy, whose father died of AIDS and whose mother ran away, was in the
care of his grandmother. They lived next to railroad tracks and had no
water. She approached a neighbor that did have water, who agreed to let her
connect to it provided she paid for not only the water she used, but also
for the neighbor’s water. She agreed, but could not pay. The neighbor cut
off her access to the water. In desperation, she started using water from an
open sewage pipe. Naturally, the boy got sick. One of the boy’s teachers
called on a Rotarian, who took the boy to the hospital. Further
investigation revealed the reason. As a result, the Rotarians coming
together put in a water filtration system - not only for the grandmother,
but for the community. Peter concluded by saying this is the essence of what
it means to be a Rotarian. He then asked for questions of which there were
several.
Emcee Richard then updated everyone on upcoming events and called on Hawaii
Bob to conduct the always informative and sometimes humorous Open Forum
where information is shared on living in Pattaya and Thailand.
Father Ray Foundation makes
major appointments
The Father Ray Foundation, one of Thailand’s most highly
regarded charitable organizations, located in Pattaya, on March 2 announced a
reorganization of its management staff as it looks to the future and to continue
to fulfill its mission in what are seriously difficult economic times.
 Luksamapa
Monyarid
The Foundation, located in Pattaya, has created two new senior management
positions. Suporntum Mongkolsawadi has been appointed managing director of
projects and will have the responsibility for all projects including Father Ray
Children’s Home, Children’s Village, Drop-in Center, Day Care Center, School for
Blind Children and the Vocational School for the Disabled and other staff
functions.
At the same time Luksamapa Monyarid has been appointed managing director of
purchasing and services, a role that includes the responsibility for central
purchasing, publications, the Retreat Center, maintenance, security and the
agriculture farm.
Father Lawrence Patin, president of the Father Ray Foundation said, “A
management realignment is necessary to cope with the changing times necessitated
by the worsening economies of the world. There is a dire need to concentrate on
tightening our controls on expenditures and broadening donor relations. The new
positions, with these two outstanding and capable people to fill them, are a
strong step in that process.”
Suporntum was a student at the Father Ray Vocational School for Disabled in
1987, where he later became a teacher and in 1995 was named Principal. From 1997
he was also head of the Job Placement Agency and the Redemptorist Foundation for
the Disabled. He holds a degree from Ramkhamhaeng University in Accounting, and
Masters Degrees from Chulalongkorn University in Political Economics and from
Huachiew University in Social Welfare Projects Management.
 Suporntum
Mongkolsawadi
Luksamapa became manager of Central Purchasing at the Foundation in 2003 and
developed procedures to manage purchases for all the projects of the Father Ray
Foundation. He graduated from Assumption University with an undergraduate degree
in 2001 and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science in 2003.
In commenting about the new positions, Father Patin said, “These key people
fully understand our needs and have proven their management abilities with
stellar performance with us for many years. I am also pleased to announce that
Thomas J. Vincent, chairman and CEO of the Vincent Foundation of Honolulu,
Hawaii, has agreed to join the board and the operations committee of the Fr. Ray
Foundation to lend us his management experience and support.”
The Father Ray Foundation was started more than 35 years ago when Father Ray
Brennan, an Irish-American Catholic Priest in Pattaya, was given a baby to care
for by a young Thai lady who could not care for the baby herself. Others
followed. Fr. Ray opened homes and schools over the years to house, feed and
educate blind children, disabled young people and children without families. He
died in 2003 and his legacy continues with the Foundation today caring for over
800 young people.
Baile de la Rosa visits
Golden Cliff House
Kicking up your heals during
the Baile de la Rosa.
Kavita Lamba
Baile de la Rosa made its first appearance ever in Thailand on Saturday
February 28. Nick Verbeek, of Salsa Amante, devised the concept of Baile de
la Rosa, otherwise known as the Dance of the Roses, in Holland over twelve
years ago. The concept proved extremely popular and felt it was time that
Salsa lovers in Pattaya should see the concept.
The event was held at Golden Cliff House, who pulled out all the stops, and
turned their newly renovated conference room into a ballroom. The kitchen
staff went as far as learning how to cook authentic Spanish style tapas,
which along with the rum based fruit cocktail, guests were treated to real
Latin style food and drink.
The ladies had no opportunity to be wall flowers as the onus was on them to
ask the gentlemen for dance, who were then presented with a rose for every
dance. They had to collect as many roses as possible to be able to win
prizes which included entrance tickets to the next event.
For those who did not know how to dance, guests were treated to two
workshops on meringue giving them a chance to discover their dancing feet.
The room was filled to capacity with dancing couples and roses galore. For
those of you who missed out, don’t worry, Baile de la Rosa will back in May.
Check out the website www.salsaamante.com for details. See you on the dance
floor!
Welfare Tour ... and we fared well also
Judy Wright &
Kathleen Petras
On March 4, Ingrid and her team took about 20 P.I.L.C. members on a welfare
tour around Pattaya. I (Judy Wright) as a newcomer did not really know what
to expect but what a fantastic day it was.
 Judy
Wright braves a ride on Woody’s Harley as Susan Wright provides
encouragement.
The first part of the tour went to Goh Pai (children’s school). Pim (Seaton)
who is also a PILC member is the project director of Goh Pai Kindergarten.
The kindergarten has been operating since early 2007. It started with around
20 students and now after extensive renovations last year has 72 students.
PILC supports Goh Pai by donating on a yearly basis, as you can imagine the
running costs are quite high with this amount of students and teachers.
On Wednesday when we all arrived for our tour Pim was on hand to show us
around the beautiful premises and we were able to watch some of the
impressive alphabet recitals of the 4-6yr olds in both Thai and English!
Pim is also helping out at Dek Dee and lending her valuable insights and
experience gained from getting Goh Pai Kindergarten up and running. What a
fabulous energetic lady she is!
Dek Dee was the second stop on the tour. Porn and Susan Wright met us at the
school along with “Woody” Underwood, a member of the Jesters Care for Kids
Charity Drive, who also donated to the development.
We were given a tour of the school, along with cooling drinks. After,
Gillian and Ingrid presented the school with our cheque for 90,000 baht.
We were then on our way again to visit with Tiew and the girls at “Our
Home”. Now this was right up my alley, as I love quilting and this is where
it all happens. (Ladies just for your interest sake she is taking orders
now.)
“Our Home” is a refuge for girls from all over Thailand. Tiew is realising
her dream of a home for girls to live securely while they learn skills
necessary to look after themselves. Tiew teaches them to quilt and they are
becoming very skilled with this craft. She has 5 dedicated girls now and
they also help her teach others this great skill.
I know that everyone on the tour were equally impressed with workmanship. So
not only did we get to see beautiful quilts but Tiew and her girls had made
us lunch, which was enjoyed by everyone. To top it off she also has a
vegetable market with very fresh produce at extremely competitive prices,
which I can attest to being very tasty when we ate them that night.
It was a very enlightening day and made me very proud to be part of an
organisation that can assist those in greater need. I thank each and every
one of you for doing your part in contributing.
If you have never been on one of these welfare tours I urge you to go and
have a look. It is very enlightening and you get to see where part of your
money goes. I am looking forward to the next food drop and being part of
that also. Thank you to the welfare team and the great effort they put into
not only supporting the needy but showing people like me how to help.
PILC members present Dek Dee
School with a 90,000 baht donation.
Sweet life for PILC at La Dolce Vita
Kavita Lamba
La Dolce Vita opened its doors for the first time to members of the
Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) last week. Over ninety members
turned to the restaurant in Soi 18, Naklua Beach Road and were treated a
delicious buffet lunch of Italian and international cuisine with delectable
desserts by owner Chef Paolo and his team.
 Ingrid
Cunliffe (right) says goodbye to Sharon Egberts.
Susan Race was the guest speaker for the occasion, and gave a short talk
about the project she supports in Mae Hong Son province through THEP
(Thailand Hilltribe Education Project). The project basically raises funds
to sponsor children through secondary education. Susan regularly visits the
hill tribes every three to four months and invited members of the PILC to
join her on one of her trips to the North so that members can see the
project first-hand.
Gillian Thom, president, announced the venue of the forthcoming coffee
morning, at Trattoria Toscana on Beach Road next week, and told members of
the upcoming Family Fun Day on March 28. She reminded members that the
monthly luncheons are not only a good social event, but also an opportunity
for club members to raise any issues or suggestions they may have for social
or welfare projects.
Three new members joined the club, and a sad farewell was said to Sharon
Egberts, who has been an active member of the Welfare team, and is now
returning with her husband to Australia.
The venue was bright and lively, the food was delicious, and a great time
was had by all.
PILC members get together twice a month for coffee and lunch, and as well as
these social activities, they support a wide range of welfare projects in
the area. There is also an extensive range of sports and social clubs within
the group, including mah-jong, bowling, tennis, and crafts. Anyone wanting
to join the group, or who would like more information about its various
activities, should telephone Gillian Thom, president, on 081 7626003 or
e-mail to [email protected].
The venue was bright and
lively, the food was delicious,
and a great time was had by all.
La dolce vita to hold
short story competition
Kirsten Eh
La dolce vita would like to invite you to participate in the first
short story competition in Pattaya.
La dolce vita is a new venue in Pattaya, where you can enjoy more than only
an excellent choice of Italian dishes. We at La dolce vita seriously believe
that good music and good food is a powerful combination that can be
garnished with quality entertainment and events, for example with good
literature. Therefore we would like to invite you to a short story
competition.
The theme of our first competition is “La Dolce Vita” which means “The Sweet
Life” and is also the title of a famous movie. So share your inspirations
with us - from Italy to Pattaya, from sweet to spicy, from funny to funky -
and send your story by email to Shortstory @ladolcevitapattaya .com not
later then August 15, 2009
The final between the best three stories will take place at the La dolce
vita on Wednesday September 16, 2009. On this evening the best three stories
will be musically introduced and read aloud by an actor in between the
courses. The audience will finally choose the winner.
Prizes:
1st Prize: Voucher “A Night at the Opera” for 6 people plus a bottle of
Champagne (value 10,500 baht)
2nd Prize: Voucher “A Night at the Opera” - 4 people (value 5,000 baht)
3rd Prize: Voucher “A Night at the Opera” - 2 people (value 2,500 baht)
Plus free dinner on the Wednesday Sept. 16 for the best three writers.
Additionally, the winning story will be published on the website of ‘La
dolce vita’ and eventually in Pattaya Mail and an anthology.
Rules for entry:
1. The entry is free of charge.
2. All work must be in English.
3. The story should not have been previously published.
4. The copyright remains with the authors but they must agree that their
stories can be read on Wednesday Sept. 16 as well as published on the La
dolce vita website and eventually in Pattaya Mail and an anthology.
5. The story has to consist of 11,000 to 13,000 characters (without spaces).
The line spacing has to be 1.5.
6. Please, send your text in as a word document attachment and name it as
follows: Prename Name. Titel.doc
7. Entries that do not comply with the rules will be disqualified.
8. Judges will be: Paolo Nota, chef La dolce vita; Elfie Seitz, editor of
Pattaya Blatt, Kirsten Eh, writer with several publications. They will
choose the best three stories.
If you have any question, please visit our website or contact us at any time
by email.
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