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Redemptorist students pay homage to their teachers with solemn
wai khru ceremony
Students present trays of
incense, candles and flowers
to Fr. Lawrence Patin and Fr. Worawut Saraphan.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya Vocational Redemptorist School kicked off its 2009 academic
year with a traditional “wai khru” ceremony in which students pay respect to
their teachers for the upcoming term.
 Students
line up to present trays of candles, incense and flowers to their teachers.
The school’s 200 students met June 25 - a Thursday, as that is the day for
Brihaspati, the Vedic god of wisdom and teachers - to perform the wai khru,
which is done in most Thai educational institutes at the start of each year.
Fr. Lawrence Patin, director of the Pattaya Redemptorist Center and Father
Ray Foundation, and Fr. Worawut Saraphan, representative for the Pattaya
Redemptorist School licensee and teachers also attended the ceremony.
The festivities began with a Buddhist prayer, followed by the students’
recitation of the wai khru chant, which expresses respect and gratitude for
the teachers and asks for their blessing of the students’ studies. A number
of students then presented teachers with a tray of candles, incense and
flowers symbolizing sharp wit and respect.
Following the presentation, teachers reciprocated by offering the students
guidance for their academic careers and presented awards to the annual wai
khru essay winners. School Deputy Director Likit Taksin then told students
about the ceremony’s long tradition.
Students at the Redemptorist
Vocational School in Pattaya perform
the time honored wai khru ceremony.
Banglamung School honors ancient rags-to-riches poet who became father of Thai Language Day
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Each June an 18th century commoner who became Thailand’s
most-heralded poet is remembered as Thais celebrate National Thai
Language Day. At Banglamung School, the annual holiday was marked with a
broad celebration of Thai culture.
 Athawut
Phokaew, advisor for standard education at Banglamung School, hosts the
opening of Sunthorn Phu Day, or National Thai Language Day.
Sunthorn Phu Day marks the 1786 birthday of the author of the epic “Phra
Aphai Mani” in Bangkok. At Banglamung School, teachers, students and
parents - many attired in traditional Thai dress - participated in
poetry readings, stage plays and music.
School advisor for standard education Athawut Phokaew opened the
festivities with a poem and a message that the celebration was also
meant to mark HM the King’s 60 years on the throne. Such education
activities also work to teach students about history and to stay away
from drugs.
Among the attractions was a Thai language knowledge exhibition, cooking
of Thai dishes and various music shows and folk dramas.
Like his poems, Sunthorn’s life was a tale of sorrow and success. A
child of divorced parents, he first lived with his father in Bangrum
Temple, where his father was a monk and his mother a wet nurse to a
princess. But the young man fell in love with Jun, a family member of
King Rama I and he was arrested and jailed for the improper
relationship.
When the king died, Sunthorn was pardoned and went to live with his
father in Rayong where he wrote “Nirat Muang Grang,” one of his most
famous poems, which was about his love for Jun. He then returned to the
palace and married her, had a son and was named court poet. Success,
however, turned soured when Sunthorn became an alcoholic, had an affair,
got divorced, and was jailed after getting in a fight.
However, he remained court poet even after King Rama II’s death. But,
during a poem reading by King Rama III, the poet publicly corrected the
monarch and was stripped of his title and banished from the palace. He
briefly became a monk, then a merchant, but, after King Rama IV’s
daughter read the first parts of his unfinished serialized poem “Phra
Aphai Mani,” he was invited to return to the palace to complete the
poem, which was written in installments over 20 years and describes the
romantic adventures of the title character throughout ancient Thailand.
He died in 1855.
Students listen during
Sunthorn Phu Day.
Christ the King High School from England visits the Fr. Ray’s Day Care Center
Jatupat Bhuthongngoen
It was great fun for the little children at Fr. Ray’s Day Care
Center when a group of high school students from Christ the King High
School in England came and played their ‘puppet show’ with them. The
kids’ napping area turned into a theater, showing the story of ‘The
Enormous Radish’ where people and animals together can perform hard
tasks, like pulling a giant radish out of the ground, when they work
together.
The children were excited about wearing animal head gear while a student
from Christ the King told the story to which the children acted along.
The whole room was filled with laughter and joy.
Christ the King High School is raising money for Thai Children’s Trust
in England which in turn funds Fr. Ray Foundation works. After they
leave Pattaya the students will go back to share their experiences with
their fellow students in England and work to raise more money for the
children in Pattaya.
Seven students have come from Southport with their school Chaplain –
Marie. For all of them it is it is their first visit to Thailand and the
first opportunity to meet the underprivileged children at the Fr. Ray
Foundation for whom they have been raising money.
Students from Christ the
King High School in England brought
fun and laughter to the children at Fr. Ray’s Day Care Center.
Caring for Kids on Independence Day
Lewis Underwood
When we were children the highlight of the 4th of July on
American Independence Day was playing with store-bought fireworks, such
as sparklers, glo-worms and Roman candles with our parents.
 Eddie,
master chef, at the front door to his establishment.
When we were older it morphed into having a party with friends, eating
hot dogs, drinking beer, and watching fireworks in the sky.
However, at this stage in our lives, the real significance of the 4th of
July for Americans is driven home more than ever. It is still a time of
celebration, but, it is also a time for remembrance and to be thankful
for those who serve, sacrifice and put themselves in harm’s way to
protect our families, dreams and ideals.
Moreover it is now a time to be charitable as well.
Last Saturday, many Americans living in Pattaya commemorated the 4th of
July. Two American establishments and a friend, who got married that
day, chose not only to celebrate but also to raise funds for the Jesters
Care for Kids Charity Drive.
 At
Mark and Chanapon’s wedding party: the groom and bride with Soda.
Richman Poorman run by Eddie on Soi 9 in Jomtien was our first stop of
the day. Spurred on by Steve and George, the three of them decided to
put on a traditional 4th of July extravaganza complete with barbecued
chicken, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and plenty of
cold beverages. Fluttering American flags, red, white and blue balloons
and music from the Heartland added to the theme of the day. Then along
came Banana with his famous leg of ox to really make it a glutton’s
feast.
The organizers also held a raffle from prizes graciously donated by
their patrons; the proceeds of which were to go to help the poor kids.
Tickets were flogged by staff for 100 baht apiece, and incredibly, in
mere hours they raised an astounding 50,000 baht! Well done, Eddie,
Steve, George and everyone else who came!
 Sunkan,
Luc and Pete inside the Sun Dog Diner.
Our next stop was the Sun Dog Diner on ‘restaurant row’ next to News
Café on Thappraya Road near the intersection with Thepprasit Road. It
was easy to find because a cherry classic ’56 Bel Air Chevy was parked
outside right in front.
Pat, Randy and Mike held their grand opening for their immaculate 50’s
style American diner reminiscent of the era when guys had slicked back
hair and chicks sported beehive dos, and they put coins into the slot of
the juke box so they could listen to the latest rock and roll,
rockabilly and do wop songs.
They put on a sumptuous sampling of food from their menu, like pizza,
barbecued shrimp, fried chicken, milk shakes topped off with homemade
cookies and cakes baked by Randy’s 85-year old mother.
This diner adorned with loads of Americana is a must visit. By the way,
their collection receptacle is right next to the front door for donating
to the kids.
The last stop on our social itinerary that day was later on in the
evening, when we pulled up to Mark and Chanapon’s wedding reception at
Mumaroi Restaurant on Pattaya 3 Road. This very popular venue for locals
and expats had a full house. There was entertainment by children for the
wedding party and plenty of Thai delicacies to sate everyone.
Traditionally, people here put money in envelopes for the new couple in
lieu of buying wedding gifts. However, the bride and groom made it clear
to their invited guests that all money given to them would be donated
instead to our charity drive. Great stuff, Mark and Chanaporn! We wish
you all the best!
All in all, it was a wonderful day celebrating with friends, remembering
the significance of the day, and raising money for the poor kids in our
community. A huge ‘thank you’ goes to all of you who made it such a
special day!
If you too would like to help the poor children have better lives,
please visit our website at www.care4kids.info.
By the way, a special well wishes to Gentlemen Bob who had his birthday
on the fourth of July too!
Jesters hand over s
certificate of appreciation
to Randy and Patrick outside their Sun Dog Diner.
Aerial view of the party
from the street at Richman Poorman.
Regent’s drama students take the audience
on a journey to Dictionopolis
Rebecca Tasker
Year 10 GCSE Drama student
The Junior Production of Lost for Words recently took place in the Globe
Theatre of Regent’s School performed by a group of 40 actors ranging in
age from 8-14 years.
 Grace
Sinclair Peters comes to life as Lethargy
The play, derived from an original script by Drama teacher Martin Walsh,
tells the story of a character called Nigel Brotherhood, a lonely
teenager with demanding parents, a spoilt sister and whacky grandmother
who compel him to take part in ‘spelling bee’ contest. Unfortunately,
Nigel is a terrible speller and does not know what he should do. One
night he is mysteriously transported to the fantastical world of
Dictionopolis and travels to 26 different locations, each representing
different letters of the alphabet.
Like Alice in Wonderland, Nigel meets a gallery of strange characters
which means the play was full of laughs with some scary moments too.
These strange but mostly friendly characters teach Nigel answers to the
various riddles and guide him safely back home.
 Sierra
Sanchez makes a sinister Disdain
The production was a great success for the cast who also encouraged the
audience to join in the rock hits that punctuated the action throughout.
There were excellent performances, particularly from Cameron Howard as
Nigel and Valerie de Saegher as Dali.
The audience was soon singing and tapping along to such evergreen hits
as Mr Blue Sky, Message in a Bottle, Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon, Easy
and many others. The band of 6 was led by Year 11 student Amit Garg.
The performance was accompanied by an excellent art display which
illustrated the themes of the play. The production was directed by
Martin Walsh and Mike Thomas.
Valerie as Dali, Joel as
Dada and Cameron
as Nigel set out on their perilous journey.
The cast
German Embassy checks progression on construction of children’s home
German Embassy
representative Reinhard Paichrowski talks with Help Network Director
Radchada Chomjinda during the inspection of the building site.
Elfi Seitz
Work is progressing quickly on new Huay Yai buildings for the
Child Protection and Development Center funded by the German and Swiss
embassies.
German Embassy representative Reinhard Paichrowski visited the CPDC
building site June 24 and, after inspecting three houses, said the 1.5
million baht donated by the two governments was being well spent.
Following the tour, Paichrowski had lunch with CPDC Director Supagon
Noja, the Human Help Network Director Radchada Chomjinda and Julia
Riemann, also with the Human Help Network, along with children and
journalists. The children were also presented with t-shirts from
Effective Microorganism’s main-distributor and product manufacturer in
Thailand, Helmut Meusel.
German Embassy
representative Reinhard Paichrowski
(tall man, back row, right) visited the CPDC building site June 24.
American teen raises 85,000 baht, other supplies for Ban Jing Jai
Happy children react to
the donation.
Saksiri Uraiworn
An American high school student humbled by a visit to Pattaya’s
Ban Jing Jai orphanage has returned to Thailand with 85,000 baht and
crates full of clothing and supplies raised through her fundraising
efforts in the U.S.
 American
high school student Lisa Koenig hands out donated t-shirts to children
at Pattaya’s Ban Jing Jai orphanage.
Lisa Koenig of Palatine, Ill. presented Ban Jing Jai manager Piangta
Chumnoi and about 60 happy children with t-shirts, shoes, supplies and
the cash June 18. The donations were raised through her “Thai Your
Shoes” organization, which she started as a simple high school shoe
drive and quickly grew into something much larger.
On her group’s DoSomething .org internet page, Koenig wrote that she
first visited Ban Jing Jai while visiting her father, who lives in
Pattaya. He and his Thai wife took her to visit the orphanage where she
was overwhelmed by what she saw and had her father buy 15 pizzas for the
kids.
“I couldn’t help but be overcome by the fact that I was meant to do more
than just see them,” she wrote. “I knew that in 15 minutes their pizza
would be gone. Down the street my father’s air-conditioned house would
still be waiting for me. What was waiting for them? It didn’t seem
right.”
She returned home with a mission and started the Thai Your Shoes club at
her school where students “adopted” each of the children at Ban Jing
Jai. A shoe drive led to larger projects, culminating in the “Race for
Sincere Hearts,” named for the English translation of the orphanage’s
name. The 5 km race raised $2,500 for the orphanage and other sponsors
donated the clothing and for shipping the goods to Thailand.
Koenig wrote that she hopes her efforts raise awareness for the
orphanage, “shining light onto an organization that has been swept under
the carpet for too long.”
The teen-ager said this year’s donations will not be the last. She’s
already organized another Sincere Hearts race for next year, other
fund-raising outings and a group trip to visit the children at Ban Jing
Jai.
For more information on how to help Thai Your Shoes, see its website at
http://thaiyourshoes.weebly.com/
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