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Chonburi’s annual Water Buffalo Races
continue to excite the crowds
Staff reporters
Every year the province of Chonburi hosts the unique spectacle of
water buffalo racing to celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent, and with it, the
official end of the rainy season. This year marked the 138th anniversary of
the event. Official “race day” was held on October 3, although the
activities began on September 28 and ran until October 3.
 Awards
are presented to the most beautiful farmer girls.
Chonburi Governor Senee Jittakasem presided over the week of activities, the
finals of which took place at the field in front of Chonburi City Hall.
The annual buffalo races have become a huge festival in Chonburi, drawing
large crowds of spectators, both Thai and visitors from abroad. Complete
with “Miss Buffalo” (a woman, not a beast) and “Most Healthy Buffalo”
contests, as well as a parade, carnival, music, games and this year
featuring the world’s largest stir-fried shell noodles, Chonburi is
transformed into a large party when the area’s prize beasts are brought in
to determine which is the fastest.
 Water
buffaloes are dressed to the hilt for the Most Beautifully Decorated Buffalo
contest.
Provincial historians believe the races and festival were first held when
Chonburi was the center of trade for the eastern part of Thailand. Farmers
and merchants from the region would descend on Chonburi’s Ban Beung District
to trade their goods, bringing their produce and wares by way of buffalo
drawn carts. What exactly transpired prompting the first race is uncertain,
but provincial historians suggest that it probably started at Wat Luang, now
called Wat Yai Intharam.
Merchants would park their carts near the market and the water buffalo were
tethered off to the side to rest, or taken to bathe following the trip into
town where lotus flowers were collected for offerings at the temple.
Presumably, there were some fun-seeking individuals at the annual gathering
who, at the end of Buddhist Lent and before leaving Chonburi, would gather
and race their buffalo for a bit of fun and camaraderie. Water buffalo races
eventually became a common reoccurrence each year.
Water buffalo wranglers
wrestle with a young water buffalo as they attempt to start a race Saturday,
Oct. 3, in Chonburi. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
During the reign of King Rama VI, His Majesty King
Mongkut visited Chonburi and proudly witnessed the event on December 7,
1912, which helped commemorate the event to this day. Other records indicate
that Rama V also witnessed the buffalo races in Chonburi, remarking that the
enjoyable event should be preserved as a national tradition.
 Adul
Boran goes to the whip during the annual Water Buffalo races in Chonburi.
The event attracts water buffalo racers from all over Thailand. (AP
Photo/David Longstreath)
The festivities on October 3 began with a parade announcing the races were
about to begin, complete with a procession of water buffalo driven carts,
plus marching bands, groups of long drums, students in traditional dress
carrying Chonburi banners, and a bevy of “Miss Ban Na” beauty pageant
contestants in pedicabs.
Water buffaloes, elaborately decorated with flowers, fruit and costumes,
were first judged on their “beauty”. Following the presentation of awards
for various categories of size, a sacred ceremony was conducted to display
gratitude to the spirits at the end of the rainy season. These rituals are
also performed at this time, after the rice has been planted, to insure a
successful harvest at the end of the year.
Then the races began, with all sizes entered in the competition. Comical
clowns added to the gaiety, and the fun-filled races provided much
entertainment for visiting tourists.
A variety of other activities were also held throughout the day, including
oiled pole climbing contests, tug-of-war, various eating contests and the
ever-popular beauty contests.
At the end of the day, a “champion” was crowned, the working animals were
returned to the fields and the crowd disbursed to continue the merriment
long into the night.
This buffalo turned a few
heads.
Water buffaloes pull an
elaborately decorated cart in the opening parade.
Pirelli takes the lead over
Mazda. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
Racing for the finish line
during the annual Water Buffalo races
Saturday, Oct. 3, in Chonburi. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
Once again, PILC Holiday Bazaar is a great success
(L to R) Special Events
Chairperson Chantal Oldaker, Jim Cummins (back row) from Bechtel, Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome, PILC President Gillian Thom, and Royal Cliff Beach
Resort Managing Director Panga Vathanakul cut the ribbon to officially open
the doors to shopping.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome
peruses the plethora of items on sale.
Kavita Lamba
On Saturday, October 3, the Pattaya International Ladies Club held
its annual Holiday Bazaar and what a great success it was! Families and
friends came together to shop, relax, and enjoy refreshments, all in the
name of charity, from early morning until late afternoon.
 PILC
President Gillian Thom welcomes shoppers to the annual Pattaya International
Ladies Club Holiday Bazaar.
The venue, the Siam Ballroom at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, was incredibly
suited to host this event as they have done for several years running. It is
always a pleasure to work with Panga Vathanakul and her staff, especially
Pornthip and Raymond, and a new experience for the recently appointed
general manager, Joachim Grill. They were at the side of PILC’s Special
Events committee every step of the way, from the organizational meetings to
the smooth execution of the day’s events.
At the opening ceremony, we heard speeches from the PILC Special Events
chairwoman and bazaar organizer Chantal Oldaker, PILC President Gillian
Thom, and the VIP guest of honor, Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome. After the mayor
so graciously performed the ribbon cutting ceremony, the doors to the Siam
Ballroom were opened to a festive holiday atmosphere.
 Sister
Joan from the Fountain of Life chats with Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome.
In all, 493 people enjoyed a day of shopping amid the colourful stalls. Over
70 vendors brought their wares, and many thanks go to them for making
available such a remarkable variety of fine quality indigenous and imported
goods. This year there were many new vendors who were attending the Holiday
Bazaar for the first time, along with the regulars who attend year after
year.
Among the items available were clothing, handbags, jewellery, home-decor,
baked goods, wine, chocolates, and of course, holiday decorations. Many of
the generous vendors also donated gifts to the PILC to be used in future
raffles to raise additional funds for the PILC Welfare projects.
 Pat
Burbridge (right) helps a customer choose the perfect gift.
Moms were free to shop without worrying about their kids, as they could
enjoy the activities in the Children’s Room sponsored by Wiggletown.
The magnanimous sponsors this year were Transpo International Ltd., Bechtel,
and Foster Wheeler. Their generosity is astounding and to them we offer our
deepest gratitude in making this event a charitable accomplishment.
The success of the bazaar was contributed to by the combined efforts of
Special Events Chairperson Chantal Oldaker, joined by her hardworking
committee members, including Tracy Foulkes, Fran Laurent, Michelle Doveton,
Tamara Ryan, Patricia Zimmermann, Connie Kwok and Kavita Lamba. As usual, a
host of other PILC members, the craft ladies and volunteers were rewarded by
raising 328,759 baht, all benefiting PILC local charities.
The welfare projects adopted by PILC that benefited from the funds raised
last year are as follows: Garunyawet Disabled Ladies Home, Baan Jing Jai, I
See U project, Food drop program in Mabprachan Lake area, Kate’s project,
Street Kids Home, Fountain of Life, Dek Dee Early Learning Center, Mercy
Center, Koh Pai Kindergarten, Our Home and scholarships for various schools.
Now, the PILC members are preparing for the second major fundraiser of the
year, the Let’s Live and Let Dine - Bond Style Charity Ball to be held on
Saturday, November 14 at the Amari Orchid Resort and Tower. Tickets are
still available, which includes a welcome cocktail, a 5 course meal with
free flow beer and wine, and dancing and entertainment until 2 a.m. If you
are interested in attending, please contact Kavita Lamba on 087 618 5117 or
[email protected].
All raffle prizes must be claimed by Sunday, November 1, 2009, or they will
be used by PILC at a future date to raise more money for their charities. To
claim your prize, contact Chantal Oldaker on 087 825 5268 or Fran Laurent on
087 130 6207. Prize list appears on page 32.
Once again, the annual Holiday
Bazaar was a shopper’s dream.
Skål International National Executive Board holds mid-term meeting in Chiang Mai
Members encouraged to network and do business amongst friends
Skål Chiang Mai
& CMM reporters
Skål is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world,
promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group
uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members, the
industry’s managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional and
international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.
The first Club was founded in 1932 in Paris by travel managers, following an
educational tour of Scandinavia. The idea of international goodwill and
friendship grew and, in 1934, the “Association Internationale des Skål
Clubs” was formed with Florimond Volckaert as its first president, who is
considered the “Father of Skål”.
 Brian
Sinclair Thompson presents the Award of Merit to David Thomas for his
dedication and hard work for the Skål movement.
Skål International today has approximately 20,000 members in 480 clubs
throughout 89 nations. Most activities occur at local level, moving up
through national committees, under the umbrella of Skål International,
headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain.
Skål International Thailand is represented by 6 clubs with a membership of
over 400 professionals in the travel and tourism or related businesses. They
are located in Bangkok, which is the oldest club, formed in 1956, Chiangmai
& North Thailand, Hua Hin & Cha Am, Koh Samui, Pattaya & East Thailand and
Phuket.
 Andrew
Wood brought greetings from Skål International President Hulya Aslantas and
wished Skallegues, Happiness, Good Health, Friendship and Long Life.
The Skål International Thailand Executive Board meets twice a year with all
the Skål Club presidents present, along with members of the Executive
Committee, to discuss plans for the year ahead and to provide leadership and
direction for the benefit of Thailand Skålleagues.
On Saturday September 19, Skål International Chiang Mai and the North hosted
the Thailand National Executive Board mid-term meeting which was held at
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel.
The Skål International Thailand Committee met in the afternoon at the Jum
Ngern Hall of the Dhara Dhevi hotel to discuss issues related to Skål
Thailand. The meeting was presided over by Skål International Thailand
president, Brian Sinclair Thompson and the host club president, Anchalee
Kalmapijit.
 Greg
Lidell, GM of the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi expounds on the finer
aspects of his magnificent hotel.
The same evening the Chiangmai and North Thailand Club invited the
representatives of the various clubs along with their spouses and friends to
its monthly dinner gathering which was held at the fabulous Farang-Ses
restaurant of the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi.
The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi under the management of its new GM, Greg
Lidell and Savas Rattakunjara, resort manager organized a memorable dinner
for the executives and members of the Skål clubs of Thailand.
The evening was also attended by the “whose who” of Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
Travel and Tourism industry and many beautiful people from these two
provinces.
During the evening, Brian Sinclair Thompson, president of Skål International
Thailand presented an Award of Merit to David Thomas for his excellent work
and diligence in reviving the Skål International Chiangmai and North
Thailand Club.
In his address to Skålleagues Brian said, “Networking remains a key
ingredient to the relevance and successes of the Skål movement worldwide.
Add the potential of the Young Skål movement and the traditions of doing
business amongst friends in uncertain economic times and you have the key
reasons why SKAL is as vital today as it was when it was first founded.”
Andrew Wood, the international councillor, informed Skålleagues that Asian
Skålleagues meet regionally once a year at the Asian Area Congress and that
the next gathering will be held in Cebu, Philippines May 27-30, 2010.
The Association’s flagship event will be the 70th Skål World Congress which
will take place in Budapest, Hungary November 1-6, 2009.
For further details of Skål International Chiang Mai and North Thailand and
for membership enquiries please visit www.skalchiangmai.com. For details of
the Asian Area please visit www.skal-asia. org and
www.skal.org
Skål International Thailand National Executive Board: (seated l-r) Anchalee
Kalmapijit, (President-SI Chiang Mai and North Thailand), Brian Sinclair
Thompson, (President-SI Thailand), Blandine Cressard, (President-SI Phuket),
Naphat Nutsati, (Secretary-SI Chiang Mai and North Thailand). Standing (l-r)
Mohamad Jesr (VP-SI Chiang Mai and North Thailand), Robert ‘Bob’ Lee,
(Executive Secretary-SI Thailand), Justin Strachan, (Secretary-SI Hua Hin &
Cha Am), Malai Sakolviphak, (Treasurer-SI Thailand), Thomas Hoehorn,
(President-SI Hua Hin & Cha Am), Somsak Kiratipanich, (Vice President-SI
Thailand), Tom Aikins, (PR-SI Thailand), Andrew J. Wood, (Skål International
Councillor Thailand), Ingo G. Raeuber, (President-SI Pattaya & East
Thailand), Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra, (VP-SI Pattaya & East Thailand), Scott
Michael Smith, (Director-Young Skål) and Jorge De la Torre Koch,
(Secretary-SI Phuket).
Coffee, cake and pizza faces at Central Festival
(L to R) Thai stars Chomphoo-Araya Hargate, Ja-Natthaweeranut Thongmee,
Supitchaya Surakupt, public relations director for Central Pattana Public
Co. Ltd., Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, Saral Tantichamnan, general manager
of Central Festival Pattaya Beach, and celebrity Fang-Pitchaya Srithep
decorate pizzas to resemble their faces.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay led the stars
in decorating a pizza to resemble a map of Thailand.
Saksiri Uraiworn
Coffee, sweets and pizzas that look like people highlighted
Pattaya’s first Bakery & Cake Festival at Central Festival Pattaya Beach
last week.
 A
pizza decorated to resemble Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s face.
The event, aimed a stoking tourist visits to the city’s latest shopping
mall, drew bakery and coffee outlets from around the Eastern Seaboard to
offer up delicacies as well as information on cake and coffee making.
Workshops featured such topics as making coffee cream bath bubbles, how to
draw coffee, an 89-baht bakery buffet and concert on Sept. 26.
The highlight of the six-day event was mall executives and Thai celebrities
joining up to decorate pizzas in the likeness of well-known faces, including
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, Michael Jackson,
Marylyn Monroe, Bird Thongchai, and the Panda family. More than 40 coffee
booths participated in the festivity.
Bakery & Coffee booths line the exhibition area.
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