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Longboat racers row
for glory this weekend
Competitors race for the
finish line in last year’s event.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
More than 20 longboats will vie for the HRH Princess Sirindhorn and
HRH Princess Soamsawalee trophies at the 2009 Pattaya International Longboat
Races Nov. 21-22 at Mabprachan Reservoir.
The program will start with an imitation royal barge procession before the
first race, beginning around 8 a.m. November 21. The races will commence at
10 a.m., when 10 longboats with 55 oarsmen each compete for the HRH Princess
Sirindhorn trophy and 100,000 baht in prizes.
Other races feature 12 longboats with 30 oarsmen for the HRH Princess
Soamsawalee trophy and the International Longboat Race with teams from
Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam competing
for 50,000 baht.
The first day of racing will wrap up at around 4:30 p.m.
The event will also feature buffalo racing and a tom-tom drum competition on
Saturday, November 21, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and finishing around 5 p.m.
On Sunday, November 22, long boat races will begin around 9 a.m., with
semi-finals beginning around 2 p.m. and finals around 3 p.m. Trophy
presentations will be held around 4 p.m. Thai time.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said the race has attracted strong racing teams and
has increased tourism yearly. He believes the race will be upgraded to
international status in the near future.
Rotary intercity meeting unites Rotarians in the spirit
of fellowship and service
Rotarians release baby sea
turtles into the wild to both replenish the population and wish HM the King a
speedy recovery from His illness.
Phasakorn Channgam
The Rotary Club of Plutaluang played host to Rotarians from clubs in
District 3340 which covers the northeast and east Thailand, at the annual Inter
City meeting held at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden on October 23.
The meeting also concentrated on taking the first organizational steps toward
hosting the Rotary International Convention in Bangkok in 2012. This is the
largest event in any Rotary year and Rotarians are working to welcome at least
40,000 guests to Thailand.
Sattahip District Chief Chaichan Iamcharoen presided at the opening ceremony of
the seminar conducted by District Governor Siri Eiemchamroonlap.
Chaichan said, “Rotary has always had the goal of serving fellow countrymen.
Anyone can join Rotary, he said, but all members operate under the same premises
of public good, sacrifice and a willingness to help the underprivileged.”
DG Siri was joined in the program by Past District Governor Premprecha
Dibbayawan and Charter President Martin Brands who spoke about the function of
the Rotary Foundation and its good work for the people of the world.
But it was not business and serious talk as the hosts had also planned other
activities of interest including showing their guests the beautiful sites in the
Sattahip area.
Following a “Fancy Night” party, the Rotarians met the next day with Charter
President Sumon Jaikid Plutaluang and Rear Adm. Jakchai Phuyodcharoen, commander
of the Air and Coastal Defense Unit to release baby sea turtles into the wild to
both replenish the population and wish HM the King a speedy recovery from His
illness.
Jakchai said the center is impressed by the number of people wanting to help
release turtles into the wild. Unfortunately, the center has not been able to
grow enough turtles to meet demand and, for now, is holding off on new releases
with the goal of letting many new turtles go free on Dec. 5 which is His Majesty
the King’s birthday, also considered to be Father’s Day in Thailand.
Lions Club of Pattaya-Banglamung officially founded
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The 52nd Lions Club in Region 310C came to life Nov. 11 as 37 members
were inducted into the Lions Club of Pattaya-Banglamung at Sukhawadee House on
Sukhumvit Road.
 Vivat
Phatanasin (left), regional director Lions Club Region 310C, presents a
certificate of foundation to Chantana Sitthigaysorn (right), president of the
new Lions Club of Pattaya-Banglamung.
Regional Director Vivat Phatanasin presented membership pins and flowers to all
the new members, including founder and new president Chantana Sitthigaysorn.
She said she has always had a strong interest in social work and started the
Pattaya-Banglamung club to support education and fundraising for youths in
Pattaya. The club will soon host a charity bowling tournament and give members
the chance to donate their time for charity projects in the city.
700 senior citizens plant herbs in city health project
Vimolrat Singnikorn
More than 700 Pattaya-area senior citizens planted herbs they can use in their
personal lives as part of the city’s Elderly Health Booster Project at Pattaya
City Hall.
 Wannaporn
Jamjumrus (left), director of the Pattaya Public Health and Environment
Department, congratulates Prapan Thimnarong, 85, (center) who received a plaque
from Pranee Meesang (right) on behalf HRH the Crown Prince.
The Nov. 13 workshop, led by Pattaya Public Health and Environment Director
Wannaporn Jamjumrus, also provided the seniors with technical knowledge on
growing plants they can use for medicine or cooking.
Wannaporn said Pattaya has an increasing number of elderly residents and
provides regular programs to improve their health, such as a petanque
competition set for May next year. The program is open to all Pattaya residents
45 years or older.
She added that the city will expand its plant-related activities by offering
classes in herb growing and use starting in February. There also will be a herb
garden contest.
In addition to planting their first crop, the seniors also congratulated
85-year-old Prapan Thimnarong who recently won recognition for his long life
from HRH the Crown Prince at the Thai Army Club in Bangkok.
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