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Chakri Dynasty commemorated on April 6

Father Ray Foundation visits Queen Victoria

Silverlake Village celebrate their 2nd release of fine wine

Green Bottle Pub celebrates 22 years


Chakri Dynasty commemorated on April 6

Chakri Day (April 6) was first instituted by H.M. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in the year 1919 to commemorate all the Kings in the Chakri Dynasty, which started with Rama I and continues to this day with Rama IX, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.

The reigning Kings in the House of Chakri brought peace and tranquility to the people within Thailand’s borders and successfully protected the Kingdom, maintaining sovereignty and integrity through crucial periods threatened by European colonization and two World Wars.

In commemorating Chakri Day the national flag is proudly displayed by the people of Thailand and all government officials and members of the community participate in traditional ceremonies, making offerings of flowers and garlands at the many statues of Kings in the House of Chakri.

The Chakri Dynasty, or the “House of Chakri” followed the reign of King Taksin the Great, when He abdicated due to poor health. The Chakri Dynasty was ushered in on 6 April 1782 when a close aid of King Taksin, General Chakri, marched back into Thonburi and assumed the throne as H.M. King Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok the Great (Rama I). Each Monarch thereafter has had “Rama” as part of their title.

Banks, government offices and most business offices are closed on Friday, April 6 in observance of this special day.

Chakri Dynasty - Chronology of the present-day Dynasty of Thailand

King Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok the Great (Rama I) 1782-1809

Rama I

King Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok the Great was chosen King in 1782, becoming the founder and first ruler of the House of Chakri. During the year of his accession to the throne he moved the capital from Thonburi to the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River, thus founding the city of Bangkok. It was during his reign that the Grand Palace was constructed and he installed the Emerald Buddha in the Chapel Royal following its completion. Many historians have stated that modern Siam dates from his reign.


King Buddha Loet La Nabhalai
(Rama II) 1809-1824

Rama II

King Buddha Loet La Nabhalai (Rama II) was the only Maha Uparaja (Deputy King, appointed by his father King Rama I in 1806) to eventually succeed to the throne during the period of the Chakri Dynasty. His reign was a period of consolidating the achievements of the previous reign and he began the custom of appointing senior princes to supervise over the different departments of state. He is best remembered, though, for his interest in the arts. He was an artist, writer and composer, and the arts flourished during his reign.


King Nang Klao
(Rama III) 1824-1851

Rama III

During King Nang Klao’s reign trade prospered and territorial advances were made as the vassal states of the north and east came more firmly under the rule of Bangkok. During his rule, in 1833, the first treaty with the United States was signed. Extensively encouraged international trading and education, enhanced promotion of Buddhism and built many temples.


His Majesty King Mongkut
(Rama IV) 1851-1868

Rama IV

Modernized Thailand in both commerce and education, and instituted reforms which would adapt the country to western ways. Known as the “Father of Thai Scientists”, he was famous for his astrology. Before becoming King, the then Prince Mongkut entered the monkhood. Ironically, it was this period in monkhood, which required him to take a vow of poverty and self-denial, that gave Prince Mongkut a good understanding of statecraft. It allowed him to meet people from all walks of life, from the humblest to the elite, Thais as well as foreigners. He traveled to various parts of the Kingdom, barefoot, depending on offerings of food and other necessities from the people. From the Thais, he gained an invaluable first-hand insight into their welfare and livelihood. From the foreigners, he obtained precious information about the outside world, especially about technology and science.


King Chulalongkorn the Great
(Rama V) 1868-1910

Rama V

King Chulalongkorn the Great is one of the most beloved and revered of all the Chakri Kings - during his long reign of 42 years 23 days great advances were achieved for the country. He abolished slavery, extensively contacted the Western world, modernized the government, education, transportation, and communication. Bonds of friendship between himself and the various European royal families were formed which exist to the present day. He successfully managed to cultivate the idea of Siam as a buffer state between the colonial possessions of the European powers in South-East Asia. The price he paid of losing certain border territories was amply rewarded, for Siam was never colonized - the only country in the region to maintain its sovereignty throughout the period of colonial expansionism.


King Vajiravudh
(Rama VI) 1910-1925

Rama VI

King Vajiravudh was educated in England and his great love of literature and poetry in both Thai and English together with his scholastic abilities was later to manifest itself during his reign. Among his lasting achievements were devising a system of transliteration of Thai into English and of translating the entire works of Shakespeare into Thai. His passion for traditional Thai theater and ballet has left a mass of published scores which form the basis of the study of these arts to the present day. He continued the work of Rama V in modernizing Thailand, promoted education and established the Boy Scouts in Thailand.


King Prajadhipok
(Rama VII) 1925-1935

Rama VII

King Prajadhipok’s reign coincided with the worldwide economic depression which followed the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and its effects were not unfelt in Siam. On April 6, 1932 the country celebrated the sesquicentenary of the Chakri Dynasty - two months later the eventual transferal of power to a Legislative Assembly began. On December 10, 1932 King Prajadhipok granted a constitution to the Thai people, and the Constitutional Monarchy of the present day was born.


King Ananda Mahidol
(Rama VIII), 1935-1946

Rama VIII

A direct grandson of King Rama V, King Ananda Mahidol was the eldest son and second child of H.R.H. Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince of Songkla. He succeeded his uncle, King Prajadhipok, as King on March 2, 1935.


King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great
(Rama IX) 1946 to the present

Rama IX

A true monarch of the people and guiding light for the whole Thai nation. Saved Thailand from many crises, dedicated to raising the living standards of the poor, especially in remote regions. As his reign advances, the growing reverence of the Thai people for their sovereign has become ever more apparent. On May 5, 1987, to mark his then forthcoming 60th birthday, King Bhumibol Adulyadej was proclaimed “the Great” by the prime minister of Thailand. On July 2, 1988, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great celebrated his record reign - the day on which he had reigned longer than any of his predecessors. To this day, he remains the longest reigning monarch in the world.


Father Ray Foundation visits Queen Victoria

The luxury cruise liner Queen Victoria paid a visit to the nearby port at Laem Chabang on Sunday March 21 as part of its annual voyage around the world. Whilst it was here, the children from the Father Ray Foundation were invited to visit and entertain the guests and give those on board a glimpse of the culture, music and sounds of Thailand.

A young performer nervously smiles for the camera.

On arrival at the port the children were in awe at the sheer size of Cunard’s latest ship. Once on board they were served an afternoon tea of delicious filled bread rolls and cream cakes before the children went off to meet the ship’s captain.

Brother Denis Gervais, vice-president of the Father Ray Foundation gave a short talk about the work here in Pattaya before showing a short film to the audience which numbered over two hundred.

It was the students from the Pattaya School for the Blind who opened the show with a beautiful performance where several students played the Angalung, a traditional Thai instrument. They were accompanied by the school’s singers and dance troupe.

This little guy is ready to rumble.

Waiting nervously backstage to follow the blind students were the girls from the Fr. Ray Children’s Home who performed a hip-hop dance routine before the boys and girls from the Fr. Ray Children’s Village gave a stunning performance of an old Isaan song.

The more mature American guests in the audience were treated to a rendition of the old Doris Day classic song, Que Sera Sera, which was sang by the young girls who attend the F. Ray Day Care Center.

Then it was the turn of the boys from the Fr. Ray Children’s Home to take to the stage and give an exhibition of Muay Thai boxing. They had the audience cheering as the boys, the youngest being just six years of age, punched, kicked and elbowed each other, though no injuries occurred as the boys practice for many hours to make sure that there are never any injuries.

The show closed with the students from the Vocational School for People with Disabilities performing their wheelchair dance and just as all the acts that came before them they wowed the crowd, finishing their routine with one wheelchair being lifted into the air whilst its occupant performed a handstand. It was an amazing performance, and they received a standing ovation from guests and crew.

The children are in awe over the size of the ship.

For many years the Father Ray Foundation has been invited to visit the QE II when it stopped in Thailand on its way around the world but this is the first time the children climbed on board the much larger Queen Victoria. As the children left the boat heads were counted several times, just to make sure that everyone got off and the captain did not have to deal with any stowaways.

The Father Ray Foundation continues to care for and educate 850 poor, abandoned, neglected and abused children and disabled students. For more information on the work of the Foundation check out their website www.fr-ray.org or contact [email protected]

Students from the Vocational School for People
with Disabilities perform the finale of their wheelchair dance.

Boys from the Fr. Ray Children’s Home give an exhibition of Muay Thai boxing.

Students from the Pattaya School for the Blind
open the show with a beautiful performance.

Youngsters prepare to board the ship in their traditional Thai dresses.

The young girls who attend the F. Ray Day Care Center sing Que Sera Sera.


Silverlake Village celebrate their 2nd release of fine wine

Sue K

Sitting on the terrace of Silverlake Wine & Grill on March 13 with our welcome Village Ma Cherie Syrah Rose and Village Cellar White, we were quite lost in place. The surrounding took our thoughts back to the peaceful Tuscan landscape, the rolling hills, and vineyards, all bathed in a soft, amber light of pre-sunset.

(L to R) Viravat Cholavnich, chairman of Village Farm Winery; Surachai Tangjaitrong, chairman of Silverlake Vineyard and Winery; and Patcharaporn Sripanya, Silverlake wine maker.

In reality, we were in Pattaya at the Silverlake Village Wine of the Year dinner.

After sunset cocktails for the 90 guests, who were serenaded by a guitarist and singer, we were led to a large and elegant dining room that can easily accommodate 120 people. It’s a huge, high ceiling, Italian countryside finca but with long and wide glass walls that enable full panoramic views of the vineyards.

Silverlake 2007 Chanin Blanc and mixed canap้s were served, followed by fresh salad of rocket and pecorino in balsamic served with crispy bacon and sun dried tomatoes.

Surachai and Dennis with their friends, Sue, Dr. Harro and Jytte Simons.

Then Silverlake Village 2006 1st Release (Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon) was then poured. Lentil and Italian sausage cream soup, and finally a sea bass roll stuffed with artichoke, olive, and sun dried topped with pan-seared Hokkaido scallop in white sauce were served.

Following a little pause of lime and mint sorbet to wash the palate, troops of waiters marched in with bottles of Silverlake Village 2007 2nd Release (Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon) to complement the main course choices of grilled Australian tenderloin fillet with top chicken liver and pepper corn sauce, grilled Australian lamb chops with red wine reduction sauce, and fillet pork tenderloin topped with gorgonzola cheese and red wine cream sauce.

Dennis Dila, the marketing and social director of Silverlake sang and guided the evening, while Surachai Tangjaitrong, the Silverlake MD and chairman, and Viravat Cholvanit, chairman of Village Farm Winery gave a brief explanation of their joint wine venture.

The world famous French wine maker, Jacques Bacou, who supervised the making of both the 1st and 2nd releases was in town and on hand to give the diners some knowledge on wines. The 3rd release, by the way, will be out sometime this year.

The finale was Chateau Des Brumes la Fleur 2004 (Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon) which was served with assorted cheese. Deep ruby in color, the La Fleur offers up an expressive bouquet of forest berries, with hints of spice leather and toast.

The 5 course dinner ended sweetly with Tiramisu and coffee and tea.

The evening was sublime, the company was great and the venue, what can I say… if it was not for the Golden Buddha image on the hill, this could just as well be in Tuscany.

The Silverlake Village Wine and Grill is south of Pattaya near the Khao Cheechan Buddha image off Sukhumvit road. Tel:089-896-5166.

Guests enjoy the fabulous dinner.

A Tuscan atmosphere at your doorstep.

Sunset at Silverlake Vineyard.


Green Bottle Pub celebrates 22 years

Sue K (front row, 4th left) from Pattaya Mail offers congratulations and gives a basket of flowers to Sopin Thappajug (center), managing director of the Diana Group.

Vimolrat Singnikorn

With music, comedy and a green cake, Pattaya’s Green Bottle Pub & Restaurant celebrated its 22nd anniversary with a grand party at the Diana Inn Hotel.

The March 19 celebration carried a “green” theme under a banner of reducing global warming and featured impersonator Michael Tang and singer Tu Direk. Timed to coincide with the start of the Pattaya International Music Festival, the two-hour show proved a festive event.

Diana Group Managing Director Sopin Thappajug welcomed guests, cut the green cake and opened the first bottle of champagne to toast the long history of the restaurant inside her Diana Inn Hotel.

Sopin Thappajug (2nd right), along with employees
and close friends blow out the candles on the anniversary cake.

Sopin Thappajug begins pouring the Champaign
to celebrate the Green Bottle Pub’s 22nd anniversary.

The chef wheels out the grand anniversary cake.

The Metropolis Band warms up the audience.

Michael Tang and Tu Direk perform their fun show,
resulting in laughter and amusement.