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AustCham Thailand and Thai-Australian Association unveil
Australian-Alumni program
HE Australian Ambassador
James Wise (far left) is seen with (L-R) Pichai Chuensuksawadi, ML
Lasassubha Kridakon, Dr Sirikorn Maneerin, John Hancock, and ML Kathathong
Thongyai after the panel discussion on “Journey to Leadership Positions” as
all of them are Australian graduates.
A large number of Thai graduates from Australian
educational institutions attended the Australian-Alumni official launch by
the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham Thailand) and
Thai-Australian Association (TAA). Australian Ambassador HE James Wise
presided over the event at the Sukhothai Hotel, which was supported by the
Sukhothai Hotel and Singapore Airlines.
ML Laksasubha Kridakon, AustCham Thailand vice president
in charge of the Alumni & co-chair of Australian-Alumni said, “The
Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham Thailand) in collaboration
with the Thai-Australian Association are very pleased to see a number of
Thai graduates from Australian universities at the official launch of
Australian-Alumni. The Australian-Alumni programme, funded initially by the
Australian Government’s Australian-Thailand institute, has been established
to support Thais who have graduated from Australian institutions by offering
them opportunities to participate, network and leverage their education for
both personal and professional success.
“We already have around 500 Australian Alumni
participating actively in Australian-Alumni activities, and we are in touch
with another 800 via email. However, we wish to increases those numbers as
many exciting activities are being planned. We want everyone to have a
access to all the benefits both from our own activities as well as held in
collaboration with other alumni-related organisations,” ML Laksasubha said.
During the launch there was a panel discussion on
“Journey to Leadership Positions” from Australian graduates, including
Pichai Chuensuksawadi, editor-in-chief of Post Publishing Plc; ML Kathathong
Thongyai, director of the Office of Product Value Promotion and the
Department of International Trade Promotion from the Ministry of Commerce;
Dr. Sirikorn Maneerin, managing director & owner of Keeree Waree Seaside
Villa & Spa as well as former Education deputy minister and former president
of Thailand Knowledge Park; and John Hancock, Board Member of the
Australian-Thai institute (ATI).
“As a graduate from the University of Canberra I am proud
of the strong Australian education system. I especially learned about work
ethics and accountability which I apply to both my work and personal life.
The experience has made me who I am today,” ML Laksasubha added.
Courtesy of MUFASA video production, Australian-Alumni
launched a new video on its website featuring ML Laksasubha Kridakon, along
with Thai-Australia Association (TAA) president, Charn Saralertsophon and
Australian-Alumni honorary patrons, Mechai Viravaidya and John Hancock.
For more details on the Australian-Alumni please visit
www.australianalumni .com or email Josh Hyland,
[email protected]
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PCEC treated to traditional Songkran
It was a traditional Songkran celebration at the Pattaya City
Expats Club meeting on April 15. Pettipont, in traditional Thai costume (a
friend of club member Sermsakdi, who made the arrangements for the celebration)
greeted members and guests as they entered the Amari’s Tavern by the Sea
Restaurant. Restaurant Manager Tok and member Marjorie Bassett were also on hand
to extend greetings. They offered those entering an opportunity to pour water
over the golden Buddha while it was resting on the Tavern’s front desk, and to
perform a ceremonial wai.
Noi of Pattaya’s famous Sanctuary
of Truth shares with PCEC members and guests the traditional origin and practice
of Songkran - slightly different to the common practice of today.
When the meeting opened, master of ceremonies, Richard
Silverberg, after a few introductory comments, turned the meeting over to Noi
Nongkoonoi, manager and chief guide for the Sanctuary of Truth. Noi explained
the unique history of the Songkran celebration - its origin as the Thai
celebration of the New Year according to the lunar calendar, and the importance
of the ceremony that all were about to participate in. Noi explained that the
ancient ceremony was performed as a showing of respect for the family’s elders,
monks, and others of significance to the family or the village. The water,
having been cleansed by being poured over the shoulder of the Buddha is
considered “Lustral Water”, and is poured over the hands of the elders and
others selected by the family as a gesture of respect and hope for the New Year.
The Club was honored to have a very special guest in
attendance, Satil Kunplome. She is the mother of five children. They all have
achieved important elective or appointive positions in Thai government including
the mayor of Pattaya and the mayor of Bang Saen. She is also a noteworthy member
of the Thailand Women’s Development Group. At the club’s invitation, she
graciously joined other “elders” of the club at the front table to be honored in
this very important Thai traditional Songkran ceremony. To add to the occasion
Satil was dressed in a traditional Thai ladies costume of the time. She was
accompanied by two friends and her driver who also participated in the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, all posed
for a group photo.
Following the pouring of the Lustral Water, Noi talked very
knowingly about the ceremony that everyone had just experienced and its
importance to the Thai people. Those in attendance felt that they had
participated in a lovely and moving traditional celebration from Thai history.
The club prides itself on having had continuous meetings since its founding
eleven years ago. Rather than suspending its meetings during the hectic water
throwing exuberance of Pattaya’s Songkran Festival, during the past few years
the club has fostered the true meaning of Songkran to their fellow expats by
holding a traditional Songkran celebration.
MC Richard Silverberg then updated everyone on upcoming
events. This was followed by the always informative and sometime humorous Open
Forum where questions are asked and answered about expat living in Thailand,
Pattaya in particular. The Pattaya City Expats Club meets every Sunday. Read
more about the Club’s activities on their website at www.
pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
Arriving at the Pattaya City
Expats Club’s annual Songkran celebration, member Marjorie performs the ‘washing
of the Buddha’.
A tender moment as member Richard
LeCavalier receives Songkran blessing from his lovely Thai wife, Phap.
Guest of Honor Madame Satil
Kunplome receives the traditional Songkran blessing from PCEC member Janet
Smith, while her husband Richard Smith receives the same from Pattaya Blatt’s
editor, Elfi Seitz.
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Gen Kanit Permsub and Khunying Busyarat preside
over annual Songkran prayers and blessings
Hard Rock ceremonies pray for peace and unity in the country
Gen Kanit Permsub and Khunying
Busyarat pour lustral water on the sacred Buddha image.
Warunya Thongrod
Songkran is an ancient Thai celebration of the coming of the
new year according to the ancient Brahmin calendar. It is a time when families
come together to express feelings of love and respect for each other. It is also
a time to remember and pay homage to one’s ancestors.
Furthermore, Thai people in every community come together to
enhance goodwill and friendship. It is also a time to make merit by doing good
and attending religious sermons at various Buddhist temples throughout the
country.
All these holy qualities came together at the Hard Rock Hotel
on April 13, when General Kanit Permsub, Deputy Aide de Camp, General to His
Majesty the King, along with Khunying Busyarat Permsub presided over the annual
prayer ceremonies and the gentle tradition of ‘Rod nam dam hua’ receiving and
giving blessings to those who attended to pay their respects to the revered
couple.
On hand to welcome them were Patrick Ng, executive assistant
manager of the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya along with his staff and Pratheep
Malhotra MD of the Pattaya Mail Media Group with his family.
At the end of the religious ceremony those in attendance
receive a revered amulet depicting ‘Phra Siam Devadhiraj’, Thailand’s guardian
angel from the chief abbot of Wat Photisampan. The gift was a very timely one as
we all pray for peace and unity in our country.
This brings to mind former Prime Minister Gen Prem
Tinsulanonda’s speech early this month. He said, “I believe that the country has
holy beings and nobody has the right to possess them. I believe in Phra Siam
Devadhiraj and that Phra Siam Devadhiraj will protect the good and curse the
evil.
“Those who betray the country will meet a tragic end, that’s
what I believe. Others can believe it or not, depending on their ethics and
morality,” the former prime minister said.
Gen Kanit Permsub and Khunying
Busyarat receive blessings from the revered monks.
Staff of the Hard Rock Hotel pour
scented water and receives blessings from Patrick Ng (left) and Gen Kanit
Permsub and Khunying Busyarat.
Kwang, Prince and Tony pour
scented water on the hands of the elders and receive their blessings.
Peter Malhotra (left) attends the
religious Songkran ceremonies with Gen Kanit Permsub and Khunying Busyarat
during the Songkran ceremonies.
Gen Kanit Permsub gives his
blessings to Peter Malhotra.
Staff and families join in the
religious ceremonies and receive blessings from the monks and the elders.
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