Hundreds of khomloys float up into the night sky from Pattaya Beach, as over 100,000 tourists and residents celebrate Loy Krathong, sending all their worries soaring away on the most romantic holiday on the Thai calendar.  Despite what international media might be proclaiming, Pattaya has not been inundated with flood waters and remains a great holiday spot.  (Photo by Martin Bilsborrow)

So far spared the flooding that has devastated much of the country, Chonburi has begun taking thousands of evacuees from Bangkok and central Thailand.

At a simple ceremony held at the Hilton Pattaya Hotel, General Manager Harald Feurstein and his management team presented the sum of 100,000 baht to the Rotary Club of Taksin Pattaya for use in relief and rehabilitation projects in aid of the victims of the massive flooding in Thailand. The hotel’s ‘Blue Energy Committees’ also gave generously to the fund in support of the humanitarian project.

The Ban Jing Jai orphanage announced plans to build a new shelter in Nong Plalai once it collects about 18 million baht in funding.

Pattaya United’s steady climb up the Thai Premier League rankings continued after they secured a 1-0 win over Sisaket FC at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi last Saturday.  The only goal of the game came through a first half strike from United’s Theerawesin Seehawong who received the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area before poking it past the advancing Sisaket goalkeeper.

Sawang Boriboon rescue workers from Pattaya, using a new boat supplied by Securitas Thailand, rescue a family trapped on the roof of their home in Ayuthaya.  As the disaster continues to worsen, more aid is needed for families like this, and groups of kind hearted people in Pattaya are answering the call.

Construction crews are working around the clock to complete work on the new main stand at Pattaya United’s Nongprue Stadium to enable the Thai Premier League club to return to its official home ground before the end of the current league campaign.

Gudmund Eiksund (centre right), president of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya presents a cheque of 200,000 baht to Steve Graham, chair of the Pattaya Relief Group for use in the joint humanitarian relief effort. Standing center rear are city councilor Banlue Kullavanich, Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn and Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh.

Pattaya United secured local bragging rights last Sunday with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Sriracha FC at the Suzuki Stadium.  Teeravekin Seehawong had the travelling contingent of Dolphin supporters on their feet when he latched onto a far post header by Paul Ekollo in the 77th minute of the game to nod the ball past the Marlins keeper.

Pattaya United climbed to mid-table respectability last Sunday with a comprehensive 3-0 victory of SCG Samut Songkhram at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi.