Members of the organising
committee line up to receive a donation of 300,000 baht from the most
benevolent Egli family who have consistently donated to the fund raiser for
many years.
Phasakorn Channgam
The Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya has a long and illustrious history of
organizing charity events, from the very popular Christmas tree light-ups,
to the various concerts in every imaginable genre of music ranging from rock
to the classics.
As is customary during the season of giving, the Hard Rock held their latest
Charity Fundraiser event on December 8, which saw luminaries from all walks
of life fill the Hall of Fame to enjoy a first class dinner interspersed
with auctions of valuable items, climaxing with an action packed concert
performed by the vivacious Gam Wichayanee.
General Kanit Permsub, Deputy
Aide de camp, General to His Majesty the King delivers his keynote speech.
Prior to the festivities, General Kanit Permsub, Deputy
Aide de Camp, General to His Majesty the King together with Khunying
Busyarat Permsub and Jorge Carlos Smith, G.M. Hard Rock Pattaya, presented a
4 door Isuzu pick-up truck equipped with rescue and emergency systems to
Pol. Maj. Gen. Katcha Thartsart, Commander of the Chonburi Provincial Police
Division.
The vehicle, bought from funds raised during last year’s fundraiser and
supplemented by this year’s donations, will be utilized by officers of the
Children, Youths and Women Protection Center and Anti-Human Trafficking
Center, Region 2.
In his opening address Kanit thanked sponsors and guests for their
generosity. He said that part of the funds raised will be donated to various
humanitarian projects under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn. Two of those projects include a hospital for the care of monks
and novices and to schools under the care of the Royal Thai Border Police.
Peter Malhotra, MD of Pattaya
Mail spoke of ‘Peace through service’.
Jorge Carlos Smith added, “The fundraiser also supports
the Melissa Cosgrove Children Foundation, a foundation that helps and gives
happiness to AIDS infected children, abandoned children, homeless children,
children who are victims of human trafficking and orphans including
sponsoring education.
“Hard Rock has projects to improve the quality of lives and to improve the
canteen, children’s playground, restrooms, and important activities areas
within Ban Huay Yai School (Chonburi) for children to have an efficient,
good and safer lifestyle.”
Gam is mesmerized as guest
star Pol. Maj. Gen. Katcha Thartsart, Commander of the Chonburi Provincial
Police Division croons love songs.
In his address, Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra, MD of the
Pattaya Mail Media Group, partners of the fund raising, quoted excerpts from
Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka’s speech, “We hear the word
peace every day. We hear it in the news, we use it in conversation, and we
talk about it a great deal in our daily lives. But most of us spend very
little time thinking about what peace is, and what that word means.
“On its simplest level, peace can be defined by what it is not. It is a
state of no war, no violence, and no fear. It means that you are not in
danger of hunger or persecution or the suffering of poverty.
Panisa Wachirananthakul is
thrilled as she receives the signed guitar from Gam. Panisa bid 35,000 baht
for the musical instrument.
“We must help to meet the basic needs of others: to
provide health care, sanitation, food, and education when and where it is
most needed.
“Putting service above self allows us to focus our energies on what is truly
important. We put the common good above our own. We prioritize others’ needs
over our own desires. We think less about ourselves and more about what is
best for everyone. And in this way, we help to build the foundation for a
more peaceful world.”
During the course of the evening an auction was conducted by the dynamic duo
of Tony Malhotra and Rungratree Thongsai, who in their inimitable styles
motivated guests to outbid each other for the numerous items donated by
sponsors.
Jorge Carlos Smith, Pol. Maj.
Gen. Katcha Thartsart, General Kanit, Khunying Busyarat Permsub and Pol. Lt.
Col. Kreetha Tonkanarat, Children & Women Protection Center Superintendent,
during the presentation ceremony of the Isuzu pick-up truck for use by
officers of the Children, Youths and Women Protection Center and Anti-Human
Trafficking Center, Region 2.
With formalities and fund raising out of the way, Gam
Wichayanee “The Star” took to the stage and stirred up a frenzy amongst the
audience as she went through her repertoire of Thai and English hits.
To top off the evening of charity and entertainment Pasina Wachirananthakul,
owner of Pornchai Electric, bid 35,000 baht for a guitar autographed by Gam.
Jorge Carlos Smith G.M. Hard
Rock Pattaya, ever ready to support charity events for the good of humanity.
The ‘dynamic auctioneers’
Tony Malhotra and Rungratree Thongsai raised over 500,000 baht.
‘Sister Act’ Gam and Nong Ked
captivated the audience with their powerful voices.
Members of the Rotary Club of
Jomtien-Pattaya gave valuable support to the charity affair.
