Somporn Naksuetrong (center),
vice president of Royal Garden Plaza & Entertainment, leads the Royal Garden
Plaza team in the green St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Warunya Thongrod
Irish eyes smiled on the 4th annual Pattaya St. Patrick’s Day Parade,
with both participants and onlookers saying it was the best one so far.
Rev. Michael Picharn Jaiseri, president of the Father Ray Foundation, which
co-sponsored the March 17 event, opened festivities outside the Alcazar Theater
where merchants pitched tents offering Irish food, green beer and knick-knacks
from lucky hats to four-leaf clover key chains. Bands played Irish music,
dancers clogged and attendees competed in a beer-drinking contest.
“The St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Pattaya City is becoming bigger every year
and this year, the parade was participated in by more than 30 floats carrying
Irish and Pattaya residents,” said City Councilman Rattanachai Sutidechanai.
“This event has promoted tourism very well and the proceeds raised will help the
Father Ray Foundation charity activities.”
After the big buildup, the parade began to roll, with cars and floats covered in
green and shamrocks sponsored by hotels, bars and other businesses. Civil
defense volunteers from Thappraya 2310 led the procession, followed by the
marching band from Pattaya schools. The Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort won
the prize for best float for the second consecutive year.
“This is my fourth visit to Pattaya and the St. Patrick’s Day celebration is
very impressive here,” said Irishman David Bussell. “I saw the parade billboards
and decided to attend because I am an Irish. The parade is magnificent.”
Chantikan Srihan, 14, attended with 13 friends from Pattaya School No. 1’s
marching band. “This is my second time participating in the St. Patrick’s Day
parade and I am very impressed. I think this year is even more magnificent than
last year and I am happy to be participating.”
After the parade reached Pattaya School No. 8, a lucky draw was held for more
than 102 prizes totaling more than 150,000 baht, including 12 gold necklaces.
Mike the Cartoon man peers out of the passenger
window of this old classic.
Children from the Redemptorist Center happily march
in the parade.
Pattaya School No. 3 leads the St. Patrick’s Day
Parade out onto the parade route.
A wee Leprechaun was spotted at the parade.
Irish eyes are shining upon these lovely lassies.
St Patrick himself hitched a ride with Gerry’s.
It wouldn’t be a St Patrick’s Day celebration
without Murphy’s Law taking part!
Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya staff
perform their sexy jungle dance.
Ready, set, guzzle! Who can finish first?
Live Irish music kicks off the event in the Alcazar
Theater parking lot in North Pattaya.
Wutisak Phinchayakan (standing, center), assistant
manager, food and beverage at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, and his
team accept the outstanding parade decoration award presented by Dr. Picharn
Jaiseri (first row, left), vice president of the Father Ray Foundation, at
Pattaya School No. 8.
