H.E. Rolf Schulze, the German ambassador, spoke of
Germany’s long standing warm relations with Thailand.
Elfi Seitz
Four area Rotary clubs observed their annual changing-of-the-guard with
celebratory installation ceremonies throughout Pattaya.
Rotary District 3340 Past Governor Premprecha Dibbayawan installed Joseph Roy as
president of the Rotary Club of Marina-Pattaya and Ingo Raeuber, who could not
attend his installation due to health issues, was symbolically installed as the
new head of the Rotary Club of Phoenix-Pattaya June 21 at the Hilton Hotel
Pattaya.
Rodolphe
Sambou, First Secretary of the French Embassy pledged their support for Rotary’s
humanitarian work.
On June 26, Russell Iffland took the helm of the Rotary Club of the Eastern
Seaboard and, two days later on June 28, Vutikorn Kamolchote took the reins of
the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya.
The first two clubs celebrated their new boards together with a cocktail
reception and buffet dinner in the Hilton’s Grand Ballroom. They also share
distinction for being, respectively, the first French- and German-speaking
Rotary clubs in Southeast Asia.
The guests of honor were German Ambassador Rolf Schulze, Chiang Mai-based consul
Hagen Dirksen, Pattaya and Eastern Seaboard consul Paul Strunk and Austrian
Consul General Rudolf Hofer.
Before the official business began, the transvestite cabaret show from the
Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort & Spa entertained the guests, sponsored by hotel
General Manager Raeuber, the incoming Phoenix president.
The newly installed presidents. (l-r) Joseph Roy (RC
Pattaya Marina), Russell Iffland (RC Eastern Seaboard) and Vutikorn Kamolchote
(RC Jomtien-Pattaya).
Past District Governor Pratheep Malhotra served as emcee, offering witty words
throughout the evening. He mentioned the importance of Rotary for the world,
especially for children, the old, sick, disabled and poor.
Guests stood for aminute of silence which was accompanied by a moving rendition
of “Amazing Grace” for those Rotarians who passed away during the past year
including Trude Koster and President Graham Hunt-Crowley.
The German ambassador to Thailand, H.E.Rolf Schulze delivered in his speech,
which included greetings from his good friend Reiner Calmund, a football and TV
celebrity in Germany and honorary member of the Phoenix club, who was at that
time in Brazil to watch the football World Cup. Schulze said that he was proud a
German-speaking Rotary Club had established itself in Pattaya.
“I will always support this club and its members,” he said.
Austrian Consul General Rudolf Hofer and former member Trutz Fiddikow were
inducted as honorary members of the Phoenix club, with both expressing gratitude
in their speeches.
Maggie congratulates her beloved President Russell.
In his address, the First Secretary of the French Embassy, Rodolphe Sambou,
wished the French speaking Pattaya Marina club all the success in their work to
help the underprivileged, pledging the support of the embassy.
After his installation, Roy introduced the new board of directors and said that
his club will further help the poor and children.
“We must be united and, by doing so, we can move mountains,” he said.
Russell Iffland succeeded Nigel Quennell as president of the Rotary Club Eastern
Seaboard at an installation ceremony held at the Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa with
members of many area clubs attending.
The adorable first couple Sumonrat and Vutikorn.
Iffland was installed as president by PDG Premprecha, saying in his inaugural
address that the event not only marked the installation of a new president and
board, but 10 years since the club was founded.
“I am glad to be the president of such a fine club and I am proud that we have
so many good, selfless, generous and helpful members,” he said.
Iffland said he and his board would further the work of the club, concentrating
on “water for life” and “behind barriers” projects to help “forgotten” Thais and
Burmese.
Dr William van Ewijk, proud recipient of a Paul
Harris Fellow Award.
He said he also wanted to launch new humanitarian projects in tandem with other
Rotary clubs and Pattaya community organizations.
As per tradition, the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club held its installation gala at
the end of the Rotary year, this time at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel.
The traditional flag ceremony was led by Rotarian children, followed by
traditional dances performed by Pattaya schoolgirls. PDG Peter Malhotra once
again was emcee.
Seven members of the club were recognized as Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary’s
highest honour. They were Dennis Stark, Brendan Kelly, Gudmund Eiksund, Dr.
William van Ewijk, Vutikorn Kamolchote, Tim Watton and Jan Olav Aamlid.
PDG Peter Malhotra presents a cheque for 90,000 baht
to President Vutikorn on behalf of Pattaya Mail Media Group, Amari Pattaya and
Skål International Pattaya & East Thailand for the education of underprivileged
school children in Sa Kaew province.
PDG Peter Malhotra presented President Vutikorn with a cheque for 90,000 baht on
behalf of Pattaya Mail Media Group, Amari Pattaya and Skål International Pattaya
& East Thailand. The funds were raised at a charity concert featuring world
renowned guitarist Hucky Eichelmann earlier this year. The club has used the
funds to repair and renovate schools in Sa Kaew province and also to acquire
water filters and learning materials for underprivileged children.
Premprecha Dibbayawan congratulates VP Juergen
Schlag (left) who represented President Ingo Raeuber.
PDG Premprecha presided and installed President Vutikorn Kamolchote as President
of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya. In his address President Vutikorn said,
“You all have brought the spirit of Rotary. This spirit inspires all of us to
help and to do good deeds for the world.” He promised he would do his utmost to
motivate his members to be active in various humanitarian projects, not
forgetting that fellowship amongst members and their families was also vital to
a vibrant and effective club.
“If you want an active club, activate it. If you want more friendship, bring
more friends. If you want to see more work done, do it,” he said. “If you want
to have more fun, laugh more. If we all keep doing so, we will definitely have a
dynamic club. It all depends on us, so let’s “Light Up Rotary.”
Ingo Raeuber, president of the Rotary Club of
Phoenix-Pattaya.
The inimitable Jim Sinatra entertained the guests
with Frankie’s classics.
VP Juergen Schlag (left) joins in the lineup as H.E.
Rolf Schulze (2nd right) inducts Trutz Fiddikow (2nd left) and Austrian Consul
General Rudolf Hofer (right) as honorary members of the Rotary Club Phoenix
Pattaya.
President Joseph Roy (left) with his team, PP Eric
Larbouillat, Daniel Dandoy and Francois Lecomte.
Ingo Raeuber, GM of the Pinnacle Grand Jomtien
Resort & Spa generously sponsored the entertainment for the evening.
Representing him was his charming wife Natthakarn Sinprasom (4th right).
The line-up of the board of directors of the Rotary
Club of Jomtien-Pattaya.
The new board of directors of the Rotary Club
Phoenix Pattaya line up for a group photograph.
