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Neerashorn - a healthy and long life
by Elfi
The translation of the name Neerashorn is: “a healthy and
long life”, and it is not only a good wish given to her by her parents, but it
also fits perfectly with her job. Neerashorn Sirisimpan, Neera, is the Manager
of the Director’s office at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Born in Bangkok, Neera
went to Rachini (Queen) School, a traditional all girls school founded by the
wife of King Rama V. Later on she went to Chulalongkorn University to study
Political Science.
E: “How come you chose such a rather male science?”
N: “My parents have five children, one boy and four girls. My father always
wanted to have more sons and since this was not possible, he raised his
daughters in a very male, independent way, which was very unusual for Thailand
at that time. He also insisted that we all must learn English, which was quite
unusual again. But that gave us all the advantage to go abroad and study in
foreign countries. After university I went to the University of Kansas in
Lawrence, USA, to get my Masters Degree in Public Personal Administration.”
E: “I heard a rumour that you became a beauty queen while you were there. Is
that true?”
N: “Yes, that’s true.” She laughs. “But it was nothing very important. I
represented Thailand in the Miss International Beauty Competition of the
University. I learned about my participation two days before the contest, not
much time to prepare yourself, but I managed to win.”
E: “What did you win?”
N: “Besides a crown only some popularity amongst the other students. People I’
never seen before would greet me on the streets and at the yard. Nothing else.”
N: “So you didn’t take advantage of your title. What did you do after
University?”
N: “After I graduated, I got married to an American in Kansas City and I started
working as an Underwriting-Supervisor in an insurance company. It was quite
tough to get this job, for a woman and especially for a foreign, Asian looking
woman. It was right after the Vietnam war and people couldn’t see the difference
between Thais and Vietnamese. They simply didn’t like the sight of any Asian
very much. It reminded them of the great loss of young lives America had to
suffer. Anyhow, I held this position for many years. I stopped working only for
a while when my son Derek was born. Unfortunately, a few years later in 1984, I
got a divorce.”
E: “Was it then when you decided to come back to Thailand?”
N: “No. I stayed another nine years to let my son finish his education. Only
when he had only one year left, I decided to go back home. I was preparing
everything for his arrival and I stayed with my mother in Bangkok first. I felt
I must give him the chance to learn about his roots from his mothers side also.
When he arrived in Thailand, he hardly spoke Thai and didn’t know anything about
the culture and way of life here. Now he is very good in every way already, he
even reads and writes Thai now.”
E: “Watching you talking about your son, one can see how proud you are of him.
Didn’t he win a beauty contest also?”
N: “Yes. He was Mr. Thailand World 1996 and he made it into the top ten during
the Mr. World competition. He was working as a model in the USA, besides his
studies, and when he came to Thailand, he started doing the same, got famous
after a short while and that’s how it started.”
E: “How did you feel coming back to Thailand after so many years?”
N: “I felt, and still feel, sometimes like an expat. My way of thinking is very
American, my culture and values also, though with a Thai background. I really
can sympathise with all the expats coming from a clean and organised country and
having to experience a lot of frustration at the beginning. All the trash, dirt,
broken down streets, the terrible traffic with people driving like nuts. This
was also the reason why I couldn’t stay in Bangkok and was eagerly looking for a
place somewhere else. I came for holidays to Pattaya many years ago and I had
this grand illusion about Pattaya, nice beaches, all relatively clean, a dreamy
little fishing village. At a party in Bangkok I met the director of the Bangkok
General Hospital and he offered me a job in Pattaya. I thought, my dream’s come
true. After arriving in Pattaya, my illusion burst like a soap-bubble. Coming
from a very disciplined country and working for an insurance company where
safety is No. 1 - and now coming to Pattaya, having the ‘Golden Mile’ and the
bad reputation all over the world. Where was the discipline? Where was the
safety? After a while, I realised Pattaya is not so bad. The media is blowing it
all out of proportion and people just hear about it and don’t realise the truth.
I try to help to get a better reputation for Pattaya and make it even a bigger
family resort then it is already. Increase the good families, build a solid
community and the bad part will be dragged out.”
E: “Neera, you are doing a lot to help Rotary, is that right?”
N: “I try to do my best. Mr. Kees, the former president of the Rotary Club
Jomtien Pattaya, asked me for help for the ‘Beautiful Smile Project’. I
approached our director at the hospital and he gave me the green light and
support to do whatever is necessary to help. Dr. Tassanee, the director of the
dental clinic, recruited other dentists and all are working without charging a
fee for this project. Rotary only has to pay for the supplies. So far we have
done the Pattaya Orphanage and the Boy’s home. Now we are starting with the
Fountain of Life. But not only the dentists are helping. Our plastic surgeon
helped in many special cases to give deformed children a better chance in life.
Without charge. You know, working with Rotary opens one eyes. There are so many
good people who want to help. Giving us bed sheets cheaper, driving us around,
helping in any way possible. One only has to ask and they do whatever is
important. So many people have the intention to help, have the abilities, but
don’t have so much time or ideas. They need someone to organise them, to lead
them. Even if everybody does a little bit only, it adds up at the end. Sometimes
I feel like a good fairy, to do so many good things, with the help of other
people of course.”
E: “You are also being seen many times at events, translating.”
N: “I do a lot of volunteer work for THA, TAT and the City Hall by translating,
trying to improve the communication and give Pattaya a better image in the
world. I also teach English to our staff at the hospital. Whoever wants to learn
can come any time and can have lessons, for free of course.”
E: “Neera, I almost believe you are much too good a person. If many people would
be like you, the world really could be a better place. Now I understand why,
with all that work you’ll be doing, there is no time for you to re-marry again.
Hard to believe though, with your beauty.”
Neera laughs: “Come on, its not so great. You are right, I haven’t re-married
yet, but I simply haven’t found the right person yet.”
E: “During the tragic fire in Pattaya, the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital did a great
job. What do you personally think will happen after that accident?”
N: I believe Pattaya and the whole nation did awaken because of this fire.
Because so many people had to die. I strongly believe a lot will change now
because of this tragedy. I believe Pattaya and Thailand will raise, like
Phoenix, out of the ashes of this fire, and all the victims played a sad part in
helping to change everything for the better.”
E: “Neera, thank you for this interview. I and Pattaya Mail wish you all the
best for all your projects and you can always count on us.”
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Swiss, Belgian and French National Day Celebrations at the Pattaya Orphanage
The Belgians may have won the
football match, but they were no competition for the orphans in the bike races!
The Pattaya Orphanage hosted a grand festival on Sunday, July
20, joining three nations together to celebrate each of their National Days.
The Swiss (1 August), Belgian (21 July), and French (14 July) communities of
Pattaya got together and celebrated each other’s National Day with the orphans.
A soccer tournament was organised with each country presenting a team, as well
as a Pattaya Orphanage team. The Belgians took first place after a 4 to 1
penalty shoot-out with Switzerland, putting France with the Pattaya Orphanage
into 3rd place.
After the matches, the Kids joined in the many games and fun activities provided
for them by the three different national communities.
Later, the Hippo Cabaret show put on an entertaining and amusing program, even
though it continually rained during their performance and the actors got soaking
wet.
The revenue of the Lucky Draw and all entrance fees went to benefit the children
of the Orphanage. The event was organised by Didier Freres, Editor of the French
magazine Echo du Siam, along with Raymond Derider and Pierre Bertrano Piedferme,
and the French, Belgian and Swiss communities of Pattaya.
Distinguished guests included Baron Alexis Be Brugue, Premier Secretaire De
L’Ambassade De Belg; Sansak Ngarmpiches, Chonburi Member of Parliament; Phecha
Singtong, Rayong District Member; Pol. Maj. Chareanpun Wannaprapa, President
Sahachareanpunpeachpoel Co., Ltd.; and Wirach R. Pradit, Chairman & Editor
Pracharat Newspaper, Athiprathai Newspaper and Palangmahachon Newspaper.
The celebrants get their exercise for the day with a
round off football matches.
Didier Freres, Editor of Echo du Siam, (dressed as
clown, far right) hands out presents to all the “good” children at the
orphanage.
At their tender age the children performed just as
well as their professional counterparts.
One can’t have a national day without singing the
national anthem.
Above: Time for one last, big thank you as the
festivities draw to a close.
Sharing with the kids is what it’s all about.
Hippo entertained the crowd with professional acts.
The gun sounds, and they’re off!
Closely contested “wheelbarrow” races bring smiles
to the contestants, as well as a few hard-earned bumps and bruises.
“We are the champions, my friends!”
Wheels spinning in the dirt,
ecstatic encouragement echoing in their ears, the little Doohans blast off the
starting grid.
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