Kaweesara is a Millennium Dreamer

Earns trip to Disney World in Florida USA

McDonald’s and The Walt Disney Company, along with U.N.E.S.C.O., searched the world to find 2000 children between the ages of 8-15 who have made unique contributions to their communities. They had learned that all over the world, young people share the same fears and concerns. They also share the same joys and celebrations. There were 8 Millennium Dreamers selected as Ambassadors to represent Thailand with the concept of “How Does a Good Kid Build a Better World?” Together the children from 90 countries spent a joyous week of world understanding and fellowship at the Disney World in Orlando Florida, USA.

Mareesara writes “I come from Thailand” on a huge board

In the 8-11 year olds, Miss Kaweesara Ri-udorn, a 4th grade student from Chonburi, was selected for her wonderful story entitled “Building a Playground from a Car Repair Shop”. Kaweesara was quite overcome by her selection, as was Khun Tippawan her very proud mother. The young girl made an excellent ambassador for not only Thailand, but for the Eastern Seaboard region as well.

Other Thai children selected were Miss Anrika Inthornpreecha, a 6th grade student from Bangkok who was selected for her story on “Bottle Recycling in the School”.

Minnie Mouse welcomes the Thai team to Mickey’s Toon Town Fair

Thawat Weston, a 5th grade student from Bangkok with the theme “Do Good... Plastic bottles and environmental presevation.” Miss Chanijkarn Wongchaochan, a 6th grade student in Chantaburi, orchestrated a project in the community with a musical play relating a national epic. Miss Saisuda Posuksawat, a 5th grade student from Samutsakhorn, coordinated local students to perform a cultural Thai Dance as a way to use time constructively. A 7th grade student from Prachuab, Miss Anna Peopat represented her school by convincing the community to realise the importance of education. Miss Kamolchanok Ngamkham, a 9th grade student from Nakhorn Pathom, organised a community procession in support of the national anti-drug campaign inviting students to participate and emphasised the usage of spare time wisely. Miss Naraphong Asarint, an 8th grade student from Loei, arranged a project making usable fertiliser from animal waste. All these students show an amazing regard for our planet, and how we should carry out our own lives.

Mareesara proudly shows off her Millinnium medal

Michael Eisner from the Walt Disney Company said the initial expectations were excellent after finding exceptional students with ideas and capabilities contributing to the betterment of their community and to society as a whole.

Jack Greenberg from McDonald’s was also impressed with the results, applauding the children from all areas of the world. He was amazed at the concern for the environment and the continuing of mankind that was expressed by these gifted children.

Dech Bunsuk from the McDonald Company in Thailand said the student’s beliefs and actions were a promising inspiration for others to follow. The activity introduced students from Thailand with the ideals and concerns of students from around the world with their collective intentions of developing society into a better place for everyone.

Local Lions Clubs celebrate their 10th and 15th anniversaries

Literally hundreds of Pattaya’s most benevolent citizens converged on Mini Siam July 23 to help celebrate the anniversaries of the Pratamnak Lions Club and the Pattaya Lions Club.

Deputy Governor of the Lion’s Club District,Lion Naris Pecharat opened the celebrated gathering of members from the Pattaya and Pratamnak Clubs on their 15th and 10th Anniversaries respectively.

The Deputy Governor of the Pattaya Lion’s Club, Naris Pecharat opened the celebrations, welcoming members from the two community minded organizations.

Both clubs have made great contributions to society over the years under the motto “We Serve”. Both clubs were also instrumental in organizing the Annual Lion’s Convention held recently in Pattaya at the Dusit Resort.

The Lion’s Club of Pattaya was founded in October 1985 by Wirayut Saengjareunwong. Tirapong Hemawadee is currently the President of the Club for 2000-2001.

Members from the two clubs cut the cake celebrating their 10th and 15th Anniversaries with Past President of Lions International Lion Capt. Kajit presiding.

In March 1990, Udom Obhasri became the founder of the Lions Club Pratamnak’s charter. Kowit Tientongnukun is currently President of the Club for 2000-2001.

The evening’s entertainment included songs performed by alternating groups and performances by children attending Day Care Centers supported by the two clubs.

Afterwards, Lion Captain Kajit Hapananon performed a ceremony to initiate seven new members into the club.

Special guests of honor included Lion Regional Governor from 310C Lion Somsak Tedsalee and Lion Pichit Chuekwong.

Following the ceremony, members from both clubs ascended the stage with drums sounding to celebrate the two anniversaries.

The celebrations of the 7th anniversary of Pattaya Mail turned out to be one of the biggest parties of the year with more than 1000 guests joining in the revelry. Some of the highlights of the evening were the raffle prizes draw, which saw some major airlines presenting air tickets.

Khun Pornpimol Amrapal manger of K.N. Travel Laem Chabang, presents the Bangkok Airways tickets to Koh Samui to these two happy winners.

Jan Olav Aamlid presents the SAS ticket to Singapore to the lucky winner.	Khun Chetseni Dhanarajata of Thai Airways International presents a ticket to Singapore to this lovely winner.

Emirates Airlines’ Khun Soonthorn Suree presents tickets to Hong Kong to the Decaux family.

Emirates Airlines manager for Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, Khun Soonthorn Suree was at the party and as the president of the FCCT Philippe Decaux’s number was called to receive a round trip ticket to Hongkong, Khun Soothorn generously tripled the win to include his wife and daughter. Axel Blom, Manager of Scandinavian Airlines presented one round trip ticket to Singapore. So did Khun Chetseni Dhanarajata, District Sales Manager of Thai Airways International with a round trip ticket to Singapore. Khun Thirapong Hemwadee, MD of K.N. Travel, not to be outdone, offered two round trip tickets to Koh Samui on Bangkok Airways. Jane Furber, Manager of Qantas/British Airways Thailand, Ranil Wagiswara, Country Manager of Sri Lankan Airlines and Negash Degefu of Ethiopian Airlines were very kind to give us some lovely gifts for the raffle. Pattaya Mail would like to thank all of you for helping make our anniversary party a most successful one.

The YWCA Pattaya Chapter donated over 500,000 baht to local students as part of the Chapter’s “Y.W.C.A. Family Educational Assistance Program”.

Mrs. Sopin Thappajug first initiated the program when she was Chairman of the Y.W.C.A. in Pattaya and the members have continued the project for the past 10 years.

The program assists 361 students, with donations coming from 139 supporters totaling 541,500 baht. The students receiving the educational support are selected from 35 schools in Pattaya and the Bang Lamung District.

The presentation of the funds took place at City Hall on July 20th, with Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat presiding.

Mrs. Mayuree Suttikasem, Chairman of the Program, announced the proceedings during the presentation and described the educational assistance program as the Pattaya Chapter’s primary activity.

Sam got me back on track

Two weeks ago I rescued Sam, a pitiful mangy Thai Ridgeback pup. Or perhaps it has rescued me. Lately I have been working too long to try to pay the bills, with too many late nights also, to try to unwind. I had completely neglected my own advice - “Stay in touch with nature, stay connected. Go for a walk on the beach every day, listen to magic music, relax, meditate.” I was spending entire days in front of a computer, even though I’m just minutes from the beach, never even looking outside. Then Sam changed all that. Driving along in my car, I almost ran over Sam, and then just had to “save him.”

Sam, who once was a stray

A pup is amazing; it just begs to be taken for walks, fur or no fur, and then it shamelessly introduces you to the entire neighborhood.

I apologize to the beach vendors when Sam leaps into their deck chair, they laugh and say, “Never mind” and ask me to come back. A family in my street asks me to “Gin kow” with them and Sam and I do. Sam gets the dried beef and I’m given great tom ha Geri and sticky rice.

Next Sam generously has to water my neighbour’s pot plants, while Jerri and I discover we have something in common: media and charity work. We exchange cards; Sam has already left his.

I attempt to give Sam a mange bath once a week, and much to the amusement of the neighbours, Sam yelps and drenches me with water. Neither of us now have mange.

I don’t have time for all this recklessness when PAWS and I are seriously trying to establish an animal rescue centre. This is serious stuff, fund raising and endless canvassing and phone calls and printing and meetings and liasoning. Wow, yet Sam has given me as much as I give him. He is showing me how to be a kid again and dig in the sand with glee, and to stop and smell the roses or at least wait while he sniffs the lamp posts. Thanks and hugs to Sam for reminding me what it is all about. You get back what you give in this life.

Smiles greet Marines at Thai School

By Staff Sgt. Jason J. Bortz, 
Landing Force CARAT Public Affairs

SATTAHIP, Thailand - The Marines of Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness And Training, III Marine Expeditionary Force, saw hundreds of smiles from area children when they took part in a community relations project at a local school here July 6, 2000.

The smiles started as the Marines’ bus eased its way to the Samnakkatorn Temple School, a government-run religious school. Small children, even those in kindergarten poked their heads out of the simple classrooms, smiling with anticipation as strangers from another land came to their school to help paint and do various clean-up projects.The Marines quickly offloaded the bus and within minutes were scouring around the school. Some painted the school’s water towers while some swept the sidewalks and others played with the children.

“Part of CARAT 2000 is community relations,” says RP1 Jesse McDaniel with LF CARAT. “In each country we visit, we offer our services for various projects.”

It may not have seemed like a lot, but to the children, it meant everything. Most of the children will not make it past the sixth grade and will be placed into the work force by their parents. But for one day, these children got to see the softer side of Marines. For every smile offered by a child, one was eturned by a Marine. “I love the kids,” says Cpl. Marcus Sands, fiscal clerk, LF CARAT, “I love the smiles.” After completing the work, the Marines spent time with children, handing out small stuffed animals to each one. “The money [for the stuffed animals] was raised by the Marines while on Okinawa,” says Lt. Cmdr. Robert Coyle, the chaplain for LF CARAT. According to Coyle, the Marines raised the money by doing car washes and bake sales. “It makes you feel very ulfilled,” he says. “It reinforces my belief in the goodness in people throughout the world.”

As the bus pulled away from the schools, the children gathered in masses smiling and waving to the new friends they made in the United States Marine Corps. As a final gesture before leaving Thailand, the Marines donated hundreds of clothes to the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, which helped organize the project. The clothes were collected by the different chapels on Okinawa before the Marines left in June.

Engineers cross train with Thai counterparts

by Staff Sgt. Jason Bortz, PAO, LF CARAT

The sound of a landmine going off is an echoing experience. The sound, as designed, usually comes with no warning and can stop a vehicle dead in its tracks.

Engineers from the Royal Thai Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps spent July 10, 2000, sharing what they know about landmines.

The group came together as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness And Training 2000. CARAT will visit six Southeast Asian countries this summer focusing on bilateral training. The training allows U.S. Marines and their Southeast Asian counterparts to become more familiar with each other as well as learn from each other.

The day began with a class from U.S. Marines on placing a hasty protective minefield.

“A hasty protective minefield is designed for a quick line of defense,” says Staff Sgt. John Kelsch, a guide with the Combat Engineers Platoon, Landing Force CARAT, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “You use a small number of mines that are quick to place and recover.”

The language barrier was quickly identified as the Thai Marines tried to follow the classroom instruction. However, the bond between the engineers was recognized once the group started to practice placing a hasty protective minefield.

“They [Thai Marines] were very cooperative and willing to learn,” says Cpl. Robert Joyner, a team leader with the combat engineers platoon, “and it became easier once the language barrier was broken.”

The engineers spent the next several hours practicing the procedures. The Thai Marines used compasses to mark the minefield and plotted the locations of the mines. They worked with the Americans, each group honing their skills.

“I think they learned a lot from us today and I had fun working with them,” says Lance Cpl. Madalin Petre, a combat engineer.

In the afternoon, Thai Marines taught the U.S. Marines about different land mines in the surrounding countries of Thailand. According to the instructor, a lot of these mines are left over from the Vietnam War and are still found near the borders of Thailand.

“We [U.S. Marines] train with U.S. mines and don’t get to see these mines,” says Joyner. “This [Thailand] is part of our theater of operation.”

Seabees build more than classroom in Thailand

By Lt. Leslie Hull-Ryde,
CARAT Public Affairs Office

The Seabees, a Navy construction crew, says military exercises are more than operational readiness. Exercises like Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT 2000), taking place in Thailand, gave them a chance to help folks living in the community, particularly young students.

The Water Boy

Their mission on this trip was building, but that turned out to be much more than bricks and mortar. These Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 headquartered in Mississippi while in Thailand built an open-air classroom for 400 elementary students at the Wat Sakaew School. At the same time, they built friendships and understanding between the two countries, which will last for their lifetimes.

The school sits a short walk from the Wat Sakaew temple. The head teacher at the school says the Seabees’ new classroom, slightly bigger than a basketball court, is important to the school and the whole community.

Pouring Concrete

“This is a big thing,” says Amorn Wichienroj, the school’s leader. “This is the centre for a lot of people in this area. We are Buddhists, and we can all meet here. It’s very, very important for the people.”

And it was also very important for the Seabees. While on the job, the Seabees learned about the Thai culture, language and religion. They had a few things to learn - like how to talk to the Thai Marines working with them on this project.

“Communicating the first day was hard,” said UTCS William Eckhoff, officer in charge of the American unit. “We drew a lot of pictures in the dirt.”

Service with a smile

The Thais are learning from the Americans too. A couple of teachers asked the Sailors to teach their students English. Once the job they were sent here to do is done, some Seabees volunteered to help in the classrooms.

Cultural exchanges are just part of CARAT. This series of bilateral exercises takes place every year and includes operational training exercises and civic action projects. Learning from other nations and sharing ideas and techniques help build military-to-military relationships and forms the foundation for the series of bilateral exercises.

Copyright 2000  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]

The Rotary Club
of Jomtien-Pattaya