Benevolent German tourists donate large sum to Camillian Center

A group of German tourists recently paid a visit to the Camillian Social Center in Rayong to make a very special donation for the AIDS infected children of the home.

The sparkling eyes of the youngsters - that’s enough thanks

These benevolent Germans began their quest to raise money for the children after Henning Weber asked Elfi Seitz, a long-term citizen of Pattaya, about the AIDS situation in this city. When Henning learned about the Camillian Social Center, and especially about the innocently infected children there, he immediately felt the urge to help.

Being a man of deed, Henning organized some friends through an Internet Forum. Soon after, Niko Eckart created a web site, and Henning wrote letters to Father Giovanni, which were translated by Elfi. In return, they received photographs and descriptions of the children at the center, which had been put together by Mr. Kobi, a well-known Swiss man in Pattaya.

Father Giovanni receives 138,100 baht in cash from Henning Weber

Hermann Hartz and Wolfgang Kirches then sponsored T-shirts with the imprints: “Our Children” in German, English, French, Italian, Thai and Spanish, as well as a location map of the center and its web address. All of this work was done free of charge.

Before long, the donations started to come in, and within only a few months, the group collected almost 7,000 Deutsch marks.

Henning Weber, Hermann Hartz, Steffen Nitsch, Willi Schatz, Arkon and Joey, the main initiators of this project, didn’t know each other personally, so they coordinated their vacation time and finally met, a few days ago, for the first time at the famous Susi Bar, with its Internet Forum on Naklua Road.

Later, when they arrived at the Camillian Center, they received a very warm welcome from Father Giovanni, who was very moved by these young men and their good intentions. He gladly accepted the sum of 138,100 baht in cash, plus a few of the creatively designed T-shirts.

All the big and small guys having fun together

Shortly before their visit to the center, the men also bought many toys to give to the children. With this gesture they won the hearts of the little ones in no time, and soon the big hall at the center was filled with laughter and joy as the big guys played with the small children for hours.

As much fun as it seemed to be, one after the other, these strong men disappeared for a short while, only to come back with wet, red-rimmed eyes, a sign how intensely moved they were.

On their way home to Pattaya, all of them began to make plans to continue this charity work in the future, and make it even more successful.

Gary/Marco win the 2001 Princess Cup: A Regatta for Charity

Title-holder Gary Baguley left no one in doubt as he bolted home with three first placings and a third, for the four races counted out of the five sailed, to win convincingly the 2001 Princess Cup sailed off the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in South Pattaya last weekend.

A Hobie Cat 16 drives hard to windward

Finishing with three penalty points, Gary’s single-handed Nacra 16 Square was six points ahead of Alain Brancart/Marc (Hobie Cat 16), with nine points, followed, in order, by a rapidly-improving Albert, Cassio mastering his Nacra 16 Square to finish third multihull (19), Alex Skaria (Nacra 16 Sq.), fourth on 25, while Bob Garner/Marc Lessen (Nacra 17, 34), Royal Varuna Flag Commodore Don Mackenzie/Beung (HC-16, 49), Stewart Ross/Marc (Nacra 5.5, 54), Robert/Sandra England (HC-16, 56), Andrew/Dillian Connelly (Prindle 18, 56) and Anders Widen (Topcat F.1, 62), were fifth to 10th, respectively, in the Multihull Division.

Elated joint Princess Cup winners, Gary (L) and Marco accept the permanent Princess Cup from Khun Saingmas Sirisopha

Marco Miagostovich, using a Laser Radial rig which allowed his relatively small frame to thrive in the conditions, finished first in the Monohull Division of 21 craft, comprising all Lasers except for two Enterprises and a Fireball.

Royal Varuna Flag Commodore Don Mackenzie accepts a certificate of appreciation on behalf of Varuna, from the regatta organizers

With two firsts, a third and a tenth placing, for a total of 13 penalty points, Marco was just one point ahead of Thai Navy man Chulapong Chanyim, sailing a Laser full rig. Then followed third to 10th, respectively: Thiha U (Laser Radial, 24), Nuttapol Srihirun (Laser, 30), Aaron Frankel (Laser, 32), Marcel Dubbelman (Laser, 34), Siri Chandler (Laser Radial, 35), Neil Semple (Laser, 52), Charlie Zbinden (Laser, 54), and Sinsupu Wannasuth (Laser Radial, 57).

Monohull champion, Marco Miagostovich (L) receives his winner’s trophy from Admiral Krayim

A big fleet of Optimists, under the watchful eye of Varuna junior sailing secretary, Khun Linden, also had one of their best regattas for a long time, with Sattahip sailor - and one of Thailand’s team at the recently-held World Championship in China - Pradorn Chursa-nga winning the junior competition with two firsts and two thirds, for a total of 12 points. Close behind were two more Sattahip juniors, Anupong Chaisinavin (15), and Kittitat Nilsuwan (19).

Hobie Cat 16 supremo - and second-placed overall - Alain Brancart accepts his trophy

Thereafter, from fourth to 10th, were Aggawat (44), Kepchai Kunnarat (45), Duanghathai Booncherd (52), first Varuna - and girl - sailor, Virginie Lacrosse (55), ahead of Antoine de Cuiper (62), Puris Ponpitaogsiri (64) and Matteo de Vos (67).

The fourth sailing of the Princess Cup was the most successful to date, with a record 61 craft entered. The north-easterly had started in the northern Gulf and weather conditions were basically perfect for the five-race event, sailed over last weekend.

The Northeasterly arrives - on schedule

Of course, the weather HAD to change, for the Royal Varuna ‘migratory birds’ had flown in from Northern Europe, Swiss couple Gilbert and Marylou Leemann and Germans Helmut and Liz Schreyer. When one sees these four, on their annual ‘hibernation’ from the cold of Europe’s winter, sitting on the Varuna balcony the first week of November, one does not need to look at the flags flying at the Varuna mast-head for wind direction: it must be north-easterly.

Optimists in contention

The Princess Cup is dedicated to HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarinda, elder sister of HM the King and all proceeds from the event are donated to Princess Galyani’s projects.

The ‘Regatta for Charity’ originated at Pranburi in 1998, at the Phatra Marina and Yacht Club and was originally sailed in the Farr Platu 25 racing keelboats. Starting with the third last year, the event is now sailed off the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, at South Pattaya, comprising only dinghies and catamarans.

Since it was inaugurated, the Regatta has raised considerable amounts to support the charities. This year the trend continued and, through sailing, many Thai people will be able to progress.

Chira Sirisamphan, chairman of the Regatta Organizing Committee, was happy with the large number of participants. Even Pattaya City mayor, Pairat Suttithamrongsawat took time out from his very busy schedule to come to Royal Varuna and address the large social function on Saturday night, showing support for the Princess’ charities.

Although the prize-giving was held after the racing at Royal Varuna, it is customary for the Princess to award the major prizes and the overall permanent Princess Cup at her residence in Bangkok.

The Crocodile, the Elephant and the Monkey

by Geoffrey A. Franklin

Geoffrey A. Franklin was born in England. He studied Art and design at the Birmingham and Royal Colleges of Art. He became head of the school of 3D Design at Somerset College of Art and ran courses for Plymouth University. Geoffrey married a Thai lady and retired to Pattaya 5 years ago, where he is busily painting, writing and enjoying life.

Later, in the darkness of night, Toothy the juvenile crocodile and Patchy the ageing elephant waited patiently whilst Lingy, the monkey fidgeted incessantly for policeman Took’s promised return to the poolside. They knew by looking at the moon and stars in the sky that it was about three o’clock, the time that Took had said that he would return and try to help them.

A dipped motorcycle headlamp appeared at the entrance to the darkened Paradise Fishing and Karaoke Centre and drove silently over towards them. “It’s him, he’s come back,” screamed the over excited Lingy, jumping up and down on Patchy’s head.

“Shoosh,” murmured the calm and quiet elephant. “This is supposed to be a secret.”

Took dismounted from his four stroke Suzuki motorcycle beside the anticipant trio and removed his helmet. “We have to go to Pattaya Beach,” he said. “We must be there before five thirty and before the sunrises. Patchy walks slowly, but Toothy is even slower. So we have to get Toothy on to Pachy’s back.”

“I’m tired, cold, hungry and frightened. I want to go home,” squeaked the now timid and nervous Lingy, trying to speak as quietly as he could.

“Well you can’t,” snapped Took. “We need you to act as Patchy’s mahout on the six kilometre walk to the beach.”

“Will we have to cross the Sukhumvit highway?” asked Lingy. I hate it there, it’s so dangerous.”

“Yes, we must,” answered Took, “but I will see you over safely. Come on, let’s get on with it.”

“Why are we going to the beach anyway?” asked Patchy

“No time to explain that now,” said Took. “Trust me, time is short but everything is going to be alright.”

Took indicated to Lingy, who had nimbly climbed up to and in between Patchy’s ears in the mahout position, to order Patchy to kneel down so that Toothy could climb on to her strong shoulders.

“There’s no need for that,” said Toothy scornfully. “Haven’t you seen we crocodiles performing tricks at the Stone Age Farm? We can jump very high when we want to.”

He promptly disappeared under the water, curling his tail beneath himself. A few seconds later he erupted from the water in a gigantic leap and landed with a loud, wet flopping sound across Patchy’s broad shoulders.

“ Aagh,” screamed the terrified Lingy. “You scared the life out of me.”

Patchy remained unmoved, standing four square on her strong legs. She turned her head and pointed her trunk at Toothy and said ominously, “If you bite Lingy or me, I shall roll on top of you.”

“I would never do that,” protested Toothy, “you’re my friends.”

Hmm, thought Took to himself, to his knowledge crocodiles knew no such emotion as that of friendship. Then this is an unusual situation. “Time to move out,” he ordered, and slowly drove out of the fishing centre, closely followed by his unlikely entourage under the cover of darkness.

“Are you alright?” Asked took later of Patchy as the she slowly lumbered along behind him.

“Yes, she answered, let’s keep going for a time. Toothy is very heavy for an order elephant like me, but I don’t want to stop now.” There was a faint pink glow beginning to appear in the sky as they neared the Sukhumvit Highway. Took stopped his motorcycle, and ordered the others to wait as he pulled on his traffic policemen’s luminous white gauntlets. He switched on the brilliant white beam of his hand held flashlamp and strode purposefully into the centre of the highway which was, at that point, deserted of traffic in both directions. He motioned to Lingy to instruct Patchy to cross the empty highway, using his tail as a mahout would a stick. Unfortunately, Lingy sleepy command and Patchy’s equally slow, dozey response was to have disastrous results.

By the time Patchy was in the centre of the southbound carriageway to Sattahip, there suddenly appeared, as if from nowhere, a large, high off-road vehicle, complete with bull bars, glaring main beam headlamps, and supplementary dazzling spotlights travelling towards them at 150 kilometres an hour. Took was forced to do a flying rugby tackle-like dive to one side in order to save his own life.

All the insane driver, using the full power of his tuned 3.5 litre engine saw was this strange apparition appearing before him in his headlamps and coming up at an impossible speed for him to stop in time. He blew musical horns frantically and hurled his steering wheel over to one side in a vain attempt to miss the massive animal, rapidly looming up before him.

In those few split seconds before, it seemed, the inevitable fatal impact, he recognised the huge creature before him as an elephant. His worst dreams had come true. He would be pilloried by the media as a Thai national villain, all Thais loved elephants. At this point, the pachyderm’s rear legs were almost beneath his rigid bull bars, a cosmetic accessory which were now prohibited in many, so called, developed countries. He, as Took had earlier, prayed even more fleetingly to Buddha for immediate salvation.

Continued next week…

Updated every Friday.
Copyright 2001  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]