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Rotary Club Jomtien-Pattaya visits Redemptorist School to make safety checks and monitor construction improvements
Songklod Kaewvisit
Bruno Keller, president of Rotary Club Jomtien-Pattaya
recently led members to inspect the ongoing construction at Pattaya’s
Redemptorist School and make a check of fire exists and staircases. The club
has been lending financial help to the school over the years and has
presented money donated to support the expansion of center’s capacity to
house more children. Funds have also been allocated to upgrade the
center’s educational and sports facilities.
(L to
R) Father Banjong, Rotary International Service Director Martin Brand and
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya resident Bruno Keller.
The kids who reside at the school have an abundant choice
of activities including painting, mathematic calculating techniques, and
sports activities including basketball and takraw - a unique rattan ball
game which requires great skill and physical coordination.
The school provides these children with a good education
and prepares them to live normal and productive lives. During the inspection
club members said they were happy to see improvements on the construction
and that children were using the newly built facilities.
Father Banjong Chaiyara, Redemptorist Center supervisor
said they had to move from the old spot in central Pattaya to new location
since there was a big increase in the number of children living at the
center.
Father Banjong added that the kids will need a lot more facilities and
better accommodation. The center has been receiving help from various
charity clubs including the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya. Father Bangjong
said the new place can nicely accommodate the 95 children currently staying
in the center and will provide them with the basic necessities. “But more
importantly, these kids will also be given care and love,” Father Banjong
said.
Thai woman completes 32-day, record-breaking attempt to stay in room full of scorpions
By Jiraporn Wongpaithoon
Associated Press Writer
Kanchana Ketkeaw made herself comfortable in the glass
box where she lived for 32 days in Pattaya. She had a refrigerator,
television, magazines, a small plant and 3,400 scorpions.
William
E. Heinecke (right), president of the Minor Group, presented 50,000 baht to
the brave woman.
Kanchana emerged from the room Wednesday October 23,
setting an unofficial world record for the longest stay in a room full of
poisonous scorpions.
“It was like being in a room at home, only with
thousands of little friends,” said the 30-year-old Thai performance artist
after completing the feat.
Living with scorpions was not unusual for her. She has
performed with the animals daily as a tourist attraction - putting them in
her mouth as part of the routine - and has been stung hundreds of times.
“Don’t
eat me!” Ms Kanchana Ketkeaw shows off one of her 3,400 “friends” that
she spent 32 days with.
She was stung nine times during the record-setting stay
in the 12-square-meter (130-square-foot) room, including once when she got
out of bed without looking at the floor.
But Kanchana says the venom has little effect on her
because of the immunity she has built up over seven years.
Some of the scorpions died in the glass chamber and new
ones were added. Some also gave birth.
She fed them a mixture of raw egg and ground pork each
day.
Kanchana was allowed to leave her room for 15 minutes
every eight hours. Her room had a bed and a toilet guarded from the public
eye by a curtain. She showered in a gym in the department store.
Although she was sure she wouldn’t lose sleep over
sharing a room with scorpions, insomnia, she says, made her lose 4 kilograms
(9 pounds).
“I usually go to bed pretty early, but the department
store closes so late, so I couldn’t go to sleep until the store closed,”
she said.
The previous world record was set last year by a
Malaysian woman who endured 30 days with 2,700 scorpions. She was stung
seven times, fell unconscious and almost gave up the attempt.
To see if her record-breaking attempt is approved, Kanchana now has to
send a full report, including video footage and photos, to the Guinness Book
of World Records office in London.
Local and visiting International Rotarians donate goods to Eastern Child Welfare Center in Huey Pong worth over 1 million baht
Songklod Kaewvisit
The Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya and the Rotary Club of
Wilson from RI District 7720 in the USA, in conjunction with the Rotary
Foundation last week presented 1,125,000 baht in equipment and goods to the
Eastern Child Welfare Center in Huey Pong, Rayong.
Guest
of Honor, Phanat Kaewlai (left), deputy governor of Rayong has a chat with
Rotarian Martin Brand, international service director.
Guest of Honor, Phanat Kaewlai, deputy governor of Rayong
presided over the ceremonies along with past district governor of Rotary
International District 3340, Premprecha Dibbayawan.
In keeping with the Rotarians’ concept of hard work and
generous community service, the project was organized by the Rotary Club of
Jomtien Pattaya and supported by R.I. District 3340 including the eastern
and northeastern regions. The Rotary Club of Wilson and Rotary Foundation
brought funds from Rotarians from around the world to improve the quality of
life for the children in Huey Pong.
The Eastern Child Welfare Center in Huey Pong provides
daily care for almost 300 children between the ages of 5 and 18 years. These
children come from broken families, are orphans, homeless or just have
nowhere to go or anyone to take care of them. Children are frequently sent
to Huey Pong as an alternative to detention centers.
At the welfare center they are fed, clothed and provided
with basic education. In addition they have access to vocational training.
Once they turn eighteen, the department of social welfare attempts to find
them work so they can become self-supportive and reenter society as
productive citizens.
The donation made by the Rotary clubs included 290 metal
lockers at a cost of 500,000 baht. Life at the center is very much communal
and these lockers will provide the kids with personal space.
Tables and chairs at a cost of 200,000 baht will better
furnish the center’s 8 buildings. Further donations at a cost of 400,000
baht will provide sporting equipment, kitchen utensils, stationary, music
equipment used in the vocational training classes and medical equipment.
The children were also given gifts of useful everyday
items, which they were allowed to choose for themselves from an abundant
supply.
These donations provide better living standards for the young residents.
The gesture of practical generosity and loving kindness also encourages them
to go on with their lives knowing that there are people in society who
really care about them.
Seaboard Sundowners & Opening of Ban Khao Din School
The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce is delighted to
announce the Seaboard Sundowners and the opening of Ban Khao Din School and
Community Library Friday and Saturday 1-2 November 2002.
Accommodation: Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa (Garden
View 2,700 Baht, Sea View 3,100 Baht)
Program: Seaboard Sundowners - 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1st
November 2002 Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa. Opening Ceremony, 9:00 a.m.
Saturday Monks’ blessing, 10.00 a.m. Saturday Library Opening Ceremony,
12:00 p.m. Saturday Lunch, 1.00 p.m. Saturday English Teaching, RSVP:
Wednesday October 30.
Many Chamber members and friends have contributed towards
this project. The opening ceremony will formally recognize these
contributions and generous donations.
Seaboard Sundowners is generously sponsored by Kirwan
Industrial Services and Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa.
Eastern Seaboard Sundowners is an opportunity for members
and guests of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce to meet, network and
exchange views in the social and environment.
For Booking please contact Chamber office or e-mail to:
execdirector@austcham thailand.com
Mahidol University opens new English language teaching facility on the Eastern Seaboard
Suchada Tupchai
Mahidol University opened its new English Language School
in the Sriracha branch of the university last week. The opening ceremonies
were presided over by Witthaya Khunpluem, secretary to the Ministry of
Social Development and Human Resources at Laem Chabang Tower.
Witthaya
Khunpluem (left), secretary to the Ministry of Social Development and Human
Resources presided over the opening ceremonies of Mahidol University’s new
English Language School in the Sriracha branch of the university, which
Asst. Professor Diane Uraiarat (right), director of language training at
Mahidol University, and Dennis Catron (not shown), manager of the Mahidol
Institute of Language training will oversee.
During the ceremonies Dr. Wee Rawang, manager of the
Mahidol English Language School (MELS) in Nakorn Sawan spoke of the
importance of communication, especially in the English language, which is
most commonly used within the university and is the language of
international business.
Dr. Wee said, “Receiving quality language training and
improving skills, in this case English, will provide more opportunities for
those willing to learn. English is also a means toward future development
for the country. We have two professionals from the university who will
oversee this facility; Asst. Professor Diane Uraiarat, director of language
training at Mahidol University and Dennis Catron, manager of the Mahidol
Institute of Language training.”
Witthaya Khunpluem in his speech said, “This is an
excellent opportunity for those students interested in developing their
language skills. This new English language institute will help provide
promising futures for many people.”
Following the opening ceremonies, a press conference was held by
university management to present the concept of the new institute to the
public, media and guests.
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