World Scouts and Guides leave a lasting impression on the Land of Smiles

Sutham Phanthusak (BPF) MD and Stéphan Bringer GM of the Woodlands Resort welcomed HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden upon his arrival at the resort. HM King Carl was on a private visit to the 20th World Scout Jamboree. HM the King Carl, who is the Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation attended various scouting events and also presided over the 1st Scout Foundation Royal Golf Tournament prize presentation ceremonies. This tournament was organized to raise funds for the development of scouting around the world.

Scouts shed tears on farewell night at Jamboree

Suchada Tupchai

A stunning closing ceremony held on January 7 marked the conclusion of the 20th World Scout Jamboree at Had Yao, Sattahip. Presided over by Pongpol Adireksarn, Minister of Education the event was attended by distinguished guests from many countries and 30,000 Thai and international scouts and guides from 150 countries.

After the parade wove its way over the replica Rama I Bridge and onto the London Bridge, a Thai scout handed over the jamboree flag to a British scout to announce the 21st World Scout Jamboree will take place in London in 2007.

A representative of the United Kingdom announces that the 21st World Scout Jamboree will take place in London in 2007 and will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the jamboree.

Colorful dances of every nation were portrayed as a symbol of the bond of combined cultures and traditions that the boys and the girls had formed at the camp.

Scouts and guides danced and sang with joy at the end of an 11-day experience they will never forget.

As the jamboree came to a close, scouts gathered at the central field to bid an emotional farewell after 11 short days of sleeping, eating, singing, exploring, and struggling together under the theme “Share our world, share our culture”.

Yuwarat Kamolvej, director of the jamboree scouts’ camp invited all scouts and their commanders to the central field. Representatives from camps A, B, C, and D came to the stage to express how much they had enjoyed the jamboree and what an unforgettable and valuable experience it had been for them.

A superbly choreographed show called Asian Pacific was staged while dances of every nation were portrayed as a symbol of the bond of combined cultures and traditions that the boys and the girls had formed at the camp.

At 9:30 p.m. representatives from all nation members carried their flags to the central field, followed by the jamboree video display.

None were prouder than the Thai scouts with their Kingdom’s flag.

When it was time to say goodbye...

A young Thai scout plays a traditional Thai instrument.

The climax of the closing ceremony started with a Thai musical parade led by ‘klong yao’ - long drums - and one proud Thai scout astride a magnificent elephant.

The parade wove its way over the replica Rama I Bridge and onto the London Bridge where scouts from Thailand handed over the jamboree flag to scouts from England, and to announce the 21st World Scout Jamboree will take place in London in 2007 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Jamboree.

As the group of English scouts climbed into a London taxi and rode away, a fireworks display lit the message: “Meet you at the 21st World Scout Jamboree in the United Kingdom in 2007 and 100 years of Scouting”.

Commenting on the remarkable success of the event, camp director Yuwarat said, “This year’s world scout Jamboree was auspiciously honored by the presence of HRH Prince Crown Maha Vajiralongkorn on the opening ceremony. Our true achievement has been the success of learning, sharing and blending our various cultures, traditions and languages, and proving that we all can live together no matter who we are if we live under the honorable principals of scout-hood.”

Pongpol said this year’s jamboree was one of the greatest and most successful events that the government and the private sectors have organized. Then he wished all the scouts a safe journey home.

The climax of the closing ceremony started with a Thai musical parade led by ‘klong yao’ - long drums - and one proud Thai scout astride a magnificent elephant.

Time to pack it up and begin the long journey home.

Good fun right up to the last minute.

Thai scouts and guides - always smiling.

Malaysian scouts enjoy the closing ceremonies.

Flags from every nation represented at the jamboree were flown with pride.

Time to rest after packing up the gear.

Perhaps the fireworks sign maker had a lisp? Never mind, it was an exciting time for all.

Five hundred fireworks lit up the sky as the Grande Finale, but the most touching scene were the hugs and goodbyes of the scouts. Many wept as they bid their farewells and exchanged tokens as remembrances of a time and a place none of them will ever forget.

Scouting Rotarians meet during the 20th World Scout Jamboree

A special meeting took place recently for the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR) at the See Fah Restaurant, to coincide with the World Scout Jamboree being held in Had Yao, Sattahip.

The event was organized by the Rotary Club of Plutaluang and IFSR, and was presided over by David A. Judge, world president of IFSR, Jacques Moreillon, secretary general of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement, George Purdy, chief scout of Great Britain, Dick Burdick, international commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America, Geoffry Reiss, Peace City Project of Rotary and the Thailand chairman of IFSR.

(L to R) Dick Burdick, international commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America (who told the gathering at the beginning of his speech, “Be sincere, be brief and be seated”), Martin Brands of Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya (front), Jacques Moreillon, secretary general of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement, Bruno Keller, president of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, and Jan Olav Aamlid, Thai scout leader and vice president of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya enjoyed the evening with Scouting Rotarians from around the world.

The International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians first began in 1991. Several Rotarians, who were also scouts, discussed the possibility of starting a fellowship within Rotary International that would cater towards the interests of both groups. The IFSR has grown to more than 1,000 members worldwide, and the Thailand contingent is growing rapidly.

David A. Judge, international chairman of the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians handed Jan Olav Aamlid the pin for joining the fellowship for life.

At the meeting, David A. Judge, international chairman, briefly explained what IFSR was all about, and invited the audience to join the club. Many who were present took the opportunity to join the club for life.

Jacques Moreillon, secretary general of WOSM also addressed the group, and stressed the importance of providing education for the youth, one of the many aims of the club. Rotarians and Scouts from all over the world attended, and took this opportunity to relax and enjoy the evening with their friends and colleagues.

Over 40 scouts from Belgium, Albania, Japan and Thailand participate in Community Action Day

On January 6, over 40 scouts participating in the 20th World Scout Jamboree from Belgium, Albania, Japan and Thailand joined in a community service activity at Ban Poonsri Uppatham Drug Rehabilitation Center. They were all welcomed by Pol. Col. Jirat Phichitpai, head of the rehabilitation center, along with the patients.

World Scouts take a break to browse the Pattaya Mail.

A bit of modern dance got the Scouts, Guides and patients on their feet.

Three cheers for a drug-free life!

Scouts and Guides were spellbound by the Krabi Krabong performance.

One of the main goals of the jamboree was to allow the scouts to work together with people in the community, help those in need and to build relationships with people from different cultures. Scouts were sent to 36 different community areas where activities included planting trees, painting and fixing buildings.

In welcoming the scouts, the center organized many shows including a ‘Krabi Krabong’ dance and cheerleading. The scouts also joined the patients in music performances.

The rehabilitation center is organized for youth with drug problems. It is free of charge and is supported by both public and private organizations. It is responsible for correcting the behavior of the youths in order for them to live normal lives when they leave the center.