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Rotarians and Royal Varuna Yacht Club entertain Pakkred Children
Story and photos by Peter Cummins, Pattaya
Each year since the first “Kids Out” in 1997, the
Rotary Club of Bangkok South takes half (about 250) of the children from
their Pakkred Home, some 15 kilometers from Bangkok, and escorts them to the
Royal Varuna Yacht Club in South Pattaya where Rotarians and Rotary Annes of
the Jomtien-Pattaya group join their Bangkok brethren to make a very special
day for a group of very special children.
Fun and
games at the Royal Varuna pool.
Two
little ones hobble across the Varuna under the watchful eyes of their
keeper.
Some 10 busloads of the children, late last month,
supervised and cared for by the Rotarians and the staff of the Home, arrived
at the Varuna gates to spend a day at the seaside, caressed by the gentle
south-westerly, playing on the spacious lawns, swimming in the Varuna pool
and frolicking in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand.
As usual, it was a beautiful day and, for many of the
little ones, it was the first time at the sea, where they could enjoyed life
like any child, anywhere - if only for a day. Some could only embrace the
beauty of Nature and turn their sightless little faces to the sun and the
wind, to enjoy the sensation from their constant world of darkness.
The Rotarians were out in full force, led by president
Sean Brady and assisted by his cohorts and lieutenants who did everything
possible to help the youngsters enjoy their special day, serving them food,
drinks and, of course, an unlimited supply of ice cream which they relished
(so did a few of the Rotarians!).
The more than 60 Rotarians, assistants, staff of the
Pakkred Home and medical personnel voted their support and approval of the
children’s day - with their feet - attending to their every need and
ensuring their well-being, safety and enjoyment on this one special day.
... And
back for a last dip before departure.
The
“rubber duckies” were evident in the pool.
Time to
eat...
The popular, incomparable “Mr Clown” entertained the
children, regaling them for hours with a thousand tricks which enthralled
the youngsters - and not a few adults as well, it is worth adding! The Royal
Varuna veranda was a sea of Castrol “Kids Out” tee shirts, red caps and
happy, grinning faces, as “Mr Clown” went through his charming routines.
Bangkok South Rotarians, too, did not miss the
opportunity to fill their own lungs with some invigorating salt air and the
Varuna bar was unseasonably crowded - seeing it was a Thursday morning and
early afternoon. At one point, it was hard to discern who was having the
most fun - the children or the Rotarians.
But, bar or not, every Rotarian was quick to help each
and every child: wheeling, carrying and protecting them, with much tender
care. Even the biggest of the gentlemen from the Bangkok South Club - and,
by goodness, there ARE some big lads there - turned into putty when the
children needed assistance.
All there noted the innocence of the Pakkred children
whose bodies are far from perfect but whose minds radiate an inner beauty
which we, the able-bodied, would do well to emulate.
Finally, it was time to head for the convoy of buses
waiting outside the Varuna gates. As the army of brave, cheerful little
people was wheeled, lifted, carried or managed to hobble to the exit, there
was a farewell package for each one, the customary cookies from Walter
Meyer, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club founder who obviously relishes the
opportunity to return to his club and do so much for the unfortunates of
Pakkred and help ease the way back to Pakkred - the only home they have ever
known.
There were many moist eyes on the little and the big people as the buses
pulled away. They will be back again next year for the eighth “Kids
Out”!
The Devarana Spa offers a touch of heaven at the Dusit Resort Pattaya
Suchada Tupchai
Devarana comes from Sanskrit meaning “the gardens of
heaven”. The Dusit Resort Pattaya officially opened their garden of
heaven, the Devarana Spa at the end of March.
Guest
of honor Burin Wongsonguan (center) performs the time-honored tradition of
cutting the ribbon to officially open the new spa. Also taking part in the
ceremony are (from left to right), Chanin Donavanik, chief executive officer
of Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Dr. Amorn Chandara-Somboon, Prof. Hiran
Radeesri and wife, board of directors of Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Khun
Burin, Santsak Ngampiches, chief advisor to the minister of tourism and
sports, Chanyut Hengtrakul, A advisor to the minister of tourism and sports,
and Vipada Donavanik.
At the auspicious time of 17.09 on March 29 special guest
Burin Wongsonguan, president of the Thai Architects Society presided over
the grand opening ceremonies of Pattaya’s latest addition to the spa
market.
The new
Pattaya staff received support from the Dusit Thani Bangkok Devarana Spa
staff, shown here with managing director, Wipawadee Sirimongkolkasem (seated
center).
Hotel management, Chatchawal Supachayanont and Ingo Rไuber
and staff joined with Manit Boonchim, TAT director Central Region 3 and
other honored dignitaries in the ceremonies.
The new spa offers a tranquil and relaxing setting, away
from the hustle and bustle of Pattaya’s increasingly busy roads and
beaches. The refreshing d้cor and design was the brainchild of Ploy
Jiriyawej and offers natural settings in each of the gold, silver, white
treatment rooms. The spa comes complete with steam room, large bathtubs and
massage treatment rooms, both indoors and outdoors.
The spa staff has been trained in Thai, aroma and Swedish
massage techniques to relieve those stressed and tired bodies. Services also
include beauty and treatment packages to promote health and boost the immune
system through the use of natural products.
The Devarana Spa is open daily on the ground floor of the
Dusit Resort Pattaya. Appointment can be made by calling 038 425 611 ext.
2483-4 or 038 371 044.
Boys home tanked by local businesses
Pattaya Sports Club
On April 8th, 2003, a large water storage tank was
delivered to the Banglamung Boys Home run by the Department of Welfare and
Social Services at Banglamung. The 5,000 gallon water storage tank was made
available by Chevron Texaco, to be given to any organization deemed worthy
by the PSC Charity Committee. After a few false starts it was decided that
it would be of most value to the Banglamung Boys Home where it will help to
relieve the chronic water shortages they experience each year. It was
necessary for a reinforced concrete base to be constructed at the site and
this was carried out by the school staff with cement which was also supplied
by Chevron Texaco.
Job
accomplished with good teamwork.
Some
boys look on as their new water tank arrives.
Some modifications were required to the tank before
delivery could be considered. This work was carried out by the staff at Thai
Oil & Tool Maintenance Services at no cost. The next problem to overcome
was the transportation of the tank from the Sattahip compound to Banglamung,
which is some 40 odd kilometers away. MML Trucking came to the party and
supplied the truck and driver, also at no cost. Of course, such a large tank
could not be manhandled so it was necessary to find a mobile crane for the
loading and unloading of the large tank (3m x 3m at the base and 4m in
height). “No problem,” said Khun Sim of Oil Tex, “We have the crane
and the men and you are welcome to both” at no charge. Naturally, someone
had to do the organization and coordination work to make all this happen and
that was the Pattaya Sports Club Charity Committee.
Chevron
Texaco’s water tank was delivered by MML Trucking.
Now
that we’re over the trees, we can maneuver into position.
Steady
as she goes...
Without the help of Mac McArthur and his deputy Khun
Nimitr from Chevron Texaco, this task would not have been possible. PSC
applauds the generosity of Chevron Texaco, Thai Oil & Tool Maintenance
Services, MML Trucking and Oil Tex. PSC, along with the Banglamung Boys
Home, offers a huge thank you for a job well done.
Switzerland and the world - challenges for the future
Elfi Seitz
Every person in Switzerland knows Adolf Ogi and this is
no wonder, since he was the president of this small country in the middle of
the Alps not too long ago. Though not president anymore and having given up
local politics, Mr. Ogi stepped even higher, by becoming the special advisor
on sport for development and peace to the UN-Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Adolf
Ogi during his brilliant speech.
Daniel
Marti, secretary of the Swiss Thai Chamber of Commerce and vice manager of
Thai-Zürich Insurance, was busy keeping his fellow countrymen
informed throughout the evening.
Mr. Ogi, with tongue in cheek, said that his political
career and his success come because of a magic crystal he carries in his
left pocket wherever he goes. So far, he has given out those little crystals
to 11 politicians, including Mr. Kofi, but of course excluding Saddam
Hussein.
So far, the last in line of the lucky ones to receive
such a precious present was the Swiss Ambassador to Thailand, Hans-Peter
Erismann. Mr. Ogi presented it to him during his recent stay in Bangkok,
where he was invited to hold a speech for the Swiss Society, the Swiss-Thai
Chamber of Commerce and members of the Swiss Embassy and of course various
journalists at the Plaza Athenee.
Bruno
Keller (right) was delighted about his reunion with Adolf Ogi, as they have
known each other for years. Elfi Seitz (left), Wanna and Bill Malhotra
enjoyed taking part in the lively conversation.
Mr. Ogi said in his speech how important sport is for the
world. “Every single person should go once in his life through a training
camp. Not only to learn the skills, but also to realize his limits. Through
sport we can make a better world. We possibly cannot avoid a war, as so many
other leaders or organizations, but sport can build a bridge between the
nations,” he said.
“There are quite a few examples, like South Korea and
Japan, who don’t like each other too much, but were able to organize the
soccer World Cup together last year. Or in 1972, when two almost enemies
like the USA and China organized the table tennis championship. Sport can
build a bridge between nations and politicians can use it to reach the other
side,” Mr. Ogi added.
Bruno Keller, the president of the Rotary Club Jomtien Pattaya, and an
old friend of Mr. Ogi, suggested to the people in charge that they invite
Mr. Ogi. Though Mr. Ogi could only stay one day in Bangkok, he gave a speech
at the Chulalongkorn University on the same subject. The day after, Mr. Ogi
traveled to Kuala Lumpur to spread his message of sport for development and
peace.
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