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Royal Varuna sails into the future via the PC Classic
 Peter
Cummins
The just-completed highly successful 10th Pattaya Mail
PC Classic Royal Cliff Beach Resort International Regatta was a great
march forward for Pattaya. The large number of people concerned: the
organizers, the legion of sponsors, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and the
host venue, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, have all reaped benefit from the
coverage of the event in the national and international news media.
The main thrust of the regatta, apart from promoting
Pattaya as a family-friendly tourist destination - which it achieved with
outstanding success - was to help the under-privileged and less fortunate
people in our region - especially the children - through charities under
the aegis of the Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya.
The Pattaya Mail and its German-language
counterpart, the Pattaya Blatt have reported the captivating events
in full and the recipients of the charity will be announced in these, as
soon as finalized.
The
new clubhouse structure can be seen rising behind the present one.
It is primarily the children of our wonderful
city-by-the-sea who are to benefit. Undoubtedly, the beauty of the
Kasemsook Movement, performed by more than 200 children from Pattaya
Schools 7 and 8, left an indelible impression on the 400 guests at the
Gala Charity Awards Dinner. The most touching performance was organized
and managed by Wannapa Wannasri and Alvi Sinthuvanik - no small feat when
it involves so many lovely youngsters whose finale was a most moving
candle-lit tribute to our beloved Majesties, the King and the Queen.
 Peter
Malhotra MD of the Pattaya Mail presents the Swiss International Air Lines
prize to the real winner, Khun Warai Kanchanatru.
The audience was ‘mesmerized’ as Peter Malhotra and
Khun Wannapa described in English and Thai the intricacies, culture and
depth of feeling the movement involves. “I have never witnessed so
beautiful and touching performance as this,” said one of the European
guests, basically summing up the collective mood.
Royal Varuna:
the way ahead
The PC Classic Regatta, of course, was also of great
benefit to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club and, with the racing and
water-borne activities taking place off the club’s beach, the huge crowd
which came to enjoy the action were also able to learn what Varuna is all
about, see the new club-house structure rising behind the present one and
learn how much Royal Varuna has contributed to a more positive image of
Pattaya.
 Kamolchai
Padungkit (James), club manager of the Royal Varuna talks to Khun Pisit
Ketphasook (centre) Governor of Chonburi Province and Surapol Thiansuwan
(right) Banglamung District Chief about the operations of the Yacht club.
In fact, the Pattaya Mail Vol XII, #15 (09
April) and Vol XII, #17 (23 April) have featured the first two instalments
of Royal Varuna history. These have included the early days in a ‘clean
and green’ Pattaya, the participation of HM the King, the Royal Family
and visiting dignitaries in the dinghy racing of the time, the bestowal of
Royal Patronage on the club on April 26, 1965 and Varuna’s proactive
role in a large number of world, regional and national championships held
off Pattaya’s shores.
And there was really a re-cap of the club history at
the PC Classic, when founding members Walter Meyer and Rachiman
Gintzburger took part in the celebrations at the Charity Gala Awards
Dinner, held poolside at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Now, this third instalment of Varuna concentrates on
the club’s future and the junior sailing programmes (which, after all,
ARE the club’s future).
Eighth commodore, Al Chandler (1975-1977), has been the
driving force behind introducing Hobie Cats, Lasers (the ‘plastic
fantastics’) and assorted other classes of boat to Varuna, Pattaya and
further afield in the Kingdom. Among his huge contributions to the
promotion of yacht racing, the main one would probably be junior sailing.
He has been the only Thai-based president of the International Optimist
Dinghy Association and his dedication to and support of Optimist sailing
has spanned three decades.
All these classes were out there at the PC Classic,
especially the Optimists. As the 2004 Admiral’s Cup held at Varuna in
April indicated, Optimist sailing, training and racing (15-year-olds and
younger) under the dedicated hand of Marijke Whitcraft, is on an upswing.
Guided for many years by Linden Phanpho and her most able assistant,
Brunhilde Schultes, the junior programmes are vital to the club.
As was evident at the April event, many of the big
international schools on the Eastern Seaboard and in Bangkok are now
entering the Optimist ranks and that bodes well for the club’s future
membership which will enjoy the marvellous new facilities - now under
construction and scheduled to open in October - for decades to come.
Appropriately enough, on International Children’s
Day, the 8th of January 1977, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand
formed the Junior Sailing Squadron of Thailand (JSST), with a mandate,
inter alia, “of promoting youth sailing throughout the Kingdom”,
adopting the ubiquitous Optimist dinghy as the ideal trainer.
Royal Varuna has been a staunch and generous supporter
of junior training which has already produced a generation of such
graduate instructors as Nolan Crawford, Sam Phanpho and countless others,
as well as national and regional champions in several classes and Olympic
contenders.
The club has given much time and effort and has
consistently co-operated with the Royal Thai Navy and JSST and, as was
shown in April, makes RVYC facilities available for training, practice and
racing. On many occasions, the club has sponsored Thai teams to the
International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) world championships.
A venue for World
Championships
The first-ever world championship to come to Thailand,
to Varuna, was the 1978 Singha Twelfth International Fireball World
Championships managed under ninth commodore, Bob Kennedy (1977 - 1979).
This occasion goes into the Varuna annals as one of the many humorous
anecdotes which now make up the club’s folklore.
The British won the title, with the famous Laurie
Smith. The then commodore rather fancied one of the leading Fireballs,
“Blood, Sweat and Tears”, so he purchased it - right off the beach, so
to speak.
Ah, but there was a little problem: 50 boats were
imported for the event and only 49 were going back . AND the customs and
excise thought police were snooping. A quick decision. Into the
boat-racks; down to the very end, an old Fireball, with about five cm of
dust on it. “You’ll do,” said the commodore, to no one in
particular.
Boat hauled out, washed down, stuffed into the
container and “la voila”: 50 Fireballs heading ‘home’ from whence
they came. Customs count tallied. That was the Sunday after the event.
The following weekend, a rarely-seen club member who
owned about five boats and spent whatever time he could - no, not sailing
- but playing with the various rigs: swapping a 470 rig for a Fireball
rig, etc., came bounding onto the club terrace shouting “where is my
Fireball? I have brought an old 470 rig for it”. Oops! His ‘beauty’
had already disappeared over the horizon on a freighter. Next scene,
commodore and irate club member adjourn to the club bar where they drink
beer, joke and swap stories. The “case of the disappearing Fireball”
was soon closed.
It has been pointed out that the Varuna bar has also
saved a marriage or two, especially when it has concerned a husband/wife
sailing team.
Another World Championship of significance was the
Volvo Topcat World Championship, held in March 1977, the first time this
mainly Northern European-based group had ever had an event outside the
European Continent. Coming from sub-zero temperatures in many instances,
the sailors could hardly believe the ambience, beauty and ideal sailing
conditions which Varuna Club offered - right from the shore. 18th
commodore, David Race (1996-1997), was “in the chair”.
In passing, it is worth mentioning that a frequent
sailor at the club, Lt. Vinai Vongtim of the Royal Thai Navy, took the
Topcat 18 title - the first Thai sailor to win a world championship. And,
before that event, Vinai had never seen a Topcat, let alone sailed one!
March 2000, under 21st commodore, Rut Subniran
(1998-2000), saw Volvo back again, this time sponsoring the second
Fireball Worlds at Varuna with some 70 craft. Representing Volvo were
Varunian Karl-Johan Sandesjo, president of Volvo Car (Thailand) and
ex-Varunian, Volvo events manager (the Volvo Round-the-World Race inter
al.), Helge Alten and wife Christina, the petite, pretty and very good
helm of the Alten machine. This duo was the top Fireball team during their
years at Varuna.
At the highly-successful 2000 Worlds, the Scandinavians
“slogged it out”, as they had a decade or so earlier, with club
veteran Jens Overgaard and wife Anne (this time, crew was Neil Semple). It
was a desperate struggle for the lowest placings and this writer is not
about to reveal who lost out.
Many of the yachting sections of the Asian and South
East Asian Games have also come to Varuna over the years, as well as
numerous Asian and ASEAN Optimist regional championships and several Laser
international events - these last two categories initiated by Al Chandler.
A new clubhouse
Almost mid-way through 2004, Varuna is reaching the end
of an era. Under the able leadership of incumbent commodore, Robert
England, Royal Varuna, by October, will take possession of a splendid new
clubhouse, being constructed behind the old one, designed and built by
fourth commodore, Rachot Kanjanavanit (1967-1970).
Now 35 years old, the clubhouse has been showing signs
of rapid deterioration. When it is demolished in June to make way for the
new one, all that will remain of the old days will be the swimming pool,
shimmering on the property’s south-western corner, a lot of memories and
nostalgia for those who were here.
It has been a long road and this modest history cannot
do justice to the thousands who have sailed, raced, wined and dined,
enjoyed the sea-side facilities and partaken of the rewarding social
ambience which is the hallmark of this club.
His Majesty the King himself and members of the Thai
Royal Family, visiting royalty and dignitaries, princes, princesses,
ambassadors, service men and women, doctors, dentists and other
professionals, the diplomatic corps and United Nations personnel, captains
of industry, professors, school teachers, aid workers, photographers,
journalists and media tycoons, and a large cross-section of Thai and
farang society in the Kingdom, have all passed through and enjoyed the
club at some time in the almost five decades of history.
Maybe it is a “sign of the times” - or, should that
read “times of the sign” - when there is now a road named
“Ratchawaroon” - one of the arteries leading to the seafront past the
Cosy, Mountain View and Island View Hotels.
The racing, training, campouts, national and special
events, regattas and seminars designed for lady sailors, children and,
even, the “old salts” will continue unabated into the foreseeable
future.
There will be national, regional and world
championships coming to these beautiful shores and Royal Varuna will
continue to be a major promotion for Pattaya and a model for the
community. The club endorses such charitable events as the Rotary Club of
Bangkok South’s annual “Kids’ Out” which brings 400 disadvantaged
children from the Pak Kred Home to revel in a day by the sea-side.
However, the story would not be complete without a
mention of the Hobie Cat devotee, Alain Brancart who, single-handedly, has
sailed the waterways of Thailand, Malaysia and right up to the borders and
territorial waters of Burma and Cambodia.
Over the years, members have beached at high speed,
reaching before the south-westerly monsoon; they have paddled ashore in
dead calms; they have been towed back in disarray; they have swum ashore.
One member even came ashore riding a horse. But that is a story for a
later edition of a Varuna history.
The 2004 PC Classic, with superb co-operation from the
Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya Mail and Eastern Seaboard
sponsors, has moved Varuna into the fast lane. The membership believes
that the impending new structure will be a worthy neighbour for the Cliff
and will present an outstanding landmark on Pattaya’s ever-improving
marine environment.
So great is the magnet of Varuna, that members such as
Bill and Betty Avery, Jeremy Eckford and countless others, after their
demise, have had their ashes consigned to our beloved waters off Varuna -
to be part of this unique club FOREVER!
Membership to this unique club is open - and welcomed.
Address enquiries, further information to: tel. (038) 250-116; e-mail:
[email protected]; website: royal-varuna-yacht-club.com
Sisters are doing it for themselves in Freedom Camp
Suchada Tupchai
The Sis to Sis Freedom Camp project, which aims at
inspiring girls between the ages of 15-20 years to become quality women,
has been held for the third time in Pattaya.
A
group photo: (from right) Niti Kongrut, Deborah and Paisan Bundityanond,
Suthima Saungam, AIS activities manager, Nadia Nimitvanich, and teachers
Treedow Aphaiwongse and Chanisa Apichartbutra.
The project, headed by Nadia Nimitvanich and friends,
started the first day of activities at Rabbit Resort on May 8. Niti
Kongrut, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Central Region,
3rd zone), presided over the opening ceremony.
Paisan and Deborah Bundityanond, owners of Rabbit
Resort, warmly welcomed all participants and guests.
This
year’s Sis to Sis Freedom Camp begins at Rabbit Resort.
The Sis to Sis Freedom Camp this year was supported by
1-2-Call. Its aim was to inspire the girls to become quality women in the
future by providing activities and instructions in various fields.
“I really hope this project, held once a year, will
continue. I want every girl interested in this program to join us,” said
famous actress and Channel V’s VJ Nadia.
“It is not only a summer-break camp but you will also
gain a great, interesting experience from the specialized lectures in a
warm and relaxing climate. I am sure it will impress all of you,” Nadia
concluded.
The resort’s owner, Paisan, said during the opening
ceremony, “I am very happy for everyone who has an opportunity to
participate in this camp as the program arranged by the talented lecturers
will definitely give you a precious experience. However, I really hope
that all the girls in Pattaya will get to join in such good activities to
become quality women like all of you.”
There were 50 participants in the camp, which ended on May 10.
Fountain of Life says thank you to local supporters
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Fountain of Life Center, which has received
continuing support from the community through the Jesters Care for Kids
project and the Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC), as well as other
local organizations, held a small buffet dinner for their benefactors at
the center’s Third Road premises on May 13.
 FOL
staff put on a traditional Thai dance show for guests.
Children, staff and volunteers from the center put on a
small show with traditional Thai and modern dance before dinner.
Sister Michelle Lopez, one of the sisters running the
center said, “We are happy to have you as our guests this evening and
offer our thanks for your continued support of the children. You are all
very important people to us and we thank you.”
 A
warm and family style atmosphere filled the night.
The Jesters were out in force with their families as were the PILC
volunteers. Lewis “Woody” Underwood, Jesters president, made a brief
speech before everyone began eating.
Lewis
‘Woody’ Underwood, Jesters president, thanks the FOL for their
efforts.
Sister
Michelle Lopez thanks everyone for visiting the Fountain of Life Center
and for their continued support.
Panga Vathanakul installed as honorary consul of the Russian Federation
Trade and tourism relations to be furthered by the appointment
By Dr. Iain Corness
Pattaya has been an important tourist destination for
the Russian people in the past decade, and it was the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort that was in the forefront of introducing Pattaya and Thailand to
Russia. It was natural that when the Russian Federation looked for
representation here in Pattaya, they looked to the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort and its managing director, Panga Vathanakul.
(l-r)
Panga Vathanakul, Governor Pisit Ketphasook with his wife Samoekhae and
H.E.Yevgeny D. Ostrovenko, Russian ambassador to Thailand at the ribbon
cutting ceremony of the new Consul offices located at the Royal Cliff
Beach Resort.
When a significant number of foreign nationals are
involved in traveling to any destination, there are also a significant
number of problems that may need diplomatic intervention, and it becomes
necessary for the foreign countries to look to establishing diplomatic
ties. This has been the case for the Scandinavian countries, the UK, Japan
and many others, and now includes the Russian Federation.
(l-r)
Dr. Norair Der Kerorkian, honorary consul of Armenia, Prayap Shinawatra,
Panga Vathanakul, Porutai Shinawatra, Samerkae and Governor Pisit
Ketphasook, Ambassador Yevgeny D. Ostrovenko and his wife Larissa.
The Russian ambassador to Thailand, HE Yevgeny D.
Ostrovenko mentioned in his address, “Historically honorary consuls
appeared in the practice of international relations even before regular
consulates started to function. An appointment of an honorary consul
usually indicates positive dynamics in developing bilateral relations. And
it is exactly the case with the appointment of Mrs. Panga Vathanakul.”
 Khun
Panga is all smiles as she holds a bouquet of flowers presented to her by
well-wishers.
Panga, in her official acceptance, which was held at
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “By accepting this designation, I
would like to express my strong belief in the importance of further
enhancing the strong ties between our two nations.”
To celebrate the appointment, a spectacular reception
was held at the Royal Cliff Grand, where Panga was congratulated by the
guests which included Pisit Ketphasook, governor of Chonburi and his wife;
Vladimir Pronin, consul of the Russian Federation; Payap Shinawatra,
president of Shinawatra Thai Silk (brother of Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra), Pol. Maj General Wichean and Mrs. Kingdao Potephosree (deputy
chief of the Royal Court Security Police); Admiral Vichai Yuvanangkul,
commander of the Sattahip Navy Base; Boonthai Issaraprateepratra, chief
judge of Provincial Court, Region 2; Paisit Kanokvijyant, chief prosecutor
of Region 2 and Lt. Gen. Jongrak Jutanont, commissioner of the Provincial
Police Region 2.
 Sophin
Tappajug (right), Associate Judge of the Family and Juvenile court of
Chonburi, greets Lt. Gen. Jongrak Jutanont and Pol. Col. Kamolchai
Tienrungroj Chief of Pattaya Police and Gen. Nopporn Sangsuwarn.
Rising to the occasion, as usual, was executive chef
Walter Thenisch, who in addition to the usually superb buffet, presented
Russian dishes in honour of the Russian delegation including sawlianka
soup, pelmeni - a kind of Russian style dumpling, rissoles in a dill
flavored sour cream sauce and olubzic - cabbage wrapped meat balls and
braised in spicy broth and topped with sliced onions.
Victor
Kriventsov (left) with his Russian team at the ceremonies, (l-r) Michael
Ilyin, director of Ilves Tour, Inga Zelenova, guest relations officer of
the RCBR and Mrs. Yelena Ilyina.
So with many “dos vedanya’s” (the Russian ‘goodbye’ according
to HE Yevgeny D. Ostrovenko) the guests departed, leaving their best
wishes inscribed in the book left for that purpose. I wrote, “Khun
Panga, being appointed honorary consul for the Russian Federation is
indeed an honour for both Thailand and Russia. Congratulations!” I could
think of nothing more fitting.
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