76 teams of up to 20 contestants in each team commenced
battle at the National Sports Convention Hall Bangkok recently.
Jon
(left) in action on his way to winning the gold medal.
In their respective Green Belt classes, brothers -
‘Junior’ Thorley aged 7, and Jonathan Thorley, aged 8, both won gold
medals by beating all their competitors. Their classically executed flying
double kicks to body and head, and reverse spin head kicks, are credited to
the excellent coaching of the Persuso Gym, at Mike Shopping Mall. (Jonathan
had injured his favoured kicking foot in the quarter finals, but determined
himself to overcome the pain, to go on and win.)
Proud
father, Tony Thorley with the gold medal champions, ‘Junior’ Thorley
aged 7, and Jonathan Thorley, aged 8.
Their trainer ‘Joe’ was delighted by their success,
as it was the first time for the club to win ‘gold’.
It was the ‘proudest moment’ for father.
Mike Nelson
Thailand has received a positive report card for
religious tolerance, unlike three of its neighbours who are listed under
“countries of particular concern’ for violating religious freedom.
The 2004 International Religious Freedom Report submitted
by the US Department of State to Congress and released on September 15 noted
the Thai government generally respects freedom of religion protected by the
Constitution.
The annual report said that assessing the status of
religious freedom often served as a helpful diagnostic for the overall
health and stability of a nation.
“For these reasons and others, promoting religious
freedom continues to be an essential element of United States foreign
policy.”
The report analyses the situation in each country.
Referring to Thailand, it spoke of the “generally
amicable relationship among religions”.
The law provided for freedom of religion, and the
government generally respected this right in practice.
“However, it does not register new religious groups
that have not been accepted into one of the existing religious governing
bodies on doctrinal or other grounds. In practice unregistered religious
organizations operate freely, and the government’s policy of not
recognizing any new religious faiths has not restricted the activities of
unregistered religious groups.” The government officially limits the
number of foreign missionaries who may work in the country, although
unregistered missionaries are present in large numbers and are allowed to
live and work freely, according to the report.
Five religious organizations are officially registered:
Buddhists, Muslims, the Brahmin-Hindu community, Sikhs, and the Catholic
community - “which includes four Protestant sub-groups.”
The report said that in the past, government officials,
at the request of Chinese government officials, reportedly have monitored
Falun Gong members, though they generally are allowed to practise.
“According to Falun Gong representatives in the
country, in October 2003, a three-day convention was held without incident
in Nakhon Ratchasima with approximately 300 Thai and foreign Falun Gong
members.”
However, in late March, a Chinese mainland national Falun
Gong member was arrested after he entered a Bangkok hotel to distribute
Falun Gong documents to hotel guests. He was charged with trespassing, fined
200 baht, and released. Local media also reported that police arrested three
Chinese national Falun Gong followers who were distributing Falun Gong
documents in Bangkok during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in
October 2003.
According to the government’s National Statistics
Office, about 94 percent of the population is Buddhist and 5 percent is
Muslim.
“However, estimates by non-governmental organizations,
academics, and religious groups state that approximately 85 to 90 percent of
the population is Theravada Buddhist, and up to 10 percent of the population
is Muslim. There are small animist, Christian, Confucian, Hindu, Jewish,
Sikh, and Taoist populations. No official statistics exist as to the numbers
of atheists or persons who do not profess a religious faith or belief, but
surveys indicate that together they make up less than one percent of the
population,” the report said.
Islam is the dominant religion in four of the five
southernmost provinces, which border Malaysia.
There were no reports of religious prisoners or
detainees.
Thailand’s neighbours, however, did not fare at all
well in the religious freedom stakes.
Of Myanmar, the US report said, “The government
continued to engage in particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
The government generally infiltrated or monitored the meetings and
activities of virtually all organizations, including religious ones. It
systemically restricted efforts by Buddhist clergy to promote human rights
and political freedom, discouraged or prohibited minority religions from
constructing new places of worship.”
Authorities in some areas of Laos continued to display
intolerance for minority religions, particularly Protestant denominations.
There were reports of local officials pressuring minority Christians to
renounce their faith on threat of arrest or forceful eviction from their
villages, and several instances of persons detained or arrested for their
religious faith.
“Persons arrested for their religious activities have
been charged with exaggerated security or other criminal offences. Persons
detained may be held for lengthy periods without trial, and an accused
person’s defence rights are limited. A person arrested or convicted for
religious offences has little protection under the law.”
The report said respect for religious freedom in Vietnam
remained poor or deteriorated for some groups, notably ethnic minority
Protestants and some independent Buddhists, “though it slightly improved
for many practitioners”.
“There have been credible reports for several years
that local officials have continued to pressure many ethnic minority
Protestants to recant their faith. According to credible reports, the police
arbitrarily detained and sometimes beat religious believers.” One
Protestant leader in the Northwest Highlands was reportedly beaten to death
for refusing to recant his faith.
In October 2003, authorities detained ten leaders of the
banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, including two who had been freed
from detention a few months earlier.
Thanks for the best ever Jesters Charity Drive
Dear All,
That’s right, over 5 million baht! That’s what we raised for our Jesters
Care for Kids Charity Drive 2004! And Auctioneer Eddy raised over 550, 000
baht last night!
Tremendous team effort from everyone; the Jesters Care
for Kids team! What a wonderful team! I am deeply honored and grateful to be
working with all of you in our efforts in helping the kids.
I hope you enjoy the day and savor the fabulous fruits of
our efforts forever.
All the best,
Woody
*******
5 million Baht…Wow! That will make a difference in so
many young lives! Congrats and a job well done by all who made it happen.
Regards,
Mike Clayton
*******
Wow…B. 5.0 Million!
Green with envy, from afar ~ would only be an understatement!
Congratulations to everyone involved! What a fantastic legacy! We will make
it back there sometime soon, specifically for the Care for Kids
Extravaganza!
Fondest Regards,
Niel and Alice Poulsen
*******
Great job Men!
This is what makes our Jesters MC the great club that it
is. I’m very proud to be a member and only wish I could be there more to
be involved. Keep up the good work and ride with pride, You have earned it.
Later,
Craig B.
*******
Dear Woody,
This was my first year of having the pleasure to be
involved in the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive. A truly moving
experience last Sunday watching so many kids enjoying themselves due to the
teams combined efforts.
Then, last night at Shenanigans. What to say but role on next year. When do
the meetings start? I offer my services for you and your team in any such
event. Excellent job done by all.
Regards,
Nigel Saunders.
*******
Wow! I cannot express the overwhelming joy and excitement
I feel!! It’s incredible and still (after all these years) feel so proud!
You guys and girls are the best! What you have done will go down in the
history books! I hope you can feel my happiness!
All the best!
Love,
Alice
*******
All
Congratulations from the UK on your accomplishments this
year, another amazing total reached.
Cheers
Paul
*******
Dear Pattaya Mail,
What terrific coverage you gave us both this week and
last! Kudos and huge thanks to Dan and staff who were responsible for the
wonderful montages! We deeply appreciate not only these features of our main
events, but also the extensive exposure you gave us throughout the year. On
behalf of the Jesters Care for Kids Organizing Committee and all Jesters, we
thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the all your help and our
continuing beautiful association.
Thanks again for everything!
Best regards,
Woody
*******
Well done Jesters! Well done Paul &Ying
Great week of good news, 5 million baht plus just shows
that the sky is the limit, incredible what can be accomplished year to year.
Speaking on behalf of all the Jesters away from Pattaya, we are proud to be
associated with you guys who have worked so hard for to reach these numbers.
Ride proud and show your colors! Wish I could have been there to contribute.
Paul, glad to see you pulled it off however most of us
figured that you didn’t have the ability to produce a boy. Congrats to
Ying, you and the young camel jockey. I’ll bet you are glad that ordeal is
over! Where’s your Harley?
You folks all deserve a big pat on the back!
Best regards
Sticky
*******
To Every One
That was a great event. Sorry I missed it but hope to be
around for next years .
Congrats from Sunny Oman
Muffy Kerr
*******
Jesters care for kids – 2004
Today I woke up to a bright sunshine on one side of my
home and thunder and rain on the other side. It only lasted a few minutes
but was cloudy and sprinkled the rest of the day.
Remember that old song by Steely Dan, ‘Do it again’?
Well the Jesters and the Diana Garden Resort ‘did it again’ with the
annual Care for Kids Fair. I think it’s time to name that song as its
theme song for the children’s fair.
Jack Shook, Khun Ann, Khun Jai and I also had another
great opportunity to take 8 kids from Victory Family Church plus Li’l
Yuupin my neighbor. Thank goodness we had plenty of help with the kids
because this year they each grew a little bit more and we’re very active.
Khun Doi and his wife take care of them each and every day. I don’t know
how they do it but it’s just another example of good Thai people with big
hearts.
Li’l
Yuupin is a tale by herself. I first saw her when I was coming home from the
gym. Her parents were working at a new hotel close to my humble room. A
little girl sits alone without a smile, no shoes and a little dusty as 30
Thais continue to do their jobs. She plays with 2 pieces of cardboard and
some small broken concrete but she appears content. I’m still amazed how
Thai children can be so happy with almost nothing. On this day she has no
friends to play with, but in the days to come that will change.
The next day I buy her some milk and a snack but only
with the approval by her mom. Then almost everyday I buy her something to
eat and drink. She wais me in the usual Thai fashion as her mother
and father look on. I’m just so happy to do something for her. As the days
go by she starts to smile and laugh and chases me down our dusty alley. Now
some other girls move in next to her and she finally has some playmates but
she doesn’t have any toys. The other Thai kids share their dolls with her
and all are happy. I’m still amazed.
A few days before the children’s fair I have an idea to
ask her parents if Khun Jai and I can take her with us along with the Mercy
Care Center kids. Some of the Thais said it probably won’t happen. I tell
them I understand but as luck would have it her papa works in my room for 3
days. I mention it to him but he’s not sure he has to ask the boss… his
wife. On the morning of the fair mom approves and lil’ Yuupin wants to go
with papa farang.
Khun Jai and I pick her up and go to Victory Family
Church to pick up the rest of the kids. They all have yellow shirts on so we
can identify them in the event they take off on their own. We get permission
from Pastor Dianne to leave early and we’re off to McDonald’s. The kids
start to scatter but then form a line and we walk slowly to have a much
liked breakfast. Thai kids love French fries. The ladies at McDonalds have
everything arranged with colorful balloons on the tables and are so
professional with their service. After we eat they offer us a game and not
only did the kids love it, all of us adults had a blast just watching them
play. They win some prizes and now McDonalds gives them another gift
package.
We hop onto a baht bus and we’re off to the Diana
Garden Resort. A very professionally run organization. A little cloudy today
with a few drops of rain but no downpour. First on the list is to get all
the kids a new ‘Jesters Care for Kids’ t-shirt. We arrived early enough
but even the smaller shirts were big for some. Then we’re off to paint
some statues and get their faces painted. I’m looking for the ponies but
can’t find them. Later I run into Woody and he tells me the horses are
taking a break. We watch the martial arts display and a giant cat frightens
lil’ Yuupin. It’s only 1 p.m. and she tells Khun Jai that she wants to
go home. I feel badly for her but I understand. It’s all new to her
and no mom or pa in sight. We all have another snack at #7 booth (V.F.C.)
but I have to tell Pastor Fred and Khun Doi I must leave early today.
Our baht bus drops us off at our hotel and lil’ Yuupin
is loaded down with balloons and bags of other gifts. She sees her pa and
they both smile. We take one last photo and her mom is right there working
by the pool. She’s also very happy as mom and baby are together again.
My heart is happy as I realize how lucky I am. Many
thanks to Jack Shook, Khun Ann, Khun Doi and his wife, Khun Jai (my
tee-lock) and Pat from Scotland. The Jesters, Diana Garden Resort and the
Victory Family Church. We’ll be back!
Sincerely,
Jess Salazar
New
graduates file out of the commencement hall, relieved that the ceremony is
over, but most heading out into an unsure, yet exciting future in an
interesting world.
