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Buddhists line the streets to view once in a lifetime event
Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from three countries taken on religious procession through Pattaya
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Thousands of devotees, monks, students and the general
public lined Pattaya streets to witness the grand religious procession of
the ‘Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha’ in Pattaya.
The procession at 4 p.m. on Friday December 10, from in
front of city hall, and made its way through the city, led by Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn and city administrators.
Thousands
of devotees turned out for the event and paid homage to the Lord Buddha.
The spectacular parade was led by 9 magnificent
elephants decorated in the “Pe-Ra-He-Ra” style from Sri Lanka, and
stretched out 1 kilometer along the city’s streets. Exciting Sri Lanka
“Pe-Ra-He-Ra” dancers preceded the float carrying the sacred relics.
Crowds of people lined the footpaths and roads to view this
once-in-a-lifetime display. The procession was divided into 4 categories
of activities: Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, death, and the first
sermon.
 The
sacred relics were brought through Pattaya in a grand procession, which
stretched out 1 kilometer along the city’s streets.
The Lord Buddha’s relics from Sri Lanka, Burma and
Thailand arrived in Pattaya on December 3 and were placed at the
Jitrabhawan Buddhist College in Banglamung.
This ancient Buddhist tradition allows devotees to view
the relics as a way of renewing their faith. The relics are symbolic of
the Buddha’s reappearance among his followers. Thus, the Buddha relics
are the symbols of Buddhism qualities and characteristics of
enlightenment.
Banglamung
school children took part in the ceremonies.
Relics ensure that the presence of Buddha is
perpetuated. These are always kept in monasteries, where they are
enshrined in stupas. Before the first century, relics were instrumental in
spreading Buddhism and establishing new centers of religious significance.
On their arrival at Jitrabhawan Buddhist College the
revered relics were placed in the great hall of prayer at the renowned
institution of Buddhist learning in Pattaya. This act has now made the
location holy and the central focus of Buddhism in Thailand for the next
10 weeks.
The Buddha relics will reside in this location until
February 28. They will be open to the public to worship everyday from 9:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
 Phra
Thep Kittipanyakhun, chief abbot of Jitrabhawan Buddhist College said,
“The purpose of installing the Buddha’s relics is to encourage
Buddhists to be united. Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, death, and the
first sermon are also symbolic in Buddhism. Buddha’s death was 2547
years ago, but his influence and teachings are still highly respected by
all Buddhists. It is considered a great honor to be able to pay respects
to the Buddha relics at least once in your lifetime.”
This is the first time ever that the relics have been brought to this
region of Thailand, and the event is causing a tremendous religious
impression on the Thai and foreign community.
Sri
Lankan “Pe-Ra-He-Ra” dancers were part of the spectacle.
The
traditional Thai long drums signaling the arrival.
A
total of 9 elephants decorated in the “Pe-Ra-He-Ra” style from Sri
Lanka led the procession.
David Farr, CEO of Emerson Electric Co., visits Emerson Electric Thailand
David Farr, CEO of Emerson, visited Emerson Electric
Thailand on December 9. He was accompanied by Jim Berges - president of
Emerson, Mark Bulanda - vice president for planning, Stephen Hassell -
vice president and chief information officer, Paul McKnight - vice
president for organization planning, Katherine Button Bell - vice
president and chief marketing officer, Bill Bosway - president for Emerson
Climate Technologies Asia Pacific and George Georgoplulos - director of
Emerson Corporate Security. This was the first time in seven years that
the Thailand plant was visited by such high ranking officers from Emerson
corporate headquarters.
 David
Farr, Jim Berges and Bruce Hoppe listen to Watcharin’s presentation on
Quality.
CEO Farr and his group arrived by helicopter at around
2 p.m. They were welcomed by Bruce Hoppe - managing director of Emerson
Electric Thailand, and Steve Stewart - vice president for Emerson Climate
Technologies Asia Pacific Operations. They were then escorted to the main
office using tuk-tuks that were specially hired for their visit. They
proceeded to the conference room for MD Hoppe’s company overview
presentation.
Keerati
points out the motor area for David Farr and his group.
Without further delay, the group was then led on a line
tour of the Thailand facility. The line tour had 20 stops, with each stop
having a presenter and a presentation chart. The presenters were a mix of
managers, supervisors, and line operators. CEO Farr and his group went
around the line for about an hour. The last stop was the training room,
where the department managers eagerly awaited his arrival. Farr and his
group met Hoppe’s managerial staff and after having a few refreshments,
shared a few words of encouragement.
Bruce
Hoppe leads Jim Berges, David Farr and Bill Bosway in the line tour.
David Farr said he was very impressed with the Thailand
facility. He even jotted down a few notes where he felt other Emerson
plants had to catch up on. He was proud of the plant, and everyone in the
room was equally proud as well. He took a particular interest in the
installation of the new production line, because he was able to see for
himself what was becoming of the capital investments in this facility. He
commended everyone for a job well done and to keep up the good work.
 David
Farr and Bruce Hoppe take a tuk-tuk ride to the plant.
They took the helicopter ride back to Bangkok at about
4:30 p.m. Upon their departure, another group of Emerson visitors arrived.
These were a group of over 40 Emerson division managers who have never
seen the facility of Emerson Electric Thailand. After some snacks, Bruce
Hoppe gave them a company overview presentation, and they were then lead
to the factory floor for a line tour. The group departed after an hour and
headed back to Bangkok. This group was also very complementary and was
extremely impressed with everything they saw.
December 9, 2004 will mark Emerson Electric Thailand history as the day
the CEO of Emerson Electric Co. visited the Thailand plant.
David
Farr, CEO of Emerson Electric Co.
Jim
Berges talks to the management staff of Emerson Electric - Thailand.
Bruce
Hoppe (far left) and Steve Stewart (far right) welcome David Farr (second
from left) and his entourage. The people from L to R are as follows: Bruce
Hoppe, MD of Emerson Electric – Thailand, David Farr, CEO of Emerson
Electric Co., Kathy Button Bell, vice president and chief marketing
officer of Emerson Electric Co., Steve Hassell, VP and chief information
technology officer of Emerson Electric Co., Jim Berges, president of
Emerson Electric Co., Mark Bulanda, VP of planning for Emerson Electric
Co., Bill Bosway, president of Emerson Climate Technologies Asia Pacific
and Steve Stewart, VP & general manager of operations, Copeland Asia
Pacific.
The 50 Baht Breakfast
– Exactly what do you get?
The results of a practical survey are given here; each
establishment was visited twice and the most basic breakfast ordered as a
paying customer! The researcher is English and knows his breakfasts.
Cool House
Cool House is located in the Tops Supermarket car park
on Pattaya Klang, so off-road parking is available. There is a choice of
eating areas; inside with air-conditioning for non-smokers or outside,
shaded and under fans for the smokers. Reading matter in the form of
newspapers and magazines was available. Opening hours are 9 a.m. until
late, and at 8.55 a.m. on both visits the venue was already up and
running.
 The
place was spacious, clean and tidy, the staff (youngsters) were plainly
but smartly dressed in white shirt dark skirt / trousers and friendly with
some knowledge of English relating to the food. A more mature lady was
also around overseeing operations.
Attendance at the table was prompt and a menu was
offered but declined. The “American” breakfast was ordered with bacon
and coffee options taken. Within minutes there arrived a glass of
pineapple juice, cup of coffee, knife and fork in a paper napkin and
sugar/creamer sachets. Shortly thereafter the breakfast was served and
comprised: two lightly fried eggs, two rashers of streaky bacon, two
slices of toast, butter in foil and a portion of strawberry jam. All of
which was well presented on a large black plate. Tomato and brown sauce,
salt and pepper were all to hand.
The juice was fruity and tasty, the coffee good and the
breakfast itself excellent taste and value and sufficient for those who
are past the “all you can eat” stage of their lives.
The only noticeable differences between the visits were
that one time the bacon was crispy and the bread only lightly toasted
while on the second visit the bacon was lightly cooked (preferred
personally) and the toast browned correctly.
The cost, as advertised above the door, 50 baht!
Thip Sandwich Cafeteria
This cafe is on the South East corner of the junction
of Pattaya Klang with Third Road, parking is on the street. There is
seating for about 40 diners in a fan-cooled room; if the doors are open it
can be noisy with passing traffic. Reading matter is substantially Thai.
Opening hours are 8.30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The young staff were well dressed and the tables, etc.,
were clean and tidy. A mature supervisor was in evidence.
A menu was offered but the advertised basic breakfast
was ordered with bacon and coffee options rather than the ham / sausage or
tea alternatives. Service was very prompt, the breakfast and accoutrements
arriving together. A small jug of creamer was provided for the coffee
while the sugar was in a bowl on the table along with salt, pepper and
sauces.
 The
breakfast consisted of two fried eggs and two rashers of streaky bacon
crisply done. Two slices of toast, a pat of butter and a blob of marmalade
were on a side plate accompanied by a glass of ice water.
The breakfast was excellent and the coffee good. The
only adverse comment would be that the blob of marmalade was insufficient
for two slices of toast.
As expected, the cost was 50 baht on both visits.
Boat Restaurant
Located on the east side of 2nd Road some 250 metres
from South Pattaya Road in the direction of Pattaya Klang. Parking is
where you can find it.
 The
sign outside advertises breakfast from 36 baht; bacon and coffee were
requested from the options available.
The service was very nearly instant even though the
place was almost full and obviously very busy at 9 a.m. A 500 m.l. bottle
of Singha water and a glass full of ice landed at the same time as plate
with two slices of toast, a butter in foil pat and a small bowl of
marmalade jam. Coffee with a jug of creamer and bowl of sugar arrived
simultaneously with the breakfast.
The eggs were very lightly fried and the crispy bacon
consisted of several scraps rather than a full rasher or two. The
breakfast and toast tasted fine, there was ample marmalade for one slice
but doubtful for a second slice of toast. Cost, the princely some of 38
baht.
The choice is yours, if you are really in a hurry and want the cheapest
available then choose the Boat, all round Cool House is probably the most
pleasant, relaxed and satisfying. You get what you pay for and the quality
is good in all three.
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