|
Pattaya brings in 2006 with flair
Crowds of Thai and foreign visitors pack into Pattaya to celebrate the New Year
Staff Reporters
Pattaya was packed with Thai and foreign tourists on
New Year’s Eve, all gathering to see out the old year in style and to
welcome in 2006.
Much of the action centered on Walking Street, where
crowds of mostly foreign tourists gathered in the bars and restaurants and
discos, or simply walked in the street enjoying the atmosphere and
shopping at the stalls many of the shop owners had set up in front of
their premises.
As usual, Soi 8 was complete madness, with fireworks
blasting the streets and the skies. The noise was at times deafening, but
the New Year’s revelers didn’t seem to mind.
People who dared venture out onto Pattaya Beach amidst
the barrage of fireworks being fired from the beach towards the sea, were
given plenty more room to do so thanks to a low tide. When midnight
struck, fireworks were being lit up by seemingly every hotel in town. With
last year’s New Year’s festival having been cancelled due to respect
for tsunami victims, it seemed as though this year all the fireworks had
been saved up from last year and added to this year’s batch, producing a
long, spectacular show.
Down at Bali Hai Pier, the city-hired promotions
company organized a countdown and brought along celebrities from RS
Promotions to participate in the fun. A center stage was erected for the
stars to perform and surrounding the stage lots of food stalls and beer
booths were set up which made the event look busier than in previous
years. A grand fireworks display from the shores near the pier heralded
the arrival of 2006 there.
There was plenty of action in the hotels, too. The
Mercure Hotel, Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa, Montien Hotel, Dusit
Resort and Hard Rock Hotel were all packed. The Montien had a colorful
night party, and the Hard Rock had everyone dress up in colorful attire
and provided the materials in which to do so, while the Modern Dok Group
put on a display that was enjoyed by all.
Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa had a Discover Thailand
Night and the Dusit Resort had a Viva Forever gala dinner, with the hotel
decorated in flowers. Guest appearances were put in by former Miss
Thailand Chalida Thaochali Thantipipob and the renowned singer Nantida
Kaewbuasai.
For Pattaya it was a time of great rejoicing, not only because of the
great time had by all, but because it is estimated the local economy
benefited by hundreds of millions of baht during the festivities.
The
large number of tourists brought smiles to the faces of Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn and city administrators.
Thousands
of revelers joined the fun at Bali Hai Pier.
Pisit
Ketphasook presides over the opening ceremony. |
Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn made merit for the New Year. |
Beautiful
actresses from Academy Fantasia AF2 excited the crowd. |
Celebrities
from Academy Fantasia AF2 added color to the event. |
Foreign
tourists came to understand Thai-ness at the Marriott. |
Thousands
of adoring fans crowded the stage to catch a glimpse of their
favorite celebrities from Academy Fantasia AF2. |
Happy
New Year 2006! |
Pattaya
was packed with tens of thousands of tourists, especially along
Walking Street in South Pattaya. |
Dancing
in the New Year at Hard Rock. |
The handsome
young winner of the lucky draw at Dusit Resort’s Viva Forever
celebration won two return air-tickets Bangkok-Chiang Mai and a stay
at D2 Hotel Chiang Mai. |
Happy
New Year! |
The
Montien had a colorful night. |
|
Modern
Dok performed live at Hard Rock which everybody enjoyed. |
The
Montien set up a Thai Game Zone that everyone enjoyed. |
Families
celebrated New Year at the Mercure Hotel. |
Families
celebrated New Year at the Mercure Hotel. |
|
The
crowds were awed by the fireworks. |
The crowds were
awed by the fireworks. |
Pattaya dazzles with a fun and merry Christmas weekend
With December 24 and 25 falling on the weekend this year,
Christmas in Pattaya was a particularly lively, busy and colorful affair.
Events were organized throughout Pattaya. The Diana Inn
held a party for guests and visitors with a grand buffet and live music, and
a fireworks display as a grand finale.
The Green Tree Pub staged a concert featuring “The
Better”, regarded by many as the best Beatles tribute band in Thailand,
and gifts were given out by the most beautiful Santas, or Santa-esses to be
more exact, in an atmosphere of great Christmas merriment.
 Mercure
Pattaya was also a popular venue with bags of atmosphere, plenty of fun and
a grand dinner.
Dusit Resort held a Christmas party with general manager
Chatchawal Suphachayanont and his team on hand to provide a warm welcome.
Participants in the FTV Beach Award 2005 dressed in Thai silk costumes and
provided a floor-show for guests.
The Montien decorated its restaurant with a large
Christmas tree and there were Mr Santas and lovely Mrs Santas on hand to
greet guests.
The Thai Garden Resort and the Balcony Restaurant offered
special food at special prices on the 24th and 25th.
St Nikolas Church set up two stages with performances by
children and lots of games with exciting prizes like refrigerators,
microwave ovens and different sizes of color TVs. Santa also gave out
presents to the children.
Schools organized many children’s events. Oxford Junior
School organized a colorful event at Town in Town Hotel with the children
dressed in costumes and performing on stage, which was a great success, very
popular with the moms, dads and visitors.
 The
Queen Victoria Inn, home of the Charity Club of Pattaya, collected toys and
toiletries from the customers over Christmas for the Children at the
Camillian Centre Rayong - a home for Children and orphans affected from
birth by HIV/AIDS. Christina (not shown) and Malcolm Boden (2nd left), along
with Vic King (2nd right) arrived at the Camillian Centre bearing gifts and
handed them over to Georgina and Paddy at the Centre.
The Royal Cliff Beach Resort staged an elegant affair at
the Grill Room and Wine Cellar to the sounds of a pianist with nostalgic
Christmas melodies and many different sized Christmas trees placed around
the rooms. At the same time the Royal Wing organized carols by its main
pool.
Captain’s Corner staged a relaxed event with a buffet
and Christmas decorations. Shenanigans dressed its staff in Santa costumes
and partied. Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa organized a festival where
customers participated in stage performances, the evening ending with a
fireworks display.
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital had Santa visit the children and
Santa Jack gave treats to visiting youngsters. Children also performed a
lovely show and sang carols in front of the beautiful Christmas tree.
Large numbers of visitors arrived in Pattaya to take advantage of the
festive weekend. The traffic police had a lot of extra work but everything
kept moving. The city was full of life and color, a Christmas treat in a
tropical setting that everyone, Thais and foreigners alike enjoyed.
|
Many
people came to celebrate Christmas Mass at St George’s. |
Christmas
carols were sung by the pool at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. |
Santa
brought cheer to the Dusit Resort Pattaya. |
The
Children were truly excited to see Santa and Anna at the Green Tree
Pub. |
Santa
brought plenty of joy to the children at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.
|
Ginger
bread houses and Christmas trees were seen throughout Pattaya on
Christmas Eve. |
The
Green Tree Pub staged a concert featuring “The Better”, regarded
by many as the best Beatles tribute band in Thailand. |
Santa
and his helpers greeted the guests at the Montien Hotel Pattaya. |
School
children sang Christmas Carols at the Thai Garden Resort. |
Youngsters
rocked the house on Christmas at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. |
Many
families enjoyed the Christmas spirit at the Captain’s Corner. |
Pa Noi, family
and friends, especially the young ones, were caught up in the magic of
Christmas at the Diana Inn. |
It
was a rockin Christmas Eve at the Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa. |
Mercure
Pattaya was a popular venue with lots of atmosphere, plenty of fun and
a grand dinner. |
Scouts of the world unite to clean
Pattaya Beaches
Pledge to protect the environment
Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn (2nd) right joins other scouts in pledging to
protect and improve the environment.
Nine hundred scouts, here to participate in the 25th
Asia-Pacific Region Scout Jamboree 2005, converged on Bali Hai Pier in
Pattaya last week for a field trip organized to help protect the
environment.
 The
scouts were divided into two groups to participate in environmentally
friendly activities: long distance walking and Pattaya community
development. The long distance walkers set off from Bali Hai Pier and headed
towards Pattaya Public Park and on to Pratamnak Hill. The community
developers came well prepared with cleaning equipment like brushes and waste
bags. This group cleaned up the beaches from Bali Hai Pier to Dusit Resort
Pattaya.
Activities were also organized for the scouts and girl
guides along the route.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presided over the
welcoming ceremony, along with Camp Chief Sutham Phanthusak and Paulus
Taningdjaja, financial resources chairman from Indonesia.
 In
his welcoming speech, Mayor Niran said, “Pattaya is considered the gateway
to the East coast, and attracts more than 5 million tourists a year. With
the growing number of tourists and industry in the surrounding area, we put
every effort into the various improvements made to the infrastructure of
Pattaya, especially the water treatment plant that ensures the beaches are
now as clean as any of the best resorts in the world.
“We are moving toward of becoming one of the world’s
best resort cities. We now have a new indoor stadium, which can convert to a
world class convention center, and new traffic and transportation systems to
facilitate all tourists and business persons for when the new airport is
operational in the near future.
“We thank all the participants who choose Pattaya as one of your
activity spots and hope that you are impressed by our city and encourage
your friends and family to come visit us in the future.”
Scouts
participating in the 25th Asia-Pacific Region Scout Jamboree 2005 cleaned up
Pattaya’s beaches as part of their field trip here last week.
Dazzling opening ceremony of the
25th Asia-Pacific Scout Jamboree at Had Yao
HRH Princess Chulabhorn presided over the official
opening ceremony of the 25th
Asia-Pacific Scout Jamboree at Had Yao, Satttahip, Chonburi province.
 HRH
Princess Chulabhorn presided over the grand opening ceremony of the 25th
Asia-Pacific Regional Jamboree 2005 at Had Yao, Sattahip.
In her address, HRH Princess Chulabhorn welcomed
participants from around the world to the Scout Jamboree and went on to
say, “Scout activities and the ideology are well know and recognized
generally and attract youth from various cultures, languages, religions
and traditions. The activities instill honesty, virtues and compassion
towards each other, and peace without disputes. The organization of this
event is important and provides a great opportunity to give youths with
the same ideology the chance to get together in great numbers and practice
their skills and spread them to others and invite others to participate.
This is the advantage of the scout principles to create quality youth for
society as well as promote and raise up society.”
As a gesture of thanks, Surakiat Sathienthai, Deputy
Prime Minister presented a 25th
Asia–Pacific Scout Jamboree medal to HRH Princess Chulabhorn to
commemorate the event. Chaturong Chaisaeng, Minister of Education and
Director of the Asia–Pacific Scout Management Committee attended the
Princess in the presence of more than ten thousand scouts, volunteers and
officials who participated in this official opening ceremony.
After HRH Princess Chulbhorn had completed the official
opening ceremony, scouts from around the world raised the official flag of
the Asia–Pacific Scout Jamboree and sang ‘The Road to Peace’ and
‘Friends without Frontiers’. The show included Thai drums, foreign
drums and Thai vocals and emphasized relations between Thailand and all
the countries of the world.
In the past, the Asia–Pacific Regional Jamboree was
held
together with the National Jamboree of the countries in the World
Organization of the Scout Movement. For this event,the Management
Committee of the Asia–Pacific Region decided to separate the
Asia-Pacific event from the World Jamboree
At the Asia-Pacific Region Scout Leaders Summit held in
Indonesia, it was remembered that Thailand hosted the 20 th
Asia–Pacific Scout Jamboree so successfully and was fully equipped, so
it was agreed that Thailand should host the 25th
Asia–Pacific Scout Jamboree with the support of the Thai government.
This 25 th Asia–Pacific
Scout Jamboree is being held to celebrate the golden jubilee of the
Asia-Pacific Region Scouting Movement. Scouts from all over Asia, as well
as our local Thai Scouts will live together in the camp and join in
activities suitable for the development of both mind and body, with the
policies of the Ministry of Education aimed at revitalizing the Thai
Scouting Movement.
Thank you Had Yao News team
On behalf of the 25th APR Jamboree
Organizing Committee, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Pattaya
Mail Publishing Co. Ltd, for their outstanding dedication in producing and
publishing the Had Yao News, the best Jamboree newspaper ever.
Your expertise and professionalism in gathering news
and events of the 25th Asia Pacific Regional
Jamboree and then publishing them has enhanced the reading pleasure of the
scouts with news and information, making a big difference for the visiting
scouts from foreign countries and from Thailand.
The excellence of the news reported and photographs not
to mention the layout and quality of printing has impressed us to no end.
Your dedication and hard work has made this jamboree a
most meaningful and memorable one.
I also wish to thank all Pattaya Mail reporters that
were involved in producing the Had Yao News, namely, Patcharapol Panrak,
Chatchanan Chaisiri, Kanitha Panrak, Ekchai Kamolsri, Ariyawat Nuamsawat,
Narisa Nitikarn, Vimolrat Singnikorn and Montri Kochawong. The newspaper
layout and graphics work by Boonsri Suansuk is excellent. A special thank
you to Suwanthep ‘Tony’ Malhotra for his assistance and Suchada
Tupchai, the editor of this fine publication.
I also commend the hard work of the Jamboree Public
Relations Team led by Luz Taray, Director, Publication & Relationships
World Scout Bureau / Asia Pacific Region and Cholaros Nongpha the PR
Director of the APR Jamboree and their team who were committed to
supporting all aspects of this newspaper.
I thank the International Service Team (IST) for their
cooperation and input towards this publication.
I thank everyone for their sacrifice, dedication and
determination in making this jamboree a most successful one.
Unity in heart and mind is the greatest force that
leads to success!
Sutham Phanthusak
International Commissioner - Camp Chief
25th Asia Pacific Regional Jamboree
Had Yao: Paradise for
water sports activities
Let us introduce to you some of water sports activities
and beach activities through the guidance of the Royal Thai Navy right
here at Had Yao.
Beach activities include tug-o-war, chair-ball,
Frisbee, rattan ball and football. In the water the fun includes diving,
surfing, kayaking, inflatable boating, and water-tank boating. Each one
should be well explained so that all would be able to properly enjoy
various actions and new knowledge could be gained such as building a raft
and rowing techniques. The area also includes exhibitions displaying
various water sports activities. All can also join in the painting of the
beautiful beaches where stickers will be given as souvenirs. Scouts can
exchange their badges to create friendship beyond boundaries.
Play around in the mud,
it’s good for your health
At Lokapiwatt village, mangrove forest activities have
been organized near Had Yao by Wat Kao Ta Krao School, Ban Laem in
Phetchaburi province.
Mud has been brought from Ban Laem to make a dirt pit
with mangrove trees surrounding it. A pond has also been built that contains
varied species of sea life which will be used in nature preservation
activities and instill awareness in these youths, the future of society, the
importance of mangrove forests which can revitalize life cycles and the
balance of nature.
 Mr.
Bamrung Muang-maitong, the director of Wat Kao Ta Krao School said that the
last time that Thailand hosted the world scout jamboree at Had Yao the
school brought along the mangrove forest activities and scouts from Europe
showed great interest and played in the mud pits. These are not popular with
Thai children as they are viewed as filthy and disease riddled. Not so for
the scouts. The organizing committee of the 25th
Asia-Pacific Jamboree decided to reintroduce the activities into the present
event.
 After
the World Jamboree had ended a foreign publisher took samples of the mud for
testing and they discovered that the mud was not like any other mud as it
had great skin disease healing properties. It also helps to balance the
body’s four minerals. They also said the mud is very expensive abroad as
some people cover their bodies in it twice per year.
Today children from Wat That Thong School in Bangkok learned about the
properties of the mud and played in it, especially Miss Orathai Klan Prasom,
15, who weighs 105 kilograms and played in the mud hoping to lose some of
her excess weight.
Marine Scouts participate in
Asia–Pacific Region Jamboree
The Marine Scouts are just another of the branches of the
Scout movement in Thailand. Prof. Piyavalee Banchuen from Prakhanong
Wittayalai explained the origins of the Marine Scouts. The Marine Scouts
first started during the reign of King Rama VII who established the Marine
Scouts, so that scouts who lived near the sea could learn about sea life,
swimming, life saving, and the way of life of boat people. The Marine Scouts
are supported by the Royal Thai Navy who allow them to use its facilities
for learning and navy officers provide theoretical and application training.
The Marine Scouts are participating in the Jamboree. The leaders and the
Marine Scouts have set up a field study center which tells about the
history, their Royal Heritage and symbols. The Marine Scouts have generated
interest from other Thai and International Scouts and are also making new
friends.
The Circle of Peace and Culture
On the first day of the Scout Jamboree activities
stipulated by the Asia–Pacific Region Scout Jamboree organizing
committee, there were eight activities including Lokapiwatt Village, Water
activities, the Science Center, long distance walk, the Circle of Peace
and Culture, scouting skills, and a community development field trip.
 The
Circle of Peace and Culture lasts three hours and is held twice per day
over four days. This activity emphasizes team-work and is divided into six
sub-categories, namely: the culture of our neighbours, nations and peace,
culture and peace, peace and human rights, free-time and late night shows.
Prof. Fuong Faa, Director of Benchamarachalai School
who is overseeing the project said it was created to promote peace among
the scouts, allow the children to listen to discussions and apply the
lessons. The activities are divided into four regions.
The Northern Region is honored by the presence of Prof.
Manit Wandaeng of Sankampaeng School who will teach umbrella painting, the
painting stages, brushing, whipping the tassels and the finished product.
The way of life of the Lanna people will also be shown and the local music
and musical instruments and the playing of the victory drums in ancient
times with songs. Paying respect to the Buddha while begging for victory
before going off to battle will be shown.
The Southern Region is lead by Surasit Chanchota, a
young man from the province of Nakhorn Sri Thammarat who will show the art
of dancing to classical tunes and Nang Talung puppet shows (puppets made
from cow hide) to the Thai and foreign scouts and visitors. Nang Talung
puppet shows have brought happiness to Thais for generations. Research
carried out by scholars has shown that at one time Nang Talung puppet
shows were held throughout the country. In Issan the shows were called
Nang Pra Motai. In the central region the shows were held in the cities of
Rachaburi and Phechaburi. In the south the shows were held everywhere and
especially in the southernmost provinces, the shows are called Wayang
Chiam or Wayang Kula.
The Eastern region brings along the tradition of the
Pra Bat Ox Cart which is an original tradition of Chanthaburi Province.
Officials told reporters that the Pra Bat Ox Cart Parade started over 100
years ago at Khalung District, Chanthaburi. A disease broke out and many
of the people died there and the locals were unable to treat themselves so
they paraded a Buddha footprint around the district; as a result the
drought was broken and the rivers swarmed with fish. In memory of this,
the ceremony is continued to this day.
Finally, the Issan region will show equipment used by the people from
the region in their daily lives for farming and fishing and there will
also be a display of weaving.
Baden Powell’s Jamboree Message
is even more pertinent today!
There is surely no-one in Scouting that would doubt the
message and aims of our Founder, Lord Baden-Powell, but in today’s
urbanized high pressure world of instant food and demands for instant
gratification, it can become easy to forget.
The
competitions show that only with unity can one cross safely to the other
side.
Seventy one years ago, Lord Baden-Powell stated at the
world Jamboree held in the State of Victoria, Australia, that, “The
outstanding need in the upbringing of youth today is an adequate system of
health culture.” He went on with some even more prophetic words, saying,
“It is easy enough to give the youngsters pleasure by taking them to
cinemas or parties, but that is merely giving them pleasure – a
momentary enjoyment – it is not happiness.”
“To take them out to live with Nature and see
something of the rest of the world; to give them individually the insight
to appreciate the beauty around them; to give them health and happy
companionship; to introduce them to the satisfaction gained from helping
others; these and other activities contribute to bring happiness and
content as an integral part of their character.”
“We try to train boys and girls not through
instruction by bookwork and precept, but by self-education through the
active doing of that which appeals to them – the practice of adventure,
backwoodsmanship, handicraft and service for others.”
As responsible Scouts and parents ourselves, this
message is clear. We must give the youth of today the opportunity to
experience real happiness as B.P. envisaged. The opportunity to explore
nature, to be with others of different creeds, nationalities and faiths,
and appreciate the natural beauty around them.
This is what the 25th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout
Jamboree offers you, at the campsite at Had Yao in Sattahip, Thailand. An
opportunity to be with nature, but in a safe and supervised environment.
You will mature, by experiencing ‘real’ life, not the concrete jungles
of the urban sprawls.
December 28 to January 3 saw the 25th Asia-Pacific
Regional Scout Jamboree gather at Had Yao, the second occasion that this
camp has hosted a huge assembly of Scouts. Had Yao was also the venue for
the 20th World Scout Jamboree held from December 28, 2002 to January 7,
2003, and opened by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Had Yao Camp is located on the Gulf of Thailand about
180 km, a two-hour drive, south of Bangkok, and about 30 km from Pattaya.
The ocean-side camp covers an area of 6,500 rai (app. 2,570 acres), has a
beautiful beach, and numerous islands lay just offshore. The surrounding
area is one of great natural beauty, and there are many places of interest
including a number of temples, several fishing villages, the HTMS Chakri
Naruebet aircraft carrier, and Nong Nooch Garden with its lakes, botanical
gardens and cultural center.
The jamboree is being held under the theme of Scouting:
The Road to Peace, and the Ministry of Education and the National Scout
Department are sharing the responsibility for its organization. The
minister of education is directing the operations, assisted by the
secretary-general of the Vocational Education Committee, the commander of
Sattahip Naval Base, the governor of Chonburi province, and other
supporting departments.
Organizing an event of this magnitude involves many
aspects including adaptation of buildings and all facilities, completing a
thoroughfare, and supplying utilities including a sewage system and a
health and safety administration.
This is the height of Thailand’s tourist season, and
you will enjoy excellent weather conditions. Many of you will visit
Sattahip and Pattaya prior or after the jamboree for a holiday, and they
will also have the opportunity to travel to Chiang Mai, Phuket and
Bangkok.
Way back in 1934, Lord Baden-Powell was even more of a visionary when
he discussed super-nationalism, party politics, sectarian differences and
class war, saying, “Part of our aim is therefore to widen the outlook of
our future citizens, so that they may see beyond such narrow-mindedness
and aim for the good of their country and their fellow men.” That
message is even more pertinent today in our somewhat troubled world. You
should not grow up without an understanding of the fact that the world is
made up of different races, but inside we are all the same. The 25th
Asia Pacific Regional Jamboree is giving you the chance to see this truth
for yourselves.
Scout Tournaments prove that Unity is Strength
 A
fun part of the Jamboree is participating in the Scout Tournament.
These games included Pioneering Activities and scouts
had to show their skills at making rope knots, climbing the Stilt Tower,
the Look Out Lift, the Elevated Tent, the Flag Pole the Swing Boat and the
Trapeze Bridge.
The other tournaments included Adventure Challenges
where the challenges could be overcome by working together.
Camp Life and Magic Knots taught the scouts about life
in the open, where one learned how to erect a tent, build shelves and
other basic necessities including the skills of tying rope knots.
Raya Shahba Ahmed from Pakistan proudly told Had Yao News that this was
his first trip to Thailand and that he had made a lot of friends. He then
showed us his finished Lookout Lift that he and his team built.
Courageous scouts overcome the mental and physical challenges of camp life
At our Jamboree here at Had Yao we are so delighted to
have amongst us 50 very special scouts joining in activities especially
designed for them.
These brave and talented scouts have traveled all the way
from the Sri Sangwan Schools for the physically challenged in Khon Kaen and
Nonthaburi, the Sot Sueksa School for the Deaf in Chonburi, Panya Nukul
school for the mentally challenged in Rayong and the School for the Blind in
Chiang Mai.
Even though the challenged scouts have a much harder time
participating in all the activities when you look at their faces, you feel
joyful because they are always smiling and laughing as they go about their
scouting business.
We had a chance to speak to some of them and all of them
as if in one voice said, ‘we are so happy to be here participating in the
Had Yao Jamboree. We have met so many scouts from many different countries
and have made so many new friends.
 ‘We
gather as much knowledge and experience as we possibly can as we find it
more challenging than others and therefore are fully concentrated in taking
in as much information a possible.
‘The scouts have welcomed us with open arms and have
given us a lot of love. They don’t consider us to be burden to them. On
the contrary everyone plays together, eats and sleeps together. It makes us
feel like we are part of a great and warm family.
‘We have gained so much encouragement and strength from
their friendships.
‘This jamboree will forever remain in our memories. It may be a little
more difficult for most of us, but we have all decided that when we go back
to our home, we will use the teachings of our leaders and fellow scouts and
pledge to become decent members of society and do whatever we can for the
betterment of other less fortunate people in the world.’
The Camp Chief in action
No one said this was going to be an easy job. When Scout
Sutham Phanthusak took on the responsibility of becoming the Camp Chief of
the 25th Asia Pacific Regional Jamboree, he knew of
the enormous task that awaited him.
To look after the well-being of more than 10,000 children
is no mean feat.
Scout Sutham has traveled the world over attending
various Jamborees and Scout meetings in the past years, to see first hand
and to learn of the responsibilities that come with the position. And they
are vast indeed.
The Camp Chief must look after the children’s needs,
from the food they eat, the tents they sleep in, their personal hygiene,
health and daily needs. Even more so their safety and security. The camp
chief inspects the bathrooms, canteens, supermarkets and all the facilities.
Scout Sutham can be seen inspecting the grounds of the jamboree from dawn
until dusk everyday. But he still finds time to meet and greet hordes of
scouts who swarm around him, wherever he goes requesting him to sign their
Friendship & Communication passports.
Well done and thank you Sutham.
Gold Waste
Thailand uses about 600,000 tons of aluminum per year,
but recycles only 300,000 tons per year. In other words, 53 percent
becomes waste.
Thaepsirin School is one of the schools participating
in the Gold Garbage Project which is also being used as one of the
activities in the 25th
Asia–Pacific Region Scout Jamboree. This waste aluminum can be used for
making artificial limbs which are adapted to the special needs of
individual patients, like patients with a missing foot, a missing leg from
the knee down, thigh down or the whole leg.
The project is being helped greatly by Ken
Maunufacturing Company which acts as a holding center for donated aluminum
nationwide. The aluminum is divided into three classes, 100 percent
aluminum, aluminum part plastic and water bottle tops. The company melts
the waste and turns it into artificial limbs.
Thaepsirin School urges the public to donate can lids
and tops, pans or pots that are unusable to their nearest government
hospital or the Artificial Limb Project under Royal Patronage.
Some things that are useless to some, have great value to others.
Scouting in the APR countries
Scouting in the region is diverse yet similar in many
ways. Here’s a look at Scouting from country to country.
Australia is a leader in youth organization and
in volunteerism. Australia is prominent in organizing large-scale events
ranging from workshops; Asia-Pacific Jamboree, Ventures and Moots, World
Jamboree and World Conference.
Bangladesh is widely known for its tangible
contributions to community projects involving Scouts and villagers and its
partnerships with various international organizations.
Scouting was introduced in Bhutan in the 1970s.
In July 1999, Bhutan Scouts Association became member of World Scouting.
The association is growing steadily in collaboration with Bhutan’s
Ministry of Education and youth.
Brunei has a well-developed infrastructure in
the heart of the capital city with strong support from government.
Scouts of China is active and highly visible in
Scouting at region and world levels. The country hosted the World Scout
Moot in 2004.
Fiji is the hub of Scout associations in the
South Pacific. It has well-trained leaders and a good membership
potential.
Hong Kong is a model for infrastructure
development. It is an affluent association and its communication system is
efficient and comprehensive. It has hosted a number of prestigious events
in the region.
In India, the membership potential is vast, its
community development activities are nationally recognized, and
well-trained leaders have given a firm footing of volunteerism in the
country.
Indonesia has the highest Scout Membership in
the world. With its philosophical base and community development work,
Scouting is a fertile ground for national development.
Japan is one of the pioneers of Scouting in the
region and it is an example of a pioneer well-established organization.
Through partnerships, Japan is a generous contributor to a number
international events and projects in the region.
Scouting in Kiribati was introduced in 1914.
Scout programme includes ocean navigation, health education, and
traditional crafts.
Korea has reached a high level of development
with its efficient working system and good communications structure. Korea
hosted some of the largest gatherings in world Scouting.
Macau has been an associate member since 1983.
The Scout Association is stable in volunteer support and resources.
Malaysia has committed leaders who safeguard the
development of Scouting in the country. It has organized a number of
Scouting events in the region.
Scouting in Maldives has a vital role in the
education of young people and in environment projects in partnership with
the government.
Mongolia is known for its steadfast work for
street children. The abundant natural resources of Mongolia make it an
ideal place for outdoor activities.
Nepal’s natural attributes make Scouting
meaningful in the areas of community development and environmental
projects.
New Zealand has a strong Scouting organization.
It has a sophisticated youth programme and dedicated volunteerism.
In Pakistan, support from the government, media
and other international organizations are invaluable. It has established
its own Scout Cadet college.
Scouting in Papua New Guinea refocuses on
Scouting in the communities and in meaningful partnerships with other
organizations, one of which is to help solve emerging problem of AIDS.
Scouting in the Philippines has a strong public
image. Philippines is a pioneer in regional Scouting.
Singapore is known for the strong capability of
its leaders. It is one of the prime and experienced organizers of major
Scouting events in the region.
Sri Lanka enjoys the support of its government
and the private sector. Scouting complements the country’s natural
environment.
Scouting enjoys a huge support from the government of Thailand,
making it a capable organizer of world events, i.e. World Scout Conference
and World Jamboree. Thailand is host to the 25 th
Asia-Pacific Jamboree in 2005.
French Polynesia in the South
Pacific is the newest associate member in the region. The goal is to
contribute to the youth education in accordance to the constitution, the
goal, the principles and methods of Scouting.
Source : World Scout Bureaul Asia-Pacific Region
|
