|
HM King Chulalongkorn the Great
Fond memories of a Great King
His Majesty King
Chulalongkorn the Great
This Tuesday, October 23, the Kingdom of
Thailand observes Chulalongkorn Day. It is a national holiday, and as
such, all banks and most offices will be closed for the day.
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) was born in 1853, the
son of His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV) and Her Majesty Queen Thep
Sirinthorn. In 1868, He was given the title Duke ‘Meun
Phikhartnaresueansurasangkas.’
HM King Chulalongkorn ascended the throne in 1868, with the title
‘Phrabat Somdej Phra Paraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn Bodinthorn Thep
Phaya Maha Mongkut Burutsaya Ratanaraj Rawiwong Warut-tapong
Saboripatara Wora Khatiyaraj Nikarodom Jaturatana Borom Maha
Chakarapaddiraj Sangart Boromtammika Maha Raja Thiraj Boromanat Bopitara
Phra Chulachomklao Chao Yoo Hua’.
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn lived with one purpose in his mind and
heart: the happiness and well-being of the Siamese people. His Majesty
would often dress as a commoner and move among his people with only two
or three advisors. In this way, he could find out how his subjects
really felt and see what was happening in his Kingdom.
There is one famous story of His Majesty and two counselors who, after a
hard day’s travel, stopped at a farmer’s house to ask for a drink of
water. Rural hospitality being a hallmark of Thai people, the family
asked the three strangers to stay and have food with them. Speaking
freely, the farmer and his wife told the strangers of how their life was
progressing and what they would like to see done for their village by
the ‘Great King who lives in the Palace in Bangkok.’ The farmer’s son
noticed that one of the strangers looked familiar. He went and looked at
a daguerreotype the family had of the King. Running back to the group,
the family learned that they were serving food to the ‘Lord of Life’ in
Siam. HM King Chulalongkorn the Great did this often and thus became ‘in
touch’ with the needs of the Siamese people.
Another story of the great love and respect happened in 1893. The
territory hungry French had formulated a plan to take the Siamese
territory of Laos and certain valuable territories on the Eastern
Seaboard which produced precious rubies and sapphires.
In a carefully formulated plan, a French warship entered the Chao Phraya
River. It was required by international law that all foreign ships fly
their colors when entering the waters of another sovereign country. The
French deliberately did not do this. When hailed by the river guard to
fly their colors, the French ignored the guard. The guard fired a
warning shot over the French ship’s bow.
The French Embassy in Bangkok was prepared in advance to carry out the
plan. Bringing a letter sent from France months before the incident, it
stated that Siam had performed an act of aggression on the French and
must pay huge reparations.
The French were not prepared for what happened next. Hearing of the huge
demands, Siamese both wealthy and poor brought cartloads of jewels,
precious metals and every valuable possible to the Royal Palace and
offered it to His Majesty to keep the French out of Siam.
The French had not imagined that Siam was so wealthy and the people so
devoted to their King.
Siam was able to pay the reparations but the French, deciding this was
not enough, took all Siamese territory east of the Mekong River.
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn was wise, knowing that Siam could not
resist the French and British and held the motto of ‘giving up some so
as not to lose all.’
Siam lost over 160,000 sq. kilometers of territory to the French and
British.
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn was the first Siamese monarch to visit
the West. He believed in adopting all things good from the West while
Siam kept its culture. The wise King Chulalongkorn made Russia a strong
ally of Siam to counteract the British and French influence in SE Asia.
He followed the Chinese concept of ‘have strong allies but make sure
their borders are far away.’
Many of the Royal Princes were sent to study in Russia. In His letters
to His sons, HM King Chulalongkorn wisely warned them ‘do not feel that
you are important because you are a prince. In Siam, there are many
princes, whereas in Russia there are few. Do the best you can at your
studies and that is enough.’
HM King Chulalongkorn’s most noteworthy achievement in Siam was the
abolition of slavery. He did not do this in a haphazard manner as it was
done in other countries. He devised a complex method of ‘freeing’ slaves
so that older ones would not be left in poverty with no place to live.
Younger slaves were to be released by ‘stages’, responsibility falling
to the owner to see that they had a way of supporting themselves.
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great is beloved of Thai people and
considered a truly ‘enlightened’ ruler among historians. His Majesty
died on October 23, 1910, after the second longest reign in the history
of the Thai nation.
He is remembered and loved by the Thai people and the date of his death
is commemorated every year. Ceremonies are held, offerings are made to
his memory and the entire student body from the university that bears
his name perform obeisance before his statue.
Locally, activities will begin at 8 am at the King Rama V monument in
front of the Banglamung District Office. This will include laying
wreaths at the King Rama V monument, the lighting of candles and joss
sticks to worship Buddha, blessing and prayer recital by monks, the Thai
National Anthem and the Royal Anthem will be played, the Sadhapakarana
rite will be performed, and there will be a presentation of the four
essential requirements of life (food, raiment, abode and medicine) to
the Buddhist monks.
Amnaj Charoensri, deputy district chief of Banglamung district,
announced that government officials and members of state enterprises
must dress in white suits; Red Cross members, community groups, village
chiefs, village headsmen, teachers and students must dress in their
uniforms; and the public should dress in yellow.
Would that all countries were so lucky to have one such enlightened
ruler in their collective histories.
Giant pan serves noodles to 2,000 during Vegetarian Festival opening day
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
The biggest cooking pan in Thailand, used to prepare Hongtae rice noodles
for serving endless numbers of people, was one of the main attractions of
the Pattaya Vegetarian Festival opening day, held at the Sawang Boriboon
Thammasathan Foundation offices.
Crowds were also treated to auspicious Paradise Plums, of which more than
2,000 were given out.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn (left) and mayoral advisor Ittipol Khunplome
solemnly deliver their sacred offering.
Sontaya Khunplome, former minister of tourism and sports chaired the opening
of the festival on October 10, with Santsak Ngampichet, Chonburi Province
senator, and Chanyuth Hengtrakul, former MP of Chonburi Zone 7 also present.
The festival started at exactly 12:29 p.m. with a grand parade from Bali Hai
Pier, with crowds of people joining in despite the rain. The parade ended at
the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation offices.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn on behalf of Pattaya City presented an
ambulance valued at more than 2 million baht to Visit Chaowalitnititham of
Sawang Boriboon.
The Hongtae rice noodles were made with the biggest pan in Thailand, its
diameter measuring 2.59 meters. On opening day, an enormous volume of
ingredients went into the giant pan, including 250 kg of mee sua noodles, 20
kg of shiitake mushrooms, 25 kg of ginkgo biloba, 25 kg of chestnuts, 400
white tofu cakes, 25 kg of cashew nuts, 15 kg of vegetarian pork, 20 kg of
soja sprouts, five bottles of flavored sauce, 5 kg of vegetarian sodium
glutamate, 5 kg of sugar, 1 kg of pepper powder, five bottles of white soy
sauce, and five cans of vegetable oil.
Sontaya, Chanyuth, Niran, mayoral advisor Itthipol Khunplome and Suchat
Denchoeychai, president of the Chefs’ Society of Pattaya City helped
distribute the noodles and the plums to a crowd estimated at 2,000.
The festival continues at the Sawang Boriboon offices, where booths have
been set up to sell food and other products, until October 20.
Masters of ceremonies Wannapa
Wannasri (left) and Pratheep Malhotra keep people informed as to what is
going on in Thai and English.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn
(2nd right) presents the keys to an ambulance to the Sawang Boriboon
Thammasathan Foundation.
(From left) Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn, Chanyuth Hengtrakul and Sontaya Khunplome stir the
Hongtae rice noodles in Thailand’s largest fry pan.
Throngs of hungry guests
devoured the Hongtae rice noodles.
Chinese masks and costumes add
color to the parade.
What’s a parade without a
marching band? And these talented youngsters performed brilliantly.
Acrobatics during the parade
kept everyone’s hearts in their throats.
Dressed in white, people
equipped with candles and joss sticks pay respect to the holy ground at
Pattaya Vegetarian Festival 2007.
The event began with the grand
dragon parade to bless the festivity’s location.
2007 PILC Holiday Bazaar is a fantastic success
Rachel Hoag
On Saturday, October 6, the Pattaya International Ladies Club held
its annual Holiday Bazaar and what a phenomenal success it was! From early
morning ‘til late afternoon, families and friends came together to shop,
relax, and enjoy refreshments all in the name of charity.
 PILC
President Rosanne Diamente (left) shows Dr. Tipawan Taerat around the
shopping area.
The locale, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, was incredibly suited to host this
event as they have done for several years running. It is always a pleasure
to work with Panga Vathanakul and her staff, especially Pornthip and Joey.
They were there every step of the way, from the organizational meetings, to
the smooth execution of the day’s events. They are true ambassadors to “The
Land of Smiles”.
At the opening ceremony, we heard speeches from the PILC Special Events
Chairwoman and Bazaar organizer Cindy Logue, PILC President Rosanne
Diamente, and the VIP guest of honor, wife of the governor of Chonburi, Dr.
Tipawan Taerat. After the ribbon cutting ceremony was so graciously
performed by Dr. Taerat, the doors to the Siam Ballroom opened with gusto to
a festive holiday atmosphere.
In all, 578 people enjoyed a day of shopping amid the colorful stalls. Over
65 vendors brought their wares, and many thanks go to them for making
available such a remarkable variety of fine quality indigenous and imported
goods. Among the items available were clothing, handbags, jewelry,
home-decor, baked goods, stationary, perfumes, and of course, holiday
decorations. All generous 66 vendors also donated gifts to the PILC to be
used in future raffles to raise additional funds for the PILC Welfare
projects.
The magnanimous sponsors this year were Transpo International Ltd., Volclay
Siam, and Foster Wheeler. Their generosity is astounding and to them we
offer our deepest gratitude in making this event a charitable
accomplishment.
The combined efforts of Special Events Chairperson Cindy Logue, joined by
her hardworking committee members, including Judy Clausen, Rachel Hoag,
Janet Seale, Alvi Sinthuvanik, Ingrid Cunliffe, Rosanne Diamente, Elaine
Poole, Kathleen Petras, Kavita Lamba, and a host of other PILC members
(especially the craft ladies) and volunteers were rewarded by raising over
400,000 baht, all benefiting PILC local charities.
The Welfare Projects adopted by PILC that benefited from the funds raised
last year are as follows: Street Kids’ Home, Scholarships (several local
schools), Fountain Of Life, Garunyawet Home For Disabled Ladies, Baan Jing
Jai, Our Home, Huay Pong Protection Centre, Koh Pai, Ban Chang School
Projects, Emergency Shelter in Chonburi, Kao Bai Sci School, Nikom 9 School,
Tamar Centre, and Ban Mu Eire.
Moms were free to shop without worrying about their kids, as the Children’s
Room saw loads of youngsters joining in games and a coloring competition
with coloring books sponsored by Nancy Chandler, and to enjoy the antics of
special clowns, provided by the generosity of Capt. and Mrs. Steve Ponter of
the Jesters.
Also a huge thank you goes to Kim and his wonderful staff from Jameson’s
Irish Pub who supplied lunch for the 60 odd Baan Jing Jai Orphanage children
and staff. Also many thanks to Amber with the Party Shop and Mr. Tuxedo and
his magic show troop, they had the children spell bound, it was fantastic.
Thanks to Marg and the ISE kids who came and did beautiful face painting.
The coloring competition results are as follows: 3 years old: Isabelle; 4
years old: Rerske; 5 years old; Sam, Twan, Jessica, Natcha, Eloise; 6 years
old: Puck, Victoria; 7 years old: Aidan; 10 years old: Charlotte, Salayana;
and 11-13 years old; Suppaitva.
Now, the PILC members are preparing for the second major fundraiser of the
year, the 20th Anniversary Masquerade Charity Ball to be held on Saturday,
November 17 at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Siam Ballroom. Tickets are still
available, which includes a welcome cocktail, a 4 course meal with wine, and
dancing and entertainment until 2 a.m. If interested in attending, contact
Cindy Logue.
The raffle prize winners appeared on page 29 in last week’s Pattaya Mail,
with one exception. Prize #52, a dinner voucher to Moon River Pub won by
Gerald Cook, was inadvertently left off the list. All prizes must be claimed
by Tuesday, November 6, 2007, or they will be used by PILC at a future date
to raise more money for their charities. To claim your prize, contact Cindy
Logue, 086-039-7811, or Rachel Hoag, 081-782-6118.
Dr. Tipawan Taerat (center)
cuts the ribbon to officially open
the PILC Charity Holiday Bazaar.
(L to R) Special Events
Chairperson Cindy Logue, PILC President Rosanne Diamente, Dr. Tipawan
Taerat, and Panga Vathanakul at the opening of the event.
Moms were free to shop without
worrying about their kids, as the Children’s Room saw loads of youngsters
joining in games and a coloring competition.
Concert raises funds for HIV sufferers
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A concert held in honor of His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday was staged
at Bali Hai Pier on October 5, the funds raised being donated to help HIV
sufferers.
 Privy
Councilor Admiral Chumpol Patjusanon presides over the opening of the event.
Palmy, performing with the T-Bone band, headlined the event, which was
organized as a cooperative venture between TITV, the Department of Public
Relations, the Phra Dabot Foundation, the Thai Red Cross and the Ministry of
Labor.
The concert was part of a series of events being staged throughout Chonburi
Province during the period August to December, and ties in with other events
organized in Nakhon Sawan, Surat Thani and Udon Thani.
Admiral Chumpol Patjusanon, who is a Privy Councilor, formally opened the
Bali Hai concert. In addition to the music and festivities, OTOP products
were on sale to raise funds, the Red Cross organized blood donations, and
the Labor Department handed out advice to job seekers.
With most of the audience wearing yellow shirts in honor of His Majesty, the
concert was a colorful event. All proceeds were donated to the Phra Dabot
Foundation.
|
Palmy thrilled her
Pattaya fans. |
T-Bone’s performance
was one for the ages. |
Local politicians and members of the Red Cross
pledge their allegiance to HM the King during the opening ceremonies.
The crowd was awash in yellow shirts in honor of
HM the King.
(Right) Nurses check people’s blood pressure
during the blood donation drive organized by the Thai Red Cross.
The Red Cross organized blood donations as part
of the celebrations.
Aussie eats national animal
Washes it down with Cabernet Sauvignon
Walter Thenisch, Executive
Chef, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Howard Duncan,
Ranjith Chandrasiri, Ron Batori and Alexander Haeusler receive
accolades at the end of the dinner.
Virach Siriprasert, VS Classic
Wines LP, Howard Duncan, Export Manager (Asia), Peter Lehmann Wines, Ron
Batori, President, BB&B, Panga Vathanakul, Managing Director of Royal Cliff
Beach Resort, Vitanart Vathanakul and Vathanai Vathanakul, Executive
Director, Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Miss Terry Diner
The Australian Winemaker’s Gala Dinner was another of the
star-studded culinary evenings held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. It was
an opportunity for the members of the Royal Cliff Wine Club, and their
guests, to appreciate one of the legends in Australian winemaking – with
seven different wines from the Barossa Valley’s Peter Lehmann wines.
To guide the diners through the evening was the Peter Lehmann export
manager, Howard Duncan, who described himself as someone who by virtue of
their job was able to indulge himself in drinking wine! In fact, he finished
his address by claiming that indulgence and enjoyment were an Australian
tradition.
The menu to complement the wines was another of Executive Chef Walter
Thenisch’s ‘tours de force’ with the emphasis on Australian ingredients,
including blue fin tuna, Tasmanian salmon, kangaroo loin, Australian beef
tenderloin and raspberry-passion fruit sherbet.
Australians come from one of the only countries in the world where they eat
their national animals, with both the kangaroo and the emu ending up on
dinner tables. The kangaroo dish as presented by chef Walter had prime
kangaroo loin on braised veal shank ravioli in Oolong tea flavored chicken
broth with sago pearls and lotus root shavings. This was an amazing item,
with the kangaroo meat very soft and tender and not overpowering in flavor.
This was washed down with a Peter Lehmann Barossa Art Series Cabernet
Sauvignon 2003, another smooth Australian red.
Whilst most of the wines sampled were in the RRP of 1000-1200 baht bracket,
there was one spectacular red, an Ambassador Range Stonewall Shiraz 2002,
which retails around B. 6000 in Thailand. This was universally popular, and
also very rare in this country, with Ron Batori from Bangkok Beer and
Beverage, one of the sponsors of the evening, admitting that even he had not
tried this wine before. It really was superb and complemented a wonderfully
tender Australian beef done in a Barossa Valley shiraz glace.
At the end of the evening, Howard Duncan, Walter Thenisch and the Royal
Cliff crew were all thanked by the Wine Club president Ranjith Chandrasiri
and they deserved the rousing applause given to them by the full house of
diners.
For those interested in joining the Royal Cliff Wine Club, you can contact
Ranjith on email [email protected]
Dr. Olivier Meyer, Dr. William
van Ewijk, Alexander Haeusler, General Manager, Royal Cliff Beach Resort,
Elfi Seitz, Pattaya Blatt, Trutz Fiddickow, Due Fiddickow, Dieter Précourt.
Royal Cliff wine dinners are
all the rage in Pattaya.
|
