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HM King Chulalongkorn the Great
Fond memories of a Great King
His Majesty King
Chulalongkorn the Great
This Thursday, 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.
PILC receives charity windfall from this year’s Christmas Bazaar
Marloes de Saegher, PILC
president,
addresses the crowd during the opening ceremony.
PILC Special Events Chair
Adene Paykel
welcomes shoppers to the 2008 PILC Christmas Bazaar.
Mukda Pattana-anek addresses
the audience
on behalf of Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat’s wife.
Mukda Pattana-anek,
representing Chonburi Governor
Pracha Taerat’s wife enjoys her Christmas shopping spree at the Royal Cliff.
Toy Ryser, president of the
Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard, raises funds for her club.
There must have been plenty of
exhausted shoppers with sore feet, as the Fountain of Life Women’s centre
earned over 6,000 baht from massages.
Waiter, what’s that fly doing
in my soup?
The clowns at Wiggle Town,
kindly sponsored by Captain Steve from Jesters, entertained the children,
freeing up parents to shop.
This year’s event brought out
the best in local shoppers and many groups that were willing to give it
their all for charity.
Kids from Ban Jing Jai,
wearing their brand new Jesters Care for Kids Charity t-shirts, brighten up
the event.
Marliese Fritz sells homemade
hand-painted abstract artworks to raise money for the Rotary Club Eastern
Seaboard’s clean water for schools project.
Shop ‘til you drop – there
were loads of Christmassy items to choose from.
There was no better time to
stock up on Christmas items, and help charity, too.
The PILC Special Events Team
(L to R) Brooke Begovich, Michelle McCann, Jacinta Farragher, Fran Laurent,
Adene Paykel and Rachel Hoag.
Adene Paykel
PILC Special Events Chair
The annual Pattaya International Ladies Club Christmas Bazaar marks the
beginning of the festive season, and not only has this year’s event brought
out the best in local shoppers, but also those willing to give it their all
for charity. On October 4, with the help of more than 700 shoppers from
Pattaya and Bangkok, the PILC Bazaar raised more than 450,000 baht - that’s
almost half a million baht just for local charity, a record amount.
 The
Crown Locations lion was another big hit with the kids.
When the doors opened at 10 a.m. the Siam Ballroom at the Royal Cliff Resort
was abuzz with excitement from vendors, shoppers, PILC members, charity
groups and children. Vendors were run off their feet with shoppers in a
frenzy, buying up goods not usually available here in Pattaya. New vendors
combined with past loyal vendors to provide a range of fabulous items from
beautiful handmade quilts to jewellery to Swedish Christmas decorations. It
was a visual feast. Many vendors reported a 100% increase in sales this
year, with shoppers not slowing down even in the midst of a global financial
crisis!
Shoppers also did a fantastic job supporting the local charities, many of
whom were selling handmade goods carefully crafted in the slum areas around
Pattaya. The Fountain of Life raised 16,000 baht, Kate’s Project 2,500,
North Star Library 7,000 baht, which will be used to buy more books, and the
Fountain of Life Women’s centre went home with more than 6,000 baht from
massages. Not bad for a newcomer. There must have been plenty of exhausted
shoppers with sore feet to help raise that amount of money!
Once again the bazaar proved just how dedicated the PILC and its members are
to local welfare projects. The Grand Raffle brought in 190,000 baht, that’s
more than 400 tickets sold, a huge effort from many of the members. The top
prize, a luxurious weekend for two at the Four Seasons in Bangkok was won by
Kim at Casa Pascal. And there couldn’t have been more deserving winners than
the two boys from the St Kid’s Drop In who won a two night stay at Cabbages
and Condoms! Congratulations to all the winners (more than 50 of you!) and
of course thank you all the non-winners who bought tickets and helped to
support this enormous fundraiser. The PILC arts and crafts ladies are also
worthy of a mention, their table raised 40,000 baht ... a great
contribution.
Amongst the charities this year was “Kate’s Project”, a project run by
Roisin Hall and her husband Andrew McCarroll, which they founded in 2006.
Roisin and Andrew visit Pattaya’s slum areas, talk to inhabitants and
provide aid. The objectives include re-housing families, buying school
uniforms for children to enable them to go to school and providing clean
water to improve health and hygienic conditions. The Pattaya International
Ladies Club pays for the school uniforms.
The Fountain of Life is also involved, and currently a “Centre of Hope” is
under construction. In this centre there will be free medical aid available
for residents of slum areas. Most of the slum residents have no valid
identities or registrations and they cannot use state-owned medical
facilities or even schools for their children. The goal is to give hope to
people in hopeless conditions and circumstances with many small but
efficient steps.
The Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard at the bazaar collected money for their
clean water for schools project. The recipient schools are equipped with
filters and water preparation facilities to prevent diseases caused by
contaminated water. The vice president of the Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard,
Marliese Fritz, has sold homemade hand-painted abstract artworks to raise
money for this project. But also local businesses are contributing to the
idea of the bazaar through donations and their presence at this event,
including Ursula Rothstein of Ursula’s Antiques who has been a frequent
vendor for many years.
Many of the shoppers would not have been able to spend as much as they did
if their children weren’t being entertained at Wiggle Town! An array of
activities kept those kids very busy as their parents’ shopped. Again the
clowns, kindly donated by Captain Steve from Jesters also kept them
enthralled.
Of course the PILC Christmas Bazaar would not be possible without generous
sponsors, the number one supporter this year Crown Relocations. Together
with Premier Homes, Transpo, Amata City, Foster Wheeler and Volclay Siam,
they donated 130,000 baht.
It is the PILC’s second biggest fundraising event for the year and the 2008
bazaar proved no different. The day and final achievement are a true
testament to what a community can do when it rallies together to help those
less fortunate.
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2008 PILC Bazaar Raffle Prizes
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BUSINESS
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PRIZE |
VALUE
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WINNER |
TICKET No. |
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1. Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok
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3 Days/ 2 Nights Inc Bf
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42,000
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Casa Pascal
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3742 |
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2. ICU
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Pearl Necklace
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Sheila
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2989 |
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3.California Wow
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3 Month VIP Membership
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10,000 |
S. Tumnang
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1919 |
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4. Dusit Thani Hotel-Pattaya
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3 Days/ 2 Nights Inc Bf
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J. Desaegher
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2053 |
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5. Royal Cliff Beach Resort
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Overnight Stay
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E. Vandeneynden
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11 |
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6. Amari Emerald Cove Hotel-Koh Chang
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Overnight Stay Inc Bf
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C. Charlton
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3311 |
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7. Asian Moon
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CD Cabinet
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S. Murray
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1314 |
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8. Bangkok Fine Wine
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6 Bottles Of Wine
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D. Tabor
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805 |
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9. Aquanauts Dive Centre
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Discover Dive Course
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4,000
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E. Denning
|
2005 |
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10. Landmark Hotel-Bangkok
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Overnight Stay Inc Bf
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M. Parino
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2132 |
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11. Central Gems
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Gift Voucher
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3,000
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Peach
|
3287 |
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12. Amari Mantra Pattaya
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Brunch For 2
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K. Somsiri
|
|
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13. Amari Orchid Resort-Pattaya
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Overnight Stay Inc Bf
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Margareta
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2910 |
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14. Amari Rincome-Chiang Mai
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Overnight Stay
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B. Crews
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824 |
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15. Amari Watergate-Bangkok
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2 Nights Inc Bf
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C. Cummins
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506 |
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16. Arinyak Handicraft
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Coffee Spoon Set - 6 Pc
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D. Knowles
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1097 |
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17. Arlani Jewellery
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Gift Voucher
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2,000
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Ka Pinun
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651 |
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18. Aromatic Studio
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Aromatherapy Voucher
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1,000
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G. Scherwitz
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803 |
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19. At Face
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Facial & Foot Spa (Volunteer Raffle) |
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20. At Face
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Facial & Foot Spa
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Panpan |
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21. At Face
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Facial & Foot Spa
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R. Opperman
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1686 |
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22. At Face
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Facial & Foot Spa
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Panpan |
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23. Balcony Restaurant
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Voucher
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2,000
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Woody |
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24. Ben Beauty Salon
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Voucher
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500
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Mxe Co Ltd |
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25. Bookazine
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Voucher
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1,000
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Annette
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1827 |
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26. Cabbages & Condoms Hotel-Pattaya
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2 Nights Inc Bf
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1659 |
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27. Cabbages & Condoms Hotel-Pattaya
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2 Nights Inc Bf
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L. St John |
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28. Café New Orleans Dinner
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Voucher
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1,000
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Dana Spicer
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2346 |
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29. California Wow
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3 Month VIP Membership
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10,000
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H.R. Frei
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2106 |
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30. Captain’s Corner
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Dinner For 2 Inc Wine
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K. Sevohorn |
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31. Casa Pascal
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Voucher
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Maraenopei
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3170 |
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32. Estee Beauty Salon
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Hair Voucher
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1,700
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G. Livingstone
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2894 |
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33. Kuppa
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B/Fast For 2
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S. Egberts
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1278 |
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34. Kuppa
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Lunch For 2
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R .Opperman
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1681 |
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35. Kuppa
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Dinner For 2
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Dana Spicer
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243 |
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36. La Luna
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Dinner For 2
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2,500
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T. Mittelstadt
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1582 |
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37. Montien Hotel-Pattaya
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Buffet Dinner For 2
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R. Hoag
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4395 |
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38. Ocean Marina
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Overnight Stay Inc Bf
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J. Farragher
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3586 |
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39. Pinnacle Samui Resort And Spa
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3 Nights Inc Bf
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A. Timlin
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1676 |
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40. Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort And Spa
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3 Nights Inc Bf
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T. Sakuma
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1815 |
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41. Steps And Rhythm
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Gift Voucher
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K. Thirada
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3274 |
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42. Tal’s Pearls
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Pearl Necklace
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S. Egberts
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1288 |
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43. Thai Décor
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Bronze Statue
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M. Davies
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1719 |
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44. Thai Garden Resort-Pattaya
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Dinner Voucher
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L. Milton
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2851 |
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45. The Party Shop
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Gift Voucher
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3254 |
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46. Toscana Trattoria
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Dinner Voucher
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3,000
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C. Smith
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2851 |
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47. Toscana Trattoria
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Dinner Voucher
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3,000
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S. Thompson
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2453 |
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48. Toscana Trattoria
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Dinner Voucher
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2,000
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Dana Spicer
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437 |
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49. Toscana Trattoria
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Dinner Voucher
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2,000
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C.Pickin
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2149 |
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50. Thai Bijoux
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Pearl Earrings
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M. Davies
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1712 |
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51.Pattaya Sports Club
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6 Year Membership
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G. Scherwitz
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804 |
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52. Pattaya Sports Club
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6 Year Membership
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K. Chonlayut
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53. Mermaid Dive Centre
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Padi Discover Scuba Diving
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H. Dixon
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1886 |
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54. Mermaid Dive Centre
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Padi Discover Scuba Diving
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K. Apinum |
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55. Foodland
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Vouchers
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2,000
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Arlette |
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56. Rajawongse Clothier
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X3 Shirt Vouchers
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K. Boonori |
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Thai and American navies continue good relations during Navy Ball
Michael Jimmy Butler
You could be forgiven for thinking Hollywood had arrived in Pattaya
recently. Members of Thai society joined with a combination of senior navy
and police personnel to attend the prestigious Navy Ball held at the
luxurious Marriot Resort and Spa. The event was arranged by the United
States Navy League Thailand chapter.
October 2008 sees the 233rd anniversary of the formation of the United
States Navy. It is an event celebrated with much exuberance and enthusiasm
all over the world, not least of all in Pattaya where there has been a
strong US Navy tradition for over 50 years.
Proceedings commenced with a select reception on the garden terrace which
was decorated for the occasion with a unique display of traditional wood
carved figures courtesy of the Sanctuary of Truth from Naklua. With
traditional Thai music, the figures produced an eerily authentic backdrop as
military personnel decked in formal uniform conversed with other guests. The
ladies were not to be out done and were dressed in glamorous designer label
evening wear and accessories sympathetically complimenting their partners.
Cameras flashed whilst television crews mingled with the crowd conducting
interviews with selected celebrities. The select brass and string ensemble
NCO serenaded the guests as they headed to the main ballroom.
Master of ceremonies for the evening was Michael Jimmy Butler who quickly
introduced Peter Thorand, the Navy League president. Peter welcomed the
guests and after some opening remarks the national anthems of Thailand and
America followed.
A poignant moment involved a traditional and solemn ceremony to remember
fallen ship mates. For a few moments a somber silence descended as the
lights were dimmed and the ships bell sounded eleven times, piercing the
stillness. A lone serviceman lit a single candle of remembrance.
Following a sumptuous five course meal with selected wines a program of
traditional Navy toasts ensued presided over by the master of ceremonies.
President Peter whilst being succinct in his toast to the United States
spoke of the close relationship between the Navy League and visiting ships.
He explained some of the functions of the League and in particular the work
undertaken by sailors to aid the local community much of which goes
unnoticed. His view was that the servicemen are a great credit to both the
Navy and American nation.
In responding, Commander Matt Ashley, military attaché at the American
Embassy in Bangkok, spoke with great warmth about the link between the two
organizations and their inter action. He advised that over forty individual
vessels had visited Thailand in the past 12 months, a little known fact.
The Commander also praised the long standing relationship between the Thai
Navy and American Navy which has been in existence for over 175 years. He
concluded by toasting a long and lasting friendship between the Kingdom of
Thailand and the United States of America.
Dancing continued and numerous draw prizes were awarded. In particular,
World Gems contributed three beautiful pieces of jewelry which received
great attention.
The event was sponsored by Mermaid Diving, World Gems, Dadriba, and Bell
Holdings. Whilst final calculations are being made, it appears that over
120,000 baht has been raised for on going community projects.
Some of the figures attending the ball included Rear Admiral Sakchai (RTN),
Colonel David Biow (retired) United States Marine Corp, Commander Milner
(USN), Commander Nuttapol Chandavimol (RTN) Lieutenant Junior Passanee
Chandavimol (RTN), Admiral (Retired) Chet Komolthiti (RTN), Admiral Tienchai
Mungkorn (RTN), Admiral Chanchai Charoensuwan (RTN), Lieutenant Commander
(Retired) John Romero (USN), Senior Chief (Retired) Kris Kritsanajootha
(USN), Commander Milner (USN) and Lt. Colonel Charchai Reuntawit (Police).
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