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“Urn” Vilailak
Sister Joan Gormley
Vilailak Seri, known as “Urn”, attended the Fountain of
Life Center for over two years. When her grandparents came to register her
younger sister at the Center in May 2008, seven year old Urn was with them.
It was obvious that she was a very sick child. The grandparents explained
that she had a chronic liver condition and had been operated on at the
Children’s Hospital Bangkok when she was 4 months old. Sadly the operation
was not successful.
“Little Urn has left but is still very much part of our
lives.”
We got her medical records from Bangkok and brought Urn
to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, where we are told that there was no cure for
her condition and that they could only offer palliative care. One bothersome
symptom of her illness was the constant itching due to bile residue in her
skin.
At that time the family was living in a very poor shack
right on the edge of a noisy road, with little protection from the din, dust
and rain. Jesters and PILC swung into action very quickly. Jesters rented a
nice room at Sports Mansion close to the FOL for which the family was very
grateful. PILC ladies were always on hand with advice and help with hospital
visits.
Urn started to attend FOL together with her younger
sister, always accompanied by a grandparent. Our staff encouraged her to
take part in some activities suited to her condition, e.g. morning assembly,
singing, drawing and writing. For a child who had never been to school this
was a big achievement; it was obvious she was a clever child. With help from
all at the center she began to walk a little, go up and down stairs holding
on to the banister, and at times also she had her lunch with us.
She was quick to tell us what she liked and did not like,
and by far, sticky rice and banana cakes were her favorites. She was very
close to her grandparents, as her parents were separated and worked up
country.
A typical day in Urn’s life saw the grandfather go
fishing in the morning and then grandmother go out in the afternoon to sell
the catch. A very endearing habit of hers was to wait up for grandmother to
come back home in the evening when she would ask, “Are you tired Granny?”
Then she would crawl to the fridge and get a cool drink for her.
Each year at Jesters Children’s Fair on the second Sunday
of September, a chosen child from each class at FOL receives a bicycle, and
Urn was a special recipient in 2008. This gave her great joy. Since Sports
Mansion is very close to FOL, Urn was physically able to ride her bicycle to
come to the Center for about a year.
When her younger sister left for government school up
country, Urn missed her a lot, but was still able to stay in touch by phone.
She would also come back to Pattaya during school breaks to spend time with
her grandparents and Urn.
Earlier this year in March, during school break, Urn and
her sister planned to go the Crocodile Farm with their grandparents. Sadly a
few nights before this was to happen Urn got very sick and we had to take
her to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya for an immediate plasma transfusion.
The next evening Urn seemed much better and she wanted to
go home and then visit to the Crocodile Farm. This was allowed by the
doctors as her condition had improved, and she was able to go there with her
sister and have a good time.
However, we were advised at that time that this was a
temporary phase, that she would most likely relapse and that her overall
health was deteriorating. At this point she did not spend much time at FOL
anymore, so we would visit her in their apartment regularly.
By mid May the same situation happened again. This time
we went with Urn and her grandparents to Banglamung Hospital and she got the
same plasma transfusion. After four days she came home and seemed well
enough but less active than before. Towards the end of July it was obvious
that her condition was worsening.
At that time, I was in Ireland and I heard that Urn would
ask for me and wanted me to know that she had a pain in her side. When I
returned it was time to go to the hospital again, and now for the last time.
We went on there on July 30th and the staff explained
that she would get intravenous fluid but no medication and at the end was
very near. Towards evening granny was told that Urn would probably die later
that night. One of the nurses came to the bedside and said prayers to send
Urn’s spirit in peace. After we prayed, we left so that the family,
including Urn’s mother and father who arrived that night, could have the
remaining time with Urn.
At 10 p.m. we got word from granny that Urn had just
died. There was a peace and silence surrounding her death and everyone
involved with Urn was sad. However, there was also a feeling that everything
had been done right.
On the 31st our staff went to the family and the temple
to help with the final rites. Her small coffin was brought to Nong Awe
Temple. Her toys and the small bicycle given by Jesters were brought to the
Temple. Prayers were offered by the monks at 8 p.m. Urn’s parents, her
little sister and grandparents from both sides were present together with
staff and sisters of FOL and Woody.
Next morning food was offered to the monks. The monks
prayed at 11 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m., the cremation ceremony took place on 2nd
August. Her father carried her picture, her mother carried the incense,
family members and FOL staff members carried her coffin.
As we stood to say farewell to Urn there was a feeling of
sadness as well as a feeling of serenity and peace - “Little Urn has left
but is still very much part of our lives.”
World challenge continues after prolonged pit-stop
Paul Strachan
A few months ago we reported on Norman Surplus from
Northern Ireland as he stopped off in Pattaya during his global adventure in
a Gyrocopter, in a world record attempt to circumnavigate the globe.
A Gyrocopter is a vehicle that many will remember from
the James Bond Movie: You Only Live Twice - the famous ‘Little Nellie’.
Norman Surplus from Northern Ireland takes a moment out
of his busy schedule during his global adventure in a Gyrocopter, in a world
record attempt to circumnavigate the globe.
His adventure began on St. Patrick’s Day, 22nd March
2010, setting off from Sandy Bay, Larne, Northern Ireland in order to gain
the “First Absolute World Record”.
From Northern Ireland he flew over SW Scotland, England,
south through France, Italy, and the Greek islands before crossing the
Mediterranean sea to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, across the gulf of Oman then onto
Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
Prior to Thailand he visited Myanmar, and when he touched
down in Pattaya he had already completed a roughly a quarter of the 27,000
miles (43,400 km) with 13 more countries left to travel through.
Norman demonstrates the aerodynamics of his Gyrocopter.
From his cockpit he has seen vast deserts in scorching
temperatures, hundreds of camels, and on the ground he has been warmly
welcomed by locals who were delighted to meet and spend time with him.
Norman stayed in Pattaya for a couple of days to prepare
for a flight to Samui. However, a sudden change in the tail wind threw him
off course on take off, and he had to act quickly to avoid catastrophe. His
options were to either hit the power lines, the palm trees or head for the
lake. The latter seemed the wisest choice.
Upon impact with the water the Gyrocopter took quite a
beating, but Norman escaped major injury.
It took three months to get the Gyrocopter back into
running order; this was mainly due to the red-tape involved in repairing a
British aircraft here in Thailand.
So with an extended stop over in Pattaya, Norman once
again took to the skies on Saturday, July 31 to continue his world
challenge.
Norman is now en route to Malaysia, the Philippines,
Taiwan, then across the Bering Straights to Alaska, Canada, USA, then back
up to Greenland, Iceland, Faeroes, Hebrides, NW Scotland, and finally back
home to Northern Ireland.
Norman is doing this not just for the accolade of the
world record but is also raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK.
You can follow Norman’s journey on www.gyroxgoes global.com where you
also can donate to the charity via his website.
Lighthouse Club continues to shine
Paul Strachan
Yet another Lighthouse Club (LHC) Pattaya networking
event was held at the Marriott Resort & Spa on Friday the 30th of July.
(L to R) Frank Keller from Frank Keller People
Photography and Daniel Gagne, procurement manger of PNG LNG Project.
It has to be said that these have quickly earned their
place among the premier networking events on the Eastern Seaboard.
It started at 6 p.m. - and the amount of people who were
there on time (not a common trait in Pattaya) caused a bit of a back-log at
first for entrance fees. However, this was soon dealt with, and within
minutes the guests were networking as the staff at the Marriott constantly
navigated the room with trays of drinks.
This is a great way to kick start a Friday night, a bit
of networking, a chance to make some new friends, a few drinks, some food
and do a bit for charity.
(L to R) Barry Main, sales & marketing director of The
Nation Thai Visa; Henny Beeber, CEO and chief technical officer of the ASIS
Group Ltd., and Marc Spiegel, managing director of Kone Thai Lift.
On the night the LHC had 3 new corporate members and 8
new individual members in addition to Insomnia Club, who turned up and sold
T shirts with proceeds going to LHC. This, plus the new marketing and events
company called Fiesta, who donated tickets for their exciting new concept
‘Destination Unknown’. These were auctioned on the night and raised 15,000
baht, which added to the total of over 100,000 baht for the LHC - not bad
going for a social event.
(L to R) Russell Jay Darrell, managing director of
Soundzgood Co., Ltd.; and Cees Cuijpers, managing director Town & Country
Property.
One of the sponsors for the evening was the Marriott
Resort & Spa, where Director of Operations Geev Andre Bahrampoori spoke
about the Marriott’s ongoing improvements. These included the upgrading of
their guest bedrooms and the continued success of their popular Beni Hana
restaurant, which is on the 2nd floor of the Royal Garden Plaza.
The other two sponsors for the night were Global Design &
Build and Pattaya Paradise City Properties. Gavin Perfect spoke about his
businesses and how they worked hand in hand in create custom built
properties around Thailand, from residential to offices, bars and
restaurants.
(L to R) Chris Browne, consultant for Broadgate
Financial; Opal Sangnark, Fashion Designer; and Robert D Watson, sales
director for Five Star Villas & Condos.
There were many new faces, including Justin Kee Son from
Insomnia, Earl Brown from the Pattaya Cricket Club and Richard Prouse from
Personal Finance Management International. There was also a host of familiar
faces including Cees Cuijpers (Town & Country), Mark Bowling (Colliers
International), Alan Verstein (MD Siam Gazette Co Ltd), Paul Sutton
(Northern Thai Realty), Jacques Scrimali from Levantini Mediterranean
Restaurant, Swithun Gibbs Kennet, Mark Thomson, Jack Levy and John
Collingbourne from Collingbourne Auctioneers.
(L to R) John Seymour, managing director of Northern Thai
Realty & Export Co., Ltd.; Stuart Foulkes, practice manager for PFS
International; and Jack Levy, managing director of MLG Insurance.
As ever there were many ladies who also joined the event,
such as Eva Johnson, Opal Sangnark, Natasha Dennis, and Woranut Anusuriya to
name just a few. In fact, with nearly 200 people in attendance it was
impossible to even get a chance to meet many of them.
The funds raised go towards the Melissa Cosgrove
Foundation which helps children here in our community and beyond, and with
it becoming more and more popular, it’s good to know that we can do
business, have some fun and help disadvantaged children.
The next Lighthouse Club Networking will be held in
conjunction with the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand at the Havana Bar
at the Holiday Inn Pattaya on Friday, August 27, from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
This will be sponsored by Town & Country Property Co., Ltd., and it is sure
to be another successful networking night here in Pattaya.
(L to R) Frederike Schmid, Nittaya Patimasongkroh, and
Elfi Seitz.
(L to R) Swithun Gibbs-Kennet, director of East Furniture
& Interiors;
Nick Van Ole Belder, and Wendy Van Gucht.
(L to R) Stephane Pelletier, sales & marketing for Belindo;
Louis J. Van den Bergh, CEO of 4A Properties; and Tom Van Gucht,
sales &
marketing coordinator for Tropical Star Resorts Co., Ltd.
(L to R) Surat Warren, Jirada Salisbury, Paul Salisbury, chief executive
officer of Paradise Homes; Alan Cunningham, sales consultant for Pattaya
Paradise City Property Co., Ltd.; and Sawat Photiya.
(L to R) Salman R. Khan, executive director of Siam Khan
Trading Co., Ltd.; Ayesha Rahman; Earl Brown, Pattaya Cricket Club; and
Johnny Diamond from Pattaya Bay Radio FM 103.
Royal Thai Navy invites Pattaya City Expats Club for a friendly visit
The Banglamung District Cross Culture Volunteer Group,
sponsored by the Banglamung District Government in Chonburi Province, has
provided classes in English Conversation for Thais in Pattaya for several
years. At the request of the Royal Thai Navy, they have twice conducted
classes for Royal Thai Navy officers at Sattahip Navy base.
Royal Thai Navy Rear Admiral Jakchai Phujaroenyot
welcomes PCEC members to the Navy’s Recruit Training Center.
The Group was formed through the efforts of the Pattaya
City Expats Club (PCEC) and the volunteers are from the PCEC. Captain Benya
Navanugraha, director of the Personnel Division at Sattahip Navy Base
recently invited the Pattaya City Expats Club to visit the base as guests of
the Royal Thai Navy. On July 19, 2010, about 60 PCEC members enjoyed a day
long visit to three Royal Thai Navy centers at Sattahip.
The first stop was the Navy Recruit Center where they
were welcomed by Royal Thai Navy Rear Admiral Jakchai Phujaroenyot,
Commandant, Air and Costal Defense Command. He explained the purpose of the
Thai Navy and the activities of the Recruit Center, including how the
recruits participate in His Majesty the King’s Demonstration Conservation
Project that teaches how a rural area can become self sufficient through
constructing their own housing with homemade bricks, growing crops, and
raising chickens, water buffalo, and hogs.
After the welcome, the club members toured the project
escorted by several Thai Navy officers.
When this tour concluded, the PCEC members with their
Thai escorts had an excellent Thai lunch as guests of the Royal Thai Navy,
and after lunch, the group visited the Royal Thai Marine base where they
visited the Royal Thai Marine Museum and Victory Monument. This was followed
by a visit to the Royal Thai Navy’s Sea Turtle Conservation Center, which
protects the Hornbeck Sea Turtles’ nesting beach area near the base. Through
its hatchery, the base releases 20,000 turtles into the sea each year.
The day was concluded with a visit to the Sattahip Navy
Base to view some of the Royal Thai Navy’s ships docked there.
PCEC members pose with Rear Admiral Jakchai Phujaroenyot,
Commandant, Air and Costal Defense Command, and Lt. Thitiya Klomperee during
their recent tour of Royal Thai Navy Centers in the Sattahip area.
PCEC Club members Sermsakdi, Richard Smith, and Stuart
Saunders are shown with Commander Phuttaparn Prasan and Lt. Thitiya
Klomperee. These two charming Navy officers escorted the PCEC members on
their tour of Sattahip Navy installations.
Commander Phuttaparn Prasan talks with PCEC members Judith and Les
Edmonds during their tour of the Recruit Center’s Demonstration Conservation
Project.
PCEC member Richard Smith provides his energy in powering one of the
pumps used to irrigate crops at the Recruit Center’s Demonstration
Conservation Project - recruits operate pedal powered pumps for an hour each
day.
Royal Thai Navy personnel demonstrate to PCEC members how
they make bricks for use in building structures as part of the Recruit
Training Center’s Demonstration Conservation Project.
PCEC members tour the Royal Thai Marine Corps Museum.
PCEC members view Royal Thai Navy ships docked at the
Sattahip Navy base.
PCEC members listen to an introduction by the Royal Thai Navy
about the
Royal Thai Navy’s Sea Turtle Conservation Center.
CPDC opens second phase
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The Child Protection and Development Center cut the
ribbons to open its new nursing unit, sports court and common room, along
with two girls’ houses funded by donations from residents and businesses
across Pattaya.
CPDC Director Supagon Noja is a guiding light in helping protect slum
children.
At the Aug. 7 ceremony, Radchada Chomjinda, director of
the Human Help Network Foundation, which operates the center, thanked the
many local governments, foreign embassies, charities, non-governmental
organizations and local businesses that have supported the CPDC’s efforts to
rescue street children and shelter abused youths.
German Consul Paul Strunk cut the ribbon opening the
nursing station while Hans Muller and Reiner Calmund did the same for the
girls’ houses. Pattaya Sports Club representative William Macey opened the
sports field and the multipurpose room was opened by Diana Group Managing
Director Sopin Thappajug.
Radchada Chomjinda, director of the Human Help Network Foundation, says
CPDC expansion plans next call for an education center for slum children,
non-traditional education office, dining hall and two new boys’ houses.
Radchada said CPDC expansion plans next call for an
education center for slum children, non-traditional education office, dining
hall and two new boys’ houses.
“Migrant children coming here from Cambodia and other
places think Pattaya is a dream town for begging, selling sex and other
things to make money. But they soon find out it’s not,” said CPDC Director
Supagon Noja, who noted many youths are brought here by parents or taken by
- or even sold to - traffickers and child molesters for as little as 9,000
baht.
Young dancers perform for the opening ceremony.
He said foreign child abusers have become sophisticated
in camouflaging their activities, constructing high-wall compounds on the
outskirts of Pattaya monitored with video cameras. They lure children in
with the promise of food, shelter and education or even promise to marry
mothers to gain access to their kids. Most, he said, are infected with HIV
or AIDS and knowingly spread the disease.
In 2009, Supagon said, the CPDC provided assistance to
298 children and the problem is getting worse. He thanked those supporting
the center and its needs to continually expand.
Reiner Calmund, German Consul Paul Strunk, Hans Mueller,
William Macey,
and Sopin Thappajug prepare to cut the ribbon to officially
open the new facility.
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