Sopin
Thappajug, MD of Diana Group gives thumbs up to the organizers, stallholders
and schools who braved the elements to come out to the Fair site to set up.
Lewis Underwood
For an event that is weather dependent and takes place in
the rainy season, we have been pretty successful at tempting fate for the
past 12 years. True, there were some years when we had some smatterings of
rain, but then that was okay as it would help cool things down.
However, what we experienced this past Sunday was
absolutely torrential, unlike we could ever have expected. Not only did it
completely inundate our fairground, but also caused flooding all over
Pattaya to an extent that has never been seen.
Still, though, some stallholders and schools braved the
elements to come out to the Fair site at Diana Garden Resort and Driving
Range to set up. As did our project kids, who came to perform and have a fun
day out. And even though the rain continued, sometimes letting up a bit,
like it was going to break, it would then return with renewed vengeance. The
kids, though, did not let any of it damper their spirits.
Opening speech by Mayor
Itthiphol followed the ribbon-cutting with VIP’s, including Sopin Thappajug,
Woody, Tony Malhotra, Bernie Tuppin and Peter Malhotra.
The kids were right too, regardless of the weather, the
show had to go on.
Besides, like every year, we have only one shot at it.
The set up takes all of the previous day from dawn till dark and even into
the next morning up until fair opening at 10 a.m. to get everything ready.
And then we have an 8-hour window to execute. There is no tomorrow, next
day, or next weekend.
So, when we said the show went on, it was in safe mode.
For precautionary reasons, given all the standing water, we did not supply
any electric power to the stalls and thus did not charge any rental fees
either. The only electricity supplied on the fairground last Sunday was for
the sound system on the stage, which had a separate power source, so, our
comperes, Russell Jay and Poodle Pete, could do the commentary through
wireless mikes.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome impressed us all when he arrived
undaunted during the deluge. We then decided to perform the opening ceremony
under the open, but dry, shelter of the canteen below Diana’s conference
hall. The kids from our projects sang the national anthem, which was
followed by an opening speech by Mayor Itthiphol. He then performed the
ribbon-cutting with our other VIP’s, Noi Thappajug and Peter Malhotra.
Outside the stage was still under siege in the rain, so,
since the kids were already made up and dressed to perform, we decided to
let the performances begin inside the canteen. Delightful shows, as ever,
were done by the kids from Hand to Hand, Mercy Center, Father Ray’s, et al.
Ironically, around mid-day, after the kids’ performances
were over, the rain finally subsided. However, by that time many
stallholders had already left, especially after the news that the streets of
Pattaya, Sukhumvit Highway and bordering environs were so flooded that, even
if they tried, people could not reach the Fair.
The kids were right too,
regardless of the weather, the show had to go on.
Disregarding that, though, the show continued. First it
was improvisational with the kids B-boying to hip hop on the stage, while
the younger ones played below in the mud and puddles.
Joe Cox from Defence International Security Services then
did some demos with his trained dog, which the kids loved too. Then Ban Jing
Jai kids did a traditional Thai dance on the stage, which was followed by a
presentation of bicycles to the top 10 kids of their classes from the
Fountain of Life Center.
Our project kids, who were given fun coupons for the
games and attractions in the morning, were initially at a loss, as there was
no place to use them due to the weather. But when the sun came out
mid-afternoon, suddenly so did the activities. Kids were then able to use
the climbing wall supplied by Geckotech and Clough, ride the ponies from
Horseshoe Point, frolic on the Bouncy Castle and play carnival games to win
prizes.
And with that done, despite the conditions, we
accomplished one of our most important goals: to ensure that the kids had a
good day out.
We would like to thank all the people that showed up and
tried to give it a go last Sunday. Namely, Pattaya Sports Club and their
Children Raffle’s booth, who decided to postpone the raffle until another
fortuitous time when they can maximize their fund-raising potential; Rick
Bryant and family, who spent most of Saturday constructing their Cool Zone
marquee, even with a new layout, all for naught; the PILC ladies, who came
out in force wanting to sell their second hand gear in their White Elephant
Stall and provide prizes for the kids’ games; and for Regent’s Secondary
teachers and students, Goldfish Plc, for giving it a try too.
We also appreciate those stallholders that stayed till
the end: Pattaya Pickle Company, Special Forces Association Chapter 3, Jelly
Belly Candy Company, Subway, Noi’s Somtam, Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant and
AGS/Jamesons second-hand books in Devil’s Alley.
Looking back, we have all become stronger with this
unique experience. We stayed positive throughout the day and made the most
of it. We still delivered and that was what it was all about. On behalf of
the members of the Jesters Care for Kids Committee and Jesters MC Thailand,
we would like to thank you; we could not have done it without you.
Worrying about rain was always part of our pre-event
concerns, but after enduring last Sunday, we now know that there is nothing
else that Mother Nature can throw at us that we cannot handle.
Post Script: As you might have discerned, we have
taken quite a hit in terms of covering the cost of the Fair setup, let alone
raising funds for our projects. As a result, in order to try to recover, we
would like to specially urge you to please come to our second fund-raiser,
the Gala Party Night, on Saturday, September 24th, at the Amari Orchid
Pattaya from 7 p.m. onward.
This evening promises an international buffet with
complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks, plenty of entertainment,
auctioning of items, and grand raffle prize drawings. The price of tickets
is 1800 baht per head.
For more information, please email
[email protected]. We hope to see you there!
(l-r back row) Bill Freeman,
Paul Shortino, Jeff Paladeau and Jimmy Page with (front) Pat Warner and
Gina.
Kids having fun at the
climbing wall supplied by Geckotech and Clough.
All kids really have a great
time on-stage and off-stage.
Presentation of bicycles to
the top 10 kids of their classes from the Fountain of Life Center in memory
of Chris Kays.
Free ice-cream at AGS Four
Winds stall.
Pony rides by Horseshoe Point.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome
impressed us all when he arrived undaunted during the deluge.
No fun fair would be complete
without a bouncy castle.
Delightful shows, as ever,
were performed by the kids from Hand to Hand, Mercy Center, Father Ray
Foundation and Baan Jing Jai with their Lotus Dance.
Joe Cox from Defence
International Security Services demonstrates various skills with his trained
dog ‘Bangkok’, which the kids loved too.
14 balloons were released by
14 selected kids to mark 14 years
of Jesters Care for Kids.
Benjawan Boonthin representing
Baan Jing Jai presents flowers to Woody.
