Pattaya-Irish residents want to make this year’s St. Patrick’s Day the biggest in Southeast Asia.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Derrick Kane, grand master of the parade, outlined this year’s March 17 festivities at a city hall press conference March 5. The event will include not only the parade, but a St. Patrick’s celebration featuring Irish food and music.
(L to R) Derrick Kane, Pawin Pettrakul, GM of Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya, Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Father Ray Foundation acting president, Rev. Peter Pattarapong Srivorakul.
Festivities kick off at 11 a.m. outside the Alcazar Theater on Second Road. Booths offering food and various merchandise will be available, as will exhibits of Irish culture and music from Irish residents of Pattaya.
Floats and marchers for the parade are asked to by on site at the Alcazar by 1 p.m. Speeches begin at 1:30 p.m., and the parade is scheduled to set off by 2 p.m.
The parade leaves Alcazar, down Soi 4 to Beach Road, continuing to Walking Street and finishing on Second Road at Pattaya School No. 8. Festivities will continue there until 5 p.m.
Of course, any floats entering the parade would be decked out in the requisite green for the occasion, Kane said. He added that he was sure the event will entertain and that those participating will remember the work of St. Patrick, who helped found many schools and churches in Ireland.
The saint’s legacy is one reason the Father Ray Foundation is helping sponsor this year’s parade. Profits from the festival will go to help the charity.
