The long-haired guys who took to the stage at the Alcazar Theater looked like your typical hard rock band, but when the music started, the audience was stunned by the softness of the melodies they played.
The Maleehuana Band, fronted by Professor Khatawuth Thongthai – who doesn’t look like your typical professor at all – was invited by the Pattaya Orphanage and Human Help Network Thailand to play at their annual benefit concert, which was delayed several months to Jan. 21 by the passing of HM King Bhumibol.
The band’s warmup act was a group of orphans, who danced on stage and in the heart of the crowd to start the show.
Orphanage Director Rev. Michael Weera Pangrak welcomed and thanked all who attended the fundraiser, along with the many sponsors, including Alcazar family members Suwacharee Petchtrakul and Phawin Petchtrakul, who presented the foundation with a check for 100,000 baht.
Other main sponsors included Guenther Mller, Princess of Saxony Iris Hildegard, Diana Group Managing Director Sopin Thappajug, the Lovers of the Cross group of Chanthaburi, Royal Cliff Hotels Group, Maryvit Education Institute, Rue Mai Restaurant and the Tara Resort.
Princess Iris delivered a short speech in which she pointed out the importance of helping orphans and other needy children as they are the future of the country. She received a beautiful flower bouquet and a present from Pangrak.
Sopin, too, received flowers and thanks for her untiring work on behalf of the orphanage.
