Thai and Irish flags lead the parade along Beach Road on March 17 as Pattaya embraces the colour and charm of St. Patrick’s Day.
A river of green flowed along Beach Road on the afternoon of Thursday the 17th of March, a day known the world over as St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world. In hamlets, towns and cities in Ireland people were celebrating. In Washington DC the water in the fountain on the lawn of the White House poured green. Thousands marched through the streets of New York and Prince William joined the London parade. Unfortunately the parade in Sydney was cancelled this year, but that never stopped thousands pouring on to the streets to celebrate.
Now in its sixth year, the Pattaya St. Patrick’s Day Parade is getting bigger each year, with thousands parading along the streets of Pattaya. They were accompanied by several marching bands and twenty decorated vehicles from many local businesses and organisations.
Thai and Irish flags lead the parade along Beach Road on March 17 as Pattaya embraces the colour and charm of St. Patrick’s Day.
The Pattaya St. Patrick’s Day Parade is now firmly established on the Pattaya social calendar, and it is a day for everyone, Thai and foreign, resident and tourist, young and old, to come together for an afternoon of fun and to raise much needed funds for Pattaya’s largest charitable organisation, the Father Ray Foundation.
Many children under the care of the Foundation took part in the parade, as they do every year. Children with special needs marched alongside students in wheelchairs and this year the blind students arrived on a decorated float, performing music along the route, much to the enjoyment of the crows watching.
The staff from Centara Grand Mirage Resort always put a lot of effort into their costumes, and this year won top prize.
St. Patrick made an appearance, but due to the very hot weather he traveled along the route on a very green vehicle. Sitting beside him was Derrick Kane, the man who came up with the idea of the annual event and who is responsible for the success of the event.
This year’s activities included live music performances, dances, and a beer chugging contest.
Centara Grand Mirage won top prize in the Best Float Decoration contest, whilst Thai Thani Village earned 2nd place and KC Dance Studio came in third.
March the 17th is a day for everyone in the Pattaya community to come together, and you now have a year to prepare for the 2017 Pattaya St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Derrick Kane, founder of the Pattaya parade.
Sheltering under an Irish sombrero.
The float from Pattaya Floating Market is always a showstopper.
A Paddy’s Day media queen on parade.
It was a very hot day, but they kept playing from start to finish.
St. Patrick with his followers.
Murphy’s Law, never going home!
Keeping it traditional.
A member of the Isaan marching band.
Participants from all over, including Korea.
Wear anything you want, as long as it is green.
