Four area Rotary clubs observed their annual changing-of-the-guard with celebratory installation ceremonies throughout Pattaya.
Rotary District 3340 Past Governor Premprecha Dibbayawan installed Joseph Roy as president of the Rotary Club of Marina-Pattaya and Ingo Raeuber, who could not attend his installation due to health issues, was symbolically installed as the new head of the Rotary Club of Phoenix-Pattaya June 21 at the Hilton Hotel Pattaya.
On June 26, Russell Iffland took the helm of the Rotary Club of the Eastern Seaboard and, two days later on June 28, Vutikorn Kamolchote took the reins of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya.
H.E. Rolf Schulze, the German ambassador, spoke of Germany’s long standing warm relations with Thailand.
The first two clubs celebrated their new boards together with a cocktail reception and buffet dinner in the Hilton’s Grand Ballroom. They also share distinction for being, respectively, the first French- and German-speaking Rotary clubs in Southeast Asia.
The guests of honor were German Ambassador Rolf Schulze, Chiang Mai-based consul Hagen Dirksen, Pattaya and Eastern Seaboard consul Paul Strunk and Austrian Consul General Rudolf Hofer.
Before the official business began, the transvestite cabaret show from the Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort & Spa entertained the guests, sponsored by hotel General Manager Raeuber, the incoming Phoenix president.
Past District Governor Pratheep Malhotra served as emcee, offering witty words throughout the evening. He mentioned the importance of Rotary for the world, especially for children, the old, sick, disabled and poor.
Guests stood for aminute of silence which was accompanied by a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace” for those Rotarians who passed away during the past year including Trude Koster and President Graham Hunt-Crowley.
The German ambassador to Thailand, H.E.Rolf Schulze delivered in his speech, which included greetings from his good friend Reiner Calmund, a football and TV celebrity in Germany and honorary member of the Phoenix club, who was at that time in Brazil to watch the football World Cup. Schulze said that he was proud a German-speaking Rotary Club had established itself in Pattaya.
Rodolphe Sambou, First Secretary of the French Embassy pledged their support for Rotary’s humanitarian work.
“I will always support this club and its members,” he said.
Austrian Consul General Rudolf Hofer and former member Trutz Fiddikow were inducted as honorary members of the Phoenix club, with both expressing gratitude in their speeches.
In his address, the First Secretary of the French Embassy, Rodolphe Sambou, wished the French speaking Pattaya Marina club all the success in their work to help the underprivileged, pledging the support of the embassy.
After his installation, Roy introduced the new board of directors and said that his club will further help the poor and children.
“We must be united and, by doing so, we can move mountains,” he said.
Russell Iffland succeeded Nigel Quennell as president of the Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard at an installation ceremony held at the Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa with members of many area clubs attending.
Iffland was installed as president by PDG Premprecha, saying in his inaugural address that the event not only marked the installation of a new president and board, but 10 years since the club was founded.
“I am glad to be the president of such a fine club and I am proud that we have so many good, selfless, generous and helpful members,” he said.
Iffland said he and his board would further the work of the club, concentrating on “water for life” and “behind barriers” projects to help “forgotten” Thais and Burmese.
He said he also wanted to launch new humanitarian projects in tandem with other Rotary clubs and Pattaya community organizations.
As per tradition, the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club held its installation gala at the end of the Rotary year, this time at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel.
The traditional flag ceremony was led by Rotarian children, followed by traditional dances performed by Pattaya schoolgirls. PDG Peter Malhotra once again was emcee.
The newly installed presidents. (l-r) Joseph Roy (RC Pattaya Marina), Russell Iffland (RC Eastern Seaboard) and Vutikorn Kamolchote (RC Jomtien-Pattaya).
Seven members of the club were recognized as Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary’s highest honour. They were Dennis Stark, Brendan Kelly, Gudmund Eiksund, Dr. William van Ewijk, Vutikorn Kamolchote, Tim Watton and Jan Olav Aamlid.
PDG Peter Malhotra presented President Vutikorn with a cheque for 90,000 baht on behalf of Pattaya Mail Media Group, Amari Pattaya and Skål International Pattaya & East Thailand. The funds were raised at a charity concert featuring world renowned guitarist Hucky Eichelmann earlier this year. The club has used the funds to repair and renovate schools in Sa Kaew province and also to acquire water filters and learning materials for underprivileged children.
PDG Peter Malhotra presents a cheque for 90,000 baht to President Vutikorn on behalf of Pattaya Mail Media Group, Amari Pattaya and Skål International Pattaya & East Thailand for the education of underprivileged school children in Sa Kaew province.
PDG Premprecha presided and installed President Vutikorn Kamolchote as President of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya. In his address President Vutikorn said, “You all have brought the spirit of Rotary. This spirit inspires all of us to help and to do good deeds for the world.” He promised he would do his utmost to motivate his members to be active in various humanitarian projects, not forgetting that fellowship amongst members and their families was also vital to a vibrant and effective club.
“If you want an active club, activate it. If you want more friendship, bring more friends. If you want to see more work done, do it,” he said. “If you want to have more fun, laugh more. If we all keep doing so, we will definitely have a dynamic club. It all depends on us, so let’s “Light Up Rotary.”
Ingo Raeuber, president of the Rotary Club of Phoenix-Pattaya.
The inimitable Jim Sinatra entertained the guests with Frankie’s classics.
Maggie congratulates her beloved President Russell.
Dr William van Ewijk, proud recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow Award.
The adorable first couple Sumonrat and Vutikorn.
Premprecha Dibbayawan congratulates VP Juergen Schlag (left) who represented President Ingo Raeuber.
VP Juergen Schlag (left) joins in the lineup as H.E. Rolf Schulze (2nd right) inducts Trutz Fiddikow (2nd left) and Austrian Consul General Rudolf Hofer (right) as honorary members of the Rotary Club Phoenix Pattaya.
President Joseph Roy (left) with his team, PP Eric Larbouillat, Daniel Dandoy and Francois Lecomte.
Ingo Raeuber, GM of the Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort & Spa generously sponsored the entertainment for the evening. Representing him was his charming wife Natthakarn Sinprasom (4th right).
The line-up of the board of directors of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya.
The new board of directors of the Rotary Club Phoenix Pattaya line up for a group photograph.
