Rotary Clubs in Pattaya have a long and distinguished history of service, not only to the surrounding communities, but also nationwide, not to mention even crossing borders to help displaced persons suffering pain, hunger and sickness.
The first Rotary Club in Pattaya was chartered in 1972. After 50 years of Rotary service in our town, the “Service Above Self” community has now grown to 7 clubs, with membership made up of many nationalities, languages and cultures, all aiming for the one goal and principle, “To Serve Humanity”.
Rotary clubs in Pattaya meet in the English language, French, German and of course in Thai. The youngest English-speaking member of the family is the Rotary Club Pattaya International, chartered on June 9, 2022.
In its very short history, Rotarians of this remarkable club managed to implement numerous humanitarian projects to alleviate suffering of the sick and down trodden. Expounding on the club’s achievements, President Philip Wall Morris said, “On July 25, 2022, we started an Emergency Food Donation Drive for 12 families who had taken shelter under the motorway in Nong Prue. Dry food packages were delivered twice a month. These families came to Pattaya from Isan (northeast Thailand) and were employed in the hospitality business before the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic struck, causing them to lose their jobs. We took care of them for as long as we possibly could.”
Other projects followed, such as Pattaya Beach Cleaning with the help of students from the International School Eastern Seaboard. Charity Dinners were organised. But one project that the members are very proud of is feeding and caring for stray dogs. The club is also working on a project to supply clean drinking water to the local schools and communities.”
Tom Keightley has served as secretary since the club’s charter and continues to be the pillar of strength and source of knowledge for Rotarians young and old.Unfortunately a new club is not without its growing pains. Due to unforeseen circumstances the charter president resigned mid-term leaving the club in disarray. Philip stepped in to take over as president and ever since has been working extremely hard to nurse the club back to health and become a 5-Star club worthy of its Rotary name.
It is a long hard struggle and without family and friends it would have become an impossible task. But thanks to this great service organisation, the Rotary Club Pattaya International has a family, and a very large one at that. With more than 1.4 million Rotarians, friends and families worldwide, you just don’t have time to feel lonely.
In Pattaya, the presidents of all the non-Thai speaking Rotary clubs rallied around their Pattaya International family, to give them the love and care that they so truly deserve, and to assure them that they are close at hand to protect and assist them through trying times. To show his heartfelt gratitude, President Philip invited the Presidents and members of the neighbouring clubs to an evening of fellowship on Thursday May 11, at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel.
Presidents, Presidents Elect, Past Presidents and members of the Rotary Clubs of Jomtien-Pattaya, Eastern Seaboard, Phoenix Pattaya, Pattaya Marina, Dolphin Pattaya International and Plutaluang from Sattahip attended the social event, bearing gifts of goodwill for their brothers and sisters in the Pattaya International Club. The leaders of the clubs in Zone 5 under the guardianship of Assistant Governor Dr. Olivier Meyer, promised their support and protection of their host club. Club banners were exchanged as a sign of sincere kinship and unity.
To prove that the club is strong and growing, Past District Governor Peter Malhotra inducted Kenneth Inro Leysner as the newest member of the Rotary Club Pattaya International. Peter also spoke to the members encouraging them to stay united and learn as much about the Rotary principles and workings as possible, so that they can ward off any untoward incidents that threaten to cause disunity and misunderstandings amongst Rotarians.
On behalf of the clubs in Zone 5, Dr. Olivier presented a basket of fresh fruits to President Philip as a symbol of genuine family bonding saying, “Rotary clubs in Pattaya pledge to work together with your club to alleviate suffering and to give the underprivileged people a better life.”
