On March 1st the 46th Special Forces Company Association (SFCA), located here in Pattaya, hosted a beach party for 280 kids from poor schools in the Buriram Provence. The schools that the kids and teachers represented were Non Som Boon, Tha Mong, Samrong Phiman and Sa Kae Schools.
The funding for the four buses, food, rides, etc., were paid for by the 46th SFCA fund raising from SF members and families, to include members that served here during the 1960s. Additional funds came directly from CEO of 46th SFCA Reed Johnson and the Buriram school districts. The total amount of funds expended for this activity was 132,000 baht.
(L to R) Veterans of Foreign Wars Jr. Vice Commander District V Pat Clark; Deputy Director of District 4 Buriram Province who oversees 211 schools Viboonsak “Rang” Phraphuchamnong; with the cap is 46th SFCA’s Mike Brook from Spokane Washington USA; CEO of 46th SFCA Reed “Cadillac” Johnson, and on the extreme right is Prasatporn Deeden, an aid to Pattaya’s mayor.
The children left Satuck in Buriram Province just after midnight. Their first stop was at the Zoo in Chonburi. After a few hours they boarded their busses and headed for Jomtien Beach. While this was going on with the kids, members and friends of the 46th SFCA and the Young Marines were moving all the tables, chairs, coolers, drinks, food, etc., to Jomtien Beach.
Kids wearing blue shirts from Nonsomboon School arrive at Jomtien Beach. Local volunteers can be seen in the background.
The buses arrived at Jomtien Beach about noon. There was a short introduction and photo session, and then lunches were served. After eating, it was time for the kids to hit the beach. Most all of the kids had never seen the ocean or beach before. There were banana boats rides for all kids that dared to go on them, which were many. The life vest procedures, loading and unloading was conducted by volunteer adult leaders and friends of the Young Marines of Pattaya. They also supplied a safety rider for each banana boat. All kids that wanted to ride, did. Plus a few received mutable rides.
Kids from Thamang School, in red shirts, and kids from Sakae School, in plaid shirts, picking up their lunches.
At 1600 it all came to an end, except for the ride back to Buriram. Most of the kids were ready to get some sleep, it had been a very long day with fun mak mak. The busses arrived back in Buriram about 2300, completing almost a 24 hour trip. With more funding, the kids could have spent the night and made the trip much easier on them and the teachers. Maybe next time for other kids, which hopefully will be in three or four months.
Pat Clark’s wife Kanjana and daughter Nongmai who volunteered to serve ice cream to all.
Rad Mays from Young Marines Pattaya and Buriram school kids taking the last banana boat ride for the day.
