The Queen Vic Pub on Soi 6 in Pattaya was the venue for the official launch of this year’s poppy appeal on Friday the 30th of October.
In attendance were members of the Royal British Legion Thailand, Bert Elson, Ron Smith, Rodney Charman, George Barrie and many others.
The poppy appeal is the main fundraiser for the Royal British Legion (RBL) and takes place in many countries across the globe as a tribute to those who gave their lives in the last century.
Politicians, dignitaries, and people from all walks of life, all wear their poppies at this time of the year. The red represents the blood of all those who gave their lives, the black represents the mourning of those who didn’t have their loved ones return home, and the green leaf represents the grass and crops growing and future prosperity after the war destroyed so much. The leaf should be positioned at 11 o’clock to represent the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the time that World War One formally ended.
Rodney Charman (left) receives a 3000 baht donation from Gavin Waddell (right) on behalf of Phyathai Hospital.
Here in Pattaya the RBL helps servicemen and their families and is very well supported my many expatriates, which is a show of solidarity and respect.
British Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mark Kent was in town for another function but found time to pop in and show his support by chatting to members.
The entry fee was only 200 baht, whereby everybody received a poppy, a voucher for the buffet, and enjoyed the sounds of Barry Upton who sang a set of popular songs.
(L to R) George Barrie presents the commemorative ceramic poppy to Aoy & Joe Cox.
George Barrie conducted a brief auction for a ceramic poppy which was one of 888,246 from a Remembrance Installation at the Tower of London in 2015, with the winning bid of 15,100 baht going to Joe Cox of Defence International Security Services. Gavin Waddell from Phyathai Hospital made a donation of 3000 baht.
Three lovely ladies ready sell Poppy memorabilia.
On the night 48,000 baht was raised from the auction, door fee, raffle, and from people who purchased the poppies, bracelets and other items.
In Pattaya alone the poppies are available at over 90 bars, clubs and restaurants. If you would like to support this great cause, wear your poppy with pride.
More information about the Royal British Legion Thailand can be found online at: http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/chonburi-thailand.
British Ambassador to Thailand H.E Mark Kent (far right) chats with members of the Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard.
