December wouldn’t be complete at the Pattaya City Expats Club without a visit from the Children’s Choir from the Pattaya Orphanage. On Sunday, December 14, they entertained the PCEC audience with some traditional Thai dancing and serenaded them with Christmas carols. This was the seventh year the Orphanage has participated in the PCEC’s Christmas program. Based on the event’s popularity, this year extra chairs were brought in to handle the overflow crowd.
Emcee Ren Lexander introduced Radchada “Toy” Chomjinda from the Orphanage. Toy said that the children were very pleased to be back this year to again sing for the club.
Santa has time for some younger members of the PCEC audience.
There were five female dancers, resplendent in traditional multi-colour Thai costumes. Then several dozen boys and girls of all ages in the choir sang several carols, including “O, Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bells,” “Joy to the World” “Come All ye Faithful” and “Mary’s Boy Child.” The choir finished their set with a rousing shout of “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
MC Ren Lexander welcomes everyone to the PCEC’s annual Christmas Program.
This was followed by the entrance of Santa Claus from behind the choir, much to the delight of both the audience and the choir, who could see Santa Claus on the TV monitors scattered throughout The Tavern restaurant. Santa led the choir in another rendition of “Jingle Bells” and then performed two solos: “White Christmas” and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Santa asked the choir to start the carol “Silent Night,” and then invited the audience to join in. The audience was treated to a special bonus when four of the older girls in the choir sang “You Raise Me Up,” a modern song, first performed in 2002, and made popular by the singer Josh Groban.
Board member Judith Edmonds then joined Santa to sing “Away in the Manger” after which Santa brought out his sack of goodies, handing them out to very happy and smiling children. The gifts for the children were made possible by the efforts of Judith, who solicited donations from people attending the Sunday morning meetings and by the generosity of the many people who stuffed baht bills and coins into the donations jar.
The money raised totalling about 40,000 baht was used to buy clothes as well as gifts, and was divided equally between the Pattaya Orphanage and the Mercy Centre. Judith gave special thanks to Mike Shopping Mall and Pu Directsales cosmetic for making gift items available at a discount. Also, for Big C’s contribution of 50 gift items.
Toy then invited everyone to participate in a Christmas party at the orphanage starting at 6 pm on Christmas Day.
MC Ren Lexander concluded the meeting after gifts were given to the children and certificates to Toy and to Bill Francis (Santa). For more information on the PCEC’s many activities, visit their website at www.pcecclub.org.
Toy from the Pattaya Orphanage thanks the PCEC for their invitation to the Children’s Choir to once again entertain the PCEC members and guests.
Santa and Club member Judith Edmonds join together to sing Away in the Manger, inviting the audience to join in. Santa explained that there is both an English version and an American version; same words, different tune.
Santa entertains both the audience and the Children’s Choir with a few solo songs himself.
PCEC Board Member Judith Edmonds and Santa present some special gifts for Toy.
The children line up to receive a bag of goodies each from Santa.
Five lovely young ladies from Pattaya Orphanage wearing traditional Thai garb perform a Thai dance for the PCEC audience.
Santa makes his appearance to the delight of the children and starts leading them in some more Christmas Carols.
The Pattaya Orphanage Children’s Choir poses outside the Amari’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant to give PCEC members a “photo op.”
The Pattaya Orphanage Choir sings several Christmas Carols to the delight of the members and guests at the PCEC’s annual Christmas Program.
