Saturday 1st June 2019 marked the Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin’s (RCRHH) 10th Annual Club Officer Installation Dinner held in the Ballroom of the Amari Hua Hin Resort & Spa. The occasion saw the new President for the year 2019-20 Napa Keawtem, presented with the President’s Jewel.
P Napa breaks two records in becoming President, the first Thai to hold the office in the English speaking club and the first female to do so in RCRHH.
P Napa was born in Bangkok, and worked for many years in the airline industry. She took early retirement in 2012 after 25 years on the airlines and moved to Hua Hin five years ago. The airline industry’s loss is Rotary’s gain as P Napa’s main hobby now is the RCRHH, where she has been the Community Service Projects Chairman for the past three years overseeing the disbursement of RCRHH’s fundraising on the many worthwhile projects undertaken by the club. In her spare time P Napa takes care of her dog of whom she is very fond.A total of 120 guests and VIPs attended the grand occasion and included the Rotary 3330 District Governor Lt Gen Kanit Jamjuntra and Mrs Chadarat, District Governor Elect Sakon Uengsroithong and Mrs Sirapat as well as members from the Rotary Clubs of Bangkok, Bangkok South, Hua Hin, Pran Buri, Petchaburi, Nakorn Sri Weerathai and the Rotaract Clubs of Stamford International University and Webster University.
Guests were entertained before dinner by Jacques and his sax, and following the National Anthems sat down to one of Amari’s renowned International Buffets, and freeflow wine, beer and beverages, with musical background provided by DeeJay Mark from Take 5. Following dinner entertainment was provided by the excellent ensemble from Stamford International University who completed a traditional Thai dance, Rum Upsarasaran, followed by a well-received rendition of Gangnam Style!
Napa Keawtem then gave a presentation on Community Service Projects completed this year including a donation of bicycles to local children, a Childrens’ Day at Panyanakul School, new playground and Monkey Library at Ban Nongkhon School, recyclable bags and numerous other projects. The total for 2018-19 spent on projects was a staggering THB 1,070,377.00. CLICK HERE FOR PROJECT SUMMARY
Then came outgoing President Brian Anderson who has been President of RCRHH for the past year and served the club well during his time in office and for the second time in the club’s 10 year history.
In his farewell P Brian paid tribute to members of the Board in his usual humorous style, explaining a good set of committees had made his work so much easier. He also presented both Gentleman and Lady ‘Rotarian of the Year’ awards to Treasurer Peter Wydler and Rotarian Benjamas Uamsa-Ard for their untiring efforts to the club.
Next to speak were the DG and DGE, who praised the RCRHH by saying they enjoyed their visits and that the club rated amongst one on the top in District 3330. They both also paid tribute to the amount of project work undertaken to help those less fortunate in the local area.
This was followed by the main event, the installation ceremony, during which the Presidential Jewel was passed from outgoing P Brian to P Napa by the DG. In saying a few words P Napa very clearly described the meaning of Rotary, what it stands for and what it achieves internationally. Flower bouquets were presented to P Napa, Mrs Chadarat Jamjuntra and Mrs Sirapat Uengsroithong.
Thus begins a new Rotary year for RCRHH with still much work to be done. The RCRHH will continue to play its role in helping to make the lives of the less fortunate more healthful, pleasurable and independent.
A selection of photographs appear below CLICK HERE FOR MORE
