At today 1st week meeting, it was a good start of new Rotary year. I was honored by PRIP Bhichai, PDG Gen. Saiyud, PP Vinai, PP Pratip, senior Rotarians and fellow Rotarians and my Ann Rungnapa who were present at the 1st meeting. AG Joe Goh came with his Ann Jiraporn. AG Joe is AG supervising our club this Rotary year. I would like to summarize what happened at the meeting today to members who were unable to come.

5 members donated USD 1,000 each to Paul Harris Fellow fund. They are PP Chitti, PP Churairat, IPP Maleeratna, Rtn. Surah and me.

We recognized our members for their generosity to sponsor wine for the Installation function: PP Dr Urs sponsoring 40 bottles of red wine and Rtn Cord sponsoring fund of 8,135 Baht. PP Chitti, Rtn Surah and I brought some bottles of wine to celebrate our 1st meeting. All wine were consumed out fast.

Rtn Nico has organized an Art tour with lunch on Sunday, 7 July 2019 at 10:00-12:00. This tour covers 2 exhibitions: 1: From Monet to Kandinsky and 2: Art for Everyone. Both exhibitions will take place at River City Bangkok. PP Linda who is Managing Director of River City, kindly sponsored the tickets for us. By noon, we will have set lunch at Giorgio, Italian Restaurant of Royal Orchid Sheraton. We will enjoy this first fellowship trip.

We plan a trip to Yangon to attend 3 Rotary Clubs’ Installation ceremony on Saturday 27 July 2019. PP Ateeb has kindly agreed to coordinate with RC Yangon to book the hotel and land transportation. We can choose a 2-day trip (27-28 July) or 3-day trip (27-29 July).

IPP Maleeratna presented an Outstanding Service Award to Khun Sutham Boonyapaluek (คุณสุธรรม บุญยะผลกึ). IPP Maleeratna has known Khun Sutham as the volunteer teaching poor kids to practice rugby. His team won several matches. His effort was recognized by many media. RCB under last term of President Maleeratna proposed him for this award by our District 3350. At the Governor Salute Event on 23 June 2019 his award was announced and the reason for this choice was the distinguished person who uses his vocation for the benefit of others’. This award was given by District 3350 for his excellent contribution and devotion. This is part of our service above self, promoting people who has been doing good work expecting neither return nor recognition. IPP Maleeratna also contributed some personal funds to support his project.

The highlight of today’s program was our speaker, Dr Nopparat Panthongwiriyakul, Deputy Hospital Director of BNH Hospital. He was classmate to PP Churairat at King Prajadhipok’s Institute and to Rtn. Wichien at Capital Market Academy. He was the doctor to PDG Gen Saiyud a few years ago and myself for over 20 years. Rtn Wichien, who occasionally comes to our club meeting, kindly introduced Dr Nopparat. PP Dr Urs lead our members to give him a vote of thanks. Our members really enjoyed his talk about preventive cardiology. With Dr Nopparat’s advice 4 month ago, I took the advance scanning program over my neck artery and heart with BNH Hospital.

The attendance of first week turned out well with total 46 persons. We normally book minimum amount of 30 people with the hotel. Therefore, some guests have to order à la carte menu because the hotel ran out of advance prepared set menu. We will need to manage our reservation to cope with the number of guests in the future.

After the meeting, some groups of members continued to discuss at the 494 Bar. We had a good meeting planning our fundraising concert in February. Another group discussed PR and website for the year.

I wish to see you all at the 2nd week meeting.

Pornchai Wessatada
President 2019-2020
Rotary Club of Bangkok