Trip Report: Visit to the Muslim Village "Ban Pak Trium" on May 12, 2005 by H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Four of us (Rotarians) were up before dawn to drive to the new post tsunami Ban Pak Trium village that has been totally sponsored by our Rotary Club of Patong in time to meet the Princess who was visiting the village at 10am.

Her visit was in order to donate equipment and furnishings to the Village. Unfortunately she was two hours late so we could have had the luxury of rising after the sun but mai pen rai. It was a privilege to be there with the excited damp villagers waiting patiently in their “I Love The King” tee shirts and flags in hand for the impending arrival of her Highness.

We had heavy monsoon rains almost all the way up on the three hour trip. Fortunately the rain broke briefly for the princess’s arrival but resumed not long after as the pictures below show. I was nominated the official Rotary photographer and got well into the action.

The princess stopped and talked briefly to me and appreciated Rotary’s efforts in relocating and re-establishing the tsunami destroyed village and their fishing boats and equipment.

On her departure she made a point of noting Rotary’s efforts to Rtn. Brad and P.E. Arnaud. Despite the 50 odd Phang Nga government officials lined up for commendation (who had contributed less than nothing to the village) the princess recognized the real achievers. She was a very humble sweet person and it is no wonder she is so popular with the Thai people.

It is a shame that more Rotarians couldn’t have joined us and shared this very special event. When you see how happy and thankful the villagers are to us at Rotary for helping them to restart their lives after it was taken away in such a brutal fashion it make you proud to be a small part of an organization that is doing good for others.

It was a pleasure to see the thankful humility of all in the village and the way they are able to get on so well. They made sure that the building process didn’t favour anyone. Although they progressively built the houses four at a time they waited until all were almost complete before fitting the stairways so that all could occupy together.

Such consideration and care for each other is rare in this part of the world. We can all take a lesson from the way this community harmonizes as a group. When the village is completely finished perhaps we can have a Rotary weekend visit to the area.

We have to thank all those members and friends who put so much effort in to make this happen. Well done to all involved.

Below is the visual story.

Here we are in January, delivering the much needed supplies.
(Rtn. Allan Matthews & Rtn. Larry Amsden).


Some of the Royal donations and the village families.

Some of the muslim ladies and their children, being very patient...

The village street, so far...

The village people & Rotary royalty...


More very important people !


The arrival of the most important person of the day:

The presentation:


"Baan" Inspection:

Despite the mud, the rain and the advise not to, from her entourage,
the Princess, with camera ready, toured the village, just like her father the King, would have done.

Yours in Rotary, Rtn. Alan Matthews