Rotary Club of Patong Beach

Chartered 5th  September 2001
 
The Rotary Club of Patong Beach is the brainchild of one of Phuket’s foremost businessmen, Paiboon Upatising. As Phuket’s first-ever directly elected Senator, Mr. Paiboon wanted to establish a forum where people from the foreign business community could meet with Thai government officials to exchange views and improve mutual understanding. As a long-time Rotarian, Senator Paiboon decided that founding a new, English speaking Rotary Club would be the best way of achieving this goal. Being part of Rotary would also allow Phuket’s foreign business people to show their long-term commitment to the island by becoming involved with community service and charity.
 
As such, on 9th  January 2001, the Senator invited a selected group of foreign business people to attend a meeting at the Aloha Villa Hotel. During the meeting, it was decided to form the Rotary Club of Patong Beach with the aim of fostering Goodwill and Understanding between Thai officials and the foreign business community.
Our charter members on the occasion of our first District Governor’s visit.
 
The last 20 years were vibrant and the club and its ability to serve the community came to a test on December 26th when Phuket was hit by the big Tsunami. This devastating event was the ignition for our club to run not only small but quite substantial projects, connecting with other international Rotary Clubs, applying for matching grants. All these projects also came along with great fellowship.
As Phuket is an internationally top holiday destination and being the only English-speaking Rotary club on the island, hundreds of visiting Rotarians attended our club meetings. Many of these visits lead to join projects and some to even everlasting friendships.
 
The Rotary Club of Phuket is also the mother club of 3 Rotary Clubs; RC of Laguna Phuket (already abolished), the RC of Samui Phangan, and the RC.

Our ongoing commitment

Rotary members have not only been present for major events in history — we’ve also been a part of them. Three key traits have remained strong throughout our history:

We’re truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today, members in nearly every country work to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems.

We persevere in tough times. During World War II, Rotary clubs in Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain were forced to disband. Despite the risks, many continued to meet informally, and after the war, Rotary members came together to rebuild their clubs and their countries.

We’re committed to service, and we’re not afraid to dream big and set bold goals. We began our fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only three countries — down from 125 in 1988.

Paul Harris Fellow 

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

Arch Klumph Society

Named after the sixth president of Rotary, the Arch Klumph Society recognizes The Rotary Foundation’s highest tier of donors — those who have contributed $250,000 or more during their lifetime. 

The Rotary Club of Patong Beach and District 3330 is proud having with PP Arnaud Verstraete † the 1st in District 3330 & the 1st in Thailand, Arch C. Klumph Society Member, Trustees Circle, Chair’s Circle & Foundation Circle