Schools Ecological Footprint Challenge

I attended the official press conference of the Schools Ecological Footprint Challenge Project on 26 November. The project, funded by the British Embassy and the British Council, aims to raise awareness of climate change and to promote understanding of sustainable development among teachers and students. 
 
From left to right:  Dr Monthip Sriratana Tabucanon, Director General, Department of Environmental,   Quality Promotion, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;  Mr Willie Tham, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Co., Ltd. ;  Mr  Quinton Quayle, British Ambassador to Thailand;  Mr John Whitehead, Director, British Council  with teacher and students from Sadthasamut School, Samutprakan

The 20th Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon

           

On Sunday 18 November I participated in the 20th Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon along with over 50,000 local and international runners to celebrate the auspicious occasion of HM The King's 80th Birthday Anniversary. Those taking part in the event included General Boonsrang Niumpradit, Supreme Commander; Dr Suwit Yodmanee, Tourism and Sports Minister; Khun Apirak Kosayothin, Governor of Bangkok and famous singer Khun Mint. I managed to complete the quarter marathon (10.5 kms) in a time of 1 hour and 11 mins which I am reliably informed is a new world record for a British Ambassador to Thailand!

Standard Chartered Bank organized the event very well. It is the largest marathon in Asia. Part of the proceeds from the event has been presented to the Chaipattana Foundation and the "Seeing is Believing" Charity Project.

Emporium Gorgeous Hat at the Park

 

      

Alison and I attended the "Emporium Gorgeous Hat at the Park" which was organised by The Emporium Shopping Complex on Saturday 17 November at Benjasiri Park  to celebrate The Emporium 10th Birthday Anniversary.   The concept of the event was inspired by Princess Diana, the Princess of Wales

Remembrance Day Service on 11 November 2007

 

 

From left to right: Tony Hucksley, Nontee Sanansunthorn, British Ambassador, Kulnapha Boonyarat and Richard Barkhausen  

 
 

British Ambassador with the veterans who worked building the railway in Kanchanaburi (aged 89 and 90).  

I hosted my first Remembrance Day Service at the British Embassy on Sunday 11th November. A record number of people attended including a visiting group from the Far East Prisoner of War Association in the UK and members of the newly formed Royal British Legion Chonburi Thailand Branch. Over 40 representatives from other Embassies and organisations also came to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in active service.

Visit by British Ambassador H.E Mr Quinton Quayle & Mrs Alison Quayle to Koh Samui  07 November 2007

 
Alison and I visited Koh Samui on the east (Gulf of Thailand) coast on Wednesday 7 November 2007 for a familiarisation tour and briefing on British tourists, expatriates and businessmen.  We were accompanied by the honorary British consul.

The programme began with coffee at Café Uno, who provide humanitarian assistance to British prisoners, followed by a visit to the Thai International Hospital (TIH) to discuss concerns about the number of British nationals involved in traffic accidents.  

Liz Luxen then joined the party as they moved to Bang Rak for a briefing on diving and sea safety at the recompression chamber followed by a chat with expatriates at the Elephant & Castle where Alison was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

By 1500 surface water from the continued rain gave cause for concern yet I managed to visit the tourist police and regular police stations in Chaweng before heading to Bangkok Samui Hospital (BSH).

The tour ended with an unscheduled 2 hour circumnavigation of the airport runway as the party tried to avoid the torrential rain and flooding.  Alison and I returned to our resort at 1900 after a drive in conditions we’re unlikely to forget.

Background Information:

• Café Uno donates sandwiches to British Prisoners on a monthly basis.
• TIH & BSH treated over 100 patients between them during the last reporting period (01 Apr 06-31 Mar 07)
• SSS (Recompression Chamber) devised the first Air/Sea rescue service to successfully evacuate casualties (Divers & Non-Divers) from Koh Tao & Koh Phangan. The flying time from Koh Tao by helicopter is just 19 minutes as opposed to 2-4 hours via conventional ferry. This initiative was devised by British employees cira 2002 and has saved lives.
• The Elephant & Castle are active supporters of the Poppy Appeal (inc distribution/recovery of boxes). They support a number of local charitable causes and hold a children’s party at Christmas.
• Liz Luxen (www.liz-luxen.com) is a multi-lingual translater/interpreter. She survived the 2004 Tsunami on the west coast. Liz is a German citizen. Her skills are appreciated by individuals, businesses & other embassies.
• Naton (business capitol of Samui) was considered too far @30kms to be included in the 6 hr programme.