Swedish Queen and Thai Princess in Pattaya

Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden and Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn were welcomed by Ms. Aurora Sribuaphan, Director of the Pattaya Blind School, Mr. Sutham Phanthusak, International Commissioner of the National Scouts Organization of Thailand and Chonburi Governor Senee Jittakasem.

Ms. Aurora said, "The Maha Chakri Sirindhorn building and the Vocational Training building were created to be a practical educational and learning center for the students at the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind. The two buildings consist of 3,795 square meters and cost 30 million baht to build which was all received from generous donations."

Ms. Aurora continued, "The budget for the two buildings began with just 5,000 baht that was donated through the HRH Princess Sirindhorn Foundation in 1993 after the Princess came to inaugurate the school building seven years ago. The school used that amount and established a foundation where kind-hearted people donated money until there was enough to start the construction of the Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building. The Maha Chakri Sirindhorn building was built in 2007 and cost 17 million baht. It was used as the first vocational training and learning center for the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind at the time. After first building was completed, the foundation still had some money left so the school decided to build another building called the Vocational Training Section connected to each other in an ‘L’ shape. The new building will be used to accommodate the trainees as well as become the learning center for students who are severely blind. "

"The Vocational Training Section started construction in April 25, 2008 but was put to a halt after the school ran out of money. On February 17, 2009 the school received a generous donation of US$30,000 from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during his visit for the 57th World Baden-Powell Fellowship Event held here in Pattaya. The remaining construction of the Vocational Training Section was then handed over to Mr. Sven Philip Sorensen, advisor to the Swedish Executive Scout Board to take care of. Mr. Seven realized that he would need about seven million baht to be able to fully complete the section so he decided to consult with Mr. Sutham Phantusak, Managing Director of Woodlands Suites Serviced Residences to set up a committee where they gathered enough funds to finish the building." added Ms. Aurora.