Alan Brown   Royal Hua Hin Rotary  

Alan Brown expatriate Scot and electrical engineer was guest speaker.   After a brief outline of his travels and work experience in the UK, Saudi Arabia and Australia utilizing his training and management experience in various aspects of relevant heavy industry he told of the “Royal Hua Hin” Rotary club based in Thailand.  Nowadays Alan splits his time between Australia and Thailand.

The club uses the tag “Royal” to distinguish it from others in the region.   The city of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand evolved as a retreat for past Thai royalty, and contains several palatial notable royal buildings.   Now it is a seaside resort city.  

 It is popular with Thais, having become quite fashionable as a weekend getaway spot for Bangkok residents, as well with foreigners and as an ex-pat retirement or holiday home location.

The expat influence in the club is very clear.   Formed in 2004 there are 47 members, and the only English speaking club in Thailand it boasts expats from 17 different countries-mainly European.

Dispensing with the origins and placement of the club, Alan’s description of its ongoing projects quickly touched on a thread common to all Rotary clubs.  Its fund raising, efforts predominantly from sponsored golf events, were widely utilized in supporting underprivileged communities in remote parts of Thailand and even nearby Cambodia.   Cognizant of the lack of education for the underprivileged (and there are many) in that part of the world, its major efforts manifest in establishing and supporting schools.  In addition it has acted to provide improved basic services, water supply and sanitation infrastructure, to refugee and rural communities.

Cost structures in Thailand meant much could be done from the clubs limited financial resources.  Also with that was the capacity of many members with local business prominence to facilitate and initiate positive project outcomes. 

Royal Hua Hin Rotary club was wonderful example of a vibrant and effective club contributing to the progress of a country less developed than what we experience at home.