National Lions Club of Thailand Annual Convention 2

I got to the university in the centre of the town in plenty of time for the 8am start, I had now been informed after getting up at 6am, but I seemed to be the only one there… was I early?

After asking a few of the staff, none of which spoke English of course – I do not speak Thai. A few frantic phone calls to my hosts and I was informed that it was at another campus 30 minutes outside town!

Follow one of the vans my hosts said… I looked for a silver Toyota minibus. 10 minutes later en route to Bangkok, I realised that this van that I was following was not part of the convention…

Another high speed drive to the out of town campus and I arrived, parked and was ferried in an oversized golf cart to the venue by a nice man.

My host came to collect me and adorned me with various insignia, lapel badges, colourful sashes and a badge on a lanyard and I was given the ok. We walked into the ballroom which was laid out to host 2,500 people sitting down theatre style facing the stage. The band was there again, striking up a fearful noise.

The Lions District Governors sat on the stage under the spotlight in all their finery. 2/3 hours of rousing speeches, none of which sadly I understood, but I clapped enthusiastically each one. They could have announced that the Russians were declaring war on Thailand or that the building was on fire and we all had to evacuate immediately but I clapped each speaker with great aplomb.   

Being a freak of nature farang at 194cms tall and 107kgs in a bright blue suit, wearing a white Panama hat, I was constantly grabbed by ladies, my hosts, Thai men and small children, introduced, made to stand in line having my photograph taken and enthusiastically spoken at in Thai. Obviously they all thought I spoke Thai.

I nodded my head, laughed and dutifully stood in line with much smaller Thai people. They had never seen such an ugly farang so big in their life!

My French hosts did their best to translate what the speakers said which was very kind but I am sure that bits of it were lost in translation. I was introduced to various dignitaries and met some lovely people.

I toured all the stalls outside in the reception area and bought several foods, fruit, items of clothing for my 4 grandchildren and daughter and I was swept along with the joviality of the day.

Everyone was so pleasant and welcoming and in such a good mood representing their regions with great pride.

I met so many nice new friends… I guess that’s what the Lions Club of Thailand is all about.