First meeting with Rotarians

First week with Rotary Peace Fellows Class 28 was so exciting. There are so many interesting people from all over the world with various backgrounds. Recently on Sunday 19, we had Rotary Orientation at the Ocean Tower, Bangkok. It was such a good opportunity to meet with the Host Counsellors face to face and had in dept discussion with them. Apart from having provided with history, goals, ideals and programs of Rotary International and Rotary Foundation from Past Rotary International Director Noraseth Pathmanand, there was also Prof. Surichai Wun’gaeo, Director, Rotary Peace Center at Chulalongkorn University who was talking about the Peace Center.

The most remarkable was the warm welcome from the Past Rotarian International President Bhichai Rattakul who also was a Former Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affair. With his effort, the Rotary Peace Center at Chulalongkorn University had been established. He is incredible 95 years old strong man with kindness and full of humor. His sharing what he had done during his term such as visiting and negotiating with Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos PDR emphasizing his commitment to create peace in this region. It is so encouraging to build peace no matter what job or position we are, and we should be humble. His words that catch many people is “The higher you go up, the lower your head must bow”. And the most important thing is “Peace is not just a piece of paper. Peace should come from the heart”.

Patcharin Nawichai – Thailand

Rotary Peace Fellow – Class 28