Thailand

Thailand Communications Officer: Bhuson Paul Tran (Ken Tran)

The Order of Malta Thailand continues to flourish. In 2018, we expanded our members with the acceptance of one Knight and two Dames, one Magistral Chaplain from Italy, 18 Thai Knights and Dames, two visiting Australian Knights, and one visiting Italian Dame. hosted spiritual and humanitarian activities and projects, and have a positive outlook for the year ahead.

Consoeur Faustina Chavali Pamela Retreat in Pattaya Thailand, facilitated by Osathanugrah was appointed as Dame the Magistral Chaplain to receive guidance of Magistral Grace in June 2018, and was for their spiritual life, deepen charism, and invested in Hong Kong on 19 November, enhance their spiritual life in their activities 2018 followed by Confrere Alphonsus of the Order of Malta. Pipat Ratanatraipob, and Consoeur Theresa Pringprao Sirisant in October. International Pilgrimage to Lourdes We are blessed by their appointments and From 4 to 8 May, Consoeur Faustina celebrate their successes. They have become Chavali Pamela Osathanugrah represented valuable additions to strengthen our the Order of Malta Thailand in the general Order’s spirituality and services to the sick Pilgrimage of the Order of Malta in Lourdes, and the poor. France. The aim of the pilgrimage was to

Thailand is primarily a Buddhist foster camaraderie with members of other country with a population of about 383,000 associations, pray for the sick and the poor, Catholics – less than 0.6 per cent of the and serve them to strengthen their spirit of total population of 69 million. Recruiting servitude. qualified members among the very small Catholic population is therefore a great Postulants’ Retreat challenge for us. Our members’ success In August 2018, the Magistral Chaplain has proven that with God’s blessings, this conduced a half-day retreat, attended challenge can be overcome. by four Postulants. There they received

At present, our Order comprises of guidance to help prepare themselves spiritually as they become members of the Order of Malta. Three of the Postulants were successful, having been accepted as Knight and Dames.

Spiritual Activities

On 10 March, 2018, Order members and Postulants participated in a one-day Annual

Eucharistic Celebration Preceding Regular Meetings

Preceding every fourth monthly meeting, the Order of Malta Thailand attends the Eucharistic Celebration presided by the Magistral Chaplain to offer thanks to the Lord for His guidance, to reflect on His words, strengthen our commitment to be close to Christ, and pray for those in need.

Hospitaller Projects and Humanitarian Activities

During February to March 2018, we donated 56 wheelchairs valued at 145,600 Baht (A$6,483) on requests from seven dioceses in the Northern, North Eastern, and Western regions of Thailand.

The Wheelchair Donation to the Needy Project originated in 2016. It is of tremendous value to the handicapped and shows that our helping hand reaches the sick and the poor, not only in areas surrounding Bangkok but to other regions of Thailand as well.

From 6 to 8 June we were fortunate to

sponsor three delegates to the second Asia Pacific Camp for Youth with Disabilities in the Philippines. Those that attended and represented Thailand included 2017 Christopher Cup winners Tavepong Puangpetch and Sawang Srisom, together with Alongkorn Suvannanert.

Automated External Defibrillator Project

On 11 November 2018, the Order of Malta Thailand piloted a project to install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) unit at the Holy Redeemer Church Bangkok with training sessions for 50 to 60 parishioners. The cost of the unit, including the stand, training and incidentals is 85,700.00 Bahts ($A3,810). The aim in 2019 is to install more AED units at churches in the Archdiocese of Bangkok, perhaps after the assessments of the pilot project.

Donation to Flood Victims in Laos

Following the collapse of the Xe Plan dam in the Attepeu province of Southern Laos on 23 July 2018, the Order of Malta Thailand donated 230,000 Bahts (A$10,200) on 23 August, 2018 for flood victims in Laos to the Vicariate of Paksae at St. Gabriel Foundation of Thailand, Bangkok. Fr Joseph Anucha Chaiyadej, Director of Catholic Social Communication of Thailand witnessed the donation, which was kindly published in the Thai Catholic Newspaper Udomsarn.

Christmas Donations

In the winter month of December of every year, the Order of Malta Thailand purchases and sends blankets to various Dioceses for the poor in the North and

North East provinces of Thailand. This year, 300 blankets worth 17,400 Bahts (A$700) were donated to the Dioceses of Chiangrai, Chiangmai, Nakhon Sawan, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani to help needy parishioners, residents, and hills tribe people.

Observing Christmas as a time of giving, love, joy, and hope to lift spirits of the forgotten sick and the poor, on 17 December our members visited and made donations to those less fortunate at the following Catholic centres: • Angels’ Home, caring for severely handicapped children and their parents from slums. • House of Hope, caring for 95 orphaned children aged three to nine. • Comunita Incontrol, caring for 250 hills tribe children • St. Clare Hospice, caring for 24 underprivileged terminally ill and dying AIDs patients.

Donation of Lever Propelled Tricycles

On 10 December 2018, tricycles, valued at 53,000 Bahts (A$2,360) were provided upon requests from the Archdiocese of Ta Rae Nong Saeng and the Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani, with the potential for the needy handicapped to be self-sufficient. The tricycles are used for better mobility and available to help those in need earn a living.

The Order of Malta Thailand feels very blessed to have achieved all of our intended activities to serve the sick and the poor.

The motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum” is our first priority. It inspires us to continue our efforts to grow in spirit and in strength to better serve who are less fortunate.

Thailand is primarily a Buddhist country with a population of about 383,000 Catholics – less than 0.6 per cent of the total population of 69 million. Recruiting qualified members among the very small Catholic population is therefore a great challenge. At present, the Thailand Order comprises of one Magistral Chaplain from Italy, 18 Thai Knights and Dames, two visiting Australian Knights, and one visiting Italian Dame.