EVERYBODY’S kung-fu fighting
Eastin Grand Sathorn has a mob of kids in for a movie and much more
PO AND TIGRESS from the |hit “Kung Fu Panda” animated-film franchise showed the kids at the Baan Mahamek Home For Boys a few slick moves recently, courtesy of 20th Century Fox Thailand.
The cartoon characters in |life-size mascot form met the 80 youngsters – mainly orphans and needy kids – at the Eastin Grand Sathorn before heading back to their own home, not in China but the United States.
The hotel arranged a screening of the first “Kung Fu Panda” movie (as requested by the boys) to give a little something back to society on the occasion of its fourth anniversary.
Presents were distributed as well while one of the hotel conference rooms became a private movie theatre for the children, complete with a popcorn machine and hot dogs.
The boys giggled their way through the rough and tumble antics of the characters in the film and then, to their astonishment, Po and Tigress appeared in person. The mascots were entertained in turn with |the kids’ rendition of |“The Chang Song”.
The hotel’s executive chef, Stefan Nietsche, then invited the boys to a buffet banquet of their favourites – pizza, spaghetti, som tam, fried chicken, cake and, okay, more hot dogs.
General manager John Westoby, who served as host for the festivities, said later he and his staff had as much fun as the boys did. The youngsters were duly appreciative.
“On behalf of everyone here I would like to say thank you for arranging such a wonderful time for us,” nine-year-old Nong Win declared. “It was great fun and we really enjoyed the snacks during the movie. We all wish the hotel continued success and hope you’ll arrange more nice activities for us every year.”
Win then led the boys in saying “Khob khun krub” three times.
Baan Mahamek welfare director Areewan Lalitpipat also thanked the hotel staff and congratulated them on the Eastin Grand Sathorn’s anniversary. And a representative of 20th Century Fox Thailand said they were “delighted to be a part of a day that brings so much happiness to these young boys”.
After presenting each of the youngsters with sportswear, Westoby was all smiles.
“Being a family man myself, it makes me feel extremely humble to see these boys who’ve endured such a lot in their young lives, enjoying themselves immensely, and I am delighted that we could have the privilege of welcoming them to share this special occasion with us.”
