A small delegation from the Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin headed by President Phil Lawrence, who was joined by IPP Brian Anderson, Martin Harrison, Paul Grab, Rick and June Rees. travelled to Bangkok on Thursday 3rd March 2022 to attend the Rotary Club of Bangkok’s lunch in the prestigious Grand Ballroom 1, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Erawan. The lunch being held in honour of their member General, PDG Saiyud Kerdphol’s 100th Birthday that he celebrates later this month.
Following his arrival the General was welcomed with a hearty rendition of ‘For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow’ and ‘Happy Birthday’. He was then presented with a birthday cake and following a few words made presentations of scholarships to military nursing students who were also present.
This was followed by lunch whilst a video of the General’s military history was played giving an enlightening insight into his life and career.
General Saiyud enjoyed an illustrious career which saw service in World War 11 and Korea and became Thailand's oldest general when he retired in 1983 as the Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
During the second World War as a Captain in the Thai Army he oversaw the surrender of Japanese forces in Nakhon Pathom in 1945.
General Saiyud has previously stated that when he was the Supreme Commander of the Thai armed forces, and explained that he had the most crucial task of ensuring that the US military and the Thai military understood each other and thus cooperated in dealing with the problems at hand. This was during the Vietnam conflict, which was then at its height as was the Communist insurgency in Thailand.
General Saiyud from the Rotary Club Bangkok which was the first Rotary Club in Thailand became the District Governor of district 335 in 1991-92. Up until then there were only 2 Rotary districts in Thailand, namely districts 335 and 336. In 1992 two new Rotary International districts were created in Thailand. He joined Rotary in 1969 whilst still a serving General.
The 4 districts are: District 3330 (formally District 335)in the South, District 3340 in the East and Northeast, District 3350 in the Central Region and District 3360 (formally District 336) covering the North of Thailand.
General Saiyud is a strict vegan and mostly enjoys eating only raw foods like salads, fresh fruits and sprouts and in the 1990’s he became the is the Founder and President of
Thai Vegetarian Union and became the President of Bangkok Vegetarian Society.
Thai Vegetarian Union and became the President of Bangkok Vegetarian Society.Also General Saiyud is the author of several books relating to military subjects from his experiences in the Royal Thailand Armed Forces.
As a former military commander and Past District Governor he linked the two roles in an address to the Pattaya Rotary club recently on the subject of ‘Tolerance and understanding will lead to world peace’ He stated that the Importance and necessity of cooperation between the diverse cultures and traditions of the human race, if we want to achieve friendship, world understanding and peace.
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