otherwise known as Songkran. In keeping with the spirit and generosity of Songkran the evening culminated in a charity auction.

The event was attended by over 100 guests and included the honourable Mr Domedej Bunnag Ambassador of Thailand to South Africa, representatives of United States Embassy. Celebrities such as, ex Miss South Africa and Top Billing presenter Jo-Ann Straus, Cindy Nel, Quinton Chong and high profile businesspersons such as Saul and Karen Berman, Paul Berman and Suzanne Ackerman-Berman and media all joined in to make the evening a memorable one.

The auction was ably hosted by Morning Live DJ Nic Marais of KFM fame. A first for Nic who tried his hand-out as auctioneer, he impressed all with his ability to pry open the pockets of the rich and famous. Patrons gladly dug deep into their pockets to support the very worthy cause Helping Hands which is a place of safety and home to abused children and children affected and infected by HIV/Aids.

Amongst the sponsored items that were auctioned were Benjarong ceramics donated by the Thai Embassy, Food Alchemist Peter Goffe-Wood to cater for your next dinner party, a weekend experience compliments of Paul Cluver wines, beautiful evening wear from Hip Hop, spa treatment from Angsana Spa, two months personal training at Quinton and Winston Chong’s “Dragon Power” Muay Thai training gym, weekend for two at Grand West Hotel, a Maya Prass garment, jewellery from Shimansky, a weekend for 2 at Lagoon Beach Hotel, a ticket to Buenos Aires compliments of Air Malaysia, and a Thai inspired painting by Veronica Wilkinson. The grand pinnacle of the auction was a trip Thailand sponsored by Milky Bay Resort and Cathay Pacific fetching a staggering R 80 000 stunning the crowd with the generosity of those participating.

The Thai Ambassador was pleased to hand over a cheque on behalf of Wang Thai and it’s guests for the sum of R 177 200 to a clearly overwhelmed Priscilla Simons of Helping Hands who was delighted that this money would finally enable the building of a permanent home for the children in her care.