Director of Thai orphanage on UK visit

Redemptorist Father Philip Banchong Chaiyara, director of the Pattaya Orphanage in Thailand, is arriving in London next Wednesday for a week-long visit. Fr Philip took over the running of the centre last October on the death of its legendary founder, Fr Ray Brennan, who set his first home for abandoned babies in Thailand during the Viet Nam war. Since that time the centre has expanded to include schools for the disabled, deaf and blind, a job placement centre, home for the elderly and drop-in centre for street children. The Pattaya Orphanage gives 700 children and young people each year an education, a home and the chance to lead an independent life. Fr Philip will be celebrating Mass at St Peter's School, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire next Thursday 21 October; at Holy Trinity, Brook Green, West London on Saturday 23 October; and at St Joseph's, Maidenhead, Berkshire on Sunday 31 October. Born in a small Catholic village in the north east of Thailand, Fr Philip has dedicated his life to the Christian faith. He was posted to Pattaya in the 1970s and worked with Fr Ray for many years. When Fr Ray's health was deteriorating he chose Fr Philip to carry on his life's work. In February the new street children's drop-in centre, was opened. Offering children living and working on the streets of Pattaya a meal, a shower and a safe haven it has already been used by hundreds of youngsters. For more information search for earlier stories about Pattaya on ICN and visit: www.pattayaorphanage.org.uk