PATTAYA, THAILAND – On the 20th anniversary of Pattaya’s designation as a “Rotary International City of Peace,” the city administration and Rotary Club reaffirmed their commitment to further peace initiatives.
Anniversary ceremony at Peace Monument
On 23 February 2026, Mayor Poramese Ngamphichet, accompanied by his executive secretary Phumiphat Kamolnat, attended a special celebration organized by the Rotary Club of Pattaya to mark the 20th anniversary of the peace designation. The event began at 10:00 a.m. at the Peace Monument in Pattaya Peace Park on Khao Phra Tamnak, behind the well-known “Pattaya City” sign.
Origins of Pattaya’s peace designation
On 23 February 2006, Pattaya was officially declared the first city in the country to become a Rotary International City of Peace by Rotary International and local authorities. Since then, the Rotary Club of Pattaya has worked with various organizations on annual projects aimed at strengthening peace in the heart, in the family, in the community and in the world.
Symbolism of the Peace Monument
The central symbol of this commitment is the black granite Peace Monument with a “Pillar of Peace,” engraved with the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Located in the landscaped Pattaya Peace Park, the monument, according to the organizers, serves as a reminder that peace is attainable and can be promoted as a shared value by everyone.
Background of Rotary’s peace program
The Rotary International Cities of Peace program dated back to the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga Kuring-gai in 1992, which sought to establish a culture of peace at the level of local communities. Around the world, Rotary Clubs held activities every year on World Peace and Understanding Day to recognize peace work and charitable engagement and to strengthen cooperation with authorities and other institutions.
Upcoming Pattaya Peace Conference 2026
As part of the anniversary, the Pattaya Peace Conference was also announced, scheduled for 14 December 2026 at the PEACH Convention Center in Chonburi province. According to those responsible, the conference was expected to become an important platform for exchanging ideas and further developing peace-related projects in the region and beyond.
Pattaya’s role in international peace efforts
Mayor Poramese, known locally by his nickname “Mayor Beer”, congratulated project leader Niels Colov and the leadership of the Rotary Club of Pattaya for their long-standing commitment to the city of peace. The organizers viewed the anniversary as a sign that Pattaya was consolidating its role as a center of international peace initiatives and linking local community work with Rotary’s global values.