Beauty queens come to aid of Royal fund
Published on May 16, 2005 - A charity auction held last night raised more than Bt1 million for the Khun Poom Jensen Foundation.
At a special event at the Oriental Bangkok hotel, guests bid for 10 items donated by 10 of the contestants in the upcoming Miss Universe 2005 contest.
The items went under the hammer for a handsome Bt944,000. The total was lifted over the Bt1 million mark thanks to a Bt100,000 donation from Thailand’s former Miss Universe Apassara Hongsakul.
Event organisers only had time to auction 10 items last night, however, a total of 81 gifts have been donated by Miss Universe contestants.
They will be sold at a later date to further boost the Foundation’s coffers.
The Royal Charity Gala Night was officially opened by Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, the mother of Khun Poom.
The 30-table function attracted a number of local luminaries, among them Santi Bhirombhakdi and Yaowares Shinawatra, and was attended by all 81 Miss Universe candidates.
With a opening price of Bt5,000 placed on each item, the bidding was fast and furious.
However, one lucky bidder managed to snap up a bargain, after bidding on a painting of an eagle by Chinese artist Dayi Yuan.
Valued at Bt120,000 and donated by Miss China, Siyuan Tao, the painting went for Bt70,000.
In another following bid, an impressive replica of the Czech Royal Coronation jewels in a luxury gift case was up for grabs. Presented by Miss Czech Republic Katerina Smejkalova, the replica is made of vermeil and decorated with “Czech garnets”. It sold for Bt32,000.
On a musical note, Miss Trinidad & Tobago, Madgalene Walcott, proudly presented a steel drum, which went for a whopping Bt180,000. A pearl necklace brought by Miss USA Chelsea Cooley sold for Bt130,000.
Miss Vietnam Pham Thu Hang’s Homeland and River embroidery fetched Bt48,000, while Miss Thailand Chananporn Rosjan proudly presented a ceramic jar painted with a Thai literature design. The jar managed to achieve the night’s highest bid of Bt220,000 from Santi.
Kupluthai Pungkanon, Urisara Kowitdamrong
The Nation |
