The Annual St. George's Ball - History

The social highlight of the year for the Society, and considered to be one of the best events in Bangkok, is the Society's Annual Ball, held on the nearest Saturday to St. George's Day (23rd April) each year. The Ball has the twin objectives of raising funds for our many charitable projects and celebrating St. George's Day. A truly English experience for our guests of many nationalities in such a cosmopolitan city.

Click here for a report and photographs of previous year's St Georges Ball celebrations.

Up until the late 1980's, Society Members provided a "St. George's Cabaret" as an entertainment highlight, prior to dancing the night away, until the early hours of the following morning (when breakfast would be served) to a local band.

Work commitments of the 'boom' years (early 1990's) in Thailand were such that the St. Georges members, no longer had the time to write scripts, plan acts, rehearse, practice, arrange stage settings, paint backgrounds etc. so The Society began bringing "Acts" from the UK to perform at the Ball.

Over the years these "Acts" have included cabaret, famous comedians, The Beatles (impersonators) and very successful was a visit in 1991, by The Baron Knights, whilst on their way to do an Australian Tour.

1996 saw the Society making the decision to significantly "uplift" the entertainment at the Ball, and thanks to generous sponsorship, the St Georges Society was able to bring a 28 man, Royal Marine Band from Portsmouth in the UK. The Band of World-class musicians assisted with fanfares at the start of the evening, the Baron of Beef Ceremony, and performed as a 20 man Chamber Orchestra during Dinner, followed by a full 28 man Marching Display and culminating in a chorus of old favourites from "The last Night of the Proms". The Band then took turns with a local Disco, performing "Big Band" and "Blues Brothers" sets until breakfast was served at 6.30 am.

By popular demand the RM Band returned every year until 2001, when sadly due to financial and other business difficulties following the events of September 11th 2001, we were unable to raise the high level of sponsorship funds needed to bring the band plus their almost 3 tonnes of instruments, uniforms, and equipment, to Thailand for the 2002 Ball.

(The Bandit Beatles with the Society Council and various hangers-on,
early hours, Sunday morning)

So, for the 42nd Annual Ball held on 26th April 2002, thanks to some new and some old sponsorship, the Ball went ahead and 460 people enjoyed cocktails before sitting down to dinner at The Siam Inter-Continental Hotel in Bangkok.

The Baron of Beef Ceremony commenced proceedings. An over-enthusiastic Nell Gwynn managed to lob one of her oranges onto the red wine glass of the British Ambassador, and where the spillage luckily missed him but did for his butter!

Whatever the entertainment in store for the next Annual Ball, you can be guaranteed a night of tradition, good food, good company plus plenty of dance and alchol!