President Tobias Pjedsted and Past President Niels Colov represented the Rotary Club of Pattaya at the annual Raphi Day ceremony held at Pattaya Provincial Court on Friday, 7 August 2026.
The Rotary Club of Pattaya was invited to join representatives from government agencies, the judiciary and public and private organizations in commemorating His Royal Highness Prince Raphi Phatthanasak, widely regarded as the “Father of Thai Law.”
The morning ceremonies brought together senior members of the local judiciary, government officials and representatives from 44 organizations connected with the justice system and the wider Pattaya community.
The program began at 7:00 a.m. with a traditional Buddhist merit making ceremony presided over by Mr. Wisanukorn Taenrin, Chief Judge of the Pattaya Provincial Court. Ten Buddhist monks were invited to chant prayers, after which participants presented food and traditional alms and received blessings.
At 8:00 a.m., the official wreath laying ceremony took place in front of Pattaya Provincial Court. Representatives of the participating organizations laid commemorative wreaths in honour of HRH Prince Raphi Phatthanasak and his enormous contribution to the development of Thailand’s modern legal system.
President Tobias Pjedsted and Past President Niels Colov participated on behalf of the Rotary Club of Pattaya, joining the many organizations represented at this important annual occasion.
Remembering the Father of Thai Law
HRH Prince Raphi Phatthanasak played a fundamental role in establishing the foundations of Thailand’s modern judicial and legal education systems.
Among his many contributions, he established a law school to educate a new generation of legal professionals, helped reform the Thai court system, compiled important laws and Supreme Court judgments, and authored textbooks explaining legal principles.
His pioneering work had a lasting influence on the development of the Thai legal profession and earned him the title “Father of Thai Law.” Raphi Day is observed annually on 7 August, the anniversary of his passing.
The Rotary Club of Pattaya was honoured to be invited to participate in this important Pattaya ceremony and to join representatives from across the community in paying tribute to one of the most influential figures in the history of Thailand’s legal system.
