The international World Harmony Run held its first torch relay run of 2007 today in Hua Hin, along a portion of Thailand’s major north/south thoroughfare. Forty runners from 15 countries carried a flaming torch from the Clock Tower to the Hua Hin Vittayalai School. Team runners were joined by student runners on the route, and upon their arrival at Hua Hin Vittayalai were greeted by the school’s marching band and 200 eagerly waiting students.

Father Prasert Somngam, Head of Hua Hin Vittayalai School, warmly welcomed the World Harmony Run team "not as guests, but as brothers and sisters". The students gave an enthusiastic performance of the World Harmony Run theme song in both English and Thai. The World Harmony runners introduced themselves in their various native languages, and the children delighted in guessing their nationalities. The students joined the team in reciting the Run’s motto, "Harmony begins with me" and determined to make their voices heard in faraway places such as India and America.

Next the Harmony Run torch was passed from hand-to-hand in a spiral pattern along the rows of students. Speaking in Thai, World Harmony Run team member Dr. Nayak Polissar expressed the team’s appreciation, presenting a certificate of participation to Father Somngam. There was a great spirit of joy, laughter and friendship as the students, marching band and runners crowded together under the pavilion for a group photo.

Finally the runners and students streamed onto the playing field and around the perimeter with the Harmony torch. The students’ blue and white uniforms, the band’s bright yellow shirts and the World Harmony Run team uniforms created a harmonious whirl of colors -- and a joyous start to the 2007 World Harmony Run.

Father Somngam summarized the day’s events with the words: "Your coming inspires us that we belong not just to this small society here, but that we belong to the world and that we are responsible to the people in the world."