The seventh president of the Rotary Club of Koh Samui (Rocks), Claudio Cerquetti, was installed recently at the Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa in the southwest corner of the island.

A number of Rotarian visitors, including those from the Rotary Club of Patong Beach in Phuket and the Rotary Club of Makati South in the Philippines, attended the event.

 Chartered in 2003 by first president Kenneth Cheung, Rocks consists of professionals, community leaders and retirees who donate their time and resources to provide humanitarian services to the island.

During the installation, Michael Massy, immediate past president of Patong Beach and president Dars Padilla of Makati South spoke to congratulate the new president.

In his inaugural speech, Cerquetti said his tenure as president would be devoted to generating resources for public health and road safety, and beefing up support for the government hospital in for Nathon.

Cerquetti has made Samui his home for some eight years, founding three companies on the island along the way, including a highly successful photography firm.

The gala dinner served after the ceremonies included a spit roasted suckling pig, tempura station, grill station, and Thai and European dishes, with free-flowing wine courtesy of Wine Connection and Fosters Lager from Tropical Murphy’s.