When David Haines of Lodge of Welcome headed over to Trident Lodge for an installation meeting, he found himself in the middle of exactly the kind of occasion that reminds Brethren why visiting is such a joy.
Trident Lodge is an English Constitution Lodge under United Grand Lodge of England, bearing the number 9891. It received its Warrant on 12 December 2013 and was consecrated on 15 March 2014 and is listed as meeting at the Holiday Inn Pattaya on Beach Road. The setting suited the day perfectly: a smart venue, a strong turnout, and the unmistakable energy that comes with an installation meeting done well.
The meeting itself drew a remarkable crowd, with many members in attendance from District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Archipelago, as well as visitors from Scotland and Ireland lodges travelling in from around Southeast Asia. The district’s reach across the region is long established — it was formed in 1858, with roots in Singapore — and, in UGLE terms, a District Grand Lodge operates as the overseas equivalent of a Province.
If the installation showcased the best of ceremony and participation, the festive board provided the warmth and laughter that turns a good evening into a memorable one. Wine flowed freely, conversation flowed just as easily, and the main course landed with universal approval: a lamb shank that managed to be both hearty and perfectly timed.
By the end of the night, it was clear David had been treated to classic Trident hospitality — the kind that’s become part of the Lodge’s reputation, alongside a visible commitment to charity and community support in Thailand.
And as for the day after? David’s report was as honest as it was relatable: Sunday was a “rest day” — because after an installation, good company, generous toasts, and a lamb shank worth writing home about, that’s sometimes the most sensible entry in the diary.
