Biological females get a chance to strut their stuff at Royal Cliff

by Teetha Clench
Pattaya Mail’s Fashion Editor

There was a flurry of activity going on when Teetha walked into the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, the venue for the "Miss Swim Wear Thailand 1998" contest.

Teetha does not like to get in the way, so she took this chance to observe the preparation of the contest. Leaning against a wall, we noticed something ‘different’ about this competition. Curiously putting on her glasses, Teetha was non-plussed! All the contestants were women. Biological, female women. Never one to let a ‘scoop’ get away, Teetha cornered famed designer, Mince Aphai to find out ‘what was what.’

Photo: Winners of the Miss Swimwear 1998 held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort on April 11.

Mince sighed, "Well, we do not want be considered discriminatory."

Caught a bit off-guard, Teetha found out from organizers that this contest, held on April 11, was to display Thai feminine pulchritude and mental acuity at its finest. One of the most stupendous events of this year, the show was broadcast on Thai TV, Channel 5.

International fame is in the offing, as the lucky winner will travel to the USA to compete in the "Miss Swimsuit International" competition.

Surprisingly, this women’s event drew a great deal of interest from male members of the community. At first Teetha thought that the men had come in response to requests from spouses. But many men had made their way solo.

The hosts, ‘Sam’ Yuranan Pamornmontri, considered one of the handsomest men in Thailand, and Miss Narisa Honghiran or ‘Becky,’ an Amerasian of Amazonian proportions, delivered lively commentary on the event. Their clever comments and observations kept slavering men in the audience from being bored.

The sweetly somnolent ‘Maem’ Patcharida Watana and the stentorian ‘Tak’ Lila entertained viewers with melodies in different but inimitable styles.

Ten finalists were chosen from the 40 contestants. After long deliberation, judges selected three finalists.

Breathing was hot and heavy as the audience waited for judges to announce the winner.

Ms. Vichuda Kisasara, 21, won the title of ‘Miss Swimwear’ 1998. The prizes included a tiara worth 150,000 baht, 120,000 baht in cash, a trophy, membership to Phillip Wain exercise studio and a Charles Jourdin wristwatch. She is 176 centimetres tall and her measurements are 32-23-35 (inches).

Second Prize went to Ms. Irene Suviraya. Prizes included 60,000 baht in cash and a diamond ring.

Third Prize went to Ms. Sudarat Kongkaphan. Sudarat won 40,000 baht in cash and a Charles Jourdin wristwatch.

Teetha hopes to see more events of this type in Pattaya. Biological females can be lovely, even though their soprano and alto voices are a wee bit high to be considered ‘sexy.’ This is no cause for discrimination, though.

Generally, it showed that Pattaya is ‘up-to-date’ and open minded.

Baffled and Bewildered

by Barrie Kenyon

Stop press! Here’s the latest in our bizarre series of odd coincidences and historical riddles which have baffled the brightest minds in more than 210 countries and territories worldwide, including South Pattaya.

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.

John F Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860.

John F Kennedy was elected president in 1960.

Both presidents were shot in the head.

Both were killed on a Friday.

Both have a surname of seven letters.

Lincoln’s secretary was named Kennedy.

Kennedy’s secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.

Both were succeeded by Southerners.

Both successors were named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.

Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth was born in 1839.

Lee Harvey Oswald was born in 1939.

Both names are made up of thirteen letters.

Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a warehouse.

Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were both assassinated before their trial.

World Class cellist Imre Kalman to solo in Ibycus concert

World-class cellist Imre Kalman of Hungarian parents but of Yugoslavian nationality will be appearing in the April 25th Ibycus concert program in Pattaya. He will be performing the extremely challenging Unaccompanied Cello Sonata by Zoltan Kodaly and will also be performing together with Austrian violinist Simon Stadlmair in the Duo for Violin and Cello of the same composer, as well as the Passacaglia by Handel-Halvorsen.

Having started studying the cello at the age of nine, Imre Kalman began winning First Prizes at Youth Music competitions in cello playing in Yugoslavia at the age of twelve and continued to win them for the following four years. At the age of 16, Imre Kalman was admitted at the Institute for Outstanding Musical Talent in Cuprija, after which he went on to further his cello studies in Germany at the Detmold Music Academy with Andre Navarra and Marcio Carmeiro. Master classes were numerous and included those with Daniel Shafran, Miklos Perenyl and Arto Noras. In 1988 Imre Kalman was a finalist in the Mendelssohn Competition in Berlin. For the past ten years, his solo experience includes solo cellist with the Tibor Varga Chamber Orchestra, the West German Radio Orchestra and of the "Pro Arte" ensembles in Mainz.

Cellist Imre Kalman and violinist Simon Stadlmair will be performing on Saturday April 25 at 5.30 p.m. at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya.

Tickets for the concert at 500 baht for adults and 200 baht for children 12 years and under are available at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort (038-250421-40 ext. 2007), Ibycus (932 9208) or at the door.

Life is a sand castle

by Sai Dood

Buddhism teaches that all life is ephemeral and evanescent. Rather like sand castles. One wave wipes out their existence. But they are not to be less appreciated for their short life. Instead, they should be treasured. Would one deny the Mayfly its life, just because it lives a fleeting 24 hours?

No; sandcastles and Mayflies are all a part of the natural ‘movement of the universe’. In the words of John Travolta, ‘Everything is on its way to somewhere.’

This profound philosophy of impermanence was behind the sand castle building competition during the wildly popular Pattaya Festival.

The seaside silicon architects did not really deal in castles, but instead gave the competition a Thai theme. Pagodas, Temples, Stupas and even the Titanic were represented in the grainy edifices.

The Lion’s Club of Pattaya sponsored this event, which was a roaring success. The club was Lionized for its contribution to the community and continuing interest in the fab festival.

There were architectural teams from Sri Pathum Universtiy, the Interact Association and a host of others.

The winners in this gritty competition were:

Most Beauteous Edifice: The Exhibition City team, which won the Chuan Leekphai trophy and 4,000 baht.

Second Prize: The Welcome Hotel Team, which won the Sonthaya Khunpleum Trophy and 3,000 baht.

Third Prize: The Bangkok Pattaya Hospital Team, which won the Sujarit Pajchimanan Trophy and 2,000 baht.

In the ‘Most Original’ category, the winner was: The Palladium Team, which won the Chuan Leekphai Trophy and 1,000 baht.

Young People’s Category: The Interact Association won the Grand Prize of 3,000 baht and the Pairat Suthithamrongsawat Trophy.

Everyone enjoyed building their castles and watched with pious reverence as high-tide showed how humans can conquer almost anything but the natural ebb and flow of life.

Automania: What's an Icon

by Iain Corness

"Icon" has become a frequently used word in the English language. Every computer operator spends half their days clicking on icons - but for the motoring world, "Icon" has yet another meaning.

Chrysler released one of their concept cars for the next millenium at the Bangkok International Motor Show this month calling it the Jeep Icon. Now I have never been much of an "off-road" freak, but this car certainly got my vote for the best concept car of the show.

Still recognizable as a "Jeep" it incorporates new technology and weight saving materials in its construction. The unitary body is integrated with an aluminium roll-cage to enhance structural rigidity and, incidentally, safety.

The wheel travel has been increased to ten inches and the wheels themselves are whopping great 8x19’s front and rear. This really looks the part of a "go anywhere" vehicle and was the "star" of the Chrysler stand.

Photo: Jeep Icon.

I had the opportunity to talk with Ron Gardhouse, the President of Chrysler Asia-Pacific, at the show and he indicated that the Icon, whilst still a concept car, would be an indication of the direction being taken for a Jeep Wrangler replacement.

As is well known, Chrysler have pulled up their hook from Vietnam and have announced a more direct involvement in Thailand. Ron was reluctant to put a figure on Chrysler’s increased financial stake in this region, but did state that it was a "considerable investment". The principal movement was to establish their own distribution channel in Thailand to handle their total range of products. This includes the Jeep range that is assembled here plus the imported Neon/Voyager units.

With the Jeep Cherokee models having a 28% market share in the Sports Utility segment, an increased customer support base should ensure that their share continues to grow. And if I could only just convince Ron to bring out that Icon soon... If not, roll on the next millenium! I could even see myself in one.

Service with a Smile

The Mighty Mira’s battery failed last week. It had become a little reluctant to turn the engine over during the week, but chose Sunday to really throw in the towel. Isn’t that typical?

As it happened, I was bemoaning my fate at my morning golf lessons when another pupil indicated that his battery had failed that morning as well. Now my trained investigative journalist nose smelled a plot immediately. Were Daihatsu trying to scuttle my plans to make a fortune from used Miras? Was this perhaps payback from them after my revealing their plans to cease sales of their motorized box. This wonderful theory evaporated from my mind when I heard that the other chap had an Isuzu!

However, my golf mate continued with an horrific tale of dribbling up and down Sukhumvit Road looking for an open battery shop and the treatment he received. I was determined not to be the next unhappy customer.

It was then I remembered my happy lady at the car wash! MP Car Clean on Thepprasit Road has been bathing the baby Mira since its birth and Madame Car Clean speaks excellent English. I did not need to use the hastily learned "Khun mee battery mai?" I had been practising all morning. She took it all in, arranged for her brother to collect a battery for me and fit it, and at the same time gave Mira a wash and clean.

All this was completed in half an hour. No terrible tales to tell. In fact, I sat in their shady waiting area and had a quiet beer while it all happened. MP Car Clean definitely gets the Automania seal of approval. I suggest you give them a go, both for your weekly wash or other minor services. Tell ‘em the Doc sent you!

Autotrivia

With poor old Rolls Royce cars going down the tube and looking as if they have been snapped up by BMW, perhaps we should have a few words about this illustrious marquee and its founders. Frederick Royce (1863 - 1933) was a self taught engineer who’s business in Manchester (UK) was to produce electrical equipment. By 1904 he was tinkering with cars, refining the designs of the day. It was then he met the Hon. Charles Rolls (1877 - 1910) and the partnership was born. With Royce’s engineering skills, and Rolls’ social connections and marketing abilities, it did not take long for the new Rolls-Royce cars to make a name for themselves.

Rolls, who was a fledgling aviator, was killed flying in 1910, whilst Royce, who fell ill at that time, lasted another 23 years. The R’s on the R-R badge changed from red to black in 1933 but not, as is often thought, as a result of Royce’s death. This change occurred after the board of director’s decision that black more suited the image of Rolls Royce than red!

Although given a Baronetcy in 1931, Royce remained a simple man who always described himself as "Henry Royce, Mechanic". It is indeed a great shame that the last bastion of excellence in British automotive engineering has finally fallen.

Autotrivia Quiz

Last week’s quiz question was the origin of the initials D.K.W. It did not stand for "Das Kleine Wunder" (the little wonder) which was the name given to the manufacturer’s first two stroke motor cycle in 1919. D.K.W. actually stands for "Dampf Kraft Wagen" (the steam car) after the founder’s experimental car of 1916. This was confirmed by one of the senior BMW executives at the Motor Show this month who admitted he had done his apprenticeship with DKW. It was not Das Kleine Wunder! So there you go!

So to this week’s question. To win the Automania FREE beer of the week is easy - just fax me in at the Editorial Office (038 427 596) the correct answer to this: The Dutch Grand Prix was first held at Zandvoort in 1948. Who won it? (This one is so simple, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t get it right!) The answer’s on your doorstep!

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Created by Andy Gombaez, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.