On August 29th, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort is again the arena of a great Opera Night. Ibycus is featuring famous coloratura and dramatic soprano arias from operas by Mozart, Verdi, Bellini, Rossini and many more. Concert tickets are available at the Cliff, Tel. 250 421-40.

A Relaxation Seminar which shows you ways to release your inner strength and be at peace with yourself through the creation of true happiness and love will be held at the Ambassador Hotel on September 5th and 6th. The seminar starts each day at 9:00 a.m. and goes until 5:00 p.m. with lunch and breaks. The full registration costs $150, and bookings can be made at Duke Don, Tel. 423 575, Fax: 428 373 or e-mail: buddha@loxinfo.co.th.

Mermaid’s Dive Center on Soi White House in Jomtien is offering free pool tries on the Drager Dolphin Rebreather at the swimming pool of the Residence Suites, Thappaya Road. As they claim, it is the latest technology in semi-closed circuit re-breather systems, and a good way to load up on oxygen before drinking yourself into a stupor at Steve’s Birthday Party following in the evening. For reservations call 232 219 or fax 232 221.

September’s meeting of the PILC will be held on the 8th at the Amari Orchid Resort and is totally in the sign of fashion. In September designers all over the world show their new trends in fashion. Pattaya has the Yes! Boutique, where you can fulfill the dreams of glamour and fashion, by setting your eyes on the new styles and fabrics presented on the catwalk. The theme of the fashion show is "Haute Couture". Make lunch reservations in advance with Catherine Bond, Tel. 704 297, or Elvira Hansmann, Tel. 270 704 Ext. 119.

The Food & Beverage Association of the East Coast is organizing the Amazing Thailand Drink Mixing Contest on September 9th at the Town In Town Hotel on Pattaya Central Road. Starts at 8:00 p.m. sharp. There will be 4 categories: A ‘Bartender’ contest, a ‘Miss Bartender’ contest (in Hawaiian traditional dress), a fruit carving contest and a canapé making contest. The entrance charge is only Baht 60 per person. Everyone’s invited. Please come and join, it might be of great interest for you.

I love the summer months! So many different and special offers! Like this one - hard to refuse: Rim Talay Restaurant at the Ambassador Hotel is having a promotion campaign, offering one free dish for each table. The campaign will last until September 30th. And for those who like to get a 10% discount for this restaurant can pick up a discount card at the Public Relations Office at the hotel. For more information and reservations call 255 501.

Now again something really special: Fairplay Mini Golf at Thappraya Road - the one that leads to Jomtien Beach - invites all friends of Pattaya Mail in honor of its 5th anniversary for a free beer or a free soft drink, starting now! The drinks can be picked up at the Can-Bar - after a round of Mini Golf. Well, to get something free, you’ll have to do something for it. The offer is only for those who will be playing up to the 9th hole. Fair deal! Combine a lot of fun with a free drink!

In this age of economic problems why not try the IMF Lunches at the Grand Sole Coffee Shop? Each dish served costs only 30 Baht, and is delicious. Lunch hours are from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Again one of the fantastic ideas of Grand Sole to help out in a crisis.

Yes! Boutique at the Amari Orchid Resort has a special Summer Sale during all of August, making way for new stock. The prices are from Baht 300 up. Yes! Boutique is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., except Fridays and Saturdays when they stay open until 8:00 p.m. This is supposed to be a real bargain month - just imagine all those nice, pretty clothes...