The Seaboard Sound & Friends have re-started their weekly rehearsals as of January 25th. The rehearsals are usually being held at the Pattaya Baptist Church on South Pattaya Road every Monday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Afterwards, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. a rehearsal of Barbershop Music will take place. Please note: Pattaya Baptist Church is kind enough to lend their place at the choir’s disposal, yet the choir is not involved in religious matters. For more information contact Monika Rottmann, Tel/Fax: 225 903.

"The skills of Cross Cultural Management in Thailand" is the title of a 2-day seminar held on February 18th & 19th at the Hemaraj Land & Development Conference Center Eastern Seaboard. There’s still time to book! For both Farangs and Thais. For more information and booking call Dr. Holmes, tel. 02-391 8586-7 or 01-9020 0838, fax: 02-391 8589.

A pregnancy exercise class is being offered at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. The class can be joined at any time during pregnancy. Anne Barthlemy, a Belgian trained physical therapist with US experience, including 5 years of teaching prenatal and postnatal exercise, will be the teacher. The program includes pregnancy exercises based on yoga, stretching, breathing and strengthening routine, and some childbirth education (breathing through labor, pushing simulation and relaxation). Physician’s permission is required - a form can be picked up at the international department at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. For registration call 427 752 and don’t forget to bring a heavy towel or a small mat to the class.

Even though Christmas and New Year celebrations are over, there are still many more parties to come. For example Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year... There will be always a reason to party - and to buy a new dress, right? Right now the Modern City Department Store has many offers. The 3rd floor is packed with evening gowns - amazingly many in European sizes. The prices are reasonable and 30% discounts are given. Try it out and surprise your husband with a beautiful new robe. Contact Miss Patamaporn, nicknamed "Ying", she is very helpful and speaks English.

Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year:

Celebrate Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year together at the Green Bottle Pub. Specialties are: 1. Open any bottle of Chivas Regal and receive another for free. 2. Open any bottle of liquor and receive a 10 % discount. 3. Try the delicious snacks. 4. Lucky draws every hour with many nice prizes. 5. Special souvenirs for all those born on February 14th or 16th, the days when the celebration and special promotion take place at the Green Bottle.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day for an entire weekend! Saturday & Sunday, February 13th and 14th you can treat your beloved to a special, delicious, romantic dinner at the Thai Garden Resort under the shining stars at the poolside (Bt. 475 only). Or you can bring the love of your life to the Moon River Pub for a Country-Western BBQ buffet (no entrance fee). No stars - except those of the Soulhouse Band, but free snacks, games and prizes + the Bacardi promotion. Of course, both places will present roses for the ladies... For reservations please call Marion, tel. 370 614-6.

Have you arranged something special for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? If not, the Amari Orchid Resort has. Bring your loved one along to enjoy all the fashion and passion of the catwalk at the Valentine’s Day Fashion Show. A delicious buffet will be served under the stars and all ladies will receive a rose. The couple who most catches the eye of the romantic Cupid will win a special gift. 590 baht ++ per person. Make your reservations at tel. 428 161.

For the upcoming Valentine’s Day on February 14th, the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel offers a special set-meal for you and your sweetheart for just Baht 900 per couple. Imagine, even grilled lobster is included. And, of course, a rose for the lady! Please call 255 501 ext. 1801 for reservations.

The Siam Bayshore Hotel provides a sumptuous seaside buffet with all time favorite aphrodisiacs and live music on Valentine’s Day at the Bali Hai Terrace for Baht 1,100 net per couple. All you have to provide is love and romance. You can dance the night away under the starry Siam sky or you can hug and kiss... If one person in the loving couple is 70 years or over, you’ll receive 50% discount! For reservations call 428 678.

For that Valentine’s Special on February 14th, treat that special someone to a set-menu at the romantic atmosphere of the La Mer Restaurant of the Montien Hotel. The meal will be a perfect love elixir. What better way could you find to say I love you? For reservations call 428 155-6 ext. 1629 or 1620.

It’s New Year again at the Bali Hai Terrace of the Siam Bayshore Hotel. A gala diner buffet & party with Chines/Thai/International cuisine, live band, shows and fire crackers will bring you into the year of the rabbit. 650 net per person. Call 428 678.

Tuesday, February 16th is the day to say good bye to the Tiger and welcome the tender Rabbit. Lucky Thailand, who can celebrate more than one New Year - and this time it’s the Chinese New Year, celebrated at the Thai Garden Resort in grand style with one of their famous Thai-Chinese-International buffets. Next to specialties like Dim Sum, Roasted Duck, Suckling Pig and many others, you’ll receive your fortune cookies and genuine Chinese tea. For reservations call Marion, tel. 370 614-6.

The Montien Hotel celebrates Chinese New Year in style at the Marco Polo Chinese Restaurant. A very special menu will be prepared, complimentary rabbit souvenirs, golden Mandarin oranges and ‘Ang Pao’ will be given away. Live music and a lion dance show will provide entertainment during dinner. For reservations call 428 155-6, ext. 1629 or 1620.