|
Songkran Day -
Buddhist Year 2543 (13 April 2000)
The word “Songkran” comes from the ancient Sanskrit
language meaning “passing” or “entering”. In this sense it means
the period determined in Western Astrology as the “Vernal Equinox”.
This is when the position of the Sun creates days and nights of equal
length.
The vernal equinox is defined in astronomy as that
point in space where the plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, the
ecliptic, intersects the plane of the Earth’s equator extended into
space. This occurs as the Sun moves from a position south of the equator
to a position north of the equator. In astrology this moment is the “0
degrees of Aries” and depicts the entering or passing into a new season.
The Earth’s orbit around the Sun is divided into 12 x 30 degree
segments, each being a “Sun sign” of the Zodiac beginning with Aries.
 The
Water Pouring Ceremony is held to pay respect to relatives and elders in
the community, and receive blessings in return.
Each year the passing occurs approximately during the same
time. The timing and exact calculation are deducted by an Ephemeris. Songkran
2543, or passing, occurred on Thursday 13 April at precisely 17:15:00 hours when
the Sun passed through Pisces and entered Aries, and as a new rainy season
approached Thailand.
Preparations began on Thursday with people cleaning their
houses and business areas. The following day was observed in a manner of near
silence without saying anything to offend others. An ancient belief is that one
should not wash ones hair on this day.
Thai New Year actually begins on Saturday, 15 April,
occurring at precisely 21:12:36 hours. Shortly thereafter, Buddhist “Tham
Bun” ceremonies are held at various temples and chedis to honor and pay homage
to Buddhist clergy. The Water Ceremony is then performed for parents, teachers
and elders in the community, including respected individuals and Buddha images.
The young people will engage in different sports, traditional Thai dances and
plays will be in abundance for the enjoyment of residents in local communities,
and in many localities, beauty contestants will compete for Miss Songkran.
Pattaya witnesses
another Divine Healing at St. Nicholas Church
by Elfi
Father Corsie S. Legaspi, renowned divine healer, is a
secular priest from the Diocese in the province of Cavite, Philippines.
Born in 1947, he followed his call to priesthood after graduating from the
Philippine Normal University with a BS Elementary Education degree and
teaching for five years. In 1975, serving as Assistant Parish priest, he
discovered, by accident, his precious gift of healing. Midway through a
Life-in-the-Spirit seminar, which he held for a charismatic prayer group,
when he laid his hands on the participants, praying over them one by one,
the participants began to fall and the young priest was at his wits’ end
with fright. They were falling on a hard ground and somebody could get
hurt. But the more important question was, why were they all falling? Only
later he found out that this is called “slain in the spirit”.
Shortly after that incident, Father Corsie tried his
power again, this time on his sick mother, who was long afflicted with
cancer of the lungs. She had been allowed to leave hospital, so Father
Corsie could look after her and be with her, since she neared her end. She
actually became his first patient. In the presence of his charismatic
group, Father Corsie prayed over his mother, giving her what was termed
much later as ‘soaking prayer’ - praying over a patient for a half
hour, a number of times a day. The next morning, when he prepared for
early Sunday mass, he vaguely noticed his mother walking about. It was
only after his mass when he realized that his mother really was walking.
She had improved tremendously in just one night and from then on
she kept improving, until she was finally healed completely of her cancer.
The word of this miracle spread like wildfire in that small town and
people, not only from his parish but from other towns and more distant
places, began bringing their sick to him for healing.
The early eighties saw Father Corsie Legaspi in the USA
to pursue graduate studies. Finishing his MA in education in 1983 and his
Ph.D. in Psychology in 1984, he returned to the Philippines and could no
longer hold back his special God-given gift of healing. His bishop,
cognizant of the value of healing as a powerful tool for evangelization,
eventually excused Father Corsie from parish work completely so that he
could concentrate his full attention on a full time ministry of healing.
 A
woman “slain in the spirits”
Father Corsie, who turned 53 this year, has been
healing for over 23 years now. His healing sessions, aside from those in
the Philippine Archipelago, reach out to virtually all countries in Asia,
the United States and Canada. In March 2000, only a few months after his
first visit, he came back to Pattaya to pray over sick people at the St.
Nicholas Church and again, hundreds of believers showed up to seek help.
If it was shocking for those who saw him healing the last time, who
witnessed people being healed instantly, it was no surprise for them now,
when people with ‘frozen’ shoulders for years could lift their arms
up, or others, who had walking problems, suddenly started to walk again.
Father Corsie, before starting the healing session, always introduces
himself, giving a brief history of the ministry of healing, to which the
Lord has called him. In all honesty and candor he states that while
sickness and death are inevitable, “one doesn’t have to get sick in
order to die”. He does not use gadgets and he doesn’t go into trance.
He simply lays his hands on a person and says his prayers - so the best
way to define his kind of healing is divine healing.
Father Corsie introduces four basic types of healing. Physical
Healing refers to the healing of the physical aspects of the body,
external and internal. This is what 90% of patients come to a healing
session for. Then there is the Inner or Emotional Healing,
which has to do with painful memories of past hurts. These hurts may lie
buried in a person’s subconscious, and may at times become the cause of
physical illness. The Spiritual Healing involves the vicious
cycles of sin and the forgiveness of sin. Deliverance Healing means
deliverance from demons and evil spirits. The Bible speaks of such healing
as performed by Christ in His time. All those healing are again divided
into: 1. Instant healing, wherein a person is healed on the spot,
the next morning or a few days after the pray over; and 2. Progressive
healing, requiring more trips to the healing service, or more praying
over until a patient, gifted with the grace and mercy of God, is healed.
Thank you, Father Corsie Legaspi, for visiting Pattaya
again and helping so many people to overcome their illness. We all
sincerely hope that you will be back again after a few months.
Acknowledgment: Most of the explanation in this article is from Ms.
Araceli Altmann Linsangan, who was completely healed in 14 sessions by
Father Corsie Legaspi, after several years spent in a wheelchair and given
up on by doctors. After her recovery she wrote the book “He Has Touched
Me”, published by Pinangpalang Kamay Healing Ministry, Inc., P.O. Box
118, Manila 1099.
A Simple Act of Kindness
by Leslie Warner
Several months ago, See Dum was a street dog scavenging
for scraps in the Cosy Beach area. Living was becoming tough so he decided
to scout further a field. Walking up the road he caught the whiff of heaven
drifting out of a small restaurant. See Dum hovered for a moment, anxious
about his reception, but the smell was too much; it had to be worth the
risk. Tentatively he walked up. There was a human sitting outside at the
table reading a newspaper. See Dum sat waiting to be noticed, trembling
inside. Then the paper was put down and just as he was preparing to run, the
man said, “Hello mate, are you hungry?” For a minute See Dum couldn’t
believe his luck and then there it was in front of him, a plate of food. He
had never eaten off a plate before in his life. At first he thought it was a
trick and he moved cautiously and took a mouthful. Nothing happened so he
finished the food and went to lie down next to the man.
Since then, Dum as they call him, has never looked back.
In return for all the good food and kindness that he is given he guards the
two shops. His new provider told me that sometimes he walks around the wall
surrounding the restaurant looking down at the other dogs as if he is a
king. Occasionally, so puffed up with his own importance, he doesn’t look
where he is going and falls into the middle of them. The restaurant owner
said the dog is good to have around and no trouble; he even patrols the two
shops looking for undesirables.
A simple act of kindness can change an animal’s life.
Pattaya Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has several small puppies and
kittens in desperate need of homes. If can offer one a home please email:
[email protected]
International Networking
Evening on the Eastern Seaboard
The BCCT will be holding their next International
Networking Evening on the Eastern Seaboard on Friday 21st April from 5.30
p.m. at L’Opera Restaurant, Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (ESIE), 112
Moo 4, Highway 331, KM 92, Pluak Daeng, Rayong Province, north-east of
Pattaya. (Please contact BCCT office <[email protected]> for map.)
The evening is being sponsored by Hemaraj Land and
Development Public Co. Ltd., TRW Steering & Suspension Co. Ltd., and
L’Opera.
All are very welcome to attend regardless of nationality
of company or individual. The main objective of the Networking Evening is to
provide an opportunity for companies on the ESIE to network with each other
and with representatives from other companies in the area and from Bangkok.
Hemaraj Land and Development Public Co., Ltd. and TRW
Steering & Suspension Co., Ltd. are kindly sponsoring baht 10,000 each
worth of beverages, and L’Opera are sponsoring some snacks. After the
sponsored items are finished the standard restaurant prices will apply.
There is no entry fee for this event but please notify the British
Chamber, as a courtesy to give our host an idea of numbers, by fax 02 651
5354, or email: <[email protected]>. Also remember to bring some
business cards with you.
Fun City Pattaya meets
Australia’s Garden City
One of the more unexpected duties which befell the newly
re-elected Mayor of “Fun City” Pattaya, Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, was
to meet Graham Shaw, an Australian Regional Government Liaison Officer.
Graham had brought to Mayor Pairat an invitation to make an official visit
to the Australian city of Toowoomba, known down under as the Garden City.
 From
left: Greg Oliveiro, Graham Shaw, Mayor Pairat and K. Somchai, Personnel
Manager of the Montien Hotel Pattaya.
Graham, who has been visiting Thailand for the past 27
years, felt that from his Australian Government position, an “alliance”
between Pattaya and Toowoomba could be profitable for both cities. Of
similar size as far as residents is concerned, but of vastly different
cultural heritages, he believes that Toowoomba and Pattaya could eventually
move towards “sister city” status with mutual benefits in tourism,
inter-trade and sporting competitions for both cities.
Greg Oliveiro of the Montien Hotel, now resident in Pattaya but formerly
a Toowoomba resident and Australian Tourism Promotions Manager, echoed
Graham’s sentiments and was very happy to be with him to effect the
introduction to the mayor.
PILC’s “Guide to
Living in Pattaya & Rayong” launches its 4th edition
April’s monthly meeting of the PILC at the Montien
Hotel was a festive one. The international ladies celebrated the launch of
the 4th edition of their “Guide to Living in Pattaya & Rayong.”
Invited to this occasion was Ms. Chantal Colmant, who was
involved in this project in its beginning. After she left for Bangkok, the
Guide became the ‘baby’ of Emma Malone, even though she had given birth
to her very own baby during this time. Working for 2 years on the 4th
edition, Emma, who will pass on her job to Ms. Petra Ohlsen, said in her
speech, “Now I can leave Pattaya with pride, knowing that I have achieved
something.” She talked about the problems that have occurred during her
work, but also about the fun she and her team have had. At the end of her
lively speech, Emma thanked everybody who had helped her to accomplish this
4th edition.
 The
complete ensemble of people involved with putting together the 4th edition
of the Guide to living in Pattaya and Rayong.
A special thank you went to her husband who, “supported
and encouraged me all the way, even though our house was filled with stacks
and tons of paperwork,” she said. “Yet the most important thing is that
all of you ladies have put in your share. We can say with pride: We did it!
This book is great; filled with all the information one possibly needs.
Besides all the work and time all of us put into this book, you must know
that by buying this guide, 100% will go to charity.”
Suportum Monkolsawadi, the Principal of the Redemptorist Center for the
Disabled, who gave a very interesting, illustrated talk about his school,
then joined Emma Malone and Petra Ohlsen in cutting the ribbon to launch the
4th edition of the Guide. This was followed by a champagne toast.
Larn Island -
Pattaya’s beautiful neighbor
Story and Photos
by Vichan Pladpueng
White beaches, crystal clear water, beautiful coral beds
and precious minerals are words that aptly describe Pattaya’s neighbor in
the bay, Larn Island.
 Climbing
the nearby hills offers stunning vistas of tropical paradise
The beautiful beaches on Larn Island are a favorite among
visiting tourists, with Sam Beach, Tawaen Beach, Thien Beach and Nual Beach
being the most visited. Tawaen Beach, with its fine white sand, is the most
popular area among visiting tourists, and offers a variety of watercraft for
rent.
Many of the streets and footpaths on Larn Island have
been constructed using inlaid bricks, similar to South Pattaya’s Walking
Street. Along with the many Buddhist Temples and Chedis of interest, set in
beautiful surroundings, a walk or bicycle ride around the island should not
be missed.
Larn Island is a “full service” tourist location,
offering shops for the shoppers, restaurants for the hungry, and even a
firing range, operated by the Athletics Development Club, for those who want
to test their aim.
In the waters off the coast of Larn Island, popular
activities include fishing, diving or viewing the coral from glass bottom
boats. Most of these activities can be enjoyed both near Larn Island and
around the nearby islands of Sak, Krok, Lin and Phai, although visitors are
prohibited from landing on Phai Island due to military training and live
fire exercises by the Royal Thai Navy conducted there.
 There
are two methods of travel to choose from going to Larn Island from Pattaya.
The first is a 15 minute ride in one of the many tourist speedboats
available all along Pattaya Beach. The fare varies depending on whether
tourists rent the boat individually or as a group, and will run from
800-2,000 baht.
The second method of travel is by tourist passenger
boats, which leave from South Pattaya pier eight times a day from 8.30 a.m.
to 6.30 p.m. Passenger boats from Larn Island start running at 6.30 a.m.,
with the final trip from Larn Island departing at 5.00 p.m. The fare on one
of these boats is 20 baht.
Most tourists prefer leaving Pattaya in the morning,
returning in the evening, as they can then spend the day on the island
visiting the different beaches and tourist attractions. Travel on the island
can be accomplished by riding rented bicycles or using available songtaews.
For a pleasant visit, tourists should prepare their trip
beforehand by gathering detailed tourist information from the Tourist
Authority of Thailand Region 3 Office in Pattaya (tel. 428 750). The TAT
information includes tips on how to prevent unwanted mishaps involving
tourists being taken advantage of by solicitors and various disreputable
businesses on Larn Island. In case one of these mishaps does occur, there
are many reputable businesses on Larn Island that are willing to assist
tourists involved in confrontations.
 Additionally,
if help is required while on Larn Island, whether concerning confrontations
or disputes, or concerning information about overnight lodging and other
general information, it can be obtained from the Tourist Assistance Center
located at Tawaen Beach, supervised by Sergeant Thawin Chuanram.
Island facts
Larn Island, located eight kilometers from Pattaya’s shores, has a land
area of 4.07 square kilometers. With hilly terrain inland, its coast is made
up of long sandy beaches separated by rocky ledges. Larn Island has a total
population of about 800 people; the majority are engaged in fishing as a
profession. Pattaya City School #10 is located on the island.
Copyright 2000 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by
Boonsiri Suansuk.
|
|
