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   FEATURES

HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Rockin’ good time at the Jesters Rodeo

Stars shine at the PILC Charity Ball

Chaine des Rotisseurs hold an electrifying evening at the Royal Clff Beach Resort

And the meek shall inherit the earth

Father A.F.M. Lafeber O.S. Cr.

PSC donates computer to Banglamung School

Hank turns three!

PEACH Grand Opening this weekend

Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club assist the Banglamung Home for the Aged

BCCT Christmas Luncheon

The final round of the Golden 3

UCES arranging Santa’s transport to 850 kids

SKAL goes Cajun

Secrets of the Hand

D&M Music presents Daniel Kaez cello recital

Rockin’ good time at the Jesters Rodeo

There is nothing quiet like the deep, rumbling sound of a large group of Harley Davidsons rolling onto the scene. The dreams of many, a reality for just a few, these machines have become the icon of the motorcycle world.

Ta’s winning water balloon toss - too bad Woody couldn’t see it!

On Saturday, November 18, hundreds of Harleys, and other bikes big and small, were put on display at the first Jesters/Pattaya City Motorcycle Rodeo and Concert next to the Banglamung District Office in North Pattaya. People who attended the event were treated to a close-up view of the best looking bikes in the area.

When the area’s government officials “officially” opened the proceedings at 11 a.m., club colors flashed everywhere. Jesters, Mad Dogs, Burapha, and the Immortals, to name a few, turned out in full leather regalia.

Bob “Scar” Taylor and the love of his life, plus his girlfriend Jit, with their trophies for best rat bike and 2nd place keg push.

Tented stalls were included on the day where food and drink was sold, as well as specialty tents doing tattoos and selling motorcycle paraphernalia and various club support gear. The infamous Jester beer tent was in operation right next to Rockin’ Ron’s Dyno-testing stall.

Lining up for the finals of the keg push - Scar to the left, Shagnasty to the right.

The event also included a motorcycle show for all categories, as well as best paint, antique, radical, touring, people’s choice and rat bike. All profits will be donated to Pattaya City’s educational fund.

“Slow ride, take it easy...” Using the stand on the foot peg method, Min from Burapha MC won the slow race event just behind Red from the Jesters.

By early afternoon, the tests of skill began with a keg push when big bikers on big bikes competed against each other by using the front wheel of their Harley to push a full keg of beer down a narrow path and across the finish line. Anything goes in this event - bikers can stop, back up, use their feet to steady themselves, whatever is necessary. Several preliminary heats were run before Paul “Shagnasty” Baker faced off against Bob “Scar” Taylor in the final run. Shagnasty pushed the fastest to win the title. However, if you ever need to get a keg to your party in a hurry, this is not the best way to do it.

The winning bite

A “slow race” followed, where the last rider to cross the finish line wins. In this “race”, a foot dropped to the turf means your race is over. Theses big bikes are meant for touring, not inching along, and it takes quite a bit of experience to keep over 700 lbs upright whilst moving at a snail’s pace. Again after several preliminary heats, Min from Burapha faced off against Red from Jesters in the final run. Using the “stand on the foot peg” method, Min proved he is the slowest slow rider in the area.

After a break for much needed liquid refreshments (after all, it was hot out there), the hot dog bite by female pillion rider competition commenced. The idea here is to bite off as big a hunk of hot dog as possible without stopping the bike. Little Nok on the back of Rod Caldwell’s Harley managed to take in a full 60 cm and won the event. Ying, who rode with Paul Shagnasty Baker, swallowed up 55 cm to finish second.

Finding out how much horsepower it has at Rockin’ Ron’s Dyno-testing stall.

The final skills event was a water balloon toss that saw female pillion riders toss a water balloon over a suspended bar and attempt to catch it on the other side. The funniest part of this event was the look on the faces of the drivers when the water balloon came splashing down upon their heads. Some who wore hats were temporarily blinded by the pillion’s enthusiastic attempt to catch the balloon without getting wet, and in doing so push the hat down over the eyes of the drivers. Folks, don’t try this at home. When the event was over, and more than a few were drenched, Ta, riding with Jesters president Woody “Papa Whiskey” Underwood had won. Talek and Jeff “Robo Frog” Paladeau finished second.

Carabao rocked the crowd well into the night

Winners and runners-up for each activity received trophies.

After the motorcycle activities and trophy presentations, the concert portion of the event commenced with such headliners as Carabao, Lam Morrison, Olan Project and Bastard.

Although the spectator turnout was a bit less than expected, Woody Underwood said, “We do feel that we made a significant step for putting on a bigger and better event for next year.”

Many, including this scribe, are already liking forward to it.


And we have a winner! Nok gets her trophy for best hot dog bite.

Ian Smith won two awards for his ’59 Triumph Thunderbird: Best Bike (400 to 900 cc) and the People’s Choice.


Facial expressions were the best part of the balloon toss.


Doh!

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Stars shine at the PILC Charity Ball

The Hollywood Stars Charity Gala Ball at the sparkling Siam Ballroom of the Hollywood Cliff... oops, sorry, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, was surely a sparkling event, despite the fact that all the great Hollywood actors couldn’t attend. This was due to the confusing state of the elections in the United States. But, all the ‘girls’ of the Pattaya International Ladies Club, together with their spouses made up for them, arriving in great numbers and in dazzling dresses and outfits. There was as much glamour as one would come to expect at such functions.

(L to R) Julie Garratt President of the PILC, Rick and Harpic all decked out at the ball.

Cameras flashed as television cameras followed the glamorous, reminiscent of an Oscar-Night party.

The New Image Band put the guests in the right mood for a long night. Many of the guests couldn’t wait until after dinner, but started to dance right away, alternating between the excellent meal and the dance floor.

Dressed in luxurious evening gowns, these women positively glow

Other guests were checking out the items for the charity auction, which took place after dinner. PILC president Julie Garret welcomed the guests and declared the ball rolling. Pat Gossett, from Four Winds International Moving, the major sponsor for this very event, said a few kind words and drew some door prizes, including a dinner for two provided by Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

Chairperson of the organizing committee Arlette Cykman (right) with the masked avenger.

Finally, the long awaited charity auction took place, with Julie and Robyn keeping the momentum at a quick pace and filling PILC’s purse in the expected way. The successful bidders were later seen leaving, well weighed down with their purchases.

The “Powerhouse”, another outstanding music group, provided by Tony’s Entertainment Complex followed and that ensured the dance floor remained full for the rest of the evening and into the wee hours of the morning.

The PILC would like to thank all the sponsors, along with those who generously donated items for the charity auction. Thanks are also due to Arlette Cykman and her team for organizing the evening. A special thank you to Panga Vathanakul and her staff at Royal Cliff Beach Resort, whose flawless arrangements ensured immaculate service all evening. Another great and successful event from the PILC.

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Chaine des Rotisseurs hold an electrifying evening at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort

On Sunday, November 19, the Chaine des Rotisseurs, Baillage de Pattaya, celebrated their Indoctrination Dinner at the Royal Cliff Grand.

This year, the members of the Chaine not only came together to wine and dine, they also inducted 10 new members, and promoted another 6.

Bjorn Nagelstad MD of Jotun Thailand is intronised as one of the newest chevaliers of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, Baillage de Pattaya.

The ceremony took place in the lobby of the Royal Cliff Grand, where the new and old members had to repeat the Oath, after Khun Pongthep, the outgoing Bailli National ‘knighted’ them with the ceremonial sword: “I pledge that, as a member of the Chaine de Rotisseurs, I will at all times honour the art of cuisine and the culture of the table. I pledge to always fulfil my obligation of brotherhood and of respect for my fellow members of the Chaine de Rotisseurs.”

Walter Jack Heller, Chancelier President of Baillage de Pattaya presented certificates of accomplishment to the kitchen staff of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

This may sound a little bit old fashioned, but the Brotherhood of the Chaine has existed since 1248, and was re-instated in 1950. Especially in today’s world of fast food and burgers it is a must that there are people around honouring the art of cooking, eating and drinking. In the high tech world of today, it is sometimes necessary to review and concentrate on the basics of life, such as “savoir vivre” or just the art of enjoying.

This enjoyment was what we experienced at the Indoctrination Dinner in the beautifully decorated Grand Ballroom.

Michael Vogt, Charge de Mission as MC was electrifying.

The menu started with a “port wine marinated rabbit terrine with barley salad” and was followed by a “clear broth with lentils and pigeon quenelle”.

Michael Vogt, the new GM of Amari Orchid Resort, also “Charge de Mission” of the Baillage de Pattaya, conducted the evening as MC in his usual charming way, explaining each course and each wine in a professional but humorous manner. He even quoted the great Chinese philosopher Lin Yutang who once said, “our lives are not in the lap of the gods, but in the lap of our cooks.”

Chaine members toast Vice Consellier Culinaire Walter Thenisch, Executive Chef of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, after the fabulous feast.

And not only the cooks, but the whole food & beverage team of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort was prepared to spoil members in magnificence with the next courses: Barbary duck with crunchy apple rondelles, chestnut puree, on a venison myrtles reduction, followed by an ice craft, a frozen cornucopia filled with Beaujolais-Granite.

A deserved promotion for, Dorli Piller Noll, Derkje , Hans Rudolf Frei and Erich Dietl.

It was noted that between the courses some people left the room, probably to follow a call of nature, or maybe just to have a quick smoke outside. Part of the regimen of Chaine Dinners is that you will never find ashtrays on the table, because smoking is prohibited until such time that coffee is served. And even long time residents of Thailand who will obviously and with no doubt look for prik nam plaa, Soya sauce and various other mysterious additions, which are so valuable for the locale cuisine, will look in vain, since at a Chaine Dinner, everybody is required to sample and enjoy the bare taste of the food without adding extra ingredients such as salt and pepper. But let me tell you: being in an establishment like the Royal Cliff you do not need anything else.

The officers (l-r) Pongthep Leenutapong outgoing Bailli Delegue, incoming Warren Geerig, CP Walter Jack Heller and Jan Olav Aamlid, Argentier.

The main course was cooked and presented perfectly: deer medallions with hazelnut crust on blackcurrant sauce and semolina-herb-roulade. With the main course, and the following “gourmet cheese selection on dried fruits” we enjoyed a fantastic red wine “Hardys Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvingon 1996”.

Nothing more remains to say at this point, except that all Chaine members and friends had barely space for the “warm pear tart with chocolate sorbet”, “coffee or tea” and pralines.

It was one of those dinners you will hardly forget, neither the new appointed members,

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And the meek shall inherit the earth

by Dr. Iain Corness

A few weeks ago, the Pattaya Mail published a small article on the plight of Pinrak Pornpianlerdsakul, a young woman with kidney failure. A young woman for whom there appeared no bright future. Every five days she had to be taken to the government hospital in Chonburi for expensive kidney dialysis, without which she would die a slow and undignified death. A nightmare of an exhausting journey, with tubes inserted in her neck to connect her circulation system to the dialysis machine.

Her parents, Lak and Jampee, who depend on the meagre sales of their crushed ice concoctions on the sidewalk, had already pawned everything they had of value, including their tiny home and land. Now worn out and looking much older than their years, they could see no way through the morass. It all looked hopeless.

Fortunately the spirit of charity still beats strongly in the community, and donations came in to the Pattaya Mail office to ease the immediate financial burden of the dialysis treatments. 10,000 baht from the Indian community, matched by the Pratumnak Lions Club and a Danish businessman who wished to remain anonymous. A man dropped in 2,000 baht with a note saying “from a Farang”, while a Thai woman in the United States pledged $500. This is true charity.

(L to R) Duscholux’s MD Martin Fuenkner, Grohe Siam’s MD Dr. Frank Schroeder, Lak, Jampee, Pattaya Mail MD Pratheep Malhotra, Pinrak Pornpianlerdsakul, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital Nephrologist Dr. Choncharoen Abmhan, Neil Maniquiz of the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital international department and Dr. Iain Corness.

Aware of my connection with the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Peter Malhotra, MD of the Pattaya Mail, asked me for assistance. I placed a call to Assistant Director Neera Sirisampan, a lady who can move mountains. “Could the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital help with dialysis?” Within ten minutes she had rung back - the director had given the charity project the go-ahead and Pinrak could have her life giving dialysis at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Charges were brought right down, medications at cost and medical fees reduced. Suddenly there was a light at the end of what would be a very long tunnel.

At the same time, the German business community heard of Pinrak’s plight and Grohe Siam’s managing director, Dr. Frank Schroeder and Duscholux’s managing director, Martin Fuenkner, had a quick whip around in their senior managements. Suddenly there was another 30,000 baht to cover the next few weeks of hospital treatment.

At a small but moving ceremony in the Pattaya Mail offices, the two benefactors presented the money to keep Pinrak alive in the short term to the Nephrologist from the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital Dr. Choncharoen Abmhan and Neil Maniquiz of the international department.

The next step, as explained by Dr. Choncharoen, was to locate a donor kidney for Pinrak. Her parents are both willing to be the donor, but only tests will show if the tissue type is satisfactory - and even more importantly, are either of their kidneys in good enough condition? Finally, there is the need to cover the cost of this very highly technical operation and the drug treatment required post operatively. Conservatively this would be more than 200,000 baht. A sum Pinrak and her parents cannot even imagine, let alone realise.

In a world where life is often snatched away from the young, this is an opportunity to give life back to a young woman. Pinrak sits quietly waiting with that calm acceptance of life, irrespective of its quality, that Buddhism gives. Personally, being neither Buddhist nor Christian, I marvel at the fortitude she and her family have shown despite all their problems. Perhaps the meek and mild mannered Pinrak will inherit the earth - but if she does, there will have been many people all over the planet who will have made it happen. Frank Schroeder and Martin Fuenkner have been only two of them.

Donations towards Pinrak’s kidney transplant can be made through the Pattaya Mail offices, telephone (038) 411 240, fax (038) 427 596 or email [email protected] .

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Father A.F.M. Lafeber O.S. Cr.

Since 1994 a Dutch catholic priest, father A.F.M. Ton Lafeber O.S. Cr. has been visiting Thailand. He is the treasurer of the of the “Sanoek foundation” situated in Holland. For the last twenty-two years he has been collecting money in Holland for non-government organizations overseas.

Fr. Ton (right) visited for the second time the Relief Center for HIV/AIDS people in Rayong. He is shown here offering the director of this center Fr. Giovanni (left) 1,300,000 baht.

Father Ton is a unique personality who in forthright conversations does not mince matters. To propagate his respect for human dignity he demonstrates, together with his pastoral activities in Rotterdam, enormous devotion for the less endowed on this earth. Until 1994 he supported with sponsored money several projects in Sri Lanka. Since then he has been providing NGOs in Thailand with money collected from private persons and business organizations. The SOS children’s village in the suburbs of Bangkok, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd who take care of young street girls, a 90-year old Ursuline nun who works in the slums of Bangkok, the orphanage in Pattaya are organizations and people who in the past years he has provided with millions of baht. If you are interested in his work and would like to help the Sanoek foundation, you can contact him by e-mail [email protected]  

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PSC donates computer to Banglamung School

The Pattaya Sports Club recently donated a badly needed computer to the Banglamung School. The school’s children will use the computer in the school’s museum to produce literature on traditional Thai arts and culture.

Phil Sagar assembles the school’s new computer

The Banglamung School wished to comply with the Ministry of Education’s policies directed at upgrading the standards of education throughout the country. But due to lack of funds the school turned to the Pattaya Sports Club for assistance.

After thorough enquiries, the PSC charity committee reported that the Banglamung School had 2,022 students attending grades M-1 to M-6. The school has achieved ISO-14001 standards and received recognition in the “Progress and Success Program (Rung Ruang)” as a model school for displaying outstanding achievement in environmental awareness.

After setting up the computer, a formal presentation was held, attended by Sompong Mabai, the director of the school, the school’s directors, Sopin Thappajug, Associate Judge of the Chonburi Juvenile Court and Peter Malhotra, president of the Pattaya Sports Club.

Acquiring educational materials and equipment to continue developing the quality of education and improving school administrative functions were imperative for achieving the school’s desired goals.

The report further stated that the Banglamung School was in dire need of computer equipment in order to produce printed educational materials, maintain administrative information and to facilitate educational requirements. The donated equipment would help provide quality educational standards affording Banglamung students the opportunity to become successful participants in our future society.

After approval by the executive committee, Phil Sagar was requested to take charge of acquiring the equipment and set it up at the school. Afterwards, a formal presentation was made to Sompong Mabai, the director of the school. The presentation was attended by the school’s directors, as well as Sopin Thappajug, associate judge of the Chonburi Juvenile Court and Peter Malhotra, president of the Pattaya Sports Club.

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Hank turns three!

Last Saturday, the well known Amari Orchid Resort’s Henry J Bean’s Bar and Grill celebrated its third anniversary with one of the better parties in Pattaya. With two bands, a magician and games for the guests it was a well attended event, with the ever present K. Tippawan making sure everything happened as it should, while new GM Michael Vogt stood by beaming.

New Amari GM Michael Vogt (left) birthday boy Dr. Iain Corness cut the birthday cake watched by Khun Tippawan (right) during a night to remember - for those that could, that is...

With a buffet outside as well as the kitchen inside, new executive chef Stefan Heller was certainly kept busy, while the recently retired executive chef Sam Lehmann came along to enjoy the celebration, without the hassles of overseeing the staff. He was warmly welcomed by the many people who had come to know him over the past 30 years here.

Hank sure knows how to throw a wild party!

For the resort guests it was an evening they would not forget either, taking tales of the fabulous prizes and entertainment back home to the rest of the world. A plane trip was one of the principal prizes, and the lucky recipient of the flight to Samui and return with Bangkok Airways even asked whether he could board the plane in London! Great sense of humour some of these Brits!

The Heart and Soul Band was also in its element, with rousing performances by their lead singers who could produce anything from Elvis to Ella Fitzgerald. First class nightclub entertainment in a first class venue.

The cutting of the cake was the highlight of the evening, with GM Michael assisted by the Pattaya Mail Channel’s Dr. Iain, who was also celebrating his birthday, but definitely not his third.

A fun night at “Hanks”. Roll on the 4th anniversary.

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PEACH Grand Opening this weekend

The Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH) has already proven itself to be a success. Host facility to many conferences and exhibitions since it became operational twelve months ago, such as the 4,500 strong Herbalife convention or the MUST convention, it is now readying itself for one of the most important functions carried out under its spacious roof - that of its own Grand Opening this Saturday November 25.

An aerial view of PEACH

PEACH is not only the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s flagship meeting facility, but it is also Pattaya’s, and is helping put Pattaya on the international map as far as the Meetings Industry and Incentive Travel is concerned.

To mark this very auspicious occasion, the president of the Privy Council and Statesman, General Prem Tinsulanonda, has agreed to officiate and preside over the Grand Opening, a service he previously performed at the Royal Cliff Grand some years ago.

Others to give the facility their imprimatur are the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Ms Tuula Lindberg and the former managing director of the European Incentive and Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM) and the past world president of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE), Paul Flackett. Both of these international industry leaders will also be addressing the Grand Opening.

PEACH’s enormous amount of space allows for meetings and exhibitions of all kinds.

It was just over 12 months ago when Mrs. Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort said, “We strongly believe in the economic recovery of Thailand and that the country will be one of the first to emerge from the economic crisis that has gripped Asia during the past several years. More importantly, we are confident in the comeback of Pattaya as a top leisure and MICE destination.”

Khun Panga has been someone who has put her vision and energies into making PEACH happen, not just for the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, but for Thailand as a nation. It is fitting that a great statesman such as General Prem will acknowledge this.

The opening ceremony will commence with General Prem Tinsulanonda’s arrival at 2 p.m. this Saturday and conclude with a gala cocktail reception later in the day.

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Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club assist the Banglamung Home for the Aged

At a small hand-over ceremony, the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya donated 64 personal lockers to the Banglamung Home for the Aged, to be used by the residents.

The president, Erika Keller and the community services director, Bruno Keller carried out the official duties in front of the vice governor of Chonburi, Veerasuk Pornpibul, and Uttraporn Bunnag, the superintendent of the Banglamung Home while several other Rotary Club members were present to witness the results of much hard work put in by the club members for this charity project. Funding for the lockers (around 400,000 baht) was raised by the club through a series of bowling tournaments, called the “Golden 3” organized by the community services director.

Rotary president Erika Keller (center)and vice governor of Chonburi, Veerasuk Pornpibul(back left) at the presentation ceremony

The Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club has actually had a long association with the Banglamung Home for the Aged, with one of its founders, the late Louis Fassbind personally funding and maintaining the A.X. Fassbind Medical Centre within the Banglamung Home.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the Rotary Club offered lunch for all the residents and donated some Krathongs for the Loy Krathong festivities the following day.

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BCCT Christmas Luncheon

Its time again to reserve your places for the BCCT’s Annual Christmas bash! The Christmas lunch will be held at the Napalai Ballroom, Dusit Thani Hotel on Wednesday December 13 starting with a welcome Champagne reception at 11.30 a.m.

As usual a very festive menu has been arranged for the lunch including copious quantities of wine, Christmas crackers and other goodies. Draft Carlsberg beer is also provided for the first time. Our thanks to Jim Napier and Carlsberg for their sponsorship. The proceedings will again be led by Sunny Claus and his Santarinas and spectacular raffle and door prizes have been generously donated by members. All net proceeds will be donated to the BCCT’s Education Projects.

This is a wonderful opportunity to treat your staff, secretaries, spouses, girlfriends/boyfriends and other guests. Many bosses and staff take the afternoon off work! Please book early to avoid disappointment. Location of tables in the ballroom will be determined on a first come, first served basis.

The cost of the lunch is 900 baht net per person including beer, wine, soft drinks, Champagne reception, lunch and VAT. Bookings may be made individually or for tables of 10 (special discounted price - baht 8,500). If you wish to attend please reply by Tuesday December 12, fax: 651 5354, e-mail: [email protected] . To avoid long queues on the day, please send payment in advance.

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The final round of the Golden 3

The final round of the charity bowling tournament promoted by the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya will take place on Saturday November 25, once again at OD Bowl. This tournament will be for the benefit of disadvantaged children in local primary schools. The aim is to provide free dental care for at least 100 children and free spectacles for another 100 children with visual problems. This will be done through the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital as part of the Rotary Club’s ongoing ‘Beautiful Smile’ and ‘Perfect Vision’ projects.

The sponsors for this final event are O-La-La Restaurant and entertainment complex, Cafe New Orleans, Tropic Restaurant, Captain’s Corner BBQ & Steak House, Kitchen Studio, and Grohe Siam Ltd. In addition, a substantial donation for the ‘Happy Children’ projects has been received from Mr. Guenther Mueller, another generous benefactor.

Tickets for the November 25 event will be available at OD Bowl, and from local Rotarians and sponsors. The prize purse will again be over 60,000 baht in cash, gold and other prizes.

The Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya asks everyone to join them in providing essential care for under privileged children in a great fun way!

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UCES arranging Santa’s transport to 850 kids

The United Charities of the Eastern Seaboard (UCES) is a conglomerate covering the Pattaya International Ladies Club, the Pattaya Sports Club, the Rayong Ladies Club, the Rotary Clubs of Jomtien-Pattaya and Pattaya, the YWCA and the Lions Club. Formed two years ago, its function is to co-ordinate some charity projects between the various organizations forming UCES, to ensure efficient delivery of charitable funds. This year, the UCES is also ensuring efficient delivery of Xmas gifts to hundreds of underprivileged children on the Eastern Seaboard.

From left: Ron Herbert, Bronwyn Little, K. Premrudee, Jo Gartner, Carol Smith, Don MacLachlan and Peter Thorand setting out to make a memorable Christmas for hundreds of local underprivileged children.

With over 200,000 baht in the kitty raised for this event, the group decided to add the local Blind School from the Redemptorist Centre to their list, on top of the Deaf School at Bang Saen, the El Shaddi School, the Huay Pong Centre, the Camillian Centre, the Fay Jay toddlers centre and the Street Kids Home for Boys, making the total 850 children this year. With drop off points all over the Eastern Seaboard, and this being far too hot weather for Santa’s reindeer, it was decided to play Santa over two days and use a bus to get around, as the little fat man in the red suit with the ermine trimmings will need a little air-conditioning too!

Making his first appearance at a UCES meeting was Rotarian Jo Gartner from the Jomtien-Pattaya Club, who made a personal donation of 60,000 baht towards the project. Other donations came from the PILC (B. 50,000), PSC (B. 50,000), the YWCA (B. 20,000), Rayong Ladies Club (B. 5,000), Boncafe Thailand (B. 5,000), the Lions Club (B. 5,000), Rotary Pattaya (B. 5,000) and the Rotary Jomtien-Pattaya (B. 2,000).

The logistics involved in arranging the purchase of suitable gifts are, as you would imagine, very complex. It is hard enough buying for one’s own 2.4 children, let alone 850! This task was left to the president of the local YWCA, the never tiring Premrudee Jittivuthikan, while others in the group organised transport, banners, the purchase of ice cream and soft drinks for each drop off point and all the hundreds of small details necessary to organise a round trip for Santa from the North Pole to the Eastern Seaboard and return!

This Xmas, 850 children will be very happy that people like Don MacLachlan (Pattaya Rotary), K. Premrudee (YWCA), Carol Smith (PILC), Peter Thorand (Rotary Jomtien-Pattaya) and Ron Herbert (PSC) have been prepared to give of their time to organise this event. On behalf of Santa, we thank them too.

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SKAL goes Cajun

This month’s Skal Club meeting was held at the Cafe New Orleans. Hosted by the president Murray Hertz, members and guests were treated to food that most southerners believe is the best anywhere in the world. Baby backed ribs and barbequed fillet of sole proved it to be so.

K. Nathachai (left) from BNK Pattaya Wine Gallery, who presented the wine for the Skal Club meeting, and Skal Club president Murray Hertz sample the wine.

To celebrate the event the establishment baked a humongous cake to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, because Murray would be away for a couple of weeks.

Plans were made to hold a special Christmas Dinner for Skallegues and their families at the Amari Resort early December. Watch the Pattaya Mail for more details.

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Secrets of the Hand

by Anchalee

What is Palmistry?

In all periods of civilisation the study of the hand has always been associated with the study of life. Palmistry is called “Hand Reading”. This is the art of disclosing, by means of the hand and its form, texture, colour, fingers, mounts, lines, etc., the secrets of the brain, its quality, and its action. And with subsequent results, a master can determine the character, career, and the life of the individual. The hand is the direct representative of the brain and the mind.

Palmistry, like medicine and science, is a pragmatic subject. It is the result of the attempt on the part of mankind to create order out chaos, and to find some meaning to life. Palmistry, like all other branches of knowledge, consists of hypothesis and it is only logical that this subject is open to criticism. It is very important for palmistry and for more honest palmists to remember that charlatans have justified much of the criticism which has been levelled at them. The majority of the people who condemn this ancient study of palmistry either know nothing about this science or have not met the right type of palmist.

The well-known form of palmistry is not that which is practised at seaside resorts, garden parties or shipboard cruises. That kind of palmistry can say very little about this subject. A ten minute reading on the beach by a passing guru is little more than a party trick. In fact, palmistry is essentially a search for truth and it needs time and concentration to scrutinise the lines and the shape of a palm. It is an intellectual exercise which can be learned as one learns a language. It needs wide knowledge and ability to marshal facts.

Some believe the future to be to a great extent, preordained. This does not necessarily mean that we should sit down quietly and do nothing or make no effort. We are acting according to the inclination of our nature. Some are filled with enthusiasm for life, energy to work and overcome obstacles, and have ambition to reach the top. Such people will work and strive to fight no matter what happens. Some others, having been given every opportunity, will do nothing to improve their lot. The conclusion reached is that the future is written in our hands and mapped out by the stars in the heavens.

In palmistry, the major lines in the hand which are shown at birth do not differ to any marked degree. Of course, changes do occur from time to time; new minor lines appear and old ones fade and die out as the character, emotions and inclinations of the subject change. To chart an accurate horoscope one needs to know the place, date and hour of birth. In palmistry, the hand reveals everything without the knowledge of this information. But the knowledge of basic principles of astrology is of immense help to the palmist and can make him a more skilful reader of hands. In both medical and palmists circles it has been recognised that certain types of hands reveal the health and mental disposition of a patient.

In some ways, palmistry can be compared to medicine in that both fields require long study, observation, and analysis. All this information gathering is used to reach conclusions based on deductions. The palmist studies the shape of the hand, its size, the continuity of the fingers, the length and shape of the thumb. He carefully notes the colour of the palm, and the setting of the fingers in relation to certain mounts and depressions. Even presence of hair or the absence of it is noted. Lines carried on the palm are varied and represent various aspects of character and inclinations. A skilled palmist reads and evaluates the information present on the human palm. Then he must interpret it.

Ultrasound images show that the arms and hands make their appearance at the end of the fourth week of impregnation. Fingers appear within a further two weeks, and the hands of a newborn babe are fully marked with lines; a biological development. No two human beings have the same fingerprints or the same lines on their palms. Each is different. Palmistry works on the theory that these lines carry the destiny and character of each person from the time they are born, and contain the information of one’s probable journey through life. Naturally, here is where palmistry and modern medicine part ways. One becomes fact and science, the other, the more ancient, is delegated to the category of art and to the occult. However, we are beginning to realise that there may be room in our lives for both.

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D&M Music presents Daniel Kazez cello recital

D&M Music Studio proudly presents an evening of chamber music program titled “Daniel Kazez cello recital”.

Dr. Kazez began playing cello at the age of five under the tutelage of Leonard Feldman, cellist of the Alard String Quartet. He has performed extensively in all musical capitals of Europe including London, Paris, Brussels, Salzburg, Berlin, and Prague, and has received critical acclaim for bringing outstanding discipline and remarkable musicality to his work.

David Hapner (left) and Daniel Kazez

Over the past five years Dr. Kazez has also appeared in most major cities in the United States: Baltimore, Boston, New York including Manhattan School of Music, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Austin. He was the recipient of Matthies Award and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship.

Dr. Kazez is also the author of two books and a dozen editions of music. He obtained music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, the Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins University and a Doctorate from The University of Michigan. He is currently assistant professor of music at Wittenberg University.

David Hapner will accompany the concert on piano. David Hapner has worked in musical theatre and opera, including production of Verdi’s Tosca starring Placido Domingo, the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s Quiet Place and a major performance with singer Kiri te Kanawa. He has worked with Texas Opera Theatre, Nebraska, Omaha and Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera. Hapner holds degrees in music from Goshen College and Wichita State University and was awarded the Koldofsky Memorial Scholarship at the University of Southern California. He currently serves on the Music Faculty of Wittenberg University and Wright State University.

The evening programme includes works by Grabriele Faur้ (Apres un reve), Antonio Vavaldi (Sonata No. 5 in E Minor), Felix Mendelssohn (Song Without Words, Op. 109), Bela Batok (Roumanian Folk Dances), Stephen Foster (Beautiful Dreamer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Sonata No. 1 in G Major), Camille Saint-Sans (The Swan), Heitor Villa-Lobos (Song of the Black Swan) and Manuel de Falla (Ritual Fire Dance).

The concert will be held on Tuesday, December 12, at 8.00 p.m. at Thai-German Cultural Foundation Auditorium on South Sathorn Road Soi 1. Tickets are priced at 300 and 150 baht (student with I.D card). Available at: Asia Books Sukhumvit 252-4373, D&M Music Studio 391-9318, 391-7429, Thai-German Cultural Foundation Auditorium 287-2822 and at the door.

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