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Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 2000: Everything Except...
Story and photos by Peter Cummins
The 1960s popular song “My Friend the Wind” certainly had no place at the Fourteenth Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, held over H.M. the King’s birthday
week from the second to the ninth of December.
 Performance Cruisers make a great
start: winner “Gotcha Lagi” (Mal 19); second “Octopussy” (Thai 99)
Although the wind has not been such a regular attendee at the fourteen events thus far held, many of the participants have. Even H.M. the King’s Personal
Representative M.L. Usni Pramoj has attended all but two. The usual splendid Royal Awards Ceremony at the Kata Beach Resort at regatta’s end was presided over by M.L. Usni,
who was then completing his twelfth appearance or, as he said it, “I have reached the end of my first cycle as a regatta regular”. At previous appearances M.L. Usni has
‘confessed’ that he is a “regatta addict” and hopes to continue to be one!
 The superb lines of the UK maxi
“Maligaya” sure can fill a camera lens
So, why does the wind desert us so often? A rhetoric question which the 2001 committee may try to answer by considering shifting the dates forward into
mid-December.
At the 2000 regatta, for five days the wind gave Phuket a by-pass and rarely appeared at more than four knots. Friday’s Thai Airways International Race
registered the highest wind of the week - some 10 knots, which rapidly dropped. Then, on the last day, for the host hotel-sponsored Kata Group Olympic Sprints, the wind, though
light, became “our friend” and remained throughout the race, allowing a satisfactory finish for all classes.
 Hong Kong’s Neil Pryde drives
“Hi Fidelity” into second place, Racing Class
The final results produced some veteran “regattarians” and a number of new champions who walked forward to receive their King’s Cup replicas from M.L
Usni Pramoj, His Majesty the King’s Personal Representative. Malaysian Karl Kwoc’s “Beau Geste” (6.0) won the Racing Class from 1998 regatta champion Neil Pryde’s
Hong Kong entry “Hi Fidelity (20); David Kong’s “Hocux Pocux II” (Hong Kong, 7.0), was first in the Premier Cruising Class, from Thailand’s four-time regatta champion
Bill Gasson (“Big Buzzard”, 16); Malaysian Amir Zohri Rahim, helming “Gotcha Lagi” (6.0), won the Performance Cruising Division from last year’s champions,
Thailand’s “Octopussy” (14), helmed by Viroj Nualkair.
Perennial regatta entrant - and frequent class winner - German Hans Rahmann, sailing “Master Blaster” (8.0) out of Malaysia, was first in the Cruising
Division ahead of Richard Steinke’s “Isobar (12); Christopher Edwards brought “Xyphias” (3.0) home first of the marvellous Classics, from Julian Hill’s “Sanook”
(7.0); Phuket-based Aussie Scott Duncansen brought the awesome “Lee Marine Fine Pitch” (4.0) in ahead of well-known regatta personality, Thailand’s incomparable Radab
Kanjana Vanit on “Cedar Swan” (9.0).
 UK maxi makes a fine study as
skipper Andres Soriano III draws in every breath of air
Undoubtedly the most consistent sailor at the Regatta was Filipino youngster Chip Winternitz who administered a sound thrashing to his six competitors in the
Farr Platu 25 D Class, winning a straight eight races for a perfect 8.0 score, from compatriot Mark Haswell on 22 points.
Nevertheless, wind or no wind, the Fourteenth Regatta, with a record number of keelboats and ocean going catamarans peaking at 93 craft, was probably the
best on record, in terms of sponsorship, management, the social side and the media.
 Who’s in charge of all this
spaghetti? The crew of “Australian Maid” grapples with the rigging
The best news last year was Volvo’s agreement to become principal sponsor, initially for one year, with a further option of three more. “Sailing fits
very well into our global sponsorship strategy,” pointed out Karl-Johan Sandesjo, president of Volvo Car (Thailand), on announcing the sponsorship agreement.
Volvo is a most appropriate supporter, dedicated not only to yacht racing and other global sporting events, such as golf, tennis and mountain-biking, but
also for its environmental-protection record - symbiotic with the healthy sporting life. Volvo was the first non-American auto maker to be awarded the accolade of a
world-leader in reducing auto exhaust emissions, last September in the United States. “Volvo for Life” is a leitmotif that sits well with the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.
 The committee vessel takes a sail
‘aboard’
The opening event, sponsored by the House of Kangaroo AS, the Round-the-island Race was perhaps the omen, leaving the Cruisers, Classics and Multihulls
wallowing on a windless sea. The jury made an ex post facto shortened course and all entries were given finishing times.
“The House of Kangaroo,” said boss John Beard, “was so pleased with its 1999 involvement that it even brought its European partners ‘aboard’ this
year - wind or no wind,” added the charismatic Kangaroo chief. I would add that the Kangaroo sponsorship is increasing “by leaps and bounds”.
The second race of the 2000 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, the QBE and the Boathouse Racing Circuit, held off Kata Beach, “came home” so to speak. Held off
Kata Beach, the racing and the evening’s prize-giving and festivities to celebrate His Majesty the King’s birthday were centred around the splendid Boathouse.
 Thai multihull “Cedar Swan”
helmed by Radab Kanjanavanit finished second in that class
It was M.L. Tridhosyuth Devakul who, together with a number of Royal Varuna Yacht Club luminaries, launched - so to speak - a regatta to celebrate His
Majesty’s fifth cycle, sixtieth birthday in December 1987. Thereafter, M.L. Tri placed the resources of the then Phuket Yacht Club Hotel and Le Meridien Phuket behind the
regatta for a decade, ensuring the strength and continuity of the regatta, which has become, in the interim, one of the world’s best yachting festivals.
Thus it was appropriate that the special candle-lit evening - the regatta’s loyal tribute to its Royal Patron HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of
his seventy-third birthday - was held at M.L. Tri’s waterfront property.
 “House of Kangaroo” spinnaker
helps a little in the windless waters
Co-sponsor of the day was QBE Insurance, which has long been a supporter of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta - in fact ‘stepping into the breach’ as
principal sponsor for the thirteenth in 1999, when the regatta was facing a grave financial crisis.
As Ronald Sparks, managing director of QBE pointed out at the awards ceremony, QBE is happy to support the now-famous regatta. “Involvement with yacht
racing comes naturally to our company,” Sparks noted. QBE was established over a hundred years ago, as the Burns Philp Shipping Company, to under-write clients’ cargo
consignments and to insure its own shipping fleets plying the busy and extensive Asian-Pacific trading routes and shipping lanes.
Sparks, who manages the Philippines as well as Viet Nam for all QBE insurance business, observed that QBE had recently taken over the British company
‘Limit’ and now held approximately 10 percent of the under-writing capacity of Lloyds of London. With capital of more than $A4.5 billion and a staff of 4,500 world-wide, it
is easy to understand why Ron Sparks smiles a lot these days.
 Hong Kong maxi “Freefire” makes
a fine profile beating to windward
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta blue riband event - the Volvo Andaman Sea Race - was sailed, for the first time in the regatta’s history, as a Phuket
coastal race and not sailed from Koh Phi Phi to Phuket, as had been done in all previous regattas. This time the fleets sailed around the incredibly beautiful island of Koh
Racha Yai, some 15 nautical miles southeast of Kata.
The wind was light - and the sea was moderate - as usual, and the conditions - especially for the army of lens-men (and, women, of course) were perfect - as
usual. A short beat in towards the shore, a mark rounding and then the long haul, with a run and a tight reach to the eastern shore of Koh Racha Yai where SOME wind finally
came.
As the regatta passed the halfway mark, many of the competitors, except the Platu fleet racing closer in-shore, had not reached their OWN halfway mark: poor,
erratic and unreliable winds caused many craft to come ashore in darkness, with the added disappointment that they had not finished that particular race.
 H. M. the King’s Personal
Representative, M.L. Usni Pramoj (L) passes the permanent King’s Cup to president of the organizing committee 2000, Nigel Hardy
Perhaps the Royal Varuna Yacht Club team, sailing “Emerald Blue” in the Performance Cruising Class, could be used as the best example. After some nine
hours sailing in the Volvo Andaman Sea Race, this team, just 100 metres from the finishing line off Kata Beach, took another hour to travel that distance. “At least we DID
finish,” said crew member Dave Wales, quaffing an ice cold Amstel beer back ashore at the Volvo party and awards ceremony.
Then came the lay day, when everyone went in different directions to do different things - many giving up the ‘Gulf Course’ for the ‘Golf Course’.
Principal sponsor Volvo chose the former, to expose an army of ‘shutter bugs’ to the photo-ops which only yachts under spinnaker power can produce.
The rest of the newshounds repaired to the splendid Thavorn Beach Village, a superb place which few of us had ever seen. There they were greeted royally by
host general manager Eric Hallin and then escorted to the elegantly-appointed Nakalay Spa by the equally-elegant spa manager Karen Millar, to luxuriate in herbal saunas,
jacuzzis and therapeutic massages.
 Pattaya’s Bill Gasson drives
“Big Buzzard” down-wind - under Volvo power
It was rumoured that one journo who had been ‘a trifle lax’ during the week, was suddenly struck with the need to file, so he took his laptop into the
massage (should that read ‘message’?) room. The problem was that he kept falling asleep with his head on the keyboard. The story was indecipherable. But that is only a
rumour!
A great buffet lunch followed, during which Eric related the history of the Nakalay Junk, riding at anchor off the resort. Its main “claim to fame” was
that its dubious pedigree included being a prop for the ridiculous film “Cutthroat Island”.
For Friday the penultimate and Saturday the last day of racing, for the Thai Airways International Race and the Kata Group Olympic Sprints respectively, the
wind gods smiled a little more benevolently. Thus, all were able to finish the racing, and consequently the Fourteenth Regatta, on an upbeat note.
It was, indeed, a splendid sight, as almost 100 craft, ranging from the magnificent hi-tech sloops, the 21-metre “Freefire” and the 24-metre “Maligaya”,
to the tiny 9-metre “Loy Khratong” and the equally-small classic ketch “Xyphias”, came to a final anchorage off Kata Beach.
 The hi-tech “Lee Marine Fine
Pitch” won the Multihull Class honours.
A new and exciting regional yacht-racing development, the Asian Yachting Circuit, managed by Hong Kong-based Proteus Sports, is promoting the King’s Cup,
the Raja Muda and the Singapore Straits Regattas and, in April, will cover the San Fernando Races, with an estimated television audience of some 400 million viewers. The yacht
with the best aggregate score will be awarded the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup. It is not, incidentally, a cup of tea, but rather a magnificent cup of solid silver, bequeathed to the
Republic (formerly the Royal Singapore YC) of Singapore Yacht Club, by the tea magnate prior to his death several years ago.
The first Phuket King’s Cup Regatta was inaugurated in 1987 to honour His Majesty the King - himself a gold-medallist dinghy helmsman in regional Games in
1967 - as a celebration of the Royal Sailor’s’ fifth-cycle, sixtieth birthday.
In appreciation of His Majesty, a donation from Regatta proceeds each year is given to support the diverse Royal projects helping Thai rural workers -
projects instituted and closely followed by His Majesty.
Volvo, of course, and Regatta stalwarts such as hosts Kata Beach Resort, QBE Insurance, Thai Airways and the Royal Thai Navy - were all as much a part of the
event as ever.
Other co-sponsors included the Laguna Phuket, Sunsail, the Boathouse Wine and Grill, the Phuket Island Resort and supporting sponsors were Neil Pryde, the
Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Yacht Haven Marina, Phuket.com, Don’s Cafe, Thai Marine Leisure, Phuket Water Taxis and Thavorn Beach Village. Organizing Clubs, as usual,
were the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, the Phuket Yacht Club and the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand.
The Phuket Magazine, Image Asia and beverage sponsors Amstel Beer, Berlei Jucker’s fine wines and Pepsi kept thirst at bay (by the bay!).
The sea was full of craft, ranging from the sleek maxi racing craft to the magnificent old classics, the fast (wind permitting) Multihulls like “Lee Marine
Fine Pitch” to the cruisers, built for comfort. Meantime, on the shore, Volvo’s superb range of new models (the S40s, V40s and s80s), displayed at strategic points around
the Kata Beach Resort, added a touch of class to an already-upmarket regatta.
Besides their aforementioned foray into the Thavorn Beach Village and the marvellous Spa, the army of journalists, camera-toters and media personnel were
wined and dined in the highest manner at the seaside terrace of the Phuket Island Resort. General manager Rene Hardmeier regaled the assembled newshounds and the resort where
they stayed for the duration of the regatta was simply exotic. Some even managed a quick trip to the offshore island of Koh Bon - a jewel in the Andaman crown.
The parties were the best ever, ranging from the Kata Beach Resort’s opening and closing nights and Volvo-sponsored parties, to the exceptional Boathouse-QBE
King’s Birthday celebration. The Phuket Island Resort, the expansive Thavorn Beach Village party right on the waterfront and, last - but certainly not least - the huge
sit-down dinner for 1,000, under a tent the size of a three-ring circus, provided by the Laguna Phuket.
Through it all, thousands of litres of Amstel flowed from a seemingly-bottomless well and Berlei Jucker wines never seemed to run out.
A big vote of thanks is due to the 2000 regatta organizing committee, under president Nigel Hardy and Andy Dowden who kept the racing going - even on
windless days. Also to David Ratcliffe who ensured that the shore-based activities went smoothly - especially the abundant food and beverage; Grenville Fordham who ran a great
press operation; Mark Pryke and his cohorts in the very busy jury room; Phil Holywood who was always available to help and advise; Bill O’Leary whose dulcet (?) tones
enhanced every prize-giving; and, of course, race officer maestro John McLennan.
Regatta presidents have been Christopher J. King (1987, 1988, 1994, 1997), Peter Ole Herning (1990, 1991), William J. Gasson (1992, 1993), Adolph-Antoni
Knees (1989, 1995, 1996, 1998) and incumbent Nigel J. Hardy (1999 - 2000).
See you at the Fifteenth PKCR next December.
Indian Lions receive a roaring welcome by Pattaya and Pratamnak Lions
 Lions Club of Pattaya president
Theerapong Hemwadee is swamped with gifts and good wishes from the Indian Lions.
V. M. Azhagesan, MJF Governor of Lions District 324-B1 in India led a group of Lions Club members on a visit to Pattaya this week. Pattaya Lions Club
President Thirapong Hemwadee and Pattaya Pratamnak Lions President Kowit Thienthongnukul, along with Lion District 310C Deputy Governor Naris Phetcharat welcomed the group.
 V.M. Azhagesan presents a gift to
Naris Petcharat, deputy governor of District 310C, Thailand.
The visitors enjoyed the warm friendship of the Pattaya Lions and during the evening many gifts were exchanged. At the meeting a report was made concerning
the Charity Gala Dinner Party, which raised 280,000 baht for charity. The proceeds will be used to support the Sight First program assisting financially disadvantaged people
with visual handicaps, with the main thrust going to elderly persons suffering from cataracts.
 Peter Malhotra (president) and
Ron Herbert (secretary) of the Pattaya Sports Club present a donation of 5 eye operations to President Theerapong for their ‘Sight First’ project.
On behalf of the Pattaya Sports Club, President Peter Malhotra and Secretary Ron Herbert made an additional contribution of 35,000 baht to the Sight First
program.
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Past President Lion Saranjit Singh Sachdev (center) made these two visiting Lions very welcome. |
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Lion Pinit Poonsiri receives a commemorative pin from V.M. Azhagesan. |
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Burgundy Revisited
by Ranjith Chandrasiri
Four factors are essential to the production of great wines: the right soil, the right grapes for that soil, the right climate, and last but not least, the
know-how of the wine grower and wine-maker.
Nature has been kind to Burgundy in this respect and men learnt early here to understand and to exploit the distinctive virtues of particular pieces of
ground. The wine-growing soils of Burgundy are a mosaic made up of small plots of vines, often marked off and enclosed by stone walls. Each “terroir” has its own character,
depending on soil composition, altitude and exposure - factors which can vary significantly within the space of a few metres. So each plot is unique and this uniqueness is
reflected in the wine which is grown from it, in nuances of taste and aroma.
 Jadot wine tasting
The “c้page” or grape variety has to be chosen in such a way as to give fullest expression to the “terroir” on which it grows. It remains an
extraordinary fact, however, that despite its huge diversity of wines and soils, Burgundy has concentrated on just two grape varieties, though each is supreme of its kind. So,
with some minor exceptions, all the wines of Burgundy are produced either from the Chardonnay grape for white wines, or the Pinot Noir for reds.
Climate is Nature’s way of putting the finishing touches to the personality of a wine. Burgundy enjoys a continental climate with dry, cold winters and
hot, sunny summers. In these conditions the Pinot and Chardonnay ripen well and are perfectly at home. Of course, there are good years and bad ones. And there are also great
years, to be welcomed as an extra and special dispensation of an already generous Nature. So climatic variation also contributes to the endless diversity of Burgundy’s wines.
Without the skill and know-how of the wine-growers and wine-makers there would be no great wines. There are three stages in the making of wine; the
cultivation of the grapes, vinification (their transformation into wine), and “้levage” - caring for the new wine until it is ready for drinking. Each stage is a
combination of natural processes and human intervention, requiring patience, knowledge, discernment and flair. Since we are not dealing with a purely mechanical process but
with one involving human judgement, the results will not and cannot be either standardised or completely predictable: for there are as many individual wines as there are
individual wine-makers. Therefore, the name of the grower or n้gociant on the label can count for as much as the appellation of the wine. It is his signature, and the
consumer’s guarantee of quality and authenticity.
Founded in 1859 by Louis Henry Denis Jadot, the famous Maison Louis Jadot has always been situated in the heart of the vineyards, in the centre of Beaune.
The offices are situated above very old cellars from the 14th century, connected with the “Couvent des Jacobins” cellars. This “Couvent” is now the venue for receiving
selected esteemed invitees to Maison Louis Jadot.
I was fortunate to have been invited to this “Couvent” recently, and was given a tour of their cellar and an opportunity to take part in an extensive
tasting of their wines. The next day I was invited to a fabulous wine dinner in the Couvent des Jacobins cellars. The two directors of Maison Louis Jadot, Frederic Burrier and
Georges Haushalter were kind enough to show me their precious wines in that amazing underground cellar. I stopped in amazement where the signage on the bottles indicated
“Montrachet 1881”. Few steps further on the other side, lying peacefully on the shelf was the “Meursault 1885”. These wines are being cellared under perfect conditions
with accurate temperature and lighting. They are now waiting to be sold to wealthy buyers. One should surely understand that wines of this calibre are naturally for those who
not only have a thick wallet but also possess an educated palate to appreciate them.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that some of the bottles I had admired in the cellar had appeared on the dining table. Chassagne Montrachet ler Cru Morgeot
‘Clos de la Chapelle” 1984, Beaune ler Cru, Clos des Couchereaux 1978 and the gorgeous Romanee Saint Vivant 1952 had been already opened and left for breathing on the
dining table.
At Maison Louis Jadot the choice of the grapes is their number one priority. Their philosophy is to respect the origin of the grapes. Therefore the villages
and growths of Burgundy are individually expressed in all the wines that carry their name.
Maison Louis Jadot only produces AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contr๔l้e) wines from the Burgundy region. This means that they produce Chablis, C๔te
d’Or (C๔te de Nuits and C๔te de Beaune), C๔te Chalonnaise, Mโconnais and Beaujolais wines.
How to serve burgundy wines
The red wines should be served at 15 ° - 16°C.
Uncorking the bottle one or two hours before serving generally improves the “volume” and purity of the aromas.
White wines require a cooler serving temperature: around 12ฐ - 14ฐC. They are mellow enough to support this temperature; any colder and the
bouquet may be lost.
Large balloon style glasses are best adapted to the qualities of the red wines, the size of the surface area helping the rapid development of the bouquet.
Tulip shaped glasses are best for the elegant presentation of the white wines.
One does not have to travel all the way to France to indulge in the extravagance of these fantastic wines. The Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya now carries
an extensive range of Burgundy wines including Louis Jadot, Romanee Conti, La Tache, Richebourg, Romanee Saint Vivant and Grands Echezeauz wines in their newly opened wine
cellars. Prices are ranging from Bht 950 to Bht 115,000 a bottle. For an unforgettable and ultimate dinning experience, one could even reserve the exclusive dinning table
located inside the cellar at no extra cost.
Pinrak puts on a brave face
Pinrak Pornpainlerdsakul, the young girl with total kidney failure, is still pressing on despite her ailment, with her twice-weekly dialysis while waiting
for a kidney transplant. The doctors at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital have been pleased with her resolve, but admit that the dialysis is only a stopgap measure, as both her
kidneys were destroyed by a bout of nephritis (a kidney infection).
 Pinrak intently following Dr.
Pichit Kangwolkit‘s instructions
Unfortunately, even at cost, Pinrak’s dialysis treatment is expensive and well beyond the means and resources available to her family, already below the
poverty line with her father now on crutches and her mother selling iced drinks at the roadside for their sole means of support.
It has only been through the support of many people that Pinrak has managed to come so far. Without dialysis she will slowly die. Can you help? A breakdown
of the costs shows just where your money has been spent. Spent to give a young girl some quality of life, while she is still strong enough to hang on while waiting for that
donor kidney.
Treatment:
|
22-11-0
27-11-00
30-11-00
04-12-00
07-12-00
11-12-00
14-12-00
18-12-00
20-12-43 |
2,520
2,639
2,690
4,934
5,604
5,250
2,999
2,520
2,520 |
Total expenses:
Credit
Balance |
32,676
51,545
18,869 Credit |
The above expenses included units of blood, medicines and lab tests.
If you or your company can help this young girl, the Pattaya Mail will pass on your donations to the hospital who are running the charity account
for her. You can be assured that every baht goes purely to treatment, blood replacement and medicines.
Rotarians prepare for district conference in Pattaya
Rotarians in district 3340, led by Governor Premprecha Dibbayawan met at the Town in Town Hotel to propose and map out plans for the district conference,
one of the most important events in the Rotary calendar. This conference is to be held March 16-18 next year in Pattaya.
 District Governor Premprecha
Dibbayawan announces the District Conference
The plan is to covert Pattaya into a Rotary Peace City during the conference, which will be held over two consecutive weekends. All in all more than 1000
Rotarians from two major districts, 3340 and 3350 are expected to attend. This will be complimented by Rotarians from other districts and from around the world.
Pattaya being one of the most important cities in tourism and industry has now become the most popular place to hold conventions and seminars. Rotarians
know this very well, as this will not be the first time that a Rotary function of this scale is planned for our fair city.
The purpose of the conference is for Rotarians to meet in peace, fellowship and world understanding. Rotarians will meet also to learn more of the ideals
and plans of Rotary. This will benefit all Rotarians, giving them more knowledge and creating avenues for the opportunity to serve our community.
The organizing committee is comprised of many distinguished district governors, presidents and Rotarians in our region.
Royal Cliff Sports & Fitness Club to hold an Open Day Sunday
The Royal Cliff Beach Resort is holding an open day on Sunday, December 31 of the Royal Cliff’s latest and newest facility, the Royal Cliff Sports &
Fitness Club (RCSFC).
The RCSFC boasts the latest in Cybexฎ & LifeFitnessฎ cardiovascular and strength-building equipment imported directly from the USA.
Complimented with the under-mentioned RCSFC facilities, this makes for one of the best sports & fitness clubs in Pattaya.
* Aerobics & Dance Studio
* 2 Free-Form Swimming Pools
* Children’s Swimming Pools
* 2 In-Pool Jacuzzis
* Swim-Up Bar
* 6 Floodlit Tennis Courts (with pro-Tennis coaching)
* 2 Knock-ball Courts
* Saunas & Steam Rooms
* 3-Hole Putting Green
The RCSFC is offering one-year memberships for the price of a six-month rate with additional benefits that only the Royal Cliff Beach Resort can offer.
Such as 20% off of advertised room rack rates, 10% discount in F & B outlets, and 15% on treatments at the Cliff Spa. Furthermore, membership to the RCSFC is exclusive
and limited to ensure their members receive the 5 Star service and facilities that for over 27 years has become the hallmark of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Andre and Tiew finally tie the knot
Andre Machielsen, owner and managing director of Master Safety Enterprises, finally broke down, fell to his knees and proposed to Khun Thongdam Surintald (Tiew).
 Andre and Tiew
Tiew loves her charming prince in shining armour, after all Andre sells security systems. But under all that toughness Tiew saw a kind and gentle person. A
hardworking man whose only purpose in life is to make his wife and son Sam happy.
So after a trial relationship that lasted 13 years, Tiew hauled Andre to Bua Yai in Nakorn Rachasima Province. There, on the auspicious date of 21 December
2000, witnessed by close family and friends, a holy Buddhist matrimonial ceremony was performed. An exhilarated Andre then carried his new bride over the threshold back to
Pattaya and exclaimed, “Ik voel me erg goed en gelukkig, Dank God.”
Chinese Chance - The Year of the Snake (part one)
by Anchalee
Chinese legend has it that the order of the 12 animals was determined thousands of years ago by Buddha himself. According to the age-old tale, there came a
day when Buddha felt that the Chinese nation was sadly in need of some reorganisation. On the occasion of the New Year, he called all the animals together for a meeting. Only
12 breeds turned up for the convention.
First came the aggressive Rat, then the hard-working Ox. At their heels bounded the smiling Tiger and the cautious Rabbit. Soon the spiffy Dragon appeared
followed by the Snake. The gifted Horse came galloping after them, and up gambolled the gentle Goat. In their wake came the merry Monkey, and then in strutted the Rooster.
The last to be heard from were the faithful Dog and the scrupulous Pig.
Buddha honoured them in the order of their arrival at his summit conference, and endowed each of the 12 animals with a year of its own. From that New Year
onward, each successive year of the Chinese calendar bore the character of the animal for which it was named.
How Chinese Chance Works
Though there are no complicated rising signs or intricate charts to deal with, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year. It can occur as
early as mid-January, or as late as mid-February. The cycle of the Chinese zodiac renews itself every dozen years. As luck will have it, 1900 was a Rat year. Since Rat is the
first in the series of 12 signs, and its year opened our century, we can calculate our own signs and those of our contemporaries with ease. The year 2000 was the sign of the
Dragon, and the coming sign of the Chinese New Year, 2001 will be the Year of the Snake. Moreover, those people born in specific animal years are marked by the nature and
disposition of their natal animal. Obviously, we do not take these symbolic badges literally. For example, people born in the year of the Ox are not necessarily big-boned,
muscular and bovine.
Chinese Chance is an ancient art of character reading and fate prediction upon which the Orient has depended on for many centuries. This astrological
system is less convoluted than the one practised in the West. To find your own sign, all you need to know is the year of your birth. Although the Chinese horoscope is
different from western astrology, like all systems of presage, it applies the date of a subject’s birth to a set of predetermined characteristics that help to predict what
the basic nature of that person will be. According to Chinese astrology, the year of the Snake is about to begin.
The Snake
Snakes are: wise, cultivated, cerebral, accommodating, intuitive, attractive, amusing, lucky, sympathetic, elegant, soft-spoken, well bred, compassionate,
philosophical, calm, and decisive.
But they can also be: ostentatious, sore losers, tight-fisted, extravagant, presumptuous, possessive, vengeful, self-critical, lazy, and fickle.
Out there somewhere, slithering through rich grasses, dawdling now and again to strike it rich, is the darling of the Oriental signs... the alluring Snake.
Seductive beyond belief, restful and sage, people born in the snake years emit their particular form of magnetism in what the Chinese like think of as a pleasant ooze. Absent
from their repertoire are such characteristics as belligerence or swagger. Snakes are neither aggressive nor blatant. They are masters of reptilian grace. Rarely are they
ruffled or upset. Snake people give everybody, including themselves, the impression they really have it “all together”.
Way back in Sunday school, Christians were warned about snakes. The Bible’s Eve came a cropper in the Garden of Eden with a charming snake. So, even
Westerners have it on good advice that Snakes are among some of the world’s most irresistible creatures. Certainly some of you will protest they hate snakes, and fear them.
So ugly and slimy. Ugh! It’s possible that with you, snakes will not have much of a chance. You may think you are too virtuous and well adjusted to fall prey to a Snake.
Don’t be too sure. These beasts have an act unparalleled by all the others. For the most part, they are uncommonly beautiful, even the men. They are somewhat forbidding,
and helplessly sexy.
Antiques - are they genuine?
by Apichart
The subject of fakes, forgeries and deceptions is intriguing enough by itself to pique the curiosity of those who have only a passing interest in the world
of art and antiques. Faking goes on, and there is no reason to suppose it is more prevalent now than it has been in the past. What concerns collectors and dealers far more
than outright fakes, is alteration and reproduction. This series of articles will inform the reader on what to look for and how to spot altered artefacts in some of the more
popular categories, such as clocks, American, English, and Continental furniture, glass, English and American silver, pottery, porcelain and objects formed in the base metals
of copper, brass and bronze.
Outright copies, whose origins may get lost in the mists of memory, abound. Almost anything can be altered to update it, to make it more useful or more
saleable. Whatever the motive for alteration may have been, the artefact may now deceive. It behoves buyers to be aware of what might have happened to standard items, and be
able to judge accordingly. In principle, the immorality of passing off fake antiques is clear. In practice however, the view from the sales floor is not quite the same as
from the pulpit. The best dealers and collectors are knowledgeable and there is no substitute for experience in this field. But anyone can be fooled, and many have been.
There remains, however, a world of difference between making an honest mistake and deliberately passing off a dud antique.
Clocks
Rather than to describe the variety of antique clocks most frequently found, or how to go about buying them, it is more expedient to alert collectors to
the more common alterations or deceptions, which, if they go unnoticed, can cost the buyer dearly.
Most clocks have the following elements: the dial and its fittings, the movement and the escapement. We shall look at each in turn before considering
particular points about certain familiar types of clocks.
Dials and their fittings
Dials fall into the following categories: painted metal, painted wood, enamel on wood, enamel on metal and engraved metal. Painted metal dials were a
popular form of decoration for bracket, long case, and wall clocks of the late 18th Century and early 19th Century. It was a relatively cheap form of production, and is
therefore found particularly on provincial clocks. Tin was the metal most commonly used for reasons of economy.
Painted and metal dials
An authentic example will almost certainly show crazing, similar to that found on old oil paintings. If the dial has been cleaned or restored the crazing
will be less obvious. But there will be small hairline cracks or small indentations. Most dials bear a signature, probably that of the clock seller rather than that of the
clock maker. It is quite possible to alter these to more famous names. The test here is that the quality of the clock, in all its parts, should match the importance of the
signature it bears. Local interest can add a premium and so it is not unknown for an appropriate signature to be contrived.
Face it!
by The Beauty Explorer
Do YOU know how to take care of yourself? Well, I do! A person should always take care of her/himself! I take a shower at least twice a day and I wash my
hair at the same time. Occasionally I have my nails done. Every few months or so, I go and get me a massage and at least once a year, I have a facial done somewhere around
the corner in one of those Thai Beauty Shops without air-conditioning. Yes, I know how to take care of myself!
At least that’s what I thought – until I saw Miss Napaporn Wentworth, nicknamed “Nok”, a friend of mine and the owner of The Beauty House
Pattaya. We hadn’t met in months and it was only after she recognized me that she gave me one of those looks only good friends dare to give. I asked, “what’s up”
and she replied, still with that same look, “Why don’t you come over to my shop one of these days and have a complete renovation job done?” I thought about it for,
let’s say at least 10 seconds, and than I agreed.
Arriving at The Beauty House, Nok examined my skin and told me that ‘a lot of work’ had to be done. She wanted to start with my face and then go on to
the body, giving me one of the special Beauty House Treatment Packages: the “Grand Pamper”. Well, I thought to myself, since I am here already, all I can do now is
give myself up into the hands of a professional beautician. And so I did. The first treatment I got was a full course Selvert Facial Treatment. It’s supposed to
rejuvenate the facial skin by deep cleansing first, followed by a scrub and ozone treatment to remove the dead skin cells and blackheads.
The beautician started to work on my face using her hands and some electrical equipment, leaving a clean and soft feeling on my face. After that, I
received a facial massage, indeed very professionally done and very relaxing, and after that the Secrete Mask - I still wonder what’s in it - was put onto my face. I guess
its the same feeling a cake must have when it gets a chocolate topping, certainly as nice, cool, smooth and creamy. The only difference is the mask’s not dark brown but
pinkish and it will improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin. After almost half hour of dozing off while waiting for the mask to do its work, the girl woke me up to
pull the mask off my face. Finally, toning and creaming my face and d้collet้, finished the treatment after altogether about 75 minutes and I was ready to take a
look in the mirror. Wow, I thought, that’s miraculous! My skin was glowing, and the wrinkles somehow seemed to have disappeared. Touching my face, it felt like touching the
smoothest silk. I really did like it! Yet, the girl didn’t give me much time to admire myself since there was more treatment waiting for me.
To be continued…
Are you interested in treatments or special packages for yourself or for your loved ones? Just call Khun Nok, Tel. 361749–50 to get more information.
Don’t forget - now would be the right time to get a proper New Year’s present for your darling.
The Boathouse Phuket is launched overseas
Story and Photos by Peter Cummins
It was 12.18 at a press conference and signing ceremony at The Boathouse, Kata Beach, late last month, when M.L Tridhosyuth Devakul (Mom Tri), pen poised
above a substantial document, waited until his watch read 12.19. Then he signed an agreement with DOXA Technologies Limited and Leif G. Bohman, co-founder, principal and
executive chairman of DOXA counter-signed. Thus, in one stroke of the pen, so to speak, Mom Tri’s boutique (or, should that read, “boatique”?) hotel, The Boathouse on
Kata Beach, went global.
 Kata Beach from the Boathouse
Terrace - and an excellent wine cellar, too
“12.19 was the auspicious time for the Boathouse to go international,” said Mom Tri, smiling broadly as we sat down to a splendid luncheon at the
beach-side restaurant. Now DOXA and Mom Tri have become the founding and principal partners of the new entity, The Boathouse International and Mr Bohman announced that, “a
public listing from a major international stock exchange can be expected during the 2004-2005 biennium. The initial market capitalization will be in the vicinity of US$20
million”.
“By that time,” Mr Bohman continued, “we shall have some 10 Boathouse properties in Europe which will be our established base before we look to
expand further a field”.
Marriage of convenience
The joint venture is an economic and cultural “marriage of convenience”, representing Mom Tri’s move into the overseas market while it is DOXA’s
first alliance with an Asian partner. It will be an eclectic blend of The Boathouse approach, with its unique Thai decor and cuisine, combined with the innovative production
methodology of BauHow - a DOXA subsidiary company now operating a 14,000 square-metre assembly facility near the Frankfurt Airport. A number of other hi-tech companies
throughout Europe and Scandinavia, also under the DOXA aegis, contribute to the overall production and management of DOXA.
 Boathouse GM Louis Bronner (L)
watches while Phuket’s governor opens a Boathouse art exhibit
Mr Bohman explained that BauHow was a condensation of two German words: Bauer which means construction and How as in know-how. He noted that there will be
300,000 square metres of production capacity assembly line at Frankfurt, with an 80 percent productivity. “Now, in Europe,” he pointed out, “construction consists of 30
percent ‘waiting’, 30 percent ‘moving materials’ and just 40 percent ‘productivity’. Our approach could be compared to Leggo and, when we are in top production,
we will be able to pre-fabricate two – three 100-room hotels per year. Right now we can produce a single (140 sq.-metre) house in eight weeks,” he informed the gathered
newshounds.
 Mom Tri checks his watch,
waiting for the auspicious time of 12.19, to sign the accord with the Doxa Technologies Company
Anders Widen, well-known Bangkok resident for many years where, among other top positions, he was founder and president of Nobel Communications, has joined
Doxa Technologies as executive vice president, marketing and communications, based in London. His broad experience in many parts of the world, particularly South East Asia
will be invaluable to the new venture and he pointed out that, “Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world and The Boathouse concept is a ‘happy marriage’ of
Thai hospitality and western management systems.”
 Mom Tri signs the accord, with
Doxa Technologies co-founder, principal and executive chairman Leif G. Bohman (L) and executive vice president, marketing & communications Anders Widen.
Pointing to the obvious ability of Mom Tri to design stylish - yet not exceedingly opulent properties, Mr Widen was “confident,” he said, “that
Tri’s designs will appeal also to sophisticated Europeans; the unrivalled Thai smiling hospitality will add a service which will have an unquestionable appeal for a
discerning clientele,” Anders concluded.
Mr Bohman agreed that the Thai hospitality industry is probably the best. DOXA research for an investment partner had revealed that through his unique
designs, added to a high level of appreciation of Thai cuisine, Mom Tri’s approach was an ideal component for the venture.
Floating hotels
Mom Tri also pointed out that, “through the innovative BauHow technology, using flexible and modular systems, it will be possible to construct both
land-based and floating hotels in the European theatre where land is becoming prohibitively expensive and scarce for such construction.”
The particular concept of floating hotels will go a long way to ameliorating the site problem and an agreement for, say, a fifteen year lease, for a hotel
moored on a major city river, involves much fewer bureaucratic entanglements, Mr Bohman said, adding, with a smile, “and we can always tow it to another location when the
lease is up”.
“The remaining task is to provide the ‘software’ - the management skills and a trained staff to operate the hotels,” Mom Tri noted. To this end,
The Boathouse will establish a dedicated hotel and restaurant management training school in Phuket. A training programme for selected students to be trained at The Boathouse
Phuket and at various European Boathouse locations will include language courses.
The Boathouse - a ‘recipe’ for excellence
Mom Tri’s Boathouse has become justly renowned for the highest standards, since it opened as a resort hotel in 1989 - standards not just exceptional for
Phuket, and Thailand generally, but world-wide, winning awards for cuisine, decor and service. The highly-acclaimed wine-cellar has won the Wine Spectator magazine’s
“Award of Excellence” for the past six years.
With just 36 rooms and an employee ratio of three staff per guest, the Boathouse enjoys an elegant, quiet corner of Kata Beach, with dining right on the
beach-front. It is no wonder that most guests are repeaters, some even staying for three months or more at each visit. Or, to paraphrase Mom Tri himself: The Boathouse is the
hotel for people who prefer not to stay in hotels.
 The superb design of the
Boathouse on Kata Beach now becomes international through Doxa
Mom Tri is an award-winning architect. The design of the recently-opened United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok has a distinct pagoda facade and the
embassies of both Australia and India reflect Mom Tri’s brilliant melding of traditional cultural style with modern building techniques. Exclusive hotels at Phuket’s Nai
Harn and Relax Bays and, of course, the delightful Boathouse, with its uniquely Thai architecture, are among his long list of achievements. In all these ventures, Mom Tri has
always sought communion with nature, using wood where practical. The Baan Boran Hotel in the Golden Triangle region exemplifies this pleasing blend with nature.
In concluding, Mom Tri said that he is delighted, “that the distinctive Boathouse hospitality will soon be available in Europe. For the time being, every
property will be unique in its focal setting and the first will most likely be built on the banks of the Main or Rhine Rivers, in Central Germany. It is scheduled to open in
the Spring of 2002.”
Other locations will include Rhodos, Sardinia, Majorca, Madeira, Bermuda, Sardinia, Malta, Korfu, Isle of Man, Ibiza and Gran Canaria.
“We want to make good use of European waterways,” said Mom Tri, pursuing one of his firmest environmental tenets. “They are also a more
environmentally-friendly mode of transport, compared with roads. Most of all waterways are ideal for the moving of construction materials or, as in our case, ready-made hotel
modules, to our chosen sites for the Boathouse hotels,” he added.
Thus, the marriage of Thai hospitality, German technological know-how and western management skills is going to have a dynamic effect on the hotel and
tourism industry in Europe over the long-term and Thailand will be a major beneficiary.
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]
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