The Siam Ballroom at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort was
once again the elegant setting for one of the highlights on Pattaya’s
annual social calendar, the Pattaya International Ladies Club Charity Gala
Ball.
Arlette
(center) thanks her co-organizers, Judy Clausen (left) and Judy Hoppe for
the helping hands.
Nittaya
and Drew Noyes blend into the evening of romance.
Lara
and Fouad danced the night away.
The Pattaya community was well represented as almost 300
people ‘dressed to kill’ packed the ballroom for a romantic ‘Night in
Venice’, complete with gondola and trimmings.
A cocktail party kicked off the evening and stylishly
dressed guests posed for photos on the gondola, which was complete with
oarsman and mask. While many milled around the lobby comparing masks and
dress designs, there were plenty of familiar faces engaged in conversation
and slipping well into the mood of the festivities.
However, it was the photo opportunity in a gondola that
proved to be a huge success and dozens of people lined up in couples, trios
and large groups for a chance to capture the moment on film.
After 8 p.m. everyone moved from the lobby into the Siam
Ballroom to enjoy a lavish dinner.
Anita
Schoch-Kaspar won the prize for the most beautiful self-made mask.
Bronwyn
Little-Carey waves her magic wand raising the bidding to dizzy heights
throughout the auction.
Purple
and gold - shining brightly at a Night in Venice.
Diane
and Judy call out for more of the evening’s fantastic wine.
Shortly thereafter, PILC president Laurence Fatus
formally opened the Ball with a speech and drawing of door prizes. The
festive crowd was entertained by the hotel’s in-house band playing magic
melodies from jazz to easy-listening. A surprise was also in store for
everyone as special guests Italian opera singer, Gianfranco Giontuli and
professional concert pianist Dorothea de Vos teamed up to add extra culture
to the evening with a few arias of opera.
Gianfranco, who is in Pattaya on holiday, is well known
on the European opera circuit and performs in Milan, Rome, Verona, Fierenze,
Naples, and Monaco while Dorothea lives in Rayong and teaches music.
The
ladies from Burapha were out in force.
Mr. and
Mrs. Kempe from Metso Paper, one of the sponsors for the evening.
A
surprised lucky door prize winner collects first prize.
Hiro
and his lovely wife enjoyed the evening.
Just a
few of the thousands of beautiful people in Pattaya and the Eastern
Seaboard’s International community .
This
group was truly a mixture of international personalities.
Judy
Hoppe with the 50 year old Buddha statue that husband Bruce paid for.
Drew
with his new acquisition, a genuine original ‘Caucasian Design Afghan
Rug’
The show warmed up even more after dinner with
entertainment from Ruby’s Band giving some of the more romantic and as
well as the boisterous guests a chance to dance off all that sumptuous food
and fine wine.
The Ball’s charity auction had plenty of fabulous items
on the block including accommodations for 5 days in a Canadian ski resort,
individual pieces of art, a genuine Afghan carpet, and a water hyacinth easy
chair with foot rest, to name but a few. The auction, bravely carried out by
Peter O’Driscoll, raised 130,000 baht to add to the PILC charity coffers.
Once the evening’s formalities were over, it was time
to kick back, enjoy more wine, and dance the night away.
During the course of the night judges surveyed the room
for winners of the most original and beautiful mask and the best hand-made
mask of the Ball.
Lara Kaedey won for having the most elegant and original
mask for which she received a pair French designer earrings. Anita
Schoch-Kaspar won the prize for the most beautiful hand-made mask and was
presented with a French designer bracelet, both donated by organizer Arlette
Cykman.
The PILC Charity Ball has become an institution and a
tradition in Pattaya’s social scene. However, the night of elegance and
frivolity has an ulterior motive - to raise funds for charity programs. This
year the Ball raised over 400,000 baht including 130,000 from the auction,
which will be generously put towards the PILC’s charity projects around
the city and the Eastern Seaboard.
Paul,
Pree, Laurence, Karen, Paul, Jitsupa, Clayton and Supap were all glittering
and sparkling for a romantic night.
Clare
& Judy Clausen, Hugh & Kamya Parker live it up in style as Diamond
sponsors.
Kavita,
Lara, Ella and Mireille enjoy the night’s festivities.
A
Family affair, Alvi Sinthvanik (right) with her daughters Nat and No.
Chitra
Chandrasiri took time out from her busy schedule to enjoy the evening.
Clayton
and Supap take a gondola ride.
Yve and
Victoria had lots of fun.
Organizers, Arlette Cykman and her committee of Judy
Clausen and Judy Hoppe are to be congratulated for coordinating a truly
magnificent event. The Ball lasted until 2 a.m. and there was no doubt that
everyone who attended enjoyed themselves.
Six months of planning had paid off and Arlette graciously thanked all
the sponsors for their charitable contributions and the Royal Cliff for yet
again hosting the PILC Charity Gala Ball and contributing to a very
successful night.
