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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital and local charitable clubs raise funds for needy children

Most unusual sounds softly beat through the Art Cafe

New Japanese restaurant opens in Walking Street

Casa Pascal celebrates number 2 in style, fine wine and gourmet food

Green Bottle celebrates 15 great years of service

How is your heart?

Spectacular “Miss Tiffany’s Universe” pageant 2003 to be held on March 29

First official event of the 2003 Pattaya Gay Festival charity year

Shenanigans shifts into retro mode for 80s night

Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital and local charitable clubs raise funds for needy children

Songklod Kaewvisit

Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital in conjunction with local clubs including the Jesters, the AFT-ERC, the Rayong Ladies Circle, Expats in Pattaya, and Saint Andrews International School organized a charity sale fund raising event for needy kids in Pattaya. The money collected after sales will be donated to several foundations in Chonburi area.

Virginia Sorenson and Neil Maniquez, representing the Association of Filipinos in Thailand, Eastern Region Chapter (AFT-ERC) donated 20 sacks of rice to needy children.

Shoppers check out the bargains at the Expats Club booth.

Held on March 22, booths were set up at the hospital. Goods on sale included second-hand items, handcraft products, and books. The sale successfully attracted a big crowd of shoppers and as a result the amount of money raised was very satisfactory.

Proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Detention Center of Chonburi, Ban Huay Pong and other designated institutions. The AFT-ERC also donated 20 sacks of rice to the charity committee to be given to the children.


Most unusual sounds softly beat through the Art Cafe

When the doors of the Art Cafe Pattaya opened, the most unusual sounds softly beat through the pillars of the old colonial house.

Aon and Thong

Rung Prasansaeng, age 35, and Chalermchai Kawjatturat age 24 - we simply call them Aon and Thong - create those peaceful tunes on their extraordinary instruments. The two have played together for only 6 months but have brought their performances up almost to perfection.

Let us tell you a little about their lives and how they discovered their passion for music. Aon is a born musician and started playing the guitar and clarinet. He was bothered by bottles lying around everywhere and thought to himself that people just throw them away carelessly. That was the moment when he decided to make them a piece of art. He started his idea of turning the whole thing into something useful and colorfully painted all the bottles he could find that day. His idea of making bottle music was born and he started to practice with 3 bottles around his neck. This was only a year ago and today he is playing beautiful tunes on 34 bottles.

Aon is a songwriter, too, and if you listen carefully you will hear some songs at the Art Caf้ that you never came across before. By the way, he plays many instruments, but guitar, clarinet, flute and the bottles are his favorite.

Thong is a young talent who had his first contact with music at the university three years ago where he was taught to play instruments by Aon. Six months ago they met again and decided to do form a team. They’ve worked together ever since. Thong plays guitar and electric bass and likes to sing.

Their plans are to have a bigger band and to open their own place to show the kind of music they make and let people enjoy. They both say, “If you’re interested in learning about music, you just pick up things from each other. And from that, you put it into your style. But you don’t forget those particular notes, so you make up your own song. We all play like each other in a sense. If we all had to play our own music, there wouldn’t be too many musicians.”

Aon and Thong play in a trio on late evenings in a completely different style of music. You can listen to them also in a place opposite the Paladium playing Rock and Country songs.

Aon and Thong play daily from 7 to 10 p.m. except on Mondays at the Art Caf้ Pattaya, well-known for its extreme devotion to the local scene. It is one of the best venues in town for a casual but special dinner.


New Japanese restaurant opens in Walking Street

Suchada Tupchai

For lovers of Japanese food, there’s a new restaurant open on Walking Street. The new eatery is managed by the experienced team of the now famous Nang Nual Restaurant, which has been in operation since 1965.

Many honored guests attended the opening ceremony of Nang Nual’s newest addition, their Japanese restaurant on Walking Street.

Opened last week by owner Bronchia Suwankotr and partners, the ceremony was attended by the who’s who of Pattaya. Guests included Tawit Chaisawangwong, chairman of the city council, deputy mayors Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Wattana Jantaworanont and Urit Nansurasak to name a few.

Guests were treated to a buffet style lunch to sample some of the cuisine with efficient and friendly service to match. Owners said opening Walking Street’s first Japanese restaurant was aimed not only at the Japanese tourist market but also those who enjoy a wide variety of Japanese food.

Located opposite Nang Nual in South Pattaya the new eatery is open 24 hours a day 7 days per week.


Casa Pascal celebrates number 2 in style, fine wine and gourmet food

By Miss Terry Diner

The mood at the Casa Pascal Restaurant for its second anniversary was one of eager expectancy, and after perusing the menu, you could see why. Promised items included goose liver mousse terrine, crabmeat and smoked salmon, oven roasted duck and cheeses. To wash it down there was Pascal’s eminently drinkable house champagne, followed by a lovely Chateau les Tuilleries Sauvignon Blanc and a Butterfly Ridge Shiraz Cabernet.

Kim and Pascal Schnyder, cheered on by lots of friends, blow out both candles in celebration of the momentous 2nd anniversary of Casa Pascal Restaurant.

Pascal and wife Kim flitted from table to table to ensure that everyone was enjoying themselves, in between the onerous duties of being photographed and interviewed for television. After all, if a week is a long time in politics, two years is an eternity in the restaurant business!


Green Bottle celebrates 15 great years of service

The Greet Bottle Pub near the Diana Inn proudly celebrated their 15th anniversary recently with a mini concert and champagne for guests attending the special evening.

Sopin Thappajug (right), Virginia Sorensen (center), Nittaya Pattimasongkroh (3rd right) and the management team of the Green Bottle Pub blow out the candles on the anniversary cake.

Patchalida & Suda Chuenban (center), who entertained the guests with lively music in a mini-concert, Sopin Thappajug and her management team.

Famous Thai mother and daughter duo Patchalida & Suda Chuenban entertained the crowd with lively music in a mini-concert as part of the celebrations.

Sopin Thappajug, managing director of the Diana Group was on hand to give a warm welcome to the crowd of guests and customers.

The Green Bottle opened for business 15 years ago, and in that time has fed and lubricated thousands of people as one of Pattaya’s first and finest English-style venues.

The evening’s festivities came to climax as the champagne flowed and a huge cake was cut and distributed to guests. The party lasted until early hours with many guests enjoying a fun night with lively entertainment.

The Green Bottle Pub is located on Pattaya Second Road, next to the Diana Inn.


How is your heart?

If you are a heartless person, then this probably will not interest you, but if you are interested in staying fit cardiac-wise, then here is an item that can help you towards a healthy old age! Especially if you are male, since heart attacks are still one of the most frequent causes of death for males over the age of 50.

The Bangkok Pattaya Hospital has introduced its “Heart Club” and is holding an ‘open-house’ to showcase their new cardiac unit and cardiac cath lab.

On 29 March this year, from 9 a.m. - 12 noon there are many activities to highlight the latest advancements in cardiac care - and heart attack prevention. One of these is a demonstration by Chef Stefan Heller from the Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa to show you nutritious and healthy meals, suitable for cardiac patients. There will also be demonstrations of the latest equipment being used to monitor and diagnose cardiac conditions.

By joining the Heart Club, the hospital is offering some benefits such as some free blood tests and BP check on the day. There will also be large discounts on some of the their heart check packages, if you book on the day.

Heart Club Members will also receive some souvenirs of the day, and be entitled to free 24 hours ambulance pick up. For more information please contact the International Department Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, tel. 038 427 777 - ext. 1150, 1155, email: [email protected]


Spectacular “Miss Tiffany’s Universe” pageant 2003 to be held on March 29

Suchada Tupchai

In a press conference at the Woodlands Resort in North Pattaya, Alisa Phantusak, deputy managing director of the Tiffany Show Company along with Manit Boonchim, director of the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) office, Central Region 3 officially announced the upcoming Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2003 beauty pageant to be held this coming Saturday March 29.

Contestants are “women of the second category” and the pageant is now in its 5th year. This stunning contest has received worldwide recognition for its high standards, lavish setting and has been broadcast live on national television.

Pattaya’s dazzling Tiffany’s Show has drawn tourists from all over the world with its original and creative cabaret performances. The “Miss Tiffany’s Universe” 1999 & 2000 winner was sent to Los Angles, U.S.A. to attend the “Miss Queen of the Universe” Contest (which is a Miss World contest for women of the “second category”) and came back with the crown both years as well the ‘Best National Costume’ award.

The pageant not only promotes Thailand’s tourism and Pattaya’s major tourists attractions, but also endorses a positive image of transvestites to the international community, supports human rights awareness, and donates funds to HIV infected children.

There will be 5 category winners this year. First prize is a Honda City sedan car, 100,000 baht in cash, the official Miss Tiffany’s Universe Crown, a trophy and a round trip air ticket to Los Angeles.

Contestants will visit a number of destinations in Pattaya including Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum Pattaya, the Banglamung Home for the Aged and the final evening of the pageant will be broadcast live on ITV.

Tickets and details are available through Tiffany’s Cabaret, Woodlands Resort in Pattaya and the office in Bangkok or through the website www.misstif fanyuniverse.com


First official event of the 2003 Pattaya Gay Festival charity year

The first official Pattaya Gay Festival event of the 2003 Charity Year will be a Grand Charity Dinner to be held at Bruno’s Restaurant, North Pattaya, on Sunday 30th March 8.30 p.m. These dinners were very popular last year and it is planned to hold four during the course of the year at different restaurants in Pattaya.

The gourmet menu will include duckling terrine with apple celery salad, horseradish cream soup with pan fired salmon, grilled tenderloin of beef and a dessert of cinnamon parfait with poached sour cherries.

At the conclusion of the meal a grand charity draw will be held to raise further funds for the on-going support of the work of HEARTT 2000 and the other local charities supported by the Festival.

The price for the meal is 1,200 baht which includes a 500 baht donation to the Festival Charities. Tickets are available from Hugh or Jim at the Ambiance Hotel in Pattayaland Soi 3, South Pattaya.


Shenanigans shifts into retro mode for 80s night

By Brendan Richards

Madness hit Shenanigans last Friday as the Irish Pub moved into retro mode, bringing the 80’s back into fashion. From the decade that brought the world weird haircuts and Madonna, many of the patrons turned back the clock to when ‘fluro’ colors were hip, the likes of George Michael and Wham were topping the charts and the age of the gender-bender got into full swing with Culture Club and Boy George.

Rik Mayall look alike and Vicky with a touch of ‘Madness’.

Fresh from the Music Festival, Rick Fleetwood (2nd left) Pop (center) super hero in disguise Harpic, Lisa Love and the band.

Holding back the years on the dance floor during the dance competition.

“The Boss”, Kim Fletcher reminisced when England actually had a good cricket team and, feeling like a virgin, donned the pads and gloves, ready to go to bat for the evening.

Shenanigans staff were not gonna take the evening lying down and jumped into the theme of purple rain with prince of the discs, Wanchai spinning 80’s music for the night, ably assisted by Dai ‘Buster Blood Vessel’ Coe. Angie ‘Ant’ Beardsely, complete with war make-up stood and delivered her rendition of her favorite songs on the microphone, while Pat ‘wo-man at work’ Dixon came complete with earmuffs and hard hat.

The eighties music and TV heralded the likes of Band Aid, Simply Red and Harry Enfield in the UK.

Pat ‘Wo-Man at Work’ Dixon and Paul Dobbs, best of buds!

Shenanigan’s staffer Tam, ‘The future’s so bright I gotta wear shades.’

The evening in full swing, Rick ‘Fleetwood’ Bryant, ‘Stevie’ Harpic(s) and the smooth operator Pop and the gang dropped in after playing at the Pattaya Music Festival. Harpic revealed her hidden talents later when Paul Dobbs was taken prisoner by Buster Blood Vessel and ‘The mini root of all evil’, Ray Matti, bursting onto the dance floor with golden lasso in hand as Wonder Women, complete with ‘Mary Jane’ necklace - sort of makes you wonder...

While many tried to hold back the years on the dance floor, the dancing competition began, and despite a minor industrial accident needing just a small band aid, everyone showed their true colors bringing back the best of the 80’s.

Not all that glitters is gold, with the pub decked out in silver foil the atmosphere left some of the less adventurous wondering what they had stumbled in to. Regardless, the true party animal style came through with the sultans of swing surpassing those too shy to get into the groove of the night.

Angela ‘Ant’ stood and delivered a solo performance on the mike.

Dai ‘Buster Blood Vessel’ Coe playing spin doctor for the evening.

Wonder Woman to the rescue.

Landlord Kim reminisced when the England cricket team actually played well.

Purple Rain staffers, Molly, Sai, Beautiful and Jeab had plenty of fun during 80’s night.

‘Harry’ and ‘Red’ hit the floor for some retro action.

It was “Raining Purple” in Shenanigans as the 80s were brought back to life for one night only.

The style of music was wide and varied in the 80’s from Alternative to Heavy Metal. It was a time of affluence and craziness; many made millions only to lose them in the 90’s. Rest assured Pattaya has a place for them all whether musical or otherwise. Let’s see what Shenanigans comes up with next!


www.pattaya-rotary.org