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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Mrs Patricia Metham invited to become advisor to the minister of education

Skålleagues asked to be strong during the current times of world unrest

Thai Girls in England “DO” it again for Thai Kids in Thailand

Saithip Butterfly Garden

Wines de-mystified - an Aussie winemaker tells how

Mrs Patricia Metham invited to become advisor to the minister of education

VIPs and students welcome her as the Regent’s School new principal

The Regent’s School gave a formal welcome on Thursday, 13th March, to Mrs Patricia Metham, its new Principal, in an evening of music and speeches presided over by His Excellency Mr Pongpol Adireksarn, the Minister of Education. Held in the Bangkok School’s auditorium, the 400+ guest list included special envoy of the prime minister - Dr Kantathi Suphamongkorn, chairman of the board of trade - Dr Ajva Taulananda, Polish Ambassador Jerzy Surdykowski, Romanian Ambassador Cristian Teodorescu, Slovakian Ambassador Marian Tomasik, Czech Ambassador Jiri Sitler, and key members of the Senate Committee on Education and on Economics: Senator Dr. Vibul Chamgcheung, Senator Somkiat Dulalampa, Senator Viroj Amatakulchai and Senator Nantana Songpracha and heads of other major international schools.

HE Pongpol Adireksarn, the Minister of Education.

(From left) Dr. Tim Metham, Senator Somkiat Dulalumpa, Senator Viroj Amatakulchai, Dr. Virachai Techavichit (the school’s founder), Mrs. Patricia Metham, Minister Pongpol Adireksarn, Dr. Kantati Suppamongkol and Senator Vibul Chamgchueng.

Before taking up her position on January 1st this year, Mrs Metham was Head Mistress of Roedean, the world famous and high-achieving UK boarding school for girls. While at Roedean Mrs Metham developed a successful partnership with government-run schools, in which she led projects for gifted children and older students. She was in discussion with the Minister for Schools on ways in which to develop leadership skills in young people and to stimulate creative thinking and cross-curricular initiatives in staff as well as students. In addition, Mrs Metham developed links with Sussex University so that her brightest students could undertake university courses alongside their sixth form studies.

In her keynote address, Mrs Metham gave high praise for the priority being given to education by the Thai government. She cited the exciting opportunities in Thailand for disseminating the best of independent-international school approaches as one of her chief reasons for taking over at the helm of The Regent’s School.

In his welcoming speech to the new Principal, the Minister of Education warmly endorsed her appointment and invited Mrs Metham to be an advisor to him in his work developing programmes for gifted Thai pupils. Mrs Metham will be accompanying the minister in the future to see some of the work in these schools. The minister told his audience that there were now sixty schools in that programme, with about one thousand pupils in each school, all passing an entry test. These pupils will be the nucleus of the next leading generation of Thai society, and they will need to be prepared well for that role.

The Samba Band from the Regent’s School, Pattaya, performed one of their lively numbers.

Education Minister Pongpol Adireksarn presided over the Welcome Concert at The Regent’s Bangkok Campus, to recognise Mrs. Patricia Metham, Head Mistress from the world-famous Roedean School in England, as the new principal of The Regent’s School. Members of the Senate Committee on Education, ambassadors, chairmen and heads of other major international schools were among the 350 guests. (From left) Slovakian Ambassador Marian Tomasik, Polish Ambassador Jerzy Surdykowski, Dr. Virachai Techavichit (school’s founder), Minister Pongpol Adireksarn, Czech Ambassador Jiri Sitler, Mrs. Patricia Metham and Dr. Tim Metham.

In a private meeting before the welcoming event, Mrs Metham heard the minister describe the riches of Thailand’s natural environment and make a plea for subjects such as botany, marine science and rain-forest ecology to figure excitingly and successfully in the curriculum. This was endorsed by Dr Tim Metham, the Principal’s lecturer husband, a member of the Teaching Faculty of Sussex University, who is on study leave here to develop just such curriculum-enhancing science materials for UK schools. “You can make a whole science curriculum - engineering, physics, chemistry, the economics of competition ... as well as biology - out of a field, a forest or a coral reef!”

The ministerial meeting also raised the issue of how to stimulate gifted pupils alongside others in the normal classroom setting.

Currently, the school has expanding campuses at Pattaya and Bangkok and a field station on Koh Chan. “These are young, vigorous and expanding international schools,” said Mrs Metham, “and they are growing at just the time when state education here is also maturing and looking to incorporate more child-centred learning.” In committing the school to helping in this process, she explained, “As we develop the English-model curriculum and resources at The Regent’s, we shall be working hard to make sure that Thai teachers and pupils can also benefit from our efforts and resources.” In the UK, under Mrs Metham’s leadership, Roedean School developed a number of very successful community service links and projects, linked especially to nurturing academically gifted pupils and enhancing the effectiveness of their teachers.

The Regent’s School already has a fine public service record with its thirty plus Global Connect Scholars. This scheme, devised by the Regent’s founder and chairman, Dr Virachai Techavichit, takes in bright pupils from around the globe who could not otherwise afford an international school education. In his introduction of Mrs Metham to the audience, he described his pleasure at enticing Mrs Metham to The Regent’s School. “Her coming confirms what an exciting place Thailand has become in the world of learning and endorses our potential to become a centre for quality international education.”

Current developments at The Regent’s School include a new Primary School building and 600-seat Globe Theatre, both nearing completion at the 600+ day and boarding pupil Pattaya campus. At the 400+ day pupil Bangkok campus, work will start next month on a Creative Arts Centre. This will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the school’s art, design technology, music, dance and drama programmes, as well as be a venue for public events and local community educational activity.

All this looks to be well in tune with the new Principal’s approach to education, when she quoted the adage:

“I hear and I forget.

I see and I remember.

I do and I understand.”

There looks to be plenty of doing coming up at The Regent’s School!


Skålleagues asked to be strong during the current times of world unrest

By Brendan Richards

This month’s meeting of Skål members of Pattaya and East Thailand was somewhat overshadowed by the recent military action in the Middle East, but during the opening of the luncheon, Vice President Peter Malhotra urged everyone in the tourism and travel industry to be strong during the period of world conflict.

Skål members and guests at Marlowe’s Wine Bar and Grill during the March luncheon. Father Giovanni Contarin (centre front), director of the Camillian Social Center in Rayong shed light on the centre’s work and the importance of HIV prevention and communication.

“We must be stronger than ever, especially during these dark times - we will come out it. We still have the World Congress in 2006, we have all worked so hard to bring the world congress to Pattaya, and this proves that Pattaya is world-class travel destination. We must stay firm and focused,” said Peter, well known for his inspirational speeches.

As many people were glued to the live broadcast of military action by the US in Iraq, the sentiment was well received by Skål members, many of whom had already reported room cancellations due to either the military operations in the Middle East or due to the recent spate of viral outbreaks in the region.

Harjinder Pal Singh, aka Binny, from Sher E Punjab (center) collects his certificate from Vice President Peter Malhotra and Secretary Andrew Wood (right).

Peter Malhotra presents Ib Ottesen with his membership certificate from Spain.

However, despite the mood, everyone was resilient enough to realize that we are in Thailand and must make things work in the here and now. Some of the businesses are having to rethink their marketing strategies, focusing more on the local markets rather than increase expenditure in the international sector. The Hong Kong tourist board has already set a crisis management committee to deal with the hurdles of war and the SARS virus.

Marlow’s Wine Bar and Grill put on filling lunch for Skål members with normal large helpings. During the small feast, Secretary Andrew Wood announced the two new Skål members and, with the aid of Peter Malhotra, handed over membership certificates to Ib Ottesen from the Resident Suites and Jomtien Boathouse and to Harjinder Pal Singh, aka Binny, from Sher E Punjab.

Special guest speaker Father Giovanni Contarin, director of the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong touched briefly on the virus spreading fear through the region, saying that the stronger the virus the easier it is to contain. By comparison, HIV lays dormant for a number of years before appearing.

He also spoke of the importance and objectives in the work carried out in educating the population, and caring for HIV infected persons. The center currently cares for 85 people, including 30 children, as well as providing hospice care for those with full-blown AIDS, all discarded by their family and friends.

He added that the children in particular are in need of greater care, most being orphaned by the loss of parents to the disease and cast out of the family environment when symptoms appeared.

“We have been successful in creating a warm and caring environment for these children, boosting their self-esteem. New retro-viral treatments available in Thailand from as little as 1,250 baht per month per HIV infected person has become more readily available and in some provincial hospitals under the national health scheme.”

Whilst treatment has become more readily available due to recent government support, there is still a strong stigma attached to HIV in Thailand, even when official statistics show the there are over 1 million afflicted, although the reality is probably much higher.

The Camillian Center and the network have been seeking to educate and communicate their message of prevention in Thai society, at a school and work, placing emphasis on the importance of communication to empower both children and women in the workplace.

“In regards to tourists, the majority are careful and use preventative measures. Foreign residents living in regional areas are more at risk of becoming infected with the HIV virus.”

The Camillian Center has recently expanded their reach and opened a new centre in the Bangkhai district called ‘The Garden of Eden’. Currently there are 12 people in residence there. The total will increase to at least 30 by the end of the year.

Father Giovanni has urged local, provincial and central government officials to improve facilities, not only in Pattaya but in other provincial centers, citing that there is no such thing as a government hospice in Thailand and that’s where private organizations (NGO’s) take in and care for the homeless and infected persons.

“Our objective is to do what the government cannot or will not do and that is to provide care for these people,” said Father Giovanni.

Andrew Wood, Skål Club secretary closed by thanking Father Giovanni for taking the time to speak to Skål members, saying that as members of the travel and tourism sector we all have a responsibility to look at issues such as this.

The next Skål meeting is at Yorkies Pork Platter in Jomtien on April 24.


Thai Girls in England “DO” it again for Thai Kids in Thailand

Having seen what Jeep and Lek have been doing for the last five years to help educate Thai children with their “Computers For Thai Kids Charity Project”, five Thai girls (and Nung’s mother), held their second fund raising event (called a “Do” in England) in Bungay, England.

(L to R): Sally Lee, Mr. Bundit Chotikanta (Pattaya Law Consultant), Nung’s mother, Nung Lee, Lek (Computers For Thai Kids Project), and Khun Khumkhaen Imjai (Principal, Ban Oop Mong School). The three Thai men in the very back row are the Pu Yai Ban for Nong Wua So and two schoolteachers for the Ban Oop Mong School.

The couple responsible for planning and organizing the “Do” are Steve and Nung Lee. The Green Dragon Pub in Bungay donated their premises for a Sunday and the girls cooked Thai food and sold it to patrons and friends.

The five Thai women who live in Bungay and did the cooking in the wee hours of the morning were: Nung Lee, Sila Holland, Malai Hansey, Kaew Jenkinson, and Gai. Much of the food was donated by the pub and a local Thai restaurant named Thai Kitchen.

A raffle was held at the event with prizes of Thai cookbooks donated by Thai Airways, and many prizes donated by the patrons of the event. Steve and Nung’s daughters, Sally and Samantha, sold the raffle tickets and said that the raffle tickets to help the Thai kids in Thailand sold out quickly.

About 100 people showed up to enjoy the Thai food and participate in the festivities. All who attended had a great time and have asked the girls to please do it again in the near future. The girls are already planning on having a barbecue in the summer months if the weather allows, and another party in the fall. They said that the feeling they had while raising funds to help the disadvantaged Thai kids here in Thailand was overwhelming and it was a win, win, win, win situation.

Some of the people attending said it was not long ago that they too were not in such an advantaged position as they are now and that to give something back was a very good feeling. The girls say they all won by being able to get together and cook, the pub won by having many more customers than usual on a Sunday, the sponsors won with great advertising, the customers won by having copious quantities of Thai food and celebratory drink, and most important of all, the Thai kids Jeep and Lek are helping won through the donations.

Steve and Nung Lee and Keith and Sila Holland, are here in Pattaya now to present 690 Pounds Sterling raised for the kids. Jeep said, “Boy, if we had a couple more of these charity events a year we could help a lot more of the poor Thai kids get a little further ahead in life. This donation came at the perfect time since we needed funds to fix up the last of the computers donated to us by the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital so we could send them out to schools, plus the tuition is coming due for a lot of the 82 kids we are sponsoring in government schools. The picture shows the last of the 36 computers that were donated by the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital being donated to the Ban Oop Mong School in the village of Nong Wua So, which is located outside of Udorn Thani. It seemed like the entire village of Nong Wua So showed up for the donation of the computers, from the Pu Yai Ban on down.

“The local Thai lawyer who set up this transfer to this very deserving school and a couple of other schools in the Chachoengsao area is Khun Bundit Chotikanta. He has been very helpful in finding deserving schools and helping us clear a lot of the paperwork that is involved in running a charity project here.

“A lot of the funds raised last year by these kind people in England was used to repair some of the donated computers from Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital and other donors that have been sent out to government schools in poor regions all over Thailand. This donation is a very nice surprise.”

Since its inception, the Computers For Thai Kids Charity Project has sent out more than 350 computers to schools all over Thailand, have given computer instruction to hundreds of poor Thai kids in Pattaya, and are sponsoring 82 deserving kids in government schools. When funds are available, the kids coming for computer instruction are also fed a nutritious meal after their classes. For some, this is the only meal they receive each day.

Jeep and Lek need all the help they can get to run this project and have requests for thousands of computers from hundreds of schools throughout Thailand. If you have any working computer equipment in the Pentium class and above that you have upgraded or can spare, this is the place to donate them, as they do get out to the neediest areas and this charity project is strictly volunteer with no one on any payroll or receiving any remuneration for their efforts. All the computers must come from inside Thailand since Thai customs procedures preclude importing donated computers from abroad. The project can also use funds to repair donated computers, feed the kids, and to help support the most needy to stay in school.

If you are able to assist Jeep and Lek in their worthwhile endeavor, please contact: Glenn “Jeep” Holthaus or Jaruay “Lek” Kingjorhor at [email protected] phone: 038-424-998 or visit their website for more info on their “Computers For Thai Kids Charity Project”: http://jeep.htmlplanet.com


Saithip Butterfly Garden

Lesley Warner

On my way back from Bangkok I saw a sign for the largest butterfly garden in Asia, set in 15.22 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Although short of time, I decided to go and take a look round. I’m glad I did, it was just the therapy I needed after being in Bangkok.

The butterfly - before it’s a butterfly!

Yes, I really did take this picture. Aren’t they gorgeous creatures?

I was fascinated holding this huge moth, but he looked pretty bored with me.

The beauty of the fragile butterfly is always fascinating. With their wonderfully artistic designs and amazing color schemes, they have to be one of nature’s creative triumphs.

Some legends say these delicate creatures are the incarnation of the spirits, others argue that they are angels from heaven. Whatever they are it’s a joy to observe them.

Before you go outside to stroll through the magnificent gardens surrounded by hundreds of butterflies, take the time to look at the museum displays in the foyer. Here you will find detailed descriptions of the many different species that you might see in the garden. You can observe the lifecycle of the butterflies with live examples as well as photographs.

A relaxing place to sit.

So quiet with just the sounds of nature.

It’s very interesting to look round the museum.

The butterflies belong to a group of insects that undergo a complete metamorphosis. The larval stage is actually the growth stage of the metamorphosis. Often the first meal of a caterpillar is the eggshell. Even though caterpillars may look quite different they share one important feature, the possibility to molt. The last molt of a caterpillar is quite spectacular, as the new skin is not another caterpillar-skin but a pupa-skin. The pupa is the metamorphic bridge between caterpillar and adult butterfly. When the development of the butterfly is completed, the butterfly forces itself out of the pupa.

As you wander through the butterfly house these glorious creatures are flying around seemingly quite oblivious to the human invaders. Afterwards I found it a very relaxing experience to wander round the gardens watching the swans on the lake.

There is a cafeteria, gift shop and plenty of places to sit and just enjoy the experience. You will find the gardens on Bangpra-Khaokheow Road, Sriracha. Tel: 038 263016.


Wines de-mystified - an Aussie winemaker tells how

By Miss Terry Diner

The wine tasting at the Royal Cliff Wine Club this month was of an Australian wine label that most Australians had never heard of - Cranswick Wines. The reason for this became apparent during the wine tasting evening when it was revealed by the MD of Cranswick, Graham Cranswick-Smith, that all of his production was for export and none for ‘home’ (Australian) consumption. In fact, Cranswick is the 5th largest exporter of wines from Australia.

Ranjith Chandrasiri (right) presents a gift to Erik Cormetel of Italthai.

Graham Cranswick-Smith (left), MD of Cranswick, receives a present from Ranjith Chandrasiri.

During the evening Cranswick’s MD came forth with such straight shooting as, “Wine production isn’t rocket science,” and “Wine is really just fermented grape juice!” He also said that in Australia the only reason they put the year of production on the bottle is so that the drinker can see how old the wine is. Continental notions of one vintage being better than others is not adhered to in the sunburned land down-under. With another swipe at the ‘old world’ wines, Cranswick-Smith expounded, “In Australia, if the wine isn’t up to standard, it doesn’t get released.”

Eight Cranswick wines were sampled, courtesy of the Thai importer, Italthai, four whites and four reds, including the double gold Cocoparra Merlot 2000 which was universally popular. Another immensely popular wine was the Salisbury Chardonnay/Semillon 2002, which retails in the Royal Cliff Beach Resort for 1,600 baht. Even the gold medal winner, the most expensive wine of the evening was only 3,250 baht, a figure that had the wine club members immediately checking their pocketbooks.

Graham Cranswick-Smith finished his discourse by saying, “We attempt to capture the flavours of the grape and keep them. It’s sunshine in a bottle.” Miss Terry is not so sure about the bottled sunshine, but many of the Wine Club members certainly left with a healthy glow!


Skal International