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Bangkok Pattaya Hospital gears up for expat patients
As part of increasing the “internationality” of
hospital services, the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital recently held a seminar
covering the expectations of expat patients. The meeting of the hospital
doctors was addressed by Dr. Iain Corness, a doctor with almost 40 years
experience in dealing with overseas patients, having worked in several
countries including the UK, Europe and Australia.
Dr.
Iain Corness (centre) poses with the newly enlightened doctors at Bangkok-Pattaya
Hospital.
Dr.
Iain addresses the assembled doctors at Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital, divulging
his words of wisdom about what expat patients might expect.
Individual societal values were explored and how this results in
different expectations in people from different countries. On-going training
in this region has been arranged for the individual doctors.
Wine Grotto introduces its own style of European dining to Pattaya
Suchada Tupchai
The Wine Grotto Restaurant opened its doors Tuesday
night, April 15, and introduced a definite European feel of dining in
Pattaya. Located in Pattaya/Naklua 33, the decor is enhanced with walls of
stunning white stone and the vibrant natural wood gives the impression of
dining in an old wine cellar somewhere in Europe.
Tony
Malhotra (left) and Rungratree Thongsai (right) of the Pattaya Mail, Elfi
Seitz (2nd right) of the Pattaya Blatt present a congratulatory bouquet of
flowers to proprietors Sergio Agnolazza (center) and Tamara Fritz (2nd
left).
The restaurant is a new venture by three Swiss partners
and is run by two of them, Sergio Agnolazza and Tamara Fritz.
Opening night saw the restaurant packed with friends and
customers who raved about the lavish Swiss-style grill. Diners also took
delight in sampling the great wines and Erdinger beer.
The Wine Grotto has a wide variety of fine wines for
discerning palates. The current wines of the month, from the Lenotti
cellars, are now available at special opening prices.
However, it was the grill barbeque that attracted many,
with smoke wafting down this busy little soi attracting many Naklua
residents and their spouses.
Lots of well wishers presented congratulatory flower bouquets on the
opening of this unique addition to the dining scene in North Pattaya.
U.S. Embassy Consular Officer to visit Pattaya Tuesday, April 29
Consular Associate Susan Toole and Special Consular
Assistant Siddhikrit “Num” Poothong from the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok will
visit Pattaya on April 29. Their visit will provide the opportunity for
Americans residing in the area to obtain a number of consular services
without having to travel to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.
Americans in need of consular services should call
02-205-4049 for specific information regarding the time and location of the
services. Information regarding the time and place of services will only be
given out over the phone.
Below is a list of services that will be provided during
this visit:
* extra passport pages
* passport applications (be advised, however, that new
passports must be picked up at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok - they cannot be
sent via mail)
* notarials, including affidavits required by the Thai
government for marriage, driver’s licenses and certain types of visas
* registration with the U.S. Embassy
* information on application procedures for Thai citizens
seeking U.S. visas (note that visa applications must be submitted at the
U.S. Embassy, Bangkok)
Please share this information with other Americans in
your area. Should you have any questions, contact the American Citizen
Services office at 02-205-4049, or via email at: [email protected]
For additional information about the American Embassy in
Thailand, please visit our website at http://usa.or.th
Plutaluang district organizes its first Songkran festival to bond youngsters with their elders
Community leader says Songkran is a time for families to show love and respect
Patcharapol Parnrak
In an effort to reclaim the real meaning of Songkran and
bridge the generation gap, Plutaluang held its own Songkran festival
especially organized for this community.
Duangton
Tiensuwan presents a gift to the oldest woman on Songkran Day.
Thaweep Tangkaew, president of Plutaluang District
Organization Administration led the celebrations at the community trade
center in the presence of Sattahip district chief, Surapol Tiensuwan,
chairman of the event.
Community leader Thaweep said, “Currently our
development is mainly focused on technology, communication equipment and
transportation. But we must not forget how important it is to nurture the
mental and emotional happiness of people in our community.”
“A special occasion like the Songkran celebration
allows people the luxury of long holidays and they should be visiting their
families and relatives, especially the elderly and share their love and care
with them. Each one should be showing sympathy and tenderness towards their
loved ones. The meaning of Songkran should not be distorted,” Thaweep
stressed.
Thaweep pointed out that the traditional Songkran holiday
was never meant as a time for wildness and rowdy behavior; drunkenness and
reckless driving is not what Songkran is about. He said Thais should
remember their unique heritage that has been passed down from many
generations.
The community leader said, “If society is strong and
people stick to their own roots, there will be fewer problems for the
elderly, less child negligence, less crime and drug abuse.” Thaweep urged
his community members to preserve customs and traditions for the next
generation.
Elderly residents received good wishes and youngsters performed the
traditional pouring of water over their hands as a gesture of respect.
Garments and other gifts collected from kind-hearted people were distributed
to the elderly throughout the day.
Mata Hari found in Chaines!
Louis calls in reinforcements
By Miss Terry Diner
The Chaine des Rotisseurs dinner in April was another
‘star-studded’ affair, this time being held at Louis Noll’s Mata Hari
Restaurant on Pattaya Second Road. To make this something different yet
again, the Bailli of Pattaya (the ebullient Louis himself) invited down one
of the ‘hot’ chefs from Bangkok, Herve Frerard, from the Heritage Club,
who in turn brought down two other chefs, Philip Quesne and Khun Jetmart.
With those three in the Mata Hari small kitchen, plus Louis’ wife, the
usual chef, this had to produce some interesting dishes.
Louis
Noll, Bailli Chaine de Rotisseurs, and his wife Praiwan.
Herve
Frerard from the Heritage Club receives a plaque of appreciation from Louis
Noll.
(L to
R) Pascal Schnyder, Hugh Millar and Ranjith Chandrasiri.
(L to
R) Rene Pisters, GM of Thai Garden Resort, and his wife Ploy, Chris
Kridakorn-Oddbratt from the Royal Thai School of Culinary Arts and Hans Bไnziger
of the Paradise Restaurant.
These were also being prepared for some of the keenest
kitchen dwellers in Pattaya, such as Fredi Schaub from Bruno’s Restaurant
(and it was good to see Bruno along too), Pascal Schnyder (Casa Pascal),
Hans Banziger (Paradise Restaurant) and Chris Kridakorn-Odbratt (Bahn
Pratabjai, Bang Saen).
After the palate freshener of a courgette flower stuffed
with a medley of Nicoise vegetables, the evening began with a Foie Gras de
Canard served with fresh wild figs, tomato brioche and rocket salad with a
30 year aged Xeres vinaigrette. (My palate is tingling again, just from
reading about it!) This was washed down by using a dessert wine, a Chateau
Gravas Barsac 1996, to complement the rich and creamy taste of the duck
liver.
This was followed by the grilled fresh water bass on a
puree of purple potatoes, with a light quince chutney, something some of the
diners had not tried before. The palate freshener was a sorbet, but in
another radical twist, instead of lemon or fruit, this was a tomato based
sorbet. On receiving his, Pattaya Mail’s publisher, Peter Malhotra,
suggested they put some vodka in it and make it an iced Bloody Mary!
(L to
R) Willem de Vries, Vigilant Technology Co., Ltd. and his wife together with
Tjitra and Jack Monshouwer, Hanky Panky Toys Group.
(from
right) Rotarians Ingo Rไuber and Peter Thorand toast with Willi and
Marion Timpe.
(L to
R) Bruno Forrer, Gordon May, Freddy Schaub and Peter Cummins.
The awaited main course was again something just that
little bit different, and in the true Chaine des Rotisseurs tradition it was
a roasted dish, with roasted free range guinea fowl and a papillote of
steamed wood pigeon, all done in truffle enhanced essences. The Pattaya
‘foodies’ such as the Freis (Little Hill), the Pisters (Thai Garden
Resort) and Ingo Rไuber (Dusit Resort) were divided in their opinions,
but there was even more discussion over the wine, an interesting Baron
Phillipe de Rothschild Escudo Rojo 2000, a wine I have had the pleasure of
sampling with the Royal Cliff Wine Club guru Ranjith Chandrasiri, who was
also at the Chaine dinner.
The evening was enlivened by the pithy remarks of Hugh
Millar, the Charge de Mission, but was really characterised by the friendly
spirit that exists between the Chaine members and their guests.
At the end, Louis and his hard working crew of chefs (visiting and local)
and the service personnel, were given certificates of appreciation by the
Chaine des Rotisseurs for another wonderful dinner of fine food and wine. If
you would like to know more about the Chaine des Rotisseurs, you may contact
the Bailli, Louis Noll, email [email protected]
Disco Divas Revival - Pattaya Gay Festival Benefit Night
Sponsored and hosted
by the Ambiance
Suddenly and majestically from the left and the right, up
and down Boyz Town appearing through a haze of smoke the Roller Skating flag
waving Divas and Dudes, Icon Dancers, Tiffany and Alcazar Stars all arriving
in yet another first for Boyz Boyz Boyz and The Ambiance.
Lady
Marmalade
Rosie
and Madame Jim
Dong
Over 200 guests enjoyed the Spectacular Opening Show
choreographed by Ray Cornell of the Icon Asia Group, providing a glimpse of
what was to come on this fun-filled night.
As the show kicked off crowds gathered outside the
Ambiance and a video link allowed guests inside the bar to comfortably view
the whole show without missing a beat which was being performed - at a great
speed - on the road in Boyz Town.
Dong from The Icon in his sparkling robot costume got the
show rolling before leading on the flag waving Dudes from BBB. Then from
nowhere came Lolo, a true Diva, swirling and moving gracefully between the
spinning dudes. Enter the fire eaters from the Icon and six beautifully
toned musclemen from BBB teasing and pleasing the watching crowds. And with
perfect ease on wheels as he usually is on heels, Madam Jim in an electric
blue outfit swished down the soi on multi coloured roller blades, escorted
by the Diva and Dudes Show from BBB. The show opened with another first, the
Icon Show performing that old song “BOYZ BOYZ BOYZ” with skaters and
fire eaters moving and thrilling the guests.
Yotin
La Lolo
Pong
Dton
Special appearances by “Alfie” a well known Drag
Queen from Hollywood, USA and “Rosie Bothways” a member of The
Disappointers Sisters, a well know famous Drag Show from London, added a fun
dimension to the evening.
Rosie and Jim performing Nowadays from “Chicago”
danced perfectly in step together and had the crowds ducking during their
machine gun routine. Rosie’s Broadway Baby had everyone howling and crying
at the same time. After Alfie’s performance it’s doubtful if a chair
will have the same meaning to many of us. A great show was to follow with
stunning performances by Icon Show Bar introducing numbers by Elton John,
the Andrews Sisters and Lisa Minnelli all choreographed again by Ray
Cornell.
In there usual glamorous fashion stars from Alcazar and
Tiffany added a touch of class to the evening. And of course the Divas and
Dudes Show which can be seen performing nightly at Boyz Boyz Boyz, provided
their own show stopping performances featuring of course the Diva of Divas
Madam Jim.
Celebrating their eighth anniversary together Madam Jim
paid tribute to his partner Kom by performing a soppy tear jerking love song
for which he received a beautiful basket of flowers from his beloved.
La Tina
Alfie
& Rosie Bothways
Of course the main reason for this event was to raise
much needed funds for the Pattaya Gay Festival charities. With his usual
quick wit and sharp tongue Madam Jim began the serious part of the evening,
collecting money. And there seemed to be no shortage available with many
folks again and again dipping into their pockets or purses and easily
parting with lots of pink baht.
Over 50 fabulous prizes were up for grabs and many guests
were more than willing to part with their cash and get a memento of the
evening. By the end of the hour 67,500 baht was raised on the raffle. With
the TV, DVD, 2 VCD’S CD player and other prizes being donated by Boyz Boyz
Boyz and the Ambiance. Honest Gems again provided a sapphire & diamond
ring. Other prizes donated by Amor, Hugh Millar, Bruno’s, Mata Hari,
Topman and Tui’s Place to mention a few were also greatly sought after.
Together with the raffle money, ticket sales and a 25,000 mystery cash
donation the total raised from this well attended event reached 111,500 baht.
Ray Cornell from the Icon Group also a well know London
Choreographer who has performed in numerous Royal Variety Shows, the London
Palladium, Talk of the Town and many well know London shows has specially
offered his expertise and services to Jim with any future PGF events. His
help in the concept and training has been gratefully accepted and we can
look forward to many new exciting shows.
An evening of fun and laughter was had by all and much needed funds were
raised. But the fabulous joint effort and hard work from the Icon Dancers,
Lolo, BBB’s Divas and Dudes, Alcazar and the Tiffany performers made this
another first night to be remembered for a long time. Not to mention the
hard work of Jim Lumsden and Ray Cornell showing a true spirit of
co-operation and community effort much needed to help the more needy in
Pattaya.
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