HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Central Festival Center Pattaya organizes Central Singing Contest on the Beach 2003

A great Rotary fellowship was held at the Woodlands Resort

Diana Group launches Diana Institute for Development project

New chef at Chan’s Bistro

Central Festival Center Pattaya organizes Central Singing Contest on the Beach 2003

Suchada Tupchai

After the selection round of the Central Singing Contest on the Beach 2003 held on April 12, 11 finalists competed for top honors on April 26 at Central Festival Center Pattaya. Winners would win the H.E. Sonthaya Khunpluem, Minister of Tourism and Sports trophy and a cash prize.

Win or lose, all contestants enjoyed being on stage.

Joe-Akhapol, DJ of A-Time Media FM radio broadcasting station, led the crowd through the contest with his funny and pleasant style and created a very friendly atmosphere.

The contest was organized to give boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 25 a chance to express their talents and encourage them to use their time wisely and creatively.

Paul Rochel, general manager presented the top prize to a very happy Thidarat Sirisuthiworanond.

During the first round of the finals, contestants sang songs they had prepared earlier but on the second round they had to sing songs that they had not prepared for and had to do their best. It was a challenging and surprising contest in the second round.

Winner Thidarat Sirisuthiworanond saw her dream come true as she claimed the Minister of Tourism and Sports trophy and 5,000 baht.

Second and third prizes went to Walen Chunchom and Nadia Chemsawang respectively.

A great Rotary fellowship was held at the Woodlands Resort

Elfi Seitz

The Rotary Club of Taksin Pattaya’s gathering Thursday, April 24 was probably the last Fellowship Party under the reigns of president Ingo Räuber. The party was held at the beautiful, newly decorated Garden Café at the Woodlands Resort.

Ladda Laxdee’s (center) face lit up so brightly when the Woodland’s staff brought out a magnificent surprise birthday cake that Frank Layana (left) had to put on his shades.

As usual, the Taksin Club celebrated its fellowship parties in style and a delicious 4-course set menu was served to the many visiting Rotarians and guests. Everybody enjoyed the delightful parade of dishes like parma ham on a port wine mirror, a yellow capsicum cream soup with smoked ham, poached john dory fillet and lobster mousse with accompanied side dishes or a perfectly prepared fillet mignon.

Amongst the presidents of different visiting clubs, one could see Nitaya Patimasongkroh and a few of her lady members of the YWCA, plus president of the Chantaburi Club Niyom and incoming president Worachai, accompanied by 8 fellow Rotarians.

Martin van Bree (right) presents Ingo Räuber with his picture he purchased by auction.

Some US Navy visitors, good friends of former president Peter Thorand, came to join the party. All are also Rotarians in clubs in the States: Ted Sego of R.C. Arkansas, Mc Kamyie of RC Houston, and Mary Meier and Andrew Waite.

No Rotary fellowship party can be held without raising money. One of the Taksin members is the Dutch painter Martin van Bree, an artist who has received recognition from all over Europe for his work. He had painted a beautiful picture of the present RI President Bhichai Rattakul and three copies were auctioned.

An animated competition broke out between the Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya and the Rotary Club of Taksin Pattaya. PP Peter Malhotra was bidding the most, 2,500 baht for the first copy, beating his fellow Rotarian, President Bruno Keller by 500 baht.

The second copy went for 2,000 baht to Ingo Räuber, president of the Taksin Club, while finally the third copy was bought for 2000 baht by Erika und Bruno Keller.

Another celebration took place before the party ended. YWCA member Ms. Ladda Laxdee celebrated her birthday and received a fantastic futuristic cake from the Taksin Club and the management of the hotel.

The new installation night of the Rotary Club Taksin will take place at the Napalai Ballroom of the Dusit Resort Pattaya on June 7. Tickets for that event, for the price of 1,000 baht, can be ordered at email [email protected]

Diana Group launches Diana Institute for Development project

Veerachai Somchart

Sopin Thappajug, managing director of the Diana Group, recently launched the ‘Diana Institute for Development’ project to provide tourism sector and business employees with opportunities to develop themselves in terms of personality, working and communicating skills, and leadership. The first two courses will cover personality and public communication development and the food and beverage business courses.

Ajarn Wannapa Wannasri, a successful public speaker, governmental official and businesswoman, will be tutoring the training session on personality and public communication development scheduled for May 10 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Diana Garden Resort, Paniad Chang Street. The fee is 1,040 baht per person for the course.

Ajarn Vithoon Wongsawat, specialist in the F&B section will pass on his expertise in the F&B business in a 20-hours course on every Tuesday starting from May 13 until July 29. The course features history of certain cocktails, cocktail mixture recipes, presentation, dining table settings, and global wine selection and tasting. Insider information and lots of tips will be part of the course. The fee for the course is 5,200 baht per person.

The Diana Group is moving into a higher level of human resource development and skills improvement in the tourism sector. MD Sopin often says that it is the core of the tourism business and it should be given primary concern. She stressed the tourism sector should have well-trained staff. That way the business will grow rapidly and become strong and able to compete with other countries in the region.

For more information about registration, contact Songkhram Karunatharukul, coordinator at telephone 06- 1426422 and 038-415 212-23.

New chef at Chan’s Bistro

by Miss Terry Diner

There are some new faces in Chan’s Bistro, with world traveller Prasong Moolvichit returning to his native land’s kitchens. After many years in Thailand and then 10 years in Africa and one in England, the 43-year-old Thai chef has returned, with his wife Liao Xuefang, a diplomat in hotel management from Wanxi in China, to take over the woks and pans at the popular Chan’s Bistro Restaurant at the Eastern Seaboard Business Centre on Sukhumvit Road.

New faces in Chan’s Bistro (L to R): world traveller and new chef Prasong Moolvichit and his wife Liao Xuefang join Chan at Chan’s Bistro.

Diners enjoy the comfortable ambiance of Chan’s Bistro.

Chan said that the new chef will bring fresh items to her menu, and all her old customers will be made very welcome to try the new cuisine items, or just indulge in their old favourites. Miss Terry was pleased to see the Dooley’s liqueur was still available, and as usual is suffering today!