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New president installed at the
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya
Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra was installed for the
second time as the president of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya for the
year 2003-04.
 PDG
Premprecha installs President Peter with his badge of office.
The incumbent, President David Jeater, had travelled back
to England for medical treatment a couple of months ago and was expected to
be away for only a short period of time. During David’s absence Peter had
been given the responsibilities of acting president of the club.
But then realising that the treatment was taking longer
than expected and that he would be away for quite a number of months,
President David decided that it would be best for the club and Rotary that a
new president be selected to replace him so that the work of the Rotary Club
could be carried out without any interruption. He recommended Peter for the
job, who was subsequently elected to that position.
At a regular meeting of the club early this month, Past
District Governor Premprecha Dibbyawan installed Peter as president saying,
“Peter and myself are the only two remaining charter members of our club,
which was formed in 1987. Peter is an experienced Rotarian. He has been
president of our Rotary Club before and I am confident that he will be able
to guide the club and it’s members to work in the true Rotary spirit, and
be of valuable service to the community.”
Peter accepted the position, knowing very well that this
was a huge responsibility and would require total dedication and tireless
efforts to achieve all the work that David had planned for the year.
On being installed as the president of the club, Peter
said, “It is most unfortunate that our president had to leave quite
suddenly and I had hoped that he would return soon. But as fate may have it,
I must now bear the torch of our Rotary Club and fulfil the plans and
objectives that President David had set out to do. I shall endeavour to
carry them out to the best of my ability. We pray for President David’s
speedy recovery so that he can come back home to us soon.”
President Peter then announced two joint projects with the Interact Club
of Banglamung. One was the cleaning of the beach after the Loy Krathong
Festival and the other one was to help Interactors organise a charity
bowling tournament which was played last Saturday.
Kannikar - Ib - Panida - Elvis! What a quartet!
Miss Terry Diner
To celebrate his wife’s birthday, husband Ib Ottesen
contacted Elvis (via the celestial telephone installed at Gracelands), and
the ‘geetar man’ himself agreed to bring his instrument along and play
for one of Jomtien’s favourite ladies, Kannikar Ottesen.
 The
birthday girls Kannikar and Panida flank their handsome husband and father
Ib (center), surrounded by the inner circle of friends with Elvis on his
knees (his suit wasn’t too tight) at their dual birthday celebrations.
The event was held at their restaurant, the Jomtien
Boathouse on Beach Road, and what made it an even better birthday was Ib’s
daughter Panida flew up from Australia to be there with Kannikar and her
father. The fact that it was also Panida’s birthday made it an even bigger
celebration and an even better reason to fly home!
Apart from Elvis, complete in one of his white and red
glitter outfits, many of their friends came along to celebrate, including
Pat (where’s the party) Burbridge, Walter Thenisch and Oy, yachtsman
extraordinaire Peter Cummins who had just moored outside and waded ashore
(or perhaps he had just spilled his beer), Graham and Samantha Moore (who
was seen giving ‘motherly’ advice to mother-to-be Som and father-to-be
Dr. Iain), Rick and Harpic (who had forgotten the back of her dress - and
half the front!) and who were wondering how much money Elvis has made since
he died, developer Somkiat and Noi, Pattaya Mail’s Aunty Sue and father
Peter Malhotra, Pattaya Blatt’s Aunty Elfi plus many others and a swag of
kids, including my favourite Ploypailin Ottesen who charmed everyone by
dancing with her Mum and Dad.
However, the charmer of the night (apart from the birthday girls) was Ib
who sang “I can’t help falling in love with you” for Kannikar, and we
could all believe him. It was a great dual birthday party, and as Elvis
said, “Thank you. Thank you very much. You’ve been a wonderful
audience!”
PILC and Bangkok Pattaya Hospital provide first aid training for the region’s welfare organizations
Immediate first aid can save lives
Damri Muangkaew
Over 50 persons from the region’s welfare
organizations, including Redemptorist Center, Baan Jing jai, Banglamung Boys
Home, Street Kids Home, Huay Pong Protection and Observation Center and the
Fountain of Life attended a first aid training seminar at the Bangkok
Pattaya Hospital.
 Chotipha
Udomyart, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital nurse from the ‘Cheer Up’ Department,
presented the basic procedures for issuing primary first aid and encouraged
participants to take part in the practical side of the training session.
Organized by the Pattaya International Ladies Club
(PILC), the seminar was aimed at providing important information on critical
care for the injured until they can be transported to the nearest medical
facility. The exercise was deemed a great success.
Chotipha Udomyart, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital nurse from
the ‘Cheer Up’ Department, presented the basic procedures for issuing
primary first aid and encouraged participants to take part in the practical
side of the training session.
Everyone exchanged their opinions and experiences while caring for the
region’s children and included some amusing stories to take the edge of
the seriousness of the day.
Sikh community celebrates the 534th anniversary of the founding of the Sikh religion
Pattaya’s Sikh community turned up in force at the Sikh
Temple in Soi 17 to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of the
Sikh faith, 534 years ago in the ancient city of Lahore, in what in now
called Pakistan.
 Members
of Pattaya’s Sikh community went to the Sikh Temple in Soi 17 to celebrate
the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, 534 years ago.
Anniversaries associated with the lives of the Sikh Gurus
are referred to as Gurpurabs (festivals). Of these, the important ones are
the birthdays of Guru Nanak and Guru Govind Singh and the martyrdom days of
Guru Arjun Dev and Guru Teg Bahadur.
Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, was born in a
Punjabi village (which is now in Pakistan) in 1469. His birth anniversary,
or Guru Nanak’s Jayanti, which falls in the months of October-November
(Kartik), is enthusiastically celebrated by Sikhs as Gurpurab.
In Pattaya the celebrations started with a three-day
Akhand Path in which the Granth Sahib (the holy book of the Sikhs) is read
continuously from beginning to end without a break. Conclusion of the
reading coincides with the day of the festival.
On this day the Granth Sahib is carried in procession
throughout the village or city. It is placed on a float or a van strewn with
flowers. Five armed guards, who represent the Panj Pyares, head the
procession carrying Nishan Sahibs (the Sikh flag). Free sweets and langar
are also offered to the general public outside some gurdwaras.
Amrik Singh Kalra, chairman of the Sikh Community in Pattaya said,
“This is one of the most holy of holy days for the Sikhs. We rejoice and
celebrate the birthday of our ‘Babaji’. The Sikh religion preaches
benevolence, relief, and brotherly love. We are taught that all men are
created equal in the eyes of God and there is only one God.”
Veterans of Foreign Wars in Pattaya remember fallen comrades and host their annual US Veterans Day charity cookout
Damri Muangkaew
Retired US servicemen living in Pattaya joined in
services on US Veterans Day, also known as Remembrance Day in other parts of
the world, to remember fallen brothers in arms on November 11 each year.
 (right)
George Bell, marine consultant (back row center), VFW Post 9876 members and
Sattahip naval personnel led by Commander Asoke Srisawat (sitting, far
left), toss back a few cold ones at the Veterans Day charity cookout
November 11 at the Hogs Breath Saloon in Soi Batman.
As part of the day, a charity cookout was held for
members, friends and guests of the VFW Post 9876 at the Hogs Breath Saloon
in Soi Batman, just off Sukhumvit Road, with proceeds going to the VFW
charities.
Also attending the afternoon’s activities were members
from the Sattahip naval base, led by Naval Commander Asoke Srisawat.
Both groups chatted and enjoyed the afternoon as they ate and drank and
remembered their fallen comrades in wars and military actions in the past
and present. For information on the VFW Post 9876, contact email:
vfwpost9876@hot mail.com or phone 038 423 462 or www.geocities.com/vfwpost
9876
Palladium Discotheque re-opens after yet another renovation
New look and top bands to draw the party set
Suchada Tupchai
The Palladium Discotheque held a party to re-open the
nightclub venue after a lengthy renovation project. Renamed the ‘New
Palladium Discotheque’, it is again offering night-clubbers another spot
to dance the night away.
 Santsak
Ngamphichet (center), advisor to the minister for tourism and sports, Mayor
Pairat Sutithamrongsawat (right) and Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tiengrungroj (left)
cut the ribbon to officially reopen Palladium Discotheque.
The disco has revamped its light and sound system and is
again offering top class bands and skilled DJs to draw crowds to this
long-standing nightspot.
Santsak Ngamphichet, advisor to the minister for tourism and sports,
Mayor Pairat Sutithamrongsawat and Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tiengrungroj presided
over the opening ceremonies. The evening was well attended by a large number
of guests and members of the media.
Traditional Thai theater entertains diners at Jomtien restaurant
Damri Muangkaew
Owner and management of the Baan Chaiypruek Restaurant in
Jomtien have come up with an innovative way to not only entertain their
dinner guests but also emphasize the ancient traditions of Thai Arts.
‘Li-Kay’ as it is known in Thai is an age-old style of stage performance
that has lasted through the generations until the present day. In the days
when there was no electricity, TV or Internet the arts were widely sought
after as a means of entertainment in villages and towns.
 The
ancient art of “Li-Kay” is being kept alive at the Baan Chaiypruek
Restaurant.
The art, although somewhat reduced in this modern age, is
still alive and with innovative entrepreneurs such as Peter and Kanya, who
run the Baan Chaiypruek Restaurant, this form of theater will last for
generations to come, as well as educate tourists.
The restaurant has a new show every day with special
performances by children on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Kanya said, “We have chosen these days for the children
because there is no school for them. However, on Wednesday and Thursday we
have adult performers on stage, which still is very entertaining.”
Kanya remarked that the children performed well and even though there
have been a few glitches with muffed lines and role playing; many of their
customers are delighted to be entertained during their dinner.
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