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Expat community initiate plan to hold a Cross Cultural Conference
Agenda to include foreigners’ legal rights and
requirements for living in Thailand
The first meeting of the steering committee to organise a
Cross Cultural Conference was held November 27 at the Grand Sole Hotel.
Representatives from various local governmental and administrative
organizations were present along with representatives from the foreign
community and local citizens.
 The
steering committee for the planned Cross Cultural Conference held at the
Grand Sole Hotel
This is the first-ever attempt at such an undertaking to
help bring together in harmony and mutual understanding the Western and Thai
cultures as they pertain to everyday life, business and emotions. The
proposed seminar would address concerns of foreigners living and working in
Thailand about their legal rights and requirements for living in Thailand.
Drew Noyes, chairman of the Pattaya City Expats Club and
Niti Kongrut director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Central Region
3, chaired the meeting and requested those present which included members of
the public and private sector to identify the main areas of concern.
It was proposed that the conference should take place in
March 2004. Representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs,
transportation, commerce, labour, justice, culture, public health, interior
including the Royal Thai police and Immigration Department would be invited
to attend to give first hand information about various issues imperative for
foreigners to understand without the confusion of hearing it second-hand.
It was also emphasized that the conference would not be
aimed at “changing” either group’s cultural expectations or structure,
but promoting a better understanding of each other’s way of life.
Some other ideas for action and implementation included the possible
creation of a one-stop assistance bureau and a library of information
available free of charge to foreigners at a convenient location.
Planet Rock’s Miss Ae crowned Miss Pattaya 2004
Brendan Richards
The lovely Miss Ae from Planet Rock outclassed 14 others
to be crowned Miss South Pattaya 2004.
 Miss
Ae, the new Miss South Pattaya, hails from Planet Rock nightclub.
The annual Miss South Pattaya beauty pageant held by Top
Class Entertainment proved to be yet another successful event. Now in its
5th year, people crammed in to the Planet Rock nightclub on Wednesday
evening to witness the pulchritude of South Pattaya ladies vying for the
illustrious title of Miss South Pattaya.
Top Class Entertainment, which runs the competition, had
a bundle of beauties from its five clubs and Caf้ New Orleans, as well
as Highlight Beauty and Juthamas Beauty Salons, strut their stuff on center
stage and the judges had a difficult task selecting a winner.
First up was the swimsuit round, with each of the girls
highlighting their figures for all to see.
Contestants
modeled their best eveningwear.
A quick magic show and dance routines from Planet Rock
ladies preceded the eveningwear round and the arduous task of slimming the
field down to the final five.
However, it was the confident twenty-three year old who
stole the judges and much of the audience’s heart to win the title,
receiving her crown, trophy, flowers and 5,000 baht prize money.
“I’m surprised and very happy to win,” said Ae.
Second place was Highlight Beauty Salon and third place
Lipstick.
The frenzy continued as a lucky prize draw was held with
the grand prize of a bottle of Moet Chandon champagne.
A fun night for contestants, customers and judges proved that the boys
and girls at Top Class and Planet Rock haven’t lost their touch when
running a party!
PGF 2003 off to
a spectacular start
The Kick-off Carnival on Jomtien Beach jointly organized
by Tui’s Place, Poseidon, Two Faces, Exxit, Dick’s Caf้ and Star
Treff, all sponsors of the Festival, created just the right atmosphere for
the start of this year’s Festival. The cabaret was provided by the lovely
“lasses” from Star Treff and Toi the resident singer from Caf้
Royal provided the vocal interludes.
Dr Philippe from HEARTT 2000, the main recipient charity
was on hand to make a bilingual speech outlining his work with the now over
830 patients. By the beginning of the evening over 1.8 million had been
raised towards the target figure of 2.5 million.
The evening raised over 100,000 baht and brought the
total to within a realistic distance for the next three days.
Gourmet dinner
at Bruno’s
Fine food from Fredi, generosity from the guests and a
wonderful final figure of 435,000 baht raised for charity during the
evening. This was mainly due to the generosity of 100,000 baht from Hans
Mueller, 50,000 from Bruno Pingel, 5000 baht from John O’Brien, 5000 baht
from Fred Giles, and 10,000 from Hugh Spring.
Pascal and Kim from Casa Pascal Restaurant donated 70,000
baht raised from friends and staff. The rest of the money was raised from
the raffle and ticket money.
Skal Club of Pattaya & East Thailand visit Koh Samui
Earlier this month Skal Club President Murray Hertz along
with Events Director Bob Lee were invited to Koh Samui, where locals intend
to form their own club in 2004. Murray and Bob were invited to the island to
give the prospective new club and its members an insight on the ideals and
objectives of the 562 Skal Clubs throughout the world and just how a local
club operates
Well-known Finnish performer Eija Merila to visit Pattaya
Eija Merila, legendary Christian singer, will be visiting the Finnish
Kotikirkko on Sunday, December 7, beginning at 6 p.m. for a Celebration of
Christmas through Songs at the Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa.
 As
a pop-singer, Eija sang her way to the top in the 60’s, recording many
albums and performing in many countries in Northern Europe.
Eija became a Christian while overseas when her husband
was completing a temporary overseas assignment.
Upon their return to Finland, she used her talent to
convey the message that changed her life. She is well known for performing
and interpreting Konsta Jylhas’ music.
Eija will perform and lead songs at the Christmas
Celebration. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend. No
charge for admission.
For more information please contact Juhani and Irma Waarna at 07 145 3406
or e-mail: [email protected]
Dusit Resort Pattaya staff receives security training
Suchada Tupchai
The Dusit Resort Pattaya recently held a two-day training
seminar for 400 staff members to educate them on the law and methods of
improving safety and security on the property.
 Heart
rates surely sped up when the practical firefighting session at the Dusit
Resort Pattaya began to heat up.
The training seminar is also in compliance with
legislation to ensure that no less than 80 percent of hotel employees go
through the practical and theoretical sessions to ensure that their premises
are safe and secure for tourists and visitors.
Training includes law studies, firefighting and
prevention as well as security measures to protect lives and property.
A practical session in firefighting using a variety of extinguishers
proved successful and provided a break from the theory side of the training.
New British Ambassador attends an informal meet and greet on the Eastern Seaboard
H.E. David Fall, the new British Ambassador to Thailand
was recently in Pattaya for an informal meet and greet at Shenanigans
Pattaya.
 (L
to R?) Steve Graham, H.E. David Fall, the new British Ambassador to
Thailand, Malcolm Clare and honorary British consul for Pattaya Barry Kenyon
mingle at the “Meet the Ambassador” informal session at Shenanigans
Pattaya.
Ambassador Fall was recently appointed to Thailand, but
this is not his first posting in the Land of Smiles. He first visited the
country in 1973, working at the then new British Embassy in Bangkok as an
embassy employee. He again returned in the early 80’s and 90’s after
moving up the ladder.
Local businesspersons from the Eastern Seaboard had the
opportunity to chat in a relaxed manner courtesy of the British Chamber of
Commerce Thailand (BCCT), executive director, Greg Watkins and Eastern
Seaboard committee chairman, Graham Macdonald.
Shenanigans landlord Kim Fletcher was in fine form after
kitting out day manager Tam in a tuxedo and providing above board service to
the small party.
Despite his busy schedule, the very personable ambassador has been
invited back to the region, much to his delight, for upcoming BCCT
functions, which will either be networking nights or special BCCT dinners.
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