FEATURES
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Bruno’s Restaurant and Wine Bar officially opened

YWCA’s Warm Family Project provides education for the region’s needy children

German delegation visits Thai-German Institute, seeks cooperation between Thai and German automotive technology suppliers

HRH Sirindhorn’s visit to Pattaya: the untold history

Italian Wine Gala Dinner

Irish eyes smile on the Eastern Seaboard

Bruno’s Restaurant and Wine Bar officially opened

Fredi Schaub becomes a professional balloon chaser!

After one of the smoothest and fastest relocations in the history of restaurant kitchens, Fredi Schaub threw the doors open to welcome the gourmets of Pattaya at the new address in the Chateau Dale Plaza on Thappraya Road. He also welcomed the Swiss Ambassador, HE Hans-Peter Erismann and his wife Freda, who were happy to cut the floral ribbon and declare the venue ‘officially’ open.

In addition to the Pattaya ‘foodies’, several other restaurateurs came to celebrate the opening with Fredi, including Kim and Pascal Schnyder (Casa Pascal) and Hans Banziger (Paradise Restaurant).

As a ‘novel’ touch, Bruno (no relation to the restaurant) Keller, the past president of the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary club, was selling balloons at the entrance, inflating the club coffers for charity. At the end of the cocktail party, almost one thousand balloons were released and the one that went the furthest won dinner for two at Bruno’s (the restaurant, not Keller’s). However, if you have found one of Bruno’s balloons, don’t rush, two penguins have already claimed the prize.

H.E. Hans Peter Erismann ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand assisted by his wife Freda (right) cut the garland with Fredi Schaub declaring Bruno’s Restaurant officially open. Bruno Keller (2nd right) was instrumental in organizing the ‘Balloons for Charity’ that raised enough money for a Christmas party including presents for children at the Pattaya Orphanage.

Fredi’s sight and mind soar up into the skies and the future as the VIP guests gather around for a picture. (l-r) Freda and Hans Peter Erismann, Fredi and Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat.

Alvi Sinthuvanik, VP of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya has her hands full holding the balloons. Wonder where her balloons landed.

Leroy feels secure as his grandfather Gusti Steiner of SwissSiam Group of companies, lends his massive weight to hold down the balloons, preventing Leroy from flying off into the skies.

H.E. Hans Peter Erismann flanked by Khun Poo and Khun Thanakorn get ready to release their balloons into the night sky.


YWCA’s Warm Family Project provides education for the region’s needy children

The YWCA Warm Family project, now in its 13th year, organized annual presentations on the 5th floor of Mike Shopping Mall where YWCA members were joined by local charities and over 400 school children plus teachers and parents.

The Warm Family Project supports children by enabling them to attend school by providing scholarships of 1,500 baht per year. This year, students from Pattaya’s 10 schools, a further 32 schools in Chonburi Region 3 and another 3 schools in the general education system received scholarships from the numerous benefactors.

The afternoon’s activities were also filled with games and shows by the children to show their appreciation to their supporters for allowing them to continue their education unhindered.

Vikanda Pornpanyanurak said, “Thank you to all of you, our surrogate parents. On behalf of all the students I wish to thank the YWCA for their kindness and generosity and for their help. Without your assistance, many of us would not be here today. Your help gives us the opportunity to attend school because without the scholarship program we would be unable to receive an education. I want to say that all of us come from poor families and you have helped us to stay in school. We promise to do our best and study hard so you can be proud of us always.”

Following the handout of scholarships, the YWCA also presented certificates of appreciation to the many contributors in the project, which included the Pattaya Sports Club, the Pattaya International Ladies Club, the Rotary Clubs of Pattaya, Jomtien-Pattaya and Taksin-Pattaya, the Lions Clubs, Thai Sikh Association of Pattaya and many individuals, who presented gifts to the children as well as school equipment and clothing.

Members of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya (l-r) President Peter, Phil Webb and V.P. Alvi Sinthuvanik present the club’s contribution to Nittaya Patimasongkroh President of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya.

Korkiat Sakjirapong (left) representing the Thai Sikh Community of Pattaya along with other members of various associations presents scholarships to the children.

Pol. Lt.Col Jirat Pichitpai champion fighter against drug abuse and ladies of the YWCA are seen here making the presentations. The YWCA Warm Family project, supported by numerous benefactors, this year provided 1,500 baht scholarships to students from Pattaya’s 10 schools, a further 32 schools in Chonburi Region 3 and another 3 schools in the general education system.

Peter Thorand, Hans Schaad and President Dieter Precourt from the Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya do their part in putting children through school.

Carl Engel President of the Pattaya Sports Club makes a major contribution to the scholarship fund.

Sandy Langford, President of the Pattaya International Ladies Club is also a champion in helping children in getting a decent education.

Vikanda Pornpanyanurak said, “On behalf of all the students I wish to thank the YWCA for their kindness and generosity and for their help. Without your assistance, many of us would not be here today... We promise to do our best and study hard so you can be proud of us.”


German delegation visits Thai-German Institute, seeks cooperation between Thai and German automotive technology suppliers

TGI facilitates SME technical and business discussions

On November 25, TGI German director, Walter Kretschmar welcomed Joachim Kiefaber and his delegation to the Thai-German Institute for a meeting with Thai industrialists and SME representatives.

(From left) Sybille Schaller, from the Schaller Automation Finance and Legal Department; Siegfried Kraus, managing director of Fraunhofer Institute, and Dr. Winfried Khun, president of Innovative Imaging Corporation KG (IIC).

Joachim Kiefaber is head of the International Economic Relations Department for the Saarland State Government in Germany. He and his delegation’s trip to Thailand was part of a study tour through Asia in order to seek cooperation between Thai and German automotive technology suppliers.

Joachim Kiefaber (right), head of the International Economic Relations Department for the Saarland State Government in Germany and Otto Alfred Barbian, president of NDT Systems/Services AG.

The trip was a follow up from Industry Ministry Deputy Director General Pramode Vidtayasuk’s October 2003 visit to Saarland, Germany, where he met with Dr. Winfried Khun, president of Innovative Imaging Corp, Saarland, and Rainer Khun Automotive Technology GmbH. Innovative Imaging Corp.’s main focus is rubber and polymer testing.

Delegates take a tour of the lab.

The delegation arrived at the German embassy in Bangkok on November 24, where they were welcomed by Holger Michael. Later that day, representatives from the Ministry of Industry also met with the delegation, after which the entire entourage visited Tiger Motors.

The following day the delegation visited the Thai-German Institute and gave a presentation showing the strength of the German State of Saarland, which was formerly a coal mining area but which has now progressed into a leader in German automotive technology. Up next, TGI took the opportunity to once again reinforce its position as a hub for technical and business discussions for the SMEs.

(From left) Walter Kretschmar, German director of TGI; Narong Ratana, advisor to the Thai director; Worawut Phuttatorn, Product Control dept manger at Enkei Thai; Prasert Thammonoonkul MD of Sutee Group International; Patanasak Hoontrakul, vice president of Thai Heng Foundry and Machining; Nithi Jaroenrat, executive director-manufacturing of HJH Industry Co., Ltd.; and Joji Ikeda of I.N. Precision.

The meeting took place in the morning followed by a lab tour of the training center’s high tech facilities before a nice wrap up lunch together.


HRH Sirindhorn’s visit to Pattaya: the untold history

Peter Cummins

HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s “study trip” to Pattaya last week was well covered in the pages of the Pattaya Mail (Vol XI, #47 Friday, November 21, 2003).

Arriving attired in her Army General’s uniform, the Princess, who is director of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, brought a number of the Academy’s fifth year students for a walk through history.

Two Royal Varuna yacht club veterans, David Wales and Peter Cummins, sailed their respective dinghies onto the Pattaya Beach where they were mounted on the sidewalk, adjacent to an excellent photographic exhibition of His Majesty’s boat-building and sailing days.

The principal focus of the visit to Pattaya and other parts of the Eastern Seaboard was to see how the city and the area had changed in the three decades since US forces, on leave from the Vietnam War, “discovered” the then tiny and idyllic fishing hamlet.

There was very little of the nautical history of HM the King’s days in Pattaya and, thus, while not emphasized during her visit, nevertheless the Princess basically followed in her father’s footsteps in the areas of her visit.

An excellent photographic exhibition of His Majesty’s boat-building and sailing days, courtesy of the Royal Palace archives, the Pattaya Mail and Peter Cummins, was mounted along the seawall where the Princess passed.

We were about to go to press with the annual edition of the Pattaya Mail, written by special correspondent Peter Cummins and dedicated to His Majesty the King, on the occasion of his seventy-sixth birthday on the fifth of December, 2003, when HRH Princess Sirindhorn visited Pattaya.

An excellent photographic exhibition of His Majesty’s boat-building and sailing days, courtesy of the Palace archives, the Pattaya Mail and Peter Cummins, was mounted along the seawall where the Princess passed.

The Varuna Marine Club was established in 1957 at the location where Food Fair (formerly Barbos) Restaurant now stands. The entire Royal family, visiting royalty, diplomats and sailing enthusiasts congregated there to enjoy dinghy racing, camaraderie and the beauty of a pristine Pattaya Bay.

Two Royal Varuna yacht club veterans, David Wales and Peter Cummins, had sailed their respective dinghies onto the Pattaya Beach where they were mounted on the sidewalk, adjacent to the photo exhibition.

There was a purpose to all this, for the exhibition and the mounted dinghies were on the seawall opposite Mike’s Department Store which was formerly the site of the “Sailing Club”, administered by the Royal Thai Navy. Here, in by-gone days, many events and championships were conducted over roughly the same period that the GIs were frolicking further south along the beach.

The structure housed a lot of the King’s yachting memorabilia, although His Majesty never sailed or raced from there. The building was finally demolished and a lot of those rare pictures were on display at the seafront last week.

The dinghies, in immaculate condition, represented the types of boats the King had built in the early 1960s: An Enterprise, a two-person craft he called the “Rajpatan” which he sailed with HSH Bhisatej Rajani, his crew and co-builder, and the two enjoyed much success.

But it was the single-handed OK dinghy, named the “Vega” which the King also built and in which he became world-famous as a gold-medal skipper at regional Games in 1967. This was at the Fourth South East Asian Peninsular Games, now the biennial “SEA Games” and that day, the 16th of December, 1967, henceforth observed as National Sports Day, sporting history was made and is never likely to be equalled. The King and HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s elder sister, HRH Princess Ubolratana, came equal-first in the OK dinghy division at those Games, held in Pattaya Bay, just out from where last week’s exhibition took place.

Furthermore, a little further down Pattaya Beach, the Varuna Marine Club was established in 1957 at the location where Food Fair (formerly Barbos) Restaurant now stands. The entire Royal family, visiting royalty, diplomats and sailing enthusiasts congregated there to enjoy dinghy racing, camaraderie and the beauty of a pristine Pattaya Bay.

Close by where the Princess visited the Royal Thai Radio Station atop Pratamnak Hill, is the Royal Varuna Yacht Club - the old Marine Club where the King often sailed in 1965 and l966, graciously bestowing Royal Patronage on the fledgling Club on 26 April 1965.

Unfortunately, for those of us who cherish Pattaya’s incredible appeal as a sailing and marine sports centre, one of the world’s best - and the King’s own sailing ‘playground’ during the 1960s - scant attention was paid to these events by the tour organizers.

Thus, it seemed appropriate to the Pattaya Mail to add this new section to the King’s Birthday Supplement, sketching another chapter to the rich - and Royal - history of Pattaya.

But, thanks to Royal Palace archives, Peter Cummins, yachting scribe of the Pattaya Mail and other contrbutors, a huge crowd waiting outside Mike’s was able to see the dinghies and view the pictorial history at close range. The display will be open through January 10, 2004 for all to see, at the Fourth Floor of Mike’s Department Store.


Italian Wine Gala Dinner

By Miss Terry Diner

With the renovations finished in the Rossini restaurant in the Royal Cliff Grand, and having Stefano Zamboni, an Italian visiting chef on hand, it was obvious that the Royal Cliff Wine Club should feature Italian wines at their latest Wine Club dinner.

After the feast accolades were given to Panga Vathanakul, MD of the Royal Cliff, Ron Batori, MD of Ambrose Wines, Ranjith Chandarasiri, Wine Club captain, Bruce Hoppe MD of Copeland corporation winner of the Wine Quiz, GM Alexander Haeusler, Chef Stefano Zamboni and Executive Chef Walter Thenisch.

With Ron Batori’s Ambrose Wines, the staunch and long time supporter of the Wine Club, it was decided to feature Italian Ruffino wines for the evening. The Ruffino label is such that there would be enough variety, both whites and reds to allow the Wine Club members to experience something new as well as something Italian.

Khun Panga and Ranjith (3rd & 4th left) entertain wine lovers at the poolside. (l-r) Dennis Dewsnap, Tim Durrell, Archie Dunlop and Robbie Laurie.

The popularity of these events has been such that Wine Club captain, Ranjith Chandrasiri was embarrassed by the response, with the restaurant booked out within two days of notifying the members of the date for the event. In fact the demand continued until it became necessary to have some of the members seated on the outside terrace around the pool.

Never to miss a Royal Cliff wine dinner are from left, Michael Knopp his lovely daughter Chelsa, Paul Bryan, Chitra Chandarasiri, Yanisa Musiksawat and Patricia Burbridge.

The dinner began with Ron Batori explaining some of the history of the Ruffino label, the club members then enjoying the shrimp and cantaloupe melon salad with port wine dressing, washing it down with the Ruffino Orvietto Classico made from Trebiano grapes.

For many, the dish of the evening was the pumpkin soup, served in a bread bowl and spiced up with some bitter almond drops. The Ruffino to go with this was the Aziano Chianti Classico DOC 2002, a wine that was notable for its tannin content, and not to everyone’s taste.

The Gold Label Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico DOCG 1997 was a different matter, with most club members looking for more of this special vintage. Unfortunately, owing to the limited supply of the wines, only one glass per diner was possible. For some, this was also a bitter taste to swallow!

The date for the next Wine Dinner will be announced in the Pattaya Mail closer to the event.


Irish eyes smile on the Eastern Seaboard

ITCC holds first networking evening in Bangsaray

The newly established Irish Thai Chamber of Commerce held their first networking evening at the Bangsaray Club last week. For this historic occasion Irish Ambassador, accredited to Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam H.E. Daniel Mulhall and his wife Greta flew up from Kuala Lumpur to attend the function and give support.

Enjoying themselves are H.E. Daniel Mulhall (left) and his wife Greta (3rd left), Peter Malhotra, Matt Brennan, MD of CMB Design and Build, Karun Sirarojanakul, Thai International manager, Pattaya, Liam O’Keeffe, Jerome Kelly of Lawtonasia and Graham Macdonald, chairman of the BCCT Eastern Seaboard.

The Irish Thai Chamber was launched by Mary McAleese, President of Ireland during her visit to Thailand in September 2002. The Asia Ireland Chamber of Commerce was launched shortly afterwards in Dublin. Liam O’Keeffe, chairman of the PCS Group of Companies and resident in Thailand for 40 years was appointed the first chairman and president of both chambers respectively. In his welcoming speech Liam proudly said, “We are thrilled that everything is setting into its proper place. Finally the paperwork is complete and we are now able to function as an independent entity. These Chambers are working closely together in furthering the interest of Irish business in Asia and in facilitating Thai and Asia businessmen to do business in Ireland. We aim to bring together Irish and Thai businesspeople, so that they may get to know each other better, to exchange ideas and knowledge for the furtherance of understanding and relationships in both the commercial and cultural fields.”

“Where’s the Irish stew” wonders Liam eyeing the table of plenty, as the other guests pay attention to the ambassador’s address.

He went on to say that the aims of the ITCC were to promote trade and investment links between Ireland and Thailand. To that end the chamber offers services such as membership activities and events both in Ireland and Thailand, information on all Irish-Thai affairs, facilitation of trade and investment contacts, research into trade opportunities, facilitation of attendance by companies at trade fairs and exhibitions, facilitation of trade missions, publication of an annual directory, management of an interactive web site and promotion of education, sport and cultural links between the two countries.

Peter proposes a toast to the Irish Thai Chamber of Commerce. “May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.”

The Chamber is the Thai affiliate of the Asia Ireland Chamber of Commerce - which co-ordinates services to Irish companies and Irish businesspeople throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The Chamber is also affiliated to the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland and to the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand.

John ONeill receives his raffle prize from Greta Mulhall as Liam beams delightfully.

In his keynote address, H.E. Daniel Mulhall, the Irish Ambassador spoke proudly of Ireland and how Ireland had achieved the status of being ‘fully developed’ as a commercial nation. “We were once considered to be the poorest country in Europe, but today we have earned the distinction of having the highest per capita income,” he said, adding, “The New Ireland has now come to be highly regarded in the fields of technology and education.”

Liam O’Keeffe conducting the ITCC Symphony Orchestra.

The ambassador went on to say, “But we have very few connections here, in this part of the world. We have to spread our wings, broaden our horizons and make new contacts here. Thailand and Ireland are different, but the challenges are similar. We must build a strong Irish presence in this part of the world. I am committed to help Irish businesses get a foothold here in Thailand. This is a new base and we’re here to stay.”

The evening was hosted by Matt Brennan, MD of CMB Design and Build assisted by David Goulden landlord of the Bangsaray Club and Suwanna Viroonchan MD of Travel Clinic, who all ensured that the evening was jovial and full of the Irish cheer.

Guests included Karun Sirarojanakul, Thai International manager Pattaya, John Murray of Uawithya Group, Philip Sheridan of Vovan and Associates, Jerome Kelly of Lawtonasia, Gary Biesty of Johnson, Stokes, Master who is also Hon. Irish Consul for Thailand and many other local luminaries such David Gray, Paul Ryan, Graham MacDonald, chairman of the BCCT Eastern Seaboard chapter and David Lowder, head of St. Andrews International School.

New faces in Pattaya were Irwin Stewart and John ONeill who recently arrived from Dublin to settle here.

Peter Malhotra, MD of the Pattaya Mail was invited to make a presentation to give the guests an insight of Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard and its development. Peter spoke of the migration of businesses from the different parts of Thailand at the close of the Vietnam War in the early 1970s and how most of them who were doing businesses with the US military stationed here or who came here for R&R, had to look for new locations after the Americans had left.

“‘There were only two places that they could relocate to at that time. One was to Bangkok and the other was to Pattaya, which was on the threshold of an economic boom. This proved to be a good move as we now realise. Not only has Pattaya grown to become a major tourist and business centre, but all of the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand is now one of the largest commercial and industrial centres in Thailand comparable to some of the more affluent economies in the world.”

Peter said he was pleased that the Irish had ‘discovered’ Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard and that both the private and public sector, “Welcomes you with open arms. We are also committed to work side by side with you for the benefit of all concerned.”

The ITCC membership is open to Irish companies interested in, or engaged in, trade with Thailand, Thai companies interested in, or engaged in, trade with Ireland and Irish people working and living in Thailand. For more information contact the ITCC, Level 27, Bangkok City Tower, 179/114 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Thailand. Tel 02 343-1701, fax 02 343-1818. e-mail [email protected]


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