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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

“Into the Storm”, Koreans shoot TV series at Cholchan Pattaya Resort

“Bird flu - things that you should know”

Austrian Ambassador presides over opening of “Thai-Austrian-Tech 2004” exposition

Meguiar opens new outlet in Pattaya

Peace - an unusual hair dressing shop

New ACS-Asian U International Pre-University Programme

Kalra Family celebrates introduction of new member

Sharon Tibbitts elected new PILC president

Pattaya Finland Society holds meeting to discuss legal issues of living in Thailand

YWCA Club from Bangkok - Pattaya branch to aid blind woman and her two small children

“Into the Storm”, Koreans shoot TV series at Cholchan Pattaya Resort

Suchada Tupchai

A production team and group of actors from the Korean drama series called “Into the Storm”, which is under the license of SBS TV Drama Team in Seoul, South Korea, recently set up camp in Pattaya.

Last week, Nitti Kongkrut, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 Pattaya, and Suchai Jirayunond, assistant sales and marketing manager at Cholchan Pattaya Resort and a group of officials and hotel staff organized a farewell party for a Korean TV series production team and actors at Cholchan Pattaya Resort.

The manager of the team said they fell in love with Thailand’s beautiful landscape and weather, and praised its people for their warmth and hospitality.

On this trip to Thailand, the crew brought along 7 South Korean superstars: Kim Min Jun, Kin Seok Hoon, Song Yun Ah, Sung Ji Roo, Lee Kye In, Eom Ji Won, Lee Chan, and Lee Da Hee. Some scenes were also shot at Cholchan Pattaya Resort.

Nitti Kongkrut, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 Pattaya said, “The Tourism Authority of Thailand was very pleased to welcome the group from the SBS TV drama production. It was a great opportunity for Thailand to again have some parts of the country appear on the screen in other countries, and moreover this will help Thailand to promote tourism. This will certainly help to reduce the consternation tourists might have about the recent avian flu outbreak.”


“Bird flu - things that you should know”

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital hosts informative seminar

Ariyawat Nuamsawad

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital’s Dr. Ongart Kosinthornjitr, physician specializing in lungs and chests, hosted an open informative session discussing the present situation of bird flu and things that we all should know. Currently, most people are quite worried about the phenomenon and are still confused about which procedures should be taken to cope with the bird flu situation in the region.

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital’s Dr. Ongart Kosinthornjitr

Dr. Ongart said, “With the spreading of avian flu around the country, citizens are becoming increasingly aware of the situation and becoming very worried, which may distort their daily lives. In reality, there is little chance for ordinary people who have no direct contact with the birds to become infected with bird flu. However, precautions should still be taken into consideration to ensure maximum safety, like keeping your body healthy, which will also prevent you from other diseases.

“The paths that can transfer this disease are mouth, conjunctiva and breathing ... Bird flu symptoms in human patients are fever, throat pain, and coughing. People with severe cases will suffer from heavy chest pains and hard breathing due to lung infection. These patients should be taken to the doctor at once to prevent them from dying. But the disease cannot be transferred from humans to humans. The government is ensuring that the consumption of chicken is safe when it is well cooked.”


Austrian Ambassador presides over opening of “Thai-Austrian-Tech 2004” exposition

Students show their ability

Elfi Seitz

On February 5, for the third time, Austrian Ambassador HE Dr. Herbert Traxl and the advisor of the committee for vocational training opened the three-day academic exposition “Thai-Austrian Tech 2004” at the Thai-Austrian academy at Sattahip.

Guest of honor, Austrian Ambassador Dr Herbert Traxl (center) tours the exhibition. He said he was quite impressed.

Thirty-five years ago, on September 1, 1969, the academy was founded based on an agreement between the Thai and Austrian governments. Today, 3000 students from the east coast are taught in this academy. Through the years the Thai-Austrian academy has developed its own capacity and produces a lot of academic developments and activities.

Niti Kongrut, the director of the TAT Region 3, welcomed the guests, stressing the advantages of the Chonburi region. “This is not only a modern region, but it also offers a variety of attractions like beaches, good food, buffalo races and festivals. But it is also a region where you can live and learn well and do business. The Thai-Austrian academy is one of the role model schools in the Chonburi region with a high teaching standard and a high standard of technical equipment. The exposition will give proof that the technical formation and the ability of the students play an important role in the vocational training of Chonburi and all of Thailand,” Niti said.

Afterwards, His Excellency, Dr. Traxl said, “I am proud and happy to be here today und therefore to deepen the friendship between Thailand and Austria which started in 1969 and which had been renewed exactly 50 years ago. Especially the logo of the academy which connects the flags of both countries and is a special sign of solidarity of our two states. Thanks to good education, Austria is one of the five most successful countries in Europe. Austria wants to transfer its knowledge to Thailand and the east coast plays a significant role.”

At the end of his speech Dr. Traxl wished the students and professors much success and luck in their future efforts.

The next speaker was the director of the academy, Watchare Anursarsnakun. He thanked the great number of attendees for coming and gave a short introduction to the goals of this exposition, which had been held previously in 1996 and 1998. “This academic exposition includes a variety of activities like training, job search, student expositions, short training programs, student performances, academic expositions, seminaries, and exposition and sales of One Tambon, One Product,” Watchare said.

Watchare declared the official opening of the exposition after the advisor of the committee for vocational training, Songsawat Thipkhongkha, made a short speech, where he stressed the importance of a good education and the good cooperation between the government and the private sector.

Together with Dr. Traxl he cut the ribbon and the tour through the exposition began, which included all buildings of the academy. Many professors and guests of honor took part and Dr. Traxl was very impressed and pleased with the abilities of the students.

After the tour pretty Thai students performed traditional Thai dances. Then a buffet lunch prepared by the hotel school students of the academy was served. Finally Dr. Traxl had to return to other important business in Bangkok.


Meguiar opens new outlet in Pattaya

It was 102 years ago, back in 1901, when Meguiar first started as a small company providing cleaning products and furnishing care products. Meguiar car care products are an American brand that has its head office in Irvine, California, with world-wide branches as far flung as Toronto, Sydney, Tokyo, Dubai, Hong Kong, and recently Bangkok.

Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat cuts the ribbon to launch the celebrations.

Its newly appointed representative introduced and exhibited their products at the promotion floor of the Central Festival Center, led by “Meguiar’s Car Crazy Pattaya Mini Motor Show”.

The event was presided over by Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat and attended by many distinguished guests, including Thawit Chaisang, president of the Pattaya city council.

At the exhibition, Meguiar products were presented amidst games and quizzes and a bevy of beautiful models.

Meguiar products consist of various items such as exterior color protection, interior polishing, and tires and wheel cleaning.

The Meguiar service branch in Pattaya is situated in the Thieng Chai Petrol station next to Mini Siam Pattaya on Sukhumvit Road. For more information call 038-415173.


Peace - an unusual hair dressing shop

by Steve Rhodes

The moment you enter Alongkorn Tangsawat’s “Peace” hairdressing shop on the corner of Third and Central Pattaya Roads, you get the impression that there is something, well, a bit different about the decor.

The moment you enter Alongkorn Tangsawat’s “Peace” hairdressing shop on the corner of Third and Central Pattaya Roads, you get the impression that there is something, well, a bit different about the decor.

Toilet fixtures line the walls, and one actually has to sit on a toilet pedestal to have one’s locks groomed.

Alongkorn studied hair dressing in Malaysia and his teacher, upon his graduation, told him to do something a bit different when he set up his first shop. After agonizing over what to do, he decided that he should create an atmosphere that made him feel happy, as a happy hairdresser is a good hairdresser, and pass that happiness on to his customers.

“I loved to sit on the toilet and always felt happy and contented after I’d used the toilet,” he said. “Many others share my feelings. The toilet is a place where many people have received some of their greatest inspirations.”

When he first opened the shop, the reaction was one of great amusement among the citizens of Pattaya. At first he was afraid that no one would come, but people have flocked there in droves. Older people and children are particularly enraptured by the d้cor, which includes an old bathtub full of newspaper and magazine articles extolling the virtues of the shop and the skill of the owner. Accolades also adorn the walls in the form of pictures of Thai superstars and bands such as Fly, Why Not Seven, Mr. Tim, Big Ask, and Taxi, all of whom have had their hair styled by Alongkorn.

The many trophies on display are another tribute to his talents. He’s won many international awards and traveled extensively to participate in hairdressing competitions. Korea is his favourite country because, as he says, “They really know how to stage a competition, with much singing and dancing, as well as haircutting.”

Unlike many hairdressers who tend to be a trifle temperamental, Alongkorn believes that the customer is always right. They always discuss what the end result should look like, but the customer should always have the final say. A few customers can be difficult. They make unrealistic demands, believing that he can create a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but he always does his best, no matter what.

He’s been cutting hair now for seven years and had his first shop in Chiang Mai. He still has a shop in Bangkok, as well as this one in Pattaya.

His next project is to set up a shop featuring bedroom furniture, but he has an even bolder plan in mind: a shop in the jungle where one can be groomed in the great outdoors, sitting by a babbling brook, admiring the sights and sounds of Mother Nature, and catching the odd fish or two while Alongkorn works his magic with his client’s locks.

This should really appeal to his legions of fans, many of whom come from as far as Chiang Mai, Korat, Phitsanulok, and Petchaburi. He even has customers from Germany, Australia, and Japan who have seen stories about him on television and drop by his shop whenever they come to Thailand.

What inspired him to name the shop “Peace”? Well, Alongkorn attended a Christian college in Malaysia where he converted to Christianity and studied the Bible, which preaches peace and love. Since then Alongkorn has always attempted to practice what the Bible preaches.


New ACS-Asian U International Pre-University Programme

Assumption College Sriracha and Asian University recently agreed to cooperate on a new international study programme for 40 Mathayom 4 students this year, to be followed by Mathayom 5 and 6 students in the subsequent years. The purpose of this programme is to provide the ACS students with an opportunity to enhance their English and basic knowledge from the experience of international university teaching at Asian U. They will graduate with ACS high school certificates.

Brother Achin Tengtrakul, director of Assumption College, Sriracha, and Dr. Viphandh Roengpithya, president of Asian University, exchanging the agreements with happy parents of students already enrolled in the programme looking on.

The students will be taught on Asian U campus the full ACS curriculum plus other additional studies selected by Asian U to enhance the basic knowledge of the students. For preparation, they will be required to attend the English Summer Camp either at ACS or at Asian U.

Students from other schools who would like to join the ACS-Asian U international programme may apply directly to Asian U Admissions Office to take their entrance exam for acceptance into ACS jurisdiction.


Kalra Family celebrates introduction of new member

Amrik Singh Kalra, affectionately known as ‘big brother’ in the local Sikh community due to his leadership in social and civic duties, joined family and friends in a religious ceremony at the Sikh Temple to welcome their 2 month old grandson Jagtar Singh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Aswin Kalra, proprietors of Taj Mahal Tailors on Pattaya Second Road.

Aswin Kalra, proud father and son Jagtar Singh.

The Lodi ceremony, held in the month of January, has great significance to all Indians. The ritual congratulates parents of the year’s newly born children, especially when they are boys.

Later, the proud and beaming family laid out a fete for all well wishers.


Sharon Tibbitts elected new PILC president

Elfi Seitz

Sandy Langford, the previous president of the Pattaya International Lady’s Club (PILC) recently handed over the scepter to her successor, Sharon Tibbitts. As is the tradition, the changing of the guard took place in the Amari Orchid Resort, but this time inside the Henry J. Beans Pub.

Farewell of the old board members, and a warm welcome for the new board.

Many club members attended the meeting to vote for the new president and the new board of directors. During the meeting, the board members also presented the results of last year. The ladies then received flowers and words of gratitude for their excellent efforts over the past year.

The new board members presented themselves in front of the other members, and Sharon Tibbitts gave her inauguration speech.

She said that she would try very hard to follow the examples of her predecessors and that she would work very hard to support the club and lead it to success.

The new board of the PILC consists of the following members: President Sharon Tibbitts; Vice-President Amy Chillingworth; Secretary Judy Hoppe; Treasurer Candice Chi; photographer Dinie de Vries; newsletter Helen Cartridge; membership Liz Shepherd; common welfare Hellen Rantsen; hospitality Rita Cromwell; tombola Tracy Hall; events Arlette Cykman; advertisement Judy Clausen; distribution of the newsletter Dienie de Vries; co-editors Sheri Ferguson and Tracy Hall; and welcoming of new members, Amy Chillingworth and Arlette Cykman; old books sale Ellen Jackson.


Pattaya Finland Society holds meeting to discuss legal issues of living in Thailand

Suchada Tupchai and Ariyawat Nuamsawat

The Pattaya Finland Society recently organized a meeting to share information on legal issues involving foreigners in Thailand. The meeting was presided over by Pekka Kamari, chairman of Pattaya Finland Society and special guests of honor included H.E. Heikki Tuunnanen, Finland’s ambassador to Thailand, Esa Jonnsson, consul of Finland along with Lieutenant Col. General Arpon Chaiyapa, deputy commander of the Office of the Immigration Police 1, Bangkok. 200 Finnish citizens attended the meeting at the Baiyoke Hotel in Pattaya.

H.E. Heikki Tuunnanen, Finland’s ambassador to Thailand, was the guest of honor at the recent Pattaya Finland Society meeting to share information on legal issues involving foreigners in Thailand.

The vast number of foreigners now living in the Kingdom, both legally and illegally, has made it difficult for immigration authorities to keep track of all of them. Also, many foreigners are not well-informed as to the exact procedures required to ensure their legal status.

Foreigners living in Thailand are advised to consult with the Pattaya Immigration Police or the main office in Bangkok, to prevent difficulties if they want to live or work in Thailand, especially in Pattaya where a lot of foreigners are living for both short term and long term periods. Therefore, accurate procedures must be taken when coming into Thailand to prevent any illegal immigrants.

After the meeting an informal questions and answers session was held where everyone got a chance to meet with each other and enjoy the snacks.


YWCA Club from Bangkok - Pattaya branch to aid blind woman and her two small children

Ekachai Kamolsri

Nitaya Patimasongkroh, president of YWCA’s Pattaya chapter, and her team recently paid a visit to Cha Sawlong at her house in Ban Marb village on Soi Siam Country Club to help support her and her small children.

Nitaya Patimasongkroh (left), president of YWCA’s Pattaya chapter, and her team recently paid a visit to Cha Sawlong (right) at her house in Ban Marb village on Soi Siam Country Club to help support her and her small children.

Two years ago Cha had problems with her eyes. Lacking sufficient funds for treatment, Cha lost her sight. A widow, she doesn’t have a reliable income and has two little children to care for.

Before she became blind she worked in a laundry. Now she works part time as a masseuse, but the money she makes from this skill is not enough to support her daily life and send her children for a primary education at the Nernplubwan School. She has asked various organizations for help but received no response until Kroo Yodtong Saynahluk, the owner of boxing school, contacted Nitaya Patimasongkroh, president of the local YWCA.

Nitaya and other club members joined to support Cha with some money and scholarships for her two children. Cha will be sent to a blind school to enter a massage program and will have free transport needed for her livelihood.