Malinee Sariman elected YWCA Pattaya president for 2004-2006
Suchada Tupchai
Elections of all kinds seem to be going on everywhere
lately, and the YWCA Pattaya recently joined in the fun during their
regularly scheduled monthly meeting last week.
Jitra
Wattanasin, president of YWCA Chonburi; Nitaya Patimasongkroh, Pattaya
president 2002-2004; Mookda Maneeratjaratsri and Nittaya Jenwanich,
president of YWCA Bangkok.
Malinee Sariman, chairperson of the YWCA Pattaya’s
Warm Family Project Committee, was elected to be the next president of the
YWCA Pattaya.
Malinee expressed her joy at the election results and
promised to do her best to manage the club over the next two years and
provide the best service to aid the community while in office.
Malinee
Sariman (standing) was elected president of the YWCA Pattaya for the next
two years.
Before the elections took place, Nitaya Patimasongkroh,
president for 2002-2004, led the regular monthly meeting for the last
time, and did so in the presence of special guests Nittaya Jenwanich,
president of YWCA Bangkok and Jitra Wattanasin, president of YWCA
Chonburi.
During the meeting, past activities were reviewed, including charity
and fundraising events, donations to the community for scholarships,
school lunches and a special project to purchase hearing aids for a young
year four girl in the Khao Mai Kaew district.
New
YWCA Pattaya president Malinee Sariman (seated third from left) and
outgoing YWCA Pattaya president Nitaya Patimasongkroh (seated fourth from
left), surrounded by YWCA members and friends, look forward to many more
years helping the community.
Green Bottle Pub celebrates its 16th anniversary
Diana Inn’s Green Bottle Pub is one of Pattaya’s oldest
and most popular meeting places. Its wholesome, friendly hospitality, great
food and lively entertainment have made it one of Pattaya’s
‘institutions’ where friend gather to chat and the whole family is
welcome. The Green Bottle celebrated its 16th anniversary on March 6 which
also happened to coincide with Khun Noi’s March 4 birthday.
Family
and friends arrived in droves to wish Khun Noi a very Happy Birthday and
congratulate her on the auspicious occassion of the Green Bottle Pub’s
16th anniversary.
And there was good reason to celebrate. Sixteen years ago
there was very little choice of family oriented venues in Pattaya. The Diana
Inn was a small hotel, with 32 rooms and there was a need for a pub and
restaurant that could accommodate guests and provide a happy atmosphere and
fun entertainment for the whole family as well as a varied menu of great
food.
Famous
singer ‘Am’ Sawalak Leelabutr entertained the crowd with her beautiful
voice.
The hotel’s first GM, Ian Harrington, came up with the
name of “Green Bottle Pub” (borrowed from a small pub in England) which
fell in line with the owner’s philosophy of appreciation of Pattaya’s
natural seaside beauty, the awareness of protecting the environment and
staunch family values. Not only the name, but the d้cor also reflected
warmth, fun, originality and the feeling of an old-fashioned English-style
pub. Green bottles were used in imaginative and artistic ways as an accent
to the interior. Green also stood for environmental awareness.
Prasart
Saengtaptim, the executive chef rolls in the birthday cake.
Live music, darts, pool table, a big screen TV which
shows sporting events and a delicious food all make for a welcome venue
where the whole family can come to enjoy themselves.
The Green Bottle Pub’s 16th birthday party was a joyous
event. The day was really amazing. Located in the heart of the city on
Pattaya Second Road, the place was packed with well-wishers, and famous
singer ‘Am’ Sawalak Leelabutr provided the entertainment. A special menu
was on offer during the anniversary week that included delicious spicy
salmon salad with varieties of whiskey and cocktails to order, selections of
fine wine from around the world and on top of the list was a free Chang Beer
with the purchase of 5 bottles.
Khun Noi
and Am cut the birthday cake to mark another milestone for the Green Bottle
Pub.
The Diana Group has grown since its humble beginnings 16
years ago and now comprises a complex of hotels, long-stay residences,
driving range and is a major contributor to the community through many
charity groups.
Khun
Noi, along with special guests and the management, pour the sparkle into the
pyramid of champagne glasses.
But the Green Bottle Pub is still homey, gracious and family
fun-oriented, and has won the hearts of the whole community. Happy Birthday
and best wishes for a long and prosperous future.
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Bangkok Airways announces Pattaya to Phuket direct flights
Parties at the Hard Rock Hall of Fame to celebrate 36 years as a boutique airline
Staff reporters
Bangkok Airways last week celebrated their 36th year as a
boutique airline, and to do so, invited travel agents from all over Pattaya
to be their guests at the Hard Rock Hotel’s Hall of Fame.
Chonlada
Chevathakorn (right) presents Natida with air tickets in the lucky draw.
Chonlada Chevathakorn, deputy sales director for
Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, was quick to point out that the
airline was not joining the rush to be another low cost operator, but with
all their planes being under five years old, they were concentrating on
superior service to keep their customers happy. They also offer destinations
and routes that are not covered by the low cost operators, the new
Pattaya-Phuket direct being an example of these. These flights are on
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Chonlada
Chevathakorn (far left), deputy sales director, Bangkok Airways presents the
award for Best Marketing Support to the representatives from KN Travel, Bri
& Joy and All Seasons Travel.
Bangkok Airways is also very proud of their destinations
outside Thailand, including three exotic cities in China - Guilin, Jinghong
and Xi’an. Other flights are to Angkor (Siem Reap), Luang Prabang, Phnom
Penh, Singapore and Yangon (Rangoon).
Phuwanart
‘Aun’ Phoonpalin, well known Thai TV star and performer, was emcee for
the evening’s events.
This boutique airline is also justifiably proud of the
fact that some of the destinations could not previously be reached, until
Bangkok Airways built their own airports to service the passengers. In this
way they have had a marked effect on the development of the island of Samui
and now Trat.
Further information can be obtained from Bangkok Airways
at www.bangkokair.com
Niti
Kongrut, TAT Central Region 3 Office director presents airlines tickets to
representative from All Seasons Travel.
Niti
Kongrut, TAT Central Region 3 Office director and Thanet Supornsaharungsi,
PBTA president joined in the Bangkok Airways’ promotional evening.
The ever
present Pattaya Mail were out in full colors at the Hard Rock Hotel for the
Bangkok Airways night.
Hundreds say final goodbye to Shakey Pete, a true Pattaya legend
PSC Charter Member, Founding Member of VFW POST 9876
Pete Crerand, known to all as Shakey Pete, passed away on
the morning of March 10, after an extended hospital stay.
To summarize Shakey it might suffice to say that he was
proud of his American citizenship, fond of his Irish heritage and felt
blessed to reside in his adopted country of Thailand for more than 30 years.
Pete
Crerand, known to all as Shakey Pete
Born in New Jersey, Shakey began his residency in
Thailand as a member of the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Udorn. After
receiving his honorable discharge from the service he found his way to the
then small fishing village of Pattaya where he was to own a number of bars
around town, many of them simply known as “Shakey Pete’s”.
As Pattaya grew, Pete assisted it. In 1978, Shakey joined
with Bill Gilmore and about 30 other visionaries to put together what is now
the cornerstone of Pattaya’s sports and social scene, the Pattaya Sports
Club. Shakey assumed an active role in the leadership of the early PSC and
further supported it by directing the darts league, the horseshoe
competitions, pool and bowling, the latter sponsorship running to this day.
Master
Gunnery Sergeant Radford Mays (right), United States Marine Corps (retired)
presents a final salute, as Rick Larsen, owner of the Hogsbreath Saloon,
which serves as the VFW Post, says a final farewell to one of Pattaya’s
true legends.
Additionally, and in concert with many of the same
retired American military personnel who shaped the PSC, Shakey Pete was
instrumental in founding VFW Post 9876 in Pattaya. He later served as the
Post’s Commander. Pete is survived by his loving wife Som and is missed by
legions of friends here and abroad.
Hundreds
of people came to say their final farewell to a Pattaya legend, Shakey Pete
Crerand.
It was noted by Shakey’s numerous friends that he died
just a week shy of his favorite holiday, St. Patrick’s Day, and there was
some speculation that he wanted to be through the Pearly Gates by the 17th
of March so that he could tip a wee one of Tillamore Dew with old St. Pat
himself.
Shakey
Pete’s wife Som accepts the American flag from an honorable and decorated
veteran, Master Gunnery Sergeant Radford Mays, United States Marine Corps
(retired). Witnessing is George Bell of the Pattaya VFW Post.
Whether that be true or not, the lads and lasses raised a glass to Shakey
Pete and closed a chapter on Pattaya lore, with the Irish toast, “May you
be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows your dead.”
Pattaya says a fond farewell to Leslie Wright
Long time resident and respected Pattaya Mail Family
Money columnist, Leslie Allan Wright, managing director of Westminster
Portfolio Services, received a fond farewell from close friends in the
community when he was cremated on Thursday, March 11 after losing his
two-year battle with the crab, lung cancer, on February 29. He was 55 years
old.
Leslie Allan Wright
June 7, 1948 - February 29, 2004
A British national, Leslie attended Cambridge College of
Arts and Sciences, graduating with a National Certificate, Part 1 in 1968.
That same year, he began his career as an export sales executive with
Composil Limited in Surrey, U.K., advancing his way up to executive director
and partner in the company. During his time with Composil Limited, Leslie
travelled extensively, eventually discovered his fondness for the Orient and
decided upon a life overseas.
Leslie lived in the Philippines for over a decade, from
1979 until 1991, partnering two companies, Composil Traders (Phils.) Inc and
A.T.A. Trading Corporation.
Some of
Leslie’s many friends say a final prayer for him.
In 1991, Leslie relocated to Hong Kong, at the invitation
of Finexco (HK) Ltd., and began his new career in financial services. He
said of his new career, “In this I have been very fortunate, successful
and have gained an international reputation for integrity and
professionalism in always giving ‘best advice’ to my clients.”
Leslie had a successful career with Finexco, at the time
one of the leading international financial service companies, rising rapidly
up the corporate ladder, becoming managing director & compliance officer
by 1996.
Saffron-robed
monks led Leslie’s final procession around the temple and ultimately to
the funeral pyre, as his closest friends follow, silently recalling memories
of a lost friend.
However, Leslie said he did not wish to remain in Hong
Kong after the handover to China, and saw that his services were needed in
Pattaya. So, in August 1997, Leslie established Westminster Portfolio
Services (Thailand) Limited, which he proudly said was “successful beyond
my expectations.”
Early in 2003, Leslie was invited to join Who’s Who of
International Professionals, one of the very few international financial
advisers in Asia to be so honoured.
Of his many hobbies, one of his favourites was writing,
and he began writing his Family Money column for Pattaya Mail in January
1998. When the Chiangmai Mail first started in October 2002, Leslie was an
eager contributor to the financial pages. Leslie also wrote a compelling
series titled “Battling the Crab”, which was full of insights into his
prolonged battle with lung cancer, and the way he handled learning of, and
dealing with, the devastating news that he had such a short time left. He
bravely continued to contribute his Family Money column to both newspapers,
even through his illness, until the “crab” finally prevented him from
doing so.
Funerals rites were carried out at Chaimongkol Temple, as
many paid their respects to this very private man, yet well known among the
community and around the world through his writing.
At around 1 p.m. mourners gathered for their final
goodbyes, and, led by Buddhist monks, walked around the temple grounds 3
times.
Leslie earned much respect for his financial advice over
the years and his column was widely read. He will be fondly remembered and
sadly missed.
RIP Leslie, the battle is finally over.
YWCA going full speed ahead
Elfi Seitz
This had always been the motto of the YWCA. Together with
the spouses of the foreign ambassadors in Thailand, it will go on even
better.
The
three most important ladies of the evening (from left) Chitra Wattanasin,
Alexandra Tomasikova and Noreerat Noparatanaraporn.
During a common charity cruise on the luxury liner - a
swimming fantasy on the smooth waves of the Chao Phraya River, 500,000 baht
was collected for HIV/AIDS infected children. The Canadian ambassador, Dr.
Andrew McAlister, acted as the master of ceremonies and welcomed the high
society of Bangkok.
Canadian
Ambassador Dr. Andrew McAlister gives his speech.
Alexandra Tomasikova, chairwoman of the evening and wife
of the Slovakian ambassador, gave a short speech to warmly greet her present
colleagues, vice-chairwoman Chitra Wattanasin, the Canadian ambassador’s
wife, Bente McAlister, the Danish ambassador’s wife, Christina
Hellweg-Larsen, the Italian ambassador’s wife, Marcia Starace Janfolla and
members of the committee Porntip Pongpairoj and Noreerat Noparatanaraporn.
The embassies of Armenia, Australia, Canada, Czech
Republic, Chile, France, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Romania, Slovakia,
Spain and the USA sponsored of all the wines, which were served in abundance
during the evening.
A mix of
Taksin and YMCA (from left) Hans Schaad, Peter Thorand, Stefan Ryser,
Nittaya Patimasongkroh and Dieter H. Precourt.
Naturally there were guests from Pattaya: Nittaya
Patimasongkroh, Thongpoon Gutalaeng, Elfi Seitz (all from YWCA), Marliese
und Heinz Fritz, Peter Thorand, Dieter H. Precourt, Hans Schaad, Erwin and
Susi Rohner, and Stefan and Toy Ryser (all from Rotary Club Taksin-Pattaya).
The entrance tickets were used as lottery tickets and many prizes were
drawn. Thiraphan Boonmakajorn from Bangkok Christian Hospital won the first
prize, a return flight to Chiang Mai.
Wild West woos the crowds in opening Street Party
The Committee of the PGF with the co-operation of all the
businesses in Pattayaland Soi 3, “Boyztown”, held their opening event in
this year’s Pattaya Gay Festival to continue the raising of money to help
Dr. Philippe Soer treat the 900+ HIV/AIDS patients under the banner of
HEARTT2000 by transforming the street into a Wild West set.
People
crammed into the small soi to enjoy the entertainment. (photo by Ariyawat
Nuamsawat)
The evening got off to an early start with a rodeo bull
(mechanical) set up in the street outside Panorama Pub, My Life bar and
Serene Bar to challenge all who had simply come for a casual drink before
the event. This became something of a serious competition not only for the
young men but also many farangs, male and female, not wishing to be
out-done. Thanks to the sheriff for keeping everything in order!
Yeehaw!
Ride ‘em cowboy!
At 9.30 Toy from Le Cafe Royale kicked off the
proceedings in fine style followed by spectacular shows from Pattaya Stunt
Group, the Throb-Splash Showboys, Boyz, Boyz, Boyz, My Life Bar, and Topman.
The night had everything, glitz, glamour, humour, cowboys and indians and a
show down at the OK Corral.
Came the witching hour of midnight and the grand draw saw
the usual collection of TV, DVD players, stereos, rice cookers, collection
of vouchers for meals at many of the top restaurants in Pattaya, and bottles
of wine and spirits. Thanks here to Ambiance Hotel, Amor Restaurant, Body
Club, Boyz Boyz Boyz, Bruno’s, Cafe Royale, Casa Pascal, Dick’s Cafe
Jomtien, Exxit, Funny Boys 2, Icon Hotel, Mata Hari, Panorama Pub, Star
Treff Cabaret, Topman.
The
evening got off to an early start with a mechanical rodeo bull set up in the
street. (photo by Ariyawat Nuamsawat)
At the end of the day the supporters continued to spend a
little more time and money back in the saloons who were also generously
giving 20% of their takings during the evening to the charity funds.
To everyone, the organizers, those who willingly took on riding the bull
for the entertainment of the more faint-hearted, the members of the casts of
all the shows, the sponsors, those who donated prizes and especially the 400
plus people who attended and put their hands in their pockets to help raise
the fantastic total of 210,000 baht towards continuing helping HIV/AIDS
patients through the work of HEARTT2000.
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