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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Satellite-propelled learning center celebrates 1st anniversary

Evening of gourmet grandeur benefits very worthy cause

Belgian Consul visits Pattaya

Youngest Rider in Town

Nitaya says goodbye

L.A. Bicycles rally promotes cleaner world, healthier humans

‘Sunday Funch’: special menu at Hard Rock Cafe

A new oasis opens in Soi Khao Talo

Bunch of Bastards caught on tape at Shenanigans

Satellite-propelled learning center celebrates 1st anniversary

Suchada Tupchai

Shin Broadband Internet (Thailand) Co Ltd’s I-Learn Center in Pattaya, which promotes learning beyond boundaries via high-speed satellite, recently celebrated its first anniversary.

Dealers from many organizations in Pattaya area participated in the seminar via satellite.

True to its nature, the center held an online seminar to mark the occasion on May 11. Ten branches from all over the country took part in the satellite link-up, with many dealers and organizations’ executives joining in.

Dr Arwut Ploysongsaeng, vice-president of business development, Shin Satellite PCL and general manager of Shin Broadband Internet (Thailand) Co Ltd, called the occasion “a great success for I-Learn, which is a learning center via the ‘IPSTAR’ high-speed satellite. It has been running under a concept that an opportunity to learn is beyond boundaries.”

Arwut added that the company was “concerned about the uncertain competition in the economy and the necessity of arranging an appropriate operation to efficiently reach its goal.”

Participants in the seminar were not charged. It was aimed to brainstorm and come up with beneficial ideas in administrative work and to promote business courses.

The online seminar was coordinated from the 10th floor of Shinawatra Tower 3 in Bangkok. It provided modern two-way communication technology via satellite that could transmit the signal to 10 branches of the center all over the country simultaneously.

Lecturers included Netepreeya Chumchaiyo (Kru Kate) and Arwut Ploysongsaeng.

I-Learn Center in Pattaya is located at Tesco Lotus in North Pattaya.


Evening of gourmet grandeur benefits very worthy cause

Mata Hari on May 10 hosted a superb dinner for a Pattaya Gay Festival fund raising event that raised a staggering 92,500 baht for HIV/AIDS patients.

Mata Hari was filled to capacity on May 10 when it hosted a Pattaya Gay Festival fund raising event that raised 92,500 baht for HIV/AIDS patients.

Tickets for the event had been sold out within two days of them going on sale and Mata Hari was full to capacity. Guests were treated to a menu starting with a creamy terrine of Foie Gras, followed by a superb combination of U.S. sea scallops with lobster medallions topped with crispy leek. A mango sorbet was served next to refresh the palate and the guests were then presented with a delicious Australian chicken breast stuffed with Parma ham and cream herb cheese. To finish off this gourmand delight, the kitchen produced a tangy lemon cheesecake topped off with fresh raspberries and cream.

As guests were being served their coffee, the M.C. for the evening took the floor, cajoling the group to dig deep into their pockets and purchase raffle tickets to boost the evening’s contributions. A staggering 65,500 baht on the raffle seemed enough, until Peewee (who had complained throughout he had not won any prizes), finally took the top prize of 1 baht of Thai Gold. This he very generously donated back to be auctioned off and after serious bidding, Louis the owner of Mata Hari claimed victory with a bid of 9,000 baht.

With the proceeds from ticket sales, raffle and auction, the final amount reached for the evening was 92,500 baht.

Pattaya Gay Festival supports the charity organization HEARTT 2000, giving support and medication to HIV and AIDS sufferers in the Pattaya area.


Belgian Consul visits Pattaya

Patrick Van den Berghe

The Belgian Consul from the Belgian Embassy, Bangkok, last week visited Pattaya for 2 days of consultation and a drink in Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant.

Belgian Consul Mdm. Hilde Van Inthoudt (2nd right) visited Pattaya last week to consult with the Belgian community in Pattaya.

The Belgian consul stayed for 2 days in Siam Bayview Hotel, and whilst there, had many consultations with the Belgian locals.

On Thursday, May 13, about 75 people attended the drink offered by Consul Mdm. Hilde Van Inthoudt in Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant. There was a nice cold buffet and all the drinks were free from 7- 8.30 p.m.

Many people came with their questions and to meet the nice lady consul and other Belgian locals from Pattaya. It was another nice evening with a lot of cold beers and a delicious food spread by Patrick, Nuch and his staff.


Youngest Rider in Town

Visitors to the Horseshoe Point Country Club are often astounded that there are over 140 horses stabled there, including the famous “King of Horses” the Lusitanos from Portugal. These priceless stallions are flown in from Portugal and perform the beautiful Dances with Horses show.

Summer takes her first ride on ‘Cola’.

Summer, aged 1 year 10 months, however, wasn’t easily impressed by the King of Horses statistics. Instead she was bowled over by taking her first pony ride on 80 centimeter Cola.

Summer delighted the other hotel guests by waving to them as she cruised through the grounds, and upon finishing the ride by the lobby, Horseshoe Point owner Chaikiri declared her the youngest ever rider at the Horseshoe Point. Clearly a natural!

Dances with Horses is performed on the last Saturday of every month at 7.30 p.m. For details on riding or other country club activities call 038-735-050.


Nitaya says goodbye

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

On May 11 at Diana Inn, Nitaya Patimasongkroh, president of Bangkok-Pattaya YWCA, presided over what will likely be her last executive meeting as president.

Representatives of the PILC, Pattaya Sports Club and YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya present over 200,000 baht worth of scholarships which will go to needy students.

Jitra Wattanasin, president of Bangkok-Chonburi YWCA, Sophin Thappajug, managing director of Diana Group, Carl Engel, president of the Pattaya Sports Club and representatives from PILC attended the meeting.

The meeting was held to sum up results the association has achieved in the past month, especially concerning charity activities carried out in collaboration with other clubs and organizations in Pattaya.

Amongst these achievements were the 130 scholarships totaling 195,000 baht that the Pattaya Sports Club’s awarded, and the 30 scholarships worth 45,000 baht the Pattaya International Ladies Club awarded.

Towards the end of the meeting, Nitaya Patimasongkroh made a farewell speech, as she will be stepping down from her presidency in June. She also welcomed the club’s incoming president, Malinee Sariman, who was elected to the position at the YWCA meeting last March. Malinee will assume her duties when her appointment becomes official on June 28.

Nitaya, meanwhile, will stay with the association, and take on a new role, that being head of the YWCA Warm Family Project.


L.A. Bicycles rally promotes cleaner world, healthier humans

Patcharapol Parnrak

Leave your motorcar at home and get on a bicycle for a healthier lifestyle and cleaner air.

This was the message of L.A. Bicycles, who organized the “L.A. Family Rally VIII” at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Sattahip.

(From left) Sunete Narinrap, personnel manager of Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Joy Rinlanee Sripen and Rose Warissara Leethirasakul.

Two famous stars and TV program hosts, Rinlanee Sripen and Warissara Leethirasakul, joined them.

The rally route was along a beautiful man-made garden with various kinds of flowers and trees from all around the world.

At the opening of the rally, L.A. Bicycles presented 10 bikes to Ban Nongjabtao School and Ban Hinwong School and 10 bikes to the Rabbit in the Moon Foundation. The bicycles will be passed on to poor students living far from schools in Sattahip and Suanpeung, Ratchaburi.

Warissara, as the president of Rabbit in the Moon Foundation, said the bicycles would be very useful for the children of Suanpeung, as they could take a ride and guide tourists to really experience nature in the forest and mountain.

She wants everyone to ride a bicycle since it’s not only healthy but also helps save fuel and doesn’t pollute the pure air.


‘Sunday Funch’: special menu at Hard Rock Cafe

Let the good times roll at Hard Rock Cafe’s new Sunday “Funch”.

Suchada Tupchai

The Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya opened a special summer menu titled “Sunday Funch” to the public on May 9. Many special guests and media attended the event held at the hotel.

The concept of this “menu” is to serve up good food and fun to families who are here relaxing for the day at Pattaya Beach. Every family will have a happy, international meal in the big dining room, together with many fabulous shows including magic, clowns, balloons and live music, as if they are in an amusement park.

Moreover, many special menus like roti-parata (Indian-style pancake) with chocolate sauce and banana, bar salad and grilled beef will be served with free soft drinks for children and free sparkling wine, red wine, white wine and beer for adults.

This special promotion is provided every Sunday from 11.30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Adults with children between the ages of 5-15 will pay a half price of 500 baht ++. For more information or reservations, please contact 038 428 755-9.


A new oasis opens in Soi Khao Talo

Brendan Richards

Residents in Soi Khao Talo who prefer to stay out of the hustle and bustle of Pattaya now have a new venue to wet their whistles.

Usa’s Bar and massage held their opening party last Saturday evening.

Residents in Soi Khao Talo now have new venue to wet their whistles. Usa’s Bar is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily

Located opposite Eakmongkol 4, the establishment is well set out in wooden decor under an octagonal gazebo-style roof.

“Everything, from the furniture to the design, is my idea,” said Usa.

She added that during the construction period she had spent many hours running around, looking for the right style of furniture to match the design.

Well lit, the open bar, complete with remote-control wall fans, is the perfect little hiding spot for residents or those willing to venture off the beaten track. Usa and her crew also serve Swiss-style food at reasonable prices, as is the amber fluid, at just 65 baht for a Heineken.

For those who are feeling stiff and sore, next door is the massage center offering Foot, Thai and Oil massage.

The massage staff is qualified, with many having completed formal training at well-known training establishments. Prices range from 180 baht to 280 baht per hour.

Usa’s is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.


Bunch of Bastards caught on tape at Shenanigans

Landlord makes them sing

Shenanigans Irish Pub will become a recording studio this Friday evening (May 21) when the Bangkok rock group The Bastards will be playing and recording many of their original numbers. Others they will make up as they go along.

They will be followed by the top local group, Pop and the All-stars, with Rick tuning his guitar and Harpic on vocals. Pop and crew will be taping Top of the Pops.

Friday night will also see the recording debut of Phill Dunn who has committed to singing at least one song, before he receives the rotten cabbages award.

It will be another fun evening at Shenanigans, a pub that has become well known for its musical soirees!