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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Tourist police officer promoted

Rotary Club of Pattaya extends opportunity for students who lack financial support

PILC hosts party at Garunawayet home for disabled women

Emotional Freedom Technique comes to Pattaya

YWCA monthly meeting addresses marine conservation

Top Thai families get ready for 21st Century challenges with Harvard Business School

Pattaya schoolchildren rally against football betting

The return of Elizabeth Band to Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya

Tourist police officer promoted

Suchada Tupchai

Friends, family and members of the business community joined in the celebrations at the Maela Plaphao on June 6 to help Pol. Maj. Thanomsak Intrabutr mark his promotion as tourist police inspector in Korat.

Previously in Pattaya, Pol. Maj. Thanomsak, who was once half of the somewhat famous “Tango and Cash” Pattaya police team, served his post well and his superiors have now moved him to take his new post in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat).

Friends, family and local businessmen say farewell and good luck to Pol. Maj. Thanomsak Intrabutr, who is moving up to a higher post in Korat.

The restaurant provided a hearty feast, as Pol. Maj. Thanomsak received congratulations and well wishes from members of the community. Dinner was followed by a round of karaoke, cementing the long lasting friendships the tourist police officer has made over his years of service.

“Thank you to all those who have supported me. I have always tried to perform my duty to the best of my ability and will continue to do so, even though I am moving to a new office,” said Thanomsak.


Rotary Club of Pattaya extends opportunity for students who lack financial support

60 scholarships presented to promising pupils

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

For 17 years, the Rotary Club of Pattaya has lent a hand to provide opportunities for school children that need financial sponsors. This year, the club provided 60 scholarships, totaling 60,000 baht.

These scholarships were distributed to 20 bright young students in Pattaya City and 40 students in Chonburi Province.

The Rotary Club of Pattaya provided 60 scholarships, totaling 60,000 baht, to 20 bright young students from Pattaya City and 40 students from Chonburi Province.

Under the leadership of Don Maclachlan, club president, the scholarship distribution took place in Pattaya city hall’s meeting chamber in the presence of newly elected city mayor, Niran Wattanasartsathorn, city administrators, Rotary Club of Pattaya members, board of teachers, and scholarship recipients’ parents.

Extended awards were handed over to outstanding social workers in five different sectors including Sithiphap Muangkhum, director of city technician bureau, Pol. Capt. Jirawat Sukhontasap, Pattaya tourist police office, Pol. Sen. Sgt. Maj. Suporn Unchareon, interrogation office, Pattaya police station, Phinpha Ruangrattanakorn, Banglamung public health bureau, and Mallika Phasara, Banglamung agriculture development office.


PILC hosts party at Garunawayet home for disabled women

Canadian youngsters make surprise visit

Helle Rantsén
Welfare chairperson of PILC

Every Friday for a number of years, Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) members have been meeting at the Garunawayet home for disabled women just outside of Pattaya. On a rotating basis, a small group of the 250 residents of the home receive a special treat.

When Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) members meet with the residents at the Garunawayet home for disabled women, everyone goes home happy.

Caring and open-minded PILC members like Yvonne McCormick, Sonia Thornbery and committee member Rita Cromwell are met by very impatient ladies at 9.30 a.m. Impatient, because they know that when Yvonne, Sonia and Rita arrive, the fun will begin.

PILC members help the ladies put on make-up or have a go at making beaded necklaces. This human touch goes both ways. The women love the company from outside and lots of hugs and smiles are exchanged. Every Friday meeting ends in “wild” dancing enjoyed by all.

On June 11 even more ladies from the PILC came to visit, plus a surprise visit was paid from a very active group of young people from Canada being sent out by “Play around the world”. A morning enjoyed by all.


Emotional Freedom Technique comes to Pattaya

Tap away at those pains and fears

Brendan Richards

How often have you tried to quit smoking, overcome a phobia or even improve your golf game but fell back into the habit at the slightest sign of anxiety, stress or frustration? Well if you’re if you’re like most people, this happens more often than you care to admit. There is a solution at hand, literally, through the use of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).

Paul (left) demonstrates some basic tapping techniques.

Paul Emery, who hails from the UK, has recently moved to Pattaya after living in Bangkok and a recent stint at the Chiva Som Spa in Hua Hin. Paul, who has worked around the globe, is the only EFT practitioner in South East Asia and has been in the business of helping people for a number of years.

A qualified counselor and Neuro Linguistic Practitioner (NLP), Paul stumbled across EFT a couple of years ago and swears it’s the ‘bee’s knees.’

“I was a counselor in the UK and worked with NLP; at that time I thought NLP was the bee’s knees. I saw a program on TV and searched the Internet and finally found a course, and the rest is history,” says Paul.

Paul swears by the technique because prior to becoming a practitioner he had a social phobia and found it quite stressful to talk openly outside his work. “I couldn’t get up in front of a group; I would be shaking,” said Paul. “Now it’s no problem at all.”

EFT has its roots in acupuncture and shares the same principles that recognize the existence of the body’s energy circuit known as the meridian system. There are differences between acupuncture and EFT, however; first, with EFT you tune into your issue whilst applying the technique, and second, there are no needles! You instead tap on a few selected points.

The technique was first developed by Roger Callaghan, a clinical psychologist, who literally stumbled across the discovery after researching meridians and the tapping of certain points that correspond to symptoms. Since then the technique has been refined to what it is today.

Paul, who works on a number of cases for emotional and physical symptoms, has had similar success. “The good thing about EFT is that you don’t have to drag up awful memories or bad experiences or reveal where there is pain. It works anyway, regardless. It is too odd for most people to comprehend.

“I work on present, past and future issues. It works very well with addictions, negative emotions and belief systems. There is an anti-self sabotage system built in. It’s the tapping that is important,” adds Paul, who also gives coping tools to those he consults to help them in the future.

“I can even help improve golf scores, by relieving mental blocks, but the idea is so off the wall most golfers don’t take it seriously,” Paul cited.

Most golfers know that the game is 10% physical and 90% mental and Paul does not profess to be golf pro, just someone who helps remove the stubborn mental blocks. EFT has a 75% success rate.

Paul is also the only qualified EFT trainer in Asia and conducts practitioner courses for those wanting to help themselves and others. The course is 20,000 baht for a lifetime of help. He conducts private consultations for one or two hour sessions, 2,000 and 3,500 baht respectively. For further details, contact Paul Emery on 06 321 9440, email: [email protected] or visit www.tapforit.com


YWCA monthly meeting addresses marine conservation

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

The monthly meeting of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya branch was held at the Diana Inn on June 8. The meeting, chaired by Malinee Sariman, YWCA incoming president, reviewed numerous community projects and activities for the region’s youth over the past month.

Malinee Sariman (right) YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya incoming president 2004-2006 chaired the meeting along with Nittaya Patimasongkroh, outgoing president.

Upcoming projects were also discussed, and a new project promoting marine conservation was put forth. The project, to promote marine conservation among youth groups, will be carried out in cooperation with the Rajaphatrachanakarin Institute in Chachoengsao. The intention is to teach environmental preservation, as well as allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and ability on the subject and earn scholarships.

Other topics included the installation of Malinee Sariman as the new president, scheduled for June 28. Past president, Nittaya Patimasongkroh, who stepped down, will now head up the YWCA’s Warm Family project for the next two years.


Top Thai families get ready for 21st Century challenges with Harvard Business School

Over fifteen leading Thai business families will get together at the Horseshoe Point Resort in Pattaya at the end of June to explore the pivotal issues facing family-owned companies. ‘Families in Business’, a two-day course, taught by Harvard Business School is held here for the first time in Asia.

Described as a hands-on guide for developing a discipline that leads to successful family companies, the course tackles traditionally sensitive and difficult subjects such as managing conflict, working with relatives, good governance and letting go of leadership.

Professor John A. Davis, faculty chair of this program and senior lecturer at Harvard Business School revealed, “Two-thirds of businesses worldwide are family owned and managed, yet fewer than one in three will survive into the second generation of family ownership. ‘Families in Business: From Generation to Generation’ is designed to prepare business families to respond to the challenges of family ownership and management - and to capitalize on the opportunities awaiting family companies.

“The program engages teams of family members in open debate on real management issues, such as creating effective governance for the business and family, planning for succession, and managing wealth. Most importantly, each family team will identify their family business challenges, formulate workable strategies, and create pragmatic plans for their future,” he added.

Using Harvard’s renowned case study method to illustrate concepts, the faculty ties the lessons of the program to participants’ own situations. In two and a half days of focused instruction and dynamic interaction, ‘Families in Business’ helps business families develop practices that will lead to high-performance companies, loyal shareholder groups, and nurturing families.

Held from June 30 to July 2 at the Horseshoe Point Resort, “Families in Business” is intended for any member of a family that owns a business (family employees, family owners or family investors) as well as non-family executives or board members. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Horseshoe Point (038) 735-050 or Jate Sopitpongstorn (01) 812-7434.


Pattaya schoolchildren rally against football betting

Parents, don’t give your children money for gambling

Suchada Tupchai

Last Friday - one day before Euro Cup 2004 kicked off - Pisit Ketphasook, Chonburi Province governor launched the ‘Thai youth away from football gambling project’ in the presence of Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Pattaya’s new mayor, Surapol Tiensuwan, Banglamung district chief, city council members, Anurak Tienthong, director of Education Progress and Development Region 3, and honored guests. The event took place at the Pothisamphan School sports ground to join the national assembly to discredit football betting during the Euro cup period (June 12 until July 4).

Over 800 Pothisamphan schoolchildren and their teachers signed their names to a 10-meter long white cloth to swear against football betting.

Anurak Thianthong said since communication technology is moving at a tremendous speed through means of TV and radio broadcasting, magazines and the Internet, it is impossible for Thai children to ignore the flood of information that bombards them, particularly during major sporting events. He said this year’s Euro Cup is one of the temptations that drive kids to gambling and warned that the vice’s inevitable problems can follow them through life.

Anurak said kids easily fall into gambling traps when they are misguided by groups of ill-intentioned people that distort the meaning of sports. He stressed the dangers this holds for society, especially in families where youngsters ask for money from their parents, and then spend it on gambling.

Governor Pisit said gambling is now invading every part of society. Worst of all, it has crept into education institutes, the most fragile sector of society.

Governor Pisit said he believes that activities like the rally against football betting can lead youths to think for themselves and not be lured into gambling, which is against their best interests, that of their family and society as a whole.

Over 800 Pothisamphan schoolchildren and their teachers participated in a name-signing activity on a 10 meter-long white cloth to swear against football betting.

Later in the day, a large group of community members, including kids from Pothisamphan School and teachers, social workers from Karunyawet Disabled Center and Banglamung Boys Home held banners depicting the harmful side of football gambling and paraded along the Pattaya-Naklua Road, finally ending up at Pattaya Beach Soi 1. The display attracted a crowd of onlookers.

“The activity against football gambling will continue throughout the tournament nationwide for the effectiveness of the campaign,” said the governor.


The return of Elizabeth Band to Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya

Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya is ready to bring the back Elizabeth Band to entertain all hard rockers by rockin’ the night away. This superb Thai show band “Elizabeth”, have managed to capture the audiences attention with their slick, professional choreography and their close rapport with the crowd.

‘Elizabeth’ is a fun & exciting band comprising one astounding female vocalist, one rockin’ male vocalist ands five mind-blowing musicians. They play power packed numbers and their ace is the lead vocalist whose talents and capabilities have been unprecedented for a long time.

The band’s young, energetic and dynamic members are Tannee Chaichitaorn (Lead Vocal, Percussions), Rujipong Peamsirivhok (vocalist), Chalermkiat Pukkanasut (keyboards) Vatchrapol Saensawat (guitarist), Pichai Poogun (lead guitar), Nopphakao Phaengkham (guitarist) and Pattanes Sakulhom (drummer) have a versatile repertoire including dance hits, classic rock tunes, contemporary pop music, rhythm and blues, funk, soul, popular Latino music, acid jazz and ballads.

Drop in for dinner and grab seat for Elizabeth band’s performance at the Hard Rock Caf้, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya nightly, except Thursdays.