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Somsak’s Famous Restaurant hosts Rotary fellowship

Lodge Pattaya West Wind enjoys a fellowship

Eastern Seaboard Schools benefit from AustCham generosity

Somsak’s Famous Restaurant hosts Rotary fellowship

Peter Cummins

It seems that “fellowships” were all the rage in Pattaya last week and the second floor of Somsak’s superb hostelry was the ideal setting for a recent Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya fellowship evening. With the Thai decor, terracotta tiling and open on all sides to the splendid flora outside, one has the feeling of open air dining at Somsak’s.

Peter Cummins presents a copy of the book commemorating Her Majesty’s 6th cycle birthday anniversary to a visiting Rotarian.

In fact, it would be hard to find a more appropriate venue than that of Somsak Kavowthong who could justly claim the title of Mr Pattaya Restaurateur.

In his column on Pattaya personalities some time ago, Dr Iain Corness wrote about Somsak’s varied life, ranging from life on the high seas to a Pepsi Cola “barrow boy”.

But always his heart was in the restaurant business and eventually he met another famous Pattayan Dolf Ricks who, according to Dr Iain, told Somsak “to go to the kitchen”. And that he did, eventually, as a cook on a shipping line. After visiting numerous countries, Somsak’s agile mind gathered ‘souvenirs’ and, as one can see after even a superficial glance at Somsak’s huge menu, his mementos were in the form of ethnic recipes.

President Judy Hoppe exchanges club banners with a Rotarian from Morocco.

As we all learned that night at the Rotary fellowship, one of Somsak’s lasting contributions to the taste buds of the Pattaya gourmand is a deep fried ice cream dessert the recipe for which he brought from the United States. Somsak opened his current premises in Soi 1, where he has been for the past 17 years.

Perhaps Somsak epitomizes Rotary ideals. At 63 years old, retirement is not even a glimmer on the horizon. “I love to see people laughing and talking,” he told Dr Iain. “A happy life is worth more than money and every day I must see people. I love it.”

All who attended the Rotary fellowship were extremely happy with the varied and delicious food which “just kept on coming”. Thank you Somsak.

Rotarians and guest had a most enjoyable evening at Somsak’s Restaurant.

Lodge Pattaya West Wind enjoys a fellowship

Peter Cummins

It was a fellowship to cap all fellowships when Pattaya Lodge West Winds “took over” Ib and Kannikar Ottesen’s splendid Captain’s Corner of the Residence Gardens for the evening.

Ms Ubon Phairoj shows off her dwarf whilst the big guy Sathienraphong Khumnon looks on amused.

Curiously enough, a uniting link between another fellowship held at Somsak’s Restaurant (reported elsewhere), is that both Ib and Somsak have served “before the mast”, in various capacities as seamen. Ib, in fact, was a sea captain, as even a casual look at the decor of his Residence Gardens and the Jomtien Boathouse would immediately accentuate.

RWM John Morgan presents Angela Fowles with her winning package… is it a dwarf? we wonder.

Meantime, back with the Lodge Fellowship, LPWW Right Worshipful Master John Morgan supervised the drawing of lucky door prizes which featured the Seven Dwarves; although, apart from some beautiful ladies present, there was no Snow White.

Jack Bryman celebrated his 83rd birthday amongst brethren and their families.

It was fortuitous, perhaps, that Pattaya Mail resident “Dwarf” old PC himself was a winner: and which one did he draw? “Dopey” (enough said!)

Active Lodge member Leighton Fowles and his two lovely ladies, wife Angela and daughter Anita, came to Pattaya from Bangkok, thoroughly enjoying the evening - especially when former RWM Peter gave a splendid rendition of “My Way” - his way!

Stan Parsons (centre) is delighted with his bottle of whisky as John waters (left) and John Morgan (right) wait for him to open it.

With a good variety of wines available, the LPWW members and their guests settled on the extremely well-priced Grand Texan Barbecue, with a great range of “cooked-to-order” foods.

Luckily, Ib and Kannikar were not present, or the Pattaya Mail managing director may have been tempted towards a mid-life career change, joining the perennial and highly popular Captain’s Corner singer/entertainer. And, who could believe, hearing PM belting out His/My Way, that the resident vocalist’s name is George Sinatra who gave the evening a masterful touch, as we cruised down “memory lane”.

Tony Thorley and Gay, showing off her…you guessed it… dwarf.

Jamie Campbell doesn’t know what’s in the box (wink) but he’s thrilled to receive one just the same.

Eastern Seaboard Schools benefit from AustCham generosity

Michael Berris, Meaw and Malcolm Scorer and Paul Wilkinson enjoy the evening.

Peter Cummins

Another successful Seaboard Sundowner was held by the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce, with Bluescope Steel the Corporate Sponsor and the Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa the Catering Sponsor.

It was the usual mix of Austcham members and representatives from the private sector on the Eastern Seaboard. An abundant flow of wine, beer and sundry other drinks complemented the excellent food supplied by the Pattaya Marriott and certainly set the tone for networking.

Bluescope Steel’s representative spoke on the extensive work that the company is carrying out in Thailand.

This particular Sundowner was combined with the handing over by the Chamber of a recently-installed water filtering system to the Wat Prathanporn School prior to the Sundowner and on the Saturday after, a similar system was donated to the Ban Khao Din School, combined with the ongoing English-language tuition course.

Rob Bridge, AustCham executive director outlined a few of the Chamber’s forthcoming events, particularly the eagerly-awaited Australian Foorball League Grand Final, one of the year’s premier events.

Pattaya Mail’s own Dr Iain won one of the bottles of wine: it just happened to be his favoutite white, too!

Steve Walmsley, Som Corness and Michael Berris are enjoying the Marriott Resort and Spa food (and drinks).

AustCham members meet with executives of the Eastern Seaboard private sector.

David Wright (second right), AustCham president chatted to a few potential and existing members.