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Revered Sri Lankan Buddhist relics on display in Sriracha

PM promises to support media at Thailand Press Fair 2004

Cholchan shakes up the judges to win Retro Shake Contest 2004

Aussies continue installing WMDs at the Royal Cliff

Revered Sri Lankan Buddhist relics on display in Sriracha

Suchada Tupchai

Devout Buddhists from Sriracha and Chonburi converged on Sriracha last week to witness the procession of revered relics to be placed on show at the Pacific Park Shopping Center. The show is a celebration of the Buddhist faith, and was part of HM the Queen’s year-long birthday celebrations.

The three revered relics of the Lord Buddha, Prasrimahapot (arhant) and the ‘Pratartusivali’.

The three holy items include a tooth from the Lord Buddha, a bone fragment from one of the first 80 disciples and an article of clothing from the Lord Buddha. The artifacts and nine depictions of the Lord Buddha in various styles are on display on the fourth floor of the center until September 30.

The event was co-organized by the International Culture and Religious Development Foundation, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and provincial and local administrations.

Niti Kongrut, TAT central region 3 director, said that apart from showing their love for HM the Queen, the display was to also create an international Vipassana meditation center in Nakhon Ratchasima. Since many people visit Chonburi, it is an ideal place to create better awareness of Buddhist values.

Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook pays his respects to HM the Queen.

Itthipol Khunplome leads the way into the center.

Pra-kru Paladsopit Theerathama-mo, International Culture and Religious Development Foundation director, relates the history of the relics.

The holy relics are ceremoniously brought in to the Pacific Park Shopping Center where they will be on display until September 30.


PM promises to support media at Thailand Press Fair 2004

Suchada Tupchai

Thailand Press Fair 2004 opened at the Impact Arena, Muang Thongthani, marking the 50th anniversary of the Thai Journalists Association.

Phusadee Kheetaworanart (in red), Thai Journalists Association president escorts VIPs through the fair.

This was the first time the association has organized an event. It was aimed at establishing further development for the country’s media and creating a medium to improve relations for media channels.

 

Of course there were live broadcasts from the event.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra opened the event. He stressed the importance of the media’s role in society, the challenges and opportunities for the Thai media in globalization and the government’s support to create favorable conditions for their activities.

The media, on display.

Phusadee Kheetaworanart, president of the Thai Journalists Association, welcomed the prime minister’s pledge not to interfere, saying it would end suspicion between the government and the media.

Phusadee said she hoped the prime minister’s promise would extend to allowing all state-run media to report the news, to guarantee the public complete information.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra surveys a community newspaper in the children’s corner.

In his opening speech, the PM said the government would respect press freedom and not interfere in the media because the government and the press needs to cooperate on national development and improve the standard of living.

It wasn’t all work, as there was also some fun entertainment provided.

PM Thaksin affirmed his willingness to support the media to develop all aspects, especially the establishment of data systems and improve the media’s performance through training.

“Our media is very good, but some of them still need support. The government is willing to support them by setting up databases and introducing modern technology so the media can keep up with political, educational, bureaucratic, economic and financial reform,” he said.

Phusadee Kheetaworanart revealed that proceeds from the three-day event would provide assistance for the Thai Journalists Association members to help with education and emergencies. The gesture was aimed at providing more support for Thai journalists.

The event featured TV, radio, online and print media. Over 100,000 people walked through gates.


Cholchan shakes up the judges to win Retro Shake Contest 2004

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Cholchan Pattaya Resort Sittidech Ingsing team proved they could shake it up with the best in the 20th Annual Bartender Contest, at Dusit Resort Pattaya.

Hot stage action during the Bartender and Miss Bartender Contest.

Sittidech toppled the reigning champs from the Montien to win the region’s most prestigious competition to lead the two runner-up teams in the ASEAN Bartender Championships scheduled for today in Bangkok.

 

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn (left) received a certificate on behalf of the city from a ‘retro’ Santsak Ngamphiches, sports and tourism adviser, for supporting the event.

The popular Miss Bartender title went to Wanpen Chomsuan of City Hotel Sriracha.

The Dusit Ballroom came alive as over 1,000 people crammed in to cheer their friends and watch the spectacular contest during a full day of competitions.

Which was more beautiful, her outfit or her smile?

Results from the decoration competitions were revealed prior to the main event: Cholchan Pattaya Resort won the wedding flower arranging. The Montien Pattaya won the table skirt decoration category. Dusit Resort Pattaya won in canap้ arrangement. Siam Bayview topped off their win in the cake decoration contest. The Montien sculptured themselves another win in the fruit and vegetable carving, as well as the inaugural table setting competition.

The highlight of the event was, however, the evening’s proceedings as hoteliers and staff shook, rattled and rolled on stage for the judges and audience in true showmanship fashion to round off a fun night of entertainment.

The Thai Hotels Association - Eastern Chapter and the Food & Beverage Managers’ Association - Eastern Chapter, organized the annual event. Eighteen hotels from around the region competed in a variety of events through the day and into the night, attended by many local dignitaries.

‘Famous Hollywood Star’ Michael Tung made a special guest appearance.


Aussies continue installing WMDs at the Royal Cliff

Peter Cummins

Let us make no mistake about THESE WMDs, however. We are talking here of Wine Makers Dinners and the only thing lethal about them is a possible over-indulgence in the superb range of wines and gourmet food presented - particularly by Australian wine-makers.

This WMD was well covered under the skilful writing of Miss Terry Diner Pattaya Mail, Vol XII, #34 (August 20, 2004) and this is not a re-run; rather it announces some new awards presented to the Royal Cliff and adds a few additional salient (?) points.

Held, as usual, at the splendid Grand Ballroom of the Five Star Royal Cliff Beach Resort, to yet another “sell-out” crowd, this time featured a top range of Margaret River (Western Australia) and Yarra Valley (Victoria) Sauvignons, Chardonnays, Shiraz and Cabernet vintages.

The evening, which took on a festive air in the all-Australian decorated ballroom, including boomerangs (hand-painted by the Cliff staff) - which, fortunately stayed on the walls and did not fly around the room - pretty girls in Aussie outfits, including the famous cork-draped hats, and many of the serving stall resplendent in long aprons of intricate aboriginal, native flora and fauna designs.

Of course, being a native (savage?) Aussie, I could not let such a great opportunity pass. So what did I do? I propositioned each of the girls (separately, of course). Nothing nasty here. I merely asked them out for an evening. The brisk negative reply was just what I wanted. As each girl, in turn, shook her head vigorously, it sent the corks “a-flying”. I do not think that they were aware of my trick and I sure enjoyed watching those wild corks spinning almost out of control!

Panga Vathanakul, MD of the Royal Cliff welcomed the guests and guest-of-honour H.E. Miles Kupa, Australian ambassador to Thailand and those wine-makers, the two Seans: Sean Bell of the parent group and Sean Isles, the distributor from Festive Wines, both ‘portrayed a large presence’ over the gathering. They were, indeed, big lads!

Under the careful eye of Royal Cliff deputy general manager and wine maestro, Ranjith Chandrasiri, no detail - no matter how small - escaped his experienced eye. Even the butter dishes were not really butter dishes: they were tiny carved butter Koalas, hanging precariously – and occasionally, falling - from their butter trees.

Ranjith, in his opening address, welcomed the 160 guests, on behalf of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, pointing out that the evening’s dinner “showcasing Australian wines, was somewhat different, in that each of the courses was being complemented by two wines from the famous Evans & Tate Wine Group, but grown in separate areas. This presented the opportunity to judge which wine - either the Oakridge from the Yarra Valley or the Evans & Tate from the Margaret River - best complemented each course prepared by the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s gourmet team.”

As Ranjith and Chitra had just recently returned from a tour of Margaret River, Ranjith was even more erudite than usual in his commentaries.

The evening coincided with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s auspicious sixth-cycle, seventy-second birthday and the gathering paid homage and tribute with a toast of long life and happy birthday to the beloved Queen Sirikit, “Mother of the Nation; the Mother of all the Thai people”.

This particular evening was not only its usual scene of good fellowship and gourmet dining but with the juxtaposition of similar wines, grown in entirely different climates, it was an interesting learning experience for many of the diners, comparing these wines produced from different soil types.

The usual classy touch of the Royal Cliff Wine Dinner was maintained as arriving guests were greeted with the reception wine right off the elevator. It was a Gnangara Unwooded Chardonnay 2003, with the attractive area outside the ballroom, set up with clusters of royal canap้s.

Although the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s executive chef, Walter Thenisch was absent on a much-deserved holiday, the kitchen brigade of chefs, Stefan, Mana and Didier certainly did Walter - and the Cliff - proud, with a superb repast.

Evans & Tate’s rich history began with Lionel Teitelbaum, born in 1899 in a village called Nicopol in the Ukraine, emigrating to Australia in 1909. His hard work translated into a successful family and business life, creating a solid foundation for the future Tate generations.

Lionel ensured that his son John enjoyed the benefits of an education as well as an appreciation of cultural pursuits including art, music and wine.

Wine connoisseur Sean Bell from Evans & Tate, addressed the gathering, pointing out that the company was Australia’s eighth biggest producer and moving up. Joining forces with another winery, Evans and Tate thus became, over the years, one of Western Australia’s most respected and successful wine companies. Since 1992, the company has enjoyed a period of unprecedented growth with impressive market penetration through structured investment in the winery, vineyards and, perhaps most importantly, by empowering the company’s personnel.

Guest-of-honour H.E. Miles Kupa, Australia’s very personable and popular ambassador to Thailand, informed the guests that, under the newly-signed Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Thailand, taxes on wine would be reduced to 40 percent and gradually fazed out to zero in the next decade.

Whereupon, this correspondent surmised that by the time he is in the ‘dotage of his dotage’, he will be able to drink duty-free wine.

Miles drew the name of the month’s winner of the wine quiz from the many correct entries received. Wine Club enthusiast Richard Smith walked away with a precious bottle of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s Limited Release 30th Anniversary Cabernet/Shiraz 2001 red, from the Royal Cliff Wine Club.

Royal Cliff to the fore

During the past year, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort has been awarded a number of citations for excellence, including an unprecedented “Double Award for 2004” by the “Wine Spectator”. The Resort’s Grill Room & Wine Cellar, for the second successive year, and the Rossini Italian Restaurant, for the first time, have been honoured with the “Award of Excellence 2004” from the internationally-circulated and highly-prestigious “Wine Spectator Magazine”, published in New York.

These highly-coveted awards are given by the magazine’s judging panel of wine experts, connoisseurs and editors to “establishments which possess a superlative combination of world-class wine lists, menus and an ambience, pricing and overall quality, actively promoted year-round”. Each year, thousands of restaurants/hotels world-wide are evaluated for these prestigious awards but only less than a hundred are recognised as among the world’s best.

The Royal Cliff, among its many accolades, has also achieved ISO 14001 and ISO 9001:2000 certification - this one earlier this year.

Just two months ago, Mrs Panga Vathanakul, MD of the Royal Cliff, was appointed honorary consul of the Russian Federation in Thailand. When presenting the award before a big crowd at the Royal Cliff, H.E. Virasakdi Futrukul, deputy permanent undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pointed out “Mrs Panga’s exceptional standing as one of the leaders of the Thai Travel industry”.

These words were echoed by yet another accolade a few weeks later when the Royal Cliff Beach Resort won the “CNN Partner Hotels Ultimate Service Award, 2004”, whereby travellers from more than 120 countries cast their votes for the hotel of their choice, in several categories.

“We are especially proud of this award,” said MD Panga. “It is tremendously significant because it comes directly from the travellers who stayed at our resort and were so impressed with our level of service that ... they took the time to vote for us, thereby expressing appreciation of our work.” It is also a positive recognition of our staff “who go out of their way to make our guests always feel welcome,” Panga added.

Meantime, Ranjith Chandrasiri announced that the Royal Cliff Wine Club is still accepting limited members. For an incredibly-reasonable cost (currently Baht 3,000 p.a.) anyone can join - the annual fee also include a “complimentary weekly special set gourmet dinner” for two persons at the Grill Room or the Rossini Italian Restaurant.

Throughout the year, furthermore, Wine Club members and their invited guests can indulge in such sumptuous gourmet dinners as the one described the Pattaya Mail F & B columnist Miss Terry Diner with every now and then a special wine tasting evening. The dinners are very reasonably priced with 10 percent discount for members. Wine tastings are free for the members, with the next one scheduled for Friday September 24.

All of us who support the Wine Club and attend the various functions thus organized, are firmly convinced “It is the best game in town”, from what we also consider is the “best town in the game” - Pattaya!

For applications, enquiries, and other information, please call (66) 038-250421 ext. 2782 during office hours. Email: [email protected]