OUR COMMUNITY
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

PILC learns about Buddhism

An Indian wedding to remember

Everyone is invited to the shopping event of the year right here in Pattaya

Global Buddhist community to condemn ‘blasphemous’ advert

Despite rainy season – the “Stammtisch” continues

PILC learns about Buddhism

Elfi Seitz

At the last lunch meeting of the Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC), Thor Halland from Great Britain was the guest speaker. Right before the excellent buffet was served, he gave a very interesting and detailed lecture about Buddhism and especially about Buddha’s life.

Sharon Tibbitts, president of the PILC welcomes Thor Halland.

Thor, who is himself a Buddhist, told of how Buddha, the rich son of a king in India, but dissatisfied with his life, suddenly decided to leave his wife and his child and wander through the land in order to find himself and the true meaning of life through meditation. Alone and without worldly possessions he finally sat under a tree where he meditated and fasted for 40 days. Then, so the story goes, a peasant woman approached him and offered him something to eat. That was the moment Buddha found enlightenment.

The ladies are memerised by Thor’s talk on Buddhism

His fame spread more and more, and he became a very famous teacher. Many people came to see him, among them many were of his later followers, who wanted to learn from him and so they followed him everywhere.

For the next 40 years Buddha travelled all over India and taught his rules, wherever he went. By this time he had collected more and more people who followed his teachings. After his death at a great age, his fame spread across India.

Thor Halland explained to the attentive women about the different forms of Buddhism, as they appear in all of Asia and now also in the western world. At the end of his lecture the ladies an opportunity to ask their eager questions.

Sharon Tibbitts, president of the PILC, was as usual an excellent hostess and taught the ladies about the newest workshops and activities of the club. And of course again this time nice prizes were raffled, before the event ended.


An Indian wedding to remember

by Cupid

There is nothing more memorable than an Indian wedding. It is such a colorful affair - be it the food, the dresses, the jewelry, the music, or all the sorts of traditions that make it an unforgettable experience.

The Sikh priest blesses the newlywed couple.

Sunday, August 22 saw the wedding of Adisorn Singh, son of Surin Singh of Siam International Pattaya, with Jyoti, daughter of Balbir Singh Madan, an established businessman from Nakhorn Phanom, at the Sikh temple in Bangkok.

For those of you who don’t know, Indian weddings take up almost an entire week. The first function is the lady Sangeet, where the women of both families get together for a session of singing religious hymns. This is followed by the Mehendhi ceremony. This is a beautiful Indian tradition when exotic cultural designs are drawn on the bride’s hands and feet. The custom is becoming very famous all around the world.

The happy couple pose with the groom’s sisters.

This took place at Bavarchi, an Indian Restaurant in Suan Lum Night Bazaar. The day before the wedding saw the Sehrabandhi attended by more than 600 people, when the groom received blessings from his family. From that evening on he is not allowed to return home unless he bring the bride along with him. The celebration took place at Sheraton Grand.

It was an exciting party with lots of dances by family and friends. Finally the big day arrived when the couple actually tied the knot. The next day was the Muklawa, dinner hosted by the bride’s family at Novotel Lotus Sukhumvit.

The weeklong celebrations then finally came to an end. Relatives and friends of the family from near and far attended the whole affair.


Everyone is invited to the shopping event of the year right here in Pattaya

PILC Holiday Bazaar, October 9, 2004, Siam Ballroom, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, 10 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

The PILC Holiday Bazaar has gifts for all occasions, which can be selected from some of the finest products in Thailand! The Royal Cliff will be providing a cafe service and there will be a colouring contest and entertainment for children ages 5 to 13. There will again also be a parcel claim where you can leave your purchases while you continue shopping!

All proceeds from the raffle ticket sales and the bazaar itself will go directly to PILC Welfare Projects in the local community. The Holiday Raffle tickets will be on sale on the day of the bazaar until 1 p.m. Once again there is a large selection of excellent prizes on offer and the winning tickets will be drawn in the afternoon of the bazaar. Tickets are 50 baht each or 500 baht for a book of 12.

For more information on the bazaar contact Arlette Cykman on 038 416 133.


Global Buddhist community to condemn ‘blasphemous’ advert

A senior Culture Ministry official in Thailand has called on Buddhists across the world to send emails in condemnation of a movie flyer depicting actor Philippe Caland sitting astride a Buddha image.

The advertisement for the film ‘Hollywood Buddha’ shows US actor and director Caland sitting on top of the Buddha image’s head, considered by Buddhists to be the most sacred part of the body.

Describing the advert as “horrific”, Vice Minister for Culture Weerasak Khowsurat said that it appeared to be intentionally blasphemous. He also accused the director of deliberately trying to drum up controversy as a mean of gaining extra publicity for the film due to open in US movie theatres on September 24. “Tourists might do such a thing out of ignorance, but this is a deliberate bid for notoriety”, he said.

Urging Buddhists and members of all religions across the world to launch a protest against the adverts, Weerasak cautioned against using any methods that might inadvertently create extra publicity for the film.

Advocating contact with the director and the movie company by email, letter or telephone, he expressed hope that heavy protest would dent the company’s reputation.

The Religious Affairs Department will meet to debate the advertisement on September 24-25, with the leaders of all religions in Thailand invited to attend. (TNA)


Despite rainy season – the “Stammtisch” continues

Peter Nordhues

The regular Stammtisch meeting, organized by the German Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC), was not put off by the rainy season and met at the regular hour at the familiar place. On Friday, September 10, the Moon River Pub welcomed a lot of members and guests from Bangkok and Pattaya to the traditional Stammtisch.

Rene Pisters, GM of the Thai Garden Resort and Janine Tillmans seem charmed by Dr. Paul Strunk’s words.

After a long period away, Dr. Paul Strunk, executive director to the GTCC, again came to the meeting, and he presided over the opening, giving a funny speech. “Despite the rainy season, a lot of members and friends of the GTCC didn’t mind the weather and came all the way from Bangkok. We came with a big bus and are happy to enjoy the conclusion of the working week here in Pattaya. Our favorite pub, the Moon River Pub, has, as usual, excellently prepared this evening. I had the chance to taste this delicious buffet in advance, and I recommend that nobody misses it,” he said.

Thorsten Spiering, Helmut Buchberger, Rainer Roessler enjoying the ‘gemuetlichkeit’ at the Moon River Pub

This didn’t have to be said twice, and after a moment the buffet, a sumptuous mix of Thai and European food, was set upon by hungry guests. But the fine dinner was not the main reason for the meeting. More important was the opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas and share experiences among the business people who were present.

That’s why many were lucky that Dr. Strunk attended the event, because he gave answers to questions from first hand experience. He is a business lawyer with many years of experience in international trade. The Thai media is continually questioning his thoughts and ideas about commercial and political trends.

But also the entertainment inspired the participants. “Re-bounce”, the Moon River Pub house band, elated everyone with their lively rhythms and created a groovy mood. The band has become famous in Pattaya, but unfortunately it’s leaving the city after the end of this month.

The German Thai Chamber of Commerce has about 500 members; Thai as well as German companies. Anyone interested in details about membership or activities can contact the GTCC at tel. (02) 670-0600, fax (02) 670-0601 or email [email protected]