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BCCT trilled by October networking
Dr. Iain Corness
The latest networking evening run by the British Chamber
of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) turned into a musical extravaganza as two of the
stars of the forthcoming Y4Y Music Festival, Duangdao and Mongkol
Chayasirisophon, entertained the networkers at the Horseshoe Point with
songs from their Broadway repertoire.
Chainarin
Srifuengfung (second right), Horseshoe Point Resort & Country Club
president entertained guests at the joint Y4Y Music Festival announcement
and BCCT networking evening at the resort.
Welcomes were extended by Jate, the GM of the Horseshoe
Point, and a small white horse at the entrance, who told me in strictest
confidence that he wanted to be a Lusitano when he grew up. I did not
disappoint him by informing him that he was actually a Shetland pony.
 (L-R)
BCCT members John Hamilton, Paul Wilkinson and Peter Mewes took in the
atmosphere of last Friday’s Eastern Seaboard networking night at the
Horseshoe Point Resort & Country Club.
Sponsor of the evening was Management Development
Systems, whose Honorary President David Gransby told the gathering of their
involvement with the Horseshoe Point in running training sessions at the
wonderful facility that had been built up by the Srifuengfung family.
Mention should be made of the excellent wines supplied
that evening from PB Valley Khao Yai winery, whose GM Sorapat Tongprasroeth
was very pleased to inform Peter Smith of AA Insurances that the wine he was
happily enjoying was not Australian as Peter thought, but Thai.
The event brought people from Bangkok, such as Ravi Bhatia (Suvitech),
Malcolm Scorer (Watermark Capital Management) and Aussie Lyndsay Perry (Witwood
Food Products) and the energetic MD of Nelson’s Autohaus, Punnipa Nelson,
in Chonburi, plus the usual contingent of local BCCT members such as Waste
Management Siam’s John Hamilton, Graham Macdonald of MBMG the Eastern
Seaboard representative, and newer ones such as Jack and Av Khanijou from
the Indian by Nature restaurant.
Kicking off the PILC dental program
Helle Rantsen
PILC welfare chairperson
About 122 children, ranging from 6-18 years old, live
their lives at the Redemptorist Street Kids Home.
As you can understand from reading the words “Street
Kids Home”, these are children who have been at great risk, and many
still are.
On
October 18, PILC president Sharon Tibbits and welfare chairperson Helle
Rants้n kicked of the dental program by supplying all 130 children
with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
It is very difficult for us to realize what it must be
like to live your life on the street. Having to care for yourself and
perhaps younger siblings, and growing up too fast. Having to provide food,
plus clothe and shelter yourself with little or no help from adults.
While living on the streets you can be at a very great
risk of being sexually abused because this can be a way of earning money,
or you can be used for delivering drugs in your neighborhood.
At the Street Kids Home, people look after the
children, giving them a chance to stay away from the streets. Here they
have food, clothes, shelter and schooling every day. Here they will learn
how to keep themselves clean and how to brush their teeth. They are
surrounded by staff that try their best to give the children a proper
life.
Mind you, it is not always easy to get used to living
in a home when you have become accustomed to taking care of yourself on
the street. At the home, there are rules you have to follow and you have
to learn how to interact with other children and adults.
The PILC welfare team and committee have decided to put
extra attention towards the Street Kids Home. The proceeds from the PILC
charity ball on November 27 will be allocated towards the dental program.
The PILC will start the dental program in the end of
October, continuing in November, providing all those in need of dental
care with the treatment they need.
The dental treatment will take place at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital where
the dentists have been most helpful.
Ninety Four Coffee
celebrates grand opening
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
On October 16, Anupong Udomrattanakulchai, former
Pattaya mayor presided over the official opening of the Ninety Four Coffee
shop. Many guests and close friends showed up to give congratulations
including Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to the minister of tourism and
sports, Kitja Wongwaree, managing director of the Ultimate Beverage
Products Co. Ltd. and owner of Ninety Four Coffee.
 Former
Pattaya mayor Anupong Udomrattanakulchai (center), cuts the ribbon with
Chanyuth Hengtrakul (right), advisor to the minister of tourism and sports;
Kitja Wongwaree (left), managing director of the Ultimate Beverage Products
Co. Ltd. and friends at the opening of Ninety Four Coffee.
The shop in Pattaya is managed by Barry Wilson-Singer
and Prakong Thammabut. It is the 35th shop in the country, and is located
at the New Pattaya Plaza, Pattaya Second Road next to the Caesar Palace
Hotel.
Available beverages include hot coffee, espresso, milk coffee; macchiato,
cafe au lait, mochachino, and mocha, as well as ice tea, ice tea with
lemon, ice tea Thai style and healthy fruit juices. In addition they have
many salad dishes available to choose from. Hours of business are 7 a.m. -
midnight.
Haus Munchen celebrates Oktoberfest with fun-filled beer festival
Suchada Tupchai
Perhaps Germany’s best-known festival, Oktoberfest was
in full swing right here in Pattaya at the Hans Munchen Steak House on
October 17. The venue was packed with partygoers and beer aficionados as
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn opened the festivities.
Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn enjoys the fare with Roger Ayyer of Haus Munchen
Steak House (middle) and local celebrities Marcell Peter, managing director
of Swiss Helping Point and Martin Saegesser, managing director of Seaside.
Owner Roger Ayyer, along with his staff, gave a warm
welcome to all, including honored guests Wuttisak Rermkitjakarn, assistant
mayor, Pisai Panomwan Na Ayutthaya, city councilor and Elfi Seitz from
Pattaya Blatt. Roger also thanked the sponsors who generously supported the
festival.
Roger
welcomes customers, including the mayor (right) and deputy mayor Wuttisak
Rermkitjakarn (seated center, facing).
The famous Erdinger Weibbier beer was the star of the
show and lots of great food was on offer including special German sausages
and other tidbits that are traditional fare for Oktoberfest.
There are still a couple of days left to enjoy the fun at Haus Munchen
Steak House, with a special Oktoberfest menu, draft beer tasting and a
special price on Tiger Beer until Oct. 31. For information and reservations
call 038-370390.
Eleven Pattaya police officers receive awards for best community relations
Part of National Police Day 2004
Boonlua Chatree
On October 13, National Police Day, 11 Pattaya police
officers were awarded for being the best police officers in regards to
community relations for 2004.
Police Major General Kowit Wattana from the National
Police Bureau hand picked the officers for decoration.
On
Police Day, October 13, eleven Pattaya police officers were awarded for being
the best police officers in regards to community relations for 2004.
Police Colonel Somnuk Changate, Pattaya Police
superintendent, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sakrapee Preawpanich, deputy
superintendent, and Police Major Sutham Chaosrithong, crime suppression
inspector presented the honorary announcement certificates from the National
Police Department.
The best 11 police officers were: 1) Police Captain
Prasert Cherdchoo, deputy crime suppression inspector, who also received a
certificate from the National Police Bureau for being the best officer. 2)
Police Sergeant Major Thongchai Naknaen. 3) Police Sergeant Major Chainarong
Chai-In. 4) Police Sergeant Major Narong Thongpor. 5) Police Sergeant Major
Rungrawin Khunthong. 6) Police Corporal Konchanat Chumhiran. 7) Police
Sergeant Adul Butdawang. 8) Police Corporal Pongsak Sorn-Un. 9) Police Senior
Sergeant Major Sangwan Phoopuang. 10) Police Senior Sergeant Major Wichian
Klinsrisuk. 11) Police Senior Sergeant Major Saman Tantitayapong also
received a chest badge from the National Police Bureau.
The honorary certificates state that the Pattaya police
officers perform their duties accordingly and are efficient in their conduct
with the public.
After the awards were distributed, Police Colonel Somnuk
Changate gave a speech honoring the 11, and said that this is a good sign
that the Pattaya police station’s officers are the best at acting
accordingly, having good contacts, and conducting themselves appropriately
with the public. The National Police Bureau urges all police officers to
continue to keep up the good work, as it is essential for the good of the
public, he said.
Thailand’s police force was first established during the
Ayuthaya period under the auspices of Pra Boromtrai Lokanat. He divided the
regulation administration into 4 groups called “Jatusadom”; Wiang, Wang,
Klang, Na. The police department belongs to the Wiang group.
In 1862, King Rama IV reformed the police department using
the European method of law enforcement to set up the 1st Police Department
Division called the “Police Bureau”. He appointed Malay and Indian police
officers as constables to police the inner city of Bangkok, and reside under
the “Pra Nakhon Ban (Metropolitan) Department”.
Later, in 1876 during the times of King Rama V, the
“Police Bureau” was altered and local police were set up as a Military
Police Department. This was done for provincial peacekeeping and handling
military affairs. Mr. G. Schau was hired to set up this project.
In 1877, the Military Police Department was changed again,
becoming the Provincial Patrol Department, and the Provincial Police
Department was set up to replace the Provincial Constable Department in 1897.
Major General Praya (G. Schau) Wasuthep (the Praya title was awarded by the
king) was the director of the Provincial Police Department before expanding
it into the Provincial Police Administration.
On October 13, 1915, during the King Rama VI dynasty,
police duties for local police and constables were combined. They also
changed the Provincial Police Department into the Municipality Police
Department, and the title of director of department affairs was changed to
become director general.
In 1922, royalty ordered the Municipality Department to be
incorporated into the Ministry of Interior. The Provincial Police Department
and the Municipality Police Department were also transferred to the Ministry
of Interior.
In 1926, the Provincial Police Department and the
Municipality Police Department changed their names to the Provincial Police
Department, but remained divided into 2 divisions. The Municipal Police could
arrest thieves, investigate, and make reports and claims directly to the
Police Council Court. The Provincial Police could arrest thieves and transfer
them to the District Office for investigation, and make reports and claims to
the prosecutor before further claims were submitted to the Provincial
Criminal Court. Initially called “Provincial Police”, in 1932 they became
the police department, and the name is still used today.
October 13 was the date of combining the two divisions, so
October 13 was set as the annual “National Police Day”. The first
official opening ceremony was on October 13, 1949. At that time Major General
Luang Chart Trakarnkosol, a four star general was the police department’s
director general. The police field army admiral, Por Phiboonsongkram was
prime minister.
In 1951, Police Colonel Pao Sriyanon, the director of the police
department, organized an annual parade, which lasted until 1957 when the
parade ceremony was cancelled. That left only the religious ceremonies, which
are held annually on October 13.
Local beauties compete for Miss Pacific Motor Show 2004 title
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A bevy of 57 beauties showed up at Pacific Park Center in
Sriracha to compete in the Miss Pacific Motor Show 2004. On October 9 the
field was narrowed and the competition heated up.
 Some
of the area’s best looking single women are competing for the Miss Pacific
Motor Show 2004 title.
The qualifications for the Miss Pacific Motor Show 2004
are: a female age 17 - 24 years old, a height of not less than 158 cm, good
personality, confident and single. The field was narrowed from 57 to 30, and
the announcement of the remaining contestants was made on Monday, October
11.
A panel of judges watched as the gorgeous contestants
introduced themselves, showed off their special abilities and experience,
and participated in the committee’s questions and answers session.
The first round had 30 candidates introducing themselves
to the committee, after which a fashion show was staged by the contestants.
The final round for the contest is scheduled for October
30. The last 10 candidates must show their resourcefulness and ability to
present themselves in front of the public by answering the committee’s
questions. The committee will select 3 finalists, one of which will hold the
title of Miss Pacific Motor Show 2004.
The winner of the contest will receive 20,000 baht plus a crown. The
runner up and the 2nd runner up will receive 10,000 baht, 7,000 baht
respectively.
Annual Sart Merit Making Day held in South Pattaya
Good deeds, good food stave off demons from hell
Suchada Tupchai
Beware: people who lived evil lives and died with these
sins on their souls are at liberty to come to earth for 15 days each year.
This ethereal return begins on the first night of the disappearing moon in
the 10th lunar month. This year’s ghostly two weeks began on October 13.
 Delicious
desserts and money offerings are piled high to keep the ghosts happy.
Take heart: The method to ensure they don’t bother you
and cause mischief is to gather all your friends together at a designated
place of worship, make and eat big meals, and top yourselves off with
delicious desserts until you are too full to move.
Beginning October 13, the Southern Thai Residents Club of
Pattaya, led by Supot Potjanettrakom, club president, did just that when
they organized their traditional southern Thai “traditional good deeds of
the 10th month” ceremony to assuage demons from hell, known as “Sart
Thai Day”, which is held annually in October.
 The
method used to ensure bad mannered ghosts don’t bother you and cause
mischief is to gather all your friends together at a designated place of
worship, make and eat big meals, and top yourselves off with delicious
desserts until you are too full to move.
The ‘Sart’ is a demon or poltergeist which if not
mollified will make mischief for those who do not make merit. Masses of the
public from South Pattaya participated in this merit tradition at a place of
worship in Central Pattaya.
The ceremony started in the morning on October 13 with
making merit, providing southern style food to the priests, and having a
collective harmonious meal in the temple for the southern inhabitants and
the local public.
Much
disorderly fun is had during “Ching Prate” when children run to retrieve
food and/or money, and a large scramble ensues as the youngsters battle to
get a hold of something they desire.
The highlight of the event was the ceremony to calm
demons from hell, known as ‘Ching Prate’, which is an old tradition of
receiving plagued things from the presumed class of demons from hell. It’s
believed that receiving these things will bring good luck. The ‘Prate’
is a person who while living, did evil deeds to his or her family or
religion and died unrepentant.
A segment of this ceremony included a hilarious
“Climbing the Oily Post contest” which attracted a crowd of amused
onlookers.
The merit making ceremony has its origins in the ancient
belief that those who lived evil lives and died with these sins on their
souls are at liberty to come to earth for 15 days each year.
The first day of the disappearing moon in the 10th month
is the day for “Prate welcome” or “Small Sart Day”.
The descendants must take care and feed themselves with
deserts until full, and prepare again so they can send the demons back to
hell on the disappearing moon 15 days later in the 10th month, which is
known as “Big Sart Day”.
This day of sending back demons must be accomplished by
preparing more food and deserts than on the welcome day. The descendant’s
light joss sticks and candles to remind themselves of ‘Prate’, and
anticipate food and deserts the demon might want to have.
Immediately after this the adults leave the food, which they keep for
sending ‘Prate’ back. The children, however, run to retrieve this food
and/or money, and a large scramble ensues as the youngsters battle to get
something they desire. This is called “Ching Prate”; they believe it
will be very lucky if they could eat some leftover food from ‘Prate’.
It’s one of the traditions from the southern part of Thailand, and has
been passed on from generation to generation.
Miss International Queen 2004 beauty pageant to be held at Tiffany’s
Another ‘world first’ for Pattaya
Suchada Tupchai
The Miss International Queen pageant will be held in
Pattaya on November 6. This international pageant comes to Thailand for the
first time and is set to be a grand theatrical display in the 1,000 seat
auditorium.
In a press conference held in Bangkok last Monday, Alisa
Phantusak, Tiffany’s Show Pattaya assistant managing director revealed the
details of the world class event.
A
preview of what is in store for this year’s inaugural event was put on for
the media after the press conference.
“The Miss International Queen pageant is to be held for
the first time in Thailand with contestants from over 30 countries coming to
participate. It is also part of Tiffany’s 30th anniversary
celebrations,” said Alisa.
Alisa went on to say that the pageant was aimed at
advancing and supporting today’s transvestite/ transgender community and
that the Miss International Queen offers great opportunities for
transvestites from all over the world to present their individuality, beauty
and intelligence in a friendly atmosphere.
The pageant, organized by Tiffany’s Show Pattaya, has
been limited to the first 50 qualified entries with applications from those
18 years old and above.
The final judging stage, with an expert panel of judges,
begins November 2 through November 5, culminating in a nationally broadcast
finale on Saturday, November 6 when Tiffany’s will celebrate their 30th
anniversary.
Ladies of the second category competing in the Miss
International Queen 2004 will be vying for the diamond encrusted tiara,
trophies and US$7,000 cash for first prize, air tickets and sponsors’
prizes. Other categories include Best National Costume, Best Evening Gown,
Best Swimsuit, Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality.
Following the press conference, a preview show of what is
in stall for this year’s inaugural event was held.
Tickets reservations are available from Tiffany’s Show Pattaya by
calling 038-421700-5 and Woodlands Resort Bangkok office 02-3922159. Details
are also available at the websites: www.missinternational.com and
www.tiffany-show.co.th
Horseshoe Point Resort & Country Club announces upcoming ‘Y4Y Music Festival 2004’
Broadway and Jazz highlight 2-day event
Suchada Tupchai
Coinciding with the British Chamber of Commerce
Thailand’s eastern seaboard networking evening last Friday, Horseshoe
Point Resort & Country Club, Chainarin and Chaikiri Srifuengfung, resort
owners, and Jate Sophitpongsathorn, director of the Three Kingdoms Park and
Srifuengfung Foundation, jointly announced the Y4Y Music Festival 2004. It
is the second time the event will be held at the resort.
 Jate
Sophitpongsathorn, director of the Three Kingdoms Park and Srifuengfung
Foundation announced the Youth for Youth Music Festival 2004.
Jate Sophitpongsathorn, director of the Three Kingdoms
Park and Srifuengfung Foundation said, “This year, the Y4Y Music Festival
is set for November 5 and 6. Performances will be “Broadway Musical” and
“Jazz”. The festival begins with a classical riding show at the grand
arena of the Horseshoe Point and will then carry on with the “Broadway
Musical in the Park” at the Three Kingdoms Park.
 Duangdao
and Mongkol Chayasirisobhon will conduct a Broadway Musical concert this
year; they invited BCCT members and guests to listen to their talented
voices during last Friday’s press conference.
Duangdao and Mongkol Chayasirisophon will sing Broadway
music on the night of November 5. A Jazz in the Park concert will be on
November 6 performed by “No Square” jazz quartet from Switzerland and
the local “All Star Band” from Bangkok with Kob Saowanit Nawaphan as the
lead singer.
On Saturday November 6, there are 3 sessions of workshops
to choose from. The workshops begin with the family singing workshop. Next
will be the “Jazz” workshop by “No Square” jazz quartet from
Switzerland and Prode, a top Thai jazz guitar player.”
Honored
guests at the announcement of Y4Y Music Festival 2004, (l-r) Nitti Kongrut,
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Central Region 3 director; Rewat Ponlukin,
Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization deputy chairman; Apichart
Puechpan, Pattaya City deputy municipal clerk and Sunay Leetranont, Pattaya
City Service and Hygiene promotion supervisor.
The inaugural event, in 2003, was held over four days,
and was a major musical achievement and a success for the region and Pattaya.
It also gave aspiring Thai musicians an opportunity to
get a glimpse behind the scenes of the world-class UBS Verbier Festival
Youth Orchestra with the highlight of the festival being the finale concert
by the UBS Verbier Festival Youth Orchestra at the National Theater in
Bangkok. Funds raised from the 2003 event went towards helping
underprivileged children.
The Youth for Youth Music Festival 2004 is shaping up to be a great event
for all music lovers. For more information or tickets, contact Sontichai
(Jay) at 038-735050 or 06-3260881 or email: Sontichai@ horseshoepoint.com
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