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Buddhists monks bless Jomtien Park Villas for luck and prosperity
Auction for luxury villas scheduled for Sunday, December 19
Suchada Tupchai
Organizers of the Jomtien Park Villas project held a monk
blessing ceremony on the morning of November 25. Buddhists monks performed
the ceremony to bless the project for luck and prosperity.
 A
monk anoints the “Jomtien Park Villas” signboard for prosperity.
Gordon Gillen, managing director of The One Stop Real
Estate Co. Ltd., and his real estate team were on hand to greet people at
the blessing ceremony and show them around. Apichart Puechphan, Pattaya City
municipal city clerk, presided over the event.
After the ceremonies, guests were able to receive their
first look at a completed model home, and came away impressed with this new
concept.
 After
the ceremonies, guests were able to receive their first look at a completed
model home, and came away impressed with this new concept.
The project will feature 20 new luxury private villas, in
eight different styles, from 121 to 397 sq. m., 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms. All the
villas have private swimming pools and garages. Selected units also have a
28 to 63 sq. m. basement entertainment/multi-purpose room, which receives
light from glass panels into the swimming pools, an exclusive feature in
Pattaya of Jomtien Park Villas.
These homes will be auctioned on December 19 beginning at
2 p.m. at the Siam Ballroom of the Royal Cliff Hotel. Management is hailing
this as a first for Asia.
Gordon Gillen said the reason for the auction is that the
specialized professional team is thoroughly acquainted with auction
specifics, and added that there will be no minimum bids set. He added that
buyers want a house specifically suited to his or her needs.
Interested bidders should register prior to the auction, during the
auction inspection period that will run from now until December 18. The
auction information office will be open 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a
week, including holidays at the site, located on Thepprasit Road, Soi 17,
tel. 038-303871-5, fax 038-373794, or www. ngiglobalauctions.com or email:
[email protected]
Beefeater Steakhouse and Pub celebrates their grand opening
Tony Malhotra
The proud owner of Beefeater Steakhouse and Pub, Peter Lomm,
chose Loy Krathong, the most romantic night of the year in the Thai calendar to
mark the official opening of his new restaurant.
 Peter
Lomm (standing) made sure everyone had a great time at the Beefeater Steakhouse
and Pub’s grand opening.
During the party, which was attended by close friends and
well wishers, Peter was on hand to ensure that the opening went smoothly and
everyone enjoyed themselves, with the kitchen cooking non-stop to make sure that
none of the guests would leave the restaurant with an empty stomach.
As part of the party, after eating and drinking, everyone
proceeded to the beach to float their krathongs, and their cares away.
You can find out more about the Beefeater Steakhouse and Pub in Miss Terry
Diner’s Dining Out review column this week. With Miss Terry being a
card-carrying carnivore, the review is certainly positive!
City hosts ordaining ceremony in honor of HM the King’s birthday celebrations
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Thirty-one men prepared for ordination as part of HM the
King’s birthday celebrations this year. The event was supported by the
city, government officials and residents to honor HM the King, and began on
December 3.
 In
honor of His Majesty the King, 31 men entered the monk hood, where they
will stay until December 10.
The auspicious ceremonies began at the Nongprue Temple
as the 31 men between the ages of 20 and 50 prepared for the ordination.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presided over the ceremonies.
As with the Buddhist philosophy, those who are ordained
must be of good character, with no history of crime, debt or communicable
disease and have the blessing of the abbot. A number of civil servants,
police officers and vendors took part as the head shaving began. Members of
the community, religious affairs council, city administrators and residents
donated robes and other necessary items as part of the ceremony.
On December 4, dressed in white novice robes, the group was then taken
on a traditional parade from the temple, through Pattaya and back before
returning to proceed with their induction into the monk hood where they
will stay until December 10.
Naklua Lions Club gathers to celebrate His Majesty the King’s birthday
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
To mark the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the
King’s birthday, the members of the Lions Club of Naklua-Pattaya, Pattaya
City officials, members of the local business community, Pattaya students
and local residents from all walks of life gathered at Naklua Larn Pho in
Naklua to honor their King. Surachai Ruayrin, former Pattaya mayor and
Niran Wattanasartsathorn, current mayor, jointly presided over the opening
of the celebration, held on December 3.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn (right) and former mayor Surachai Ruayrin (center)
present an award to a representative from Srisuwit School, the parade
winners.
During the celebrations, a cone of flowers was laid at
the base of a photo of His Majesty as a sign of respect. The event included
a reading of praise to the King and a promise from those in attendance they
would work honestly for the good of society, protect the country and stay
away from drugs. This was a dedication to the King stating their loyalty to
His Majesty.
In addition to the formalities, students in the
Banglamung district schools formed a parade with a Father’s Day sign
exhibition contest. December 5 is also Thailand’s designated Father’s
Day.
Before the closing, Mayor Niran presented awards and certificates to the
shops, and the sponsors who supported this celebration.
Pattaya Gay Festival final figure to top 3.3 million
When the final four days of the year-long Pattaya Gay Festival began, the
committee announced that they had raised 1.9 million baht. Chairman Michael
Burchall, owner of Topman Club said, “We are very pleased with the way
things have gone this year. People have been especially generous despite the
economic climate and we are confident that we will reach the 2.4 million
baht target.”
Pattaya City Hall
organized an AIDS Awareness Walk for Life.
This is good news for Dr. Philippe Soer and the HIV/AIDS
patients being treated by him under the auspices of HEARTT2000. The PGF 2004
committee had committed themselves to donate 200,000 baht a month to help
pay for the provision of drugs being used by Dr. Philippe. This was a huge
commitment on their part but through the generosity of many people and the
hard work of arranging events through the year by the committee and
sponsors, this was proved well founded and very successful.
At the Final Street Party on December 2 a cheque for 2.5 million baht was
handed to Dr. Philippe and some of his patients in front of a huge crowd of
over 620 people in Boyztown. The committee has been pleased to receive many
generous donations from individuals and organizations and would like to
thank everyone for their support throughout the entire year. They would like
to thank especially Dennis Dewsnap who chose to give the money from the sale
of his book “What has sex got to do with it?” to HEARTT2000 and a Creche
in Tangiers. Dennis handed over a cheque to PGF for 300,000 baht at the
Christmas Street Party. This very generous donation brought the final figure
for the year (at the time of going to press) to approximately 3.3 million
baht.
Around and About Jomtien
KR Star Bar
The KR Star bar re-opened about a year ago after an
extensive makeover. Previously, the KR was a characteristic open plan bar
with rooms for rent on the first floor; clientele being mostly ex-pats with
some tourists fresh off Jomtien Beach.
The refurbishment retains the open plan with a more
modern look about it and space has been made for two pool tables as well as
the usual bar stool perches and tables for the more serious drinkers. Happy
hour drinks (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) are 55 baht.
The first floor has been transformed into an
air-conditioned poolroom featuring glass floor areas and panoramic windows
overlooking the smaller soi and Thappraya Road; there is also a small bar to
service the pool players.
Service has not changed; ice-cold towels are handed out
on arrival and floor fans re-positioned for best effect on the person. While
the KR Star has no kitchen facilities there are menus on hand for various
local restaurants and the girls are happy to take your food order, which
will be delivered to your drinking table.
The KR Star enters into the spirit of the festive occasions with the
staff dressing for the event (see photo of Loy Krathong 2004). Personal
birthday celebrations, with due notice, are also well catered for by the
English speaking Thai lady owner. The location is on Thappraya Road, right
hand side approaching Jomtien Beach Road from Pattaya, about 100 metres from
the beach.
Sriracha Tiger Zoo reopens
Crowds of visitors give zoo vote of confidence
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The popular Sriracha Tiger Zoo reopened to the public on
November 27. This famous zoo is one of the world’s foremost breeding zoos
for tigers, but was closed in October due to an outbreak of avian flu which
killed 83 tigers that were fed infected raw chicken meat.
 Governor
Pisit Ketphasook speaks at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo reopening.
At 10:30 a.m. on November 27, headed by Maitree
Termsiripong, president of Sriracha Tiger Zoo, and company board members, a
reopening ceremony was held to again welcome the public to visit the zoo and
assure them that the animals and their environment are now safe and healthy.
Governor Pisit Ketphasook, Wirawit Wiwattanawanit,
Chonburi deputy governor, government officials, members of the Chonburi
business community, representatives from tour companies and members of the
press were on hand to participate in the event.
 The
tigers look comfortable and content.
The Sriracha Tiger Zoo is situated on 100 rai and has 441
tigers. On October 19 a number of tigers fell sick and it was discovered
that they were suffering from avian influenza transmitted from eating raw
chicken meat, which is a staple of their diet. All-out efforts were made to
save the tigers; however, 83 of them died.
Because of the deaths, the Chonburi governor ordered the
zoo closed indefinitely. During the closure period zoo officials and staff
worked tirelessly to clean and disinfect the premises and separated the
remaining healthy tigers to keep them safe.
With heightened awareness and stricter measures,
Chonburi’s disease officers said the avian flu epidemic at the zoo is now
completely contained and the situation is now normal; therefore they
authorized the reopening of the facility. As a precautionary measure a
24-hour disease control team has been set up inside the zoo, and a further
control zone for 10 kilometers around the zoo has been implemented.
Maitree Termsiripong said, “We should use the previous outbreak as a
lesson, and not think that it won’t have an impact on the global economy.
Fortunately this situation was brought under control quickly as we have
learned to react faster and with more efficiency. We have had a good
response from the tour companies and tourists, and we can see that today the
zoo is as crowed as in the past. However, we will remain vigilant in our
efforts to prevent the disease from reappearing.”
Walking street circa 1980
Thank
you George Bennison for forwarding us this photo of Walking Street circa
1980.
Royal Cliff Wine Club to host Yuletide Wine Gala Dinner
Ranjith Chandrasiri, president of the Royal Cliff Wine Club and deputy
general manager of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, announced he will host an
exclusive wine gala dinner to thank all the members, guests, and friends who
have made each wine club event this year successful and certainly
unforgettable.
Beginning with an unprecedented Romanian Wine Dinner last
January 23rd and up to the most recent wine tasting on November 7, each
event has earned everyone’s generous comments and praises. And as the year
slowly draws to a close, one of the wine club’s biggest events is about to
unfold.
Members are invited to a special “Yuletide Wine
Dinner” on December 17 in the Grand Ballroom of the Royal Cliff Grand.
This forthcoming event offers a seven-course gourmet menu crafted once again
by the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s gourmet team led by executive chef
Walter Thenisch.
What makes this event more than spectacular, however, is
the impressive list of wines on offer. No less than seven of America’s
finest Beringer wines complementing the menu, plus the rich Woodbridge
Champagne cellars ‘Pacific Crest’ Extra Dry NV served during reception,
will surely delight the members’ palates.
This special gourmet dinner is 1900 baht net per person
(price includes a glass of each variety of reception and dinner wines,
seven-course gourmet dinner, service charge and VAT).
Aside from enjoying the usual discount privilege, Wine
Club members and their guests would also be given the same special rate.
Beringer Vineyards is one of California’s oldest
wineries and one of its best. Its wines are in that elite group of wines
worldwide that solve all three of the wine drinker’s main problems - How
do I find that wine I heard about? How can I afford that wine I found? How
do I know if that wine is worth what I have to pay for it?
The forthcoming Yuletide Wine Dinner will be co-sponsored
by Cannon Pacific Co., Ltd. Limited stocks of all the wines offered at the
dinner will also be available to members for purchase at heavily discounted
prices.
As always, limited seating will be offered and prior
reservation is essential.
The Royal Cliff Wine Club is still accepting limited
memberships. For applications or enquiries, please call (66) 038-250-421
ext. 2782 (from 09.00 to 18.00 hrs) or email: [email protected]
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