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Martina Hingis
You came, you saw, you conquered our hearts
Staff Reporter/AP
Showing a charm that is not always demonstrated by top
athletes, Martina Hingis, the ‘star’ of the Volvo Women’s Open
Tennis being played at the Dusit Resort, charmed all present at the press
conference.
Children
vigorously wave Swiss and Thai flags to welcome Martina.
Having been absent from competitive tennis for the past
two and a half years, other than commentating at some Grand Slam matches
last year, she avoided directly answering the many questions as to whether
she was looking at the Volvo Women’s Open as a stepping stone back to
the Grand Slam tour.
Martina said despite her long lay off, she would be
playing the Pattaya competition to win.
 Martina
signs Swiss and Thai flags for the children who will cherish them for a
long time to come.
She was asked just how “serious” was this event for
her and again she showed that charm when she said, “Looking at the
number of you here today, it feels like the good old days. You always want
to win, but my health comes first.”
The weather may play a decisive part in the Volvo
event, as Hingis left a minus 10 degrees Celsius Switzerland to come
directly to Pattaya. “It’s quite hot, I must say,” said the former
tennis great, “but I’ve survived the first three days OK.”
Hingis admitted missing the game as she watched rising
Russian stars dominating women’s tennis.
Children
anxiously await Martina’s arrival.
“You miss being out there in a Grand Slam final and
not be able to compete,” said the former world number one. “Its a big
difference between staying on court and commenting for TV. I miss it a
lot.”
Hingis almost hung up her racket for good, insisting
last year that a comeback was unlikely.
On of Hingis’ motivations in playing in Thailand was
to donate her prize money to charity.
 A
little girl welcomes Martina with a bouquet of flowers.
She visited deprived children here Saturday and plans
to travel to the tsunami-battered island of Phuket to support survivors
next Monday.
“I saw news in Switzerland every day about the
natural disaster. It was very unfortunate. I came here to play tennis and
hopefully to make people feel better,” Hingis said.
Following the press conference, Pattaya’s Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn present Martina Hingis with a gold key to the city and
some special souvenirs to remind her of her visit to Pattaya.
 Boys
put on a display of Thai boxing, much to Martina’s enjoyment.
Hingis has been a Goodwill Ambassador for both the
World Health Organization and UNICEF, spent some time at the Pattaya
Orphanage, arranged through the Father Ray Foundation.
The children were all smiles as they greeted the
special guest and performed a traditional Thai dance, a Muay Thai boxing
display and other activities.
Martina and guests smiled as the children performed and
Martina thanked them for such a wonderful display of the Thai hospitality
and warm welcome. She also signed autographs and gave the children tennis
tips, which drew a great deal of interest from the children and later took
a group photo with them.
Mayor
Niran Wattasartsathorn, presents Martina with an exquisite Thai gift set.
Chatchawal Supachayanont, (left) GM Dusit Resort, Pattaya, Chaipak
Siriwat, (center) VP of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand and Robert
Norman, (right) President of Volvo Car Thailand Ltd watch over the
proceedings.
Speaking to the children, Martina said she loved the
Thai cultural shows and if she had the opportunity to visit Thailand
again, she might take up Muay Thai boxing because it was an interesting
sport. Martina encouraged the children to study hard, play sports and grow
to become good members of the community and stay away from drugs.
“Seeing the kids makes you happy, “ said the very open Martina,
“but then (the situation) makes you sad.” She went on further to say
that “Children is where the future is,” in answer to a question from
an Australian journalist as to why she made contact with the orphanage.
North Star Library and Community Center opens
The North Star Library, a gift from Arlette Cykman to
the community of Pattaya, opened on Saturday, January 29 and Thai
nationals, expatriates and holiday-makers alike were among the crowd of
well-wishers who came to see the event.
The opening ceremony was performed by Mayor Nirun
Wattanasartsathorn and several local dignitaries also attended. Of course
Arlette herself was also present, as were a large group from the Pattaya
International Ladies Club (PILC), who had worked so hard to get the
library and its contents ready in time for the big opening.
“Many of the volunteers from PILC have been working
round the clock to get things ready and of course I would like to thank
everyone who has played a part in the setting up of the Library,” said
Arlette.
A major sponsor of the North Star Library, the Rotary
Club of Jomtien Pattaya, was represented by its president Judy Hoppe, who
thanked the efforts of Copeland Corporation, a division of Emerson Climate
Technologies, who provided and installed the air-conditioning units.
Arlette has donated the building and its contents in
memory of her late mother, Vera Cykman, and Vera’s friend Maxine North,
two flamboyant characters who lived in Thailand for many years. Their
extensive collections of books have now all been carefully stamped, sorted
and catalogued, and will form the basis of the new library. It is hoped
that further fund raising and donations of books by the public will
enhance the collection in future and plans are well underway to organize
many events to achieve this aim.
As well as the main library room, a special space has
been set aside for the children, and this is a riot of color, with kites,
toys and games included to encourage the children to visit, play and have
some fun amongst the books.
Regular children’s’ story-telling sessions are
planned, but it may be difficult for the kids to concentrate, with all the
goodies on show!
The library will be administered by an organization to
be set up called “Friends of the Library” and anyone interested in
assisting is encouraged to call in (next to the Redemptorist Center on the
west side of Sukhumvit Road, between Pattaya Central Road and North
Pattaya Road) or telephone 038-716755. Judie Payne, who has been
steadfastly coordinating the gruelling task, urgently requests that anyone
who would like to donate books, particularly hard cover, foreign language
and fiction books, should not hesitate to contact her or her helpers.
“We really want to make the library a success, and all assistance would
be much appreciated,” she said.
Arlette
Cykman, Father Philip Banchong, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Wannapa
Wannasri and Peter Malhotra cut the ribbon to declare the PILC Library and
Community Center open.
Drew
Noyes and his team bring flowers
Arlette
Cykman gleefully greets Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.
Willem
de Vries presents books to Arlette
Peter
and Sue convey their best wishes to Arlette
Judy
Hoppe and Roseanne Diamente, proud of their involvement in setting up the
PILC library.
Judie
Payne with two lovely ladies from the Father Ray Foundation.
Rotarians
Dennis Stark and Geoff Paston congratulate Arlette.
Simon
and Joan pour champagne for everybody.
Ria
and the Browns.
Never
too young to enjoy book reading.
And
never too old too!
Av
Khanijou expounds on the good work of Arlette Cykman and the PILC for the
admirable achievement in completing the library.
Bronnie,
Chitra, Tom and Susie look for more champagne.
Someday
this little girl will become a great author.
Young
Mathew Smart and K.T. Jackson are already avid readers of books.
This
is the community spirit of friendship and cooperation at home and in the
community.
A
group picture of the lovely ladies involved in setting up the library with
Mayor Niran.
Khun
Chan and Panga Vathanakul bring good wishes for the success of this
honorable venture.
Arlette
presents certificates of appreciation to Bruce Hoppe MD, of Emerson
Electric for his kind donation of the air conditioners and Judy Hoppe,
president of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya for all her assistance.
Guests
milling around enjoying each other’s company.
Delicious
food compliments of Indian by Nature.
Royal
Cliff Beach Resort donated these computers.
Wannapa
Wannasri, Mayor Niran, Arlette and Roseanne listen to the proceedings.
Tsunami Aid Concert at The Horseshoe Point raises over 1 million for the south
Suchada Tupchai
Photos by Suchada Tupchai and Tony Malhotra
The Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club joined
hands with M.R. Malinee Chakabandhu and M.R. Priyangsri Watanakun,
director of the Fund Raising Bureau and the Thai Red Cross Society to put
together a “Tsunami Aid Concert at Horseshoe Point”. The concert
raised funds for The Thai Red Cross Society to aid tsunami victims in the
South of Thailand.
 H.E.
Gershon Zohar Ambassador of Israel, showed his talent on the Piano
M.R. Priyansri was present at the concert with her team
to receive direct donations from those members of the audience who
personally wished to contribute aid to the tsunami victims in the south of
Thailand.
The concert was held on Saturday, January 22, in the
beautiful gardens of The Three Kingdoms Park at the Horseshoe Point. The
outdoor stage was lit by the luminescence of the lasers highlighting the
magnificent Three Kingdoms Pagodas.
The concert began with 2 rock bands: True Blue and Band
of Brothers. True Blue consists of 6 musicians who are considered to be
the “gurus” or the backbone of rock music in Thailand.
 Candles
were lit to honor the lost lives at the Tsunami attack
M.R. Malinee Chakabandhu began the show with the song
that her father, His Highness Prince Chakrabandh Pensiri, composed called
Love and War - ‘Yam Rop Yam Rak’, which is played in the traditional
Thai rhythm of Rum Wong. Yam Rop Yam Rak was composed with the objective
of giving classic entertainment to the Thai Military. It became very
popular amongst the Thai Military, to the point that each and every Thai
soldier is able to sing this song.
The concert’s highlight was “Travel Thru Time”
with the Royal Thai Army Band. Travel Thru Time takes the audience back to
the time of classical music, Jazz, Latin and Rock and Roll. The audience
can reminisce with well known songs such as: It had to be you, G.I. Blues,
Dream a little dream, Crazy, Baby Face and Medley of Niel Sedaka songs.
 Khun
Samoekhae Ketphasook, president of the Chonburi Red Cross Society.
Khunying Mud brought together many famous musicians to
perform with her in the show such as Jonas and Christy, the famous
blond-haired, blue-eyed duo whose renditions of the intricate and lilting
Northern and Northeastern Thai ballads, have received local and
international acclaim, and gave a new meaning to the term “cultural
fusion.”
Special guests included H.E. Gershon Zohar Ambassador
of Israel, Claudia Chakrabandhu, famous Thai actress, Nadda Viyakarn
popular Thai singer, Dolchai Boonyaratavej, President & CEO of
Brandscape Co. Ltd. and Poo Sahajak, a famous Thai singer.
M.R. Malinee Chakabandhu is a well-known celebrity in
Thai Society is the great, great, grand daughter of King Rama IV. Her
strong passion for music began with the love of her father’s music.
Khunying Mud as she is affectionately known, is a keen writer and is a
columnist for many famous magazines. She is also a great supporter of many
charity events.
 Candles
were assembled on the sand platform
As well as being in aid of a very deserving cause, the
Horseshoe Point Concert in the Park was an opportunity for family and
friends, young and old alike, to spend a harmonious and happy time
together in a natural and soothing environment, which added to the
enjoyment of delightful music in a pleasant atmosphere.
The total amount raised during the concert was 1,354,445 baht which was
handed over to the Red Cross Society to help the Tsunami victims in the
South of Thailand.
(Left
to right) M.R. Malinee Chakabahdhu the star of the evening and Khun Linda
Srifuengfung, Khun Janie Srifuengfung donate the total amount of 1.3
million baht to M.R. Priyansri Wattanakul, director of fund raising
Bureau, the Thai Red Cross Society, while Dr. Pichai Sonchaeng (2nd
right), President of Chonburi Attraction Club also presented the fund to
M.R. Priyansri Wattanakul,
Fire
balloons beautified the sky over the Horseshoe Point
Khem
Krithira Inthornvichitr
Claudia
Chakrabandhu.
The
highlight of the night, Travel Thru Time brought about by Khun Ying Mud,
took the audience back to time of Classical Music, Jazz, Latin and Rock
and Roll.
True
Blues, began to entertain the audiences with the ‘True’ Blues music
Band
of Brothers, the musicians from UBC TV, sang many proverbial songs
‘Rap
Taharn’ or the Army Rap drew the whole crowds onto the front of the
stage.
Doing business among friends
Skal International reappears at Rydges Amora Tapae Chiang Mai
Mrs.
Thompson as pretty as a China doll.
Skal International is one of the oldest tourism and
travel organizations in the world, with over 23,000 members in 500 clubs
spanning 87 countries. It has been present in Thailand for more than 50
years, but despite strong growth in Samui and Pattaya, Chiang Mai’s club
membership diminished after the 1997 economic crash and Skal International
Chiang Mai was left as another casualty of the imploding Asian economy.
 Marc
Dumur (Asst. MD The Legend Chiang Rai) talks with Malai Sakolviphak
(Pacific Leisure Group and president Skal International Thailand).
However, all that looks as if it will change. At the
27th Annual General Meeting of Skal Clubs in Thailand, held at the Rydges
Amora Tapae, travel and tourism leaders from all over Thailand descended
on Chiang Mai. With the growth in the hospitality industry being
particularly strong in the North, much discussion ensued as to how this
momentum can be harnessed to allow the professionals in the North to
network with the rest of Thailand and the world. The answer, the meeting
concluded, was quite simple. Skal International Chiang Mai and the North
should be reborn!
 Brian
Sinclair-Thompson, (GM Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam for
Swiss International Airlines and 1st
vice president of Skal International Thailand), with David Thomas from
Wanna Tours Chiang Mai.
That evening, at a most convivial dinner organized by
Chiang Mai’s energetic Arie de Keijzer (Rydges Amora Tapae), the Skal
International members, friends, partners and leading Chiang Mai
professionals all expressed interest in Chiang Mai, both as a tourist
destination, and as a future stronghold for tourism networking. In other
words, Skal International.
 Aed
Beary, David Thomas (Wanna Tours) and Shane Beary (Track of the Tiger
Tours) after a very enjoyable night at the Rydges Amora Tapae dinner.
Speakers at the dinner came from all facets of travel
and tourism, with Thailand President Malai Sakolviphak (Pacific Leisure
Group Bangkok) reaffirming the strong stance taken by Skal International
in assisting the tsunami-affected South of Thailand.
Brian Sinclair-Thompson, the local driving force behind
the rebirth of Swiss International, and president of the Bangkok chapter,
also spoke on the need for Thailand to get behind the many rescue packages
to assist the members in the South.
 Pratheep
“Peter” Malhotra, (MD Pattaya Mail Publishing and chairman of the
board Chiangmai Mail) in talks with Lilli Saxer (Impulse) who recently
moved from Myanmar to Chiang Mai.
These ideas were also emphasized by others, including
Bob Lee (Welkom Hotels), president of the Pattaya and the East club, who
has recently returned from the World Congress which was held in South
Africa and showed the entry done by the Pattaya club in the eco-tourism
awards, while Rose Laodee (Artasia Press Phuket) spoke from the heart and
expressed her gratitude at what was being done for her island.
 Daniel
Schneider (Siam Sun Tours), Armin Schoch (Impulse Tourism) and Natalia
Kortchouganova, assistant SPA director Jirung Health Resort, during the
cocktail reception at the Rydges Amora Tapae.
During this year, there is the Skal International Asian
Congress which will be held in Phuket. This ravaged tourist resort island
is fighting to regain its place within Thailand’s tourism, and the
advent of the congress will assist the Phuket members to hang on, thankful
of the assistance that has been extended to them by Skal International.
 Dr
Iain Corness, executive editor of the Chiangmai Mail chats with Eleanor
Hardy (GM The Chedi Chiang Mai)
The diners were also told of the forthcoming World
Congress (2006) that will be held in Thailand, in Pattaya. These
congresses will allow Thailand members to network with the world leaders
in their fields, and are exceptional opportunities for Thailand
professionals to be “doing business with friends,” the motto of the
organization. With both the Asian Congress and the World Congress, members
of Skal International have the chance to see the tourism and travel
potentials in the global marketplace.
 Old
Skalleagues catching up – Marion Vogt (sales and marketing Chiangmai
Mail), Andrew Khoo (GM Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya), and MC of the evening
Michael Vogt (MD Chiangmai Mail).
For many of the dinner guests, Skal International was
very well known to them, such as Armin Schoch (Impulse), David Thomas
(Wanna Tours) and Shane Beary (Track of the Tiger), and all of them know
the advantages that such a ‘special interest’ organization can have
not only for them, but for Thailand’s increasing prosperity.
 Doing
business with friends are Arie de Keijzer (GM Rydges Amora Tapae Chiangmai
Hotel) and Eleanor Hardy (GM The Chedi Chiang Mai).
The media was well represented, with Chiangmai Mail
and Pattaya Mail out in force, and a TV documentary was filmed by Chiangmai
Mail using the newspaper’s executive editor as anchorman. Other
media people included Margaret Bhadungzong, Horst Hornung (Samui Journal),
and Ramlah Magnusson. Hoteliers were also out in force, with Andrew Khoo
(Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya), Vitaya Whangpattanathon (Chaweng Regent,
Samui), Marc Dumur (The Legend Chiang Rai), Wim Fagel (Amari Rincome),
Prinyar Prinyarnussorn (Northern Heritage Resort and Spa), Jason Friedman
(Four Seasons) and Eleanor Hardy, GM of the soon the be opened The Chedi,
Chiang Mai, all seen exchanging business cards with the travel
representatives.
 Bob
and Elmarie Lee, Andrew Khoo and Horst Hornung, three of the staunchest
supporters of Skal.
Chiang Mai travel and tourism professionals who would like more
information on the organization should contact Skal International
Thailand, 02 652 0506 or email [email protected]
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