The Irish Society of Pattaya meets every Monday from 6 p.m. at Maggie May’s Bar in Soi Chaiyapoon. Free buffet and Guinness at 100 baht. For more information email: paulwww [email protected]

The speaker at the Pattaya City Expats Club at Henry J. Bean’s Restaurant, Amari Orchid Resort on Sunday May 22 will be Thor Halland, who will be talking about the History of Siam. He has prepared a power-point presentation and this should be of interest to all who are resident here as an introduction to understanding all that has gone to make this country what it is today. As always there will be a chance to take part in the Open Forum, to ask questions or pass on information that is of help to foreigners visiting or living in Thailand or Pattaya. Meeting starts at 10.30 a.m. with buffet breakfast available from 9.30 am. Meeting open to all. Parking in front of Henry J. Bean’s, North Beach Road. More details of events and meetings during the week on www. pattayacityexpatsclub.com

The Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard’s weekly luncheon meeting is at Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa. Meetings are on Tuesdays, beginning at 12:30. President: Martin Brands [email protected] mobile 01 795 76476.

The Welsh Society of Pattaya meets at ‘The Prince of Wales’ in Khao Noi every Saturday at 6 p.m. Free grub of some sort will be laid on. Any other nationalities interested in rugby are also welcome. For more info please call 01 865 4382 or visit: http://www.geocities.com/princeof walespattaya/

The Dutch Expats Club Pattaya (NVP) meets the last Thursday of every month at Dolphin Apartments, Soi 20, South Pattaya Road. They also have groups for bridge, computers, Thai language, fishing, literature and much more. For more information email: [email protected]

Greg from Greg’s Kitchen has now taken over his new caf้ on 2nd Road, just down from Greg’s Kitchen. If you fancy a change, pop in and give it a try. Sunset Caf้, next to the Grand Sole Hotel.

The newest Mexican Restaurant in town, Mikes has a full range of imported Mexican chilies and spices to complete their menu of quesadillas, burritos, chimichangas and enchiladas. Wash it down with some fresh fruit daiquiris and margaritas. Mikes is located on Thappraya Road just before Jomtien Nivate Village on the way to Jomtien. Call 038 364 593 for details.

Check out Chez Georges special Monday menu with Kir Royal aperitif, cold appetizer, a choice of meat or fish main dish plus dessert and a glass of red or white wine followed by tea or coffee all for just 580 baht. Don’t miss out on the special seafood and steak dinners. Call Chez Georges, Pattaya Third Road for reservations 038 723 219 (closed Tuesdays).

Casa Pascal Fine Dining is proud to announce their new Gourmet Set Menu from May 16 until May 31 including House Champagne, Amuse Bouche, Colombard Chardonnay white wine served with goose liver terrine and chilled cucumber soup with dill sprigs and French walnuts, imported fresh salsify and artichokes over-baked with a mornay sauce, mango sherbet or with butterfly ridge shiraz cabernet with a choice of pan seared crystal prawns on zesty vegetable needles with pesto and red capsicum sauce or grilled beef tender loin on darphine potatoes and b้arnaise sauce and mixed berries in crispy brique dough on a janduja chocolate cream or selection of premium French cheese followed by coffee or tea with a glass of Calvados, Grappa, Remy Martin, Williams. Menu only 1,050++ baht, menu with unlimited beverages 2,100++ baht. Pamper yourself with the fine touch of culinary art! For more information www.restaurant-pattaya.com

Every Friday and Saturday night bouzouki and sirtaki tunes will resound at the Art Caf้ Pattaya. Then the original Greek style gyros grill will be lit and authentically spiced lamb gyros freshly shaved from the spit will be served. Eating as much gyros as one likes costs 390 baht net including one glass of Ouzo - the original Greek aperitif. Art Cafe offers exquisite dining in a romantic ‘al fresco’ setting as well as air-conditioned seating inside the restaurant. Art Caf้ Pattaya, Soi 16 Pattaya Naklua Road. Phone 0 3836 7652 for details.

The Empress Chinese Restaurant, 9th Floor Dusit Resort Pattaya, bids goodbye in the grand manner. Chinese head chef Jeeradech during the final month of his operation offers a selection of fine imperial specialities, all based on authentic recipes in Chinese culinary history when the emperor and empress held lavish banquets in old Peking (Beijing). Director of food & beverage, Jakrapong Vitayasirikul also treats every diner to one complimentary Champagne Cocktail. Cheers. For reservations for the final curtain at The Empress, tel: 0 3842 5611-7 Ext. 2276.

The Grapevine Bar, Restaurant & Beer serves breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. For dinner, the tacos, pizza, and lasagne are especially popular. SOS, which isn’t easy to find in Pattaya, is also on the breakfast menu. Roast beef sandwiches and grilled ham and cheese sandwiches (served with potato salad) are also getting great reviews. Victoria Bitter beer and Fosters Light Ice. Grapevine is located in the Regent Marina complex between Second and Beach Road. Open daily from 8.30 a.m.

Jameson’s the Irish Pub has a host of Daily Specials! Don’t miss out on Jameson’s new Thursday night special, starting May 26. Enjoy the Sirloin Steak Night Thursday Special complete with home made soup, bread and butter, sirloin steak, served with baked potato, corn on the cob, coleslaw salad, and Jameson’s chocolate mousse. A complete 3 course dinner for 150 baht. So don’t miss out; drop in to Jameson’s the Irish Pub, Soi Sukrudee (Soi A.R.), Pattaya, email: [email protected] : www.jamesons-pattaya.com

The Montien Hotel, Pattaya is continuing their Theme Buffet Evenings in 2005. Tuesdays - Verandah Coffee Shop for the Asian buffet dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Adults 420 baht ++, children 220 baht ++. On Wednesdays-La Mer Restaurant has a Mediterranean buffet dinner 6.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Adults 450 baht ++, children 250 baht ++. Friday’s at the Verandah Coffee Shop it’s a BBQ & Seafood buffet dinner 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Adults 500 baht ++ and children 280 baht ++. On Saturdays the Verandah Coffee Shop lays out an international buffet dinner 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Adults 450 baht ++ and children 250 baht ++. Pamper yourself with the exceptional variety of all-you-eat favourites, dazzlingly laid out for an evening of leisurely dining. For reservations please call 038 428 155 ext 1620-1 or email: Pattaya@ montien.com

Watch the exiting FA Cup Final - Manchester United vs. Arsenal live on the big screen in air conditioned comfort at the Jomtien Boathouse Saturday, May 21st from 9 p.m. Jomtien Boathouse, Jomtien Beach Road (corner of Soi 8). Tel. 038 756 143 or visit: http://www.jomtien-boathouse.com for details.

Country and Western Music Night every Wednesday in an air-conditioned lounge from 5 p.m. at Love Birds Lounge. Sick of Rock and Pop; come along for a Country sing along. Bring you own guitar or instruments or use ours. Draught beer 35 baht from 5 to 7 pm. Food: half chicken and chips 100 baht, fish and chips 120 baht and a full English menu. Rooms condo size with kitchen, aircon and bathrooms 400-600 baht and only 50 meters from the beach. Love Birds Lounge, Soi Nine, Jomtien Beach Rd. Phone 038 233 710.

AustCham is hosting their next Seaboard Sundowners on Friday, May 20 from 6.30 p.m. The evening’s corporate sponsor is the Sub-Sea & Pipe Protection International Co., Ltd along with the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, catering and venue sponsor. Eastern Seaboard Sundowners is a great opportunity for members and guests of the Australian Chamber to meet, network and exchange views in a social environment. Please arrive on time to take full advantage of the networking. Cost: 300 baht members, 600 baht non-members. Book in advance by calling AustCham office on tel. 0 2210-0216-8 or fax 0 2675-6696.

The Rayong Ladies Circle will open its door for the yearly holiday bazaar. This event will take place on Thursday May 26 from 10 am to 3 pm. The venue is the Eastern Star Golf Clubhouse in Ban Chang. All proceeds to local charities. Everybody is welcome. More information contact: Helle Rants้n on email: [email protected]