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Palace by name, palatial by nature, this citadel has it all
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Palace, a huge entertainment nightspot covering 10
rai of land on North Pattaya Road, is appropriately named. From the outside
it looks like a citadel, and its interiors take design themes from many
different eras of Thailand’s history. Sontaya Khunplome, advisor to the
prime minister, performed the official opening.
Sontaya
Khunplome (center, with microphone), advisor to the prime minister,
performed the official opening.
Manager of the Palace is Chongkol Srisuphan, a veteran in
entertainment management. Chongkol says that the concept was to attract
people with the sheer scale and sumptuousness of the place. With seating for
over 3,000, the Palace is one of the biggest venues in Pattaya. The
reception hall is correspondingly huge, and guests are astounded at the riot
of extravagance such as the cascade of 1,000 champagne glasses glittering in
the lights, and the real waterfall on the stage. The symbol of the Palace is
a sensor-round effect, unique in Thailand.
Dining is equally splendid, with special menus from the Thai, Chinese,
European and Japanese kitchens. Chongkol said that the favorite dance music
is hip-hop, techno, house and pop, with a professional DJ and dance team to
keep the action moving. The dance floor has space for over 500 guests.
Opening hours of the Palace are from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. every night.
War of the Worlds opens
in Pattaya to media fanfare
Suchada Tupchai
SF Cinema at Central Festival Centre was host to the Pattaya
premier for the summer’s hottest movie, the remake of War of the Worlds. VC
Spot Productions Co Ltd, owners of Sunshine Radio 107.75 MHz, fielded the
station’s DJ team of Tom, Lilia, Jack and Kob to lead the activities for the
media premier. Over 300 people attended the event.
 Plenty
of fun and games for movie-goers at the Pattaya premier for “War of the
Worlds” at SF Cinema.
After watching the movie, a multitude of activities followed
with plenty War of the Worlds prizes being won.
The War of the Worlds, directed by Stephen Spielberg, is a
remake of HG Wells’ 1898 novel, which was originally made into a movie almost
40 years ago.
This version stars Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, the estranged
father who had little to do with his children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and
Robbie (Justin Chatwin). As the world breaks into war with mankind fighting for
survival, Ray (Cruise) fights to save his children from the threat of invasion,
making him a better father in the face of destruction.
The film has its typical Spielberg signature with a plethora of special
effects and is a must-see for avid movie-goers.
Recycling garbage brings out the creative instincts
of Siam Bayshore staff
Suchada Tupchai
Siam Bayshore Environment Day was staged at the Siam Bayshore
Resort on June 29, led by group general manager Hans Spoerri and attended by
hotel employees.
The hotel’s personnel manager, Phensom Nitiboonyapun, who
also heads the environmental protection and hotel power saving project, said
that a study on the present environmental problems had found the main issue was
garbage, the volume of which is steadily increasing.
 Siam
Bayshore’s Environment Day activities included a competition for creative uses
for recycled garbage.
Hotel administrators joined the Green Leaf project in 1997,
and a garbage recycling scheme has been running at the hotel for the past five
years.
Phensom said that part of the process involves a garbage recycling
competition, with entries on display during Siam Bayshore Environment Day.
Amongst the creative efforts were tissue boxes made from drinks cartons, a photo
frame made from a clear Polaris bottle, and a bridal gown made from plastic
bags, the latter causing great amusement amongst the gathered hotel staff and
management.
Two Good Persons awarded
for community work
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Good Person of Chonburi 2005 award winners were announced
at the Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm by Samaphan Pettrakul,
chairman and himself a Good Person of Chonburi.
 Suan
Panomwattanakul (left), vice chairman of the club, and Som Pettrakul (right),
club chairman, announce this year’s Good Person of Chonburi award winners.
Two people won the award, which is given by Banglamung
District Club. They were Manop Prakobtham in the local branch and Wisan
Pettrakul in the commercial branch.
Committees choose a Good Person from every district in Chonburi by examining
their appropriate qualifications for the award. The two latest winners were
rated for their community service. The main purposes of the clubs are supporting
and developing member occupations and local traditions including cooperating
with officials in economic and social development, and solving public and crime
problems.
New board members
at Pattaya City Expats Club
It’s been a full year for the club
The Pattaya City Expats Club held its annual general meeting
at Henry J. Bean’s Restaurant at the Amari Orchid Resort on July 3. During the
meeting, a summary of the year’s events and activities was presented,
presentations were made to last year’s board members and elections held for
the new board members.
Pattaya City
Expats Club’s new board members.
Helen Halland, who made her secretary’s report with the
help of a PowerPoint presentation, a magnificent overview of the aims and
purpose of the club and its activities and special events, reminded people that
the purpose of the club was “expats helping expats” to exchange information
that will benefit the membership as a whole in order to 1. Reside safely and
legally in this beautiful country of Thailand and 2. To understand Thai
culture/society and adapt and integrate in order to be good guests in our host
country and - within our mandate of assisting expats - to be beneficial to and
assist the community and the people of Thailand.
The secretary went on to allude to the fact that the board
has worked hard to bring interesting and informative speakers to the meetings.
In the short time at her disposal she went on to list some examples from the
year’s programme. Health being a favourite topic, special thanks had to go to
Reina Rances for arranging a speaker for each month from Bangkok Pattaya
Hospital. Jake Needham, Michael Doyle and Jerry Hopkins were just three authors
who spoke on different topics during the year. Andre Machielsen, Max Rommel and
Thor Halland, all board members of standing spoke about their particular
interests. Andre explained about house security, Max about 63 different
interesting and unusual places to visit in and near Pattaya and Thor about
Buddhism, meditation and Thai history. He later on during the year had the
privilege of introducing Jennifer Mackenzie, an internationally acclaimed medium
who just happened to be his mother! Association with other groups in Pattaya saw
Sharon Tibbits, the president of the Pattaya International Ladies Club who came
to talk about the work of PILC and members had the chance to help the work of
the Redemptorist Vocational School for the Disabled by purchasing copies of the
PILC publication “Guide to living in Pattaya and Rayong.” Chris Gibbins and
Geof Paston spoke about their Farang Aid and Support Team (FAST) to help
foreigners who found themselves in difficult situations after accidents, arrest
or illness. Ranjith Chandrasiri, president of the Royal Cliff Wine Club gave a
wonderful informal guide to appreciating wines.
Helen then went on to remind members that speakers were not
the only way in which to gain information. An important part of every meeting is
the Open Forum, led usually by Thor or Roger, during which everyone is free to
ask questions, seek information and offer helpful hints to fellow expats. It is
also possible to experience helpful informal exchanges at table prior to and
after the meetings. The newsletter is also a valuable source of information
especially for anyone travelling. There are various “topics” and
“forums” on the Website maintained formidably by Richard E. Smith. One of
the “big helps” provided by the club, and especially by Thor who has to get
up early to take people to the driving licence centre, is that of helping people
to obtain their Thailand driving licence. This year 57 more people have obtained
licences. Discounts for various services including restaurants, medical,
insurance and massage and facials have been obtained. These are all listed on
the website at www. pattayacityexpatsclub.com Member’s dinners are held each
month and provide an opportunity to get to know other expats, go to interesting
and alternative locations and experience different cuisines at value for money
prices.
During this year members of the club have visited Ayutthaya,
sponsored by TAT, Wat Dhammakaya on Macha Bucha Day and most recently Chiang Mai
and Phuket, again with the help of TAT.
Through the year “interest” groups have grown up thanks
to various members, a discussion group, writers’ corner and poetry group, book
exchange and a basic computer group.
The club has supported charitable giving and this year helped
again at the annual charity sale at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, raising 10,200
baht on our stall, the money going to help the Camillian Centre in Rayong for
HIV/AIDS sufferers.
The club was also honoured to nominate people to receive the
Queen Sirikit Service Award.
MC Allan Sherratt then thanked Helen for all she had done
during the year and invited the previous board to have a photo before asking
Helen to make her report as the election officer. There being 11 nominations for
the 11 vacancies she declared the 11 people duly elected.
The new board met after the AGM and Richard E. Smith is the new chairman, Max
Rommel is the co-chairman and treasurer, Helen Halland is the secretary, Andre
Machielsen sergeant-at-arms, welcomer and keeper of the information table, Allan
Sherratt the publicity officer. The newly appointed members were David Meador,
John Lynham, Laurence McLaughlin and Cliff Hagerman. Roger Fox will continue to
act as co-ordinator for tours and Thor Halland as open forum and resident expert
on Thai history. Allan then called them to the front for a photo and so they
could be recognized by those present.
Roger Rabbit runs
for Rabbit Resort
After the Local Personality profile in the Pattaya Mail last week,
featuring Del McCarrick who runs marathons for charity disguised as Roger
Rabbit, a worthy sponsor stepped in to be some of the people behind Roger Rabbit
in this year’s Pattaya Marathon.
 (L
to R) Deborah Bundityanond, Del “Roger Rabbit” McCarrick and Paisan
Bundityanond are ready for the Pattaya Marathon.
Paisan and Deborah Bundityanond, the owners of the Rabbit
Resort, felt that they could not let Roger Rabbit run in this heat without some
carrots, so have promised a bunch to Roger when he finishes. Not only that, but
Paisan and Deborah’s Rabbit Resort will get behind their namesake and have
donated money towards the charity appeal, as Roger only runs to raise money for
charity.
The Rabbit Resort realized what a wonderful effort this is, by the 70 year
old Del McCarrick, and all the ‘Rabbits’ got together over a carrot juice
last weekend to map out their strategy!
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