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10 swimmers cross the Bay in Rotary fund-raiser for the kids of Ban Jing Jai

BCCT really flying this month

Miss International Queen 2005 visits Pattaya Mail

10 swimmers cross the Bay in Rotary fund-raiser for the kids of Ban Jing Jai

Suchada Tupchai

The second Rotary Cross Bay Charity Swim took place on November 13, with Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh presiding over the 1 p.m. send off.

Organizing the event was the Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya led by club president Chris Gibbins, and lending their support were the Pattaya Sea Rescue Unit, Pattaya Tourist Police and many private organizations.

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh presents his closing speech.

The 10 swimmers were Glyn Davies, Karen Fleming, David Brent, Simon Simms, Bruce McDermott, Willy Zimmermann, Peter Rettke, Brian Turner, Richard Houghton and Elio Ceccarell. As they warmed up to brave the waves the Pattaya Sea Rescue Unit made the encouraging observation that the sea was not as choppy as last year and that we could see records broken.

Pattaya Sea Rescue supervisor, Mana Saengsukdee, briefed the swimmers on the route they were to take, and on important safety issues and emergency procedures. Pol Sen Sgt Maj Tawin Boonwananamchareon from Pattaya Tourist Police provided further details on the course, and reassured the participants that the water police were close by should they get into difficulty.

The swim was a fund-raiser for underprivileged children and more specifically the children at Ban Jing Jai, many of whom were present to cheer on the swimmers.

President Chris Gibbins presents a certificate to Graham Hunt-Crowley for his excellent support.

The route covered more than 3 kilometers from Bali Hai Pier to the beach at Dusit Resort. Pattaya Mail reporters followed the progress of the 10 swimmers closely. After 500 meters, last year’s winner Glyn Davies was in the lead followed by the only female participant, Karen Fleming. The rescue services worked hard signaling incoming boats away from the swimmers while pointing the way north. Along with rescue boats, rescue teams on jet skis also kept a watchful eye.

Despite the distance the swimmers showed no signs of tiring and the group kept on going, but growing further apart. Some strayed a little off course but the rescue services soon guided them back on track. Some were unable to fight the waves and had to rest on the rescue boats before plunging back into the sea to continue with the marathon.

Judy Hoppe (left) and Helle Rants้n, both with beaming smiles.

After less than an hour it was the young Brit Glyn Davies who was still in the lead and who came in first in 52 minutes, followed by Karen in 59 minutes. David Brent came in third at 1 hour and 3 minutes. The rest followed with the final swimmer coming in at 3.30 p.m. All arrived safely, with a few suffering cramps which were soon taken care of by the medical services. Everyone celebrated with a beach party attended by staff of Dusit Resort.

Lovely children from Bann Jing Jai.

A big thank you to all the sponsors: KCR Homefinders Co Ltd, Grange Park Village, Lucky Time Bar, Simon Art Studio, Hill View Villas, ESC Safety Concepts, PILC, Jomtien Beach Residence, Sahib Tailors, Queen Vic, Honey Inn, Helicopter Bar, and Mee Chew Bar.

Also a special thanks to Dusit Resorts, Pattaya City Sea Rescue for providing safety boats, Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Blatt and Pattaya Mail on TV, and Roger Denny of Fusion Clothing.

President Chris Gibbins from Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya thanks all the competitors, sponsors and guests.

Group photo taken before the event got underway (from left) Weerawat Khakhai, Pattaya deputy mayor, Graham Hunt-Crowley, Elio Ceccarell, Simon Simms, Bruce Mcdermott, Glyn Davies, Brian Turner, Peter Rettke, David Brent, Karen Fleming, Willy Zimmermann, Richard Houghton and Ronakit Ekasingh, Pattaya deputy mayor, who presided over the exiting event.

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh presented a certificate to Glyn Davies (2nd from right), the winner of charity swimathon. Also participating in the presentation are Graham Hunt-Crowley (2nd from left), Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya President Chris Gibbins (3rd from left) and Stefan Heintze, resident manager of Dusit Resort Pattaya (far right), who presented a bottle of great wine to the winner.

All of the winners!

We are ready!

Karen Fleming fights the waves.

Brian Turner sees there is a long way to go.

Karen Fleming, Richard Houghton and Dennis Stark have their photos taken with the children from Ban Jing Jai.

Glyn Davies and Simon Simms help Willy Zimmermann, who suffered from muscle cramps.

Simon Simms (far right) cheers about the event with the officers and children of Ban Jing Jai.

Rescue boats keep a close watch whilst the cameraman, Decha from Pattaya Mail on TV, follows all the shots.

Richards Houghton hitches a ride part of the way.

Brian Turner - tired but a fighter.

Peter Rettke celebrates.

Simon Simms is all smiles as he wades ashore.

Karen Fleming shows her power.

David Brent, the second runner up just after his bride-to-be.

Glyn Davies, the winner with a record breaking time of just 52 minutes.

Bruce McDermott cheerfully wades to shore.

Elio Ceccarell, the eldest of all swimmers showed great fighting spirit.

BCCT really flying this month

Dr. Iain Corness

The latest networking evening for the BCCT in the Eastern Seaboard was held at Shenanigans after a 12 month hiatus since its last time there. However, the BCCT members and friends were soon leaning on the bar as if they had never left from last time!

(L to R) Binny of Haveli Restaurant, Robert Thompson from Ecobrand, Sue K from Pattaya Mail and Peter Smith from AA Insurance have a fun talk during the evening.

However, this time the BCCT was really flying, with Etihad Airways being the sponsor of the evening. Sales and Marketing Manager Chaiyavut (Billy) Chomsakorn was on hand with his team and personally welcomed everyone to the event, making it a great start. Those who have flown Etihad were effusive with their compliments, and I am sure many BCCT members will be looking to use this dynamic young airline in the future.

(L to R) Paul Wilkinson of Four Winds, George Strampp from Interstar and Graham Macdonald, BCCT Eastern Seaboard Chairman took time out from their busy schedules to mingle with members.

Many new faces were seen amongst the core group of regulars. A very welcome guest from the British Embassy in Bangkok was Steve Buckley, the Director of Trade and Investment, who acknowledged in a Pattaya Mail on TV interview that now after three months in the position, he has come to understand just how important the Eastern Seaboard is, as far as Thailand’s manufacturing base is concerned.

Peter Cummins and John Richards talk about Sydney Swans’ chances to repeat as Aussie Rules champions next year.

One regular at the BCCT evenings is Katoen Natie, very ably represented by both Alain Durwardaer and Jimmy Howard. Another regular attendee is AA Insurance, with both Peter Smith and the delightful Chanakarn (Lek) Trakarnpanya there to answer any questions. One man who normally asks the questions was Tirachart Charuvastra who was there with his red haired wife (it comes from the red wine, she assured me), from Sukhothai Associates Inter Law.

The British Embassy in Bangkok’s Director of Trade and Investment Steve Buckley (right), acknowledges to Dr Iain Corness (center) in a Pattaya Mail on TV interview how important the Eastern Seaboard is, as far as Thailand’s manufacturing base is concerned. Keith Wilson (left), managing director of Water Engineered Technologies (Thailand) Ltd., agrees.

Another newcomer was Robert Thompson who has just taken over the reins of the environmentally friendly electric vehicle company Ecobrand. The answer to the escalating fuel prices is in electric vehicles, he says, with his company manufacturing a range from mobility machines for the handicapped, right through some great looking scooters and mountain bikes.

Evening sponsor Etihad Airways’ local Sales and Marketing Manager Chaiyavut (Billy) Chomsakorn was on hand with his team and personally welcomed everyone to the event, making it a great start.

James Saville from the Asian University was there with two delightful sisters (and not the religious kind) from Canada who are studying here. They said that by studying at the Asian University they could combine their education with the experience of living in a foreign country. Smart girls! That’s why they’re here!

Paul Wilkinson of Four Winds, the mover and shaker in his new Mitsubishi Triton, was seen moving and shaking hands all evening, as was the executive director of the BCCT, Greg Watkins and local representative Graham Macdonald.

The automotive sector from the Eastern Seaboard was also present with George Strampp and TRW head Dham Dhamodharan (“Just call me Damn”) being the principal jokers of the evening.

With around 80 attendees, it was once again a very successful evening, and thanks go out again to the sponsors Etihad Airways and Shenanigans.

Miss International Queen 2005 visits Pattaya Mail

Suchada Tupchai

Miss International Queen 2005, Mimi Marks, visited the offices of Pattaya Mail as a gesture of thanks for the publication’s help in sponsoring the transsexual beauty contest at which she won her title last month.

Pratheep received a thank you basket of flowers from Tiffany’s Show, presented by Mimi Marks and Alisa Phanthusak whilst Marlow (left) and Prince (2nd right) look on.

Pratheep Malhotra, managing director of Pattaya Mail Publishing Co., Ltd. welcomed Mimi and the Tiffany’s team, led by Alisa Phanthusak, Assistant MD of the Tiffany’s Show.

Mimi was given a guided tour of the various departments and the visit included an interview with Pattaya Mail on TV.

Mimi won the Miss International Queen title on October 29 at the Tiffany Theater. There were 18 competitors from 10 countries. She said that the award and celebrity status that comes with the title would help her to be an ambassador for transsexuals.

Paul interviews Mimi for the Pattaya Mail on TV.

Mimi is delighted as Tony Malhotra displays the coverage of
the event in the Pattaya Mail.

(Left) Whilst in the graphics department,
Mimi was impressed with the computer image of the great background made for the stage.