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Fundraiser on top of the town
Elfi Seitz
Guests at the fellowship party organized at the
restaurant on the very top of the Mark-Land Hotel by the Rotary Club Taksin
Pattaya outnumbered the estimates by two to one, requiring some fancy
footwork over the seating. Those arriving were not only members of all the
Rotary Clubs in Pattaya but from other organizations too, including the
YWCA.
20,000
baht was raised through the sale of paintings during the event.
Since so many people came, some of the guests had to sit
inside the air-conditioned room, communicating only by eye contact with the
lucky people outside on the terrace enjoying the cool sea breezes.
Unlike many other fellowship parties this was not a
buffet but a four-course set menu, served by the polite waiters. Beer and
wine, all sponsored, helped to entertain and leave the guests in a good mood
for the auction of a few paintings. At the end of the event the sum of
20,000 baht filled the club’s cashbox.
President of the Rotary Club Taksin Pattaya, Stephan Heynert and his vice
president Dieter Pr้court once again showed their talent in organizing
nice events and most of all bringing people together in friendship.
Respectful Remembrance
On November 13, members of the expat community along with
local residents met at St. George’s Chapel in the grounds of the Redemptorist
Center to take part in a Remembrance Ceremony for all who have died as a result
of warfare and terrorism. This took place to coincide with similar ceremonies
around the world on the Sunday nearest Armistice Day November 11th.
 Roger
Fox played The Last Post and Reveille to signal the two minutes silence and
return to service.
The ceremony, the first occasion this has taken place at the
Redemptorist Center, was produced from the newly rewritten Remembrance Day
Service created by the multi-faith group and Christians Together. It was devised
and worded in such a way that those of varying beliefs, and none, could stand
side by side in respectful silence to remember those who had died.
 The
Revd. Allan D. Sherratt was presiding minister at the ceremony.
The ceremony was led by the Revd. Allan D. Sherratt as
presiding minister. Ministers from the Pattaya International Church and Victory
Family Church read words from Scripture and prayer. Words from the Koran and
Jewish Scriptures were also read by members of the congregation.
The American Veterans of Foreign Wars were represented and
Roger Fox played The Last Post and Reveille to signal the two minutes silence
and return to service.
Members of the congregation came to light candles, say
prayers, and make their own remembrances known in private during the service.
Fr. Allan spoke of the on-going work of the Royal British
Legion to the extent of some 54 million British pounds a year. He spoke also of
the continuing need to remember the contribution made by the many who have given
their lives in conflicts around the world and the commitment of the present
generation to seek peace and peaceful settlements to the conflicts that still
exist. He spoke movingly about a young chorister at the Royal Albert Hall
Festival of Remembrance in London who through a simple poppy petal landing on
his service sheet came to realise the meaning of the festival; “For your
tomorrow we gave our today”.
The service concluded with a reading of John McCrae’s
“Flanders Fields” written in 1915 and from where the wearing of a red poppy
originated.
A regular English Communion service is held at St. George’s every Sunday at
3 p.m. – everyone is welcome. Further details from Thor Halland – leader of
the congregation – [email protected] or the Priest in Charge – Revd.
Fr. Allan D. Sherratt allandff@ yahoo.co.uk.
PILC enjoy first coffee morning at Sheraton Pattaya
Gillian Thom
Maybe it was the chance to have a look at one of Pattaya’s
newest luxury hotels, or maybe it was because most of the members have now
returned from their summer sojourns, but there was a record number of attendees
of 86 members at the Pattaya International Ladies Club’s first visit to the
Pattaya Sheraton Resort for their monthly coffee morning.
 Maggie
Counihan arrives in style!
Sharon Tibbitts was delighted to welcome many new and old
members to the function (including Maggie Counihan arriving by motorbike taxi),
and warmly thanked the staff and management of the hotel for their hospitality.
The magnificent new hotel, nestled between the Royal Cliff
Garden Suites and PEACH, with gorgeous rooms and beautiful landscaped gardens,
has one of the best views in Pattaya across the water to surrounding islands.
The modern Thai-Bali style d้cor enhances the relaxed atmosphere and
several members of the group enjoyed a tour of the rooms and facilities.
President Sharon Tibbitts brought the members up to date and
reminded them of the forthcoming Gala Ball, one of the main fundraising events
of the year. The ladies can also look forward to a full programme of social
activities in 2006, including a sailing trip from Ocean Marina, a Quiz Night at
the end of January, and a combined golf and wine-tasting weekend in February.
The coffee mornings form one of the club’s bi-monthly get-togethers, and
are a good way of meeting up with new and old friends alike. Anyone wanting to
join the group, or who would like more information about its various activities,
should telephone President Sharon Tibbitts on 06 0956928 or Vice-President
Avninder Khanijou on 038-374-303.
New “Flossify”
At a recent Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club at
Henry J. Bean’s Restaurant, Stuart Saunders, the “Floss Man” presented his
video “Floss for Your Health”. He stressed the fact that we are living so
much longer than people did 100, or even 50 years ago, that proper tooth care
will enable the individual to better enjoy these additional years.
 Stuart
Saunders, the “Floss Man”, outlines some of the many benefits of flossing.
His recommended schedule for best tooth care is flossing in
the evening, after the last meal, followed by brushing the teeth, usually with
fluoride toothpaste. The result, he suggests, is that you will wake up with a
neutral taste in your mouth, have less chance of bad breath, fewer cavities, and
longer use of your natural teeth.
Can flossing aid dieting? Stuart said that this might be
possible in two ways - when the mouth is very clean, the taste buds regain their
sensitivity - that’s why plain water can taste so much better after cleaning
your teeth, and hunger and thirst may be satisfied by eating lighter foods.
Also, if time has been invested in getting your teeth clean
in the evening, and there is a clean feeling in your mouth, it may be easier to
resist an additional snack before going to bed.
Stuart’s Floss First Company makes the 50 meter floss cards
with advertising, to be used as handouts for businesses, and as a sales item at
check out counters, etc. For more information, email Stuart Saunders at sds@
esdesign.org, or call him at 06-138-8654.
For more information about flossing visit: http://www.
flossfirst.com/floss/index.html
For more information about the weekly Sunday meetings and
mid-week activities of the Pattaya City Expats Club go to www.pattayacityexpats
club.com
ThaiCraft sale to feature “Tsunami Recovery”
Saturday, November 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Place: Ambassador Hotel Bangkok (3rd Fl, Tower Wing),
Sukhumvit Road Soi 11 (BTS: Nana, exit 3).
This is the last ThaiCraft Sale of the year that will take
place at the Ambassador Hotel and for this, there will be a full range of
attractive, quality crafts, both traditional and modern. On show will be
products coming direct from the villages of artisans in all corners of the Thai
Kingdom – all at reasonable and fair prices.
This is an ideal opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for
your loved ones and friends – and for yourself. At the same time, you will
directly support village artisans to maintain a living for their families. Gifts
bought at ThaiCraft come with an extra meaning that really cares.
Exactly eleven months since the tsunami, this ThaiCraft Sale
will focus on the “Spirit”, “Hope” and “Renewal” of the survivors as
they prepare for the first anniversary of the fateful wave that changed their
lives. A large variety of arts and crafts that have sprung from this adversity
will be on display and for sale from more than half a dozen groups and
individuals in areas in Phang-gna and Ranong provinces which were most hard it.
Survivors and others working with them in recovery will be on hand to tell their
stories.
Crafts include silver jewelry, silk and cotton accessories,
home furnishings, table and kitchen ware, gift items, herbal soaps and lotions,
basketry of all kinds, toys, decorations, cards, and more. For more info, visit
the website:www.thaicraft.org
Tom-tom playing is a hit with the elderly
Chatchanan Chaisree
Trainer
Subin demonstrates to the members how to play the tom-tom.
Tom-tom beats coming out from Kritsanachan Hall in the
Apakorn Kiatwong Hospital Club, Sattahip, attracted passers-by. It was not
necessarily a sound you would associate with the Elderly Club. But as Pattaya
Mail discovered, members here have something a little different in the
way of activities.
 Subin
teaches the tom-tom dance.
Thongphoon Supasaeree, branch chairman of the Thailand
Elderly Assembly, said there is a total of 60 clubs in Chonburi province and
consequently a wide range of activities is undertaken. These include
exercises such as aerobics and dancing, and there are competitions at
district and provincial level every year.
Thai cultural activities are also part of the program,
and this includes learning musical instruments and tom-toms. The elderly do
in fact play at festivals, and club members took part most recently in the
Loy Krathong Festival in Sattahip.
Instructor Subin trains the elderly at Apakorn Kiatwong
Hospital Club, and it has become one of the most popular activities amongst
members.
Interested people wishing to contact the club about tom-tom performances
can call 06-5242437 on any day.
The
elderly pay great attention to detail.
Getting off drugs is a matter of Evolution with Royal Navy schooling
Chatchanan Chaisree
Question: What is an Evolution School? Answer: It is a drug
treatment center devised by the Royal Navy that doesn’t have strict control
but uses treatment methods blended with military rules to fast-track habitual
offenders and get them back into society.
 Trainers
closely look after the students.
The Navy has three of these schools: Evolution School 1 is
located at the New Marine Training Center, Evolution School 2 is at the Air
Force Fighter and Coast Guard, and Evolution School 3 is at the Firearm
Department, Marine Command Center.
Pattaya Mail visited School 2, at the Air Force Fighter
and Coast Guard, where Captain Jongkol Meesawat is the director.
 The
chief student prepares to call friends to speak in front of the class.
Senior Lieutenant Sansern Ritchaengthong and Warrant Officer
Jirawat Banpathep, both tutors at the school, said that all the students have
passed through the legal system, beginning with police arrest, 45 days of
behavior probation, and a court decision.
The school trains the students for physical and spiritual
readiness in 17 weeks. At present there are 250 students under the Evolution
School’s supervision. They are divided into a group of 50 students for one
house per eight trainers. They have physical, spiritual, living in society and
occupational training.
Our reporter spoke with Mana Sor, a former ya ba consumer who had just
arrived at the Evolution School for treatment. He said sometimes he wanted to go
back home and play takraw and football with his friends. He wanted to convey a
message to his drug consumer friends in Lad Phrao: cut out drugs and play sports
instead, he urged.
The students
behave like marines while they eat.
Letting the
students say what they have in their minds.
Autumn in Jomtien concert
“This evening has not the pretension of a concert. We prefer
to call it a musical evening. A gathering with friends and music lovers who,
apart from beach life and the wonderful Thai cuisine, sometimes enjoy the beauty
of art and music.”
The
Sea Breeze – from left, Sue - Pattaya Mail, Kim – Casa Pascal, Pat
Burbridge, Rattana Rani, Ursula Rothstein, and John Mostard.
This was the introduction made by Dutch ex-pat and pianist
Ben Hansen for 45 guests at his home in the Jomtien area. On November 18 his
audience listened to songs from the 20th century from composers like Leonard
Bernstein, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Andrew Lloyd Webber and others.
 Barry
Pethig
Presented by their host, a variety of singers gladdened the
audience with their vocal contributions. Amongst them British ex-pat Barry
Pethig, with “I could have danced all night” from My Fair Lady. What a
volume this man has! Another Britton, Roger Farman touched a full house with his
velvet voice and romantic songs like “Here is to life”.
Under the inspiring leadership of Dutch ex-pat John Mostard,
“The Seabreeze Group” brought many-voiced songs and received a standing
ovation for “I’d like to teach the world to sing”.
The happy faces of singing ex-pat ladies included Pat
Burbridge, Ursula Rothstein, Sue from Pattaya Mail, Rattana Rani, and Kim
of Casa Pascal. German ex-pat jazz-singer Monika Rottmann concluded the evening
with lovely jazz standards like “Misty”, “Summertime”, “Mack the
Knife”, and suitable for this event, “Falling leaves” followed by an
encore: “Lili Marleen”.
Ben is considering a second concert in December as he had to
disappoint many people who wanted to attend this rare event.
He emphasized in his introduction: “We are not
professionals and it is not our pretension to be so.” That might be the case,
but watching this show and seeing the passionate way of making music together,
delighted those present.
During intervals drinks and a buffet were provided. It was, indeed, an
elegant and swellegent evening.
Ben Hansen
Roger Farman
Monika
Rottmann
Perfect performance
At a recent meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club Abdoul,
the performers’ manager and stage manager of the Royal London Circus, and Paul
Lee, the producer of the show, were welcomed by MC Allan Sherratt. As there are
three performances at the circus on a Sunday, those taking part have to be on
hand to “warm up” by mid day so the members were pleased that some of the
performers had agreed to come and show their skills at the meeting.
The
Shandong Acrobatic Troupe from China amazed everyone with their “Madhatter”
routine.
The Shandong Acrobatic Troupe from China first amazed
everyone with their “Madhatter” routine and later with the skills at balance
and co-ordination. Karima and Mirat from Kazakhstan were also amazing with their
sense of balance and musical co-ordination. They amazed the members with their
agility and sense of fun while performing some very complex balancing acts in
the limited performing area at Henry J. Beans. Their brief performances brought
loud applause from the audience, reflecting the amazement with which the members
viewed them.
Members were convinced that the full performance’s at the Circus’ Big Top
Tent has to be seen. Shows take place on 3rd Road every night. The PCEC cannot
guarantee every meeting of the club will have such pleasurable performances but
they have met every Sunday at the Amari Orchid Resort for over 4 years. Meetings
start at 10.30 in Henry J. Bean’s with buffet breakfast available from 9.30.
More details at www. pattyacityexpatsclub.com
Karima and
Mirat from Kazakhstan were amazing with their sense of balance and musical
co-ordination.
The Shandong
Acrobatic Troupe from China showed incredible balance and co-ordination skills.
D-Day Approaches
Tuesday the 29th of November 2005 heralds the staging of the
second annual Jaidee Appeal JW Drunkatholon fundraiser in support of the
Camillian Centre, Rayong.
The Jaidee Appeal is an initiative launched on the 31st of December 2001 under
the http://www.bahtbus.com umbrella to help the children orphaned by and/or born
with HIV who live under Father Giovanni Contarin’s care.
100% of all monies raised go in toto to the Centre; to date over one million
baht has been raised.
Last year the event raised 103,000 baht; this year our sights are set on at
least doubling that figure.
Whilst the title ‘Drunkatholon’ may conjure up visions of people behaving
badly by over indulging, this is far from the reality. The title actually
reflects the light hearted nature of the event, although it would be true to say
that some participants may well in fact seek refuge in the occasional can of
amber nectar to take their minds off their lack of ability in the four
‘sporting’ activities, which include: 8 ball pool, 9 holes of golf, 10 pin
bowling and a darts competition.
This year’s Jaidee Appeal JW Drunkatholon is dedicated to the memory of Aom, a
young Thai lady who sadly lost her battle with the unforgiving HIV/AIDS syndrome
in September of this year.
The format of the event is as follows:
9.30 am Meet at the Navy 9 hole golf course, Bang Saray for a 10 a.m. tee off.
Directions from Pattaya: Go south along the Sukhumvit Highway to the 167 km
marker and turn right into the Navy compound. The Golf Course is situated 200m
from the main gate on the right. The dress code prohibits jeans and shirts must
have a collar.
1.00 pm. Bangsaray Club for lunch and refreshments.
Shower facilities will be available as well as use of the swimming pool.
3.00 pm Ten Pin Bowling at Soi Zero, Pattaya Second Rd
5.00 pm The Harley Pub, Eden Hotel Complex Soi 17
The pool and darts competitions will be held at the Harley Pub and a buffet will
be laid on courtesy of the Master Butcher, Wayne Harper of Western Foods.
Father Giovanni will be in attendance for the evening festivities and will close
the day by presenting prizes to the winners.
A minibus service will be available with individual hotel or home pick up, and
will also be on hand to return you safely home at the end of the evening.
The event promises to be a great day out and full of fun as we raise money to
help the unfortunates dealt such a cruel hand in life. All are welcome to
‘compete’ (in the loosest sense of the word!) so please let us know as soon
as possible if you plan to participate.
For those who may be unable to attend the full day, please feel free to join us
at The Harley Pub in the evening as you will be most welcome.
For further details on the event, to arrange minibus pick up or for any other
enquiries, please e-mail: bahtbus @csloxinfo.com
If you are unable to attend on the 29th but would like to make a donation
directly to the Camillian Centre (from within Thailand or anywhere in the world)
to help kids please go to http://www.bahtbus.com
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