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‘Sensual Moments’ - Pattaya enjoys unique visual art exhibition
Caroline Brown’s solo exhibition, ‘Sensual Moments’, is
currently on display at the Gallery Opium, Pattaya’s premier showcase
venue for leading artists.
It could be the first of its kind to be encountered, locally, here in
Thailand.
At the vernissage, last Saturday, all who attended welcomed the original
contemporary visual work recognising the artist’s true diverse potential.
 Caroline
Brown’s solo exhibition, ‘Sensual Moments’, is currently on display at the
Gallery Opium.
The unique pieces within the body of ‘Sensual Moments’ are the creations
of established British artist Caroline Brown whose techniques and style
have taken many years to develop.
Imaginative drawings combined with mixed media drawings, painting,
sculptured 3D drawings and photographic works fuse together in a seamless,
cohesive journey of visual stimulation. Intended to evoke the individual’s
thoughts, the imaginative formulations present themselves in a variety of
modes. Architectural forms blend, homogeneously, with influences and
references drawn from tree life and the human body form.
Imaginatively drawn trees, sunsets, dancing figures and architectural
pieces interplay to create a continuous dialogue describing the thematic
completeness. The sequence and arrangements, directed personally by
Caroline, underpin her natural solid approach to the importance and
essence of evocative visual art and display.
Gallery Opium’s exhibition space naturally complements and supports
imaginative and sensitive visual work of this genre.
The visual art genre is, to say the least; awkward to define precisely and
perhaps the easiest way, to give an indication, Caroline describes what
visual art is not or can be.
Painted portraits could never be classified as visual art. Generic “Old
Masters”, landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes would be problematic to
include as visual art. Artists working with a constant media would also
have their work cut out breaking into visual art - not impossible but
quite difficult to conceive and execute.
Photography is another tricky genre but can be used effectively if the
visual artist has good insight. Video and installation art is, invariably,
visual art but requires solid direction and a good foundation. All visual
art should have a base and consequently show a progression of research,
thought and development. It can be very experimental and conceptual in
nature, which makes it an exciting and adventurous concept.
The qualities of visual art are admirably demonstrated in Caroline’s
‘Sensual Moments’ where technique and style collide with linkage and
development.
For a true visual experience visit Gallery Opium, Thepprasit Road, enjoy
the work and take in the unique ambience.
The ‘Sunset’ series is a ‘must see’ and is admirably supported by pieces
such as ‘Sea View’, which have all been referred to as pieces that move
sensually and visually.
‘Echo 1, 2 and 3’, mixed media pieces, demonstrate a unique sensitivity in
execution.
The ‘Turbine Hall’ series of drawings, executed in a linear concept
combine a technically imaginative style with draughtsmanship qualities. We
are informed that these pieces are the result of Caroline’s detailed
research of the Bankside Power Station, which is now, as we know it, the
Tate Modern Gallery sited on the South Bank, London. She accessed archive
material and researched the history in order to visualise the hall space
before it was transformed into a very powerful exhibiting area. Her images
convey power, engineering and the presence of space, whereas, in contrast
(but a natural development from the series) ‘Turbine Hall – Meditation’,
is a monochromatic 3D sculptured drawing, yielding a contemplative and
tranquil linear geometric scenario.
The work brought together in this exhibition flows like an effortless
convincing conversation.
Caroline will be the first to admit that it has taken a long time to reach
this point in her work, where, as a developing artist, she perceives that
the language of the artist is transferred, visually, becoming the language
of the pieces. She hopes that you will enjoy the visual communication
between yourself, her and her work.
Caroline’s ‘Sensual Moments’ exhibition continues at the Gallery Opium
through to February 12th 2006.
Boffins and buffins at the PILC Quiz Night at Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa
Gillian Thom
Pattaya International Ladies Club held another of its popular Quiz
Nights recently, and the event was again generously sponsored by the Pattaya
Marriott Resort & Spa and Four Winds International Movers.
This time, more than 100 contestants (a record!) got down and dirty with
several rounds of taxing questions, all aimed at this most international
group. The Marriott again provided an informal English pub buffet and then
it was into the competition itself.
Gillian Thom, assisted by husband Andy (who had flown in from a business
meeting in Korea earlier in the day) and new PILC member, Susan Farrar,
helped to organize the tables and keep some semblance of control, and Helle
Rantsen and her team of helpers from the Rayong Ladies Club held sway at the
door to meet and greet the arrivals.
 Carefully
tabulating the scores and keeping everyone informed.
This is the second such event for PILC, and an opportunity to bring along
husbands and friends and enjoy a great night out. There were 18 teams in
all, and despite a strong showing from the defending champions, Six Winds,
we had a new overall winner in the Sanz team who pipped the post with a one
point lead!
Helle also relinquished her Wooden Spoon trophy to another winner, the aptly
named Victorious team, and it’s hoped that everyone will return to defend
their hard-won titles again at the next event.
The Pattaya Marriott generously provided some excellent prizes for the
winner, and thanks go to Orawan and Bantika of the hotel for all their hard
work on the night. With the Marriott sponsorship, and that of Four Winds
International Movers, plus door monies and other donations, we were able to
swell the charity coffers by over THB 70,000. Well done, ladies – and here’s
to the next time!
Helle and her team
relinquished the Wooden Spoon trophy.
Hey! We got it right!
Pattaya Mail and friends’
wheels are churning as they try to figure out the right answer.
Students display their skills at Pattaya Education Day
Event has changed greatly over 18 years, says mayor
Narisa Nitikarn
Pattaya celebrated its 18th Pattaya Education Day on January 20, with a
display and shows at the entrance to Soi 4 Beach Road.
The 10 schools under the jurisdiction of city hall put on performances, with
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn presiding over the opening ceremony and
members of the city council and other organizations in attendance.
 Students
from Pattaya School #10 show off their music talents.
The concept of the event was OSAPS (One School And Product Sale), which
placed the sale of products made by the students alongside the academic
achievements of the schools.
In his opening speech Mayor Niran said Pattaya Education Day is just one of
a number of events which gives students the chance to excel outside the
classroom. The event has changed a lot from its original concept and the
main thing achieved through participation is unity. The shows presented by
the students are part academic and part application, so that students can
both learn and show their skills at the same time.
The shows by the schools were each unique in their own way. Pattaya School
#3 had their students taught by hotel employees to instill a love for the
service industry, as Pattaya is a tourism city and once students complete
their training they will be prepared to work in the service industry.
Pattaya School #2 stuck to the theme of His Majesty the King’s sustainable
economy by planting chemical-free vegetables, while Pattaya School #7
recycled waste materials, turning them into creations.
The students also put on dance to music performances that added color to the
event. Crowds of tourists came along to watch, as the students played both
Thai and international instruments.
Youngsters display their
modern dance skills.
Students perform traditional
Thai dance at the 18th Pattaya Education Day on January 20.
Tourists took advantage of the
services, like fingernail painting, being provided by the students.
Intercultural understanding and tourism
by Sue K
It’s only months away before the 67th Skål World Congress takes place in
Pattaya, when we expect thousands of delegates and their families to visit,
attend to their businesses, reside and enjoy our resort city. In the
meantime, high tourist season for this year has started. Hundreds of
thousands of western tourists are either already here, or on their way with
their hard earned savings, to get away for a few months from their cold
environment and enjoy the warm sunny weather and friendly people.
Every year city and business people get ready for this fiscal period. Every
year tourists leave with good and bad impressions.
Those who are treated nicely will talk good things about us, and those not,
will not only take their money elsewhere next year, but also spread words
around. “Thailand is good and cheap, and people are nice, but…”
Satisfied customers will tell only a handful of people of their experience,
but will talk to anybody they meet of their bad experience, and the
multiplication of information goes on.
People tend to remember a warning more than a recommendation, and word of
mouth is always more sought after than advertisements.
During my trip to Europe in 2005, besides appreciating beautiful places in
Austria and Germany, I also visited many of my old friends who either have
lived in Thailand, toured here, or have come here for business. Some keep
coming back and some not. How do they really feel about our country and us?
Here are some candid and honest answers to my questions as to what they like
or do not like about Thailand and Pattaya. What they thought Thais could
learn from Europeans and vice versa, and what would be the factors to bring
them back or prevent them from coming back. Take a look:
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Frieder Weiler from Germany
Frieder Weiler was a German advisor in Industrial
Electronics at the Thai-German Institute from 1998-2004 and is now a
teacher in Electronics at the Werner-von-Siemens College in Frankfurt:
 “Actually
I like Thailand very much, except Pattaya. Although the location with
the beaches is very nice, the city is really spoiled due to the sex
tourism - as we all now.
Thailand is a very nice country with a lot of beaches, exciting
countryside and in general very friendly people. When I smile to the
people, they smile back. They supported me whenever necessary and
possible. I appreciate the Buddhist culture because I am very close to
this philosophy. I can appreciate the ‘the losing face culture’, because
it is a great consideration of other people feelings, even though
sometimes it is a disadvantage; for example at school, where the
students do not ask questions because of that culture.
We Germans can learn a lot from the Buddhist philosophy, and I sincerely
hope that the Thai people do not forget it while they are developing the
country to an industrial nation.
What can Thai people learn from us? We have done at TGI and GTZ what
other organisations and institutes are still doing – systematic
technical and research-oriented thinking, planning and organizing.
However, to expect the Thais to copy our system totally is also scary. I
always argued that Thailand should learn from our mistakes and install
an enhanced system, economically and technically, otherwise you will
also adopt the problems we had and still have to face here.
I do no like is the gap between the poor and rich people in Thailand. I
also do not like that women have very little chance to get alimony from
their divorced husbands or from the father of their children when they
are not married, which drives so many poor young girls to earn money in
the bars.
As a tourist nothing could prevent me from going to Thailand again,
which I consider to be my second home country.”
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Peter Held from Germany
Peter has been to Thailand several times on business trips
on Communication System missions at the new Suvarnabhumi airport (in
2003-4):
 “The
first thing that comes to mind is that Thailand is a very enjoyable
country for traveling. Thailand offers a variety that few other countries
can compete with: beaches, national parks, the islands, the northern
region, the culture and the cities. Yes, although Bangkok is a monster, it
is interesting for a middle-European to visit. People are friendly, there
is little crime, little rip-off, it is clean, and buses are on time.
Perhaps Thais do not consider the whole picture, don’t think enough about
the consequences of what they are doing. It appears to me that Thais
sometimes tend to cure the symptom, not the reason behind.
On the other hand, Germans often take things too seriously; want to find
the perfect, everlasting solution for any problem. Germans did not invent
the term “Take it easy”. Here we really could learn something.
There is nothing that would prevent me from coming back to Thailand,
except as in all other countries; the outbreak of riots, diseases, or
terrorist attacks like on Bali.” |
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Alex and Lotte Pilz from Germany
Alex and Lotte Pilz, CEO of Syslab.com GmbH Munich, spent two weeks
holiday in Pattaya in 2005:
 “We
definitely liked the politeness of Thai people. Though people say its not
always coming from their true feeling, it sure makes life easier.
Pattaya is a bit too crowded but we could also have gone to the
countryside for an alternative.
In the service industry, Thai people should learn to take criticism as
something natural, and not take it personally.
On the other hand, German people are used to criticising everything to get
things done, even at times when there is not much to criticise about.
Therefore, being more polite as the Thais could help us a lot to get along
better with each other, and regain a community where people look out for
each other. We have become quite anonymous.
Though it’s a bit too hot and humid in Pattaya for us, we could always
just pick another time of year to visit again, because we do like the
politeness of the people, the good weather, and peaceful times there.”
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Sonja and Franz Straud from Austria
Sonja and Franz Straud from Austria were in Thailand 3 times between 1995
and 2004:
 “Our
main reason for going to Thailand was to visit my brother, Andy, who
worked for the Pattaya Mail for more than 10 years. Thailand is a paradise
for shopping. We liked Koh Samui and Chiang Mai best. They are quiet, and
have nice climates. On the other hand, Bangkok pollution was bad.
Pattaya is noisy and chaotic. The road traffic and condition of cars on
the road are bad. Garbage is burnt in the open. This is unthinkable for
Europeans. One thing Thais might want to learn from Europeans is the
protection of the environment and health system, while Austrians can also
learn from Thais in ways of eating healthier food, and to be more relaxed
and friendly. On the other hand, though Thai people are friendly, I am not
very convinced that all that is true.” |
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Hubertus and Liesel Kabierschke from
Germany
Hubertus Kabierschke, a retired police officer from Bremen and his wife,
Liesel have been coming to Pattaya for the last three winters, and are on
their way here again:
“We like the friendly people in Thailand, the nice weather, sunshine,
fairness, delicious fruits, and the nice areas. Thai people are very
hospitable and respect their elderly. They are not so stressed, and are
well composed. Pattaya has good shops and prices are cheap.
 The
downside of the city is the chaotic traffic, which results in such a waste
of gas from cars. It is also dusty and we saw waste everywhere.
Another sad story we hear often is that men and their lack of
responsibilities towards their wives and children. The state must have
better social law on this. This is such degradation of humanity.” |
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So you see, human rights issues do matter, even in
tourism.
Besides planting more trees on the beach road and hopefully trying to
solve the baht bus problem, waste management, water shortage, and many
others, we should also look deeper at analyses our guests take back home
with them, especially when they see dogs are being kicked and tortured and
women and children are abused here in this Buddhist country.
We spend a fortune every year on marketing and public relations to present
great images abroad: beautiful clean beaches, happy people, smiling
children, Buddhism and its profound philosophy of compassion.
How about if we ourselves take a closer look at these photogenic postcard
pictures and really start understanding our own culture and living the
role we portray? It is evident that our guests do not just care about how
they are treated, but also how we treat our own people.
Pattaya has come a long way from being a small fishing village with a
simple lifestyle. It has now developed into a major tourist destination
and an international business hub. While we continue to reap the benefits
of the growth selfishly, we should also consider and take care of the true
sources that truly charm our visitors, namely the environment and the
livelihood of the ordinary people.
Whether we like it or not, progress and success come with a price and huge
responsibilities; responsibility to deliver to our guests what we project
ourselves out to be, and the responsibility to give back to our own people
what they deserve.
Besides, the worst thing one can do to the hospitality business is to
underestimate the visitors’ intelligence and feelings. |
Pattaya voted Best Travel Destination in South East Asia
Skål forges ahead in preparation for the world Congress
Skål Correspondent
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn welcomed Skålleagues to city hall last
Tuesday for an update of preparations and plans for the organization of the
67th Skål World Congress, which is to be held in Pattaya on October 15-20
this year.
Heading the delegation was Panga Vathanakul, vice chairperson of the
Congress Organising Committee.
 Mayor
Niran Watthanasartsathorn gives valuable advice.
Members of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, headed by VP
Jamroon Wisawachaiphan, Sinchai Watthanasartsathorn and Suwanna
Supachartkraisorn joined the meeting to show solidarity for the good work
being done for the benefit of tourism to Pattaya.
Panga announced to the gathering that she had received word that at the
Moscow International Travel & Tourism Show (MITT) in Russia recently,
Pattaya was declared the Best Travel Destination in South East Asia and will
receive the ‘Star of Travel RU Award’. This prestigious prize is awarded by
an independent travel organization, the Star of Travel Ru in Russia, which
organizes the poll through the internet.
 Panga
Vathanakul assures the meeting that preparations are going as planned.
She added, “The Pattaya Business & Tourism Association is planning to send a
delegation on a marketing trip to Russia in March and it would be a great
opportunity for the mayor to travel to Russia to receive the award
personally.”
On matters of Skål, Panga gave an update of the preparations of the World
Congress, saying that the organizing committee is meeting more frequently to
scrutinize into every detail.
Paisan Bundityanond, member of the organizing committee, informed the mayor
that Jim Power, secretary general of Skål International, and Daniel Cervera,
congress coordinator would be arriving early next month for a site
inspection of the various facilities in Pattaya. A reception is being
planned for the VIPs, which will be hosted by the city. Businesses and
residents from the various businesses in Pattaya will be invited to this
function so that they may learn first hand of the importance of this
congress and help play a part in its success. A press conference will also
be held at the Tourism Authority of Thailand offices in Bangkok to launch
this world-class event.
Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra, congress director of public relations said, “Skål
has been quite active worldwide since 1932 and this year Skål will celebrate
the 50th anniversary of its establishment in Thailand. This was one of the
motivations for bringing the congress to Pattaya and making this gathering
of the top people in the travel and tourism business even more meaningful.”
 Paisan
Bundityanond: “Everyone in Pattaya has an important role to play.”
Peter went on to say, “Our visiting delegates to the congress should not be
considered as just regular tourists but, because of their positions in the
travel and tourism businesses, they are buyers and will be vital in bringing
the messages back to their companies, convincing them to help sell tours and
travel to our country. Plans have been set to begin a concerted effort to
invite as many Skålleagues as possible to attend the congress in Pattaya
next October. This is best achieved by attending many Skål meetings and
functions in foreign countries to promote our congress.”
Mayor Niran promised to look into the matter and pledged his support to the
Skål movement by ensuring the Skålleagues that Pattaya will be ready both in
terms of infrastructure and beautification in time to receive the
distinguished ‘Professionals in Tourism’.
Peter Malhotra: “A concerted
effort to promote the congress is set in motion.”
The mayor, members of the PBTA
and Skålleagues at the press conference.
PSC, Jesters and PILC join forces
to help those most vulnerable in any society
Helle Rantsen
PILC Welfare chairperson
Saturday, January 28 was a day that all the involved clubs and all the
involved persons, Bernie and Jerry from PSC, Woody from Jesters Care for
kids, Helle and Sharon from PILC, had been looking forward to.
PILC President Sharon
Tibbitts (right) and others inspect the new washroom facilities at the
shelter.
It was the day for the grand opening of the Chonburi Emergency Shelter and
canteen and what a grand opening it was. So well organised by the
hardworking staff at the shelter - nothing was missing.
When Helle (PILC welfare chairperson) in May 2005 visited Pisit (director of
the Chonburi shelter) the first time and saw the living conditions of those
most in need of care and help, she knew right away who she would be emailing
that same night. Welfare chairperson Bernie from PSC and chairperson of
Jesters Care for Kids Woody.
One week later they all visited the shelter and witnessed the fact that
young pregnant girls - very often victims of rape or sexual abuse, children
of all ages with very troubled backgrounds, and elderly men and women picked
up from the streets - were all living together in a one room building. There
was no canteen facility for the sometimes up to 46 persons staying there at
the same time. It was very obvious to Helle, Bernie and Woody that they had
found yet another project which needed the assistance from all 3 clubs.
Pattaya Sports Club funded the building of the second Chonburi emergency
shelter, the biggest project ever funded by PSC. Funds were made variable at
the PSC’s last AGM in 2005. Jesters Care for Kids and PILC shared the cost
for building the much needed canteen.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 1, 2005 and the
buildings were finished and ready for use on November 10, 2005, as there was
no time to lose.
Today the staff has the privilege to separate the persons living in the
shelter, normally for a period of 3 months until more permanent solutions
can be found for them. The help and support from PSC, Jesters Care for Kids
and PILC was highly appreciated by the staff, the children, the elderly, the
young pregnant girls and the representatives from the welfare department in
Bangkok.
Benefactors and recipients
both are happy to see the new project finished and in use.
(L to R) Woody, Bernie, Gerry
and Dennis have a look at the newly finished dormitory.
The new canteen is a huge
improvement to the shelter.
Sharon and Helle, with the
help of friends, plant a tree at the shelter in the name of the Pattaya
International Ladies Club. All three clubs were similarly honored at the
shelter.
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