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A fabulous Pub Night at Jameson’s as the Jesters set a new charity drive record

Nirvana now - no waiting

Joint Foreign Chambers ascend towards Nirvana

Cornelia Bik - A “Royal” Celebration


A fabulous Pub Night at Jameson’s as the Jesters set a new charity drive record

Pub Night and game on, as guest of honor former Chonburi MP, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, with Jesters Charity Drive Chairman, Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood, cut the ribbon outside Jameson’s. Sister Jiemjit and Sister Joan from the Fountain of Life Center look happily on, while some of the many Jesters present stand escort.

Mike Franklin
The Jesters Pub Night and final event on the 2006 Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive did not disappoint as it had all the ingredients and meticulous planning to guarantee an enjoyable night for all. And what a fabulous evening, on Saturday 16th September, it turned out to be. This was the final fund-raising event and climax to this year’s Jesters Charity Drive, taking the 2006 charity fund to a staggering new record level of just over 6 million baht, generating new opportunities to help needy kids in the months ahead.
A week earlier, at the Diana Garden Resort & Driving Range, the Jesters Children’s Fair had made its contribution to the total, due to high attendance throughout the day, a successful Children’s Raffle, and a busy Jesters beer tent - thanks to the ‘Jesters Beer Friends’ (listed later) who donated all the beer.
Entertainer Mike Gerrard kick-started the evening at 6 p.m. with a one hour session of songs, impersonations and gags with the audience, to set the scene for the evening and get everyone in a party mood.
Nothing was left to chance about continuity during the evening, as renowned Radio DJs, Paul Jackson & Andy Francis from Bangkok, and local radio DJ Ricky Vaughan, were on hand with high-tech disco music and great sounds to set up Jameson’s Pub for the 2006 Jesters Pub Night.
The hour of 7.30 p.m. became especially significant when Erik Sorensen and Robert Jonasson arrived at the entrance to Jameson’s, having completed their amazing 417 km cycle ride from the Cambodian border. Obviously tired and relieved to be back, they were greeted with a cold pint, and were warmly received with admiration and gratitude for completing yet another sponsored marathon bicycle ride to raise a staggering 560,000 baht in sponsorship for the 2006 Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive.
The ride was endured over two days and they broke their own long distance record on the Friday first leg by covering 303 Km in the one day. Weather had been a big factor with floods and high winds forecast, necessitating careful timing of the stages and having to vary routes to avoid the problems. Robert, relating some of the experience, said there was a time around Rayong when the wind was so strong as to virtually prevent any forward movement at all.
His description of the final part of the ride from Chanthaburi to Pattaya sums it up. He said, “We had to think in stages. Chanthaburi to Klaeng, Klaeng to Rayong, Rayong to Ban Chang and finally, Ban Chang to Pattaya. If we had just had Pattaya in our minds as the destination, we would never have made it.” This was an outstanding achievement by two great athletes, committed every year to raise money for Jesters ‘Care for Kids’.
What a start to the Pub Night, and what a spectacular warm-up for the main events of the evening to come, the Grand Raffle and the Auction.
Guest of Honor for the evening was Chanyuth Hengtrakul, former Pattaya MP for Chonburi province, duly welcomed by Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood, JCD committee chairman. In response, Chanyuth spoke warmly about the hard work of the JCD organizing committee, recognizing what is being done for the children of the Eastern Seaboard. In the name of Chonburi province he said he was happy to support the work of the Jesters and other charity organizations.
During the DJ music sessions there were valuable trivia spot prizes (sponsored by Minor Food Group, Double A Logistics, Jesters and others) to be won throughout, while the serious business of selling Grand Raffle tickets got underway. Jesters Jeff, Norm and Scar led the sales drive with an impressive 260,000 baht being raised from the Grand Raffle ticket sales.
The Grand Raffle list featured many great prizes to be won, and the Auction offered around 36 lots, including sports memorabilia, jewelry, artifacts and other attractive items. Coordinating all this frantic activity were the lady honorary Jesters committee members Debbie Lightley (spot prizes & DJ liaison), Helle Rantzen (Grand Raffle organizer), Linden Phanpho and Karyn Walker (Auction lots), Ingrid Cunliffe and Brunhilde (wrapping and presentation of auction lots). Jester Poodle Pete was there to enthusiastically strut the lots while Eddy raised the bids. A lot of much appreciated hard work from them before and on the Pub Night, and at the Children’s Fair six days previous.
Eddy Henheffer (pronounced Heneffer), our professional Canadian auctioneer, volunteered his services for the fourth pub night in succession and worked tirelessly to sell off the long list of lots on offer, and that was a bit of a marathon in itself. He worked tirelessly to work the crowded and noisy bar and closed the sale at over 700,000 baht, with the top six lots raising over 400,000 baht!
The George Best shirt from generous Mike Axford topped the memorabilia bill going at 100,000 baht; Muhammad Ali signed and framed photographs at 65,000; the 1966 England World Cup set at 60,000 and the Joe Montana signed and cased football at 26,000. The two diamond rings from the Diamond Shop went for 50,000 each and the Ursula Antiques Chinese Cabinet raised 39,000. Grateful thanks to the principal donors of memorabilia and other lots. Namely, Mike Axford, Capt. Steve Ponter and Bill Ponter, Ursula and everyone else who donated items.
The Siam Country Club Golf Family membership, donated by Mark Garcia, topped the bill in the auction at 135,000 baht, successfully secured by the Murray Kerr family.
Such a wide range of auction lots is difficult to display for all to see, so Tony and Prince Malhotra with the PMTV crews set up a CCTV system to show the items as they came up on several of the many TV monitors around Jameson’s Pub. That facility also enabled live coverage of the evenings’ proceedings, and a looped screening of the PMTV two-part feature film shot at the Jesters Children’s Fair and being aired on PMTV.
There were so many prizes in the Grand Raffle that just the top 10 were drawn live. The remaining prizes were drawn and ticket numbers and winners displayed. A list of all winners is published here, and prizes can be claimed at Jameson’s with manager, Moo in the Nova Park executive office, as well as any unpaid auction items that can also be settled with her.
Jameson’s was busy, wall to wall with people generously supporting the Grand Raffle and bidding for the Auction lots from all parts of the bar. Manager Molly and the Jameson’s staff worked tirelessly and cheerfully to maintain the normal efficient service enjoyed at Jameson’s, with Landlord Kim’s ever watchful eye roving from the Nova table.
Lewis (Woody) Underwood, JCD chairman, duly acknowledged the support from all the sponsors, and the teamwork by the Jesters Charity Drive committee to take ‘Care for Kids’ to its 9th successful and record conclusion.
Looking back, the 5.4 million baht raised by the 2005 Jesters Charity Drive was impressive enough, and with another year of experience to build on, the committee teamwork and continuity of Jesters and ‘Honorary’ Jesters working together paid off. Add to that the support from the Charity Drive partners (Baltex, Jameson’s, the Diana Group and Pattaya Mail), sponsorship by 23 Platinum, 21 Gold, 21 Silver, 37 Bronze sponsors, & Pledge donations; Erik & Robert’s cycle ride from Cambodia, and the support from everyone who attended the Children’s Fair and Pub Night, the high expectation for 2006 was justified and, at the end of the night, finally rewarded. As, (subject to final confirmation), over 6 million baht has been raised this year. That opens the door for even more help to be given to the current beneficiaries, and new beneficiaries to be considered in the future, with new projects already on the drawing board.
And why will we be doing it again in 2007, the 10th Anniversary of the Jesters Charity Drive? Simply, to do what the Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ has set out to do from day one. To care for kids in need, make sure they have an identity, health care, an education and a future like the rest of us. With your continued help, the Jesters Charity Drive will do just that.


Jesters 2006 Charity Drive ‘Beer Friends’
Porn & Danie, Bjarne Neilson, Chris Oxley, John Wingnut, John (Gaggi), Dan Hastings, Monne, Brian Murray, Shelia/Rod Kelly, Thoce Pisoarson, Kim Karlsson, Karl Holm, Eric Hamlin, Pinky, Sweet Lou, Farbror, Tam Gerrard, Joe, Sam Phelps, Wally Pattaya Dream home, William Coyle, James, Jersay Quin, Kevin Moore/Nuiy/Sophi, Len Crocker, Geoff Evans, The Boys, Aek’s Liquor Store, Geoff/Yun Lloyd, Mike Evans, Terry Camel Bar, International Law office, Eric Pullen, Lars, Peter Goodman, John Siam Garden, Khun Kag, Mad Dog Peter, Mr No Name, Kaj & Friends, Charles Ducat, Mad Dog Cheesey, Neil Rothnay, Lawrence Lion Pub, Tag, Mad Dog Puff, Dave & Sylvia, Liberty Mansion, Jun Arnas, Mad Dog Steve, John Hutchison, Lat, Mike Feaver, Mad Dog Tom, Peter Itchit, Bob Green, Malcolm Farquar, Mad Dog Tim, Neil & Pen, Franz, Gary Thomas, Mad Dog Steve P, Geoff Lever, Hugo Kunin, John Crawford, Mad Dog Dale, Shamrock Bar, Bat Huset, Rick Perkins, Mad Dog John, Patrick, V-Twin Tours, Richard Britzke, Chris Harkins, Kaknastornet, Dirk Evers, Mike Dunham, Sunriders MC, Roy McKensie, Gator/Andy Mac, George, Ron Panas, Doug Brawley, Ott, Chris Wheeler, Joeseph Scott, Shanma.

Jesters Grand Raffle Prize Winners

Ticket No.

Name

DTC Travel: Week long Phuket trip. 6 nights for 2 persons

16149 Suttipron S

DTC Travel: Samui trip for 3 days, 2 nights for 2 persons

14266 Scar/ Gary Brown

Judi McNamara’s River Kwai trip for 2 days, for 4 persons

17496 Helle

Swiss Air return ticket to Singapore from BKK for 1 person

6841 Andre

Chaophya Park Hotel, Bangkok, 2 nights in a deluxe suite

9868 Helen Betteridge

Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, Pattaya, 2 nights in a mini-suite

11965 Jenny J

Banyan Tree Hotel, Bangkok, 1 night stay + extra vouchers

12885 Brunhilde

i-Pod Nano

6997 Doc

Numchai - Pioneer Mini Stereo System

9222 Virginia S

Pinnacle Resort & Spa, 2 night stay in a deluxe room inc. ABF

14128 Scar/Mike Hogsbreath

Montien Hotel, Pattaya, one night in a superior room

11491 Knud Nielsen

Dusit Fitness family membership

6178 Naomi Fagan

New Dynasty Hotel, Bangkok, 1 night stay

13297 Scar/Bob Hogsbreath

New Dynasty Hotel, Bangkok, 1 night stay

13539 Scar/Gordo

Pinnacle Resort & Spa, 1 night stay in a deluxe room inc. ABF

15971 Sonic Interfreight Co

Mermaid’s Dive Center voucher for PADI scuba diver course

6595 Roy MacDonald

Mermaid’s D C voucher for PADI open water diver course

6486 Mr Somkazt

Mermaid’s D C voucher for PADI junior open water diver course

11156 Tony Everett

Central Gems voucher

17543 Mike Franklin

Gold Hoop Earrings from Thai Bijoux

9154 Karyn Walker

Chevron golf bag 1

6596  

Chevron golf bag

16831 McDermid

Volvo golf bag

6981 Basse

Thai Open tennis tickets for 2 (01/10/06) 

11997 Jenny J

Montien Hotel, Pattaya, Mediterranean Buffet Dinner for 2

8717 Patrick

Tiffany’s Show, 2 VIP tickets

9792 Miguel R

Mata Hari dinner voucher

11535 T Roati

Mata Hari dinner voucher

15359 Brunhilde

Symphony dinner voucher

8639 Steve

Symphony dinner voucher

13724 Diamond Dave

Dusit BBQ Buffet Dinner for two persons

16382 David Greg

Au Bon Coin Dinner Voucher for 2

8675 Bob’s BBQ

Au Bon Coin Dinner Voucher for 2

9226 Virginia S

Art Café Dinner voucher

11641 Jim Horne

Nicky’s restaurant dinner voucher for 2

15604  

Amari Eat As Much As You Can at HJB for 2

6826 Sam Moore

Amari Pizza & Pasta Buffet Dinner at Orchid Terrace Restaurant

17743 Gunner

Top Shop Tailors voucher for 1,000 baht

11699 Jim Horne

Bob’s BBQ and Grill voucher for large order of BBQ ribs

11402 Ken Kelsch

The Whitehouse Condotel, Dinner for 4 inc. wine

13827 M Cox

Canadian luxury basket, inc. wine, cheese & whiskey etc.

8020 Jeff’s Wife

Art Café Meal Voucher

14461 Ty Kerr

Art Café Meal Voucher

15676  

Patricks Belgian Restaurant

11791 Jenny J

Ben’s Beauty Salon

10014 Joy Smart

Mike Tex Mex

16241 Red

Mike Tex Mex

 6594 Roy MacDonald

Mike Tex Mex

14263 Scar\ Gary Brown

Mike Tex Mex

9611 Pauline

Tropical Bert’s

15807  

Tropical Bert’s

16006 Nino

Paradon signed Jesters T-shirt

15718 Poolsak Sutantavibul

 


Nirvana now - no waiting

Dr. Iain Corness
Most faiths will have you waiting till the next life (or the one after that) to attain a state of grace to allow you to experience Nirvana. That is no longer the case in Pattaya, after the official opening of Nirvana Place, which was held this month.

A Buddhist monk anoints the Nirvana signboard with holy symbols to bring good luck and prosperity to the business.
It appeared that everyone in Pattaya was going to Nirvana, with police needed to keep the traffic flowing along Thappraya Road, and indeed it seemed as if anyone who was anyone was in attendance. The event was covered by media crews (including Pattaya Mail TV) both local and from Bangkok. Nirvana Place was certainly something that people were waiting for.
The official ribbon cutting was performed by Pol. Col. Ittipol Ittisanronnachai, superintendent of Pattaya Immigration Police, who not only cut the ribbon with style, but also addressed the audience in perfect English, and wished the group behind the project all the very best for the future. He was assisted by Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and the managing director of ESC, Steve Graham, the project leader.

Pol. Col. Ittipol Ittisanronachai presents Steve Graham with a portrait of King Rama V, to watch over and help take the Nirvana to infinite heights of success.
After the formalities, Steve Graham invited all the guests to join in a buffet around the Nirvana Place pool, whilst the hard working Hard Rock “Let’s get the party started” personnel dispensed liberal libations for the thirsty hordes.
Nirvana Place is certainly an up-market landmark at the top of Thappraya Road, with 52 very exclusive units, of which a couple were opened for inspection that evening. It is also different in that 34 of the rooms are reserved as ‘hotel’ rooms, and the remainder are private condominiums. You can stay for a night, a weekend or forever!
Complementing the up-market status of the Nirvana Place are two very impressive restaurants. These are Mata Hari and The Manhattans. Both of these restaurants opened their doors for display as well, with Mata Hari personnel in white, and Manhattans in black. Mata Hari has been going all this year and has a devoted following, while The Manhattans is yet to be opened, but will be in full swing by the end of this month.

The official ribbon cutting was performed by Pol. Col. Ittipol Ittisanronachai, superintendent of Pattaya Immigration Police, assisted by Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and the managing director of ESC, Steve Graham, the project leader.

Family, friends and associates thronged the Nirvana premises, each bringing unbounded goodwill and wishes for Steve’s remarkable achievement.


Joint Foreign Chambers ascend towards Nirvana

Miss Terry Diner
It takes some intestinal fortitude to invite all the Foreign Chambers of Commerce to come round for dinner and drinks, but that is precisely what Steve Graham did, throwing open the doors of the new Nirvana Place at the top of Thappraya Hill, and making everyone very welcome.
Obviously, it was a very well attended event; have you ever seen a free offer undersubscribed? However, it was an event that brought together a huge number of people who probably normally do not travel in the same circles, thus making it a premier networking event.
Nobody left hungry, with some very substantial food being prepared by the Hard Rock Hotel’s “Let’s get the party started” personnel. Drinks flowed copiously, tongues wagged incessantly, and there was even a band playing around the pool to entertain the guests. This band got everyone so much in the mood that the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital’s Monika Rottmann was up on stage thumping out a great version of Hotel California. (For those who didn’t know, Monika was a singer of some renown, both here and in her native Germany.)
Torrential rain did fall ten minutes before the advertised closing, for which Steve Graham apologized, saying that it had been ordered for later! However, it did not stop the merrymaking, and some people like Steve Johnson, from Water Engineered Technologies (WET) was seen to be reveling in it.
Moody International’s Gornragan Phankum was seen enjoying a drink, while probably inspecting the building and its features, but could find nothing but praise for the luxurious suites and the safety aspects of this building, which include smoke detectors and overhead sprinklers, much more than the building permit required.
Grant Cameron from Trafalgar International was seen trying to interest Dr. Iain in medical insurance, while the ever-jovial John L. Hamilton, the GM of Waste Management Siam, was seen talking to Marie Andreu from Allied Pickfords, who call themselves the Careful Movers. Perhaps he has some rubbish needing removing? Of course the local “moving man” Paul Wilkinson (featured in Local Personality last week) was also present (as he is at all chamber functions).
As the rain continued, most of the revelers decided to stay on, invading the bars in the Mata Hari restaurant, or the newly opened Manhattan’s Steak House, both on the ground floor of the complex. For everyone, this surely was Nirvana, and from Steve Graham’s point of view, it certainly is Nirvana!

The BCCT networking evenings are renowned not only for social gatherings, but more importantly as a place to meet like-minded people for mutual business benefits.


Cornelia Bik - A “Royal” Celebration

Andrew J Wood
When life-long Austrian friends Adi Tschisner and Helmut Schneider-Kahre realized that Mrs. Cornelia (Corry) Bik was to metamorphose into a most elegant and active Septuagenarian during her annual nine month sojourn to Pattaya, they started planning in earnest and on the 10th September 2006, following 6 months of ‘elephantine’ planning they set sail on a day long celebration that was to be the talk of the town.
The evening started where else but the sumptuous surroundings of the Royal Wing of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

Dame Corry with her devoted knights Helmut, Alexander and Adi.
On arrival guests were escorted to a pool side cocktail party, decked out in House of Orange colours from Corry’s native Holland.
On hand to greet all the guests were the birthday girl herself and her two ‘consorts’. As befitting such a court occasion all guests were requested to adorn themselves in pure white and what a magnificent sight they made, as they mingled between the elegant Wing staff equally dressed in sparkling white outfits with dashes of orange.
The entire area was cascading in the most luxurious floral arrangements, all in keeping with the bespoke colour scheme. Taking a close glance one could not help but admire the attention to detail with orange coloured gem stones and quite literally ‘orange’ decorations where the fruit had been cleverly incorporated into the extravagant floral displays.

Panga Vathanakul MD of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort wishes Corry the happiest of birthdays.
Sat amongst her ‘subjects’ in a most appropriate wicker throne, the playful Corry invited all guests to have their photographs taken, which I am sure will become precious keepsakes for Corry for years to come.
As the champagne and canapés flowed guests were serenaded to the sounds of the Royal Wing’s famous singing diva, Ruby and her musical ensemble. Preceding a wonderful display of Thai Classical dance from the Wing’s talented team, under the watchful eyes of GM Alexander Haeusler and Marcel Sawyere, the Royal Wing manager.
Guests were kindly invited to cool off in the gorgeous white marbled lobby of the hotel, but unknown to most was yet another surprise; trumpeting the guests were 2 magnificent pachyderms, named for the day ‘Adi’ and ‘Helmut’, gifts from their namesakes, brought along to add to the jumbo Thai atmosphere.
Then, as if by magic, a stream of luxury minivans appeared and whisked the 50 or so guests off for a nautical rendezvous with the Island Dream, the Cliff’s very own luxury catamaran.
There followed an absolutely wonderful evening of fine wines and delicious delicacies including oysters, lobsters, BBQ and seafood from Walter Thenisch’s famous kitchens. Dancing and fun were the order of the evening; waltzes, modern pop music and jazz were all presented as an endless stream of entertainment, along with a super fireworks display and letters in fire reflecting ‘Happy Birthday Corry’ in the still waters of Pattaya Bay.
Amongst all of this was a feeling of great warmth and friendship and as Corry’s friends from around the world had gathered to sing a most Happy Birthday and cut a giant sized cake in the shape of a tennis racket [a reminder of Corry’s business interests], there followed warm hearted and lively speeches of appreciation and thanks.
It will be a day to remember by all those who attended, the attention to detail and superb service of the Royal Cliff‘s catering team, headed by Utid, to the personal attention of fellow Austrian and general manager of the Royal Cliff Alexander Haeusler. To Corry’s fellow Dutchmen who came out in force to celebrate with their super friend we all say thank you and lastly for a day that Helmut and Adi had planned for so long, turning out to be a most “Royal” occasion we also say thank you. Happy Birthday Corry Bik!