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Bordeaux comes to the Royal Cliff Beach Resort
Peter Cummins (left) seems
to be telling tall stories to Kajit Habanananda (2nd left), Chairman of
the Executive Committee, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau
(TCEB), Nipat Dithipen, Deputy Director General (TCEB) and Panga
Vathanakul MD Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Panga Vanthanakul presents
tokens of appreciation to Hubert de Bouard de La Forest and Gildas
d’Ollone as Ranjith Chandrasiri looks on.
The Royal Cliff team,
Vichai Poo-A-Lai, Manager of Grill Room & Wine Cellar, Paitoon Ritdej,
Food & Beverages Director, Ranjith Chandrasiri, Deputy General Manager,
Choopong Payotorn Food & Beverages Manager and Thanasak Wongsurakarn,
Senior Bar Manager proudly show off their award winning wine cellar to
the distinguished guests.
Miss Terry Diner
The Royal Cliff Wine Club, under its president Ranjith Chandrasiri, has
done much to raise the profile of wine appreciation in Pattaya. As a
supreme compliment, the members were given the opportunity to indulge in
some French wines and their attendant history last weekend.
 Two
wine connoisseurs meet - Ron Batori and Dr. Iain Corness.
It was certainly a supreme compliment in many ways, as the owners of two
of the most prestigious Bordeaux vineyards asked for the invitation to
see our wine club first hand, this being acknowledged as the premier
wine club in Asia.
The spectacular Bordeaux wine dinner was held in the Grill Room of the
Royal Cliff, a spectacular venue in itself, with its four consecutive
New York Wine Spectator awards prominently displayed. President Ranjith
even described the event as “The greatest Bordeaux dinner in the world!”
The guests congregated in the Panorama room for the pre-dinner reception
wine, which was a Pommery Brut Royal champagne, sponsored by Ron Batori
of Bangkok Beer and Beverage. That was quite a beverage!
The two principal guests were Hubert de Bouard de La Forest from the
Chateau Angelus and Gildas d’Ollone from the Chateau Pichon Longueville
Comtesse de Lalande.
They spoke briefly about their wines, which are generally bought as
‘futures’, by the way, with Monsieur Hubert informing the packed Grill
Room that Chateau Angelus had been in existence since 1782. 224 years of
winemaking history in every bottle. And just to show that his wines are
still very much at the forefront of history, look for the bottle of
Chateau Angelus drunk on the train by the new James Bond (Daniel Graig)
and Vesper (Eva Green) in the just released Casino Royale motion
picture.
He was followed by Monsieur Gildas who quietly informed the gathering
that his vineyard Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande had
been in existence since 1689, in a friendly display of one-upmanship.
His bottles having a mere 317 years in which to mature! “Developing wine
is like raising children,” said Monsieur Gildas, showing a paternal
regard for his vineyard’s Bordeaux vintages.
The wine club members were offered eight of their Bordeaux wines
including the Reserve de la Comtesse, which was teamed with a leek and
bacon tartlet and braised veal sweetbread on balsamic reduction, another
of executive chef Walter Thenisch’s culinary creations.
The differences that come between various vintages from the same
vineyard with Old World wines was most apparent with the Chateau Angelus
Saint-Emilion wines. The 1995 and 1998 vintages came after each other
during the dinner, and whilst I really enjoyed the 1995, for me, the
1998 needed another three years of laying down before it would equal its
older stablemate. As Monsieur Gildas commented, “The vintage is very
important. It depends on so many factors, the terroir and the rainfall
which affects the roots of the wines.”
However, Monsieur Gildas also had the final say as to why these wine
dinners are so successful. “Great wine and good food and good company!”
The spectacular Bordeaux gala wine dinner had them all!
The bold and the beautiful
of Pattaya society at the spectacular wine dinner.
6th annual Pattaya Longboat races bring history alive in a display of color and excitement
Winning teams and organizers pose with their
trophies.
The historic longboats once again took to the water when the 6th Annual
Pattaya Longboat races were held at Mabprachan Reservoir November 18 and
19.
More than 20 longboats from around the country competed in the event,
which was opened by Wittaya Khunplome, chairman of Chonburi Sports
Association.
For the past six years both the public and private sectors have strived
to conserve and continue local customs and traditions by staging these
“rua yao”, or long boat races. Originally designed for battle against
aggressors, the longboats have always played an important role in Thai
society.
Throughout history communities along the rivers, canals and waterways of
the kingdom have depended on boats for fishing and transporting goods.
During the races, young, powerful rowers from towns along the waterways
compete against each other in crews of 5, 30 and 55 rowers.
Winner of the 55-rower category this year was team Sao Duang Kaew from
Singburi Province who took the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup
and 100,000 baht prize money. The team has now won the event for the
past three years.
Winner of the 30-rower class was team Phorncharoensri from Chainat
Province, who took the HRH Princess Soamsawalee Cup and 50,000 baht
prize money.
The 5-rower event was won by team Ruo Prakhuthong from Chonburi, who won
5,000 baht and a trophy.
The Pattaya Longboat Races were first held in 2001 and have increased in
popularity with more teams participating and the number of spectators
growing each year.
The winner of the windsurf race held during the event was Aran Homraruen
and the winner of the formula event was Miss Pharlap Dharsai.
Buffalo racing competitions were also held and they were categorized
into five different divisions depending on their ages, not the
kilograms.
The races will be held again next year, the timing to some degree
resting on the rainfall and the depth of the reservoir water.
Competitors prepare for a big race.
Thousands of rowing fans flock to the
reservoir bank to get a closer look at the races and cheer on their
favorite teams.
Madly paddling for the finish line.
It’s a close race, right to the finish.
Windsurfers jockey for a clean start.
Aran Homraruen won the windsurf event.
Thundering hooves, a cloud of dust, and
they’re away!
Managing to stay on is half the battle won.
A mad dash, hooves pounding, jockeys barely
staying on, some falling off ... this is what buffalo races are all
about.
Pattaya Orphanage Football Team
in Liverpool F.C. Strip
Capt. Steve, his wife Oiy,
Steve’s young dad Bill, and Kru Oh posed with the orphanage team.
Mike Franklin
The Jesters Pub Night, which follows a week after the Jesters
Children’s Fair, is the second of the two fund raising events in the
annual Jesters ’Care for Kids’ Charity Drive.
A key element of that night is the auction featuring many valuable items
of sports memorabilia.
That collection was greatly enhanced in 2006 by the acquisition of many
items by Capt. Steve Ponter based here in Thailand, and his father in
England, 80 year old Bill Ponter.
Not least in the acquisitions was the team strip donated by Liverpool
F.C.
Bill, amongst his many sporting connections, was in touch with Vincent
O’Brien, Chief Public Relations Officer of Liverpool F.C., who kindly
came up with a full team kit comprising shirts, shorts & socks.
However, it was only the Steve Gerrard shirt that was auctioned on the
Pub Night, as it was Liverpool F.C.’s wish that the rest of the team kit
to go to a local and deserving youth football team.
The Pattaya Orphanage was the Jesters’ obvious choice and the
presentation was made early evening on Thursday 23rd November at the
Pattaya Orphanage football pitch.
Pattaya Mail TV cameras were there to cover the proceedings and tell the
story.
Capt. Steve was present, accompanied by his wife Oiy, owner of the
1-Samran Beauty Salon and a first-time Gold Hole sponsor in the recent
Diana Gold Charity Golf tournament. Bill, Steve’s young Dad, was also
there to make sure his agreement with Liverpool’s Vincent O’Brien was
carried out.
The Liverpool Team strip was laid out in sets and the orphanage
footballers invited to select, individually, their chosen set supervised
and coordinated by Pattaya Orphanage director, Yoisopen Assaraporn,
known by the children as Kru Oh.
That done, it was time for a team photo-call in front of the memorial
statue to Father Ray Brennan, founder of the Pattaya Orphanage. Then,
the newly attired ‘Pattaya/Liverpool youth team’ took to the field for a
brief warm-up before being joined by players from the renowned Pattaya
Mail football team.
The ceremony was capped by a brief exhibition match with more than just
a hint of heightened enthusiasm by the orphanage players proudly wearing
the Liverpool red.
Another ‘first’ in the Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drives,
benefiting local children’s charities and perhaps a springboard to 2007
when we drive in our 10th Anniversary ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive
year.
The newly attired
‘Pattaya/Liverpool youth team’ took to the field for a brief warm-up
before being joined by players from the renowned Pattaya Mail football
team.
Full house at BCCT Hard Rock networking night
The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT)
visited the Eastern Seaboard for their eleventh event of 2006 last
Friday. Ensign Media - www.ensign-media.com - sponsored an excellent
evening that was hosted by the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya -
www.hardrockhotels.net - in the shape of general manager Andrew Khoo and
his enthusiastic and attentive team. The open-air sea view venue
prompted discussion on a wide range of topics, in particular the current
Ministry of Commerce review of the Foreign Business Act.
More than 50 Bangkok-based BCCT members, guests and Eastern
Seaboard-based businesspeople joined the event. The BCCT was represented
by vice chairman and resident Eastern Seaboard guru Graham Macdonald,
treasurer Mark Butters, board director Rob Collins and executive
director Greg Watkins. Those attending also included representatives of
Hunter Stoves from the UK who are seeking a location for a new
manufacturing facility in addition to many stalwarts of previous BCCT
events.
Representatives of all nationalities are very welcome to attend BCCT
Networking Evenings. The BCCT format is to bring businesspeople of all
nationalities to meet, network and hopefully generate some business. The
final BCCT Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening of 2006 will take place
on Friday 15th December. Host and sponsor is Raimon Land at their
excellent, recently-launched Northpoint property. Watch this space or
email - [email protected] - for more details.
Clive N. Butcher, managing
director of Highfield Equity Co., Ltd. , Mark Butters, director of BCCT
and Simon Matthers, general manager of Manpower.
Thomas Wood, managing
director of Hydrowe Engineering (Asia) Ltd. and Andrew Khoo, general
manager of Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya.
Steve Johnson, director of
Water Engineered Technologies (Thailand) Limited, Samantha Wilson, PILC
newsletter editor and Stephanie Moorhouse, PILC hospitality.
Karan (left) Dad Binny
(center) and Amorn Kwatra enjoying the evening with remnants of the Raj.
Graham Macdonald, vice
chairman of BCCT, Andrew Khoo, general manager of Hard Rock Hotel
Pattaya, Greg Watkins, executive director of BCCT and Mark Butters,
director of BCCT.
Ben Ho, Acma, director of
finance of Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Neil Maniquiz, marketing executive
International Marketing & Communication Division of Bangkok Pattaya
Hospital Co., Ltd. and Michael Berger, general manager-customer
relations of Moby Elite.
Ken G. Robinson, contracts
manager of Bechtel International, Inc., Paul Grimes, financial director
of Hunter Stoves and Steve Clatworthy of Hunter Stoves.
Clive N. Butcher, managing
director of Highfield Equity Co., Ltd. , Dr. Marie Therese Claes, dean
Faculty of Business of Asian University and Rudiger Glaser, Baan
Somprasong.
Jeffrey Burrows, senior
partner of Watermark Capital Management Limited and John L. Hamilton,
general manager of Waste Management Siam Ltd.
Dave Bowers, director of
Manhattans Steak House Pattaya, David Garred, director Dfit of Dusit
Resort Pattaya and Michelle Leppert of Manhattans Steak House.
Monruedee Phongsai,
assistant recruitment executive of Pacific 2000 (Sriracha),
International Recruitments, Manutsanun Tangsatidwattanakul, recruitment
executive of Pacific 2000 (Sriracha), International Recruitments, Wiyada
Attagowitwong, managing director of Pacific 2000 (Sriracha),
International Recruitments, Chadaporn Onaim, assistant recruitment
executive of Pacific 2000 (Sriracha), International Recruitments and
Pariya Chantrasa, recruitment executive of Pacific 2000 (Sriracha),
International Recruitments
Greg Watkins, executive
director of BCCT, James Saville, director of Corporate Services & Sports
of Asian University, Matt Hoag, chief executive officer of Laem Chabang
International Terminal Co., Ltd. and Chris Langford, chief executive
officer of Laem Chabang International Terminal Co., Ltd.
Matt Hoag, chief executive
officer of Laem Chabang International Terminal Co., Ltd., Chris
Langford, chief executive officer of Laem Chabang International Terminal
Co., Ltd., Patrick T. Gossett, Eastern Seaboard sales manager of Transpo
International Ltd. and Anyanist Gossett, head of Thai at ISR.
Northpoint opens at Wong Amat Beach
Nigel J. Cornick, chief
executive officer of Raimon Land welcomes guests.
Nigel J. Cornick, chief
executive officer of Raimon Land (4th from right), Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn (3rd from left), Ittiphol Khunplome (far left) and
special guests cut the ribbon officially opening Northpoint.
The friendly dinner party
for the Northpoint opening
Narisa Nitikarn
Northpoint, a new condominium project being developed by Raimon Land at
Wong Amat Beach in Naklua, was launched on November 18.
 Guests
and customers alike view the displays.
Leading the official ribbon cutting were Raimon Land chief executive
officer Nigel J Cornick, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, and chief
advisor to the mayor Ittiphol Khunplome.
Five different styles of apartment were on display.
The launch ceremony was followed by dinner, with 500 guests attending.
Raimon Land had arranged entertainment that included a dance performance
on the beach, a display of unarmed combat, and a mini concert.
The event also saw the opening of the King Power Raceboard World
Championships 2006, which were scheduled for November 18 - 25 and
November 28 - December 3, and which were to be staged in front of North
Point.
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