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Around the World in one glorious night
Some of the glamorous
couples dressed up for the charity ball.
Sharona Watson
It was a fitting title for a fantastic evening. The PILC “Around the
World Charity Ball” 2006, on November 25th brought together just about
everybody I could imagine inviting to a party that had to rage long into
the night. It was an evening when women came first, as discerning men
know they should, and when women’s work shone bright for all to see. Our
men were dressed in their best and there were some handsome faces out
there to be sure, but on this occasion at least, they were definitely
‘trailing spouses’. For all the male finery on show, they couldn’t match
the beauty and elegance of the women; not that it was a contest. Just a
fact.
 PILC
President Gillian Thom and her husband Andy.
Rosanne Diamente, whose organisation and flair infused the ball, was
absolutely stunning in a royal blue ball gown bordered in white. She
looked quite the part and I have to admit that her Italian husband,
Michael, one of the main sponsors of the evening, was a perfect partner.
Maybe it’s an Italian thing? I mean, what is it about Italian males?
Their attention to detail is, oh! Almost feminine! There was something
special about the atmosphere, right from the start. It crackled and
fizzed. I’m sure it’s got something to do with the fact that our men
were happy to take a back-seat. There was no jostling for position, no
macho rubbish, although I have to admit I’ve always secretly nursed a
desire to find out what really is under a kilt. There were quite a few
around.
For a good evening to become great, it probably helps that everything is
perfectly in place. For this, I have always found the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort to be entirely dependable. Ranjith Chandrasiri was there of
course, although he looked happy to be utterly upstaged by his
captivating wife, Chitra. Champagne to start the evening is always going
to be a winner, but then to see some of my best friends in the whole
world who have been away for ages was fantastic! All the way from
Turkmenistan had come Kylie Grimmer, who looked more gorgeous than ever,
and by her side was her hubby Greg, always, always the gentleman (my
husband could learn a thing or two from him!). I spotted one of the
great ‘givers’ of the Eastern Seaboard, Dolores Carr-Wickes. Actually, I
know that she shuns publicity and prefers others to get the credit, but
she does so much and I’m pleased to acknowledge this wonderful Irish
woman in some small way, here and now. She’s my kind of woman. She
doesn’t take any bull from anyone. Now her husband, Ed, is a gentle
giant. Very, very clever and very sweet with it and just about the most
polite person I’ve ever met. Irish, of course, as well.
Dr. Iain shows his
heritage.
Kavita Singh always looks glamorous but she was particularly luscious in
her Sari. Hold on a minute, she’s got a suave and sophisticated man as
well! Anil, who as captain of the ship otherwise known as LCB Container
Terminal 1, was another generous sponsor of the ball. I looked over at
my man. I wasn’t comparing him to anyone else, honestly. “Yeah” I
thought, “he looks pretty good in black tie.” It’s such fun getting
dressed up, isn’t it? I only wish there were more opportunities.
Silvery and striking, President Gillian Thom made a welcoming speech,
which was refreshing because it went straight to the point and didn’t go
on for hours. She thanked the other sponsors; Volclay Siam, Dana Spicer,
Rayong, Mermaid Maritime Ltd, Ursula’s Antiques, John & Sukanya Seaton,
Copeland Emerson, Premier Homes and the Pattaya Mail. It was a grand
setting; full and frothing so to speak. The sponsors had truly done a
great job and all for charity of course, for the needy of Pattaya.
As I got stuck into some spinach soup, I found myself smiling to myself.
It was gratifying to be amongst such wonderful company; nobody, as I
looked around, seemed to be without a smile on their face either. The
choice of wine was brilliant; the white had a little trace of lemon in
it and the red was light yet a perfect companion to the beef. They would
have been Ranjith’s recommendation, I suppose? Sometimes, you wonder
whether after eating, you’ll be too full to dance, but this, like
Goldilocks’ porridge, was ‘just right’. We were playing ‘musical chairs’
on our table, moving around after each course to catch up with friends
and to make new ones. It was divine.
A formal ‘thank-you’ to the sponsors was followed by the first round of
bopping. As the “Pops All Stars Band” burst into life, people swarmed
onto the dance floor for some ‘oldies’ and let me tell you, this was
‘full-on’ grooving. You simply can’t stay sitting down to ‘I can’t get
no satisfaction.’ People who might not have been determined to have a
great time, were swept along by a tide of happiness. I felt like I was
flying through the air; wow! It’s great to dance the night away! There
was but a brief pause, which I must admit I felt I needed, whilst the
charity auction proceeded. One day I’ll win something, maybe. But the
real winners are the needy.
Then it was back to the dance floor, where my friend Chandra was
gyrating with such passion that you could only join in. A sporran of
kilts danced by and lined up as one; that was hilarious. One of the
kilted gentlemen was Ronald MacDonald, for real. He was a very charming
man as well and no, his tartan was not red and yellow.
Thirty four nationalities were represented; it was truly a global
celebration. Putting national flags on the tables was a lovely touch,
they kind of reflected the rhythm of the evening. If Brazilians are
having a carnival, it must be good and Lucia and Carlos (“I’m just a
poor boy from a poor family”) were in their element. Like them, I was
having a ‘ball’. Midnight passed and I hadn’t even seen it coming. By
2am we were still going, but slowly the Siam Ballroom had emptied. Our
table was reluctant to leave; the company was so convivial I could have
talked and danced until daybreak. But all good things must come to an
end. PILC - thank you. It was a memorable evening.
PILC President Gillian
Thom thanks Rosanne Diamente for her hard work in organizing such a
wonderful event.
Rosanne Diamente presents
the evening’s main auction attraction: an antique cabinet donated by
Ursala’s Antiques.
PILC President Gillian
Thom (right) presents Sue K, on behalf of Pattaya Mail, with a
certificate of appreciation for helping to sponsor the evening.
PILC President Gillian
Thom (right) presents Hugh Parker, on behalf of Volclay Siam, with a
certificate of appreciation for helping to sponsor the evening.
PILC President Gillian
Thom (right) presents Mark Shepard, on behalf of Mermaid Maritime Ltd.,
with a certificate of appreciation for helping to sponsor the evening.
PILC President Gillian
Thom (right) presents Ursula Rothstein with a certificate of
appreciation for wonderful donation to the auction.
PILC President Gillian
Thom (right) presents Michael Diamente, on behalf of Dana Spicer
(Thailand) Ltd., with a certificate of appreciation for helping to
sponsor the evening.
PILC President Gillian
Thom (right) presents Tom Zofkie, on behalf of Copeland - Emerson, with
a certificate of appreciation for helping to sponsor the evening.
PILC President Gillian
Thom (right) presents Sukanya Seaton with a certificate of appreciation
for her and John Seaton’s help in sponsoring the evening.
The friendly team from
Copeland - Emerson proudly shows off their certificate of appreciation
for helping to sponsor the event.
General Kanit Permsub celebrates his birthday
expressing loyalty and love for His Majesty the King
Pattaya Mail reporters
On Saturday, November 25 a quiet yet action packed birthday party was
held for General Kanit Permsub, a most respected gentlemen, known not
only in Pattaya, but also throughout the kingdom.
Amongst his many positions and titles, the most noteworthy being the
Deputy Chief Aide-De-Camp and General to His Majesty the King.
 Gen.
Kanit Permsub lights the candle of integrity, love and good fortune for
everyone.
With the cooperation of Andrew Khoo, GM of the Hard Rock Hotel, Khun
Busyarat Permsub, the devoted wife of General Kanit organised the
birthday party in a ‘Country and Western’ theme, befitting all those
present with many cowboys and cowgirls attended, including a handful of
Indians, albeit from a different continent. The Hard Rock being a
weapons free zone, the sheriff ordered all the guests to deposit their
Colts and Winchesters at the door.
In his address Gen. Kanit said, “Every November during the time of my
birthday, we always gather together not only to celebrate, but also to
reflect on our lives, our families and or friends in this journey
through life. More especially we must remember our parents.
“We are born, but we cannot choose our place of birth. Some are born in
other provinces, and in other towns. Some are born at home, some are
born in a taxi, and some in a three-wheeled cart. We are born according
to life’s circle. We have to learn under the care of our parents, and we
have our duties to perform. Some people become businessmen, some police
officers, some members of the armed forces, some judges, some rich, some
poor. Everyone’s duties have already been established.”
 Gen
Kanit and Khun Busyarat impress the guests with their kindness and
hospitality.
General Kanit spoke with the highest reverence of His Majesty the King.
“His Majesty loves and cares for all of us. He is the father of the
nation. He cares about all our troubles and is the first to look for
ways to help His people.
“This year the country has suffered considerably because of the floods.
This has caused much suffering to the people. His Majesty is very
concerned and has ordered the authorities to alleviate the sufferings of
those affected people expeditiously. His Majesty is very knowledgeable
on water management matters and has said that the problems arise because
of mismanagement.”
General Kanit spoke of the Chai Pattana Foundation which was first
established by His Majesty the King with the objectives to support the
implementation of Royally-initiated and other development projects, to
promote the development of social and economic welfare activities to
improve the quality of life of the people and to enable them to become
self-reliant, to carry out plans or projects that are beneficial to the
people and the country as a whole, to co-operate with the government
sector and other charity organisations for public benefit or to take
action that reinforce support of public welfare and to carry out
activities without political involvement.
General Kanit and Khun Busyarat play a very active part in raising funds
for the foundation having chaired two fund raising events in Pattaya
this year, namely the Taal Yatra Charity Concert by Pandit Suresh
Talwalkar, one of India’s greatest exponents of the tabla. The concert
was organised to honour His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion
of the 60th anniversary of His accession to the throne and more recently
the Annual Charity Christmas Tree Lightup at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Proceeds of which are donated to the Chai Pattana Foundation.
In closing Gen Kanit spoke of his devotion to his wife Busyarat, and
their two sons with which they have been blessed, and thanked Andrew
Khoo and the staff of the Hard Rock Hotel, which he described as a
“beautiful location.”
Guests in different forms of Country and
Western outfits attended the party to wish Gen. Kanit many happy
returns.
Wilhelm Ohmen brings Mozart to life at the Marriott
Considerable funds raised for Rotary Humanity projects
Staff Reporters
Further demonstrating the city’s capacity for hosting top class
entertainment from around the world, the latest in a sublime series of
sensational musical events in Pattaya featured Wilhelm Ohmen, a
classical pianist with a huge reputation, all the way from Germany.
November 23rd and 24th were the double hot dates when the Grand Ballroom
at the Marriott Resort & Spa was alive to the sweet sounds of Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart.
 Wilhelm
Ohmen and the Steinway become one at the Marriot’s Grand Ballroom.
The heart and mind behind the recital was Ferenc Fricsay, a member of
the Rotary Club of the Eastern Seaboard in Pattaya, who brought together
a team of willing sponsors so that music lovers along the Eastern
Seaboard might savour the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of
Mozart’s birth with suitably resplendent pomp. It was another case of
‘Humanity in Motion’ as the proceeds from the concert will be
distributed to the needy of Pattaya.
It was charter President Martin Brands who had first suggested to Ferenc
that the city’s cultural events might benefit from an infusion of his
enthusiasm and knowledge. (Try ‘Googling’ Ferenc Fricsay’s name).
And so it came to pass that Ferenc received a call from another
celebrated resident of Pattaya, the author Ce-Eff Kruger, who alerted
him to the possible availability of the widely recorded Ohmen. In this
quarter-millennium anniversary, a programme of pure Mozart was as
appropriate a choice as it was inspired, as was the venue.
 Ferenc
Fricsay, Wilhelm Ohmen and Somsak Tanruengsri, GM Marriott Resort & Spa.
Somsak, general manager of the Marriott Resort & Spa, in tandem with
Asanee and the rest of the dedicated team at the Marriott, proved once
again that they are willing partners for creative, cutting edge
productions. Cooperation, claims Ferenc, was ‘impeccable’. Three major
sponsors, Pizza Company, Lomatec the Swimming Pool Experts and the
Marriott Business Council led the way, as a staggering thirty seven
private sponsors chimed in. The generosity of the sponsors was such that
all costs were already covered, including the rental of a Steinway grand
piano from Bangkok. At the centre of it all, of course, is Rotary, a
benevolent organization so generous that Ferenc hopes that close to a
quarter of a million baht will have been raised for hand picked
charities.
At the end of the final recital, as Wilhelm Ohmen was signing autographs
for his many fans, it was with a sense of well-earned pride that Ferenc
shared his joy at the undoubted success of the recitals and thanked
everybody who had attended. The programme had featured three much loved
Sonatas and the Fantasy in C Minor. All the works were composed between
1774 and 1784, a time of particular emotional poignancy for Mozart; his
beloved mother passed away in 1774 and it was to her that he dedicated
the Sonata in C Major.
Mozart, Ferenc tells me with a smile, was an “eternal optimist” and it’s
true, isn’t it? His music rarely fails to lull you into contemplation
before lifting you towards the heavens with unearthly hypnotic magic,
bathed in innocence. According to my host, Mozart was the last of the
great optimists of classical music, in contrast for example, to
Beethoven.
Wilhelm Ohmen brought the genius of Mozart to life with great
sensitivity, poise and exquisite control. “Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman”
(perhaps better known to many as ‘twinkle twinkle little star’) was
Ohmen’s encore and it was with the most delicate light touch that this
enchanting melody floated into our hearts. Like Mozart himself (as
Ferenc enthused); “He made the listener aware of his gift, uniting the
character, word and melody of the composition. It was all molded, melted
into one organic, absolute melody. He was a path finder, a pioneer.”
Mozart - nothing less than a genius writing music for millennia and
beyond; indeed for eternity. Wilhelm Ohmen and the Steinway become one
at the Marriot’s Grand Ballroom. It was a beautiful evening of wonderful
music. One hopes that on his 250th birthday, it’s what Mozart would have
wanted.
Following the show, guests
mingled and talked about what a great experience it had been.
The audience waits in
great anticipation for the beginning of the show.
Walking rally held on World AIDS Day
Deputy Mayor Verawat
Khakhay presided over the opening ceremony for Pattaya’s World AIDS Day
walk rally.
School kids handed out
AIDS prevention information to anyone that would take it.
Walk-rally participants
handed out condoms along the route.
Participants are set top
head out on the rally.
The AIDS prevention
message was taken through the streets of Pattaya.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
A walking rally was held on December 1, World AIDS Day, to raise
awareness of the disease and ways to prevent it spreading.
Participants started off from the Public Health Center Soi Buakhao, with
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay presiding over the opening.
The World Health Organization held the first World AIDS Day on December
1, 1988, and it is now an annual event. The purpose is to ensure that
everyone realizes the dangers of AIDS, and takes every precaution to
prevent the spread of the disease.
The Pattaya rally passed along Beach Road, with participants entering
Soi Pattayaland, Soi Post Office, Soi Yamoto, Soi 8, and other areas
with a high concentration of entertainment outlets, and handing out
information.
Verawat said that although the action plan against AIDS in Thailand is
proving successful on some levels, having slowed the spread of the
disease amongst high risk groups such as drug users and gays, HIV
infection is still increasing amongst youth groups. This, he said, is
because society is changing, there is less family bonding and fewer
people to set a good example for youngsters.
A rockin’ good time as staff at Hard Rock develop their skills
Yellow and Pink teams try
to prepare the best meal during the 5th Band Members Annual Festival
2006 at Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The Hard Rock Hotel held its Band Members Annual Festival 2006 as part
of a program to develop employee skills.
General Manager Andrew Khoo presided over the opening of the event, with
employees divided into four teams, namely orange, pink, yellow and blue.
This is the fifth time the Band Members Annual Festival has been held,
taking place this year over the two-day period November 27 and 28.
Competitions included a tray service contest, a rockin’ chef contest, a
trolley setup, a standing lamp setup, a mix’n’match stylish search, and
a cheerleader contest.
Each game required development of skills, and there was a time limit for
the contestants.
The pink team races away
with a glass of water, not spilling a drop.
It’s more difficult than
it looks!
Nong Tak wins Miss Alcazar Purple Star Award
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Thirty “women of the second category” competed in the Miss Alcazar
Purple Star Award 2006 pageant on November 24.
 Kittiwong
Chaisuphakit, general manager of Alcazar Company presents the prizes to
Manachaya Trairatrangsee, Miss Alcazar Purple Star Award 2006.
The winner was 22-year-old Manachaya Trairatrangsee, or Nong Tak, a Thai
language student at the faculty of humanities at Rachapat University,
Nakhorn Sawan. Along with her crown and sash, Nong Tak also took home a
trophy and 160,000 baht in prize money as well as other prizes with an
overall value of more than 200,000 baht.
The two runners-up were Marisa Dharaprasert and Latissha Ravinath from
Malaysia.
Nong Tak told the press that Miss Alcazar Purple Star was the biggest
pageant “she” had ever entered. “I had previously entered smaller
events. I managed to win this event with the support of my family. I
don’t plan to follow the previous winners into the entertainment
industry at the moment, but just carry out my duties as Miss Alcazar
Purple Star.”
 Chonla
Pattanasuthichonlakol (left) won the Miss Lolane Award 2006 and Miss
Queen Popular 2006. Marisa Dharaprasert (right) took the Miss Joyce Red
Angle Award 2006 and the Kantana Talent Award 2006.
The pageant was preceded by visits by the contestants to various tourism
venues in Pattaya November 18 to 21 for the recording of a video program
that will be used to promote the city.
The venues included Khao Kheow Open Zoo and a health-training course at
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, and the group also took part in a lunch that
was provided for disabled children at Karun Vache.
Other prizes presented during the pageant included the Miss Lolane
Award, Best Make Up Award, Kantana Talent Award, Contestants Favorite,
and Media Favorite.
Miss Alcazar Purple Star
Award 2006 winners and runners-up.
Contestants took part in
many activities leading up to the big day.
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