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Christmas at Prem’s brings peace and joy and a bundle of hope for those in need

Christmas tree lights switched on at St Nikolaus Church

Pattaya Gay Festival “Christmas Cracker” Boyz Town Street Party

Schedule for Pattaya City’s New Year Count Down Festivals

Skål floats away for Xmas

Helle Rantsén, PILC Welfare chairperson leaves Thailand

Jomtien Beach Residence throws the doors open


Christmas at Prem’s brings peace and joy and a bundle of hope for those in need

Rotarians forge ahead with humanitarian programmes and projects

A Rotarian
On the cool and calm evening of December 20, as we approached the Mabprachan Reservoir, the silence of the air was broken by sounds of revelry drifting from beyond the trees to the left of the road. “Hark! Are our ears playing tricks upon our senses?” Because we heard music and singing through the night sky (didn’t sound like angels’ voices, but that didn’t matter), interspersed with the sounds of bells jingling and the cackle of laughter? Could it be? We looked at each other, excited at the very thought that the day had arrived yet again. Yes it is ... it’s Christmas at Prem’s.

Premprecha Dibbayawan surprised the living daylights out of everyone as he performed a splendid Thai dance on stage.
The most wonderful time of year we thought, when we can all go up to Prem’s and meet old friends and make new ones in an atmosphere of harmonious fellowship, whilst indulging in a huge spread of home-cooked fare and commence to get silly imbibing the endless flow of drinks.
And so it came to pass, Rotarians from clubs in Pattaya and the neighbouring townships, with smiles on their faces and warmth in their hearts came to wish the Dibbayawan household a hearty and joyful Christmas and to join each other in singing Christmas Carols and praying for peace in the world.
If you were at Prem’s last year, you would probably remember the little children who performed exquisite traditional Thai dances and sang popular songs. Well they were back and my, how they have grown, not only in size and beauty, but also their talents have matured to match. We hear that they have won awards left, right and center at various competitions both locally and nationally throughout the year.
They sang and danced their way into our hearts and made us reflect on how lucky we are that because there is a Christmas we can gather with family and friends, to get in touch with loved ones far away, and to enjoy the festive spirit. It is also a good time of year to remember those less fortunate and perhaps give a little to make their lives better.
The big surprise of the evening was when Peter Malhotra announced that if we were able to put a small collection together, we could probably convince Prem to dig out his old traditional Thai warrior costume and perform a Thai dance for us.
As Peter was ‘drumming up some business’, Prem was frantically rummaging through his old chest of costumes searching for that which had been stored away and almost forgotten.
When Peter was satisfied that the collection was adequate (well he did give enough time for Prem to find the outfit), the drums rolled and with it so did Prem onto the stage, to put on one of the most awe inspiring Thai dances that was equivalent in beauty and precision if not better than those performed by graduates of any school of fine arts of dance and music.
Prem never ceases to amaze us. Little did we know that Prem had studied Thai dancing ever since he was a little boy. “I taught myself,” he says proudly.
We were informed that a few years ago as Rotary District Governor Elect, Prem attended the Rotary International Assembly in Anaheim USA, where he performed before the Rotary International president and hundreds of Rotarians and dignitaries from around the world.
Proceeds from Prem’s charity performance will benefit the Rotary Foundation funds of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya and as DGN Peter assured everyone, is for a good cause because for every baht that is donated to the Rotary Foundation, Rotary clubs in Thailand can apply for Humanitarian Grants that will bring back sufficient amounts of money to support Rotary projects such as polio eradication through national immunization days, health, hunger, education for everyone, peace and conflict resolution studies, and disaster recovery and relief, which are just a few amongst the hundreds of programs of Rotary to help improve the quality of life for the underprivileged in every community in Thailand and around the world.

Rotarians and guests had a wonderful time at Prem’s.

PP Alvi Sinthuvanik interviews the little children after their show.

Indiri and Lamyai help deposit the donations in the Rotary Foundation collection box.

The super talented children sang and danced their way into our hearts.

PDG Jin Srikasikorn (left) congratulates Prem and his ‘family’ for a most enjoyable party.


Christmas tree lights switched on at St Nikolaus Church

 Father Phaiboon Udomdache, pastor of St. Nikolaus Church Pattaya leads the congregation in prayer.

Bishop Lawrence Thienchai Samanchit blesses the faithful.

Narisa Nitikarn
Lights were lit on the Christmas tree at St Nikolaus Church on December 17, the ceremony being conducted by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Bishop Lawrence Thienchai Samanchit.
The large Christmas tree and its parcels, along with Santa and his reindeers were provided by Pattaya District Office, and have been placed on the traffic island on Sukhumvit Road in front of the church.
A choir from St Paul’s Convent sang Christmas carols, and after the ceremony ended the congregation, led by Father Phaiboon Udomdache, priest at St Nikolaus, prayed for blessings for His Majesty the King in this the year of his diamond jubilee.

St. Paul’s Convent Band kept up the holiday spirits by playing Christmas Carols.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Bishop Lawrence Thienchai Samanchit, the spiritual leader of Thai Catholics light the Christmas tree together with other dignitaries looking on.

The grandiose Christmas tree, Santa and his reindeers light up Sukhumvit Highway.

The gathering of people from institutions under the care of the Father Ray Foundation are thrilled by the events of the evening.


Pattaya Gay Festival “Christmas Cracker” Boyz Town Street Party

Brings in about 860,000 baht with special donations

The Pattaya Gay Festival 2006 came to a superb finale with the Street Party ‘Christmas Cracker’ in Boyz Town on Saturday. It was a real cracker of an event, too, with the street once again closed off and a huge stage erected outside Funny Boys for the shows from Boyz Boyz Boyz’ Divas & Dudes, Throb Show and the Dolly Sisters, causing havoc everywhere they go, this time they took up riding!

Archie Dunlop (left) donated a surprisingly huge 350,000 baht to the PGF charities.
It was nice to see the return of Alfie, courting Chase of Throb singing Santa Baby, and then a new star was born to Boyz Town. Glen, joint owner of Throb, appeared all dressed up in ‘Tux’ to dance all night with Jim and the show boys in a polished performance that brought the house down. Santa Mike came and switched on the beautiful Christmas Boyz Town lights that will be the envy of all the sois around.
The street opened about 8 p.m., and within 30 minutes many of the tables had diners at them and a crowd gathered around the Wheel of Fortune, run by Terry and David of La Cage and Happiness Bar, which produced a handsome 11,000 baht during the early evening build up fun. Toi of Café Royale entertained as dinner finished and guests prepared for the shows to follow; by now the street was packed way back to Panorama Bar.
A spectacular opening number, the ‘Circus is in Town’, brought everyone on stage and set the high standard for the night’s entertainment once again. Show numbers followed, but MC for the night Jim kept it all flowing and entertaining. In between numbers Jim announced the rising amount raised from door, over 450 attending early on, the Lucky Numbers raffle, 100,000 baht here, 100,000 baht there. Donations poured in from 1,000 baht up to a surprisingly huge 350,000 baht cheque from 85 year old Archie Dunlop, a truly magnificent gesture and, I believe, a near record individual donation for the 5 years PGF has been going. In that time, from the beginning of the PGF to now, Jim said that everyone had raised over 20 million baht towards the HEARTT 2000 HIV/AIDS Charity.
Later Doctor Philippe Seur and some of his patients came on stage to present the committee gifts as thanks to everyone for helping in this much needed fight to provide expensive drugs not available in Thailand.
A crazy mad period then followed when Chris McGuiness and friends of the USA bought all of Jim’s costume jewelry bit by bit for a cash fortune. Then Charlie offered more cash IF Jim would take his frock off and IF Mick from Café Royale would put it on! Ever sporting Mick then obliged as a Jim look-a-like and the funds rolled in as many other donations were made. Dennis Dewsnap and Jamal also sold many of his books during the night and donated 30,000 baht.
A glorious finale show was then performed and Jim thought the only other job to do was the Lucky Numbers but David was on hand to help and the donated prizes fled out. A full computer set from Liberty Computers, a beautiful gold and diamond ring from Honest Gems and a further golden Buddha from them were the top prizes and were presented by Mr. PGF Koh and his Mr. Popular runner up Golf, looking as stunning as ever!
Ian Brown won the ring and presented it back to Jim to auction. In a fierce bidding round, Doc Terrance and Jim paid 65,000 baht for the ring, boosting funds beyond expectations. The total for the night was approximately 860,000, with funds from each of the bars not all in yet. Proceeds from some bars are still being counted at press time, with a final four day total of approximately 1.34 million, the exact amount yet to be confirmed.
Jim Lumsden, who has headed up the operation of the PGF for this holiday season, writes: “Without all the figures in yet from various bars, I would suggest you quote a figure of 860,000 (from the Street Party). This is from the information I have at hand. Bruno’s was 300,000, Mr. PGF another 144,000. So in the final days we raised in total 1,300,000 baht. Final figures for the year to date will be released once we complete the accounts but it is about 3,700,000.”
Jim added, “The Pattaya Gay Festival was very successful, and personally I would like to thank everyone who gave so generously of their time and especially the huge amounts of cash they donate to the PGF Charities. It was a fantastic 3 days and shows once again, despite reluctance from certain quarters of the Gay Community to join with us, we are still able to keep coming up trumps and help a very worthy cause.”
Story courtesy boxer@ boperstravel.net

Anna (2nd right) from Honest Gems donated a beautiful gold and diamond ring and golden Buddha, which were among the top prizes.

The finale was spectacular.


Schedule for Pattaya City’s New Year Count Down Festivals

December 29 to December 31 at Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya

Main Stage
Friday December 29

19.20 MC announces the organization of the Pattaya Countdown 2007 and Rhythm & Boyd Eleventh performances
19.30 Musical performance by young players from Pattaya City’s Music Association
20.30 Games and prizes giving
20.50 Pong Lang Inter musical performances
22.30 Games and prizes giving
22.40 Academy Fantasia AF3 performances (90 minutes)
24.00 MC announces the closing of the day and next day’s events
Saturday December 30
19.20 MC announces the opening of the second day’s stage performances
19.30 Musical performance by young players from Pattaya City’s Music Association
20.30 Games and prizes giving
20.50 Rhythm & Boyd Eleventh performances
22.30 Games and prizes giving
22.40 Artist Bee the Star performances
23.10 Michael Tang, the thousand face man’s performances
24.00 MC announces the closing of the day and next day’s events
Sunday December 31
19.20 MC announces the opening of third day stage performance
19.30 Musical performance by young players from Pattaya City’s Music Association
20.30 Miss Tiffany 2006 Cabaret Shows
21.00 Appearance of the next MC, this year’s Miss Thailand Universe, Lalana Kongthoranintha
21.10 Games and prize giving by Miss Thailand Universe
21.30 Budokan musical performances
22.30 Games and prize giving by Budokan’s band members
22.50 Performances by AF1 and AF2 (concerts)
23.50 Pattaya Mayor, administrators, city council members, event sponsors, artists, etc, join the countdown and wish everyone a Happy New Year in 2007
24.00 Fireworks to celebrate the year 2007, stage will be changed into yellow color, parachute jumpers release gold and silver paper from the sky, audience releases yellow balloons into the sky and sings Happy New Year songs in Thai and English
24.10 Performances by AF1 and AF2 (concerts) continue
24.30 Stage DJs play tunes
01.00 MC announces the closing of the event
* Games and prizes giving will be done during performance intervals *
Schedule for Sunday December 31
at the Bali Hai Bridge Stage
19.00 Opening of Projector board on stage displaying atmosphere of the area
20.00 MC announces the opening of the day’s performances
20.30 Games and prize giving
21.00 Marching Band performances
22.00 Games and prize giving
22.30 Marching Band performances
23.15 Games and prize giving
23.40 Marching Band performances
23.50 Opening of the Projector board on stage displaying atmosphere of the area, MC welcoming all to participate in the Countdown to 2007


Skål floats away for Xmas

The Xmas Xruise for the members of the Skål International of Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard is always a well attended affair. Many of the ‘seafarers’ included guests and Skål members from some of the other clubs enjoying a sunset cruise on board the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s Island Dream catamaran.
As a winding down event after the very successful Skål World Congress, (which incidentally was voted by many overseas members as the best congress ever held by Skål International), the cruise certainly helped people to relax. The flow of Royal Cliff wines also helped!
For many of the local members this was also the first time they had set foot on the Bali Hai pier, with the Island Dream moored and waiting. Also on board were several platoons of waiters and chefs and the usual hot and cold buffet, so heavy I am sure the mighty craft was listing to port at sailing time.
Despite the somewhat choppy conditions early on the cruise, the Island Dream and its complement made it as far as the Sanctuary of Truth before turning around for a leisurely sail down past Jomtien to turn again at Skål International secretary Ingo Rauber’s Pinnacle Resort at Najomtien.
By this stage, the sea air had whipped up more than the waves, it had whipped up a good appetite and there were many who were spotted going back for seconds (and thirds), but nobody went hungry.
After the buffet, the annual auction run by Dr. Iain was a feature, with many such as Malcolm Boden snapping up incredible bargains, especially in such items as multiple nights stay in some of the five star resorts in Thailand. Andrew Wood, the GM of Chaophya Park in Bangkok, could be relied upon to open the bidding for most items, though missed out on the candles for the Lobby Bar. Another prolific waver of hands was Denis Dewsnap, who managed to bag a brace of jacuzzi nights at the Asia Pattaya Hotel, but nobody could outbid Corry Bik, who managed to up her own bid at one stage, for a bottle of Indian port, donated by Bob Lee, who couldn’t believe he had actually managed to get rid of it. Dr. Iain was careful to read the label which included a warning that drinking it could be injurious to health! The total from the auction came to 75,000 baht, which has helped to swell the club’s coffers after seriously being depleted during the World Congress.
At around nine bells the Island Dream berthed again at Bali Hai, and the revelers disappeared into the night. Another successful Skål International event completed.


Helle Rantsén, PILC Welfare chairperson leaves Thailand

Says farewell at coffee morning at Casa Pascal

Even though many members had returned to their home countries to spend the Christmas holidays with family, 61 people turned up for the coffee morning at Casa Pascal. They were greeted by Kim Schneider who had put on a fabulous array of delicious hot and cold canapés and a selection of mini deserts to go with the coffee.

Gillian Thom (right), president of PILC, and the entire club say an emotional farewell to Helle Rantsén (left), PILC Welfare Chairperson for the last 3 years.

Gillian Thom started the proceedings by welcoming all to Casa Pascal and thanking Kim and her husband Pascal. Gillian reminded members that 2007 subscriptions were due and that the membership fee was the same as last year at only 800 baht.
In February 2007, Gillian will step down as president, and a new president and committee will be elected at the A.G.M. to be held at Ocean Marina on February 7. Gillian said that although the A.G.M. is an important official occasion, the lunch and social gathering is very enjoyable and she encouraged as many members as possible to attend in February.
It was then time to say goodbye to some very special members. First, there was an emotional farewell to Helle Rantsén, Welfare Chairperson for PILC for the last 3 years.
The following has been written by Gillian Thom, president of PILC:
“Helle has lived in Thailand for several years with her husband Ebsen and two children. During her time in the area, Helle has been extremely active in the organization and implementation of many projects around the Ban Chang, Rayong and Pattaya region, on behalf of not only PILC but also the Rayong Ladies Circle. She, as chairperson of the PILC Welfare Team, has worked unstintingly with her team to source needy projects, and then to go on to organise renovations, scholarships, training, education, healthcare, and whatever else may be needed.
“PILC raises over THB 1,000,000 annually, and all these funds are distributed with care, energy and enthusiasm by Helle and her team. She has been instrumental in advertising the welfare side of PILC, and has motivated many of the members to also help with the charity projects. She has also worked very closely with many of the other charitable organizations in the area, particularly Jesters Care for Kids, and there are many families and children in the area who have benefited from her dedication.
“Helle has been one of the mainstays of our club in Pattaya, and we are going to miss her greatly when she goes to Oman, but our loss is their gain, and I know that she will be able to find many projects to get involved with there! Of course we wish her and her family every success in their new venture, and we will be sure to keep her up to date with all the projects she is leaving behind here.
“Helle leaves behind a huge job to be filled, and PILC are fortunate indeed to have the capable hands of the Welfare Team, Ingrid Cunliffe, Rosanne Diamente, Diana Mortensen and Kathleen Petras, to take over the reins on her departure.”
Gillian Thom presented Helle with a gift in appreciation of all her hard work. Helle thanked her Welfare Team for their support and hard work and gave a special mention to Nancy Bradburn who has done so much to help the children of the Baan Jing Jai Centre. So, it was a sad farewell to someone who has done so much to help PILC improve the lives of so many. Helle will indeed be greatly missed.
Gillian also said farewell to two other special members, to Anita Schock-Caspar and Dolores Carr Wickes (who was unfortunately not able to attend the event).
2006 has been a very successful year for PILC. As well as many very enjoyable social activities, the club has raised over 1 million baht which will be used to help many charitable causes. Membership grows as women from different countries and backgrounds all meet to share friendship and can enhance the experience of living in Thailand by helping the children and the underprivileged. The PILC would like to thank all those who have supported them during 2006 and to wish everyone a very enjoyable Christmas and Happy New Year.
If you would like any further information about PILC, or sponsorship opportunities for future welfare projects, please contact Gillian Thom, president on 081-7626003 or [email protected]


Jomtien Beach Residence throws the doors open

Dr Iain interviews Ib Ottesen for PMTV.

Jomtien Beach Residence held its ‘open house’ last weekend.

Jomtien Beach Residence, one of the latest in up-market living.

As Jomtien rapidly overhauls its ‘elder sister’ Pattaya in building development, it has also seen a boom in better class accommodation. One of the latest in up-market living is the Jomtien Beach Residence, which had its ‘open house’ last weekend. The venue is opposite the well-known Maesri Ruen restaurant on Soi 9 Jomtien Beach Road and is 60 meters from the beach.
The project has been the result of the previous experience of Ib and Kannikar Ottesen (Residence Garden, Residence Suites and Jomtien Boathouse), and this latest addition to their portfolio shows the same attention to detail, from the basic design, right through to security and the exemplary furnishings.
With many of the apartments having been bought off the plan, there are now very few units still available, with Ib Ottesen stating during the open house that there were only 10 left, and there had been several enquiries.
The remaining single bedroom units are priced from 2.7 million baht, and the large two bedroom units are around 5.5 million. If purchased for investment purposes, owners can expect returns ranging between 8-10 percent.
Further details are available from sales@jomtienbeach residence.com