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Khun Anand - UNICEF Cup safely landed by Cathay Pacific
His Excellency Khun Anand addresses the
guests at his private poolside party.
Perennial tournament consultant Mike
Franklin receives a personal certificate of appreciation from UNICEF’s
representative for Thailand, Tomoo Hozumi.
Feast over – its time to get down to the
serious business of some Karaoke.
The Cathay Pacific boys finally got their
hands on the trophy.
Tomoo Hozumi (right) receives a cheque for
1.4 million baht which will be used to support UNICEF’s child education
programme in Thailand.
Master of ceremonies Mike Franklin doles out
the lucky draw prizes ably assisted by some lovely helpers.
Khun Anand (second left) shares a joke with
guests at his pre-tournament party.
Story by Mike Franklin
Photos courtesy Claude Muhlemann,
www.star-photo.biz and Pattaya Mail reporters
In their 6th year of being Platinum sponsors of the Khun Anand Charity
Golf Invitational for UNICEF at Eastern Star Country Club & Resort,
Cathay Pacific finally produced a winning team and a record gross score
for the tournament. Team Cathay Pacific (2), featuring Surasak
Boonyanankij, Piyasart Praeawpraisukakul, Satit Sangsamutr and Deni
Davis returned a record gross 59 and, with a scratch handicap, net 59.
They received the champion trophies for the team and the Khun Anand -
UNICEF Cup. Presenting the trophies was the UNICEF representative for
Thailand, Tomoo Hozumi.
 What
the teams were all playing for – the Khun Anand UNICEF Cup.
The 6th occasion of the tournament was on Saturday 3rd March on a fine
overcast, hot and windy day with the course presented to its usual very
high standard. Nevertheless, rain will be welcomed as the dry season is
taking its toll with the only advantage being to short hitters gaining
extra run in the fairways, and the long hitters achieving new goals.
There was a tie for second and third place between American
International Assurance (1) and Kasikorn Bank (1), the latter never
being far off the pace in previous tournaments and back to back winner
on the last two occasions! Both teams returned a net 63 and the
count-back went to hole index 2, where Kasikorn Bank made par to AIA’s
birdie.
The runner-up team therefore was AIA (1) featuring Thomas White,
Surachai Lertsittichai, K. K. Ho and Kirk Bay. Second Runner-up finally,
was Kasikorn Bank (1) with Vichai Dittasri, Simon Udomphol, Tiwakorn
Suppalert and Sakchai Sombatsrisomboon.
Both teams received their trophies from Tomoo Hozumi.
Ten technical trophies featured and were claimed as follows:
Near pins by Polchet (AIA 4), Satit (Cathay Pacific 2), Visit (Cathay
Pacific 4) and Suchart (AIA 4). The straight drives were won by Namthip
(G.E) and Jim Montgomery (Aree Holding). Long putts were sunk by
Silpchai (Saha Union) and Prachoub (Bangkok Broadcasting Ch. 7), and
finally the long drive by Thomas White (AIA 1).
The prize-giving ceremony took place at 4.30 p.m. in the Masters
Conference hall following the buffet. On behalf of His Excellency Khun
Anand, the board of directors, the organizing committee and Tomoo
Hozumi, UNICEF officer and representative for Thailand, sponsors and
guests were welcomed to the 6th Khun Anand Panyarachun Charity Golf
Invitational for UNICEF, on this occasion to support the UNICEF’s
Education Program. ‘Helping UNICEF improve the quality of Education for
Children in Thailand.’
The generous support of the sponsors continued on this 6th occasion of
the tournament with grateful thanks to the team sponsors and this year,
once again, to the media sponsors: Pattaya Mail Publishing for
press coverage in Pattaya Mail, & Pattaya Blatt and design &
print of the material and tournament brochure, coordinated by Tony
Malhotra.
Pattaya Mail Television (PMTV), with coverage on four cable
networks in Pattaya, Chonburi, Jomtien & Sattahip, will feature footage
recorded at the event, including an interview with Tomoo Hozumi at Khun
Anand’s pre-tournament party that he hosted at his Eastern Star
residence by the 14th green on the evening of Friday March 2nd. That to
be aired in the week of this Pattaya Mail issue featuring the
press report.
Khun Anand’s poolside parties are always memorable for his warm
hospitality, live music and karaoke, and a sumptuous Thai & Western
buffet with free flowing wine. His Excellency’s personal recommendation
from the sweet display on offer was the yellow mango & sticky rice.
Needless to say, he was right!
Media support also came from the Point of View Media Group providing two
hundred A3 poster display sites at prime building locations in Bangkok.
Thanks for that are due to CEO John Stevens, and creative services
director, Sean Franklin, who organized the schedule and placements.
The Pattaya Mail issue of Friday March 2nd ran a full page color
feature acknowledging all the sponsors. They were:
Support Donations: Bank of Thailand, Siam Commercial Bank, and
Thai Plastic & Chemicals
Category Sponsors
Bronze - Electricity Generating Authority, Thai Polyethylene
Company, Bangkok Broadcasting & TV (Ch.7, Rim Talay Co. Bank of Ayudhya,
Glow Energy
Silver - Tisco Bank, Kasikorn Bank, GE Money Retail Bank, Saha
Union, Chevron Thailand, Regional Container Lines, Aree Holding Ltd.,
and Dow Chemical Thailand
Gold - Siam Cement Group
Platinum - Cathay Pacific, American International Assurance,
Pattaya Mail Publishing, POV Media Group
Event Sponsor - Eastern Star Country Club & Resort.
Services - Ambulance - Bangkok Hospital Rayong; Accommodation at
Eastern Star- Sea-star Properties
Golf continues to be a popular sport for charity fund raising. Many
courses have upgraded in the past two years, and this fine Robert Trent
Jones Jnr. championship golf course is noticeably one of them resulting
in increased popularity for major tournaments, and routine golf outings
there. Eastern Star is truly a country club with full resort facilities.
Eastern Star’s popularity is also helped by its friendly efficient staff
and the hands-on co-operation from Eastern Star management.
On this important occasion at Eastern Star thanks are due to Kaweeporn,
course superintendent, for the excellent presentation of the course. To
Dararat, general manager; Jirapol, golf operations & marketing manager;
Chamnan, clubhouse, and Sririla in the ever friendly pro-shop.
And not least, thanks to the UNICEF Private Fund Raising Sector team of
Kajorn with Suwakon and Penrawee for all the UNICEF organization and
attention to tournament detail.
Proceedings got off to a quick start with the Lucky Draw, conducted at
pace due to the large number of prizes on offer. The presentation of
technical and team prizes followed, and finally certificates of
appreciation were awarded by Tomoo Hozumi to the Platinum Sponsors:
Cathay Pacific, American International Assurance, Pattaya Mail
Publishing and the POV Media Group.
Yours truly, tournament consultant since the inaugural event in 2000,
was honored too with a personal certificate of appreciation that was
gratefully received.
That just left the highlight and main purpose of the tournament of
making a significant donation to UNICEF’s program to improve the quality
of education for children in Thailand.
Eastern Star general manager, Dararat Renangkul duly presented a cheque
for 1,400,000 baht to Tomoo Hozumi to add to more than 7 million baht
already raised since year 2000.
He then gave a short address about UNICEF’s work in Thailand to improve
children’s education and concluded with warm words of appreciation to
all concerned.
All said, it was another enjoyable and successful Charity Golf
Invitational in the name of His Excellency, Khun Anand Panyarachun for
the benefit of UNICEF and the children of Thailand.
It always pays to be nice to your caddy.
This team goes through a group bonding session before setting out over
the course.
Team Cathay Pacific (2) take time out from
‘tearing up’ the course for a group photo.
Banjob Franklin tees one up at the short
17th.
Even the short ones require full
concentration on the testing greens at Eastern Star.
A flourishing follow through sends the ball
on its way.
Nice finish - but the ball’s heading for an
early bath!
The Pattaya Mail Media team prepares to tee
it up at the 1st.
“In she goes!” This player managed to ignore
the cameras to drain a testing 6-footer.
No rain clouds in sight but ‘brollies’ were
still the order of the day.
“Vocal bombardment” in Jomtien
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James Sore. |
Zena Docto. |
Sue K
Dutch ex-pat and pianist Ben Hansen once again surprised 45 guests in
his home with an outstanding charity concert, “Thank God it’s Friday at
Ben’s”.
Under the slogan, “If Music be the Food of love, Sing on,” Ben presented
18 singers last Friday March 2nd. Indeed a ‘vocal bombardment’ as Ben
mentioned in his introduction. Although all singers are amateurs, they
share a passion for music.
Ben strives for quality and so the audience witnessed a rich variety of
individual singers, along with the Sea Breeze Choir of Pattaya.
 Barry
Pethig and Roger Farman.
Known for his ability to guide and stimulate singers to perform, Ben
even succeeded in accompanying one of the Thai waiters, Sayan, singing
“Roy Row”, a Thai song. The audience rewarded him with a long lasting
applause.
As well as “regulars” Barry Pethig and Roger Farman, Ben introduced new
members of his extending stable. American ex-pat Zina Docto brought us
back to the Billy Holiday era with a beautiful interpretation of “My
funny Valentine” (Vernon Duke) and “God Bless the Child
(Herzog/Holiday)”.
Dutch ex-pat Elly Klanderman sang a famous Dutch song about the
Amsterdam canals and completed her warm voiced performance with jazzy
songs like “Misty” (Garner) and “Falling Leaves” (Kozma/Mercer).
 Ben
Hansen - the organizer and pianist.
British ex-pat James Sore (alias Jimmy London) brought the house down
with his hilarious version of “Mack the Knife” (Weil/Brecht) involving
some female members of the audience.
Barry again showed his phenomenal vocal range in “I Could Have Danced
All Night” (Lerner/Loewe).
Roger Farman on the other hand touched the audience with “Here is to
Life” with a beautiful piano arrangement of George Shearing. The evening
closed with a Grand Finale with the Sea Breeze Choir, conducted by
Robert Hutya, and all individual singers. It was indeed a “swellegant”
evening as Ben used to call it.
The concert was sponsored by the Poseidon restaurant, which provided the
buffet. Proceeds will be donated to the Camillian Social Center for
children with HIV and AIDS in Rayong.
He’s got the whole world in his hand - with
the Sea Breeze.
Elly Klanderman.
The Sea Breeze Choir.
North Pattaya power station is declared open
Narisa Nitikarn
The official opening ceremony for the new North Pattaya power station
was held on February 23, presided over by the governor of the Provincial
Electricity Authority, Pracherd Sukkaew.
 Pracherd
Sukkaew, governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority, presides over
opening the North Pattaya power station.
Also attending the event were Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Banglamung
district chief Pratheep Jongsuebtham, former Chonburi MP Chanyuth
Hengtrakul, and the owner of Saha Farm, Dr Panya Chottaewan.
Apirak Luangthuwapraneet, director of network procedures at the Provincial
Electricity Authority Region 2 (Central) said North Pattaya power station is
the 61st station and the fourth station in Pattaya City. It is located at
the 143 km post of Sukhumvit Road on an area of approximately 2 rai.
The Provincial Electricity Authority had awarded a contract of 160.6 million
baht to a consortium of Siemens AG and Siemens Ltd to construct the project.
The station has a 115,000-volt switchgear gas insulated shield (GIS), two
transformers rated at 115,000/22,000 volts and 50 MVA, 10 circuits for power
distribution of 22,000 volts, and a computerized control system.
It was completed and tested for power distribution on September 28 last year
and distributes power to normal and large consumers in North Pattaya,
Central Pattaya, and Naklua. The area covered is more than 100 square
kilometers, and the output capacity is 62.5 megawatts. There is also power
in reserve for distribution to the neighboring power stations in Banglamung
district and the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate.
The official opening ceremony
for the new North Power Station, held on February 23, included a Buddhist
religious ceremony.
Apirak Luangthuwapraneet,
director of network procedures at the Provincial Electricity Authority
Region 2 (Chonburi) speaks about the history of this power station.
The assembled guests tour the
North Pattaya power station.
(L to R) Pratheep
Jongsuebtham, Banglamung district chief; Pracherd Sukkaew, governor of the
Provincial Electricity Authority; Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn; and Dr.
Panya Chottaewan, owner of Saha Farm, press the ceremonial button to open
the North Pattaya power station.
Former Chonburi MP Chanyuth
Hengtrakul (left) congratulates Saman Suthipongkaset, head of the Provincial
Electricity Authority, Banglamung District.
Pracherd Sukkaew (seated,
center) regulates power distribution from his seat at the computer.
Assembled guests pose for a
commemorative photo.
Thanks to British benevolence, “Kindnees Corner 2”
opens at Camillian Center in Rayong
The kids say a big thanks to
Norman Vernon (centre) for their new “Kindnees Corner”.
The room is full of fun and
games for the children.
Paul Strachan
A little over a year ago, the Camillian Center in Rayong was given a
playroom, replete with a plasma screen TV and a DVD player to keep the
children entertained. The Camillian Center in Rayong takes care of children
whose lives are affected with HIV/AIDS.
The room was to be called the Kindness room; however, the sign writer made a
slight error, so when the plaque arrived it read Kindnees Corner. The name
stuck, as has the enthusiasm of the man who spearheaded this fundraising
project, Norman Vernon.
Norman’s charity work back in the UK in 2005 raised 3000 pounds, which was
channelled into the Kindnees Corner so that the kids could have somewhere
comfortable to relax and watch TV.
After returning to England Norman started, along with his dear friend Jean
Briely (who sponsors one of the children at the centre), to organise a
fundraising dinner in Bolton for the next phase of the project.
Norman loves to give the children some fun and entertainment, which he feels
is an integral part of their care at the centre, so the target this time was
to raise enough money to create a games room.
The dinner was a great success with Norman pulling in old favours from
various sportsmen he had worked with over the years, who then donated
fantastic items for an auction, which along with the ticket sales raised
9000 pounds (nearly 575,000 baht).
On Saturday the 3rd of March, back in Thailand, the months of fundraising
and purchasing the new equipment finally came round, with Norman back at the
Camillian Center for the grand unveiling of Kindnees Corner 2.
It features a pool table, 2 air-hockey tables, 3 table-football units, 2
small skittle/bowling lanes as well as tables, chairs and a variety of board
games.
It was a lovely informal ceremony with the children singing songs to welcome
Norman and his friends.
Norman cut the ribbon, saying that he hoped the children enjoyed the games
room as much as the TV room and with a twinkle in his eye, promised that
next year there would be something very special.
With the formalities over the children rushed towards the assortment of
games, battling out against each other at air-hockey, table football and
pool.
As well as the new room Norman had also raised enough cash to help improve
the computers at the centre and provide smoke alarms and fire extinguishers
to safeguard the staff, volunteers and of course the children.
Norman looked on proudly, knowing that he had given yet again the children
an element of fun and some added safety, in what for many is an uncertain
future.
Local friends in Pattaya, Garry and Noi from the Rolling Stone bar and the
Roo bar held a golf day back in January, raising 40,000 baht and a couple of
weeks ago organised disco for the kids, raising another 20,000 baht.
Norman explained to Pattaya Mail on TV that that money would go towards
phase 3, stating that 75% of the table for this year’s coming fundraiser
back in Bolton in September was already booked, giving him the confidence
that next year part of the money will have to go towards swimsuits, as he is
going to build a swimming pool within the grounds of the centre.
This again reinforces this man’s commitment to the centre, that the kids can
enjoy, and perhaps this has a therapeutic effect on them as well.
You can see exclusive footage from the opening of the Kindnees Corner 2 on
PMTV on Sunday the 11th of March and if you would like to get in touch with
the Camillian Center in Rayong you can do so by calling 038 685 480 or go
online at www.camillian-rayong.org
The grown-ups try their hand
at the foosball table.
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