HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Villa Market makes charitable donation

Very full agenda at PCEC meeting

Remembrancetide underway

Cross Bay Swim scheduled for Nov. 11

Two Rotary Clubs sign sister agreement to extend activities

Corry Bik’s birthday bash at Manhattan

Voting instructions for Australian expats

Villa Market makes charitable donation

Pictured from left to right are Judy Hoppe, Vice President of PILC, Ingrid Cunliffe, PILC Welfare Committee Director, Sudaporn Singhadhepthada, business development manager and Kathleen Petras, PILC Welfare Committee member.

Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) is the proud beneficiary of a generous charitable donation from the Villa Market. Sudaporn Singhadhepthada, business development manager, presented the check to members of the PILC Welfare Committee. She explained that Surapong Poosanakhom, chief executive officer and his father Pisit Phusanakhom, Villa Market developer, are concerned about the welfare of Thai people. They want to support disadvantaged Thai people in the local community. They combined their efforts with donations from several vendors and supporters of Villa Market and were thus able to make a substantial donation to the PILC.
Villa Market Pattaya is the 12th store in Thailand with 2000 square meters of floor space. It is a very popular supermarket with the expat foreign community. Therefore, it seemed natural for them to develop a partnership with PILC that can have long-term benefits for both.

Very full agenda at PCEC meeting

This week’s MC, Richard Silverberg, introduced a very full agenda at this week’s meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) on Sunday October 21st at Henry J. Bean’s.

Monster Pizzas disappear at the PCEC.

The morning got underway with the welcoming of the main speaker of the morning, Dr. Natchai Jitthamvanich from the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya as part of the hospital’s regular monthly talks. This week the subject was Osteoporosis. This was of particular interest as it is more likely to affect older people such as those who attend PCEC Sunday meetings!
Dr Natchai described Osteoporosis as a condition which decreases the bone mass, increasing the risk of fractures. He provided a detailed account of the structure and composition of bone and how the body undertakes the remodeling process. With increasing age the peak bone mass decreases as the remodeling process lessens. There are few symptoms and the condition may not be recognised until a fracture occurs. The recommended method of bone mass measurement is by way of DXA (Dual Energy X Ray Absorptiometry).
In order to maintain a high bone mass, Dr Natchai recommended the correct level of calcium intake which is 1200mg daily, take regular weight bearing exercise, and obtain sufficient Vitamin D. This can be obtained naturally by exposure to sunlight for not more than 30 minutes daily and also from foods such as fish oil, mackerel and liver.
Following on, personnel from the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya provided details of the Chiawattana – My Health Membership Card. In return for a membership fee a considerable number of benefits are made available and until the end of October two people can join the scheme for the price of one. Further information can be obtained from the Chivawattana Counter in the main lobby of the hospital.
All this healthy advice was temporarily forgotten with the return of Scott Tanner from the newly opened Pizza Pizza restaurant at the new Avenue shopping complex. Scott lived up to his promise made at the last meeting to bring along some samples and duly arrived with what can only be described as two monster pizzas! Needless to say, despite their size, the pizzas soon disappeared! Scott has kindly offered a discount to PCEC members at his restaurant.
PCEC Chairman Richard Smith then made a number of announcements. Firstly the details of the club trip to Cambodia were still awaited and it was suggested that 3 day trip to Chang Mai by overnight sleeper train should take place. Board Member Roger Fox was currently investigating.
The response to the trip to witness the Chonburi Buffalo Races on 24th October had been very high and 73 people had signed up to go. There were 2 buses to transport all the race goers.
In response to a member’s recent experience, Richard further announced that he had been contacted by Barry Kenyon, Honorary British Consul, who confirmed that photocopies of ATM cards were being requested when an application or renewal of a retirement visa was made.
The much anticipated Open Forum was conducted by the PCEC’s own resident comedy duo of Bob L’Etoile and Sig Sigworth. As always it provided an opportunity for questions about living in Thailand with an emphasis on Pattaya to be asked. The Open Forum again proved to be the usual lively and entertaining session. For more information regarding, not only PCEC Sunday meetings but also the varied mid week activities, please see the Community Happenings section of Pattaya Mail or, for more details, visit the Club’s website at pattayacityexpatsclub.com.

Remembrancetide underway

Bert Elson, Secretary Royal British Legion Chonburi Thailand Branch
Remembrancetide is perhaps a little known word, yet to the many volunteers who work for the Royal British Legion it is the period between the 27th October and 11th November when over 50% of the Legions welfare funds are collected. We of course all know this as the Poppy Appeal.

RBL Committee: sitting Bob Myers and Middy Campbell, standing Bert Elson.

Why the Poppy and how did it all come about? During WW1 the area of Flanders saw some of the most appalling fighting of the war. There was complete devastation, where homes, farms and countryside had been a sea of mud and carnage engulfed everything. One thing, however, did survive; each year the warm weather brought up poppies. Their vibrant colour in this mud and desolation gave heart and hope to the soldiers fighting in the trenches, and so the poppy became a symbol of hope and reassurance.
After the war’s end, those who survived the fighting, some terribly mutilated in mind and body, returned to find a radically changed homeland. People had learned to live without them, jobs were hard to find - peace brought a whole range of new problems.
Under the guidance of a Major George Howson MC, a small group of disabled ex-servicemen started to make artificial poppies and so the poppy appeal as we now know it spread from these small beginnings to the powerful and successful movement it is today. All the money raised by the appeal goes to help ex-servicemen and women, and their dependants in times of need, through the Royal British Legion’s Benevolent Fund. The Legion was formed on 1st July 1921, granted the Royal Charter in 1925 and became the Royal British Legion on its 50th Anniversary in 1971 and exists to promote the welfare of those who are serving or who have served in the armed forces of the Crown and their dependants.

Poppies are ready for distribution.

So where does the newly formed Chonburi Thailand Branch of the Royal British Legion fit in? Well we too were formed on the 1st July but in 2007 and have at present 45 members. We are based at Tropical Bert’s opposite the Bangkok Bank on 2nd Road and meet every Sunday afternoon to swing the lamp and promote the Legion. This will be our first poppy appeal and all the money raised will be banked in the Legion account in Pattaya and used for those in need within Thailand. It may be one of the many expats who live here, a visiting tourist or a serving member of our forces; if the need is there we will help.
Our young men and women are still fighting in foreign fields and still amongst poppies; everyday there are more deaths, more mutilations and more broken minds. Please give generously and wear your poppy with pride.
You will find collection boxes and poppies in the establishments listed below. Yes, they are mainly pubs; have a few drinks: it’s what they would have wanted but please never forget them.
Jameson’s, Shenanigans, Sportsman’s Soi 13, The Whitehouse Soi 13, Queen Victoria Inn, Pig and Whistle, Clansmen, Jack Tar, Saigon Girl all Soi 6, Caddy Shack, Hide Away Bar Jomtien complex, Pa Pa David’s Jomtien, Nicky’s Soi Buakow, Tropical Bert’s, and Ace Cafe Jomtien. We will, with their permission, also be visiting local clubs and groups.

Cross Bay Swim scheduled for Nov. 11

Graham Hunt-Crowley
The 4th Cross Bay Charity Swim, organised by the Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya, will take place on Sunday 11th November 2007. This year it starts from 2 locations:
The normal swim of 3.5 Km starts at 1:00 pm from Bali Hai Sea Rescue Station, where Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh will provide the starting speech. Last year the fastest swimmer was 45 minutes and the slowest was 2 hours. So far we have 32 swimmers registered.
For the first time this year, we are also having a shorter swim of 1.1 km from the Hard Rock Hotel. It is divided into 2 groups, juniors and adult and start at 12 noon. More swimmers are wanted for this length.
Both swims will end at Chaba Beach at the Dusit Thani Pattaya, where there will be a small buffet reception to welcome the swimmers and a beer tent sponsored by San Miguel Lite Beer.
For more information, please visit http://www. rotary-jomtien-pattaya. org/2007__swim-promo.htm
The funds will be used to supply water filtration systems on our local schools. See http://www.rotary-jomtien-pattaya.org/2007__cleanwater.htm

Two Rotary Clubs sign sister agreement to extend activities

Preecha Pithong (left), president of the Pattaya Rotary Club, exchanges flags with Dr. Woraset Saksirikul (right), president of the Buriram Rotary Club as Dr Anon Jirachawala (center), district governor of District 3340 and Rotarians look on.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Two Rotary Clubs that come under the Rotary District 3340 but which are in very different localities have signed a Sister Club agreement that will enable them to cooperate to greater effect on beneficial community activities.
The signing took place on October 18 at the Town in Town Hotel in Pattaya between Pattaya Rotary Club and Buriram Rotary Club.
President of Pattaya Rotary Club Preecha Pithong and president of Buriram Rotary Club Dr Woraset Saksirikul inked the contract with Dr Anon Jirachawala, district governor of District 3340 witnessing the signing. Members of Sattahip Rotary, Laem Chabang Rotary, Sriracha Rotary, Pattaya-Marina Rotary and Taksin-Pattaya Rotary attended the ceremony.
Preecha said the agreement was designed to bind friendships between the two clubs in the different areas of District 3340, and to allow the creation of cooperative activities for social benefits and the sharing of ideas. Pattaya Rotary Club has already signed similar agreements with Nakhon Ratchasima Rotary Club and Bangkok Chinatown Rotary Club, which are in District 3350.
Pattaya Rotary Club was established over 35 years ago. Amongst its main activities are the distributing of scholarships to underprivileged students with good scholastic results, and the donation of educational equipment and sports accessories to rural schools. The signing of the Sister Agreement with Buriram will enable the expansion of these activities, said Preecha.

Rotarians celebrate the birthday of members who were born in
September and October.

Corry Bik’s birthday bash at Manhattan

Mrs. Corry Bik recently hosted a most lavish birthday party at the Manhattan Restaurant organised by restaurateur Tom Vicario and close friends Adi and Helmut. The restaurant was closed for this private party which gave the atmosphere of a very exclusive club; the champagne flowed and Dutch conviviality was much in presence.

(L to R) Helmut Schneider-Kahre, Andrew Wood and Adi Tschisner were among the many people to help wish Corry Bik a happy birthday.
Standing side-by-side friends Adi Tschisner and Helmut Schneider-Kahre, Corry welcomed guests individually. After cocktails guests were escorted to the elegantly decorated Manhattan’s main dining room where a sumptuous 5-course dinner awaited partygoers. Throughout the evening the cool tunes of Ms. Monika Rottman and Thana Thirnaporn at the piano, blended perfectly in the fashionable New York style interior.
Many friends from Pattaya joined the party, especially from the vibrant Dutch community and out-of-towners included long time friend Andrew Wood and Ulf Buchert.
Following dinner there was an exciting dance performance by “The Throb Cabaret Dancers” with birthday wishes offered by Douwe Bosma in a most eloquent and passionate speech.
There followed more champagne as the birthday girl was seen to cut a cake, happy amongst her many friends who came to celebrate this special day. The evening was rounded off with dancing and musical tributes provided by Ben Hansen and our very own Peter Malhotra with a splendid rendition of Frank Sinatra’s finest. Many happy returns Corry!

Following dinner, “The Throb Cabaret Dancers” performed an exciting dance.

Voting instructions for Australian expats

General election to be held Nov. 24

Australians in Thailand are encouraged to submit an application for a postal vote or visit polling facilities early to avoid queues. The Embassy will accept postal vote applications until 4pm Thursday, 22 November. Postal vote applications can be downloaded and printed from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website (www.aec.gov.au). Voters should first check their eligibility to vote through the AEC website.
The Australian Embassy Bangkok (Consular Services) will accept pre-poll votes for two weeks prior to the election (from Monday 12/11/2007). Consular Services office hours are from 8 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday. The Embassy will also open for pre-poll voting services from 9am - 12 noon on Election Day 24 November 2007. Australians intending to submit a pre-poll vote are requested to present a valid Australian passport for security purposes.
Australians not in Australia on polling day will not be penalized for failing to vote.
For further enquiries please visit the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website www.aec.gov.au or contact them by email at info@aec.gov.au, or contact the Consular Services Section, Australian Embassy Bangkok, telephone 02 344 6300 facsimile 02 344 6310 email consular.bangkok@dfat.gov.au

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