|
Christmas Mass celebrated at St Nikolaus Church
Elfi Seitz
St Nikolaus Church celebrated Christmas Mass and a Christmas tree lighting
ceremony on December 22, attended by such a large number of worshippers that
extra chairs had to be brought into the church to accommodate them.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn, mayoral advisor Itthipol Khunplome, Pater Augustin
and the faithful together trigger the lighting of the Christmas tree.
Following Mass, children from the Fountain of Life, beautifully dressed like
angels, marched from the church to the yet unlighted crib.
In his address, Pater Augustin Phaiboon Udomdej brought to mind the true
meaning of Christmas, recounting Christmas stories to the congregation and
asking them to practice brotherly love and to always be there for one
another.
Afterwards, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, mayoral advisor Itthipol
Khunplome and Pater Augustin together triggered the lighting of the
Christmas tree in front of the church by a push on a button. At the same
time the garden decoration lit up and illuminated the crib.
The community was supported by the Philippine choir in singing the carols
and Santa handed out gifts to the excited children. A display of fireworks
marked the end of a night to remember.
The choir sonorously sings
Christmas carols.
Gallery Opium celebrates second anniversary with group exhibition
All pieces of the “My art, my
passion” exhibition can be viewed
and bought until January 26.
Pattaya Mail Reporter
“My art, my passion” is the title of the current exhibition at Gallery
Opium, the opening on December 22 also marking the second anniversary of the
gallery.
Gallery director Alan Kirkland-Roath invited nine international artists to
present an assorted display to art lovers in and around Pattaya, and Alan is
also showing some of his own pieces.
Several of the participating artists are already known to the local community.
With Paul de Blieck, Juliette de Salle and Ingrid van der Heyden, Belgium is
once again strongly represented. Pat Savage from Britain also displays her works
for the second time. In addition, pieces from Chris Lock, Jieng Sai Jern,
Wittaya Pised, Panuwat Hoonbamrung and Narakorn Sittite can be viewed at this
international group exhibition.
On display are acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings, and among the art pieces
are sculptures and ceramics as well as a variety of linocuts, etchings and
copper engravings. Visitors are guaranteed a diverse experience.
“My art, my passion connects me to life,” says Kirkland-Roath. “Come share my
ideas and my uttermost strife. Enter my world of colour, design. Trust me, it’s
magic, all will be fine.” The director and artist continues to raise art
awareness in the local community by providing a platform for local and
international artists.
All pieces of the “My art, my passion” exhibition can be viewed and bought until
January 26. Gallery Opium is located on Thepprasit Road. Opening hours are
Monday through Saturday, 9 am until 5 pm. Private viewing may be arranged upon
appointment. For more information please call 038 303 040.
PCEC says goodbye to 2007
The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday
December 30 at Henry J. Bean’s was the last of 2007 as it fell on the day
before New Years Eve.
This week’s MC Roger Fox commenced the proceedings to another full house of
130 attendees. This was the second highest attendance in the club’s history,
the highest number were recorded at the San Miguel beer giveaway some time
ago! Roger made the initial announcement that Hans Strusnyder organised a
visit to the driving licence centre on 9th January.
 Drew
Noyes of PAPPA Co. advises Pattaya City Expats Club members about important
changes in administration of property ownership for expats.
PCEC member Gary Hacker then welcomed back the main speaker of the morning,
the familiar figure of Drew Noyes. Drew’s talks are always packed full of
information and this morning’s was no exception.
Then subject of Drew’s talk was the pending amendments to the Foreign
Business Act and how it will affect a foreigner whose home whether it is a
house or condominium, is currently registered in a company name or who plans
to buy or upgrade his home to a house.
Drew explained that the original purpose of the act was to protect Thai
citizens during the Asia Crisis of 1997. He made the assurance that the Thai
authorities were not aiming to hurt anyone or deprive anyone of their home,
simply that they want to enforce the existing Foreign Business Act, giving
foreigners until October this year to comply.
Thailand is a consumer based country and the intention was to preserve the
spirit of entrepreneurship. The intention was to encourage bona fide
business people to invest in the country.
However, after the recent coup a crackdown was started on the formation of
companies solely for the purpose of purchasing properties.
Drew confirmed that current property held within a company limited was not
under threat and that there were ways in which property could be purchased
in this way.
He recommended a number of solutions. These were that a Thai company be
formed to carry out a real business, no matter how rudimentary. Install a
Thai person as the managing director of the company. Place a mortgage on the
property which is placed in the name of a Thai person, who can then gain
benefits such as favourable loan application status. Land can be leased for
30 years with an extension for a further 20. This will give a sole right to
occupancy.
For assistance in complying with the Foreign Business Act and buying
property in Thailand, Drew, who is the managing director of PAPPA Co., Ltd.,
is offering a free consultation and can be reached directly at 084-111-7999
or at the main PAPPA office on 038-301-050.
Sermsakdi then made the special announcement by thanking the PCEC on behalf
of the governor of Chonburi for the many and varied activities in which the
PCEC had participated to the benefit of the community. For example, the
English Conversation Classes had been attended by approximately 180
students. The PCEC had been honoured by a visit from the governor during
2007 and Sermsekdi passed on the Governor’s wish to make another visit
during the coming year.
PCEC Treasurer Max Rommel responded to the service which Sermsakdi has given
to the PCEC by presenting him with a number of framed sketches. These were
originally made by an ancestor of Max in 1898 and consisted of sketches of
the members of Royal Family at that time.
Max went on to announce that a questionnaire was to be distributed to
confirm the preferred destination of forthcoming trips during 2008. He
proposed that these should take place when the current high season has
ended.
The conductors of the regular Open Forum were at full strength as both Bob
L’Etoile and Sig Sigworth were on hand to take their fair share of the jokes
and jibes! As always it provided an opportunity for questions about living
in Thailand with an emphasis on Pattaya to be asked. 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
The PCEC wishes all Pattaya Mail readers a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
GTCC bids farewell to executive director Dr Paul Strunk
Elfi Seitz
“Though I’m not here anymore, I’m still attainable,” were the words of
outgoing executive director of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC),
Dr Paul Strunk.
On December 13 at the Oriental Hotel, Dr Strunk addressed his colleagues and
friends, with some of them flying in from India and Greece to give their
good wishes. German ambassador Dr Christoph Brümmer was present, along with
Dr Strunk’s successor, Stefan Bürkle.
 Dr
Paul Strunk is very happy about the jerseys Bernhard Steinrücke is handing
him.
In his speech, GTCC president Lothar Herrmann acknowledged Dr Strunk’s
contributions in almost 20 years of service for the chamber in Bangkok.
“One of his outstanding achievements is the establishment of an efficient
chamber structure. The development of the German Technology Symposium (GTS)
to become a globally recognized and leading exhibition is also mostly
attributed to his efforts,” said Herrmann, adding his personal best wishes
to spouse Vicky and the couple’s daughters.
“We all hope that Dr Strunk will reside in Thailand for many years to come,”
said the GTCC president.
Götz Funck, head of the German-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
was the next to speak. He said he was firmly convinced that Dr Strunk would
always be a “Kölsche Jong” (Cologne lad) who would trade in the river of his
heart, the Rhine River, only with Thailand’s River of Kings.
Bernhard Steinrücke, executive director of the Indo-German Chamber of
Commerce, mentioned Dr Strunk’s affinity for football, adding that as he
begins his well-deserved retirement, Dr Strunk might even find some time to
play golf. Steinrücke presented him with a jersey for each type of sport.
The last speaker was Dr Strunk himself. In a moving speech, he thanked all
his employees for their loyalty over the years and especially his wife Vicky
who, “has always stood by and solicitously supported me in every respect.”
Together, the crowd watched a slide show covering the business and part of
the private life of Dr Strunk and his family.
With the sumptuous buffet laid out in the garden of the Oriental, and some
fine wines, the farewell to Dr Paul Strunk was a fond and friendly one.
Rotary Christmas market
draws the crowds
Elfi Seitz
Unfortunately, the yearly Christkindl-Markt organized by Rotary Club
Eastern Seaboard is only a single day event. December 8 saw the second
market of this kind, which again was held at Marriott Resort and Spa.
The event drew the interest of a large crowd, much to the appreciation of
club president Stefan Ryser and his predecessor Marliese Fritz, who is also
the founder of this Christmas market.
Among the numerous guests were members of other Rotary Clubs, ladies from
Plauderstunde and of course Pattaya Mail and Pattaya Blatt.
This year’s event far outnumbered in terms of visitors and business the one
held last year, with all people buying various Christmas gifts. Jewelry,
clothing, Christmas decorations, English and German reading and many, many
more things could be purchased.
All day long, Stefan was busy opening bottles of champagne, which was sold
for 100 baht a glass. All guests as well as shoppers and vendors made sure
that the income was on a constant rise. It also was a smart way to get
warmed up from within, as the air-conditioned hall provided suitable winter
degrees. At the end of the day, Stefan had sold some 25 bottles - a great
number for a single day.
With active support from their fellow Rotarians, Marliese and her spouse
Heinz sold lots and lots of raffle tickets. Every time a lot won, loud
laughter and cheers could be heard.
But to find out who the winner of the top prizes were, the crowd had to wait
until 5 pm. Cordy Schläpfer won a mobile phone, while Susi Rohner took home
a bicycle. Toy, Stefan’s beautiful wife, had bought tickets for all members
of the big Ryser family. Loud cheers were heard as the winner of the
motorbike was drawn. Six-year-old Dim, one of Toy’s nephews, was the lucky
one. He immediately handed over the prize to his father who, coincidentally,
recently wrecked his old bike. As one can see, Santa Claus and baby Jesus
sometimes choose peculiar ways to help those in need.
President Stefan Ryser tries
his best to blow out the candles
on his birthday cake, while GM Somsak Tanruengsri, Marriott’s chef,
Marliese Fritz, Jan van Veldhofen and Toy Ryser look on.
President and board installed as Rotary Club Phönix takes flight
First German-speaking Rotary Club in Asia becomes a reality
Elfi Seitz,
PR chairwoman
December 11 saw the installation of the first charter president and a full
board for the first German-speaking Rotary Club in all of Asia, the Rotary
Club Phönix Pattaya.
Stephan Heynert, a well-experienced Rotarian, was installed as president at
the ceremony held in the Montien Hotel. First vice president is Michael
Wünsche, and second vice president is Trutz Fiddickow. Other board members
are club secretary Trutz Fiddickow, treasurer Peter Aistleitner, club master
Klaus Zauner, chairman of administration Siegfried Borchert, PR chairwoman
Elfi Seitz, project chairwoman Ursula Rothstein, chairman of membership Kurt
Krieger, chairman of Rotary Foundation Dietrich Mundt, and webmaster Stephan
Heynert.
Trutz Fiddickow, Stephan Heynert and Elfi Seitz presided over the meeting.
In the presence of the presidents of other Rotary Clubs, Jan Abbink, Stefan
Ryser, Nic Demet and Bob Denzel (on behalf of John Botting), Dr Arnon
Chirajavala, governor of Rotary District 3340, declare the new club to be a
“Provisionary Club”. The club will hold this title until March 1, when the
official installation party will take place.
Governor Dr Arnon said how proud he was that the establishment of the first
German speaking Rotary Club in all of Asia is taking place during his period
of office.
Peter Malhotra, who will be the governor’s successor in July, also gave a
speech, presented in perfect German. “We, the German speaking community,
will try to show the world that we are good human beings, willing to support
the underprivileged and doing everything we can to contribute to a good
image of Pattaya,” he said.
Nic Demet, president of Rotary Club Pattaya Marina, said that his club would
sponsor the Phönix Club. His club is the first French speaking Rotary Club
in Southeast Asia.
Som Indra-Payoong also gave a brief speech, encouraging all members of the
new club to adhere to the four main questions of Rotarians: Is it true? Is
it fair for everybody involved? Will it promote fellowship and goodwill?
Will it serve the well-being of all involved?
Philippine duet Heart & Soul provided excellent musical accompaniment, while
the Montien chef took care of the culinary delights.
The Phönix initially counts 31 members, all of whom stayed until late to
chat with the numerous guests. Further information can be obtained from the
website
www.rotary-phoenix-pattaya.org
Members of Rotary Club Phönix
Pattaya, presidents from other Rotary Clubs
and guests of honor pose for a souvenir shot.
Charity Club of Pattaya
breaks 2M baht mark
The Charity Club of Pattaya finished hosting their last
Charity event for 2007 in December at the Pinnacle Grand Resort and Spa. The
husband and wife team are very proud to announce that since the formation of
the club in 2004 and with the help of the Charity Club’s valued friends and
supporters the total raised has now gone over the two million baht mark;
2,339,642 baht to be precise!
Not only have they bought items for various charities and people in need but
also ran clothing appeals, as well as holding Christmas parties for the
Camillian Centre Children.
The charities that have benefited on more than one occasion are; the school
for the deaf, the St. Kids, the Wat Pong School, the Free Masons West Winds
Lodge Tsunami Appeal, Camillian Centre, scholarships for underprivileged
children, the people and children of Esarn wheelchair and walking aids
appeal, the Mercy Centre, Christmas gift appeal, donated to Rotary’s and
Free Masons charities, built a classroom for the Wat Wang Wa Temple School,
donated to a local orphanage, and donated to the British Legion Poppy Day
appeal.
The next project is already underway; raising funds for the disabled
children and the charity able – the – disabled.
[email protected]
|
