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Miss Czech 2008 competitors visit Pattaya
Promotional trip will help open up new tourism market for city
Miss Czech pageant
contestants pose at the main lobby of Dusit Thani Pattaya
with the hotel’s Marcom Manager Vanjie Lauzon (left), Director of Rooms
Suree Patchana and the event delegation.
The competitors pose for a
photo with Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay.
At Nong Nooch Tropical
Garden the contestants sign their names
to the book mourning the passing of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat, Patcharapol Panrak
Twelve finalists in the Miss Czech 2008 beauty contest have been
visiting Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya between January 4 and 18 as part of
a promotional campaign.
The girls and their entourage, a total of 30 people, stayed in Pattaya
at the Dusit Resort between January 7 and 10, and a reception party was
held at the Zign Hotel on January 9. Their visits included a trip to
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, and they also signed a book of condolences
marking the passing away off Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani
Vadhana.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay and Chaiwat Charoensuk, director of the
Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 gave speeches to welcome
the group.
Verawat said the tourism market in the Czech Republic is a new one with
excellent potential. There have as yet been few tourists from the
country to visit Thailand, but the visit by the beauty pageant
contestants would generate a good deal of interest.
The winner of Miss Czech 2008 will go forward to compete in this year’s
Miss Universe contest, while the runners-up will compete in Miss
Intercontinental 2008, Miss Earth 2008, and Top Model of the World 2008.
The pretty girls from the
Czech Republic show their charm.
Lovely smiles all around.
Pretty ladies, meet Jimmy
the gibbon at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.
It’s so strong!
Taking an elephant ride is
not something one would normally
do in the Czech Republic.
A couple of Miss Czech
contestants pose with members of the Tiffany Show cast.
Educational focus for Children’s Day events
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn
presents gifts to the children at city hall.
Staff Reporters
National Children’s Day was observed in Pattaya on January 12
without any on-stage entertainment, in respect to the passing away of Her
Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the events being organized for the
youngsters instead focusing on their educational content.
 Young
children learn all about HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.
Pattaya City Hall was the center of the activities, with an exhibition and
games for the children, and guided tours of the various departments so the
youngsters could see how the machinery of local government works. More than
5,000 children and their parents attended.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn read a message to all children from Prime
Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont, urging them to be united, have discipline,
seek knowledge and glorify moral principles. After that, gifts of toys and
more than 20 bicycles were presented to the children who attended the event.
A mock city council meeting was held at which children could take part, and
an exhibition devoted to the works of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani
was staged.
Elsewhere, the Royal Thai Marine Corps put on a dog handling show, the
Ordnance Operations staged a show of tanks and other military equipment from
the Naval Base, and the Pattaya City Disaster Prevention Division gave a
display.
 There
were plenty of fun activities at the Redemptorist Center on National
Children’s Day.
The Redemptorist Center staged games throughout the day, with prizes for
games and sports such as darts, ring tossing, sack race jumping, and a
tug-o-war. Traditional Thai dancing and Thai boxing were also held.
Central Festival Center held a painting competition and staged games for
prizes. The Sanctuary of Truth had free admission, and the dolphins were the
most popular attraction. Tiffany Theater had a country song contest and a
drawing competition, with sweets and ice cream being handed out to the
youngsters attending.
Million Years Stone Park and the Crocodile Farm had free admission. Supoj
Kerdsantie, judge at Pattaya Provincial Court chaired the opening ceremony
and there was a signing of a book of condolences for Her Royal Highness
Princess Galyani. After the ceremony was finished, 60 scholarships valued at
1,000 baht each were presented to students with good scholastic
achievements. Activities included a Thai boxing show, and baby elephants
posed with the children for photographs.
Pattaya Provincial Court Judge
Supoj Kerdsantie presents scholarships.
Youngsters show off their Thai
boxing skills.
Children excitedly interact
with the dolphins at the Sanctuary of Truth.
The Ordnance Operations staged
a show of tanks and other military
equipment from the Naval Base.
Children remember Father Ray
at the Redemptorist Center.
The Royal Thai Marine Corps
puts on a dog handling show.
Pattaya Mail makes merit for New Year
Abbot Sarawut Thitapinyo
sprinkles holy water upon each department
and for every employee at the Pattaya Mail.
Prince and Tony Malhotra,
directors of the Pattaya Mail present
offerings to the holy monk.
Pattaravadee Wangviriyaphan,
marketing executive and Dr. Iain Corness,
special consultant at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital present a Chivawattana
card
to Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra, managing director of Pattaya Mail.
Tony Malhotra, director of
Pattaya Mail receives a thank you basket
from Tanyarat Jirapatpakorn, Miss International Queen 2007,
representing the Tiffany’s Show Pattaya.
Kamolthep Malhotra, general
manager and Chanapa Dawan of Pattaya Mail receive
a New Year basket from Komsan Sisam, general manager of Diana Group.
Panchaya Hongpairoch,
assistant manager sales & marketing at Horseshoe Point presents a basket to
Tony Malhotra.
Narisa Nitikarn, representing
Amari Hotels & Resorts brought along Christmas cakes and cookies for the
Pattaya Mail staff, received by Tony Malhotra.
Kanogporn Sripangkaw, public
relations officer and Junjira Sermsupya marketing manager, representing the
managing director, Somboon Vorapanyasakul and Orapin Supakavat, general
manager of Pacific Retail Services Co., Ltd. present gifts to Primprao
Somsri, Pattaya Mail’s executive manager.
Aratchari Ngampiam and
Jiraporn Nundee, public relations representing
Dr Thanakhom Manthananont, managing director of Phyathai Hospital
Sriracha, present a healthy basket to Primprao Somsri, Pattaya Mail’s
executive manager
and Korn Kitcha Amorn.
Panida Ottesen, public
relations coordinator, Asanee Intaring, marketing communications manager and
Hans Van Steertegem, director of operations at Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa
present New Year gifts to Tony Malhotra.
Nattana Wongpipatsaeri,
corporate communications officer at Unitthai Group
of Companies, Tanai Srisawat, marketing assistant and Chalida Narongsirikul,
marketing and PR coordinator of CUEL Limited, and Paporn Thepparak, manager
of corporate communications for Unitthai Group of Companies, present their
best wishes for the New Year to the Pattaya Mail staff, represented
by Vimolrat Singnikorn and Chanapa Dawan.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Management and staff of Pattaya Mail Co Ltd made merit on January 7
for the prosperity of the company and the wellbeing of employees for 2008.
Abbot Sarawut Thitapinyo from Huayyai Temple attended the ceremony, leading
the prayers and sprinkling holy water for blessings upon each department and
for every employee.
Many companies and hotels brought baskets of flowers, including Pacific
Retail Service Co Ltd, Amari Hotels and Resorts, the Diana Group, Pattaya
Marriott Resort and Spa, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, and the Tiffany Show
Company.
Pattaya Mail Publishing Co Ltd is publisher of Pattaya Mail, the first
English language newspaper to be established in the Eastern region, having
been founded in 1993. Managing director is Pratheep Malhotra. The company
also publishes the German language newspaper Pattaya Blatt, and the Chiang
Mai Mail.
In addition to print media, Pattaya Mail Publishing Co Ltd relays news in
English on television with Pattaya Mail on TV, on the Sophon Cable TV
Company, Chonburi Cable TV, and Sattahip Cable TV.
Apple’s New Year party raises funds for charity
One of the many performances Apple prepared for
guests
who attended the New Years party.
Risa (left) is a lucky winner in the charity
draw.
Apple (left) presents a New Years gifts to
Premprecha Dibbayawan,
Past District Governor of District 3340 Rotary International.
Risa (left) and Apple sing a duet.
Apple (center) brings the Rotary Club’s donation
box to every table for guests
to donate money so the club can assist with many charitable activities.
Dujduan Ruangwettiwong (3rd left), chairwoman of
the YWCA Bangkok Pattaya Center, and Apple pose with performers from the
Dance Studio.
Everyone is excited as New Years presents are
drawn.
The New Years party at Apple’s house draws a
large crowd of well-wishers.
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Rotary Club Jomtien Pattaya held a New Year party at the home of member
Siriporn Thamacharoen on December 30, with a raffle held to raise funds for
charity.
Siriporn, perhaps better known by her nickname Apple, had decorated the
house with colored lights and Chinese delicacies were arranged on the table
for guests to help themselves. Students from the Ang Thong Dramatic Arts
College performed traditional songs and dancing, there was a display of
magic that had everyone applauding, and the Children’s Dance Studio
presented a ballet and jazz performance that also drew the applause.
Raffle tickets were sold for prizes that had been donated by guests
attending the event, the funds raised in this way going towards Rotary Club
projects. All the prizes were valued at less than 300 baht, and had been
gift-wrapped. Former governor of Rotary International District 3340
Premprecha Dibbayawan made the lucky draw.
Apple is a tireless supporter of charitable activities, in addition to
belonging to the Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya being also a member of the
YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center and a member of the Skål Association.
Apple (standing 3rd left) and members of the
YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya
Center enjoy the event.
Foundation brings New Year
happiness to underprivileged kids
Children from Baan Jing Jai
are excited about receiving
New Years gifts from the Take Care Kids Foundation.
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
The Take Care Kids Foundation from Italy led by Juergen Lusuardi and
Raffaella Gazzoni on December 29 presented more than 80 gifts of toys and
sweets to the children at Baan Jing Jai for a New Year treat.
This was the second venue at which the Foundation made a New Year gifts
presentation, having been first to the Mercy Center. A third venue was also
scheduled, with the Foundation due to present New Year gifts to children at
the Camillian Social Center in Rayong.
Juergen, representing the Foundation, said the gifts were presented as part
of their policy of bringing happiness to underprivileged children worldwide.
Happiness was certainly evident at Baan Jing Jai, as the gifts, which
totaled 15,000 baht in value were handed out to the excited children.
Juergen said that after the New Year holiday the Take Care Kids Foundation
would work with the Pattaya City Welfare Office to repair houses for
underprivileged people in the community behind Big C in North Pattaya, and
on Soi Photisamphan.
The pure smiles of children
after receiving New Years gifts makes it all worthwhile.
(Back row, from left)
Arunrasamee Boonkerd, social worker in Pattaya City,
Juergen Lusuardi, representative from the Take Care Kids Foundation,
and Raffaella Gazzoni, also representing the Take Care Kids Foundation)
provide happiness to children at Baan Jing Jai on the occasion of New Years.
Representatives from the Take
Care Kids Foundation pose for a picture
with the children at Baan Jing Jai.
French Riviera arrives at Woodlands
Miss Terry Diner
The French Riviera has arrived in Pattaya following the
oh-so-sophisticated grand opening of La Baguette last week. With a champagne
fountain and éclairs, petit choux, tarts and chocolate mousse, it was a
veritable cornucopia of calories - and everyone loved it!
 (L
to R) Yuwarat Kamolwech, former Election Commission member, Sutham
Phanthusak, managing director and Mongkol Thamkittikhun Banglamung district
officer cut the cake to declare the cafe open.
Situated in front of the newly up-graded Woodlands Resort on Naklua Road,
close to the Dolphin circle, it has been designed to cater for the
Euro-style café culture, which has spawned a resurgence in al-fresco dining
throughout the world.
The new La Baguette features both pavement dining and an air-conditioned
inside area where behind glass panes you can still watch the world go by.
In line with its sophistication, you can sip on several coffee styles or
chilled white wine or room temperature reds, or even share a sparkler with a
close friend to celebrate just being in the ‘new’ Pattaya.
Fresh breads and pastries are baked on the premises, with a whole host of
sandwiches such as beef tenderloin, cheddar and red salsa in a French
baguette or smoked bacon, mozzarella and pesto sauce in Focaccia bread. La
Baguette is also providing a complete range of cakes and tarts and will
package these for its patrons to take home. The caramel and passion-fruit
cake with Bavarian caramel cream, passion-fruit mousse topped with apricot
jelly and fresh fruits represents a heavenly temptation, and there are 17
other enticements.
Miss Terry Diner and the Dining Out Team will be visiting La Baguette
shortly to carry out an in-depth mission through the mountain of bakery
items. An indulgence you can try for yourselves while waiting for the
review!
Tony Malhotra and Rungratree
Thongsai of Pattaya Mail congratulate
Alisa Phanthusak and Stéphan Bringer.
Roberto & Friends create
atmosphere with rhythm and jazz tunes.
Nittaya Patimasongkroh (left)
and Dujduan Ruangwettiwong (right)
of YWCA wish owners Sutham and Alisa Phanthusak success.
(L to R) Yuwarat Kamolwech,
former Election Commission member, Sutham Phanthusak, managing director,
Mongkol Thamkittikhun, Banglamung district officer, Darin, Orawan, Alisa and
Varassaya Phanthusak toast to the La Baguette.
Fresh breads and pastries are
baked on the premises, plus a complete
range of cakes and tarts are served at La Baguette.
Mom Tri’s Boathouse Second Short Fiction Contest 2008
Part 1: Open to All
Part 2: Open to Age Group 15 – 18 years
The Boathouse announces the second Mom Tri’s Boathouse Short Fiction Contest
and invites aspiring writers to pen up to 1,500 words of original prose.
Last year saw the first annual Boathouse writing competition which was
judged by Jake Needham, Asia’s most stylish and atmospheric writer of such
bestsellers as ‘The Big Mango’, ‘Laundry Man’ and ‘Killing Plato’ –a Jack
Shepherd crime fiction story set in Phuket and starting in the Boathouse’s
own Galley Bar.
The competition generated a large and enthusiastic response from which Chris
Bonds was judged the winner. Chris went on to expand his short fiction piece
into a full-length novel which was accepted by a New York Publishing House
and will appear shortly. The Greater Phuket Magazine sponsored the
competition and placed no less than three pieces of the best writing in its
pages during 2007.
The second competition will be in two parts.
Firstly the adult competition open to all, requiring stories of 1,000 up to
1,500 words, containing the three key words: the Boathouse, Phuket and (the
big) Mango. Deadline for Part 1 entries will be 29 February and winners will
be announced 12 March 2008. Details and conditions can be found on
www.boathousephuket.com
Secondly a competition open to young school age writers 15 to 18 years. To
get the students going, the beginning of a short Jack Shepherd story is
posted on www.boathouse.net/short_ fiction_contest.htm. Students are asked
to finish the story using between 800 and 1,200 words.
To help stimulate the creative imaginations of the students, Jake will
conduct a workshop at Phuket’s International Schools on 11 - 12 March
(details to be announced) and excerpts from Jack Shepherd books are
available on www.JakeNeedham.com at the Podbooks section as audio files to
listen to. Part 2 of the contest closes 10 April 2008. Three outstanding
entries will be chosen and announced by the end of April.
Winners will be able to experience the famous Mom Tri experience first-hand;
they will receive a voucher for a complimentary stay, with a dinner for two
and a bottle of wine, at Mom Tri’s Boathouse and a spa treatment for two at
Mom Tri’s Villa Royale.
Winners will also receive an autographed Jake Needham novel and the winning
entries of Part 1 and Part 2 will be published in the Greater Phuket
Magazine and posted on Mom Tri’s Boathouse website www. boathousephuket.com
For more information and contest rules, contact: Contact: Lisa Sol - PR
Manager - Mom Tri’s Boathouse, Kata Beach Phuket Tel: 66-76-330015 Fax:
66-76-330561, pr@ boathousephuket.com www.boathousephuket.com
Ruby Hayes: The Lady sings the Blues - Live in Pattaya
by Sue K
This is one of those all to infrequent occasions when Pattaya gets
to welcome a great singer; and this time what a treat we are having as the
Washington-DC based blues princess, Ruby Hayes, hits the town and performs
live nightly (except Mondays) at the Ice Bar Amari Orchid Resort Ocean
Tower.
 Blues
princess Ruby Hayes (right) talks to Sue K of PMTV about her love of music
and performing.
Sue of PMTV had a lovely afternoon chat with this great lady:
Sue: Is this your first time in Thailand?
Ruby: Yes it is, and it seems to be a great country.
Sue: What brought you to Pattaya?
Ruby: I have an agent based in Bangkok who obtained a booking
agreement for me with the Amari Orchid Ocean Tower Resort.
Sue: When in your life did you realize you had what it takes to be a
great singer, and when did you make your professional singing debut?
Ruby: I believe I was three years old when I stood on the front porch
of my parent’s home and saw the vision for myself that I would be a
professional singer. I began at the age 14, leading a gospel choir in my
hometown of Plumerville, Arkansas. I toured many town and churches around
Arkansas before moving to Washington DC in 1970.
Sue: Growing up in Plumerville, Arkansas, what music did you listen
to and did that influence the musical direction you took?
 Ruby’s
dulcet tones can be heard nightly (except Mondays) at the Ice Bar - Amari
Orchid Resort and Tower Pattaya from 7pm – 11:45pm.
Ruby: The music I listened to was blues, rhythm and blues and gospel.
My parents saw my love for music and bought me a record player so I could
listen all night long. I would go to sleep playing my records. It certainly
influenced the direction I took and helped me develop my own soulful sound.
Sue: The songs that you sing are now firmly established as standards,
songs that gets everybody feet a tapping and conjures up distant memories;
are there any new songs or artists that you relate to and would you consider
doing versions of their songs?
Ruby: I have started writing my own songs. I wrote a song titled “Jukin’ at
Tollies” which is about the little juke joint called Tollies that I would go
to on Saturday nights in my home town of Plumerville. It’s a blues song. I
also like some of the work from Mary J. Blige and Norah Jones. I would
perform some of their songs.
Sue: Why did you choose to be a rhythm and blues singer instead of
Jazz?
Ruby: Actually I do both types of music including blues. I have the
vocal range to do all of it so it depends on what phase of my career I’m in
that determines what type of music I’m doing. What I mean is, we all know
Queen Latifah was a Rap singer and now she’s making jazz recordings that
sound really good. Aretha Franklin started as a gospel singer, then R&B and
she has also done some opera recordings.
Sue: What is the difference between jazz and blues in your opinion
besides one being more instrumental and the other more lyrical?
Ruby: Actually, I have an opinion and there are facts about it as
well. Factually, the musical chord structures are what makes a huge
difference between jazz and blues. In my opinion, there’s the “feeling” that
is in the blues more so than in the jazz. I mean, when you sing the blues
you must express the song with such feeling and emotion. Some say that jazz
is more cerebral.
Sue: The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) nominated you “Best
Blues Vocalist” 2002. WAMA also nominated your CD, “Ruby’s Blues” as “Best
Blues Recording 2003” and it also won the Recording Academy’s CD contest.
What is your most favorite piece out of those?
Ruby: Wow, it’s hard to pick because I recorded many classic blues
standards but I sing more often “Little Red Rooster” and “One Scotch, One
Bourbon, One Beer.”
Sue: The United States Armed Forces Entertainment selected The Ruby
Hayes Band out of 100’s of bands around the country to entertain and uplift
the spirits of the troops along the Caribbean circuit during February and
March 2006. Tell us about that experience.
Ruby: Wow! It was an experience of a lifetime. I took 4 musicians and
two audio engineers to Puerto Rico and Honduras for a 15-day tour. Can you
imagine; me and six men - and I was the boss! It was such a pleasure
performing for the troops and their families, trying to bring a little cheer
into their lives during this time of war. It was a challenge but we did get
them up dancing on “I Got My Mojo Working.” I performed jazz, blues and R&B.
Everything went well, we had a great time.
Sue: When not performing in the top clubs and festivals, where do you
perform?
Ruby: I also do musical theater. I wrote an original musical about
the life and songs of the late great Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith,
which I perform in theaters around the Washington DC metropolitan area.
Sue: Coming back to Pattaya. How long will you be here?
Ruby: I will be here until the end of May 2008. I perform six nights
a week in the Ice Bar at the Amari Orchid Ocean Tower from 7pm - 11:45 pm.
Sue: How do you like this town so far?
Ruby: I love the tropical weather, palm trees and the beaches. It
seems like paradise. I like that it’s such a tourist town so I get much
exposure by singing in one place.
Sue: Do you think this might be a place for you and your career in
the long run?
Ruby: I think it may be too early to tell. Many people have come to
the Ice Bar as a result of the advertisements and say that they are happy
that I’m here.
Sue: And they have all the reasons to be. This town needs more great
singers like you, so if you can’t stay forever, at least come back again!
Note: Ruby Hayes may be seen as cool, calm and reserved, but when she
takes the stage the lady is hotter than the month of April in Thailand. Come
and listen to her outstanding voice at the Ice Bar - Amari Orchid Resort and
Tower Pattaya. She performs nightly (except Mondays) from 7pm onwards.
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