OUR COMMUNITY
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Traffic volunteers receive new helmets

Navy promotes pedal power as a way of staying fit and cutting energy costs

Psychologist addresses year’s first DSU-Treff

Hard Rock’s Christmas fund-raiser collects 720,000 baht for local charities

Kevin Fisher holds birthday bash at the Caddy Shack

Showing off…

Magical, mystical PCEC meeting

Bridge with a difference at Mata Hari

A Romantic Valentine’s Dinner to remember

Traffic volunteers receive new helmets

Pattaya City Municipal Traffic Officers receive new helmets
to help protect them whilst conducting their duties.

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Mityon Pattaya Co Ltd has presented Pattaya’s voluntary traffic control personnel with safety helmets as a gesture of support for their community service.
The presentation took place on January 24 at Pattaya City Hall, with mayoral advisor Itthipol Khunplome and Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh taking part.
A total of 17 Pattaya City municipal traffic officers received their helmets, presented to 12 men and five women officers.
Itthipol said that municipal officers in charge of traffic operations are continually at risk of being involved in an accident, no matter if they are performing duties during rush hour, during festivals, on school duty, or some other duty that is not obviously hazardous.
In presenting the helmets, Mityon Pattaya Co Ltd was recognizing the contribution of officials who often played an unsung role in public safety.
Mrs Molthip Nonthasiri, 45, a municipal traffic officer for Pattaya City said that she was amongst the first intake of traffic officials five years ago.
“I didn’t expect to receive money in return, but only hoped to help reduce the risks faced by children and other members of the public,” she said. “My main task is to provide traffic control in front of Pattaya School No 5, and I work in the morning before school starts and in the afternoon before school ends.”


Navy promotes pedal power as a way of staying fit and cutting energy costs

Officers and enlisted men take part in the Royal Thai Navy’s bicycle
ride to promote fitness.

Patcharapol Panrak
The Royal Thai Navy’s Air and Coastal Defense Command organized a bicycle ride on January 23 to promote fitness amongst Navy personnel and to encourage people to cycle rather than take motor vehicles, thereby saving on energy costs.
Rear Admiral Chaiwat Sriakarin, commander-in-chief of Air and Coastal Defense opened the event, in which 140 personnel took part.
Mayor of Sattahip Municipality Narong Bunbancherdsri and Pairot Malakul na Ayutthaya, head of the Sattahip Sub-district Administrative Organization provided support by donating 10 bicycles to Coast Protection Regiment 1.
Rear Admiral Chaiwat said that the Navy is encouraging personnel and their families to use bicycles as much as possible in their daily lives, as cycling promotes good health and is also a way of keeping energy bills down. There are other advantages too, he said, such as reducing pollution and helping to reduce traffic problems.
The Sattahip area is particularly well suited to cycle riders, he added, with many of the natural attractions of the area easily accessible by pedal power.


Psychologist addresses year’s first DSU-Treff

DSU attendees pose for a souvenir shot.

Pattaya Mail Reporter
The first gathering of DSU-Treff, the German-speaking business meeting of the New Year was held on January 26 at Hans - Fine Dining, located at Third Road.
Once more, DSU chairwoman Elfi Seitz managed to come up with an interesting topic: interaction at work, or rather the communication of two or more persons at work. Interaction plays a main role in maintaining a congenial working atmosphere. What choice of words is appropriate in certain situations? How do I react on criticism from superiors? How is a senior executive supposed to act towards his team?
This meeting’s guest speaker was Wolfram Reda. The certified psychologist was born 67 years ago in Berlin-Lichtenberg. He graduated from TU Berlin in 1971 and received commendation for his academic achievements. Reda then worked as the corporate psychologist at Deutsche Lufthansa in Cologne and later joined Bayer AG in Leverkusen. From 1977 to 2005, he worked as a teacher at Thomas Esser School in Euskirchen, near Bonn. Reda also managed a children’s day-care center and gathered a lot of experience in the fields of psychotherapy and behavior therapy.
Since January 2007, Reda has been living in Bangkok with his Thai wife. Some people might have met him at one of his monthly visits to the Mass of the German-speaking Catholic community at the Redemptorist Center. He regularly treats the community with music performed on his bassoon, which he has been playing for more than 20 years. The music enthusiast still performs with orchestras.
“Man acts upon feelings from within,” Reda said, quickly descending into the essential components of Interaction Analysis, most of which is beyond the scope this report.
Due to the complexity of this interesting topic, it was to no one’s surprise that the guests dwelled longer than expected. As is usual at Hans, a delicate four-course menu, fine wine and cold beer further contributed to the attendees’ wellbeing.


Hard Rock’s Christmas fund-raiser collects 720,000 baht for local charities

(From left) Wannee Prathid and assistant Nataporn Kaewtham from the Fountain of Life, Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat, Andrew Khoo, Tracy Cosgrove, and Suwanthep Malhotra pose for a photo together after the presentation of funds from the annual Hard Rock Charity Christmas Tree Light Up and Ball.

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Hard Rock Pattaya has distributed 720,000 baht to three charity organizations, the funds having been raised by the Charity Christmas Tree Light Up and Ball, which was held on December 1.
At a ceremony in the hotel on January 25, Hard Rock general manager Andrew Khoo presented 240,000 baht each to the Melissa Cosgrove Child Welfare Foundation, the Foundation to Promote Quality of Life for Disabled People in Chonburi Province, and the Fountain of Life.
The Melissa Cosgrove Child Welfare Foundation supports children living with HIV/AIDS, street children, children in the slums and orphans in Thailand, Myanmar and Pakistan. The foundation was established by Tracy Cosgrove and was registered in 2003. A current project being carried out is the construction of a nursery to support the children of workers in Pattaya City. Tracy attended the presentation to receive the donation on behalf of the foundation.
The Foundation to Promote Quality of Life for Disabled People supports the families of poverty-stricken disabled people, and is backed by Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat who himself attended the presentation.
Wannee Prathid represented the Fountain of Life, a local organization that, amongst other things, helps better the lives of Pattaya’s street children.


Kevin Fisher holds birthday bash at the Caddy Shack

Kevin Fisher of Cranes and Equipment Asia and major supporter of the Charity Club of Pattaya recently celebrated his birthday at the Caddy Shack.

Auctioneer John Collingbourne (left) poses with birthday boy Kevin.

Kevin was surrounded by friends and family helping him celebrate another birthday. Kevin had also kindly invited all of the Charity Club members as well.
The party started at 7.30 pm and continued until the early hours, and the party revelers packed the Caddy Shack to the rafters to wish Kevin a Happy Birthday.
Kevin’s wife Som was of course making sure everyone was welcomed and immediately taken over to the birthday buffet.
Kevin is known to be a little partial to a beer or two, so it was no surprise to see some of the Pattaya bar owners coming along to buy him a beer or two.
During the evening, a charity auction was held by John Collingbourne using some of the unclaimed prizes from the charity dinner. The money raised was going to a charity of Kevin’s choice. The total from the auction and various donations from guests came to 50,000 baht, which the Charity Club will be presenting with Kevin to the Jaidee Foundation.
The evening continued into the small hours of the morning helped by troubadour Kevin (yet another Kevin) with his guitar, playing favourite songs for everyone to sing along to, some with the help of a Heineken or two, Jamie, who was in fine voice!
Thursday was a much quieter day while everyone recovered from the great evening albeit with a few sore heads!
The Charity Club would like to extend its thanks to Kevin for allowing them to auction the left over prizes at his party and for inviting us to share his special day!


Showing off…

Alan Kirkland-Roath, Disapol Paengsri & Chaiyo - “3 Watercolourists”

Michael Bulley, Art Critic
The first of this year’s art exhibitions was off to a fine opening this week at Gallery Opium on Thepprasit Road. A very large and esteemed audience of art lovers attended this exhibition of the works of 3 watercolourists working in what has been described as the most difficult of all artistic disciplines. I once heard it simply put: “Watercolour art is a little like golf, it’s the strokes that count…”

Viewing some of the works on display at Gallery Opium.
Art critic Michael Bulley gave the welcoming speech to all the friends of Gallery Opium and reminded the audience that this gallery is one of the few artistic locations for art lovers to meet and enjoy both art works and the good company of friends of art. As such, the gallery hopes to build on this encouragement of such friends to form a “Friends of Gallery Opium”.
Watercolour is the very oldest of art expression; did not our ancestors use both earth and blood mixed with water to create extraordinary paintings of animals in caves, not in worship but for good luck in hunting the next day? So now, we have an exciting contemporary view of watercolour works by 3 masters of this craft, each so different.
Disapol Paengsri is a young colourist from Chonburi; his works reveal a grandeur of glorious expressiveness. He creates beautiful feelings of Thai art with all its intricate brush work that give each painting a feeling of the mystique.
Contrast this style with Alan Kirkland-Roath’s paintings that have about them a feeling of the now… that convey a contemporary mood. His images are so very life-like as to grace any family home. And I, for one love his somewhat unabashed configuration of the female form.
The last of these masters is Chaiyo, born in Laos; he has been a monk for many years, and this tells its own story. His works are of the spirit, soul like imagery of the mind and ghosts that visit him in the very night. His paintings have somewhat a religious feel to them; the beautiful intricate detail seems so precious, almost like story telling with paint.
This exhibition has an eloquent contrast of works that can be enjoyed by anyone wishing to revel in the exciting and unique picture making of watercolour art.
Saturday January 26 to Saturday February 23, 2008 at the Gallery Opium, 315/26 Moo 12, Thepprasit Road, Pattaya City.


Magical, mystical PCEC meeting

The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday January 27 at Henry J. Bean’s saw another packed house. The club continues to go from strength to strength and an unusual program was available this week.

Doc Penguin deals invisible cards to new PCEC visitor - an amazing trick follows!

The week’s MC, Roger Fox, introduced the unusually named but much anticipated ‘Dr Penguin’. To the astonishment and great amusement of the audience, Dr Penguin carried out a number of often hilarious but very impressive magic tricks with the participation of a number of volunteers. During the question and answer session he commented his style of comedy magic was mostly visual and could be appreciated by people of different cultures and ages.
Following on from the hilarity things got back to normal with board member Al Serrato announcing the next venue of the popular members’ dinner. It was decided to organise a meal with a difference, taking in restaurants which may not have been previously visited, this time at the Taj Indian Restaurant on February 4. As always an attractively priced menu was available.
PCEC’s chairman made a number of announcements. Firstly Richard confirmed that almost 70 people had signed up for the visit to the Chevrolet Vehicle Manufacturing Plant on February 8. Following the visit the party will then be going for lunch at the clubhouse at the Laem Chabang Golf Course.
Richard also announced that contact had been made with Bernie Billingsley, a US Navy Petty Officer. Bernie is part of a 3 man US Navy tem starting the groundwork for the Cobra Gold Exercise in May 2008. He is charged with finding up to six one day projects for 50 to 150 naval personnel within the Pattaya area. He had been unsuccessful in getting help from the US Embassy. Richard asked the PCEC to recommend any projects which would be suitable.
The regular conductors of the Open Forum, Bob L’Etoile and his partner Sig Sigworth took a break from their regular spot which was filled by Darrel Vaught. 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.


Bridge with a difference at Mata Hari

Paul Strachan
Different groups and clubs are an essential way for expatriates to integrate themselves in the community, these groups not only offer support and help but also form sub-groups where people who share similar interests can get together.

The Mata Hari Restaurant was crammed full of card enthusiasts on January 20 as the Dutch Expat’s Club held a special Bridge luncheon for all its members.

This is exactly the aim of the Dutch Expat’s Club which through its meetings and very informative website give a whole host of knowledge and experience.
It was through these gatherings that a few members expressed an interest in setting up a Bridge Club, which they hold twice a week at Chateau Dale on Thappraya Road.
Recently the Club held a special day that combined a few games of bridge with some great food and a couple of glasses of wine at one of Pattaya’s finest restaurants: Mata Hari.
The ever-enthusiastic owner of Mata Hari, Louis Noll, opened up especially on a Sunday and divided his restaurant into two so that the players could play some bridge and take a break for lunch and sample the delights of Louis wife’s cooking.
The event was organized by Corry Bic and Douwe Bosma in conjunction with the Dutch Expat Club and had a total of 48 players turn out for day and it is hoped that a similar type of event will be organized every six months.
Anyone interested in joining the Dutch Expat club can do so online at www. neder landseverenigingpattaya.org/


A Romantic Valentine’s Dinner to remember

At ‘Orangery By The Sea’, Pattaya

Celebrate Valentines day with a romantic dinner for two in a beautifully designed, amorous environment. ‘Orangery By The Sea’ invites guests to enjoy a special ‘Thai Valentine Menu’ from ‘Blue Elephant’ and ‘European Valentine Menu’ from ‘Dino by Mes Amis’, two of its exclusive five-star cuisines.
Special Valentine Thai Cuisine includes ‘Stir fired minced chicken with green curry paste wrap with roti nann’, ‘Salmon in a thick red curry sauce’ and ‘Fresh mango with sticky rice’. And special Valentine European Cuisine includes ‘Salmon and Crab Croquette and Bisque Jus’, ‘Coriander Lamp Chops with Charcoal Grilled Balsamic Vegetables’ and ‘Frozen White Chocolate Mousse’. Enjoy the luxury Valentine’s Dinner at Bt.1,400 and Bt.3,600 per couple.
‘Orangery By the Sea’ is open daily from 11:00am until Midnight on the second and third floor of the newly-opened lifestyle center - The Avenue, South Pattaya. (Pattaya Second Road)
For reservations, please call Orangery By The Sea Tel. (038) 723-991