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Giant capybaras arrive
with the Year of the Rat
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Year of the Rat got off to an auspicious start at Khao Kheow
Open Zoo with the arrival of two giant capybara rats from Korat Zoo.
 These
2 giant capybara rats at Khao Kheow Open Zoo are waiting for names. Plicky
and Noo perhaps?
Khao Kheow director Suriya Saengpong announced the arrival of the rats, a
male and a female on February 1, saying they were a gift from Korat to
celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The capybara is the largest rodent in the world, growing to 1.3 meters and
weighing up to 79 kg. A herbivore, it grazes mainly on grass and aquatic
plants, and lives in lakes in tropical South America and Panama. It is never
found far from water and is an excellent swimmer, leaping into water to
escape from predators.
The capybara has a broad head, a blunt, horse-like nose, small ears and
coarse yellowish-brown hair. Its legs are short and its toes are webbed and
have hoof-like claws. The capybara is a gentle creature and will make a low
clicking sound when it is happy.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo has invited visitors to name these two capybaras, with
the competition open until the end of February. Visitors born in the Year of
the Rat are being offered a free Night Safari during this month.
First aid training given
to Amari staff
Pramote Channgam
Sixty representatives from every department of the Amari Orchid Resort
and Tower Hotel attended a first aid training course on January 29, with
instructors provided by the Somdej Pra Boromrajathevi na Sriracha Hospital.
 After
learning the technique, members of the Amari staff take part in a demonstration
about the correct method to help a customer who is choking on food.
The hotel holds first aid training for its staff members every year to help
guests or other staff with emergency situations should the need arise.
Nursing supervisor of the Sriracha Hospital Mrs Ubonwan Poojeen led the team of
instructors, who taught the attendees about both the theoretical and the
practical aspects of first aid.
Amongst the subjects covered were emergency treatments to be carried out in the
event of an accident, a suspected heart attack, or an epileptic fit. Attendees
were shown how to provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, chest compression to
stimulate the heart, and how to move an unconscious person. Assistants and
mockups were used to simulate emergency situations.
More women are opting
for breast and cervix
cancer checkups
Vimolrat Singnikorn
A record number of women in Chonburi Province are attending checkups
for breast and cervical cancer, 60 percent higher than a decade ago.
 Dr
Kitisak Tepsuwan, director of the Cancer Center in Chonburi Province said
that over the past 10 years there has been a dramatic increase in the number
of women attending hospitals and clinics for breast and cervix cancer
screenings.
Dr Kitisak Tepsuwan, director of the Cancer Center in Chonburi Province said
that over the past 10 years there has been a dramatic increase in the number
of women attending hospitals and clinics for screenings, owing to the
various public campaigns that have been organized.
Data for checkups reveals that more people are discovering they have cancer
during the primary stages of the disease. Medicine is therefore often able
to treat it, and protect against recurrence.
The National Cancer Institute said that everyone should be aware of the
possibilities of contracting liver cancer, lung cancer, large intestine
cancer, rectum cancer and, in women, cervix and breast cancer.
Estimates for 2008 indicate that the number of new breast cancer cases will
outnumber cervical cancer cases by 12,000. Statistically, most of the
patients will be in the Central region and will be between the ages of 30
and 50.
No Smoking
Entertainment venues adapt to new
anti-smoking regulations
Staff Reporters
February 11 saw a tightening of the smoking regulations nationwide,
and Pattaya entertainment outlets have adapted themselves to the new
requirements. Most say they don’t fear losing their regular customers, and
believe that they might gain a new group of people who will come into the
smoke-free premises and spend their money there.
 Smoking
inside bars and pubs is now a thing of the past, as the new no smoking
regulations went into effect on February 11.
Director of the Pattaya Public Health Department Wannaporn Chamjamras said
it is city hall’s responsibility to make the new regulations as widely known
as possible amongst both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned
entertainment venues including pubs, bars, restaurants and fresh markets.
She added that this includes making the penalties known to everyone. Venue
owners would be charged 20,000 baht if they allow smoking on their premises,
and smokers themselves would be fined 2,000 baht if found smoking in a
prohibited area.
Wannaporn said that there is a degree of flexibility until May 31 this year,
during which the Public Health Department will be sending out a team of 25
inspectors to check on entertainment outlets and other restricted public
areas, issuing advice and warnings if they see first-time transgressions.
Pattaya Mail reporters have been touring entertainment venues and say
that no-smoking stickers are now a common sight at the front of the
premises, and that some places have arranged special smoking areas under the
guidance of the regulations.
A director of the Cottage on Pattaya Third Road, Kasemsan Saithong, 28, said
this new regulation would create a new group of night tourists who earlier
would have stayed away from his place because of the smoking fumes and fear
of health damage. He added that at this early stage, those who do smoke
might find the regulations difficult, but once it is realized that the ban
applies to all outlets people would adapt.
Kasemsan said that at the Cottage he had readily put up no-smoking signs,
and stickers on the windows announcing the ban and its penalties. He said it
was everyone’s duty to obey the new law and if that creates any downturn in
sales, operators would have to devise ways to promote their businesses
through more creative and flexible marketing.
At the Kanam Pub in North Pattaya, owner Nirut Pinarin, 42, told Pattaya
Mail that he fully appreciates the new regulations and must wait and see if
they would have any effect on his business in the immediate future.
Hollywood Pub manager Damrongkiat Pinijkarn, 25, expressed his concern over
the ban, saying that he didn’t think it would be fair to the 80 percent of
his customers who are smokers, but on the other hand this will be a positive
point for his staff, who no longer have to work in an unhealthy environment.
Damrongkiat said he thought only about 10 percent of his clients would be
annoyed by the ban, while the rest came to the pub looking to enjoy
themselves with music and drinks.
At the Green Bottle on Second Road, manager Pongpan Pantuworn, 46, said the
ban would be understandable to his regular customers who are mostly
foreigners, as the same ban has been enacted in many other countries. He
said he didn’t think it would have much of a negative effect on business at
all.
Magic sands on Jomtien Beach
Dr. Iain Corness
It could be said that the sands on Jomtien Beach are much the same as beach
sands anywhere, but that may not be so. Jomtien Beach has magical sands,
according to world renowned magician Henk Romeijn. And a magician who can
saw people in half must really know.
 “After
about four to five years old, children begin to understand the magic,” said
Henk.
For Henk and his newly married spouse Maritska, Jomtien Beach had such a
special part in their lives that they returned to Jomtien to affirm their
relationship, followed by a rather magical cocktail party at the Mata Hari
restaurant.
Jomtien Beach was where Henk first bumped into Maritska, running on the
beach a few years ago, but Mrs Romeijn was at that time married to another.
“Did you make him disappear?” I asked Henk. “No, he made himself disappear,”
said Henk, with a laugh. After her divorce they met up again, and now is an
important part of his magic shows, as well as an obviously important part of
his life.
The Romeijns, who these days have an international audience for their stage
and table magic shows, come to Pattaya every few months as a break between
their hectic schedule in Europe; however, with magic in his fingers, Henk
cannot help himself and will begin his entertaining routine if three people
stop near him! Many restaurants have used him as the drawcard, performing
table magic to amaze and perplex the diners.
His repertoire these days is enormous. He does magic at the tables in bars
and restaurants (which includes being able to remove watches and wallets -
but he does return them), stage show illusions including the wife-sawing and
amazing indoor pyrotechnics, product presentations with memorable magic and
still finds the time to do shows for children. “After about four to five
years old, children begin to understand the magic,” said Henk.
“Magic is for the people,” says Henk, and if you have ever witnessed one of
his performances, you can see that he has that ability to involve the
audience in his tricks. He is a true entertainer, not just a magician.
Henk and Maritska can be contacted at 089 105 4031 while they are in
Pattaya, but be quick as they leave to return to Europe in mid-March.
Health care is a prime concern at PCEC meetings
The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday
February 3rd at Henry J. Bean’s was a first for the Club. The PCEC was
pleased to welcome the first lady MC, Patricia Glynn to oversee the
proceedings.
 Pattaya
City Expats MC Patricia Glynn thanks Dr Sunya for his excellent presentation
of the facilities of Pattaya International Hospital.
Patricia started the meeting by commenting that over the recent months a
variety of speakers had appeared at the Sunday meeting but any suggestions
for further speakers and comments were always welcome.
Health care is always a prime concern and the PCEC enables alternative
healthcare providers to describe their services. This week Dr Sunya,
managing director of the Pattaya International Hospital (PIH) was
introduced. The PIH group includes the hospital, PIC Kitchen, Jazz Pit and
Sugar Hut. Dr Sunya received his education in Australia and amused the
audience by stating that at that time anyone could go to live in the US and
become an American whereas to become an Australian you had to be carefully
chosen by a magistrate!
In 1974 the Pattaya International Clinic was opened and later expanded in
1980 to include a number of beds. In 1990 the clinic was official
transformed into a hospital and was opened by the prime minister of the day.
Dr Sunya went on to provide his philosophy behind the treatment and services
which the PIH offers. Doctors are selected for their ability to provide both
regular and emergency treatment. They were asked not to be affected by their
own preferences but to provide treatment solely for the benefit of the
patient. He commented that 70% of PIH patients are expats.
Dr Sunya announced the PIH expansion plans, which include the addition of a
further three floors and the enlargement of the dental department. He
concluded his talk by congratulating the PCEC on its achievements and the
positive influence which it exerts on the expat community.
Chairman Richard Smith then made a number of announcements. He confirmed the
final details of the visit to the GM Chevrolet manufacturing plant on
February 8th and stated that 83 people had signed up to make the visit. He
stressed the strict dress code, particularly no jeans as some denim
material, it was claimed, can disrupt the vehicle painting process.
Richard also reminded the PCEC that he is charged with finding up to six one
day projects for 50 to 150 naval personnel within the Pattaya area as part
of the Cobra Gold Exercise in May 2008. Richard immediately received two
suggestions which will be followed up.
The Volunteer English Language Conversation Group, formed to provide help to
Thais learning English, will be starting again on February 19. The group is
closely associated with Banglamung District and the Nai Amphur. There will
be a presentation for students who have benefited from the group’s help in
developing their English language skills.
Darrel Vaught announced that preliminary plans had been formulated for a
number of one day excursions. He proposed four options and asked the
audience’s opinion. Further announcements can be expected soon.
Sally Techasopon was back by popular demand to give another brief Thai
Language lesson with a useful word or phrase or word to be learnt on the
day. This week Sally provided the Thai words for the colours which were
representative of each day of the week.
Darrel then resumed as adjudicator of the Open Forum in the absence of Bob
L’Etoile but was assisted by the ever present Sig Sigworth who injected his
own comedic moments. 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.
Charity Club of Pattaya
thanks ABPC
Steve Carleton receives a
Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Alan Bolton from Christina Boden of
the Charity Club of Pattaya. The Certificate was honoring Alan Bolton
Property Consultants (ABPC) for being one of the Platinum Sponsors for the
Charity Club’s annual Charity Gala Dinner, which raised 470,000 baht.
Life at a Khmer Rouge torture center caught on canvas
This picture painted by Vann
Nath shows the harsh conditions endured by prisoners at the Khmer Rouge S-21
prison in Phnom Penh.
The painting depicts memories of 63-year-old Vann Nath
from his days of captivity under the Khmer Rouge. Prisoners were chained to
a metal bar. Almost everyday prisoners died. Their corpses were not taken
away immediately. Those still alive had to sleep and eat alongside the
bodies, knowing the same thing could happen to them.
As a painter Vann Nath can well portray the despair of the ill-fated
detainees as he was among those confined to the Khmer Rouge’s notorious S-21
prison.
Vann Nath is one of seven survivors - three of which are still alive today -
of this dreadful Khmer Rouge’s secret prison where 14,000 men, women and
children were interrogated, tortured and executed from 1975 and 1979.
Vann Nath himself was tortured and nearly killed. Fortunately, his painting
skills saved his life, as he was put to work painting and sculpting
portraits of the regime’s leader, Pol Pot.
In 1979, the artist prisoner escaped from S-21 as the Pol Pot regime
collapsed under the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. As a survivor, the
Cambodian government asked Vann Nath to paint scenes he witnessed in S-21 to
show the secret horrors of the ‘Killing Fields.’ These works still hang in
the former torture center which today is a museum.
Vann Nath said he found difficulty in creating the paintings as it reminded
him of the painful years.
“Sometimes it’s very hard. When I start painting, it reminds me of all the
pain and the faces of all my friends who were killed. Everyday I cannot live
peacefully. Sometimes I don’t want to hear and to know anything about it,”
said Vann Nath.
However, Vann Nath keeps painting because he wants to let the world know
about the endurance of the Cambodian people during the Pol Pot regime and to
show the younger generations the misery suffered by their ancestors so the
regime would never be allowed to resurface.
A series of paintings by Vann Nath, entitled “Endurance” is currently being
shown for the first time in Bangkok at the Foreign Correspondents Club of
Thailand and is open until the end of February 2008. (TNA)
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