|
Montien will stage tennis tournament for fitness club members
Members of the Montien Hotel
fitness club were treated to a party,
complete with a lucky draw.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The Montien Hotel held a party for members of its fitness club on
February 3, the highlight of which was a lucky draw with a total of 18
prizes such as free memberships and restaurant vouchers being handed out.
Fitness center manager Charat Chamnanmech announced during the event that
the Montien would hold the Women’s Tennis Championship at the end of March,
with competitors being drawn from members of the fitness club. The event
will be held before the Montien Tennis Men’s Open Singles, an annual event
that will see its seventh outing this year.
Charat said that the Montien fitness club currently has 120 members, of
which 70 percent are foreigners. Most of them sign up on a one-year
membership basis. He said that the club is run along very friendly lines,
and that most of the members know each other. In this respect, he added, it
really is a club, and events such as the tennis tournament attract a large
and enthusiastic gathering.
Elvis is alive
Kavita Lamba
Elvis is alive! This was especially true on Saturday January 19 at the
Vientiane Restaurant at the Elvis Extravaganza 2008 organised by the Rotary Club
of Pattaya in aid of the Mercy Center. The event raised a huge 289,000 baht
which will be donated towards the capital appeal to enable Mercy Center to
purchase its current premises.
Diane Doell (left) and friend
have a look at the original watch from Memphis that was auctioned off for
charity.
The cheque was formally handed over to Pastor Fred Doell on
Thursday January 31. Certificates of appreciation were presented to Yongyut of
R.O. Genesis Water Filtration Plant and Paul of Taffy’s Bar.
Vientiane did a fantastic job of feeding four hundred and fifty attendees. The
audience was entertained by not only one, but four Elvis impersonators, the San
Miguel Rock Band and a group of Mercy Center’s own children. Chairman of the
organizing committee, Alexander Valentine, along with his partner, danced to
Rock Around The Clock. A motorbike was auctioned, along with an original watch
from Memphis.
It was a truly memorable evening and the first of many, the Rotary hope to
repeat this year with a different theme and for a different charity.
Dusit Thani Pattaya brings to a close
another exciting Pattaya Women’s Open
Chatchawal Supachayanont
(left), Dusit Thani Pattaya general manager, Ittipol Khunplome (3rd left),
chief advisor to Pattaya’s mayor and Geoffrey Rowe (right), tennis
tournament director, are seen with three of the tennis participants in the
Pattaya Women’s Open, during the thank you party held at the hotel’s Lagoon
Terrace.
Dusit Thani Pattaya recently wrapped up its hosting of
the 17th Pattaya Women’s Open, in which Polish tennis star Agnieszka
Radwanska emerged as the winner after defeating America’s Jill Craybas 6-2,
1-6, 7-6 (4). It was the second WTA title for the tennis sensation from
Poland.
Before the final match on Sunday, February 10, the hotel had been extending
its full support to the tennis participants not only in the courts but also
in the recreational time of their stay at the hotel. Part of the activities
organized for the tennis players was a boat trip to the nearby Coral Island
to show them the sights and other attractions in Pattaya.
A “Thank You” party was held Saturday night, February 9 at the Lagoon
Terrace where the tennis participants and their families, along with the
event organizers enjoyed a night of music, food and drinks prepared by the
management and staff of Dusit Thani Pattaya led by the general manager,
Chatchawal Supachayanont.
PCEC meets potential first woman mayor of Pattaya
The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday
February 10 at Henry J. Bean’s consisted of another typically full and
varied morning. It becomes increasingly necessary to arrive early to get a
seat!
MC John Lynham was welcomed back and started the proceedings by describing
his travel experiences during his period of absence. Roger Fox then
introduced the main speaker of the morning. The PCEC was privileged to
welcome Alisa Phantusak who was the third of the mayoral candidates for
Pattaya who chose to speak at the PCEC’s Sunday meeting.
 Alisa
shares her plans for Pattaya with PCEC members.
Alisa is the first woman to run for Mayor of Pattaya, which is not
unexpected from a person who has the impressive credentials which she
possesses. For example, she was selected as Woman of the Year in 2000 by
Woman Magazine and in 2008 by the Association for the Promotion of the
Status of Women under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess
Soamsawalee. Currently, she is the assistant managing director of the
Woodlands Hotel & Resort, assistant to the managing director of Tiffany’s
Show Pattaya, vice president of the Eastern Chapter of the Thailand Hotel
Association, and chairman of public relations for the Thai Hotel
Association. In 2007, she was a member of the Parliament of Thailand’s
Constitution Drafting Committee.
Alisa spoke about her candidacy and her vision for the future of Pattaya.
She recognised that while the mostly foreign members of the PCEC were not
qualified to vote she valued their contributions and suggestions. She
remarked that Pattaya was rapidly becoming the second city in Thailand with
a permanent population approaching one million. Alisa had recognised five
major issues which needed to be addressed; these were traffic and public
transport improvements, environmental concerns, security and safety, illegal
drugs, and the proper education and parental control of young people. Alisa
commented that a large portion of her talk would be devoted to questions
from the floor and many were forthcoming.
PCEC Chairman Richard Smith made a number of announcements. Firstly he
reported on the highly successful club visit to the General Motors car plant
where Chevrolet vehicles are assembled. 83 people took part in the visit and
Richard thanked Bob Bisighini for organising the trip. Finally Richard
stated that 374 plus photos of the visit were now available on the PCEC
website (see later). Also the Photography Club was scheduled to take place
on February 11 at the Markland Hotel when the settings of compact digital
cameras were examined in order to give the best results.
Roger Fox returned to give the latest news on the planned PCEC trip to
Cambodia. In conjunction with Narin Interface Tour and Travel, the trip will
leave on March 3 returning on March 8, taking in major sites such as Angkor
Wat and the Killing Fields.
Personnel from the Minus Five Ice Bar and Restaurant introduced the
facilities available at this location and also introduced a special
Valentines Day offer.
Richard Silverberg continued with his ‘Website of the Week’. This week is
was www. newseum.org/todaysfrontpages. This website comprises 605 front
pages of newspapers from around the world, updated daily. There are also
international maps which show the locations where web newspapers are
available. Web links are available so that the remainder of the newspaper
can be read. Also available are archive pages where the news on significant
dates can be viewed.
Hans Stroosnyder confirmed that the next visit to the driving licence centre
was to take place on Wednesday, February 13th for those wanting a driving
licence.
The regular Open Forum was then underway led by the duo of Bob L’Etoile and
Sig Sigworth. As always, new attendees were asked to introduce themselves
and the PCEC welcomed Ruby Hayes, described as a veteran jazz and blues
singer whose is currently performing at ICEC in the Ocean Tower at the Amari
Orchid Resort and Tower.
As always the Open Forum 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 where the photos of the recent visit to the
Chevrolet plant can also be viewed.
BCCT and ITCC overrun Shenanigans
Dr Iain Corness
The second networking evening in 2008 for the British Chamber of
Commerce Thailand (BCCT) was a combined shindig with the Irish Thai Chamber
of Commerce (ITCC), and was held at the new Shenanigans. The word must have
got out that there were free libations as over 120 thirsty members and
guests from both chambers were in attendance. As always, no free offer is
ever undersubscribed!
The chairman of the BCCT, Rodney Bain, was present, along with several of
the BCCT committee, including Mark Butters and Trevor Allen (who managed to
hold my attention on aluminium hotplates of all things). The executive
director, Greg Watkins was also on hand, and had the unenviable task of
telling the noisy throng that the beers and wines were finished, somewhat
earlier than most people expected.
The Irish chamber had its founder, Liam O’Keeffee, (Property Care Services)
there and in fine form as always. He is a man who was born in Ireland (and
proud of it), but who became naturalized as a Thai citizen many years ago.
Despite becoming a naturalized Thai, Liam is still very much an Irishman,
with a brogue to prove it on Pattaya Mail TV!
Peter Mewes (The London Consultancy) arrived early with his lap-top computer
under his arm and breathlessly asked the Shenanigans service girl if they
had “wireless”. He was responded to with an affirmative and a bright smile
and was given the “wine list”. Ah well, at least everyone now knows that
Shenanigans has some reds and whites, even if the “wireless” situation is
still up in the air.
The auto industry was well represented with many members of the Automotive
Focus Group (AFG) present, led by the new chairman Mike Diamente and the
once sartorially splendid George Strampp who admitted he had dressed down
for the occasion, and the skillfully shaven Sanjay Lamba from the Auto
Alliance at the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate. Maurice Bromley, the AFG
honorary secretary from GoIndustry was also present with the delightful
Renita.
The metal fabricators were represented by Paul Whyte (Tinfish) and Stephen
Ashford (Metalweb), whilst the health industry was very well represented by
Ann Wangvirayaphan, Nancy, and Anan, all from the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya,
plus Gavin Waddell, the training instructor from Phyathai hospital in
Sriracha.
Being a predominantly British event, it was good to see Barry Kenyon, the
Pattaya honorary consul, a man who is very well known to all holders of
British passports on the Eastern Seaboard, and has helped more than one out
of some sticky predicaments.
The insurance industry is always well represented at these networking
evenings, with regulars Peter Smith and Malcolm Scorer from AA Insurance
Brokers discussing business with their clients, and Jerome Kelly from Lawton
Asia, one of the sponsors of the evening, who arrived somewhat late (and
would have been lucky to get a beer down, after his trip).
‘Real’ Brits present included Paul Wilkinson from AGS Four Winds
International Movers, and Jimmy Howard, the world’s oldest front row
forward, the happy advisor to Milan Crosse and Simon Matthews the country
manager for the Manpower organization.
PILC was also in attendance, with the new Newsletter editor Samantha Wilson
sporting a new hairstyle, and Roseanne Diamente, bubbly and vivacious as
usual, and other lovely ladies who always brighten up networking events.
And, oh yes, there were several ‘homeless’ Americans, including Bruce and
Judy Hoppe and Bobby Brooks, but who are always welcome at any event.
The Royal British Legion spreads its wings in Thailand
Says goodbye to colleague
Andy’s Family …
… and friends all attended his
funeral.
Both the work and the word of the Royal British Legion
have spread to the remoter parts of Thailand. Since the formation of our
branch here in Pattaya we are now in the process of forming a sub branch in
Korat and following that, Chang Mai. I am sure both of these will be a
success, allowing us to get trained welfare officers in place and able to
both visit and report on ex-servicemen / women or their dependants who may
be in need here in Thailand … and of course meet up for social events as we
do here every Sunday.
Our welfare officer and myself recently have been travelling to and from
Buriram to visit an ex WWII RAF pilot who unfortunately broke his hip and
was admitted to hospital. At 87 years old, Spitfire Andy, as the locals
affectionately called him, was not with us long but the Legion ensured his
wife had no worries about hospital bills. When he passed away we cleared all
his outstanding bills. His wife Tu now becomes a dependant and once again is
entitled to our help. However, thanks to Andy’s friends in Buriram this
probably won’t be needed.
Both Glenn and I attended the funeral along with his friends and Tu’s
family. To our surprise it was a Christian service, but held in the outback.
Glenn read the words of remembrance, his farang friends read poems or spoke
of Andy and out of the jungle a choir appeared singing with both meaning and
heart.
It was a pleasure to have known Andy if only for a short time and an honour
to attend his funeral. It made all the travel worth it and gave meaning the
Legion’s motto “Service Not Self”.
Being the only branch in Thailand at the moment means we have to cover a
country rather than a county as in the UK. We also do most of our travelling
by bus as it’s efficient and cheap; however, with the increase of branches
our coverage will get better.
Should you wish to join the Legion (you do not have to have been in the
armed forces) please contact Bert or call in to Tropical Bert’s 2nd Road any
Sunday afternoon. We hope to expand to Chang Mai soon, and a meeting will be
announced in the Chang Mai mail shortly.
Bert Elson,
Secretary Royal British Legion
Chonburi Thailand Branch
BR3588
Mob 089 8072335
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 February 29 and winners will
be announced March 12, 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 March 11 - 12
(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 April 10, 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, [email protected] www.boathousephuket.com
|
