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Formal opening for Asia’s first German-speaking Rotary Club

Rotary GSE team on a mission of goodwill and peace

Sikh youngsters learn leadership skills at Fellowship Camp

Pavarotti, Chandrasiri and Giovanni

Children at Fountain of Life treated to Easter egg hunt

Celebrate 50 years of rock with Thailand’s premiere rock star Lam Morrison


Formal opening for Asia’s first German-speaking Rotary Club

More than 160 guests attend Rotary Club Phönix charter night

Elfi Seitz
The first German-speaking Rotary Club in Asia, Rotary Club Phönix Pattaya, was formally established on March 1.

District Governor Dr. Arnon Chirajavala installs Stephan Heynert as the Charter President of the Rotary Club Phoenix Pattaya.
Taking part in the ceremony at the Montien Hotel were the Ambassador of the European Union Dr Friedrich Hamburger, German Consul Dr Michael Banzhaf, Austrian Consul Mag Arnold Obermayer, Swiss Consul Dr Thomas Olafsson, governor of Rotary International District 3340 Dr Arnon Chirajavala, governor-elect Peter Malhotra, former district governor Premprecha Dibbayawan, and Nic Demet, president of the sponsoring club Marina Pattaya.
Guests were welcomed at the entrance of the hotel by some of the club’s lady members, Eva-Maria Hamann, Ursula Rothstein, Ina Buschhüter, Trude Koster and Jirasa Mundt.
Presiding over the ceremony were charter president Stephan Heynert and Elfi Seitz. The program began with the parade of the national flags. The Thai flag, carried by Nuanjam Krieger, was followed by the Rotary International flag, carried by Trutz Fiddickow, the German flag, carried by Klaus Zauner, the Austrian flag, carried by Kurt Krieger, and the Swiss flag, carried by Michael Bozian. Bernhard Riedel sang the national anthems to the presentation of each flag.
The Filipino band El Duo provided musical entertainment while guests dined from the buffet. Then Charter President Stephan Heynert presented the opening speech, in which he talked about how the idea to found a German-speaking Rotary Club rose and how the club was established step by step.
From the beginning onwards, the concept received full support of all people involved, said Stephan. “With 36 charter members, we are the first Rotary Club in District 3340 to begin with such a high number,” Stephan said, adding that he was not only proud but also very pleased to have found such a great team and sincere friends within the club.
Following the speech, four young members of the Rotary Interact Club at Banglamung School went on stage to perform a not-quite traditional Ramwong dance conducted by their teacher, Suriya. They were dressed in Thai garb, an Austrian “dirndl”, Swiss lederhosen and a mariner’s uniform and danced to traditional music of the according countries.
Next on stage was Peter Malhotra with a brief and succinct speech. “This is a truly historical day for Rotary International, as today the first German-speaking Rotary Club of Asia is being established. I am proud of this club.” Peter asked all new Rotarians to adhere to the policies and to perform good deeds for the benefit of humankind.
Following Peter’s speech was the ballet “The Reincarnation of Phönix”, danced to Elfi Seitz’s narration of the saga. It was an impressive spectacle, with five young and beautiful female dancers from the Dance Studio, led by Dujduan Ruangwettiwong, performing the dance of the old Phönix, which dramatically burnt to death, only to rise again and rejoice to the sound of “Ode to Joy”.
The night reached its climax when district governor, Dr Arnon handed over the foundation charter and the president’s sash to Stephan Heynert. In addition, all charter members received the Rotary badge.
In his address, Dr Arnon said that he is filled with pride that the founding of the first German speaking Rotary Club in Asia falls in his term. “After meeting each and every one of you, I am convinced that you will nobly represent the idea behind Rotary and conduct many good and worthy deeds.”
The representatives of the European Union and the three consuls all congratulated the club, while their spouses received floral bouquets.
Stephan Heynert accepted gifts from the presidents of the other Rotary Clubs. Nic Demet from RC Marina Pattaya presented two flags on a stand, Stefan Ryser from RC Eastern Seaboard handed over a huge embroidered club emblem, and Martin van Bree from RC Taksin Pattaya presented a donation. Following the traditional exchange of the emblems between all clubs, Stephan thanked Peter Malhotra and Dr Arnon by handing over a beer mug and a “beer sausage”.
This marked the official end of the function, but the charter members and many guests danced to the beats of El Duo until very late.

Peter Malhotra,
District Governor Elect.

Dr Friedrich Hamburger,
Ambassador of the European Union.

Mag. Arnold Obermayer,
the Austrian Consul.

Dr Thomas Olafsson, the Swiss Consul.

Dr Michael Banzhaf, the German Consul.

Nic Demet, president
of Rotary Club Pattaya Marina.

Entertainment was international.

The flags of countries represented in the club are carried by (l-r) Nuanjam Krieger, Trutz Fiddickow, Klaus Zauner, Kurt Krieger and Michael Bozian.

Rotarians gather for a group photograph for posterity.


Rotary GSE team on a mission of goodwill and peace

Young professionals discover Thai traditions, culture and vocations

Staff Reporters
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples,” is a quote attributed to the famous humanitarian, Mother Teresa. No other statement could so aptly describe the impact a Rotary Group Study Exchange (G.S.E.) experience can have on one’s self, family, friends, and colleagues.

DGE Pratheep Malhotra (right) welcomes Special Representative of the Rotary International President, Past District Governor Mark KY Wong (centre) and his charming wife Emily.
In fact, the over forty-year ‘ripple effect’ of Rotary’s G.S.E. program has resulted in a tidal wave of loving and ongoing friendships, resulting in goodwill, improved world understanding and peace. One does not have to travel far in any community to find examples of someone touched by Rotary through this area of international service. Many participants have personally grown and developed into industry, community and political leaders.
Truly learning something means one must experience it ‘first hand’. Geography would be real if students could visit the countries they studied. A century ago this form of ‘finishing’ was a necessary part of every young person’s education. It was called a ‘grand tour’. This was proven to be so relevant when members of the Rotary Foundation sponsored Group Study Exchange had the opportunity to visit Thailand from February 16 until March 15, this year.

Natalie (left) exchanges ideas and information with Dave Malhotra, our newly graduated IT specialist.
Alice Ann McGrew, a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Norman in Oklahoma, led her team of young professionals from Rotary District 5770 in Oklahoma in the United States on this exciting trip to the northeast region of Rotary District 3340, which covered Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham, Buriram, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnatcharoen, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, and finally to Pattaya.
Team members included Natalie T. Tindall, a professor of journalism at the University of Oklahoma, Stephanie L. Lowery, Specialist for State Government Federal Grants awarded to agencies that aid victims of crime, James E. Rivera, a US Government Technical Expert on Social Security and Kenneth D. Jones, Planner of Nutrition and Socialization to Older Americans.
Whilst on the last leg of their tour to Thailand they had the opportunity to visit the offices of the Pattaya Mail. This was quite exciting especially for Natalie as she comes from that branch of work.
On March 13, the group were welcomed by Pratheep Malhotra, managing director, and Suwanthep Malhotra, director of sales and marketing, who took them on a ‘grand tour’ of the ‘Best in the East’ newspaper showing the various departments and processes involved in the production of the Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Blatt and the Chiang Mai Mail.
They also inspected the newsroom, the graphics department, and the IT section where the pattayamail.com website is produced. The grand finale was at the printing presses where they were on hand to witness the thrilling moment when the actual Pattaya Mail newspaper was rolling ‘hot off the press.’
The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra, who is also the District Governor Elect of District 3340 for 2008-09 said, “The Group Study Exchange program is a very successful venture of the Rotary Foundation, the first exchange having been undertaken between California and Japan in 1965. The project has over the years provided an educational experience for more than 52,000 young people. Apart from its educational aspect, the sending and receiving of teams acts as goodwill between the Rotary Clubs in a diversity of countries.
“During their 4-week stay, this GSE group have seen and learned about the ‘real’ Thailand. With Thai families as hosts, they heard the language, ate Thai food, saw the infrastructure, and lived in the culture. They now have knowledge of Thailand no geography book could ever teach.
“Rotary Foundation is well known for its exciting exchange programs, designed to broaden the outlook of young professionals. They are able to experience the culture and language of a different continent in an applied learning situation. Rotary gives them a chance to ‘see with their own eyes’.
“It would be weeks, maybe months, as they go about their daily lives, that the lingering memories of what they had just experienced would become a constant reminder of the friendship and love that disregards every boundary of colour or creed. These fond memories would be with them for the rest of their lives.”

A visit to the Newsroom.

Tony Malhotra (right) shows off the graphics department to our guests.

Past President Dennis Stark almost has his fingers singed
as he holds up a copy of the Pattaya Mail ‘hot off the press”.

The GSE team pose for a photograph with
the Pattaya Mail team in front of our offices.


Sikh youngsters learn leadership skills at Fellowship Camp

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
More than 90 young Sikhs from all over the country have attended a camp that aimed to promote leadership skills and impart knowledge on culture and religion.

Amrik Singh Kalra (left), president of the Thai-Sikh Community in Pattaya and Davinder Singh Madan (right), president of the Sri Gurusinghe Association.
The 5th Fellowship Camp was formally opened on March 15 at the Home for the Elderly on Thappraya Soi 13, and was the result of cooperation between the Sri Gurusinghe Association and the Thai-Sikh Pattaya Association.
Amrik Singh Kalra, head of the Sikh Community in Pattaya and Davinder Singh Madan, president of the Sri Gurusinghe Association performed the opening ceremony.
Davinder said that the camp is usually held four or five times every year, and takes place in several provinces throughout the country. The youngsters are aged between 17 and 21 years, and in addition to learning they have the opportunity to make new friends.
Morality and kindness are very much on the agenda, with the participants being taught about correctness of manners and attire, and paying respect to the elderly and the less privileged members of society.
The 5th Fellowship Camp was held in Pattaya City from March 14 to 16, at the Home for Elderly People. More than 90 male and female youngsters took part.

The lecturer(s) answer questions to create an understanding
for the main Sikh teachings.

The Beach Volleyball activity instills teamwork.


Pavarotti, Chandrasiri and Giovanni

Michel Conrad, Wine Manager Independent Wine & Spirit (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Giovanni Oliva, Asia Brand Manager of Grandi Vini Consorzio, Panga Vathanakul, Managing Directorof Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Ranjith Chandrasiri, Royal Cliff Wine Club President, and Campione Salvatore, Key Account Manager, Independent Wine & Spirit (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Choopong Payotorn, F&B Manager, Walter Thenisch, Executive Chef, Giovanni Oliva, Asia Brand Manager of Grandi Vini Consorzio, Ranjith Chandrasiri, Royal Cliff Wine Club President, Michel Conrad, Wine Manager Independent Wine & Spirit (Thailand) Co., Ltd and Alexander Haeusler, GM of Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

Ranjith Chandrasiri receives the picture taken in 1984 from Dr. William van Ewijk on behalf of his previous wine club ‘Cote D’ Azur’ which feature Roger Moore, Christopher Reeve and Winemaker Olivier Ott enjoying a glass of wine together at the ‘Cote D’ Azur’ wine club. (Right) An antique wine crate made out of oak exclusively for Les Domaines Ott wines was a rare piece also presented to the club president.

Miss Terry Diner
The Royal Cliff Wine Club’s Italian Winemaker’s Gala Dinner did indeed have the late and great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti’s melodic voice in the background, but it was just one of the Italian facets to the evening.
Wine Club members responded to the Wine Club President Ranjith Chandrasiri (sounds sort of Italian), with his invitation to sample six Italian wines in the opulent surroundings of the Orchid Ballroom. It may not have been Milan’s La Scala, but it may as well have been, with Italians like Salvatore Campione from the Independent Wine and Spirit company and Giovanni Oliva from the Grandi Vini d’Italia consortium, lending their support to the dinner.
The reception wine was a Bisol Jeio Prosecco Extra Dry di Valdobbiadene DOC (and try saying that after three glasses) which met with almost universal approval, and was on special that night for the members. A wonderfully inexpensive linguistic liberator.
Representing eight small wineries, was native Italian Giovanni Oliva, who did not break into song, but I am sure would have been more than ready. He told the guests that Italy has been making wine for over 3,000 years and is still the second largest producer of wine in the world. He spoke of the incredible diversity of wines from Italy with over 2,000 different wines being produced. Being a native-born Italian, Giovanni also could not resist telling the diners that Italy also produces Ferrari and Ducati, world champions on four wheels and two. He concluded his address saying, “Keep drinking Italian wines!”
The dinner, from the amazingly creative kitchen of Royal Cliff Beach Resort executive chef Walter Thenisch began with a smoked Chilean sea bass and poached Boston lobster tail with sweet and sour mango foam and fruity barley vinaigrette. This was superb, and Walter told me that the smoking of this wonderfully tasty fish was done in-house. This course was washed down with a very pleasant white, a Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC 2006 (and you can’t get much more Italian than that).
Another white and then three reds were offered, with the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 2001 (the aristocrat’s wine, said Giovanni) also meeting universal approval being also used by Chef Walter to make the red wine sauce which went with the main course of herb marinated prime beef tenderloin with saffron flavored celery.
The Royal Cliff wine dinners continue to be the pace-setters in the bargain gourmet stakes, and it comes as no surprise that they are always sold out within hours of opening the bookings.
Ranjith Chandrasiri can be contacted by email ranjith @royalcliff.com


Children at Fountain of Life treated to Easter egg hunt

Lela Aukes-Niemer
On Thursday morning, March 20, the Second Fountain of Life Easter Egg Hunt was conducted on the compound of the Good Shepherd Sisters here in Pattaya.

The Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy show the special cake made for the party.
This year’s party was co-sponsored by the Pattaya International Ladies Club, together with Kim Fletcher from Jamison’s Restaurant, who had a special bunny suit flown in, and the Jesters’ Harley-Davidson boys who came with their bikes to deliver the Easter bunny and his goodies.
PILC President Marloes de Saegher and a group of PILC ladies hid 4 bags of delicious chocolate eggs from the Ambur “Party Shop” around the playground in the garden. First, Nang explained the Western Easter celebration tradition of the Easter Bunny, and then the Bunny and Tooth Fairies were escorted in on Harley Davidson bikes. After that, the children, aged 3 to 7, were sent out to hunt for eggs and bring them back to fill the Easter Bunny’s (Kim Fletcher) basket.

The Easter Bunny arrives via the back of a Harley.
A colossal Easter cake festooned with a blue bunny was presented, and the children, 27 Fountain of Life staff and many guests, had a magnificent time together. Kathleen Petras, the creator of the Tooth Fairy costumes, along with Ingrid Cunliffe (who was also wearing one of the beautiful pink outfits), and two fairies from Jamison’s distributed candies and soft drinks. (The Tooth Fairy’s presence helps to make the trips to the dentist less stressful and more appealing to the children.)
The chocolate eggs, the symbol of new life and the beginning of spring, were happily divided amongst everyone. Sister Joan Gormley told everybody that for the first time, the children who are 7 years old and have completed their pre-school at the FOL, are going back to their villages to attend government schools, since many do not have house registration in Pattaya which would make them eligible to attend the schools here; plus, the Pattaya schools are becoming very overcrowded at the moment.
Thanks were given to all involved. It was a great pleasure for the PILC to share the joy and blessings of Easter in such a fun and traditional way with the children of the Fountain of Life. Thanks also go to Aonen Vatne, a guest from Norway, who took over 100 photos for every one to remember this Easter celebration.

The Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairies show the children what
they will be looking for when the Easter egg hunt begins.

Look how many I found!

The hunt is on…


Celebrate 50 years of rock with Thailand’s premiere rock star Lam Morrison

Lam Morrison will celebrate 50 years of guitar playing Sunday, 30 March 2008, with a gala gig at Pattaya’s only real rock n roll club, The Lam Morrison House of Rock.
Lam will host and headline a celebration, which is being planned to feature many of Bangkok and Pattaya’s best guitarists.

Lam (above left) is seen being accompanied by Thai superstar Sek Loso on guitar.
The Guest of Honor, with his iconic machine gun-shaped guitar, will dazzle and wow an invited audience of local and regional dignitaries.
Open every night 9.00pm till late, with Lam on stage just after midnight , The Lam Morrison’s House of Rock is in South Pattaya just off Walking Street on funky Soi Marine.
Thailand’s most audacious guitarist began playing guitar when he was 13 years old (self-taught on a beat up acoustic while he tended the rice fields and the buffalo).
Now, at 63, Pi Lam, The Ajaan, teaches master classes in his often three-hour nighty spectacles at his South Pattaya namesake club. Longtime devotees are amazed at his newfound vigor, stamina and reclaimed virtuosity.
From the great generation that produced Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Keith Richards, Lam Morrison, their Thai brother, arose from Issarn’s rice paddies.

Rock legend Lam Morrison can be seen playing his iconic machine gun guitar at a special night celebrating 50 years of rock at The Lam Morrison House of Rock on Walking Street, this coming Sunday, March 30.
When the US troops brought their rock n roll records to Ubon Ratchatani while conducting America’s “Secret War” (see Air America), a young Lam avidly listened, eagerly learned and quickly formed Thailand’s first real rock band, VIP.
VIP toured all the US bases during the Viet Nam War, playing reasonable facsimiles of hits from The Stones, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Canned Heat, Cream and The Doors (Lam jokingly refers to Jim Morrison as his brother).
After the war, Lam emigrated to Germany, where in a guitar duel (much reported at the time) he was dubbed “The Guitar King,” a moniker that he still defines.
He joined and formed bands, touring Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France and then over to North America and finally on to Austalia.
With the help of Richie Blackmore of Deep Purple, in the early 80’s he signed to EMI Records.
His debut album, “Night in Bangkok”, sold a cool million in Thailand. This was before there was Grammy Records or national distribution or even real record stores - basically, rock had been banned for years. His albums were sold at truck stops and gas stations. And a million were sold.
Since those glory days, Lam Morrison has been a rock n roll gypsy and South East Asia’s best kept secret.
He has spent the last two decades criss-crossing Thailand, from the restive south the golden north, occasionally stopping for residencies (Bangkok’s Rock Pub, Pattaya/s Blues Factory). He has shared stages with all of Thailand’s heirs to the throne from Micro to Olarn, from Ad Carabao to Sek Loso, two Thai music heroes who revere Lam Morrison as Thailand’s Guitar King.
He often returned to Europe and toured with such greats as Deep Purple and UFO and Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow.
Recently, he settled in Pattaya, but remained an enigma: You didn’t find Lam Morrison, Lam Morrison found you. He was a legend caught in brief flashes at bars up and down Walking Street, often just missed and more talked about than experienced.
The opening of The Lam Morrison House of Rock, as well as Lam’s mid/late-life reinvigoration, now means that the secret of Thailand’s guitar master is on nightly display for all to discover for the first time. Or savor for the Nth time.
The Lam Morrison House of Rock invites all to join them in celebrating Lam Morrison’s 50th Anniversary of Playing Guitar on Sunday, 30 March 2008, 9pm until late.