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Happy Birthday HRH Princess Ubolratana
Pattaya Mail humbly joins the
Kingdom of Thailand in wishing Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana a most
happy birthday on April 5.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya
Sirivadhana Phannavadi was born on April 5, 1951, in Lausanne Switzerland.
She is the eldest daughter of HM the King and Queen. Most recently, HRH
Princess Ubolratana has shown a very keen interest in the way Thailand is
being promoted by the TAT, and March 18, 2002, was a historic moment for
Pattaya City when HRH Princess Ubolratana welcomed nearly a thousand guests
to the Pattaya Night presentation at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB)
in Berlin. She is also a very devoted leader of young people in the campaign
against drugs, and as such has instituted and keenly watches over the To Be
Number One project, encouraging family values, music and sport as
alternatives to drug use. She has also set up the Khun Poom project to
assist autistic children in Thailand.
84 novices ordained in merit
making for HRH Princess Galyani
84 novice monks, their heads
freshly shaven,
are ordained in merit making for HRH Princess Galyani.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
As an act of merit making for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani, 84
novice monks aged between 11 and 17 years were ordained over the period March 23
to 31.
A joint cooperation between Pattaya City and Chong Lom Naklua Temple, the
intention is for the youngsters to spend the nine-day period during their summer
vacation studying and carrying out socially useful activities in addition to
mourning for Her Royal Highness the Princess, who passed away on January 2.
On March 23, the novice monks had their hair shaved off at Chong Lom Naklua
Temple. In the morning of the following day, dressed in white, they were
ordained. Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay
attended the ceremony, along with the families of the youngsters.
During the nine-day period, the novices will travel to Runglan Village and to
Lan Pho in Naklua, where they will receive ceremonial offerings of food.
A clean sheet for Camillian
B. Tuppin,
PSC Charity Chairman
For those not familiar with the Camillian Centre in Maptaput, it is an
institution dedicated to the care and welfare of people with HIV-AIDS, run
by the Camillus Foundation and headed by Fr. Giovanni. Both adults and
children are treated and cared for here, and training courses are conducted
for teachers, students and social workers in the prevention and treatment of
this disease.
 Fr.
Giovanni with children.
One of my first tasks when I began as charity chairman was to visit Fr.
Giovanni at Camillian to discuss his needs. We had previously donated sheets
and pillow slips to the centre and he said that the bed linen was an ongoing
requirement and that they would be happy if PSC could supply more of the
same. While there I noticed that one of the residents had a sewing machine.
I suggested to Fr. Giovanni that it may be possible that this lady could
fabricate the sheets and pillow slips. We both agreed that the exercise was
worth trying, reasoning that the work would not only supply valuable therapy
and a sense of achievement and self worth, but also provide some much needed
pocket money. The lady with the sewing machine was Ratchanee who had
recently arrived at the centre and although quite ill at the time she agreed
to give it a try.
 Seamstress
Ratchanee.
For seven years now Pattaya Sports Club has been supplying fabric to the
Camillian Centre in Maptaput where it is made up into bed linen [sheets and
pillow slips] by the same lady. As the needs of the centre have grown, so
has the demand for the bed linen. Our first delivery was 600 metres - this
year I delivered 1200 metres of brightly coloured cotton fabric to Camillian
and Ratchanee who now resides at the Centre for Independent Living. She will
fire up the old treadle machine again and sew long into the nights until it
is all transformed into brightly coloured sheets and pillow slips.
Through all of this time Ratchanee has struggled not only with her health
but as a deserted wife with 2 children who she refused to desert as their
father had deserted both them and her. She has also battled the welfare
authorities to receive both the medication and financial assistance that her
particular situation merited. Ratchanee is an example to all who have
contact with her of the resolve of the human spirit to battle on even when
dealt the cruellest of fates.
Pattaya Sports Club will continue to support Camillian Centre while it is
able to and be sure it is a priority when budget time rolls around. For my
own part when my work brings me in contact with people with the dedication
of Fr. Giovanni and the resolve of Ratchanee, who could wish for a better
job?
Easter celebrated at St Nikolaus
Vimolrat Singnikorn
More than 200 Thai and foreign Christians gathered at St Nikolaus
Church on March 22 to celebrate Easter, a time of the year when Christians
the world over gather in observance of their beliefs that Jesus arose from
the dead.
 Bruce
and Judy Hoppe receive colorful Easter eggs at St Nikolaus Church.
The celebrations began with a mass on Maundy Thursday. Good Friday also saw
fully occupied pews at 3 pm, the assumed time when Jesus died, as well as at
the 6 pm mass.
On Easter Saturday, Christ’s Resurrection was commemorated. Following the
ceremony, at 7:30 pm, a bonfire was lit and water was consecrated.
Subsequently, Father Kritsada Sukapat led the congregation on a walk through
the church and cemetery premises, where he blessed the graves.
The Easter Sunday mass this year had a special occasion. Several boys and
girls, all dressed up in nice suits and dresses, celebrated their first
communion. Their faces displayed their joy and pride to be admitted to the
Catholic Church.
At the end, all devotees received a small bottle of holy water and an Easter
egg with different Biblical quotations on it.
Easter is the most important religious feast in the Christian liturgical
year. Many non-religious cultural elements have become part of the holiday,
and Christians and non-Christians alike celebrate these. Easter eggs are
distributed as gifts to symbolize the new birth, their shells painted with
brilliant colors to denote happiness and promise.
Easter is termed a moveable feast because it is not fixed in relation to the
civil calendar, falling at some point between late March and late April each
year. This year’s festival was the earliest Easter for many years.
The choir sings hymns during
the Easter celebrations.
Nittaya re-elected to chair of YWCA
YWCA Bangkok - Pattaya
President Nittaya Patimasongkroh (standing, center) and members of YWCA
Bangkok - Pattaya are ready for another productive year.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Nittaya Patimasongkroh, a two-times chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya
Center, has been elected for a third term.
The results of the election for a new chairwoman were announced on March 21
at the Diana Garden Resort, the previous incumbent having stepped down at
the end of her term, under the articles of the YWCA Federation of Thailand.
Dr Jareet Ongkasuwan, chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok had also stepped down
on February 26 under the same regulations.
Candidates for the chair of YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center were Dujduan
Ruangwettiwong, who was the outgoing chairwoman, Nonglak Fakruk, Nittaya
Patimasongkroh and Wisa Chimdee. Wisa, however, withdrew as candidate,
citing lack of time to perform her duties if elected, although pledging her
full and continuing support for the association.
This left three candidates, with Nittaya being elected. She has been a
member of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center since 1990, and has already served
two terms as chairwoman of the association. Although she had been away from
the chairwomanship for a term, Nittaya had continued to play a very high
profile role in the association’s activities.
During her acceptance speech, Nittaya outlined the program for the coming
year. There would be more scholarships under the Warm Family Project, and
these will be distributed around August. The Eyesight Protection Project
would distribute eyeglasses to the underprivileged, and to children at
Pattaya School No 9. The Love Pattaya Love the Environment Project would
continue to exchange eggs for recyclables, working in cooperation with
Pattaya School No 7.
Awards made to officers who arrested power line thieves
Patcharapol Panrak
The Sattahip electricity authority has presented awards to police
officers and volunteer police officers for their efforts in arresting
thieves who were stealing power lines and other materials.
 Rear
Admiral Saknarin Charoensuk of the Sattahip Electricity Authority presents
awards to Pol Sub Lt Supachai Nookaew, deputy suppression inspector at
Plutaluang Police Station, Charan Panluang, village headman of Moo 2,
Plutaluang, and Kanok Kumchaona, chairman of the Plutaluang Volunteer
Police.
The ceremony took place on March 19, with Rear Admiral Saknarin Charoensuk
of the Sattahip Electricity Authority presenting awards to Pol Sub Lt
Supachai Nookaew, deputy suppression inspector at Plutaluang Police Station,
Charan Panluang, village headman of Moo 2, Plutaluang, and Kanok Kumchaona,
chairman of the Plutaluang Volunteer Police.
Rear Admiral Saknarin spoke of the efficiency and prompt conduct of all
those involved in apprehending thieves who were stealing state property.
Officers had arrested Sakchai Nutpong, age 27, of Moo 3, Sattahip
Sub-district, and Surasit Tabtimtong, 22, also of Moo 3. The two had been
caught hauling away several large sized power lines from the deserted
premises of ACS Asia Co Ltd, in Moo 2. Equipment for cutting high voltage
power lines, together with four ya ba pills were found in their possession.
Northern Thai
plans for RE boom in 2009
Dr Iain Corness
Pattaya’s longest established real estate company, Northern Thai, is
gearing up for a real estate boom, projected for 2009/2010. This will
require personnel consolidation and upgrading of technology, and Northern
Thai has started planning for this.
Spearheading the move will be the new managing director, John Seymour,
previously a director of the company. Founder and outgoing managing
director, Bryant Berry, has decided that the time was right for his stepping
aside to prepare for his own retirement from the local business scene,
though he will be on hand when required by the new MD. Bryant Berry said,
“John Seymour has been with the company for eight years, and in that time
has overseen new growth and diversification. I am happy that the future of
my company is in capable hands.”
John Seymour paid compliments to his predecessor and acknowledged that the
longevity of the company was due to the untiring work put in by Bryant Berry
over the past 18 years.
With Northern Thai being one of the first companies to join the Real Estate
Brokers Association (REBA), the new development has taken place to
capitalize on the growth predicted by REBA which will take place in the next
triennium.
THA Eastern Chapter re-elects
Chatchawal Supachayanont
as president
Re-elected president of
THA-Eastern Chapter Chatchawal Supachayanont (front, center) smiles as he
poses with the representatives of the 59 member hotels of the association
after the elections held at Dusit Thani Pattaya. He is flanked by his two
vice presidents; Rungthip Suksrikarn (left) and Bundarik Kusolvit (right),
from Sunbeam Hotel and the City Hotel Sriracha, respectively.
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) Eastern Chapter has
voted unanimously for Chatchawal Supachayanont, the general manager of Dusit
Thani Pattaya, as its president for the next two years. The elections took
place Wednesday, March 26 at the Napalai Convention Hall of the five-star
deluxe hotel. The 59-member hotel association holds its elections every two
years. The last one was in March 2006 when Supachayanont again became its
head after having passed the torch on to others for a while. His clear
comeback for the position since 2006 has become even more evident when he
won by a landslide victory in Wednesday’s nomination.
The THA was established more than 40 years ago with the objectives of, among
others; promoting hotel enterprises, business and tourism; fostering
cooperation and spirit of unity among its members; understanding the
complexity of the hotel business but working toward its success; arranging
sales promotions, for both the local and international arena and extending
contributions to different charities in aid of public welfare and national
security.
“It is truly a great honor to be re-elected as the president of the
THA-Eastern Chapter. I would like to express my appreciation to all THA
members for their unending show of trust and support as I embark on a
continued journey of leadership to carry on accomplishing the objectives of
this association, most especially in promoting the hotel industry that takes
pride on good standards and in concurrence with the government’s policy. All
of us at the association will strive to do our very best in order to help
and support the country’s hotel and tourism industry,” says Chatchawal
Supachayanont.
Itthipol and his Rao Rak Pattaya team set out their vision for the future
Election set for May 4
Itthipol Khunplome and his Rao
Rak Pattaya Party team
are set to run for mayor and city council seats.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Itthipol Khunplome and his Rao Rak Pattaya Party have started their
campaign for the mayoral and council elections, beginning with a rally at
Lan Pho Public Park on March 9 where they explained their policies to the
public.
There are a total of 24 seats on the council, and another four deputy mayor
positions.
Only six of the existing council members who are currently members of the
Rao Rak Pattaya Party have stepped down and will not be campaigning to win
their seats back for the next term.
In Zone 1, Anupong Buthanawarat will replace Mongkol Deedamrong in the Rao
Rak Pattaya Party, while the others, namely Wanchai Supapornpasupat, Banlue
Kullawanit, Mrs Jidapa Suwattaporn, Itsarin Boriboonnakhom and Urit
Nantasurasak remain on the team.
In Zone 2 also, only one person has stepped out of the party. Mrs Chanadsa
Suttithamrongsawat (younger sister of Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, a former
mayor of Pattaya) would replace Chutipol Kamolnad in the position of
secretary to the mayor. The other people who will attempt to remain in their
positions whilst running on the Rao Rak Pattaya Party platform are Farooq
Wongborisuthi, Manot Nongyai, Panot Kanawattanakul, Somchai Chaona, and
Adisorn Pollook-in.
Zone 3 is where the most changes are being made, with the relocation of
Wichai Rodpia (council member in Zone 4) to this zone. Amnat Tiangtham, a
well-known lawyer and founder of the Pattaya Issan Club, comes into Zone 3,
as does Wisal Phettrakul, owner of the Alcazar Theater, who, if Ittipol is
elected, will perform political work as the secretary to the mayor during
this term of office. Pisai Panomwan na Ayutthaya may become advisor to the
mayor. Thongsuk Thongnak and Suwit Nongyai are the two possible candidates
running for the same position against other parties. The rest will attempt
to remain in their positions whilst running on the Rao Rak Pattaya Party
platform, namely Wittaya Pollook-in, Rattanachai Suthidechanai, and Sanit
Boonmachai.
In Zone 4, only one change has been made. Chusak Sriwatchanapong, resident
manager of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort would replace Wichai Rodpia on the
Rao Rak Pattaya Party team, who moved to Zone 3. The other people who will
attempt to remain in their positions whilst running on the Rao Rak Pattaya
Party platform are Thongchai Ajthong, Tavich Chaiswangwong, Pansak Saengjan,
Amnuey Sompongtham, and Praiwan Aromchuen.
Regarding the four positions for deputy mayor, the four existing deputies
from the administrative team of Niran Wattanasartsathorn have put themselves
forward as candidates. They are Wattana Chantanawaranon, Ronakit Ekasingh,
Verawat Khakhay, and Wutisak Rermkitkarn.
Itthipol Khunplome gave a speech to set out his vision and the policy of the
party. There are 13 strategic plans for developing the city, including
tourism, the security of life and property for people and tourists,
eradicating narcotics, resolving traffic problems, education, developing
basic public utilities, sports and recreation, developing the efficiency of
the economic system, public health and the environment, keeping society in
order to strengthen morality and ethics, culture and religions, developing
replacement water resources, developing the city cluster to have equality,
working to fulfill potential, and transparency so that people are able to
examine the details of the administration.
The proposed projects aroused a great deal of interest. A proposed sky train
would serve two routes, namely from Pattaya City Hall to the Pattaya Indoor
Sports Stadium, and from Pattaya City Hall to Kratinglai Beach. Traffic
plans include a proposal to build automated parking lots, and to construct a
tunnel underneath an intersection on Sukhumvit Road. To take some of the
freight traffic off the road, there is a proposed cargo sky train that would
support the transportation system from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Further greening of the environment would take place by planting trees in
areas that are currently 1.8 square meters per person to increase them to
2.88 square meters. Pressure is mounting for 100 percent increase in the
production of tap water. Present dirt roads would be upgraded within two
years. A special organization located at Thappraya 2310 would solve the
local crime problem.
After the presentation, Rao Rak Pattaya candidates presented flowers to the
candidates of the parties. There was a great deal of excitement in the air,
because the current Pattaya administrators finished their term on March 26.
The Chonburi Election Commission has set the date of the election to be May
4.
Lighthouse Club
shines in Pattaya
The Lighthouse Club, which is a worldwide charity, has
formed its latest branch in Pattaya. Led by Mark Thomson of North Star, the
idea is to carry on the traditions of the Lighthouse Club on the Eastern
Seaboard. The club was formed in Newcastle-upon Tyne in 1956 by Edward Ward
and his colleagues attending an exhibition at Whitley Bay. The name
“Lighthouse” coming from St. Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay. The essence
of the club was to promote the goodwill and co-operation between persons
involved in the construction industry. The Bangkok branch was established in
1991 when Nigel Pearson, a former member of the Hong Kong branch, persuaded
6 other prominent personalities of the Bangkok construction scene to combine
efforts and create a branch membership.
The Club motto is “Aliis cum Humanitate”, which translates as “Consideration
for Others”. This was instrumental in the setting up of the Lighthouse Club
Benevolent Fund in the early 1960’s which provides for financial assistance
for members involved in construction related accidents.
The Lighthouse Club Bangkok established its own Benevolent Fund in 1993, the
objective of this fund is currently to promote a safer working environment
in Thailand through training, printed safety literature, etc., together with
a popular focus on the underprivileged construction workers’ children. As an
example of this, a unique school is being constructed on the huge Rom Klao
National Housing association site in Bangkok, with the intention of reducing
the danger to workers’ children wandering in the dangerous site environments
and to provide a community service.
It is hoped that something like this can be achieved in the Chonburi and
Rayong areas. However, it is only from acorns do such great oaks spring. The
Lighthouse Club (Pattaya) held its inaugural networking evening at Flanagans
Irish Pub in Jomtien, who laid on free lager. It was very well attended by
such luminaries as John Pollard from Meinhardt, who is an integral part of
the Bangkok Lighthouse Club, giving his support. More local people included
the ubiquitous Peter Smith from AA Insurance, Jeff Burrows from Watermark
Capital Management and Paul Wilkinson from AGS Four Winds.
The property and construction side of things were well represented by the
aforementioned John Pollard and Mark Thomson. Big Kevin Fisher was there
along with Joe Grunwell from Comcon. Ltd., and Neil Sandilands was seen
talking to Scott Malone of Homehunters International Group.
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