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Rotary Foundation Trustee Chairman Bob Scott praises work done by region’s Rotary Clubs

Offerings made to the guardian spirits during centuries-old festival

Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak’s Birthday

BCCT and AmCham break out the brollies

Diana Group stages bartender contest for staff at six properties


Rotary Foundation Trustee Chairman Bob Scott praises work done by region’s Rotary Clubs

When Rotary Past District Governor Prempreecha Dibbayawan was informed that Dr Robert Scott would be visiting Thailand, he immediately invited him for a visit to Pattaya.
Although in May 2006 the Rotary Clubs in Pattaya had the honor of welcoming Rotary International President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammer, it is quite unusual to be visited by senior Rotary International executives.

Bob Scott admires the Rotary Peace Monument on top of Pratamnak Hill.
Bob Scott, being the Chair of the Rotary Foundation Trustees and Chairman of the International PolioPlus Committee, is one such senior Rotarian.
Bob accepted the invitation, but due to other commitments it could only be for one day. PDG Prempreecha contacted Rotarians from the six clubs in Pattaya and formed a committee to organise the program.
On Wednesday morning, April 9, Bob Scott and his entourage arrived at the Pattaya Orphanage, where he was welcomed by District Governor Elect Pratheep Malhotra and representatives from the various Rotary Clubs in and around Pattaya. Bob and his wife Ann spent the morning cuddling and playing with the children before they all sat down for a special lunch together.
After lunch the party was whisked off to visit some of the many projects the Rotary Clubs have implemented in the community. First stop was at the Pattaya City Peace Monument erected by the Rotary Club Pattaya. Bob Scott is closely involved with Rotary’s Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies.
Next on the program was a visit to the Khao Khanthamat School near Sattahip. The organising committee had selected this school as various Rotary Clubs in Pattaya had jointly and individually carried out projects in the health, education and clean water fields.
Charter President Peter Thorand showed the First Aid Room, which was fitted out by RC Taksin-Pattaya with support from RC Pattaya Marina and RC Jomtien-Pattaya.

Bob Scott presents a Major Donor pin to President Stefan Ryser as his wife Toy stands proudly by his side.
Next, President Jan Abbink demonstrated the clean water system that was installed by RC Jomtien-Pattaya with support from Rtn Jan Olav Aamlid and his Norwegian friends and businessmen who regularly visit Pattaya.
Last but not least, President Steve Ryser spoke about the English Learning CD project that RC Eastern-Seaboard has initiated at many schools including the Khao Khanthamat School.
Steve Ryser and Jan Abbink also informed Bob Scott about this year’s joint Matching Grant project whereby RCJP and RCES will install clean water systems at 21 schools in the Chonburi and Rayong provinces.
Being the Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Trustees, which supports such humanitarian projects with matching grants, Bob Scott was pleased to see that the funds were going to a good cause. He also came with some good recommendations - not surprising considering his experience of over two decades in these fields.
During the evening a dinner was hosted at the Sigma Hotel in Jomtien which was attended by more than 100 Rotarians in the region.
Bob Scott praised the 120 Rotarians at the dinner for the work they were doing, and reminded them that there was a need for them to continue their efforts.
He said there were several goals for the year ahead. These included making the eradication of polio a realistic goal, encouraging every Rotarian to make a donation every year and keeping in touch with alumni.
“I want to thank you for the good work you have done in the past, I want to thank you for the good you are doing presently but much more importantly I thank you for the good that you will do to help make this world a peaceful place,” he said.
Bob was visiting Thailand for the first time on a four-day trip. The main purpose was to present certificates in Bangkok to graduates of a Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies programme.
He has traveled the world seeing the Rotary Foundation’s projects brought to fruition, and he said he had been impressed by the Pattaya schemes.
Jan Abbink, President of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, said: “It’s not every day, not even every month or every year, we have such a distinguished guest like Bob Scott with us.”
The event also saw a surprise US$10,000 donation made by Stefan Ryser, president of the Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard, to the Rotary Foundation. Special Paul Harris Recognition Awards were presented to Past President Max Rommel, President Jan Abbink of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya and Past President Somchai Ngernyingsook of the Rotary Club of Plutaluang.
In addition numerous Rotarians donated the equivalent of US $100 to the Rotary Foundation, who are working tirelessly to protect our young children from contracting the dreaded polio virus and to finally eradicate this horrible disease from the face of the earth.

President Jan Abbink shows off the water filtration system to the visitors.

Children are always happy to see visitors at the Pattaya Orphanage.


Offerings made to the guardian spirits during centuries-old festival

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Naklua residents and visitors gathered at Lan Pho Public Park on April 19 for the Kong Kao (rice harvest) festival, offering food and sweets to the spirits in a centuries-old tradition.
Banglamung District Chief Pratheep Chongsubthum opened the festivities, which in addition to worship and prayers included sports and games activities, and plenty of enjoyment for people of all ages.

Banglamung District Chief Pratheep Chong
subthum presents his opening speech for the Naklua Kong Kao traditional festival.

Candles and joss sticks were lit and a blessings ceremony held as the food and sweets were laid out for the spirits and angels. During the afternoon, visitors enjoyed displays of archery, boxing and sword fighting, and a large crowd watched spellbound as a pyramid of acrobats swung fiery torches during the evening. A country music performance rounded off the day’s activities. And a “Tri Bhumi” performance depicting heaven, earth, and hell delighted the audience.
No one knows how old the Kong Kao tradition is, but elder citizens say it was always associated with the Songkran festival and that it was already an old tradition when they were youngsters.
In times past, villagers believed that guardian spirits and angles watched over them, and at the time of the New Year they offered food in the belief that the spirits would be pleased and that happiness and prosperity would be assured for another year. After the ceremony, food collected was equally shared among the ceremony attendants.

The large crowd watches spellbound as a pyramid
of acrobats swing fiery torches during the evening.

People offer meals to appease the spirits.

Young spirits also get into the act.

The spirits and angels receive food and desserts in the belief that they would be pleased and that happiness and prosperity would be assured for another year.

During the afternoon, visitors enjoy displays of archery, boxing and sword fighting.

A fire breather keeps the crowd enthralled.

Residents and visitors at Lan Pho Public Park offer food and sweets
to the spirits in a centuries-old tradition.

Spirit leadership needs appeasing, too.

Some spirits enjoy the whisky more than the food.


Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak’s Birthday

Pramote Channgam
Pattaya’s Thai-Sikh Community gathered at the Sikh Temple in South Pattaya during the period April 12 to 14 for Akhand Path, the recitation without any break of the Guru Granth Sahib, from beginning to end of the 1,430 pages, in celebration of the birthday of Guru Nanak the founder of the Sikh religion.

Thai-Sikh children gather to chant the Akhand Path.
Conducted by a team of readers and lasting 48 hours, this holy practice brings peace and solace to those attending, and to the community.
After the ceremonies food is provided for the groups of people and the families who gather at the temple, and the event is one of great spiritual significance.
During this period, Amrik Singh Kalra, head of the Pattaya Sikh Community took a donation of food to the inmates at Nong Plalai Prison in Banglamung. Amrik also requested the prison governor to advise him what other support might be needed in the way of clothing and supplies.

Thai Sikh men and women listen to the reading of the Holy Guru Granth Sahib.


BCCT and AmCham break out the brollies

Graham Macdonald, vice chairman of BCCT; Jenny Howard, John L. Hamilton, director of Transportation & Industrial Services of Waste Management Siam Ltd.;
and Dr. Iain Corness.

(L to R) Thomas White, Executive VP & GM of American International Assurance Company, Limited; Judy Benn, executive director; Dominik Stamm, GM of Amari Orchid Resort & Tower; David Nardone, president & CEO of Hemaraj Land and Development Public Company Limited; Graham Macdonald, vice chairman of the BCCT and Stephen K. Carlisle, president of General Motors Asia Pacific.

Andrew Chesterfield, engineering AME manager of CSG TRW Chassis Systems Co., Ltd.; George Strampp, director of Automotive Manufacturing Solutions; Dominik Stamm, GM of Amari Orchid Resort and Tony Malhotra, Pattaya Mail director.

Staff reporters
The two largest western chambers in Thailand, the British and American chambers of commerce (BCCT and AmCham) joined forces for the latest networking evening on the Eastern Seaboard, this time held at the Amari Resort and Tower last weekend and planned to perfection. Despite the two counties being on either side of the Atlantic pond, it was agreed that the event would be held in that wonderful area between the Amari (old building) and the new Amari Tower, which had been the venue for previously very successful events.

Viwatchai Suthithanakhom, VP of the Corporate Business Department at Bank of Ayudhya PCL; Thomas White, Executive VP & GM of AIA Co., Ltd.; and Thammasarn Kongkitkul, senior VP of the Corporate Business Department 7 at Bank of Ayudhya PCL.

Unfortunately, nobody mentioned this to Hughie (the rain god) and the rain pelted down all afternoon, making the proposed outdoor area very similar to the Atlantic Ocean. The Amari people, under the leadership of GM Dominic Stamm, assisted by the new Mantra man Alexander Parry, were, however, not fazed at all, moving the catering facilities down the slopes to the bar in the base of the new tower, and even laying on transport for those chamber members who had parked outside the old reception area.

Sue K from Pattaya Mail TV; Sam Parino, co-CEO of Alliance Refining Co., Ltd.; and Mari Parino.

As if to make up for the loss of the outdoors, the Amari had a welcoming committee of several delightful young ladies in red cocktail dresses, a copious supply of beers and wines, and American jazz singer Ruby Hayes to give the event a musical glitz. It already had the glamor in the several delightful young ladies in red! (Somebody should write a song about that. Oh! They already have!)
The event sponsor was Hemaraj Land and Development, headed by the quiet American David Nardone, the president of Hemaraj. In an exclusive interview on Pattaya Mail TV, David shrugged off all fears of business uncertainty, saying that his group had seen continued growth and sales during the time of the interim government, and with the new elected government being business oriented, that growth was accelerating. He said that the automotive business was continuing, both with manufacturers and the parts industries. Suzuki Motors have begun building their manufacturing plant for the Eco-Car project, and David said he expects even more flow-on from this government backed project.

Gregory Pitt, MD of Mackenzie Smith Law; Ian Hamilton, GM Business Development for Ticon Industrial Construction PCL; and Patima Jeerapaet, MD of Colliers International (Thailand).

The American contingent was almost instantly recognizable by their business cards embellished with the stars and stripes. Many of the die-hard Americans were present, such as Bruce Hoppe (“I’m in both chambers”) with wife Judy (Emerson Climate Technologies), the sartorially splendid auto man George Strampp (but lose the explorer’s trousers, George), Kris Olarn (Enki Technology) who was born in Thailand but went to America for many years so that he could learn to speak Thai with a Yankee accent, President of AmCham Thomas J White from American International Assurance, and Alan Verstein promoting his Wall Street Journal.

Janya Rattanliam, international affairs executive, Wararat Sasom and Pattarvadee Wangviriyaphan, marketing executives of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.

Die-hard Brits were also there, with Kim Fletcher (Jameson’s Irish Pub and nosh-house), Kevin (the crane man) Fisher with Peter Smith and Malcolm Scorer (AA Insurance Brokers), Jenny and Jimmy Howard (“I’m retired and loving it!”) were there, trying to persuade anyone who would listen that they should attend next week’s Pattaya Rugby Tens at Horseshoe Point; Peter Mewes (The London Consultancy) and Scotsman John L Hamilton (Waste Management Siam); however, the absence of the BCCT’s executive director, Greg Watkins, and chairman, Rodney Bain, was noticed, despite the local representative Graham Macdonald attempting to be everywhere.

Kelley D. Ritchey, CFA Department of Finance & Banking Faculty of Business of Asian University; Jitra Wongjuan, director of AA Insurance Brokers and Timothy Bass, CISSP executive director.

There were even some Australian interlopers such as Glen Butler (Mariani Premium Dried Fruits) with Suzette, his South African wife, plus Belgian Alain Durwaerder (Katoen Natie - pronounced ‘Nasee’ for some strange Belgian reason) and the dark brown voiced Maurice Bromley (Zimbabwe) and his lovely Filipina wife Renita, back from running the Chiang Mai Sixes. Also David Ash, a long time resident of the Eastern Seaboard, who has recently joined McConnell Dowell as a Fabrication Manager. He will set up the new yard for them near Maptaput.

Apisak Kamwan, senior manager, customer development of Hemaraj Land and Development PCL; Kampone Nuntakwang from Fabrinet Co., and Niwat Lersnimitthum, MD of Tietex.

The prize for the best name card undoubtedly went to Greg Pitt of McKenzie, Smith Law. Greg is a big lad and his card was the size of an A4 sheet. At least it was readable. The same could not be said for Korakot Boonchoo from Compose design whose card exhorted you to “Just make a call and we’ll handle the rest.” However, Compose design will have to learn to spell ‘business’ before they get mine!

Ampawan Kuhasak, sales manager of Mantra Restaurant & Bar; Hisada Nobuyuki, MD of Reflex Packaging (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; and Dueanpen Thongsombat, sales manager of Amari.

As always at these networking evenings, the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya was out in force, represented by the charming trio of Ann, Nancy and Pik (and no jokes about taking your pick, thank you), closely followed by the Asian University folk led by Susan Joyce and Dr Salam Hoshang.
It was an interesting evening which was turned from disaster to success by the competency of the Amari people. Both chambers should thank you!
The next BCCT event on the Eastern Seaboard will be on Friday, May 9, when the British Ambassador will be speaking to members of the chamber at a dinner. The time and venue will be confirmed later.

Jim Howard, consultant for Milan Crosse Creative; Kim Fletcher,
Landlord of Jameson’s Irish Pub and Kevin (the crane man) Fisher.


Diana Group stages bartender contest for staff at six properties

Vimolrat Singnikorn
The Diana Group held its annual Bartender Competition on April 18, with six teams from the properties within the group competing for prizes.

Mike Franklin presents the winning prize to the Diana Garden Resort Team.

Held at the Diana Garden Resort, with Diana managing director Sopin Thappajug and director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 Office Chaiwat Charoensuk presiding, the competition was in its fourth year.
The Diana Group properties represented were the Diana Dragon, Diana Millennium, Diana Garden Resort, Diana Garden Lodge and Driving Range, the Diana Inn, and the Green Bottle Pub.
Group general manager Saming Suebsakul said that the bartender contest had evolved out of a competition held on April 21, 2005, to find the best coffee and fruit shake. The contest had aroused a great deal of interest amongst staff and also amongst hotel guests, and from there it had developed into a full event.

Jintana Waechachot (left), head of the Pattaya City Education Division, presents the Miss Bartender award to Diana Millennium.

Apart from encouraging creativity and raising standards amongst bar staff, said Saming, the event encouraged excellent teamwork amongst all staff, participants and spectators alike, and was greatly enjoyed by hotel guests.
The competition was divided into three categories: Mixed Cocktails, the Miss Bartender Contest, and the Making Coffee Shakes Dance Performance Contest. Royal Coffee Co Ltd supported the latter category. Emcees for the event were Suwanthep Malhotra and Umaporn Ratchatawattanakul.

Umaporn Ratchatawattanakul (left) and Suwanthep Malhotra as emcees keep the proceedings moving at a fun pace.

Other competitions were held alongside the Bartender Competition, including a pad Thai contest and a skirt-cutting contest, and there was a special prize for the best cheerleader team.
Diana Garden Resort was announced as winner of the Mixed Cocktails category, while Diana Millennium received the Miss Bartender award.
To round off the day there was a beer drinking competition, in which tourists and the media were the eager participants.

Cheering squads provide fun and frivolity during the competition.

The beer drinking contest draws many contestants.

Participants in the “Diana Group Bartender Contest 2008”.