HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) holds annual meeting, elects a new chairman at Dusit Thani Pattaya

PM reporter Sawittree marries

Cobra Gold participants paint Mercy Center

PCEC welcomes advice on healthcare matters

YWCA to extend free eyeglass donations to Sattahip community

International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) holds annual meeting, elects a new chairman at Dusit Thani Pattaya

Representatives from the member countries of the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) are seen in this photo after the conclusion of their annual conference at Dusit Thani Pattaya. The group also elected its new chairman, Maj. Gen. Moek Dara from Cambodia.

IDEC Far East Regional Working Group (FERWG) has concluded its two-day meeting at Dusit Thani Pattaya. The event, sponsored by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, was attended by representatives of its member countries, particularly from the Far East Asia region. It culminated with the election of the new IDEC-FERWG chairman, Maj. Gen. Moek Dara from Cambodia. The anti-drug trafficking group elects a new chairman every year.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Dara said, “I would like to express thanks to all the participants for electing me as the next chairman of IDEC-FERWG. It is also our hope to make the 2009 IDEC meeting a successful one.”
IDEC was established in 1983 in an effort to bring together high-level drug law enforcement officials from throughout the Western Hemisphere. The principal objective of the conference is to share drug-related information and to develop a coordinated approach to law enforcement efforts against international drug traffickers. Since its inception, IDEC has grown from a regional to a global forum, with 84 countries in attendance at last year’s meeting.
The conference was also attended by Thailand’s Pol. Lt. Gen. Wuthi Liptanlop, Narcotics Suppression Bureau Commissioner. Pol. Maj. Gen. Adithep Panjamanont of the Drug Suppression Police Force Commander was the guest speaker.

PM reporter Sawittree marries

Saksiri Uraiworn
Miss Sawittree Namwiwatsuk, a name well known to Pattaya Mail readers for her by-lined reporting in this newspaper, celebrated her wedding to Kittisak Pangkamhak on May 17.

The happy couple, newlyweds Kittisak and Sawittree.
The ceremony was held in the multi-purpose building at the Royal Thai Marine Corps base in Sattahip.
Heading up the bride’s side of the family were Dr Siriporn Tantipoolvinai, grandmother, and the bride’s mother Mrs Somporn Panjaroen. On the groom’s side of the family were Sanya Pangkamhak and Mrs Mukda Pangkamhak, the groom’s father and mother.
Family, friends, co-workers and distinguished guests from public life including former mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and former Chonburi councilor Poramet Ngampichet attended. Korn Kitja-amorn, Pattaya Mail office manager said a blessing and presented flowers from the staff to congratulate the newlyweds.
The bride works at Pattaya Mail as a reporter. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Dhurakij Pundit University. The groom is an officer in the workshop department at Sattahip Naval Base. The two have known each other for three years.

Cobra Gold participants paint Mercy Center

The US Military Army and Marine representatives visit the Mercy Center
as part of the Cobra Gold exercise.

On Wednesday May 14, the US Military Army and Marine representatives visited the Mercy Center as part of the Cobra Gold exercise. A group of twenty arrived to assist with painting of the property and helping out in the garden.
The idea of the Cobra Gold yearly exercise, is a way of fostering better relationships between the military forces of different countries and enabling cross cultural exchanges with the local population. This year the forces visited Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. The Cobra Gold team has been visiting the Mercy Center for the past eight years and has developed a great relationship with Pastors Fred and Dianne Doell.
On Saturday May 17, the team returned to dine and play with the children at the shelter. They brought with them a donation which will contribute to the work of the Mercy Center helping those who are less fortunate in Pattaya.

PCEC welcomes advice on healthcare matters

The meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) on Sunday May 18 at Henry J. Bean’s got under way with this week’s MC Roger Fox welcoming back Gavin Waddell, in charge of international relations at the Phyathai-Sriracha Hospital. The PCEC welcomes advice on healthcare matters and this week was no exception as Gavin introduced Dr. Sornsupha, a Radiologist Specialist at the hospital who provided a detailed account of the latest 64 Slice Computed Tomography (CT) scanning techniques.

Dr Sornsupha, Cardiac Specialist of Phyathai - Sriracha Hospital, advises PCEC members & friends of the benefits of the 64 slice Computerised Tomography Scan for diagnosis of all parts of the body. She is assisted by Gavin Waddell, expat representative of the hospital.

Dr Sornsupha explained the operation of the equipment which primarily consists of three main components: a gantry, an operating console and data storage facility. Previously a single row detector (single slice) was available but the latest equipment now offers improved multi row detectors hence the 64 slice notation. The equipment can be used to examine any part of the body.
The benefits of using a CT scan as a diagnostic tool were described particularly to when a scan of a moving organ such as the heart is to be performed. The scan is also an invaluable aid for the assessment of other conditions. Other applications of the equipment are rectal cancer screening by way of a CT colonoscopy; a virtual colonoscopy is performed using the image from the scan. It is recommended that patients over the age of fifty and particularly those with a family history of colon cancer should undertake such a scan every five to ten years.
Similarly a CT calcium score is a method of determining the extent if it is present of a blockage within the coronary arteries by the presence of a high level of calcium creating a vascular risk. Similarly a CT brain perfusion can detect the early symptoms of stroke at an early stage to prevent its occurrence.
Comparisons were made with a scan known as the MRI. Both scans can be used with differing advantages. The MRI scan is successfully used to examine brain and soft tissue whereas the CT scan is more suitable for bone.
Many questions were put to Dr Sornsupha from the floor. Cost estimates for a CT scan was stated at approximately 5000 baht whereas the MRI scan was estimates at approximately 8000 baht (depending on the area of the body being examined). Phyathai-Sriracha Hospital personnel would recommend the appropriate scan for the perceived condition.
The meeting continued with the confirmation of a new event, namely the ‘Road Kill’ or ‘Cheap Charlie’s Club Dinner’ scheduled for the Oh Arn Han Thai family restaurant in South Pattaya Road on Thursday May 22. The purpose of this dinner was to partake of some budget priced but nevertheless tasty food in a social atmosphere.
For those with more sophisticated palates, PCEC board member Michel de Goumois announced that the regular monthly club dinner would take place at the Aquarius Restaurant in Jomtien Complex on Wednesday June 4. An attractive menu has been arranged for 390 baht.
PCEC Chairman Richard Smith reported on the Pattaya Player’s first performance of one act plays. He remarked that the PCEC’s own John Fishback’s acting abilities had previously not been appreciated as he put in an excellent performance.
The regular Open Forum was then underway with Bob L’Etoile leading the proceedings. Bob’s regular assistant and sparring partner Sig Sigworth was currently on a visit to the Philippines and Bob looked forward to hearing of Sig’s adventures on his return. The Open Forum then continued, providing an opportunity for questions about living in Thailand with an emphasis on Pattaya to be asked. 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

YWCA to extend free eyeglass donations to Sattahip community

YWCA Bangkok Pattaya President Nittaya Patimasongkroh (2nd right)
and her committee discuss widening the center of activities
for donating free eyeglasses to the needy.

Vimolrat Singnikorn
The YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center has widened the center of activities for donating free eyeglasses to needy members of the public, and will be distributing them in other areas including Sattahip.
Following the election of Nittaya Patimasongkroh to her third term as chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center, a meeting was held on May 20 at the King Seafood Restaurant to decide on the new committee and the duties of the committee members.
Former chairwomen of YWCA Bangkok Mrs Jitra Wattanasin and Sremsri Chaiyaset attended as witnesses.
Nittaya said that one of the main areas of concern at present is members of the community who suffer from poor eyesight yet are not able to afford spectacles. The YWCA has an ongoing program to supply eyeglasses, and it was suggested that this year the YWCA’s area of activity on this project should be extended.
Over the next two months, therefore, a survey would be undertaken to see how many people there are in urgent need of spectacles, the survey to include for the first time Sattahip and Amata City.

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