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Curtin University visits Asian University
Susan Joyce
Asian University has just hosted a group of twenty six students and
two lecturers from Curtin University, Perth, Australia. The students, all
studying business or associated subjects have enjoyed a short “Asian
Experience” in Thailand. They came to Asian University on Wednesday 25 June,
after spending a few days in Bangkok, stopping on the way for a visit to
Laem Chabang Port to see that in operation. The same afternoon they visited
Nong Nooch Gardens and then went elephant riding in Bang Saray.
 Early
in the morning some of the students went to a temple in Baan Amphur to give
food to the monks.
In the evening, they arrived at Asian University, and, after checking into
the dormitory, they were hosted by a group of faculty members for a welcome
dinner, followed by a Bai Si ceremony. The Thai staff explained the
symbolism of the string being tied around their wrists to welcome and bless
the visitors.
Early the next morning some of the students went to a temple in Baan Amphur
to give food to the monks. Then it was back for breakfast and a morning
lecture by the university president, Dr Viphandh Roengpithya on management
through the understanding of Buddhist and other oriental philosophies.
 The
Thai staff explained the symbolism of the Bai Si ceremony.
The afternoon included a visit to AAT on the Eastern Seaboard, and a chance
to see a modern manufacturing plant. Back at the university again, the
visitors had a go at Thai boxing (two of the students were already leaning
Muay Thai in Australia so were very interested in seeing it in its home
country) and after this, enjoyed dinner with the Asian University students.
The Thai students put on a show “My Thailand” to help the Australian group
understand the Thais a little better. The Curtin students had kindly brought
along some Australian wine, which was enjoyed by all.
Friday morning was a lecture on cross cultural behaviour, with contributions
from faculty members and Dr Vip. After lunch they group were taken to the
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. Here they were hosted by Neil Maniquiz who gave an
interesting presentation about the hospital, its customers, and the
influences of expats and tourism. One of the newest members of the
hospital’s marketing team is an Asian University graduate, Nan, so the
visitors from Perth were able to talk with her about her post graduation
experiences. A few of the students even stayed at the hospital to have their
teeth whitened.
Then it was off to the Amari Hotel for a tour, and dinner followed by a
couple of free hours to explore Walking Street and a few of the famous sites
of Pattaya.
Saturday was the last day with Asian University. After breakfast it was off
to the beach and Koh Larn. The visitors took advantage of the weather, and
swam and relaxed on the beach. After such a full few days, the students
reluctantly left the island, and boarded the bus to return to Bangkok.
Several of the students felt that they had not had enough time and will
definitely try to return to Thailand.
Asian University staff are now busy preparing for the annual international
Summer University which commences on August 4, and already has participants
booked from ten different countries.
The visitors took a tour up
Laem Chabang port tower.
Curtin University and Asian
University enjoy each other’s company.
Curtin University students try
tasting some Thai fruit.
The Australian students went
on a visit to AAT on the Eastern Seaboard.
The Aussie guests went
elephant riding in Bang Saray.
The visitors had a go at Thai
boxing.
Assumption teachers
undergo cultural training
More than 40 foreign
teachers passed
a cultural awareness course at Assumption College Sriracha.
Mark Beales
Assumption’s foreign language teachers have completed a course
on Thai culture and language. More than 40 teachers attended the
three-day course, held from June 13-15 in Assumption.
Expert speakers came to talk about culture, language and teaching
requirements in Thailand. The course is now a requirement from the
Ministry of Education. All foreign language teachers need to complete
the course before they can receive a work permit.
Assumption funded the course on behalf of the foreign teachers.
Anti-drugs day at Assumption
A Primary student looks at
the winning anti-drug posters.
Mark Beales
Students were told about the dangers of drugs during Assumption
College’s annual anti-drugs day.
As part of the program, Assumption students went to a special meeting
where they learned about the effects of different drugs and how it is
best they stay far away from them.
Classrooms also created posters promoting the anti-drugs message.
Redemptorist sports event selects participants for national disabled games
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Redemptorist Vocational School opened its 21st Sports and Games
on June 26, with Mayor Itthipol Khunplome performing the official
opening ceremony and Father Lawrence Patin, head of the Father Ray
Foundation and of the Redemptorist Center in Pattaya acting as host.
 (from
left) Fr. Lawrence Patin (left), managing director of the Fr. Ray
Foundation, and president of the Redemptorist Center in Pattaya,
presents a gift to Mayor Itthipol Khunplome, thanking him for opening
the 21st Redemptorist Sports Games.
The Redemptorist Vocational School’s Father Worawut Saraphan and Sister
Pawinee Pichaisrisawad organized and supervised the event.
Redemptorist Sports and Games was held over the period June 26 to 28,
and in addition to encouraging a friendly competitive spirit amongst
participants and promoting exercise and fitness, was designed to select
representatives for the Fespic Games, which will be held from August 19
to 23 in Pattaya.
The event will also help identify disabled athletes to take part in the
Thailand Disabled Games, or Song Kwae Games, to be held from January 17
to 21 next year in Phitsanulok Province.
Participants were divided into four teams, green, blue, red and yellow.
Events consisted of track and field, swimming, futsal, ta kraw,
volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, table tennis,
badminton, petanque, and weight lifting. Mayor Itthipol presented the
prizes.
A highlight of the Sports and Games was a football friendly between the
Pattaya Council Members Team and the Administrative Redemptorist School
Team.
The parade of athletes
begins the opening ceremony
for the 21st Redemptorist Sports Games.
The “world-famous
wheelchair show”.
A highlight of the day was
a football friendly between the Pattaya Council Members Team and the
Administrative Redemptorist School Team.
Keeping our Children’s Fair fresh and fun-filled
Lewis Underwood
The Jesters Children’s Fair and Family Day is on Sunday,
September 14 at the Diana Garden Resort and Driving Range, which is a
scant two months away, and our ‘Care for Kids’ committee is working
feverishly to make it all happen.
 The
Horseshoe Point Extravaganza will not only host their usual pony rides,
but also feature the latest rage: ‘floating orbs across the water’.
As usual, our main goal is to infuse new features and entertainment into
our annual family outing. After all we have to keep it fresh and with
new attractions for your continued enjoyment.
Top of the list this year are Pop’s Cool Zone and the Horseshoe Point
Extravaganza. Both activities will be on the east side of the Fair
ground near the Children’s Arcade and will include large marquee tents.
Pop’s Cool Zone, being put together by Rick Bryant, will be a music
workshop for kids. Pop (of Pop’s Pattaya All Stars fame) and Rick will
have a variety of instruments, particularly guitars, keyboards and a
drum set. Professional musicians will provide tips and free instruction
for those kids who think they have a musical bent.
This will be a great opportunity for young aspiring musicians to have a
go and showcase their talent. Who knows? Your child may be the next
Jimmy Page or John Bonham; that is, after explaining to them just who in
the world those guys are.
Plenty of seating is planned, including the provision of snacks and
drinks. The ultimate goal later in the day will be to put the more
talented kids together for a jam session with Pop. Pattaya Mail TV
will be there to get it on camera.
Adjoining the music workshop will be the Horseshoe Point Extravaganza
providing fun and activities for the younger kids. They will not only
host their usual pony rides, but also feature the latest rage: ‘floating
orbs across the water’. Essentially, these are big plastic spheres
buoyant in a large wading pool that are designed so that kids can
actually get inside them. Then by shifting their body weight around,
they can move the orbs in different directions across the surface of the
pool.
These ‘water balls’ have been very popular at school events and at
promotions outside department stores. They are completely safe and will
be carefully supervised.
Geckotech and Klough Engineering will once again be providing the
Climbing Wall, another popular attraction with the kids. Both these
engineering firms always ensure that the climbing routes are varied from
year to year to keep it novel.
The ante stage we introduced last year was a hit and allowed for better
visibility of many of the presentations. This time it will be further
improved and the performing surface made more uniform. Kevin Mitch, our
Fair Site Coordinator, forever the perfectionist and with special regard
for safety, will have his own bag of novelties and innovations in hand
for further enhancement of the Fair.
Our stage entertainment is yet another area where we will mix it up, so
that there are new personalities and acts to enjoy. A very promising
connection has been made with the Grammy people, who are always looking
for new up and coming talent. We are hoping to get Chinawut, known
locally as Chin, who is one of the top teen artists in Thailand. He is
to be accompanied by Sarah, star of TV and the catwalk.
Dr. Penguin, the magician and showman is also back. He has taken his
traveling show all around Asia for the last 20 years, and actually
performed at our inaugural event back in September, 1998 at Delaney’s.
This year he will be sponsored by Andre Machielsen from Master Safety
Enterprises.
Mark Gorda, who usually sponsors the Chris Kays’ bicycles given to the
top students from the Fountain of Life Center, has always been keen on
setting up a special booth for dunking people. We actually had one at
our Children’s Fair in 2000 at the Amari Orchid Hotel, North Pattaya
that was indeed a big hit.
The set-up will feature a tank full of water and a willing victim to sit
atop it on a collapsible perch. A punter will be given 3 balls to throw
at a trip mechanism which when hit dumps the victim into the water.
Many of us thought this could be fun and generate a lot of funds,
especially if Mark Gorda himself was the willing ‘dunkee’. Sadly, though
he still is willing to sponsor the activity, he plans to be elsewhere on
Children’s Fair Day.
Then there is the Children’s Raffle, which will offer new and popular
prizes. Once again this stall will be run by Mike Franklin and his clan,
assisted by Bernie Tuppin from the Pattaya Sports Club. PSC will again
sponsor the 30,000 baht for prizes with more prizes coming from generous
donors.
A really special highlight of our Fair is hosting the children from our
beneficiaries, including the Fountain of Life Center, School for the
Blind, Ban Jing Jai Orphanage, Mercy Mission and the Camillian Social
Center. They will be here again this year in full force, where they will
freely enjoy all that there is to be had, food, drink, sweets, games and
the lot. If nothing else come on by and enjoy the very children you are
sponsoring to have the time of their lives.
If you have any ideas on how we can do our event better or know people
who can add to the magic and success of our annual Children’s Fair Day,
Please contact us at [email protected]. Your input is always
welcome.
If you so desire, you can also help with the following:
You can contribute by advertising in our Fair Souvenir Program.
Help us cover printing costs by booking an ad in our annual publication.
Full page color ads are 7500 baht and half-page ads 4000 baht.
You can rent a stall at our Fair. Non-food stalls can be booked
for 1500 baht and food stalls for 2500 baht. Book early and pay during
Fair day that runs from 10 am to 6 pm.
You can donate a case of canned beer, or 700 baht equivalent, to
the Jesters Beer Tent. Your donated beer will be sold at 50 baht per
can, which increases your original donation from 700 to 1200 baht.
And you can stay updated with everything that is happening by visiting
our website at www.care4kids.info
Sunday September 14 is the day for the 2008 Jesters Children’s Fair and
Family Day and we certainly hope to see you there.
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