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BHP Heart Center Grand
Opening on World Heart Day
Chonburi Governor Pracha
Taerat (center) leads the ceremonial ribbon cutting
to officially declare the new Heart Center open.
Dr. Iain Corness
The Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (BHP) timed the Grand Opening of the
hospital’s state-of-the-art Heart Center to coincide with World Heart Day.
This is the most up to date center of its type in a private hospital on the
Eastern Seaboard.
In his welcoming address, the hospital’s director, Dr Pichit Kangwolkij,
explained that it is known that heart disease is the world’s greatest
killer. More than 17 million people world-wide died from heart disease last
year, and that is one third of total deaths. More than 80 percent of those
people lived in the third world and developing countries.
He did have some good news, however, suggesting that everyone can reduce
their cardiac risk by keeping a watch over their blood pressure and weight,
stopping smoking, eating a healthy diet and introducing some exercise into
their lifestyle.
The ceremonial cutting of the ribbon was led by the governor of Chonburi,
Pracha Taerat, after his address, in which he said, “Today I am pleased that
Chonburi province has a leading hospital with an international standard in
both services and advanced medical treatments like Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
to provide medical services for the people in Chonburi and surrounding area.
Especially today, I can see that the Heart Center at Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya is ready to treat heart disease starting from primary phase
diagnosis investigation with state of the art technology medical equipment
to sophisticated cardiac treatment such as Coronary Artery By-Pass Grafting
surgery by highly skilled Cardiac surgeons. I am confident that Bangkok
Hospital Pattaya will be a part in helping to improve quality of life and
health for the population in Chonburi.”
Following the formal opening of the Heart Center, guests were given a guided
tour of the facility and then carried on to the ground floor where many
simple cardiac status tests were carried out on the visitors. For the first
100 participants, the cholesterol checks were free, and the enthusiastic
ones had been there since 6.30 in the morning!
Let us hope that those who found that they have high cholesterol do
something about it.
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya honors the Father of Thai Medicine
Nurses pose with hospital
officials in front of a portrait of the Father of Thai Medicine, Prince Father
Mahidol Adulyadej.
Dr. Iain Corness
The Father of Thai Medicine is Prince Father Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince
of Songkla (Somdej Pramahitathibej Adulyadejvikrom Prabarommarajajanok Chao Fa
Mahidol Adulyadej Kromma Luang Songkla Nakarin), the late father of the present
King of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
 To
mark Prince Mahidol’s unexpected passing on September 24, 1929, the Bangkok
Hospital Pattaya held a ceremony giving respect to his memory.
To mark Prince Mahidol’s unexpected passing on September 24, 1929, the Bangkok
Hospital Pattaya held a ceremony giving respect to his memory, attended by staff
and representatives from other hospitals on the Eastern Seaboard and local and
provincial government officials.
Prince Mahidol studied Public Health at Harvard and received his Certificate in
Public Health in 1921. He returned to Thailand in 1923 to take the position of
Director-General of the University Department in the Ministry of Education.
Apart from his administrative duties, he also taught pre-clinical medical
students at the Royal Medical College.
 Staff
members give blood in honor of the Father of Thai Medicine.
He returned to his alma mater Harvard University to study medicine. (His
youngest son Prince Bhumibol was born in Massachusetts in 1927 while Prince
Mahidol was studying.) In 1928 he graduated as M.D. cum laude and returned to
Thailand in December 1928.
One of the first things he did when he returned was to set up scholarships for
students in the fields of medicine, nursing, and public health, and fully
deserves his title as the Father of Thai Medicine.
Dusit Thani Pattaya receives Award of Outstanding Performance
The “Award of Outstanding Performance” for city hotel tourist
accommodation is the latest recognition that Dusit Thani Pattaya has won at the
7th Thailand Tourism Awards held on September 27 at the Centara Grand, Bangkok
Convention Center.
 Awards
and accomplishments are worth more if they are shared with those who make them
happen. Left to right: Prawes Akanimart, hotel Green Leaf president; Chatchawal
Supachayanont, hotel general manager; and Pramot Sothana, front office manager
share the joy after the ceremonies.
During glittering ceremonies, the Tourism Authority of Thailand presented
trophies in various categories of the performances of tourist attractions,
accommodations, activities, agencies, programs and media related to the tourism
industry. The event was attended by TAT Governor Phornsiri Manoharn, Minister of
Tourism and Sports H.E. Weerasak Kowsurat and awardees in both national and
international categories.
Big cordial smiles reflecting gladness and excitement and even pride for having
done an excellent performance were present on each and every one representing
their respective hotels and organizations.
In the case of Dusit Thani Pattaya, hotel general manager Chatchawal
Supachayanont said, “It was indeed another honour and a testimony that we, as a
five-star hotel, do not believe in resting on our laurels. With full support and
guidance from Dusit International with whom we share this award, Dusit Thani
Pattaya has always strived and will continue to do so to keep up with what is
expected of us and hopefully, garner more accolades for our performance in the
future while adhering to our motto ‘Economical and Environmentally Friendly’.”
In addition to the 5 awards from the Green Leaf Foundation, Dusit Thani Pattaya
has also accepted the ASEAN Green Hotel Recognition Award from the Ministry of
Tourism and Sports and a list of other recognitions for its remarkable efforts
on several achievements such as in food and beverage, excellence in convention
services as well as its contribution programs to society.
Chatchawal Supachayanont, general
manager of Dusit Thani Pattaya beams with pride as he accepts the “Award of
Outstanding Performance” for city hotel tourist accommodation from Minister of
Tourism and Sports, H.E. Weerasak Kowsurat at the 7th Thailand Tourism Awards
ceremonies held in Bangkok.
Company hands out safety helmets
(Center, L to R) Paibun
Srisawatampai and Mayor Itthipol Khunplome distribute helmets to taxi
motorcyclists.
Saksiri Uraiworn
The Hutch mobile phone company has given 800 safety helmets to Pattaya taxi
motorcyclists as part of its nation-wide safety and promotion campaign.
Paibun Srisawatampai, from the Hutch company, said since August his company has
handed out 1,000 motorcycle helmets in Saraburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samutprakarn,
and Prachuab Kirikhan. He said Hutch retail outlets and will continue to do so
around the country.
This was aimed to increase safety for riders of motorcycle taxis and at the same
time advertise the company’s name.
Paibun presented Mayor Itthipol Khunplome with the helmets at Pattaya City Hall
on September 18, accompanied by the taxi motorcyclists who benefited from this
promotion and safety initiative.
Elvis Night shakes pub
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Thai Elvis, Jaruk Charoenkitwanit, swayed and all shook up his
repertoire of Elvis songs on stage, to the enjoyment of a big crowd at the Green
Bottle Pub on Second Road in Pattaya.
 Thai
Elvis, Jaruk Charoenkitwanit has his “Got His Mojo Working” at the Green Bottle
Pub.
Well-known for its popular Cowboy Night when Pattaya partygoers can dress up in
their denims and don cowboy hats, the pub has added an Elvis Night which debuted
on September 19, a little after the anniversary of the rock legend’s death on
August 16, 1977, so that Pattaya can also move a little closer to Memphis,
Tennessee.
Saming Suepsakun, public relations manager of Diana Inn, and Sopin Thappajug,
managing director, were on hand to shake along with the Elvis classics.
Sopin presented a bouquet of flowers to singer Jaruk with thanks for his
swinging show and the memory of the singer.
There are no “Suspicious Minds” in
this group, as Sopin Thappajug (center)
and Diana Inn staff members present a bouquet of flowers to Jaruk “Elvis”
Charoenkitwanit.
Heart to heart at PCEC meeting
The regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club
got underway at the Amari’s Henry J. Bean Restaurant on Sunday, September 21st
when MC Stuart Saunders, after the usual announcements, introduced Dr. Kitti
Tirawanichkul, M.D., from the Heart Center at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (BHP).
 Dr
Kitti Tirawanichkul, M.D. from the Heart Centre at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
advises PCEC members of the latest advances in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
(CRT) and in Implantable Cardioverter - Defibrillators, particularly in size.
Ann, from BHP’s International Department assists with the presentation.
Dr. Kitti is a specialist in Cardiac Electrophysiology, which is the science of
revealing, diagnosing, and treating the electrical activities of the heart.
Dr. Kitti started his presentation by asking “what is heart failure?” He showed
a diagram of a heart pointing out the left and right ventricles, which are the
lower two chambers of the heart. The right ventricle receives blood from the
right atrium and pumps it to the pulmonary artery. The left ventricle receives
blood from the left atrium and pumps it to the aorta.
He explained that heart failure occurs when the ventricles thicken and do not
fill properly between beats or they dilate to the point that the heart cannot
pump blood efficiently throughout the body. There are many conditions that can
cause heart failure including blockage of arterial passages (preventing
sufficient oxygen getting to the heart muscle) and abnormal heart rhythms
(arrhythmias).
Dr. Kitti described some of the symptoms of heart failure, which can be
shortness of breath, swelling feet or legs, chronic lack of energy, difficulty
in sleeping or breathing at night, and persistent cough or wheezing with white
or pink blood-tinged sputum. Heart failure can be treated. Lifestyle changes,
such as getting enough exercise, are necessary. Medicine therapy is another
treatment that helps, but is not enough by itself. The most drastic treatment
would be having a heart transplant, which is subject to many complications.
He commented that Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) can be used when the
right and left ventricles are not contracting at the same time. CRT is designed
to reduce the symptoms and improve cardiac functions by restoring the correct
sequence of ventricular contraction. CRT involves implanting a device in the
body. In 1989, the device would have been inserted into the abdomen because of
its large size. In 2008, the device is much smaller and can be inserted into the
chest cavity with only one night in the hospital being required. These devices
are programmed for the patient and can be monitored. The benefits are an
improved quality of life, reduced symptoms, increase ability to do physical
activities, and a reduced mortality rate.
Dr. Kitti then went on to explain that sudden cardiac arrest is different from
heart failure. In these cases, it is usually sudden, comes without warning, and
results in death. It occurs because of a problem with the heart’s electrical
impulses that causes the heart to stop pumping. All known heart diseases can
lead to cardiac arrest. Treatment is nearly impossible. So, the best thing to do
is to take actions to prevent it. One of the first is, if you smoke, throw those
cigarettes into the nearest trash bin - quit smoking. Other actions are to
control your blood pressure and keep your cholesterol level below 200. Also, do
not lead a sedentary lifestyle, get out and be active.
He concluded his presentation by describing the purpose and function of an
Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is a small battery powered
electrical impulse generator. The device is programmed to detect cardiac
arrhythmia and correct it by delivering a jolt of electricity. Dr. Kitti said
that CRT and ICD devices are available at BHP’s pacemaker clinic.
Dr. Kitti then answered many questions from the audience. Ann, BHP’s liaison
with the Club, then described the events planned for World Heart Day on
September 27 at BHP as well as some special promotions being offered by BHP.
MC Stuart Saunders brought everyone up to date on upcoming events. The regular
Open Forum was then conducted by “Hawaii Bob” Sutterfield with the aid of Rod
Betts. As always, the often humorous Open Forum provided answers to questions
from the audience about living here in Thailand following the Club’s motto -
Expats helping expats.
Bao Wee and others join
Tiffany concert to aid charities
Vimolrat Singnikorn
There was a strong southern accent in the catchy luktung songs sung on
the stage of the Tiffany Theater as singer Bao Wee (Weerayut Nancha) and other
performers entertained the crowd to raise money for charity.
 Bao
Wee perform for an appreciative crowd to raise money for charity.
New singer Nong Srai, New Star Luktung Thailand and Gar Muang Khon also took
turns on the stage to keep the loud rhythmic country music beat going.
Credit goes to the Southerners’ Club, “Mitr Sai Sam Phan”, which joined with the
Tiffany Theater to put on the charity concert to raise money for the Elderly
Home Foundation in Banglamung, the Banglamung Children’s Home, and the
Garunyawet Home.
Sompin Thipmanee, president of the club, and Sutham Phantusak, managing director
of Tiffany, in particular are to be thanked for the show which was appreciated
by all, including the charities that it benefited.
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