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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Loy Krathong full of meaning and tradition

Can elephants Loy Krathong?

Sattahip Lions build house for blind man

PCEC meeting is truly “hip”

Charity Club of Pattaya receives 5th and 6th platinum sponsors

PILC prepares for annual Black & White Ball

Loy Krathong full of meaning and tradition

According to the history written by King Mongkut in 1863, the Loy Krathong festival has its roots in ancient Brahmin culture, going back some 700 years. The spirits of the river were given offerings which were sailed in the river in small boats (krathongs) and in this way the owner of the krathong would gain absolution. This was a Brahmin belief.

Loy Krathong this year falls on Wednesday, November 12.

The small boats fashioned by the beautiful and talented Nang Noppamas, the daughter of a Brahmin priest and wife of King Phra Ruang, were notable for their construction and beauty. It was this King who then dedicated the krathong to the memory of the Buddha, and decreed that the event would be called Loy Krathong and that it should become an annual celebration to commemorate the skill and beauty of his consort. In this way he lifted it out of Brahmin culture and installed it into the accepted Buddhist way of life. This is the reason that the krathongs now carry three incense sticks representing the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
During the Loy Krathong Festival, people decorate their krathong with flowers, joss sticks and candles which will then sail away, taking with them bad health, bad luck and unhappiness.
Lanterns are well-known symbols in the Loy Krathong Festival, too, being used to decorate houses and temples in worship of the guardian spirits. There are four kinds of lantern used in the festival: the hand-held rabbit lantern, the hot air balloon lantern (kom loy), the hanging lantern for religious worship, and the spin lantern installed at the temples. The belief in lanterns is that the lights inside compare with the wisdom the people will gain in the next life.


Can elephants Loy Krathong?

Patcharapol Panrak
Can our brainy elephants place floats in the water on Loy Krathong Day without causing massive tidal waves on the lake?

Elephants at Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens are learning how to loy their krathongs.

We shall have to wait and see on November 8, won’t we?
Five young elephants are being trained by their mahouts to lead the grand Noppamas parade at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden at Najomtien District in Sattahip.
For elephants Pang Yok, 5 years old, Pang Christmas, also 5, Plai Maimuang, 6, Pang Baitoey, 4, and Pang Sangdao, 5, Loy Krathong is a piece of cake, say their mahouts with some confidence.
On October 25, as shows entertained on the stage, Manit Narinrak, manager of the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Niti Kongkrut, director of the Thailand Tourism Authority’s Region 3 office and Sornchai Thongyangyoen, Najomtien sub-district chief, announced the forthcoming floating festivities.
Manager Manit said this would be the fifth year that Nong Nooch Tropical Garden has celebrated Loy Krathong on its lake. There will be light-and-sound shows, floating lanterns and a grand Noppamas parade on boats and on land.
All can see our traditional ways and have fun, he said.
Niti Kongkrut said it was fortunate for Chonburi to have the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden which has become a well-known tourist destination, especially for its daily elephant shows performed for tourists.
Loy Krathong with elephants is a clever idea for tourists, he said.

A more traditional method is also being used at Nong Nooch.


Sattahip Lions build house for blind man

Beneficiaries and benefactors gather round
the first post for the couple’s new home.

Patcharapol Panrak
Thanks to the Sattahip Lions Club, the ceremony to erect the first post for a house being built for a homeless elderly man, who is blind and has only one arm, and his wife went ahead happily on October 14.
Prasert Iampetch, chairwoman of Sattahip Lions Club, Sania Kredsamran and other members of the Sattahip Disabled Association performed the ceremony after the Lions Club donated money to build a house for Tawee Jirat, 67, in Samaesarn Sub-district in Sattahip.
Tawee lost his right arm and has been blind since 1962. His wife Sangwien, 81, has been bravely taking care of both of them. The impoverished couple has never had a dwelling of their own.
Chairwoman Prasert said the couple have a hard life having been abandoned by their relations to fend for themselves.
Tawee said he owed his life to Sangwien who even at her age was still guiding him everywhere. They could live only through the help and generosity of neighbors, he said.
He deeply thanked the Lions Club for their assistance, saying that it was unfortunate that he was not able to see the kind faces of his benefactors. He said he prayed that “they be spared enemies, suffering, sadness, disease, and danger.”
Prasert said there are many disabled people needing help in Sattahip. When it could, her club made available a maximum donation of 50,000 baht each to build houses on government land for the disabled and the homeless.
If there was land available then the club would build houses for people, she said.


PCEC meeting is truly “hip”

At the Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club at the Amari’s Henry J. Bean Restaurant on Sunday, October 26, MC Richard Silverberg began the proceedings by introducing fellow member Gavin Waddell from the International Relations Department, Phyathai Hospital Sriracha, to introduce the week’s guest speaker. Gavin then introduced Dr. Montien Sirisuntornlak, M.D., the hospital’s orthopedic surgeon who last spoke to the club on February 17, 2008 about knee replacement surgery.

PCEC member Gavin Waddell from the International Relations Department, Phyathai Hospital Sriracha, and Dr. Montien Sirisuntornlak, M.D., the hospital’s orthopedic surgeon, answer questions following the presentation on total hip replacement.

This week he told us about total hip replacement (THR) surgery, why it is needed, procedures used, and expectations after replacement. Dr. Montien is well qualified in his field, being a Fellow of the Board of Orthopedics and of the Sub-board of Spinal Surgery and Arthroplasty. He has had an almost 100 percent success rate in performing over 500 knee and hip replacement surgeries.
With the aid of pictures and diagrams, Dr. Montien described the conditions that can lead to THR surgery. He explained that the hip is a ball and socket joint consisting of the head of the femur, which moves within a cup like socket of the pelvic bone. This ball and socket joint is covered by a cartilage surface, which allows smooth and painless motion of the hip joint. Several strong ligaments help hold the head of the femur within the socket. However, various conditions can cause the hip ball and socket to deteriorate, thus limiting mobility and causing pain. These hip problems are the result of either wear and tear or from disease and injury.
Some of the common hip problems leading to THR are: (1) osteoarthritis, which is wear and tear from overuse or from aging; (2) rheumatoid arthritis, which is inflammation of the joint lining and destruction of the ball and socket components; (3) traumatic arthritis, which is an injury to the hip; and (4) avascular necrosis or loss of blood supply to the ball or head of the femur bone causing cartilage to wear away leaving a bone on bone interaction. Initially, treatment is provided through medication and other non-surgical means. But, if it becomes too severe, then THR surgery may be necessary.
In making a diagnosis for THR surgery, a complete history and physical examination is made to determine any correlation between symptoms of pain with past history and demands placed upon the hip. X-rays are also used to determine the extent of degeneration to the cartilage or bone. Blood tests and removing fluids from the joint are done to rule out systemic arthritis or infection. If surgery is appropriate, then there is a complete physical, EKG, chest X-ray, etc., which is evaluated by the medical staff to preclude complications.
Dr. Montien briefly described the surgical procedures for implanting an artificial head and neck for the femur encased inside a plastic cup. These implants can be fastened into the bone with or without special cement. The cemented procedure uses a doughy substance that is placed between the artificial component and the bone. This is the usual method for people over the age of 60 as it is more durable.
The non-cemented procedure is more appropriate for young and active people who tend to loosen their artificial components. In this method the artificial joint is covered with a material that allows bone tissue to grow into the metal.
Dr. Montien stated the risks and complications of THR surgery are deep venous thrombosis (DVT), infection, dislocation, and loosening. DVT (blood clots) can occur after any operation. However, he said these risks and complications are rare events. After surgery, care will be provided by nurses and therapists. In the first 6 to 8 weeks, the patient needs to take care in bending. Today’s artificial hips can last a lifetime for older patients.
After THR, the patient no longer experiences severe pain and often is able to take part in physical activities that were previously impossible.
Dr. Montien then asked for questions, which were many. In response to the cost of THR surgery at Phyathai Hospital Sriracha, Gavin Waddell said that it varies depending on the patient, but generally should fall between 200,000 and 250,000 baht.
The meeting concluded as usual with MC Richard Silverberg updating the audience on upcoming events and special interest group activities before calling on “Hawaii Bob” Sutterfield to conduct the Open Forum. As always, the often humorous Open Forum provided answers to questions from the members and guests about living here in Thailand - following the Club’s motto of expats helping expats.


Charity Club of Pattaya receives 5th and 6th platinum sponsors

Christina Boden of the Charity Club of Pattaya went along to the office of Kevin Fisher, M.D. of Cranes & Equipment Asia on Soi 17 Thepprasit Road recently to collect some more platinum sponsorship money for the Charity Gala Dinner that will be held at the All Seasons Hotel Pattaya on Saturday, January 24, 2009.

Kevin Fisher’s wife Som and Secretary Jack hand over the donation to Christina.
Kevin Fisher of Cranes & Equipment Asia provides a service offering all aspects of the crane and equipment business. Kevin moves cranes and equipment all over the world as well as supervising and arranging heavy lifts. This will be the 3rd year that Cranes & Equipment Asia has been a sponsor.
www.cranesasia.com
Later in the week, Christina took a trip to Ocean Marina Yacht Club. No she hasn’t a luxury boat moored off shore; she was there to meet with yet another platinum sponsor.
M.D. Antony Chapman from Blue Wave Watersports became platinum sponsor number six!

Antony Chapman from Blue Wave Watersports donates his platinum sponsorship to Christina Boden.
Blue Wave Watersports is the sole S.E. Asian distributor of Hobie Cat Catamarans and Kayaks. Blue Wave have built a solid reputation for providing high quality beach sailing and fun sea kayaks to hotel resorts.
Blue Wave Watersports is TAT registered with certified ASA instructors, and can offer a wide range of sailing courses and boat chartering options.
This will be the second year that Blue Wave has been a platinum sponsor for the Charity Gala Dinner.
www.sailing-pattaya.com
Cranes & Equipment Asia and Blue Wave Watersports join the other platinum sponsors: Alan Bolton of Alan Bolton Property Consultants, John Richardson of U.T.S., Queen Victoria Inn, David Isitt, Tryba - The World of Wine and John Seymour of Northern Thai Realty.


PILC prepares for annual Black & White Ball

Last year’s theme was Masquerade; this year it will be Black & White.

Adene Paykel
PILC Special events

The time has come to celebrate a wonderful year for the Pattaya International Ladies Club, a time to relax and enjoy the hard work we have all put in, in 2008. It’s also a time to ring in the New Year so what better way to do this than at this year’s annual Black and White ball on Saturday November 15 at the Dusit Thani Resort. Tickets are 3,500 baht, and as you all know it is the PILC’s most fruitful fundraiser!
The evening is shaping up to be a fun and sophisticated event, starting at 6.30pm with canapés & cocktails as we watch the sun go down.
Of course there will be fabulous entertainment and plenty of dancing, with music to cater for all. And don’t forget the very important part of the night, our auction; we have some exciting items up for grabs, including services of a private chef, an antique cutlery setting and a beautiful Florence Broadhurst inspired piece of art. So please make your reservations soon, we don’t want you, our members, to miss out!
Evening menu: graved laks with dill mustard sauce; chicken consommé with pancakes; poached scallops & spring onion on puff pastry; Grand Marnier flavoured orange sherbet; grilled pork steak with ratatouille & herbed onion potatoes or pan-fried red snapper fillet with sun-dried tomato and olive sauce or beef tender loin in olive sauce with pepperoni stew; and a delicious desert buffet. Fine Australian red & white wine will accompany your meal & a choice of Heineken or Singha.
Please note there is a vegetarian option.
Reserve your tickets from Adene Paykel tel. 086 149 1771.