Clubs & Associations

The next meeting of Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) will be on Sunday, January 18. The club meets every Sunday morning at Henry J. Bean’s Restaurant on the north end of Beach Road in the grounds of the Amari Orchid Resort. The program starts as usual at 10:30 a.m. with a buffet breakfast available from 9:30 to 11 a.m., everyone welcome. Each week the PCEC has an interesting speaker to talk on various subjects of interest in an informal setting. In the interest of healthy living, once a month, we invite a health professional to talk to us. At this Sunday’s meeting, we will have a speaker from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. This will be followed by the ever-lively and often humorous Open Forum and an update on the happenings in and around Pattaya. A full report appears each week in Pattaya Mail. For more information about the Sunday meeting and the numerous other weekday activities of the PCEC, see the official website at www.pattayacity expatsclub.com and learn more about the many and varied activities of the club.

The Optimist International Club of Thailand meets at Shenanigan’s at the Avenue Mall on Second Road from 12:00 noon on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.  For more information, email [email protected]

The Pattaya Irish Society meets every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Moonrakers in Pong. Call John on 086 112 0988 for details.

Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya welcomes you to their Wednesday meetings in the Rotary room Royal Cliff Grand Hotel: Time 18.30 for 19.00. Contact Lloyd Jones (Membership) 0878043943.

For the past 28 years the Samaritans of Thailand have been providing confidential crisis intervention services over the telephone. The English-speaking unit, Samaritans English Help Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support to the expatriate community. English-speaking staff, trained in crisis intervention will provide active, non-judgmental and empathetic listening services on the phone. All calls will be handled on an anonymous basis and are free of charge. Please call (02) 713-6791 (24hrs a day, 7 days a week).

The Royal British Legion Thailand is now firmly established at Tropical Bert’s 2nd Road next to Soi 6/1. We are now approaching 70 members, why don’t you become No 70. Served in H.M. Armed Forces? Or even if you have not, as long as you support the principles of the Legion you are welcome to join. Contact Bert 089 8072335 or call in to Tropical Bert’s 2nd Road Opp Bangkok Bank.

“Le club Rotary de Pattaya Marina” is the only French spoken Rotary in Asia. “Rendezvous” every Friday at 7 p.m. at the Amari Hotel (Ocean Tower – Merlot room) on Beach Road.  For further information go to www.rcpm.fr or call Mr. Benoit on 089 886 5445.

The Dutch Expat Club meets the last Thursday of every month at Chateau Dale on Thappraya Road at 6 p.m. For full details please check out the website at www.nederlandsevereniging pattaya.org or email [email protected]. New members are always welcome.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Pattaya: The Pattaya Group meets Monday & Thursday at noon; Monday, Tuesday & Friday at 5pm and Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Satree Pattana Center, Soi Skaw Beach (2nd Rd): Contact Jim on 087 927 0437. The Good Morning Pattaya Group meets every morning 9am at the Highlander Guest House, Soi Skaw Beach: Contact Mike 081 741 3166. The Jomtien Group meets everyday at noon at Jomtien Long Stay Hotel: Contact: Jerry 086 141 7748. The Scandinavian Group meets on Mondays and Fridays 6.00 pm. at The Norwegian Seamans Church, Thappraya Road Soi 7: Contact Hans 085 135 7755 or Rune (Rayong) 089 754 9515

Narcotics Anonymous in Pattaya. Drug problem? We can help. We deal in addiction, regardless of substance or uncensored sharing. All welcome. We meet every Saturday (17.30), Monday (18.30) and Wednesday (17.30) for one hour at Soi Skaew Beach, opposite Siam Bayview Hotel, 2nd Road, half way up on the right, just past Scandalic, room at rear. See N.A. diamond logo, head height, on wall. Contact the 24 hour helpline on 02 231 8080.

Dining

Beni’s Brunch on Sundays is an essential Pattaya experience! The talented chefs will entertain you with live cooking at the Teppanyaki stations, as you enjoy the extensive selection of incredible food. The buffet stations offer a wide array of abundant cuisine, capturing simplicity, purity and freshness of regional food. Selected beverages plus half a bottle of wine per person are included in the brunch package and will definitely make your Sunday one to remember! Location: Royal Garden Plaza, 2nd Floor, brunch served from 11.00 - 15.00 hrs. Price: 1,250++ baht includes selected beverages. Also don’t forget to start your weekend with Beni’s Buffet on Fridays. Buffet stations with an overwhelming selection of food, everywhere you look. Enjoy the best of Japanese cooking while you catch the action of the chefs, who will keep you entertained until you walk out the door: Every Friday from 18.00 - 22.00 hrs. Price: 1,499 baht inclusive of selected beverages. For more information or reservations please call Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa 038 412 120.

It’s Strawberry Season again at Amor Restaurant where there is now a host of great strawberry savory dishes, desserts and cocktails to tempt your taste buds: Try strawberry pork fillet or chicken breasts for 390 baht, strawberry salmon fillet for 490 baht, or a host of other delightful strawberry dishes starting from just 150 baht. For more information visit www. amorrestaurant.com

At the Peak Chinese Restaurant, Chef Chi Tak Lai will showcase his culinary mastery with Tiger Prawn dishes throughout January. Find an amazing list of Tiger Prawn creations on the a la carte menu that transcends “new”. Also, come to the Peak and celebrate the Chinese New Year, both for a la carte dining and with the special Chinese set menus. The Peak Chinese Restaurant is located on the 9th floor of Dusit Thani Pattaya. For reservations and more information on opening hours, please call +66 (0) 3842-5611 to 7, ext. 2276.

Try out distinctively delicious Black Angus beef this January at Mantra Restaurant & Bar: Savour a wide range of well-selected steaks, cuts and ribs that will utterly indulge your taste buds and set your appetite on fire! Compliment your selected delicacies with a wide range of sauces, toppers and side dishes and add a little luxury to the meal with lobster and prawns. The Mantra Restaurant & Bar is situated on the north end of Pattaya Beach Road at the Amari Resort and Tower complex. Open from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. Mantra Fabulous Sunday Brunch is also available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For reservations, call +66 (0) 3842 9591 Fax +66 (0) 3842 8615 or email an enquiry, visit www.mantra-pattaya.com

The Reva Beach Restaurant at Ravindra Resort & Spa Najomtein invites you to savor the taste of the sea! Enjoy a bountiful selection of fresh seafood prepared to your liking. Choose from a variety of mouth-watering appetizers and give-in to temptation with desserts worth dying for. All of this and an evening view of sunset. The Reva Beach Restaurant is open daily. Saturday night seafood 18.00-22.00. For reservations call (038) 235777.

The Woodland Resort & Residence Suites’ new Grappa Restaurant features the flavor of Italy and famous Grappa wines. Open daily from 6 a.m. serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner until 11:30 p.m. Monthly special menu dinners are presented together with selected wine dinners, including a selection of original Italian flat dough pizza creations to enjoy. Available for parties and private functions. For reservations and information please call: 038 - 052295 up to 99 and ask for Grappa Restaurant.

From 5pm to 7pm daily at Manhattans you can select a two-course meal for 795 baht or a three-course meal for 895 baht all-inclusive. No service charge. No tax. Choose from four delicious starters, four mains and four desserts, the choice is all yours. Fine dining has never been so good at such great value. Sunday lunch from 12.30pm - 5.30pm: 2-course for 650 baht; 3-course only 795 baht. For bookings call 038-259-790.

In January, The Bay Restaurant features on its a la carte menu the most succulent lobsters from Canada that only Chef Claudio Mendini could prepare to your heart’s delight! Worth a sample are a salad of mixed greens with lobster in orange and lemon dressing, lobster filled with ravioli tossed with sun-dried tomato sauce, Risotto of saffron with lobster, scallops and Sambuca reduction, and oven-baked lobster in Italian sparkling wine and truffle sauce served with vegetables, caponata and basil mashed potatoes. The Bay is located on the 3rd floor of Dusit Thani Pattaya. For more information and reservations, please call 0 3842 5611-7 ext. 2270.

Jomtien Boathouse hosts a live Elvis act every Monday and Tuesday evening at 9 pm. The talented Elvis Arthur will entertain you while you dine under the stars on a great beachfront location on Jomtien Beach Road Soi 8. Every Wednesday and Thursday evening from 8 pm - 10 pm you can sing along to famous classics with the lovely performing duo Willy and Mandy. Be entertained while enjoying our great steaks and seafood menu. Reservations call 038 756 143.

Enjoy Sunday with your family and friends at Restaurant Casa Pascal. The Sunday Brunch & B.B.Q. features cold appetizers including smoked salmon, rock lobsters, prawns, crabs, great international salad bar & Thai salads, abundance of cold appetizers, live pasta & flamed beef & pork tenderloin station, soups and lots of other Asian and European main dishes, BBQ grill on the terrace (sausages, lamb cutlets, steaks, ribs), and of course the Sunday breakfast items. Great desserts such as chocolate mousse, creams, tarts, parfaits and a fruit pancake station will boost your appetite. Adults 899 baht net including a glass of house champagne, children (under 12) 599 baht net. Every Sunday 10:30 - 15:00. Casa Pascal now also offers a very attractive daily menu from 11.00 hrs until 19.00 hrs. You will find a great choice of 25 different appetizers, soups, main dishes & desserts: 2 courses - 350 baht, 3 courses - 420 baht, 4 courses - 490 baht. For reservations call 038 723 660, www. restaurant-pattaya.com

Throughout January, strawberry lovers can enjoy the finest array of strawberry creations at the Dusit Gourmet Bakery. Must-tries are: strawberry tiramisu, cheese cake with strawberries, strawberry tartlet and a whole lot more. Also something new at the Dusit Gourmet Bakery: A Business Gourmet Breakfast is now available either for dine in or take out for only 190 baht net. The Dusit Gourmet Bakery is on the 4th floor near the Main Lobby of the Dusit Thani Pattaya. For more information, call 66 (0) 3842-5611-7 ext. 2497.

New and only at Moon River Pub! The After Work Club, Sunday through Thursday, 7 pm to midnight, offers guests a Western or Thai evening menu. Groups of 30 people may choose from the European and Thai all you can eat buffet (booking 1 day in advance). The all you can drink (wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, whiskey, tequila, etc.) counts for both offers. Price per person: 1,000 baht each. The Moon River Pub is located in front of the Thai Garden Resort, North Pattaya Road.

Jameson’s the Irish Pub has a host of Daily Specials at 195 baht including on Monday: Fillet Steak Special, Tuesday: Roast Chicken with all the trimmings; Wednesday: Steak & Mushroom Pie, Thursday: Pork Chop served with baked potato, fried onions, grilled tomato, & corn on the cob on a sizzling plate, and Friday: Fish & Chips. All the Specials are served with starter & dessert, from 12 noon until 11.00 p.m. As always Jameson’s serves it’s all day and night Carvery at the weekends, as much as you can eat for 375 Baht, children 150 Baht, on Saturday from 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. and Sunday from 01.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. And also don’t miss out on Jameson’s new a la carte menu. Tel. (038) 361 874, e-mail: info @jamesons-pattaya.com, Website: www.jamesons-pattaya.com

Entertainment

Do you sing to relax? If the answer is yes, visit the Solaris Pub & Karaoke at the Ravindra Resort & Spa Najomtein. Unwind in a friendly atmosphere with a comprehensive list of international songs, state- of-the art audio-visual equipment, plus a good deal of freebie and special privileges for everyone: Private room available. Contact 038-235777 for further details.

The Captain’s Corner introduces the talented “Elvis” Arthur every Saturday and Sunday evening at 9 p.m. to continue the popular “Elvis live on stage” tradition. Come and enjoy the best Bar-B-Q in town at the Captain’s Corner and sing along to your favorite Elvis song. For reservations and free pick up service call: 038 364314. The Captain’s Corner BBQ restaurant is located at the Residence Suites, Thappraya Road on the way to Jomtien.

Calling all musicians and singers: Need a venue to jam with other like minded people? Why not go to Robin Hood Bar in Jomtien and join the jamming sessions every Friday evening from 7pm onwards. 10% of all the takings will be donated to Mercy Center. So come and join in and support in helping the underprivileged in Pattaya. For more information, contact Dave on 0868 213 202 or Kavita on [email protected]

Enjoy live, world-class music at the Jazz Pit Pub on Soi 5, Second Road, every night of the week.  On Monday nights international artists get together for jam sessions, so if you play an instrument or just love the sound of jazz, come and join in the fun in this classy and cozy atmosphere.

Liam’s Gallery: The largest gallery in the Eastern Seaboard features original artworks by Thai and International artists. The gallery also features a large library, coffee and wine bar with Wi-Fi Internet. Works are for sale and the gallery also displays Liam’s extensive private collection of art. The gallery is located at 352/107 Soi 4, Pratamnak Hill (Soi Nordic). Gallery hours are Daily 10am -7pm. Closed on Mondays. Open house every Friday at 6.30pm. Free wine served. Telephone 038 306172 Geena or Liam. Email [email protected], Website: www.liamsgallery.com

Events

The PILC Black & White Ball will be held Saturday 17 January 2009, in the Grand Ballroom at the Dusit Thani Resort, beginning at 6:30pm with cocktails, sparkling wine & canapés, and afterwards a 3+ course menu with free flowing beer, wine and soft drinks provided throughout the night. There will be a jazz band and a DJ playing alternately during the evening, a short auction, and each guest will receive a complimentary photograph to commemorate the night, as well as a massage voucher, and a small gift. This is the biggest PILC fundraiser for the year, so please support it by coming along, letting down your hair and kicking up your heels! Tickets are 3,500 baht per person, and you can contact Rachel on 081 782 6118, [email protected] or Jacinta on 086 997 0671, [email protected] to make a reservation.

The BCCT is holding a networking evening on the Eastern Seaboard on Friday 16 January 2009 from 6.30 pm at Jameson’s the Irish Pub, 80/164 Moo 9, Soi Sukrudee (Soi A.R.), Pattaya. MBMG International Inc., RSM Advisory (Thailand) Limited and Jameson’s the Irish Pub are sponsoring beverages and snacks on a first-come, first-served basis from 6.30 p.m. All members and guests are welcome. The entry fee is THB 300 per person (BCCT members only) or THB 1,000 per person (non-BCCT members). BCCT members may book on-line in the normal way. Non-members should email [email protected] with the name/s of those attending.

The Charity Club of Pattaya will be hosting their Charity Gala Dinner Grand Prize Draw & Auction at the All Season’s Hotel, 2nd Road Pattaya on Saturday 24 January from 7.00 p.m. - midnight. Ticket prices are 1,600 baht pp which includes a Thai & international buffet, free bar incl premium drinks, live music, free flow draught Heineken and free flow red & white wine sponsored by The World of Wine. For reservations contact Malcolm 089 744 1040 or Christina 089 545 4185, charityclubofpattaya @yahoo.com

Welcome the Chinese New Year of the Ox at the Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa. January 24 is the first day of the lunar month in the Chinese calendar. The lush tropical gardens will be the spectacular center of mysterious dragon shows, traditional dancers and mind blowing acrobatic performances. Red Chinese lanterns will color the air while the smell of Chinese delicacies from the dinner buffet surrounds you. The price is 1,850++ baht per person. For more information or reservation call Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa 038 412 120.

Dr. Giuseppe Mario Saccone from Asian University will present a special talk on the ‘Philosophy of Science’ at the North Star Library in Pattaya on Thursday January 29 from 15.00 - 16.30. Admission is free to the general public and a coffee break will be provided. Call 038-716-755 or sign up at the reception.

Promotions

Be Healthy in 2009 with the extended special offers from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. The 50% check-up offer has been extended to January 31, 2009, hurry up! For more information call 1719.

More Bubbles! The New Year starts in sparkling fashion at the More Bar & Grill. Order a bottle of fabulous Moët & Chandon bubbles and get a delicious set of Tapas for free: Great for sharing with friends and family. Time: 12.00 - 00.00 hrs. Price: 7,900++ baht per set. The More Bar & Grill is located at the front of the Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa on Pattaya 2nd Road, next to the Royal Garden Plaza.