|
Gerrit Niehaus celebrates
his birthday with style
Peter Nordhues
On February 5, Gerrit Niehaus, owner of Thai Garden Resort, invited his many
friends to his birthday party at his hotel.
 Posing
for a souvenir shot are Gerrit Niehaus (3rd left), his wife Anselma (4th
left), Rene Pisters (right), TGR general manager, his wife Ploy (2nd right),
Anthony Pisters (left) and Jessica Pisters (2nd left).
The boisterous celebrations took place right next to the huge hotel pool.
The in-house band Folkman Trio started with the musical entertainment,
followed by the inimitable performance of the Power Jam Band. As usual at
TGR, the international buffet offered everything sophisticated palates would
require.
Gerrit was happy to welcome more than 100 invited guests, some of whom had
come from places as far away as the USA. Friends and business partners
spared no efforts in order to attend this special fete.
The guest of honor that night was Dr. Franz Walter from Germany, who
delivered the birthday speech. Gerrit’s wife, Anselma, also had prepared a
few lines in German, for which she earned due applause, as German is not her
native language. The birthday boy kindly thanked all attendees and wished
them an unforgettable evening.
Gerrit is known and respected as a rather modest and reserved person. In
fact, he had not planned to organize a party at all. However, the occasion
didn’t leave him a choice. All guests were asked to not buy any presents but
to donate money to Pattaya Orphanage instead. A generous amount was
collected, which will be granted to the orphanage. Some money will also be
used to maintain the home’s new football pitch, which was also amply
financed by Gerrit. Though, no birthday party without a surprise. Reiner
Calmund, former football manager of Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen, and friends
wouldn’t miss the chance to merrily serenade Gerrit.
At midnight, the party at the pool had come to an end, and the celebrations
continued at the Moon River Pub.
Because of business related necessities, Gerrit Niehaus commuted between
Florida and Pattaya for some 20 years. Since becoming the sole owner of TGR,
he has taken it a bit easier and decided last September to make Pattaya his
domicile.
It was also Gerrit who initiated last year’s extensive renovation works at
the hotel, taking no less than four months, but most definitely being worth
all the effort. The premises now gleam in new splendor, boosting the hotel’s
popularity substantially. The gigantic 65 meter long pool, probably the
biggest one around, is a unique eye catcher. But there is still a lot to
come. Gerrit already announced that this coming low season, further
reconstructions will be carried out.
New PILC committee gets to work
The new PILC committee is ready to
get to work.
Kavita Lamba
On February 3, the Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) held their
AGM at the A-One Cruise Hotel on Pattaya Beach Road, and over 100 members
attended the event.
Outgoing president, Marloes de Saegher, graciously thanked her committee for all
their hard work during the year before handing over to Angela Poustie, elections
chair, who announced the nominations for the new committee.
Gillian Thom, past-president from 2006, was elected again as president, and
Connie Kwok as vice president. Other members elected for the first time were
Chantal Oldaker as chair of special events, Melanie Davies as secretary, Johanna
Seger as membership chair and Anja Schoof as trips and activities.
Some familiar faces were also elected: Sam Wilson will be newsletter editor and
Kavita Lamba will be treasurer again, both having held these posts for two years
previously. Finally, Ingrid Cunliffe and Alvi Sinthuvanik are staying on as
chairs of welfare and hospitality respectively.
Gillian Thom made a speech to thank the members for their support, and made some
mention of her plans for the coming year. “While we realize we are facing a
difficult year due to the current economic climate, I am sure that the new team
at the helm of PILC will do their very best to make this a successful year,” she
said, and asked that all the members think of ways that they could contribute to
the Club’s activities and fund-raising endeavors over the coming months.
PILC members get together twice a month for coffee and lunch, and as well as
these social activities, they support a wide range of welfare projects in the
area. There is also an extensive range of sports and social clubs within the
group, including mah-jong, bowling, tennis, and crafts. Anyone wanting to join
the group, or who would like more information about its various activities can
telephone Gillian Thom, president, on 081 7626003 or e-mail to [email protected]
Friends of PDA addresses PCEC meeting
The regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats
Club got underway at the Amari’s Henry J. Bean Restaurant on Sunday,
February 8th. After the usual announcements, Emcee Gary Brown introduced
club member David Garmaise to tell everyone about the Club’s Friends of PDA
special interest group, which has decided to become an active partner with
the PDA in helping Thailand to eradicate poverty.
 Surprise
MC for our meeting was popular former active member Gary Brown, on a short
visit to Pattaya from his new home in Florida.
Last October, Mechai Viravaidya, the founder of the Population and
Development Community Association (PDA), a nongovernmental organization,
spoke to the Club. Mechai told us that government services do not provide
basic needs to many poor people although it has achieved some level of
success at providing basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, health
services, etc.
But, he told us that there has been little success in eradicating poverty;
that is, putting purchasing power in the hands of the poor. He mentioned
that most poor people cannot afford to pay for alternative services offered
by the business sector. This market imperfection or market failure can be
corrected using a different approach to poverty eradication; one that works
and is sustainable. It also does not require a very long term commitment on
the part of companies. He said that this can be done by companies
participating in a five year partnership with PDA and villages.
His message was that the only reliable road for eradicating poverty is
through business; turning the poor into “barefoot” entrepreneurs so that
they can afford the basic necessities of life. Further that the PDA in
partnership with companies and villages has demonstrated that this can be
done with the help of business people.
 David
Garmaise, of the Friends of the PDA (Population and Community Development
Association, established by Mechai Viravaidya) group within the PCEC,
explains the work of the group, and its aims to help a small village achieve
a comfortable and sustainable standard of living, through education - the
barefoot MBA - and facilitating microcredit.
David pointed out that after that presentation by Mechai and his invitation
for the PCEC to become a partner (sponsor), Stuart Saunders, the club vice
chairman and other members decided to explore whether it was worthwhile and
feasible to get so involved. David noted that this “Friends of the PDA”
special interest group arranged for the recent trip to the Buriram locale to
meet Mechai and see firsthand how this endeavor actually works, visiting and
seeing some of the “barefoot” entrepreneurs in operation.
Based on this trip, the group has decided to join in a partnership with the
PDA. He then highlighted the history of the PDA with its initial
concentration in 1974 on promoting family planning and, later, with AIDS
education and prevention, followed by their current Village Development
program.
David then reiterated Mechai’s presentation on the key areas in the Village
Development concept and the 6 step process for each village entering the
program. (See the October 31, 2008 issue of Pattaya Mail, in the Our
Community section for a full description of Mechai’s presentation to the
PCEC about the PDA’s Village Development Program).
David mentioned that being a sponsor (partner) requires a commitment of 1
million baht to assist a small village of about 400 persons. The PDA will
select the village in the Buriram area, but as a partner, the Friends of the
PDA Group will get to review and approve the village’s development plan.
Also, the group will receive progress reports every 6 months during the
implementation period. David noted that much of the project is centered
around the Village Development Bank operated by a board of directors
(members of the village). The primary benefit is that the project is
community driven, community owned, and it is sustainable; or in other words,
the village business enterprises will continue without the need for
continued financial contributions from the sponsoring organization.
He noted that each project starts with the planting of 10 thousand trees,
the money for the purchase of the saplings (about 40 baht each) comes from
the sponsoring partner. Funds earned from this endeavor go into the Village
Development Bank, to which the villagers apply for loans to start small
businesses. He pointed out that business skills training is provided by the
PDA.
David concluded by noting that the group has already raised over a third of
the necessary funds of 1,000,000 baht. The audience was asked to join the
group’s efforts to assist another Thai village in eradicating poverty by
partnering with the PDA and the selected village. He said that any donation
would be greatly appreciated and pledge sheets were handed out for those
that wanted them. If someone wished to be more involved in the partner role,
he invited them to join the Friends of PDA Group.
Emcee Gary then updated everyone on upcoming events and called on Hawaii Bob
to conduct the always informative and sometimes humorous Open Forum where
information is shared on living in Pattaya and Thailand.
Inspiration from
my friend’s spirit
Art exhibition review
Tony Godel
All the works presented in this solo exhibition were specially
painted by the young Thai artist Narong Wannasa and are strongly influenced
by his countryside upbringing in Kalasin Province Thailand.
 One
of the many works by Thai artist Narong Wannasa.
The pictures on display portray water buffalo, birds, trees and flowers.
Silk worms, cocoons and the emerging silk threads are a constant theme in
much of the work. Narong portrays in many of the pictures the symbiotic
relationship between water buffalo and birds. The birds feed on the insects
on the water buffalo’s back whilst the buffalo looks out at us in a mournful
way.
Before mechanization, water buffalo have for centuries in Thailand been the
farmer’s best friend and continue to hold an honoured place in Thai
affection. Could Narong be trying to point out that the water buffalo unless
protected, is becoming an endangered species?
It is impossible to look at the individual pictures in isolation as most of
them are painted in groups which all relate to each other.
Many of the pictures have little depth or perspective, but this a conscious
decision as this helps to bring the subject forward to create a greater
sense of immediacy.
The first picture to confront you is entitled “Meeting No 1” - it is of a
baby calf looking very calm amongst many birds. The vibrant gold colours in
this picture contrasts strongly with some of Narong’s other paintings which
are painted in a slightly more somber tone.
My favourite picture is entitled “Folk Life No 3”. This large ambitious
picture has a stylized landscape of mountains and the whole ensemble brings
Narong’s technical skills to the fore. The birds, the flowers and the
distant mountains are very finely executed. You can see how his training at
Dali University in China has honed his skills as an artist.
Narong Wannasa has a unique style and he works hard to explore the
transience of nature in a dispassionate way.
This emerging young artist is on a voyage of discovery and I look forward to
see his development in future work. The exhibition runs until Saturday
February 28, 2009 at Gallery Opium, 315/26 Moo 12, Thepprasit Road, Pattaya
City.
Chief of American Embassy’s Naval Security makes official visit to new Pattaya Immigration Superintendent
Bobby Brooks
Chief of Naval Security Force Protection Detachment (FPD) from the
American Embassy, Douglas H. Robinson recently came to congratulate Police
Colonel Arnonnun Kamollut on his new position as the new Superintendent of
the Pattaya Immigration Department.
 (L
to R) Immigration Superintendent Colonel Arnonnun Kamollut, Douglas H.
Robinson, FPD Chief of Naval Security - US Embassy, and Bobby Brooks, US
Embassy Warden.
The Pattaya Immigration Department plays a very important role during
American Navy ship visits. Their willingness to help out with the FPD is
unprecedented compared to many other locales around the world.
Robinson expressed his deepest appreciation for all the hard work the
Pattaya Immigration does not only during ship visits but for all visitors
and residents who call the Jomtien and Pattaya districts their vacation
destination or their new home.
The Force Protection Detachment (FPD) from the American Embassy is tasked
with ensuring the safety of all Officers and Crew during American Navy Ship
Visits to the Laem Chabang, Sattahip, and Phuket ports of call.
Bangkok Catholic parish visits Pattaya
Elfi Seitz
The German speaking Catholic congregation from Bangkok took a field
trip to Pattaya on January 31.
 Dominikus
von Pescatore and spouse have fun with an orangutan at Nong Nooch.
First stop was the Redemptorist chapel to celebrate Mass, followed by a
tasty lunch at the Redemptorist home, where Christians from Bangkok and
Pattaya exchanged experiences and made new acquaintances.
Subsequently, Fr. Lawrence Patin led the group on a tour through the
premises. The guests from the capital were obviously amazed by the priests
and the helpers’ great work. The museum, which is dedicated to Fr. Ray
Brennan, founder of the home, also gained due recognition.
The group went on to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden to see the vast local biota
and watch some shows. The football game, performed by elephants, received
the most cheers.
Unfortunately, time passed too quickly, and the visitors had to prepare to
head back.
Donation to Redemptorist Center
Just a week later, another group from Bangkok’s German speaking
Catholic congregation came to Pattaya, this time to attend the monthly
service and to hand over a donation.
Claudia Schäferle, deputy chairwoman of the parish council, brought the alms
that were collected during the past year. Fr. Patin was noticeably happy
about the more than 150,000 baht. The funds will go to the Redemptorist
school for the handicapped.
Claudia Schäferle (2nd left,
seated) presents a check to Fr. Lawrence Patin (3rd left, seated), while Fr.
Clemens Fabry (sitting far left) and members of the congregations from
Bangkok and Pattaya look on.
Good hospitals receive awards
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
The Public Health Support Center presented awards to 116 hospitals
around the country that had passed the center’s inspection of safety
standards and services for patients.
On February 5 in the Paijit seminar room at Ministry of Public Health
Office, Professor Dr Wattanachai Ongkamontri presided over the award
ceremony attended also by Dr Somyot Deerasma, director of Public Health
Support, and representatives from more than 100 hospitals.
 Dr.
Somyot Deerasm, director of Public Health Support, receives a certificate
from Professor Dr Wattanachai Ongkamontri.
Dr Somyot said that the Ministry of Public Health authorized the Public
Health Support Center to evaluate public hospitals that want to be evaluated
nationwide in order to raise the standard of safety and services.
In the survey in 2007, 332 hospitals were evaluated and 92% passed.
In 2008 134 hospitals came forward to be evaluated and 116 (86%) passed.
Those that passed received awards in recognition for meeting the center’s
requirements.
Hospitals commended for 2008 include Somdejphrayuparaj Srakaew Hospital,
Phupamarn Hospital in Khon Kaen and Pangkone Hospital in Sakhon Nakhon
Province.
The inspections will continue in 2009 with the goal that at least 70% will
pass the inspection criteria, which includes quality of medication,
locations, facilities, safety and service to patients.
Professor Dr Wattanachai Ongkamontri said that every hospital inspected was
found to be always working to maintain and improve their services to
patients.
Navy builds Green study centers
Vice-Admiral Banyong
Nisamaneepong visits
the building site and watches as adobe bricks are made.
Patcharapol Panrak
Navy Training Center recruits are volunteering to help build nine
more agricultural study centers to expound the sustainable development
philosophy pioneered by His Majesty the King.
Vice-Admiral Banyong Nisamaneepong, director of Naval Studies, visited one
new study center at the new Navy Training Center in Sattahip.
Captain Nopadol Supakorn, commander of the training center, along with
Deputy Commander Captain Virat Somjit and directors welcomed the admiral and
reported the progress of getting the land and materials ready for
construction.
Activities at the Green centers will involve the public in trying to solve
the problem of global warming.
The first house is being constructed with adobe bricks, and nine more
centers would be constructed following the guidelines of HM the King.
Captain Noppadol said that Vice-Admiral Banyong had given much importance to
the new study centers which will focus on the philosophy of sustainable
development.
As the mainstream economy is suffering, this project can be a knowledge
center for teaching more sustainable alternative philosophies and economies,
he said.
Vice-Admiral Banyong said that the centers will be on 9.9 acres of farming
land and will use no modern electricity or fuel. Organic agricultural
produce from the land will on sale at low prices.
Ten more acres of land will be used to expand the farm project to grow
produce to be sold.
|
