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‘Jesters Kindergarten’ now officially open
JCD 2009: Banklong Bangpai School
(L to R) Bernie Tuppin, Woody
Underwood, Paisarn Leelawat,
Nattaseth Pohsritong and Dr Roongtip Phromsiri prepare
to cut the ribbon to officially open the new school.
Lewis Underwood
We arrived at 10:30 a.m. last Thursday morning in the nick of time
for the opening of the new kindergarten at Banklong Bangpai School across
from Utapao Airport. Poised and ready for the proceedings were not only the
kids, faculty and camera crews, but also the new bright and shiny classrooms
we built this past year.
 The
curtain is pulled back, officially unveiling the new ‘Jesters Kindergarten’.
In all, there were 10 of us who made the ride from Pattaya for this special
ceremony, including Bernie Tuppin from the Pattaya Sports Club, who we
encountered on his own mighty steed scant meters before reaching the school
grounds.
Our biggest school project this past year was the construction of these two
new classrooms dubbed the ‘Jesters Kindergarten’ by the faculty there. This
was a joint venture with the Herrod Foundation in Switzerland, who was a
Diamond Sponsor (400,000 baht donor) for us last year. Also making this
project possible were Platinum Sponsors (100,000 baht donors) from Club
Nevada, MBMG Group and Mike Koerner.
This new construction came about after the original school building was
officially condemned two years ago. In the interim, the kids had to use an
open air canteen as a classroom that was brutally hot during certain times
of the day.
The cost of the new structure itself was 690,000 baht, but we also provided
another 86,600 baht for desks, chairs and storage lockers, as well safe
playground equipment for a total of 776,600 baht.
Last April, we also built 10 additional toilets here for the primary level
kids with the Pattaya Sports Club (PSC), which we officially opened as well
on this day with Bernie.
The gracious speeches by Dr Roongtip Phromsiri, school director and
Nattaseth Pohsritong, director of Rayong Education, were both eloquent and
moving. Yet the entertainment by the kindergarten kids topped the bill,
preceded by their English language speeches. The two kindergarten girls with
their hula hoops and the young boy with his incredible sword dance touched
us the most. Bernie put it best when he said, ‘This really does make it all
worthwhile.”
Indeed it does. And to boot we have booked these same kids to perform at our
Children’s Fair this year on Sunday, September 13 at Diana Garden Resort and
Driving Range in North Pattaya. You gotta check it out!
Jesters and friends have a
look inside the new building.
The gracious speech by Dr
Roongtip,
school director was both eloquent and moving.
Mr. Nattaseth, director of
Rayong Education thanks
the benefactors for such a gracious gift.
The young boy with his
incredible sword dance has been invited to perform at the Jesters Care for
Kids Children’s Fair this year on Sunday, September 13 at Diana Garden
Resort and Driving Range in North Pattaya.
The two kindergarten girls
with their hula hoops performed a touching show.
After the proceedings, the
youngsters set
about playing on the playground equipment.
The ground shakes when these
men arrive.
AustCham introduces new office bearers
Dr. Iain Corness
The Australian Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) held another of its very
popular Seaboard Sundowners networking evenings at the Hard Rock Hotel
Pattaya, using the venue with sea views, the ‘Mezz’ (mezzanine) above the
Hard Rock Cafe. The principal sponsors were the Hard Rock itself, and Toll
Logistics (Thailand) Ltd.
 AustCham’s
new president, Andrew Durieux, welcomes members and guests to the evening’s
event.
The new (and very chatty) president of AustCham is Andrew Durieux, having
taken over from Shane Torr, who had also made the trip down from Bangkok,
along with executive director Brett Ganaway.
In an exclusive interview with Pattaya Mail TV, Andrew sounded a solemn
warning that he could see times getting tougher in the short term, though
AustCham could assist its members by fostering networking and facilitating
common approaches to common problems.
It is amazing just how the gregarious Aussies can attract such a diverse
group to their networking nights. There were the Thais with the Bangkok
Hospital Pattaya’s Ann Wangviriyaphan and Pik Sasom, Brits, led by Paul
Wilkinson (AGS Four Winds) plus the ever-present Jimmy Howard (Milan Crosse
Creative), Peter Smith (AA Insurance Brokers) and others; Americans such as
the sartorially splendid George Strampp, plus Mike Diamente (Dana), Pat
Gossett (Materials Management and Engineering - MME) and Bruce Hoppe
(Emerson Technologies); New Zealanders Michael Holt (Gardyne Holt); Dutch
folk such as John Briffa (Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube) and even Erkki Kanto, a
Finn who lives in Hollywood and is a leader of the Hollywood Foreign Press
Association and is involved with the Golden Globe awards.
The large roll-up was kept fuelled and fed by the energetic and enthusiastic
Hard Rock staff, who just seemed to be everywhere. My personal favorite was
the chap who kept refilling the guacamole dip and corn chips. I have to say
that it was a great example of suitable finger food for events such as the
Seaboard Sundowners. The same could not be said about the spare ribs. Tell
me, just how do you hold a drink, exchange business cards AND eat spare
ribs, while dribbling hickory sauce down your chin. Impossible! But corn
chips and guacamole dip! That’s the answer.
The next Seaboard Sundowners will be held on May 22. Further details can be
obtained from e-mail: execdirector @austchamthailand.com and the web site
regularly: www. austchamthailand.com
(L to R) Ilona Kanto (left),
Original Oil Paintings, Art Gallery by Ilona Kanto
and Erkki Kanto (right), member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association
(L to R) Tanya, Paula, and
Nongnuch,
all from Travel Central Thailand Co., Ltd.
Grant Atkinson (left), general
manager of Rocket Products International Co., Ltd.; and Kitirak In-Nok,
corporate sales manager for Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya.
(L to R) Narumol Janot,
assistant manager of the Hard Rock Pattaya; Sucheera Chankam, assistant
events manager for Hard Rock Pattaya; Patra Vichakanalun, sales & events
executive at Hard Rock Pattaya; and Romyakorn Jirakajanakit, assistant event
services manager with Hard Rock Pattaya.
(L to R) Paul Marks,
communications director at the American School of Bangkok; Michael Holt,
director of gH design partners; Simon Nash, international manager for gH
design partners.
(L to R) David L. Bell,
managing director of Ra-Kahng Associates Limited; Savitree Sritongorn,
corporate sales executive for Schenker Relocations; James Howard, consultant
for Milan Crosse Creative Ltd.; and Robin Hyde, development manager for
Schenker Relocations.
Peter Smith (left), director
of AA Insurance Brokers Co., Ltd.
Chats with Carey J. Archer, E-Commerce business consultant.
Prim Held (left), assistant
director of sales for Novotel Hotels;
Janshine Wisuttiphat (right), corporate sales manager for Novotel Hotels.
(L to R) Maurice D. Bromley,
chairman of Golndustry DoveBid; Renita Bromley, committee member and
treasurer of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes; Nanthini Doowa from
Pattaya Mail; Wararat Sasom, marketing coordinator at the Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya International Marketing Department; Pattaravadee Wangviriyaphan,
marketing executive at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya International Marketing
Department; and Dr. Iain Corness.
(L to R) Benjamin Marshall,
general manager of Metron Medical Co., Ltd.; Armin Walter, assistant manager
for maintenance with BMW Group Thailand; Sitsari Kitisakkul, USA; and Paul
Axford, consultant for Credenda Associates.
1.5 million baht changes hands
German and Swiss ambassadors keep their promise
A souvenir shot for everyone’s
memory.
Elfi Seitz
March 12 will surely remain in good memory for many people for many
reasons. First, the Amari Orchid & Tower hosted a Consultation Day,
organized by the German Embassy. On his first official consultation day, Dr.
Hanns Schumacher, German Ambassador to Thailand, who took office at the end
of last year, was supported by Rudolf Hofer, Austrian Honorary Counsel.
Together, they answered questions, gave advice and helped visitors to cope
with the paper-warfare. Despite the heavy rush of people, Dr. Schumacher,
jovial and friendly as ever, had an open ear for anyone’s concern.
 Heidi
Glémeau presents toys and food to Supagon Noja.
Subsequently, the German Ambassador visited the Child Protection &
Development Center (CPDC) under the patronage of Human Help Network (HHN), a
foundation assisting street kids.
It was like a dream come true for Supagon Noja, CPDC director, and Radchada
“Toy” Chomjinda, director of the HHN Foundation Pattaya. Both were happy, as
was Ewald Dietrich, founder and honorary chairman of HHN, to receive a check
valued at one million baht from H.E. Dr. Schumacher.
Dr. Rodolphe Imhoof, Swiss Ambassador to Thailand, traveled to Pattaya ad
hoc, presenting another check worth half a million baht to the Foundation,
from which the CPDC will also benefit.
 (L
to R) Ewald Dietrich and Supagon Noja greet the Swiss ambassador.
Finally, solid buildings can be constructed, offering their residents safe
accommodation rather than the current rough-and-ready one. At first, three
buildings will be constructed on an area of one rai. Another 10 rai will be
used to grow vegetables and fish, install various sports facilities, etc.
Both the ambassadors signed the agreement with Radchada and Noja excitedly,
with which HHN commits to use the funds exclusively for the stated purpose.
According to the contract, construction must be concluded by October this
year.
After a photo session, which was particularly enjoyed by the children, Dr.
Schumacher held that, having given the over-sized cardboard check, it was
about time to present the ‘real’ check. Radchada signaled consent by
determinedly nodding her head, and the money changed hands.
H.E. Dr. Schumacher and H.E. Dr. Imhoof both announced to regularly check on
the construction progress. They look forward to the opening of the new home,
which will definitely not happen without their presence.
Amongst several German and Swiss guests were Birgit and Egbert Scherer, the
initiators of the ‘old’ home. It was an affecting moment for them to see
their project making such a huge advancement.
Upon his arrival, the German
ambassador accepts flowers from a girl.
Also attending were (L to R)
Marie Therese Curschellas, Birgit Scherer, Heidi Glémeau, Egbert Scherer,
Andrea Manger, Elfi Seitz and Bruce from America.
Good-humored, Supagon Noja
signs the agreement,
while both ambassadors and Radchada look on.
The kids form an honor guard
to welcome both excellencies.
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