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Hard Rock hosts farewell celebration party
Artists, Mayor Ittiphol and
Hard Rock Hotel management pose for a commemorative photo during the party.
Nattaporn Ketudat
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya recently hosted a Farewell Celebration Party
at the Hall of Fame to all participating artists, media, sponsors and
organizers in conjunction with “Pattaya International Music Festival 2009”.
The Farewell Celebration Party was held on the evening of March 21 and was
officially graced by the Mayor of Pattaya, Itthipol Khunplome. After his
opening speech, he presented the official key to Pattaya City to the Girls
Generations band from Korea and the Cell band from Laos.
This year, with the support of GMM Grammy, all international artists such as
Shinee and Girl Generation from Korea, Danson Tang from Taiwan, Kenny Kwan
from Hong Kong, Kym Jin Sha from China, Rynn Lim from Malaysia and local
artists … put together fantastic shows and great performances to thrill and
rock thousands of music fans that came to celebrate this festival in the
city in March.
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya is proud to be associated with this prestigious
event as music is our culture, our philosophy and on this occasion, music
brings all of us together, from all over the world!
U.T.S. receives a certificate of appreciation
Christina Boden
John Richardson of U.T.S recently received a certificate of appreciation
from Christina Boden of the Charity Club of Pattaya at John’s U.T.S. factory in
Ban Chang Rayong.
 John
Richardson, director of U.T.S. receives his certificate from Christina Boden of
the Charity Club.
John has been a sponsor every year since the club has been running, which is now
in its 5th year. John is an extremely busy man, but always finds the time to
help the Charity Club when needed. John handed over his Pledge at his classic
car museum.
Also recently, Malcolm Boden of the Charity club of Pattaya presented Vic King
of the Queen Victoria Inn his certificate of appreciation for being a Platinum
sponsor for the Charity Gala Dinner 2009 at the World of Wine show room.
Vic has also been a sponsor every year since the formation of the club. Vic is
the Charity Club’s treasurer.
The next charity event hosted by the Charity Club of Pattaya will be on the
Tuesday 21st April Celebrating St. George’s Day at the Caddy Shack (Nr the old
Harley Bar).
Contact Christina or Malcolm for details and tickets or Keith at the Caddy
Shack. Christina 0895454185 Malcolm on 089 7441040;
[email protected]
Malcolm Boden (right) presents Vic
King
of the Queen Victoria Inn his certificate of appreciation.
PCEC celebrates 8th birthday
The Pattaya City Expats Club celebrated their 8th Anniversary
at the Amari’s Henry J. Beans Restaurant on Sunday, March 29.
Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg began the proceedings by announcing that
today there would be a departure from having the usual guest speaker program,
and instead, the meeting would be a reflection on the beginning, the present,
and the future of the club.
 Past
Chairman Richard Smith, one of the most active members of PCEC, talks of
activities of the Computer group, the Photography Group, and the Banglamung
Cross Cultural Group, which offers English classes to Thai staff of many local
businesses.
In honor of the occasion, the Henry J. Beans staff brought out a very large
Happy Anniversary cake for display. Emcee Richard first called on the present
chairman of the governing board, Michel de Gourmois, to get things started.
Chairman Michel shared with the audience two congratulatory letters the club had
received, one from Chonburi Governor Surapon Pongtadsirikun and the other from
the Pattaya Mayor Ittipol Khunplome. Chairman Michel also thanked the Amari
management for donating the cake and the staff of HJB for their service at club
meetings over the years.
Emcee Richard then called on founding member and past Chairman Max Rommel to
share the beginnings of the Expats Club in 2001. Max commented on the different
venues where the Club met, noting they had changed to larger and larger
facilities as the club grew in attendance. The club’s association with the Amari
Orchard Resort began when the Amari first provided a large meeting room in the
hotel and later changed to the club’s present home at Amari’s HJB restaurant.
 Al
Serrato, treasurer of PCEC, says that financially the club is a picture of
health.
Following Max Rommel was three time past Chairman Drew Noyes. He mentioned how
the club began primarily with the goal of Expats helping Expats, but has evolved
into much more. He described the club’s numerous activities and its involvement
in helping the community as mentioned in the governor’s and mayor’s letters.
Drew singled out the call from the then Chonburi governor for the club’s help in
overcoming the adverse impact of the Avian Flu scare a few years back. An
international press conference was held in Chonburi where club members joined
many government officials in feasting on “chicken” to show the world that it was
safe to come to Thailand. This helped the event receive broad coverage in the
press of other countries. Drew concluded his remarks by noting that the most
important people are the club’s members that keep the club going through their
continued participation.
Emcee Richard Silverberg told everyone that the club owed much of its success
directly to immediate past chairman and current board member Richard Smith’s
devoted service. He called on Richard Smith, who then highlighted the various
activities of the club with particular emphasis on the English conversation
classes, which has now helped over 250 Thais in improving their English language
skill (the 9th nine week class is now nearing completion). The classes operate
under the auspices of the Banglamung district government and were originally
established to benefit government staff, but now accept many other Thais. He
mentioned that the success of this program has resulted in its expansion. At the
request of the Royal Thai Navy, three similar classes were conducted at the
naval base in Sattahip. Also, currently, a class is being provided for Amari
hotel and restaurant staff. Richard noted that the Thai participants are most
appreciative because increasing their language skill improves their chances for
advancement. Richard concluded by mentioning the club’s planned participation in
the upcoming Chonburi Songkran parade as the club has again been invited by the
Banglamung district chief to join the parade with other groups to fully
represent Banglamung district.
Emcee Richard then called on Darrel Vaught who is the person behind the club’s
weekly newsletter. Darrel mentioned that when he took over the newsletter duties
some two years ago, the newsletter was very plain, lacked eye appeal, and was
somewhat difficult to read. This has changed and with plans for updating the
club’s website using more advanced software, it is hoped that graphics may be
added to future newsletters distributed by email. Darrel said the plans for the
new website are to make it easier to navigate and update. Darrel said that the
current plan of the web site committee is to have it operational in July of this
year.
 PCEC
Chairman Michel de Goumois, Past Chairmen Drew Noyes and Richard Smith, and
founder member Max Rommel cut the cake celebrating our 8th birthday.
Following Darrel were Club Secretary David Meador and Club Treasurer Al Serrato.
David commented on the club’s progress since he became secretary some four years
ago and how well the current board members work together to keep improving the
club. Al commented on his efforts to improve the membership process and on how
he and Chairman Michel also identify and arrange the venues for the monthly
members’ dinner, which are a great way for members and guests to get to know one
another better.
Lawrie McLoughlin, who chairs the program committee, followed with a brief
description of the committee’s activity and some upcoming speakers to look
forward to hearing. Emcee Richard then called on the representative of the
Special Interest Groups to give a brief description of their activities, noting
that these groups are formed by members with a common interest and take place
outside the regular Sunday meeting, some getting together weekly or monthly and
others periodically. Their presentations were followed with the cutting and
eating of the cake.
Emcee Richard then updated everyone on upcoming events and called on Hawaii Bob
to conduct the always informative and often humorous Open Forum where
information is shared on living in Pattaya and Thailand.
Stingray catch stuns fishermen
Laem Huayyai brings his catch
ashore.
Patcharapol Panrak
Five fortunate fishermen were stunned by the number of stingrays they
were able to catch off Laem Poochao in Sattahip.
The excited fishermen found that they were in luck as within only a few hours
they had hooked more than 100 kilograms of stingrays, proving to them that the
ecosystem in Sattahip Gulf is still in a healthy balance.
Laem Huayyai, 32, took four friends to fish in the evening of March 23, cruising
past Koh Ped, Had Saikaew, Ao Tung Pong, Had Teuy Ngarm and Laem Poo Chao. They
anchored off Laem Tien pier, which is free of rocks and coral reefs.
Laem said that he became busy as soon as he got out his fishing gear and dropped
the line. The five fishermen hooked one stingray after another overnight until
almost morning when the seawater was still. They then returned to port in the
morning.
He said that it was very rare to have caught so many stingrays. Some nights he
would catch nothing at all.
He sells fish for 30 baht per kg at the pier to market merchants, who would then
sell them for 60-70 baht per kg. Stingrays, however, sell for 150 baht per kg
and black rays sell for around 200 baht per kilogram.
Slum dog millionaire?
Sue K sent in this photo, with
the caption: I want to be a slum dog millionaire.
Friends of PDA
fundraising drive continues
Target: One Million Baht
The Friends of PDA will sponsor a village in Isaan as part of
the PDA’s Village Development Partnership.
PDA = Population and Development Community Association, founded by Mechai
Viravaidya of Cabbages and Condoms fame.
The Village Development Partnership is based on community empowerment for
income-generating activities and health development. Using an initial
contribution from donors, Partnership projects aim to turn the poor into
“barefoot entrepreneurs” so that they can earn a living and afford the basic
necessities of life.
The projects are community-driven (i.e., based on needs identified by the
villagers), community-owned (i.e., run by the villagers), and sustainable (i.e.,
the businesses continue to run even after the project itself terminates).
The Village Development Partnership also promotes environmental sustainability.
Each project starts with the planting of a large number of trees. The funds for
the saplings come from the partner’s initial contribution. A small village of
400 people might plant 10,000 trees. For each tree planted, a contribution is
made to a Village Development Bank. Villagers can then apply for loans from the
bank to start small businesses. PDA reports that the rate of loan repayment is
very high (over 90 percent).
PDA currently operates approximately 360 Village Development Partnership
projects.
Anyone who wants to contribute to this worthwhile project may do so. After the
initial contribution, no additional funds are solicited from donors. Receipts
are given for all contributions, with tax receipts provided for contributions of
5,000 baht or more.
If you would like to contribute, please see a member of the friends of PDA
group, or contact:
David Garmaise at dgarmaise@gmail. com. Tel. 086 829-1301.
Stuart Saunders at [email protected]. Tel. 086 138-8654.
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