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Ankhang Nature Resort subject of PCEC guest lecture

The Lighthouse Club - Lighting the way for a Brighter Future in Pattaya

Thai Garden Resort treats Pattaya Orphanage to fun day out

Thai Proverbs for Farangs

Ankhang Nature Resort subject of PCEC guest lecture

The regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club got underway at the Amari’s Henry J. Beans Restaurant on Sunday, May 10, when, after the usual announcements, Master of Ceremonies (Emcee) Richard Silverberg introduced this week’s speaker, Makoo Techasopon, deputy manager of the Amari Resort and Tower Hotel, our hosts at Henry J. Beans.

Makoo Techasopon, deputy general manager of Amari Resort Pattaya, shares with PCEC members his career including working with HM the King’s project at Doi Tung, Chiang Mai
Makoo was born in Chiang Mai and, after graduating from Ramkhamhaeng University with a degree in law, spent 10 years of his working life as the general manager of the Ankhang Nature Resort, a 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai City.
The resort is situated in the highland area of Doi Ankhang and is part of the Royal Ankhang Research Station. Amid stunning mountain scenery, under the direction of His Majesty the King, hill-tribe land has been reclaimed from illegal logging and opium growing, and put to work farming fruit, vegetables and herbs. Local farmers are given access to modern agricultural techniques and new crops, and taught outreach skills. As well as native plants, non-indigenous crops add to the rich harvest: strawberries, kiwi fruit, apricots, peaches, plums and even rhubarb have been grown and marketed successfully.

Hawaii Bob Sutterfield (right) and brother Tim capably handle the open forum - your source for all the answers about Thailand.
Makoo, appointed to run the resort when it was taken over by Amari, is particularly proud of the school he founded for hill-tribe children, with money raised from donors. He taught there himself, and on his Junior Guide Programme has trained successive classes to be tour-guides, giving the students a range of communications and business skills, as well as raising awareness of the project nationally.
But his warmest words were reserved for the Royal Family, all of whom he met in the course of his work there. “At Doi Ankhang we try and let people know about HM the King’s philosophy through practical experience of his work,” he said. “He inspires you to follow in his footsteps.”
Relaxed, and speaking perfect English though he’s never lived or studied abroad, Makoo was himself inspirational in his enthusiasm for the project, and hopes one day to return, “To continue my mission there.” He urged expats to give themselves a luxury holiday at the resort, where activities include mountain-biking, hill-walking, mule-riding and bird-watching. Further details can be found online at www. amari.com/angkhang.

Members of the Friends of the PDA subgroup of PCEC discuss how best to assist the PDA (Population and Community Development Association) in lifting rural communities from poverty, by means of a business education (the barefoot MBA) and by arranging microcredit.

Makoo’s talk and slide-show were followed by announcements of upcoming events in Pattaya, dining out recommendations and information about the Club’s many special interest groups. The meeting ended as usual, with Emcee Richard calling on Hawaii Bob Sutterfield to conduct the Open Forum, with members swapping practical information about living in Thailand.

The Lighthouse Club - Lighting the way for a Brighter Future in Pattaya

Mark Thompson
The tough times from this global recession are showing little sign of respite here in Pattaya made evident in recent hotel occupancy rates that are currently less than 50%. Unfavourable exchange rates, fewer tourists, political demonstrations to name a few of the compounding issues to our local economic downturn. How do we as individual business people respond to such conditions?
Although not a solution to the economic issues, in the Lighthouse Club we have a beacon of light that not only serves as an informal networking evening for those within construction and real estate, but a charity that gives back to the community through helping orphaned children of construction workers through an organisation called Sanuk.
Last month’s event was generously sponsored by Paradise City Property, who have real estate offices not only in Pattaya but Rayong and Hua Hin too. Managing Director Gavin Perfect probably sums it up best when he states, ‘It feels great knowing that when you attend these productive networking evenings, mixing with like minded business people discussing opportunities and issues in the market place that you are also having a very positive impact on children far less fortunate than us. The Lighthouse Club currently covers the cost of one full time member of staff that looks after these children and we have also provided art and craft to help stimulate their minds.’
On the fourth Friday of each month they hold an event at either Jameson’s or one of the two Shenanigans and it is open to all, both member (200 baht) and non member (500 baht). A generous buffet and supply of beer and wine is included in your entry fees. With in the region of sixty attendees each month it really is the place to come and meet some key players in construction and real estate in Pattaya whilst also supporting a fantastic cause.
You may have a business that you wish to come and sponsor an evening with them. Previous sponsors have seen real benefits in getting a group like this together and spending time sharing information on their operations over a glass of wine or bottle of beer! This really is a rare and scarce - there are only 12 events a year - chance to showcase your business in front of the right people.
So, if you are in business and want to light the way to a brighter future for you and others less fortunate then the Lighthouse Club should be an essential monthly event for your schedule. In today’s tough business climate to ‘do nothing’ is not an option, creating opportunities, however, is a must and in the Lighthouse Club you have a ready made event to create such an opportunity.
Paradise City Property have extensive property listings, both in sales and rental across Pattaya, Rayong and Hua Hin, on their state of the art web page www.paradise cityproperty.com - well worth checking out if only for a browse of the different properties across the region. They can also be contacted on 038-373966 or pattaya @paradisecityproperty.
For details of forthcoming Lighthouse Club events including sponsorship contact Mark Thompson at [email protected].

Thai Garden Resort treats Pattaya Orphanage to fun day out

Danilo Becker
On the 25th of April 2009 children from the Pattaya Orphanage visited the Thai Garden Resort.
After a friendship football match at the orphanage, they finally had time to enjoy a nice kids’ buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, french-fries and fried noodles at the Thai Garden Resort.
After lunch, they had time to enjoy games at the huge swimming pool, or just enjoy some ice cream while playing with each other.
All of the children had a lot of fun and went back to the orphanage very happy.

Thai Garden Resort staff, led by GM Rene Pisters (standing, 2nd left) treated children from the Pattaya Orphanage to a fun day at the hotel.

Thai Proverbs for Farangs

by Thai-lish
Are you one of those who are interested in Thai culture, mentality, and language but find it hard to understand and get to the hearts of the people?
Learn these Thai proverbs and you’ll have a deeper understanding of Thais and even impress a few.
Thai proverbs are centuries old, and are widely used among the Thai people in order to explain the situations and matters so that the others can have a clear picture about what they are saying.
Some of the proverbs have words that usually rhyme the end of the first clause with the beginning or the middle of the second clause.
It is an artistic and fun way and to communicate. Try it.
Adage 2
ก้นหม้อยังไม่ทันดำ (gôn-môr-yang-mâi-tan-dam)

Gôn = bottom
môr = pot
yang-mâi-tan = not yet
dam = black or burnt
Meaning: “the bottom of the rice pot is not black yet”
This usually refers to couples that break up soon after they are married. The pot that they cook rice in is still new and the bottom is not even burnt yet and they are already divorced.
You can also apply this proverb to the previous two Prime Ministers we had in 2008. Both were kicked out of the office before their bottoms got black. Oh well, see you next week.
Sawat dee.

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