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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

PCEC members produce movies and ask experts

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya invites people to ‘knock out cancer’

3 divers from 3 continents become PADI instructors with Pattaya’s Aquanauts

Charity Club of Pattaya receives second Platinum Sponsor

PCEC members produce movies and ask experts

The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday March 14th at Henry J. Bean’s continued the trend of recent meetings with a speaker with a difference.

The week’s MC Hawaii Bob introduced Steve Rouse, who has 25 years experience within the motion picture industry. Steve was originally a child actor before progressing to the point where he is now directing films and writing screenplays. Steve was an assistant director on such well known films such as Superman 3 and 4, Empire of the Sun and Alien 2.

Steve Rouse, with 25 years in the motion picture industry, shares his experiences and memories as assistant director of such films as Superman 3 and 4, Empire of the Sun and Alien 2.

Steve described the complexities of the film making process. He commented that directing was the most difficult part of the process as the director was required to sign off all aspects of the production.

Of considerable interest to the audience, he showed a preview trailer of a feature film, Reclaim Pirates Curse, of which he was the executive producer. It was filmed in Thailand. Steve explained that the Thai film industry meets the escapist demands of Thai cinema goers inasmuch as the films are more likely to portray horror, ghosts and other grisly scenes rather than the relating of an historical story. Steve provided examples of storyboards used for the film, a schedule for production and budgetary statements for both above and below the line costs.

A large number of questions were put to Steve as the interest in this subject was high. Packages were available for those wishing to invest in the film industry.

Paul Strachan, production manager of Pattaya Mail TV, shares with PCEC members his vision of ‘Ask the Expats’ (as distinct from ask the experts) - Q & A about the everyday problems incurred living in Thailand.

Next to speak was the more familiar figure of Pattaya Mail TV’s own Paul Strachan. Referring to the previous speaker that he was going from ‘Tinsel Town to Fun Town’, Paul announced that production work had started on a new project portion of the PMTV show which will be called ‘Ask the Experts’.

This would enable answers to just about any aspect of living in Pattaya and Thailand in general to be put to those people who actually have the knowledge to respond.

An example of this might be regarding the availability of education visas. This would be asked by a member of the public then Paul and his team would find an expert to give the correct response.

‘Ask the Experts’ is intended to give information, in a fun way and with a huge range of topics to be tackled. This show will also strengthen ties within the business community, who will be called on to demonstrate their expertise, and that members of the PCEC would also hopefully be willing to contribute their time to answer some of the FAQs that need to be addressed such as “How do I get a Thai Drivers Licence’, all of which can help facilitate a better and perhaps safer quality of life here in the Land of Smiles.

Paul showed an example and preview of the proposed new programme and due to the range of topics and filming it is hoped that this new show will be coming to our screens within the next few weeks.

After some announcements, the regular Open Forum was then underway led by Les Edmunds. Prior to the session Les announced that 6 kilograms of can ring pulls had been collected which can be used to manufacture artificial limbs. He commented that 1 kilogram was required to make one artificial limb. The future intention was to provide a unit which would provide a mobile service, providing help where it is needed.

As always the Open Forum provided an opportunity for questions about living in Thailand with an emphasis on Pattaya to be asked. As always it proved to be the usual lively and entertaining session. For more information regarding not only PCEC Sunday meetings but also the varied mid week activities, please see the Community Happenings section of Pattaya Mail or, for more details, visit the Club’s website at pattayacityexpatsclub.com


Bangkok Hospital Pattaya invites people to ‘knock out cancer’

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya invited people to “Knock Out Cancer” during a six-day campaign at raising awareness and funds to combat the deadly disease.

Visitors learn about cancer prevention at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s “Knock Out Cancer” exhibition.

The March 8-13 exhibition provided knowledge about the five leading cancers in Thailand affecting the liver, lungs, colon, breasts and cervix. Information included prevention tips and consultations with medical staff.

The hospital also sold Knock Out Cancer stuffed bears for 199 baht each to raise funds for the Cancer Foundation.

Until the end of March the hospital is also offering cancer-testing packages from 4,900 to 8,929 baht.


3 divers from 3 continents become PADI instructors with Pattaya’s Aquanauts

From left, new PADI instructor Jonathan Harris, Aquanauts Master Instructor Meg Smith, new instructors Scott Beadle and Tim Fiorito, and Master Instructor Gary Tytler.

Pattaya Mail Staff
Three men from three continents became the latest Aquanauts Dive Centre students to become professional instructors when they passed this month’s PADI Instructor Exam in Pattaya.

Jonathan Harris of the United Kingdom, Scott Beadle of South Africa and Tim Fiorito of Canada posted near-perfect scores across the board on the March 15-17 exam at Discovery Beach Hotel near Aquanauts’ headquarters on Soi 6 and Beach Road.

Fiorito, at barely 19, became the youngest instructor ever to successfully complete Aquanauts’ instructor internship program. Beadle, meanwhile, came to the PADI 5-Star Career Development Center in September as an uncertified diver and worked his way up through the ranks over the past six months.

Harris, who came to Pattaya in mid-December and quickly earned a reputation for his flat-out determination, said all three guys found the exam much easier than Aquanauts’ demanding training program and thanked his instructors profusely at a post-exam party, saying the course has changed his life and he wants to teach diving for the rest of his life.

As the only PADI instructor-training center in Central Thailand with a 100 percent success rate since June 2007, Aquanauts takes people from all over the world and all walks of life an helps them change their lives and careers. For more information on its internship programs, see www.DivingInstructor Training.com


Charity Club of Pattaya receives second Platinum Sponsor

Malcolm Boden (left) receives the Platinum Sponsor
donation from U.T.S. MD John Richardson.

Christina Boden
Malcolm Boden of the Charity Club of Pattaya recently collected the club’s second Platinum Sponsorship, this time from Ultimate Technology Services MD John Richardson at the U.T.S. premises in Ban Chang.

This will be the fourth time that U.T.S. (www.uts.-steel-construction.com) has been a Platinum Sponsor.

Note: Tickets for the Charity Gala Dinner for Saturday June 4th 2010 at the All Season’s Hotel Pattaya will be on sale soon.