(L to R)
Peter Köppinger (left) and Dr. Paul Chamnien Vorratnchaiphan (right) present
Prai Pattano with a check for 100,000 baht to support flood victims in Hat
Yai.
Peter Nordhues
Public officials, NGOs and academics from five nations
gathered in Pattaya this week to exchange ideas on how to raise the fortunes
of the poor in Southeast Asia.
The “Partnership for Local Governance in Southeast-Asia”
project, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the European
Commission, ran Nov. 18-25 at the Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa. Ninety
representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam
participated.
“DELGOSEA is a network of local government associations,
authorities, non-government organizations and academic institutions who work
closely with the Municipal League of Thailand. We want to contribute to the
aim for better living conditions of disadvantaged groups and promote their
participation in local decision-making,” Konrad Foundation head Peter
Köppinger said at a pre-event press conference.
Participating organizations include the Association of
Cities of Vietnam; Local Government Development Foundation, Philippines;
National League of Communes of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Thailand Environment
Institute; United Cities and Local Governments for Asia Pacific, Indonesia;
and Association of Indonesian Regency.
By exchanging experiences, the five nations should be
able to launch communal projects adapted to the respective nation, Köppinger
said.
“In our opinion, the cooperation on communal levels in
the whole region should be improved. Problems like natural disasters and
poverty can be found in the whole region. Many of these problems can be
solved on a communal level.”
Prai Pattano, president of the Municipal League of
Thailand, noted that flooding in Thailand this year has taken the lives of
220 people. “I’m sure if the communities had been better prepared for this
natural disaster, there would be not so many lives lost,” he said.
Köppinger and Dr Paul Chamnien Vorratnchaiphan, director
of the Thailand Environment Institute, presented Prai with a check for
100,000 baht to support flood victims in Hat Yai.
“I don’t believe in the myth central governments could
regulate everything,” Vorratnchaiphan said. “Communal authorities are better
to handle specific situations, if they got more scope for decisions. The
participants of our seven-day workshop will exploit their knowledge in pilot
projects in 16 cities.”
DELGOSEA has chosen five cities in Thailand as examples
of communal governance: Prik, Phuket, Muang Klang, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.
These cities launched projects for improvement of communal services,
awareness of environment and participation of the communities on
decision-making.
The Germany-based Konrad Adenauer Foundation promotes
national and international peace, liberty and equity by political education.
The foundation is funded mainly by the German government, but can spend
their budget independently.
(L to R)
Mark Rogers, Mix 88.5 FM; Mark Bowling, Colliers International; and Craig
Muldoon, Global Investments.
Dr. Iain Corness
The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) held its
latest networking evening in the spacious surrounds of the award-winning
Horseshoe Point development. As always there was a host of red baton wavers to
guide those not ‘in the know’ to a safe parking area, which was large enough to
accommodate the almost 200 members, networkers and guests. With this event
sponsored by the BCCT in cooperation with Horseshoe Point, Siam Country Club and
the Thai Polo Club, they were able to offer free entry for everyone - and as
always, ‘no free offer is ever undersubscribed’!
(L to R)
Ray and Andreas chat over a beer.
The actual venue was on a man-made island in front of the
housing development, complete with candle-lit ‘krathongs’ floating on the
waterways. Quite a spectacular venue, and resident local Rick Bryant was quick
to point out that the development looked pristine at all times; it was not a
quick detail before the BCCT networking.
The food provided by Horseshoe Point was similar to last
year’s event and of a very high standard complete with Japanese, Thai and
European cuisines being offered. There was certainly enough to feed the hungry
hordes.
Refreshments were supplied with around 10 Tiger Beer
hostesses doing the rounds and dispensing draft Tiger and large smiles, as well
as wines and soft drinks.
Entertainment included an easy listening group and with the
mild weather it was certainly conducive to socializing, and that was evident
with people moving around, finding others with similar interests. One of these
was Garry Irvin, the Business Development Director of Resource Link recruitment.
Garry was very up-beat saying that his company’s business was expanding
exponentially with new companies starting to set up in Thailand, even before the
first ground-breaking ceremonies. All good news.
(L to R)
Yongyuth Wiangsimma, general manager (Design & Construction) of Horseshoe Point;
Itthikorn Eurpornpaisarn, resort general manager of Horseshoe Point; and
Prasertchai Phornprapha, director of Siam County Club Pattaya Plantation.
Enjoying herself, as usual, was Foo (Felicity) Smith telling
anyone who would stand still long enough about the British style Pantomime
Aladdin. She carefully explained that in these pantomimes, the principal boy is
a girl, while the leading lady is a boy … or something similar, which sounds as
if it will fit the Pattaya scene perfectly! It is a short version about 45
minutes long, and will be performed at various venues between Friday December 3
and Sunday December 18, including a family matinee at The Bed on Sunday the 12th
at 3 p.m.
(L to R)
Foo Smity, Peter Smith, director of AA Insurance Broker Co., Ltd., and Nan.
Mix 88.5 FM’s Russell and DJ Mark Rogers were in attendance,
with Russell very enthusiastic about their new morning sessions which will start
at 6 a.m. and have already generated much interest in the ex-pat community.
However, looking at some of the glassy-eyed imbibers by late in the evening, the
time of 6 a.m. means getting home late, rather than getting up early.
It was an excellent networking opportunity in fabulous
surroundings and a vote of thanks was given to the sponsors.
The next BCCT networking will be on Friday December 3, in
conjunction with the Movers and Shakers group, the Lighthouse Club and the
Australian Chamber of Commerce and held at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach
Resort.
(L to R)
Herman van Gucht, director of Town & Country Property; Ann; and Louis J. Van den
Berghm, CEO of 4A Properties.
(L to R)
Jerry N. Stewart, non-executive director and chief financial officer for
Business & Financial Consultancy & Education; Simon Philbrook, client advisor
for the MBMG Group; John McHugh, Sports Bar & Grill; Deborah Philbrook; and
Graham Macdonald; director of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand.
(L to R)
Lacey Winterton; Fergus Gould, Thai Polo manager;
and Tim Ward, instructor of Thai Polo.
(L to R)
Kevin Fisher, manager of the Far East Region of Cranes and Equipment Ltd.; John
Clarke, chief executive officer of Forbears Freedom Wealth Management Co., Ltd.;
and Miss Rujira Phatham.
(L to R)
Itthikorn Eurpornpaisarn, resort general manager of Horseshoe Point; Linda
Srifuengfung, CEO of Horseshoe Point; Graham Macdonald, director of the British
Chamber of Commerce Thailand; Wanatcha Phetkaew, senior tenancy and customer
service officer of Horseshoe Point; and Chawanporn Kaewkaemtong, sales executive
of Horseshoe Point.
(L to R)
Colin Watson; Christina and Malcolm Boden from the Charity Club of Pattaya; and
Andy Hall, projects director for CEA.
