Announcements

The British Consulate in Pattaya is closed due to staff leave until Monday, January 17. The Consular Section of the British Embassy in Bangkok is currently handling consular enquiries (Tel: 02 305 8333) and requests for notarial services (Tel: 02 305 8351).

Events

The Pattaya International Balloon Fiesta 2010 is being held from 13 - 16 January 2011 at Thammasat University, Pattaya center. As well as all the colorful balloons with their distinctive shapes from ten countries in Europe and Asia, there will also be flying competitions including paramotoring, parachuting, stunt flying, an international kite competition, aeromodelling, horse show, bike stunt show, and concerts plus stalls selling various OTOP products. For more details call 038 423 990; or TAT Pattaya on 038 427 667, 038 428 750; or for information on getting to the event, go to http://www.pibf. info/2011/th/visit_guide/ (Thai language).

The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) will be holding an Eastern Seaboard networking evening on Friday, January 21 starting at 6:30 p.m. The venue has yet to be announced but BCCT members can obtain further details by visiting www. bccthai.com. A further update will be announced in the Pattaya Mail once more information is to hand.

The third annual Pattaya International Bed Race will be held on Walking Street on Sunday January 30, 2011. Organized by the Rotary Club of Pattaya and Pattaya City Hall, all the proceeds from the event go to fund the many charities that the Rotary Club of Pattaya sponsors. The fee to take part is 5,000 baht per team and entrants can register online at www.pattayabedrace.com.

Clubs and Associations

The next meeting of Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) will be on Sunday, January 16. Everyone is warmly welcome. The guest speaker will be Dr. Montien Sirisuntornlak an Orthopedic Specialist from Phyathai Sriracha Hospital. His topic will be about Osteoporosis; a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. The hospital will also be providing free blood pressure checks during the meeting. The Club meets every Sunday morning at the Tavern by the Sea Restaurant located on the north end of Beach Road (part of the Amari Orchid Resort). The program starts as usual at 10:30 a.m. with a buffet breakfast available from 9 to 11 a.m. Each week the PCEC has an interesting speaker to talk on various subjects of interest in an informal setting. The program is followed by the ever lively and often humorous Open Forum where questions are asked and answers given about living in Pattaya as well as an update on events in and around Pattaya. A full report appears each week in Pattaya Mail. For more information about the Sunday meeting and the numerous other weekday activities of the PCEC, see the Club’s website at www. pattayacityexpatsclub.com and learn more about the many and varied activities of the Club.

The Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) organizes regular lunches and coffee mornings on the first and third Tuesday of every month. For more information email [email protected], or go to the website at www.pattaya-pilc.com

The Pattaya Irish Society meets every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Moonrakers in Pong. Call John on 086 112 0988 for details.

Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya welcomes you to their Wednesday meetings in the Rotary room Royal Cliff Grand Hotel: Time 18.30 for 19.00. Contact Lloyd Jones (Membership) 0878043943.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Pattaya: The Pattaya Group meets Wednesday and Thursday at noon (open); Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 5 p.m. (closed) and Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (closed) at the Satree Pattana Center, Soi Skaw Beach (2nd Rd): contact Carl on 084 563 1671. The Good Morning Pattaya Group meets 9 a.m. every morning at the Highlander Guest House, Soi Skaw Beach. All meetings are ‘open’: contact Mike 086 009 6276. The Jomtien Group meets every day at noon at Jomtien Long Stay Hotel: contact: Bill 086 156 8102, Mark 087 096 6069, Bob 087 085 3356, Thai contact: Somchai 081 445 3302. The Scandinavian Group meets on Tuesdays and Fridays 6 p.m. at the Norwegian Seaman’s Church, Thappraya Road Soi 7: contact Hans 085 135 7755 or Rune (Rayong) 089 754 9515.

For the past 28 years the Samaritans of Thailand have been providing confidential crisis intervention services over the telephone. The English-speaking unit, Samaritans English Help Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support to the expatriate community. English-speaking staff, trained in crisis intervention will provide active, non-judgmental and empathetic listening services on the phone. All calls will be handled on an anonymous basis and are free of charge. Please call (02) 713-6791 (24hrs a day, 7 days a week).

The Rotary Club Pattaya Marina meets every Friday at 7.00 p.m. at the Pullman Aisawan, Wongamat Beach, between Soi 16 and 18 in Naklua. The evening meetings include a sumptuous international buffet. For more information contact Club President Eric Larbouillat at [email protected]

The Dutch Expats Club meets the last Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. Feel free to see our website for the location address: http://nvtpattaya.org. New members are always welcome.

DACH-Club - Meetings of German speaking residents for dining, discussions, films and gemutlichkeit. Pat’s Leckerle, Soi 33 Naklua. Check website http://www. dach-th.org/location.html

The RLC (Rayong Ladies Circle), which operates mainly in the Ban Chang and Rayong areas, is a friendly and social group of international women. They hold a monthly coffee morning, amongst many other activities, on each second Tuesday of every month in the home of one of their members. Everyone most welcome to join! For more information contact [email protected] or visit www.rayongladiescircle.com

Dining

The Peak Restaurant features a culinary connection of the old and the new Shanghai cuisine throughout the month of January with tempting dishes such as Shanghainese red braised pork knuckle with Shao Xing wine, oyster sauce and fresh leaf spinach; Sugar-cured glutinous red dates, cinnamon apple, seared Foie Gras with celery, crisp-fried ginger, fresh lily bulbs and more! Daily dim sum lunch is also available. The Peak provides seating for 80 people overlooking the bay of Pattaya and is located at the Dusit Thani Resort in North Pattaya, next to the Dolphin roundabout. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For reservations and more information please call (0) 3842-5611 to 7, ext. 2276.

Manhattans Restaurant is now open with a festive menu at 1,000 every baht evening until January 9 and then closed on Sundays (changing from Monday). The restaurant offers Pattaya’s best steaks, superb seafood and international a la carte in a luxurious setting. They also have live music every evening through December and January. Reservation can be made on 038 259 790.

The Paulanergarten beer garden offers all your favourite German and Thai cuisines accompanied by imported beer from Munich. The menu boasts a wide range of foods for your dining pleasure including mouth watering desserts and a special selection of fine wines. Enjoy the amazing sunset views from the 3rd floor location of the Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya (Beach Road side) as you dine. Call 081 866 7547, 082 790 1782 or go to www.paulaner-thailand.com

Theme Buffet Evenings at the Montien Hotel, Pattaya: Wednesday at La Mer Restaurant - Mediterranean Buffet Dinner 6.30p.m. - 10.00 p.m. Savour original culinary delights from the sunny Mediterranean. A rich array of southern European favorites available: Adults Baht 695++, Children Baht 400++. Friday at the Verandah (Coffee Shop) - BBQ & Seafood Buffet Dinner 6.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m., “Irresistible Seafood” with a net-full of fresh seafood and tender sizzling meats: Adults Baht 795++, Children Baht 450++. For reservations please call 038-428155, 038- 361340 ext 1620, 1621, E-mail; [email protected]

For the first month of the year, The Bay Italian Restaurant will let diners explore the culinary heritage of Umbria, one of the smallest Italian regions known for its well-preserved hills and beautiful river valleys. The modest yet sublime characteristics of Umbrian cuisine will be presented in dishes such as Filetto di Salmone in una Foglia di Cavolo (steamed fillet of salmon in a cabbage leaf with lentils, pancetta and aromatic herbs, roast potatoes, and pancetta-wrapped fine green beans); Scallopina con Capperi e Salsa al Vino Rosso (escalope of pork fillet with capers and red wine sauce, basil-mashed potatoes, broccoli and baby carrots) and much more. Located at the Dusit Thani Resort in North Pattaya, The Bay also hosts a fabulous BBQ Buffet Dinner every Saturday evening. Seating is available for 200 in both interior and terrace settings. Opening hours are Monday to Sunday - 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information and reservations, please call 038 425 611-7 ext. 2270.

Restaurant Casa Pascal has re-launched its popular Sunday Brunch Buffet. The first and longest Sunday Brunch Buffet in town offers an overwhelming choice of food items and comes to you for just 899 baht + V.A.T. including a glass of Prosecco (children under 8 years 450 baht). Don’t miss this unique chance and book your table right now! First come, first served. For your reservation, please call (038) 723-660 or 081-983-4182.

Restaurant Poseidon offers a daily Breakfast and Lunch Buffet menu from 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. featuring a host of favorites including freshly baked breads, delicacies, fruit, salads, hot dishes and the cooking station that offers bacon, ham, sausages, eggs of your choice, potatoes, fried rice, noodles and much more. The whole menu is available for only 165 baht per person. Also don’t forget the weekend BBQ dinner menu (every Sat & Sun night) which includes a whole smorgasbord of delicious food offerings for only 444 baht per person. For more information and reservations call (038) 303-300 or 081-983-4182 (Kim) or go to www.restaurant-pattaya.com

New and only at Moon River Pub! The After Work Club, Sunday through Thursday, 7 p.m. to midnight, offers guests a Western or Thai evening menu. Groups of 30 people may choose from the European and Thai all you can eat buffet (booking 1 day in advance). The all you can drink (wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, whiskey, tequila, etc.) counts for both offers. Price per person: 1,000 baht each. The Moon River Pub is located in front of the Thai Garden Resort, North Pattaya Road.

Jameson’s the Irish Pub has a weekly set menu, served from midday to midnight, 3 courses for 255 baht / 2 courses 230 baht / 1 course 195 baht. Starters include potted ham with thick toast & English mustard or homemade turkey broth or hot prawns in cognac. The main courses offer spaghetti with your choice of Bolognaise, vegetarian tomato sauce or Carbonara, or pork burger or grilled king mackerel steak (caught by manager Wanchai) served with boiled potato, peas & butter/lemon/chili sauce. Dessert includes a choice of chocolate brownie cake with cream or strawberry sundae or pineapple crumble with custard. This menu can be served within 45 minutes if you’re in a hurry. Tel. (038) 361 874, e-mail: [email protected], www.jamesons-pattaya.com

Entertainment

The New Garden in Pratamnak Soi 4 has Charity Music Jam Sessions every Sunday at 6.30 p.m. Welcome! Phone 038-250971. See earlier videos at www.jomtienpeople.com

Free Sahaja Yoga Meditation classes at the North Star Library every Saturday at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Contact John 083 005 3006 or North Star Library 038 716 755, www.thaisahajayoga.com

Come and enjoy the live music at the Jazz Pit Pub from 8 p.m. to midnight every day (except Tuesdays & Wednesdays). Listen to great music by Thomas Reimer, one of the most famous European Jazz guitar players. If you play an instrument, you are welcome to come along and join in the jam sessions. The Jazz Pit is located on Soi 5 off Pattaya Beach and 2nd Road. Tel: 038 428 374.

Liam’s Gallery will be displaying an exhibition titled “The mind never sleeps” featuring paintings and drawings by renowned Dutch born artist Barro from January 7 to February 10, 2011. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information please visit www.liamsgallery.com, telephone 038 306172 Geena or Liam or email [email protected]