Banglamung drug suppression chief a familiar face
Pongtasit Pijanan, the “good-looking
crime suppressor deputy district chief.”
Theerarak Suthathiwong
Pongtasit Pijanan has become well-known at entertainment
venues in Pattaya, but not for the reasons bar owners would like. Despite
his good looks, the Banglamung deputy district chief is no playboy: He’s the
head of the area’s crime and drug suppression efforts.
Pongtasit, or “Por Wit” as he is known, came to the
Pattaya area in 2007 after making a name for himself in Sriracha. He won the
Outstanding Narcotics Suppression and Prevention plaque for Chonburi
Province two consecutive years and was named Outstanding Civil Service
Office in 2010.
“While in Banglamung, I push my employees to continually
suppress narcotics and illegal entertainment establishments in Pattaya and
the district,” he said. “The result has been that I’m now known as ‘Por Wit,
the good-looking crime suppressor deputy district chief,’ which is probably
because of my good looks,” he said and laughed.
Pongtasit, 40, began life on a farm in Nan Province and
enlisted in the Royal Thai Marines. But he became interested in public
service after following his father, a 15-year village chief, on his rounds
through the neighborhood. He went on to study political science at Sukhothai
Thammathirat University and then took the civil service exam to be a deputy
district chief.
He resigned from the marines in 2004 and became a deputy
district chief in Nakhon Ratchasima. He was transferred to Sriracha two
years later. At the same time, he obtained a master’s degree in political
science from Ramkhamhang University.
“The most important things for my official service are
impartiality and utmost performance as my salary comes from peoples’ taxes,”
he said. “My motto is pay attention to learning, knowing, and endurance in
work.”
Pongsit lives in Banglamung District with his wife Sornsakan and their 19
year old daughter.
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Drift by the Hilton
for drinks and a view
General
Manager Harald Feurstein (right) and Marketing and Communications Director
Dhaninrat Klinhom (left) toast to your health at the opening party.
Sue K
Pattaya’s newest resort continues to roll out new features as
the Hilton Pattaya opened its lobby lounge, Drift.
General Manager Harald Feurstein and Marketing and
Communications Director Dhaninrat Klinhom hosted the Jan. 13 festivities,
complete with a Mai Tai cocktail contest, salsa workshop and “Limbo Rock
Superstar” contest.
The Drift features the biggest Mai Tai in Thailand, a glass
large enough to hold eight regular drinks.
Salsa music provides the soundtrack at Drift, a spacious
lounge overlooking Pattaya Bay. Guests can sit inside with air-conditioned bar
or relaxed on the sun-soaked terrace.
Drift is open for light lunch and dinner but, of course, can
simply be a strop for a variety of signature rum cocktails.
Marketing
and Communications Director Dhaninrat Klinhom shows off
the giant Mai Tai to PMTV presenter Sue K.
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A Memorable Evening
Concert
Violinist Grace Yang accompanied
Kim Jun Man throughout the evening.
Derek Franklin
As the sun went down over the horizon of Pattaya Bay, a
light breeze cooled more than one hundred and fifty guests as they sat
waiting for what is hoped will be the first of many memorable musical
evenings in Pattaya.
Kim Jun
Man proves why he is regarded as one of the best singers performing today.
Set in the grounds of the Sunset Park Resort, a special
showcase performance entitled ‘Romantic Moments’ promised to enthrall the
audience with a selection of Italian arias, classical piano recitals and
contemporary favorites, and no one left disappointed.
The show commenced with a piano recital from Jamorn
Supapol, a graduate of John Hopkins University, who was joined on stage by
the award winning violinist Grace Yang, and both musicians received
rapturous applause from the audience for their skill and artistry.
Renowned Korean tenor Mr. Kim Jun Man, giving his first
ever Pattaya performance, received a standing ovation as he walked onto the
stage, and he gave the audience a showcase of arias and contemporary songs
which proved why he is seen by many as one of the best singers of Verdi and
Puccini performing today.
Following his graduation from the Santa Cecilia Music
Academy in Rome Kim spent twelve years performing in Europe and Asia,
winning many awards including the coveted ‘Mario Del Monaco & Theatre Di
Roma’ and the ‘Puccini & Sulmona’ opera competitions.
Half way through the ‘Romantic Moments’ concert a
surprise guest was introduced by Kim. Irish singer Michelle Collier gave a
stunning performance of the ever popular ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ from the
popular musical, Les Miserables.
This was followed by a duet, with Ms. Collier and Mr. Kim
performing ‘All I ask of you’, from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ‘Phantom
of the Opera’.
Local
soprano Sivipa Prompiriya.
As Ms Collier left the stage her place was taken by local
Thai soprano Sivipa Prompiriya who astounded everyone with her vocal
talents.
As the concert came to an end Kim performed one of the
best known Neapolitan songs, ‘O Sole Mio’, which saw many in the audience
giving a standing ovation to show their appreciation.
For those who missed this performance there is a second
chance to see a longer version of the ‘Romantic Moments’ show. On the
afternoon of Sunday 13th February, the day before Valentines Day, Kim will
once again perform in Pattaya, this time at the Tiffany’s Theatre starting
at 13.30.
Late 2010 saw Kim performing in Bangkok where he was
joined on stage by the students from the Pattaya School for the Blind. For
the concert on Sunday 13th February, Kim will be joined on stage by the
choir from the Regents International School, with all proceeds going to the
Father Ray Foundation.
Tickets can be purchased from the Father Ray Foundation
Welcome Center on Sukhumvit Road. More information can be found at
www.fr-ray.org or email [email protected] or call 038 716 628.
Michelle
Collier and Kim Jun Man perform a duet.
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Chess is king at Central Festival
Visitors
gather to play chess on the beach promenade in Central Pattaya.
Pratchaya Kerdthong
Not every foreigner in Pattaya spends the days in the bars.
Some are doing what they likely do back home: Play chess in the park.
Well, in Pattaya, with its lack of greenery, there’s not so
much a park as some concrete benches in front of Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
But the idea is the same: residents and tourists drop in for pickup games to
pass the time amid Thailand’s lovely winter weather.
British national Paul Frain Frow comes out daily for a few
games. He said he spends four months a year in Pattaya and meets lots of new
friends. Most are expats, but a fair number of tourists also join him for a
game.
Frow said playing chess outside the mall is a nice way to
pass the time, but he wishes the city would spend more time cleaning the area
and keeping hawkers and beggars away from the players, as it affects their
concentration.
Dual Celebrations at Alois Restaurant
The
convivial table included (front row l-r) Ingo Raeuber, Andrew Wood, Corrie Bik,
Pichai Visutriratana and Som Corness. (Standing l-r) Mae Mahaphaisan, Natthakarn
Sinprasom, Peter Malhotra and Dr. Iain Corness.
‘Honorary’ Pattaya citizen Andrew Wood (who now spends
weekdays in Bangkok) celebrated his ‘pre-birthday’ at Alois Restaurant and Wine
Bar amongst his old Pattaya resident friends.
The passing of Alois Fassbind (Mr. Pattaya) was also remembered, as the date
of the dinner was also the date of Alois Fassbind’s birthday. This made it more
than just an ordinary dinner, as the group also celebrated Andrew’s recovery
from a serious accident four months ago.
(L to R)
Peter proposes a toast as Veerapong, Vichai and Paiboon,
the faithful trio stand before photographs of their mentors Louis and Bruno. A
glass of Louis’ favourite wine was placed in front of his portrait.
PCEC delves into the paranormal
“Magic
Howard” Posener entertains fellow PCEC members with stories of the ways
‘psychics’ predict the past - i.e., your past!
Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg welcomed everyone to
the regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club on January 9, 2011 at
Amari Resort’s Tavern by the Sea. After the usual opening announcements, he
called on the day’s guest speaker who really needed no introduction. Howard
Posener, a Club member, is also known as “Magic” Howard since he is a world
renowned magician. Rather than performing magic, Howard said that he would talk
about the paranormal.
Howard, a member of the Magic Circle, an exclusive worldwide
magic society with about 400 prominent members, said he was on a committee that
investigated claims by psychics and fortune tellers of their ability to
communicate with the dead or foretell the future. Howard said that many claims
of paranormal ability did not pass scrutiny, but that he himself would not say
that some did not have a gift. He told the story of his father going off to
fight in World War II. His mother received official British government notice
that he was dead. While many of her friends advised her to get on with her life,
a neighbor who was a psychic told her the letter was wrong; that her husband was
alive. Howard said that since this was before he was conceived, he was living
proof that the psychic was right.
Many well known persons believed in the paranormal. Howard
mentioned Churchill, Rasputin, Stalin, and Hitler as some of those. Also, he
pointed out that Princess Diana consulted with a psychic twice a week. Howard
then described how many so called psychics and fortune tellers make you believe
that they have paranormal powers. Many do this by obtaining preliminary
information from people desiring to be on their show and then doing further
research. By the time the person appears on the show, they have often forgotten
about giving this information. So, when the psychic brings up people and events
that have occurred, they quickly believe that they do have paranormal ability.
He mentioned one psychic who gave a free initial consultation. The psychic had
four detectives that then went out to get more information so she could convince
the subject that she really had psychic powers. On subsequent consultations, she
charged these gullible clients 500 English pounds per session.
Howard also explained that many psychics and fortune tellers
rely on common traits that most people have and also use popular names given by
parents during certain periods of time that coincide with a person’s parents or
grandparents birth. He also described how these people have great skill in
reading body language. As a result, as they mention names or events they can
tell when there is a reaction and then continue to pursue that further while
still watching closely for reaction. He said one thing he always found of
interest was those psychics that claim their subject had a past life or lives.
He found it interesting that none of these past personas were common or ordinary
people. The psychic always identifies them as someone great such as royalty, or
generals, or other prominent persons.
One very interesting story Howard told was of a purported
psychic that sent letters to various news media predicting a major air crash on
a specific date; however, the date was different in each letter. The news media
generally ignored the letters when nothing happened on that date and forgot
about them. But, as chance would have it, at some point it would happen. When it
did, the psychic would identify which letter was sent with that date in it,
contact the media that received it, and remind them of their prediction.
Naturally they received publicity about it, which was picked up and reported by
other news media giving credence to their ability to predict the future.
Howard
enlists the girls to help with another demo - how a single, slightly flattering
description can be read by different individuals to be a more or less accurate
description of themselves.
In concluding his presentation, Howard did perform some magic
for the audience. He handed a deck of cards for someone to hold and said that
there was one card face up mixed in with the deck. Using a random method of
selection, he asked a member in the audience to think of a particular card -
yes, the card named was the one face up in the deck. No, Howard did not explain
how he did that - after all, if we knew, it wouldn’t be magic. For more
information about Howard, visit his web site at www. magichoward.com.
Richard Silverberg updated everyone on upcoming events and
called on “Hawaii” Bob Sutterfield to conduct the always informative and
sometimes humorous Open Forum, where questions about living in Thailand and
Pattaya in particular are asked and answered.
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