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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.


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.


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.


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.


HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]

Banglamung drug suppression chief a familiar face

Drift by the Hilton for drinks and a view

A Memorable Evening

Chess is king at Central Festival

Dual Celebrations at Alois Restaurant

PCEC delves into the paranormal

 

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