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My aching back
Fellow member Sermsakdi
(left) introduces and translates for Chaowalit Sangutai (right), the new Nai
Amphur (District Chief) for Banglamung. Chaowalit, accompanied by two of his
staff, said he was happy to be back in Banglamung & looked forward to
working with the Pattaya City Expats Club.
Ouch! My aching back! Or maybe it an aching knee or even a
headache that has caused you to ask yourself, do I need to see a doctor? The
answer is perhaps we do or perhaps we don’t because such pains may be caused
by foot problems. This was the message provided to the Pattaya City Expats
Club at their May 8, 2011, meeting at the Amari’s Tavern by the Sea
Restaurant by Rudy van der Lubben, the only trained Podiatrist in Thailand.
However, before Rudy spoke, the first order of business for Master of
Ceremonies Richard Silverberg was to introduce some very special guests.
Fellow member Sermsakdi introduced and translated for Chaowalit Sangutai,
the new Nai Amphur (District Chief) for Banglamung. Chaowalit was
accompanied by two of his staff and said he was happy to be back in
Banglamung where he served previously. Further, he thanked the Pattaya City
Expats Club for its services to the Banglamung community and said he was
looking forward to working with the Club for the benefit of the district.
In introducing Rudy van der Lubben, Richard Silverberg pointed out that
Rudy’s practice is accepted in the Netherlands where he received his
training and by the Ministry of Health here in Thailand where he has
practiced for 12 years. He founded his clinic in Bangkok and has now
established another clinic in Pattaya. Rudy started his talk by explaining
why he thinks he is the only Podiatrist (foot doctor) in Thailand. He said
that in western countries there are not many Podiatrists. He surmises this
is because many doctors don’t like to handle feet and, in Thailand in
particular, there are some cultural issues about feet. He said he wanted to
make it clear that although Podiatrists are university trained, they are not
medical doctors. Thus, they cannot diagnose medical illnesses or prescribe
medicines. Their training relates to problems one can have with their feet,
diagnosing those problems, and providing treatment including orthotic foot
wear.
Often, people do not realize that their aches and pains are related to
problems with their feet, such as flat feet, heel bone spurs, high arched
feet, Achilles tendonitis, toe abnormalities, and foot deformity. Rudy
showed several diagrams as he explained the various foot problems and how
they can cause pain. Back pain, for instance can be caused by a difference
in leg length. Flat feet cause various rotations throughout the legs during
the walking cycle. The end result is a forward tilt of the pelvis which in
turn increases the normal curvature of the spine and places strain on the
muscles and ligaments of the lower back.
When you visit his clinic, he goes through several steps to determine if
your ailments are foot related including gait analysis and functional
testing. Rudy pointed out that your foot is different when walking than when
stationary and must be examined under both situations. He said he will start
by obtaining your history including whether your work or activities involve
walking, standing, sitting, or sports and what problems (complaints) you are
experiencing. He also has equipment to measure gait and make a blue print of
your foot. He will also examine your foot gear. If it is a foot problem, the
treatment can be through certain exercises and often may involve orthotic
appliances. Rudy then explained that he has his own laboratory where they
hand make orthopedic shoes or supports to correct foot problem. They will
continue to monitor how the orthopedic appliances are working for you and
make adjustments if necessary.
Rudy then answered several questions from the audience. A few asked
questions about gout and Rudy explained that gout was caused by a medical
problem and needs to be treated by a physician not a podiatrist. If your
pains do not appear to be the result of foot problems, Rudy said he will
advise you to seek a medical evaluation. Rudy also brought one of his
diagnostic machines to the meeting and provided some free evaluations in the
back alcove after his talk. Rudy has a website providing information about
his location, diagnosis, and treatment, which is
http://www.footclinic.asia/.
Richard Silverberg then updated everyone on Club activities and upcoming
events before turning it over to David Meador to conduct the always
informative Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about living
in Thailand, Pattaya in particular.
Ouch! My
aching back! Rudy explains that ailments elsewhere in the body, such as back
pain, can originate in the feet.
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Pullman Pattaya Aisawan celebrates 1st “anniWHITEsary” beach party
Sutthirak Subvijitra (2nd from
left), M.L. Nattakorn Devakula (center) and Philippe Delaloye (2nd from right)
celebrate during the “anniWHITEsary” beach party.
Philippe Delaloye, general manager of the Pullman Pattaya
Aisawan recently hosted the first year anniversary celebration of the hotel’s
regular “White Session” - themed “anniWHITEsary” beach party at the Beach Club
of the hotel. The party was attended by socialites and superstars such as M.L.
Nattakorn Devakula, Jacqueline (Nathada) Apithananon, Sutthirak Subvijitra,
Nadda Viyakarn, and Hunsa Thanomsing (general manager of Minor Group Fashion
Division).
The entertainment featured live music played by RadioBee.fm and Pioneer. Over
300 people participated and enjoyed the white night, dancing till late.
Every first Saturday of the month, “White Session” creates a new and the
different theme to spice up the event.
(L to R) M.L. Nattakorn Devakula,
Jacqueline (Nathada) Apithananon and Sutthirak Subvijitra pose for a photo for
their fans.
Hunsa Thanomsing (2nd left),
Philippe Delaloye (center) and Nadda Viyakarn (2nd from right) brighten the
event with their smiles.
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Richard Smith celebrates 80 years
Richard
Smith cuts his birthday cake.
Elfi Seitz
As active as Richard Smith is in Pattaya’s expat community, few can
believe he’s now 80 years old.
Two-time president of the Pattaya City Expats Club, an active supporter of
children’s charities and a member of such organizations as Chaine des
Rotisseurs and the DeVine Wine Club, Smith has become well-known among the
foreign community and even works as a translator for the city government.
So it was a pleasure for friends Allan Sherratt and Sermsakdi Sabhananda to
throw Smith a surprise 80th birthday party May 4 at the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort’s Grill Room restaurant. DGM Ranjith Chandrasiri, his wife Chitra and
head chef Walter Thenisch put on their best for the 40 people who turned out
to help Smith blow out the candles.
Everyone waited on balcony until the guest of honor appeared, looking
stunned to see all his friends. They then sang a rousing “Happy Birthday”
before moving on to dinner and the cake, decorated with just eight candles -
one for each decade.
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Lighthouse continues to expand its family
Peddling
his music wherever he goes, Russell Jay Darrell (MIX 88.5 FM) is flanked by
Mark Chilcott (Mobile Advertising) and Devin Andrews (BVP).
Paul Strachan
This month’s Lighthouse Club Pattaya networking event was held at the
Marriott Resort & Spa on Friday May 6. As ever, it was very well attended,
although perhaps a little less so than normal.
All the usual movers and shakers in the real estate sector were on hand to
ensure the beer was sampled, perhaps more than a few times.
In addition there were a few new faces, as the Lighthouse Club has attracted
friends of friends to these events whether they are in business or not; or
perhaps people just holidaying here, who have heard about Lighthouse Club
through the media and on Facebook.
The sponsor for the evening was a real estate company, in fact one of the
first Thai real estate companies to support the Lighthouse Club, Angket
Condominium, who gave a brief presentation of their project situated on Soi
Wat Boonkanjanaram in Jomtien about 750 meters from the beach, which offers
units for rent or to buy from 2-5 million baht.
The Marriott staff did a splendid job ensuring that guests were kept topped
up with beer, wine or soft drinks and there were a few snacks available as
well.
The next Lighthouse Club networking event will be on Friday, June 3, at the
Havana Bar at the Holiday Inn. The fun kicks off as usual at 6 p.m.
A happy threesome (l-r) Craig
Smith (Royal Lotus Group Property), Stuart Daly (Pattaya Realty) and Dries
Van Veen (Investor).
Ready for a refill (l-r) Todd
Fox (REThai.com), Robert D Watson (Five Star Villas & Condos) and Miliza
Ceh.
And the winners of
congeniality contest are: Deborah and Paisan Bundityanond (Rabbit Resort)
and Luckana Champa (Luckana Communications).
Business executives Suthon
Thijai (HMA) and Piyawin Sukondhavich (Bliss Thai Asset Co., Ltd.) feel very
much at home at the Lighthouse networking event.
Alan Ewens (left) discusses
golfing with Craig Muldoon (PFS International).
The making of a hit trio (l-r)
Wuth Lee (U Store IT Storage Company), Gareth Silva (Benchmark Asia
Property) and Russell Jay Darrell (MIX 88.5 FM).
A toast to good health (l-r)
Martin H.A.P. van Bree (Dutch Painter Extraordinaire), Janneke and Henk
Simoons and Jan Nuyten (Pattaya Prestige Properties).
Zac, Jason McDonald (Advance
One Stop Travel & Property) and Mark are living it up.
Looking forward to an
enjoyable evening (l-r) Eama Lee, Clem Morrison, Richard Gilliker, John
Howarth, Will Morrison, Kyle Brewster and John Morrison.
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