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Beer over wisdom
The Pattaya City Expats Club prefers Beer over wisdom.
This was evident when the Club’s speaker, well known author Christopher G.
Moore asked for a show of hands. First, he asked, how many like beer? There
were many hands raised (a few were observed to hold up both hands in
response). Then he asked who likes wisdom? There were only a few hands
raised in answer; so it was obvious that beer won hands up.
Christopher Moore, author of
the Vincent Calvino series of private eye novels, describes researching his
new novel ‘The Wisdom of Beer’, combining beer, mafia, gun running and
Chinese Hell customs, amongst other things, to an enthusiastic PCEC
audience.
Christopher was speaking at the Club’s Sunday, March 25,
meeting about his latest book, The Wisdom of Beer. He said Pattaya
folks will find many things familiar as the story unfolds in Pattaya. It
includes the annual Cobra Gold visit by US Navy personnel whose shore patrol
is being escorted around Walking Street by the main character Duvel, a
Pattaya foreign volunteer policeman.
Duvel is a retired American, a caretaker for his aged
Thai stepmother and looks over the well-being of foreign expats as a part of
his volunteer police duties. Leading the shore patrol, he becomes entangled
in the lives of criminals planning to heist a warehouse full of munitions.
Meanwhile, Duvel’s step mother, with the assistance of a macaw that curses
in Scottish and a Moscow escort worker, slowly unravels the ancient secret
formula of Chinese hell beer. The formula is held by a Thai Chinese man
whose family has passed it down for generations; but the man has a problem
to overcome if he wants the formula to continue for generations to come. It
seems his only son is in love with a katoey, which does not bode well for
passing on the family secret. As the double-crosses multiply, the fate of
the heist and hell beer formula is in the hands of the winner of a Pattaya
katoey beauty pageant. Christopher also mentioned that the book is
interspersed with quotes about beer including these: I would kill
everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer (Homer Simpson)
or, Give my people plenty of beer, good beer, and cheap beer, and you
will have no revolution among them (Queen Victoria).
Scarlet Macaw “Kanani”
(feathers) reviews Christopher Moore’s new book ‘The Wisdom of Beer’ at
Pattaya City Expats Club. The verdict? I’m no owl, said Kanani.
Christopher said that when he starts to write a book, he
likes to visit the area and get a feel for it and the people that live there
as he will pattern his characters from the different folks he meets. In the
case of The Wisdom of Beer, he came to Pattaya during the annual
Cobra Gold exercises that inundate Pattaya with 5 to 6 thousand young
sailors. He described how the US Navy shore patrol operates to keep the
sailors in line including his experience in accompanying them on their
patrols of Walking Street.
It was also during the time that Victor Bout, the Russian
arms dealer was in the news having been arrested in Thailand for trafficking
in weapons and later extradited to the USA. So, this gave Christopher the
idea that in such a case it would be a reasonable story premise for someone
like Bout to have stored arms in a warehouse in Thailand. Further, that it
would follow that Russian mafia and Thai gangster types would be after the
arms. Christopher joked that he knows there are more than two mafias
operating in Pattaya, but he had to limit it to two as it needed to be a
short book.
Open Forum host John Lyneham,
a PCEC old timer just back in town for a short time, shows off a gift of a
T-shirt to Hawaii Bob which could be a Pattaya motto; ‘Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happy Hour’.
He spoke about the history of beer, which goes back
several thousand years. He also gathered a few laughs by going over some
words that are hard to say when drunk and some more that were even harder.
But, he said the following cannot be said when you are drunk: no, I don’t
want sex; I don’t want more beer; and hello officer, isn’t it nice out
tonight.
Christopher concluded by noting that he is currently
writing another novel in the Vincent Calvino series, which will take place
in Burma (Myanmar). As with his other books, he went to Burma in search of a
plausible story idea. Now that Burma is opening up more, he wanted to see
what the people are like - local inhabitants and those that are starting to
visit. However, unlike a tourist, he spent his time visiting the
universities to see what the next generation is going to be like. He also
visited the prison to see who is there and why and the courts to get an idea
of how the system of justice works. Christopher’s wit and humor were
thoroughly enjoyed as usual by all. For more information on his books, you
can visit his website at http://www. cgmoore.com/.
After Christopher answered several questions, Master of
Ceremonies Richard Silverberg called on John Lynham to conduct the always
informative and sometime humorous Open Forum where questions are asked and
answered about expat living in Thailand, Pattaya in particular.
The Pattaya City Expats Club meets every Sunday at the
Amari Orchid’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant. Read more about the Club’s
activities on their website at www. pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
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PSC donates bathroom facilities to Garunyawet Home for the Disabled
Benefactors and guests cut the
ribbon to officially open the new facilities.
With the number of disabled people increasing, it was
decided, in 1994, to establish another home for the disabled situated along
Sukhumvit Road in Banglamung opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn. It is home to 450 physically and mentally disabled ladies in ages
ranging from 18 to 97. More recently an additional 250 ladies came to stay
having been displaced from their home in Bangkok because of the flooding in that
area.
The aim of the centre is to provide care services to ladies
that have been abandoned or neglected by their families and have no means of
support. There are 9 dormitories housing approximately 50 ladies in each, most
of them sleeping on the floor. There are 22 staff on duty at any one time but
only one qualified nurse at the centre.
When you first visit you cannot fail to be impressed by the
fact that everything is spotlessly clean as a result of the hard work by the
staff. Residents are happy and always delighted to see visitors. Some of the
lesser disabled are helping others to wash, wash clothes, eat their meals and
push wheelchairs.
Many residents eat in the dormitories but those that have
some mobility by walking or by wheelchair, have their meals in the eating area.
Unfortunately there are no toilets close by and, those that are caught short
have to go 200 yards to the nearest toilet and many do not make it and even
some, who have limited mobility, do not eat in this area in case of emergency.
The superintendant Siriluk expressed the need to have some
toilets close by to make everything more convenient for the ladies and have
approached the council in this respect, but the request was made some time ago.
She then contacted Pattaya Sports Club to ask if they could help and, as usual,
PSC are always happy to help those in need whenever possible.
As you can see, a well designed building has been erected
with facilities for both wheelchair users and those that have some mobility. A
facility that will make life just that little bit easier for the residents.
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Jesters Care for Kids: Saving Fah Sai,
a Child at Risk
Lewis Underwood
The Players:
* Fah Sai, abandoned 3-year-old disabled girl.
* Pai, director of Hand to Hand Foundation, who runs day care
center for slum-dwelling toddlers in South Pattaya.
Fah Sai with a nurse at the
Camillian Home on the day she went to stay.
* Share Love with a Friend Project, associated with the
above, and organizes monthly distributions of rice and milk, as well as
wheelchairs when needed, to poor families with disabled kids. (This is a core
beneficiary for the Jesters.)
* Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive: “Believes every child
deserves access to safe shelter, educational opportunities, and for the
disabled, special treatment and schooling.”
* Camillian Home in Lat Krabang: “Provides children living
with disabilities and HIV/AIDS the closest achievable experience to a normal
family and creating a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities and
their families.” (This is also a core beneficiary for the Jesters.)
The Story:
Fah Sai lived in the Kophai slum area since her infancy and
was the youngest of three kids to parents who were drug-users and dealers. After
her birth, the parents stopped caring for their children, and as they were
repeatedly arrested for their offences, the kids were often left behind to fend
for themselves. When they were out of jail, the drug supplier would offer to
‘look after’ the kids, as long as the parents peddled his product.
Woody visits with Fah Sai, who is
in wheelchair donated by Jesters, at the Hand to Hand Foundation.
Some say Fah Sai was born with cerebral palsy; yet still
another version is that she was normal at birth and then dropped on her head
without receiving any medical treatment. Regardless, the fact is that she was
left neglected lying on the floor of the drug supplier’s house day in, day out.
Since she had no use of her legs and could hardly lift her
head, Fah Sai would sleep on the floor for hours on end, occasionally being fed
milk when someone responded to her feeble cries.
Ultimately, the drug supplier fled the scene, abandoning the
children altogether. This was when Pai, who was working in the Kophai slum at
the time, went into action. She was able to rescue Fah Sai and her older sister,
Pet, but the brother disappeared with the drug supplier and never seen again.
At this stage, Fah Sai could only drink fluids because the
muscles in her neck were never given a chance to develop. It took some time
before she could lift her head and sit up with aid that she could then be
spoon-fed and swallow solid food.
Pai eventually became the director of the Hand to Hand
Foundation in Duck Square and would take her to the center in the day and back
to her home at night. She became her primary care giver, which was an
around-the-clock task.
In the meantime, both of Fah Sai’s parents, as repeat
offenders, were finally given lengthy sentences in Chonburi. The father ended up
dying in prison, while the mother still remains incarcerated today.
In due course, Pai, who was also taking care of other
abandoned children in her home, knew that, if Fah Sai was going to get better,
she needed professional care and regular physical therapy. However, she soon
realized that there was no place available at any of the local facilities here
catering to the disabled. And when she expanded her search the only institution
that offered her a place already had over 2000 kids. After all, everyone
concerned wanted her to have an environment that felt like a home.
Since the Jesters were already involved in Fah Sai’s welfare,
and had provided her with a wheelchair, Pai then approached us about this
dilemma.
The Solution:
It was then that we approached the Camillian Home in Lat
Krabang near the new Bangkok airport as a potential suitable place for her. We
consulted with Father Giovanni, director, and Faisal, coordinator, and both were
positive about her being admitted there. We took Fah Sai up there for a visit
and the staff immediately took to her, as she did to them. Moreover, there were
only 19 resident disabled kids there. We knew we had found the place.
Two weeks later, on Saturday, March 24th, we made the trip up
there again to deliver Fah Sai to her new home. She met the kids that were to be
her new extended family, including the nursing staff, her new guardians.
When we were getting ready to return to Pattaya, we knew all
was well. Fah Sai looked up at us, smiled and waved good-bye.
After such a rude intro to life, Fah Sai has finally come
home to 24/7 loving care.
If you too would like to help special children, like Fah Sai,
please visit us at www.care4kids.info and/or
www.facebook.com/jesterscare.forkids.
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Pattaya Sports Club visits Khopai School
In September 2007 Pim Seaton opened a centre in Khopai to
take care of up to 15 children between the ages of 2 and 6 years during the day.
This would allow the other members of the family to go to work or, in the case
of the older children, to continue their education.
But she was taken a little by surprise as more children were
enrolled and now there are 53 children attending 5 days per week, and half day
on Saturdays, from 7.30 am to 4/5 pm on weekdays. The older children are taught
to read and write in Thai and English in preparation for junior school and are
also given some experience using computers. Like most children, they love
playing games on the computer.
There are certain problems involved when taking 50 children
plus out for the day but that is exactly what the teachers at Khopai School did.
As part of the education process they arranged visits to Khao Kheow Zoo and the
science museum and both proved to be very popular with the children.
Fortunately, they have always arrived back at the school with the same number as
left earlier.
The Khopai area is one of the largest and poorest housing
areas around Pattaya where families, with very low income reside. It is well
known that there is a high level of crime, alcohol and drugs in the area. The
whole family generally lives in rented single rooms with very poor facilities.
Facilities that most of us take for granted. If it was not for the dedication of
Pim and 5 teachers, the young children would be left alone during the day with
very little supervision or control.
Pattaya Sports Club has been supporting Pim and Khopai School
for three years providing funds to enable them to purchase what was needed for
the children’s lunch. There are other groups in Pattaya helping children from
poor families and everyone is essential to their well being.
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Green Bottle Pub
celebrates 24 years
Diana Group Managing Director
Sopin Thappajug (2nd right and friends cut the birthday cake celebrating 24
years at the Green Bottle Pub.
Thanachot Anuwan
The Green Bottle Pub celebrated its 24th anniversary March 24
with a musical celebration and gifts.
Diana Group Managing Director Sopin Thappajug emceed the
festive evening, which included Kai Kalamung and the Brand Dung Band.
Chaiyos Phupatpong of the Pattaya Press Club also presented
Sopin a gift basket for her March 4 birthday.
Green Bottle was established in 1988 and is located on Second
Road at Soi Diana.
Diana Garden Resort hosts
hydrotherapy for pregnant women
Expecting mothers and their
families take part in hydrotherapy exercises at the Diana Garden Resort pool.
Vittaya Yoondorn
More than 20 couples and pregnant women enjoyed a day of
hydrotherapy at the Diana Garden Resort while learning about the benefits of
breast feeding and prenatal care.
The Sai Yai Rak Three Generations Center of Bangsaothong,
Samut Prakan co-sponsored the March 24 seminar with the Pattaya hotel, offering
22 expectant women and couples education on caring for a new child before and
after birth. Breast feeding was emphasized with a clinic professional explaining
the nutritional and psychological benefits for the baby.
Bangbo Hospital therapist Raksadporn Mokkhawes got the women
and their partners up and into the pool, showing off the benefits of
hydrotherapy, a form of water exercise that helps pregnant women relax and
prepare the body for delivery. It also helps to relieve back pain and increase
mobility.
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