A man with a vision

A man with a vision for Thailand’s future is Mechai Viravaidya. He was the honored guest speaker at the Sunday, June 10 meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. He is the well known founder of the non-profit organization Population and Community Development Association (PDA). He has spoken to the Club previously about the PDA’s efforts to help Thai villagers out of poverty through a program of teaching them to help themselves. Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg called on member Stuart Saunders, who helped form the Club’s Friends of PDA Group, to introduce Khun Mechai.

Mechai Viravaidya, founder of the Population Development Association, addresses Pattaya City Expats Club about the PDAs’ latest ventures; the Bamboo School in Buriram, and the extension of the Bamboo School, the Mechai Pattana School for grade 10 students, here in Pattaya.

Mechai began by noting that being the son of a Scots mother and Thai father, he received his education outside of Thailand. Upon his return to Thailand, he realized that something needed to be done in the area of family planning. In 1974 to address this concern, his organization promoted innovative programs and approaches to desensitize contraceptive use and to make them available throughout Thailand. When HIV/AIDS reared its head, the PDA used similar principles to ensure that everyone was aware of the dangers and knew about its prevention.

Following these programs, he has focused on rural development initiatives to empower the poor to eradicate poverty. This program focuses on five vital components of development: community empowerment, income generation, health, education, and environmental promotion. In 2010, the program expanded from Thailand into Cambodia with assistance from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

He now devotes much of his efforts toward youth philanthropy and education through his Mechai Viravaidya Foundation. One of these efforts is the establishment of the Mechai Pattana School to ensure that children grow up to be good citizens, have business savvy, and recognize the joy of doing public good. He described his “school like no other” that was set up in Buriram. In 2008, the Bamboo School was established to be a lifelong learning center for students as well as other citizens and a hub for social and economic advancement.

Board Member Richard Smith advises members of the meeting of computer & iPad & iPhone users special interest group, on the 27th of June.

Mechai showed pictures and described how the school was constructed with bamboo, thus giving it its name. He also explained how the school operated and pointed out that the students do not pay tuition; rather they and their parents devote time and effort to community service. Another innovation is that the students actively participate in the administration and operation of the school.

Although the Thai government has doubled its funding of education, he pointed out that Thai students are still well below average in learning. Only Indonesia ranks lower among Asian countries.

Mechai said that Thai education has generally concentrated on literacy and numerical skills, with little emphasis on new ideas and creativity. The Bamboo School works to change this situation for poor, rural students. The school strives towards getting its pupils to perform at their full potential by focusing on developing the complete individual. The lessons at the school are concentrated on enabling students to analyze and create.

The Bamboo School also serves as a life-long learning center for the entire community; where everyone is welcome to use the school to improve their agricultural, business, and general vocational skills. It is also a hub for economic and social advancement. To illustrate, Mechai described several ways to economically grow crops that provide a higher return on the investment than rice farming and by using innovative ways, can be done without the need for a substantial amount of land. Additionally, the Bamboo School is also a teacher training facility, where teachers from rural areas come to improve their teaching skills.

Mechai on the right, poses with staff Nut, Michael, and Tristan (left) of the Mechai Pattana School.

Mechai concluded by describing their new Mechai Pattana School and Life Long Learning Center campus here in Pattaya. Currently, year 10 students from the Bamboo School attend the Pattaya campus to broaden their learning experience. He encouraged Pattaya’s expats to help the school, especially if they have a skill that will be beneficial to the students.

Mechai then answered many questions from the audience. The Club has posted more information about the school in the General Interest section of its website.

Richard then updated everyone on upcoming events and called on Roy Albiston to conduct the always interesting and lively Open Forum where questioned 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.

PILC enjoys monthly lunch at Linda’s

Linda Eikland and staff gave good service during the June PILC luncheon.

Helle Ransten

The first Tuesday of the month is, as always, reserved for the Pattaya International Ladies Club lunch. June’s lunch was this time held at the Scandinavian restaurant Linda’s, in Jomtien. Not only was owner, Linda Eikland, a great host to all those attending, but she had more importantly put together a wonderful buffet lunch with a Scandinavian twist, such as the different kind of herrings and roast pork which reminded the Scandinavian ladies of Christmas at home.

Linda’s restaurant put on a good spread for the ladies.

The guest speaker for the lunch was Dr Iain from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya who had been invited to provide PILC members with information about patient’s rights in Thailand. He explained for one thing how important communication is between doctor and patient to ensure the best possible treatment and results. The talk was very interesting and informative for all.

Also present was Preeda from the Thai House Museum who displayed a some of his historic white and blue porcelain collection, something for all tastes. Preeda also invited Club members to tour his museum.

As always everyone enjoyed the lunch and, most importantly, each other’s company. The next lunch will be held at Silver Lake on the 3rd of July.

PILC is a non-profit, non-political group organized to support international women in developing friendships, and to help expatriates settle into the community. Contact [email protected].

Dr Iain Corness provides PILC members with information about patient’s rights in Thailand.

Praichit takes over as YWCA head

(From right) Praichit during her first meeting as president, along with Prof. Dr. Janjira Wongkhomthong and Rev. Poonsook Etsoponkul, listens to wise words of one of the founders of YWCA Pattaya, Sopin Thappajug.

Elfi Seitz

Civic leaders turned out in force to congratulate the new chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center at her official inauguration.

Praichit Jetpai took the reins of the organization May 29 at the Diana Garden Resort. Five other women were accepted as new members by Thailand YWCA head Janjira Wongkhomthong.

Representatives of local Rotary Club branches, the Pattaya International Ladies Club, Pattaya Orphanage, German ladies’ club Plauderstunde and Jesters Care for Kids were on hand, as well as Acting Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Pattaya Mail Publishing Managing Director Peter Malhotra.

The inauguration opened with a dance performance by school children and prayer from YWCA acting general secretary Rev. Poonsook Etsoponkul. Janjira then installed Praichit, appealing to her to continue the local chapter’s strong leadership.

Former Chairwoman Nittaya Patimasongkroh also received gifts and flowers to mark her four years of service.

In her inauguration speech, Praichit promised to do everything she could to lead the club within the meaning of YWCA International and help persons in need, particularly children. She expressed her gratitude to everybody attending, notably to her members for their support to date, and she voiced her hope that they all will actively support her in future as well.

Praichit (right) after receiving her insignias from Thailand president, Prof. Dr. Janjira Wongkhomthong.

Prof. Dr. Janjira Wongkhomthong presents flowers
to Nittaya Patimasongkroh (left).

Group picture after the formalities.

Schoolchildren perform a beautiful dance.

Pattaya barber wins international haircutting competition

Supan “Professor Tum” Srinutith won three gold medals at the World Hair & Beauty Championship.

Thanachot Anuwan

A Pattaya barber won three gold medals at the 10-country World Hair & Beauty Championship.

Supan “Professor Tum” Srinutith, who owns Tum Haircut South Pattaya, won top honors for freestyle male and female haircutting as well as the “Night chignon” category at the May 30-31 Confederation of Artistic and Technical / Confederation Mondiale de la Coiffure competition in Bangkok.

Hair and makeup stylists from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and the United States competed. Audience members watched hair-cutting and makeup techniques, browsed tools and observed nail painting and manicure exhibitions.

Supan, who also won gold in the 2010 contest, said he plans to travel to France to learn new techniques and will give the championship cup to Pattaya’s next mayor to show off one more of Pattaya’s talents.