Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome has been selected to head the award selection committee for the Sports Writers Association of Thailand. The position is for a two year term, from now until 2014.

S-Fifty Condominium’s popularity sees launch of Phase 2

Urbanscape Real Estate Developer Co. has launched the second phase of its four-building S-Fifty Condominium project while thanking Phase 1 buyers recently with a party at its Pattaya offices.

The Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya has a long and illustrious history of organizing charity events, from the very popular Christmas tree light-ups, to the various concerts in every imaginable genre of music ranging from rock to the classics.

The Fountain of Life used its annual celebration to also fete the shelter’s winning of an “outstanding beneficial organization” award.

Sister Jiemjit Thumpichai welcomed representatives of the Jesters Care 4 Kids organization, Pattaya International Ladies Club and other charity organizations to the Dec. 13 party. Youngsters from the Ban Jing Jai orphanage, Mercy Center and Children’s Protection and Development Center also attended.

North Pattaya Road from the Samsai intersection to the Dolphin Roundabout is awash with saffron robed monks receiving alms from white clad Buddhists in the annual event to provide relief to 323 embattled Buddhist temples in Thailand’s violence-torn south.

Pattaya’s countdown to the New Year will tick off its final days of 2012 with music and fireworks.

The start of the festival will be marked by the lighting up of an enormous Christmas tree said to be the biggest in Thailand. The tree lighting ceremony will take place from 8 p.m. on the evening of Christmas Day. It will be accompanied by a fireworks spectacular and the first of the concerts on the big stage.

Drivers may get stuck in traffic over the New Year’s holiday, but at least the tolls will be free.

Transportation Minister Chatchart Sithipan announced Dec. 19 that highways 7 and 9, as well as the Burphawitti toll-way would all be free from 4 p.m. Dec. 27 through midnight Jan. 3.

The Permsub household was once again active as ever as hundreds of community leaders gathered to wish General Permsub the happiest of birthdays on 23 November.

Yellow shirts, candles and song were the order of the day as thousands of Eastern Seaboard residents turned out to celebrate the 85th birthday of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.

Pattaya’s Hard Rock Hotel offered lunch, and a place to eat it in, to students at Huay Yai’s Ban Chark Nok School.

General Manager Jorge Carlos Smith and staff from the hotel and Hard Rock Cafe presented the new cafeteria, restrooms and lawn area to Huay Yai Education Department Director Khanittha Phottsin Nov. 30. The hotel also provided lunch and dessert.