PCEC members needled for better health

Flu shots were available at the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday, October 21. Gavin Waddell, head of the Phyathai Sriracha Hospital International Department, is also a PCEC member and arranged to have a nurse and an ample supply of this year’s flu vaccine available for members and guests. The cost was 990 baht, the same price charged at the hospital.

PCEC’s membership director, Judith Edmonds, gives the quarterly membership report.

He noted that this year’s vaccine was a three in one. It provided protection from the seasonal flu, influenza type B, and H1N1. He also brought Dr. Somboon Jirapattrathamrong, M.D. an Intervention Cardiologist from the hospital, to talk to the PCEC about coronary heart disease along with another nurse to give free blood pressure checks.

Dr. Somboon started by presenting a diagram of the heart and explaining how the heart arteries carry blood to supply oxygen and needed nutrients to the heart muscle. Using additional animated diagrams, he described how plaque can build up within the heart artery cutting off this flow of blood. If the narrowing of the artery becomes too severe, it will cause chest pain (angina).

The pain is usually in the middle of the chest and can radiate outward to the left shoulder and arm. It can also result in an acute myocardial infarction; more commonly known as a heart attack. This results when the flow of blood decreases below a critical threshold.

Phyathai Sriracha Hospital’s Gavin Waddell (also a PCEC member) discusses the seasonal flu injections available, along with free blood pressure checks.

The risk is higher for males and for older people. Other high risk factors are diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia (increased levels of lipids - fats - in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides). Also, smoking, obesity, and a family history of heart disease places you in the high risk category. He said that the more of these risk factors you have, the greater the chance you will develop coronary heart disease.

He then described several noninvasive diagnostic tests available such as electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, exercise stress test, and CT scanning. But, he said the most definitive test is a coronary angiogram. Angiogram and angioplasty are performed in hospitals that have a catheterization laboratory. The procedure for a diagnostic angiogram is to insert a catheter through an artery into the heart chamber to release a dye; the dye is pumped through the arteries. The doctor views a monitor which shows the flow of the dye through the arteries; thus allowing the doctor to identify any area where the flow is constricted. He mentioned that in the past, it was customary to use the femoral artery entering from the groin area. However, many cardiologists have switched to using the radial artery entering from the wrist. When using the femoral artery, the patient must remain in bed for several hours to avoid the risk of bleeding from the area of the incision. The risk of bleeding from the incision is lessened when using the radial artery since the wrist can be immobilized, which allows the patient to get up and move about not long after the procedure.

Dr. Somboon Jirapattrathamrong, M.D. an Intervention Cardiologist with the Phyathai Sriracha Hospital, advises PCEC members on the nature and causes of CHD (Coronary Heart Disease). He then advised lifestyle changes that can help reduce incidence of CHD, including not smoking, eating lots of fruit & vegetables and little fried food, and consuming alcohol in moderation.

If one or more severe blockages are found in the heart arteries, the next step most likely will be an angioplasty. In this procedure, a wire with a deflated balloon is inserted into the catheter and guided to the place where the artery wall has narrowed. The balloon is inflated, crushing the fatty deposits and opening up the blood vessel for improved flow. The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn. Very often a stent is used to ensure the artery remains open. Dr. Somboon showed an automated diagram as he described how a stent (wire mesh) is placed over the balloon before it is inserted. When the balloon is inflated, the wire mesh expands and remains in place when the balloon is deflated ensuring the artery remains open.

Dr. Somboon concluded by providing some lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease: quit smoking, reduce your alcohol intake, improve your diet by eating certain foods and not eating others that are high in cholesterol, exercise, and lose weight.

After Dr. Somboon answered several questions from the audience, Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg provided an update on upcoming events and called on Jerry Dean to conduct the Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about expat living in Thailand; Pattaya in particular. You can learn more about the PCEC and its many activities by visiting their website at ww. pattayacityexpatsclub.com.

Dusit D2 offers dinner,jazz on the roof

Aht Gunlayanakupt, winner of Thailand’s Got Talent in 2011 and known as the “Kenny G of Thailand,” entertains guests at dusitD2 baraquda’s Sunset Lounge.

Warunya Thongrod
Soft jazz and cool breezes accent the dusitD2 baraquda’s “Romantic Jazz on the Roof” dinner special.
Hotel owner Serm Phenjati and Pattaya city spokeswoman Yuwathida Jeerapat kicked off the promotion at the sixth-floor Sunset Lounge Oct. 19.
Saxophonist Aht Gunlayanakupt, winner of Thailand’s Got Talent in 2011 and known as the “Kenny G of Thailand,” will play for couples and families, who can enjoy sunset over the ocean and a special menu each Friday and Saturday.
For more information, call 038-769-999. The promotion runs through Jan. 31.

BHP doctor wins final Hilton Dine & Fly contest

Hotel operations director Gerard Walker (2nd left) and Peta Ruiter (2nd right), director of business development, present Dr. Kitikhun Roongruang (center) with the top prize in Hilton Pattaya’s Dine & Fly contest

Warunya Thongrod
A doctor from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya won a trip to Paris in the final grand prize drawing for the Hilton Pattaya’s Dine & Fly contest.
Dr. Kitikhun Roongruang received airfare for two and two nights accommodations and breakfast at the Hilton Paris La Defense Oct. 17 from hotel operations director Gerard Walker and hotel executives at the beachfront restaurant’s Edge restaurant.
The Dine & Fly contest, which ran through Oct. 16, rewarded Hilton customers who spend at least 3,000 baht in the Pattaya Hilton’s restaurants and spa. Grand prizes include trips to Koh Samui, Malaysia and France.
Kitikhun said he was delighted to win and never imagined his name would be called. He said he chose the Hilton Pattaya for its quality, cuisine and cleanliness.

PILC prepares for Christmas Bazaar, thanks sponsors

It’s always festive at the annual PILC Christmas Bazaar, which this year celebrates 20 years.

The women of the Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) are working diligently on their upcoming Christmas Bazaar in hopes that this, the 20th annual event, will be one of the most successful ever. Visitors on Saturday, November 3rd, will find the 17th floor ballroom of the Hilton Hotel at Central Festival, Beach Road transformed into a shopping extravaganza featuring more than 70 vendors for the one day event.
A stage will be erected in the sea-view anteroom where a full day’s programming will take place, as well as the fantastic raffle drawings. This year the raffle, a major PILC fundraiser, has some exciting prizes on offer, including 2-night stays in Chiang Mai and Krabi, bicycles, electrical appliances, and vouchers from local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and spas. Besides the entertainment for everyone, there are lots more things for the kids this year, including a visit to Santa!
Ananya Welland, PILC Chair of Special Events, says, “We have had a massive response to our sponsorship plea this year, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our corporate sponsors, who include Caterpillar, BJV, Asian Tigers Transpo, Foster Wheeler, Bumrungrad Hospital, Esso, Jelly Belly and JVK International Movers. We also have many private sponsors, like Linda’s Restaurant covering the cost of printing, for example. And, of course, there are many businesses, hotels and shops in Pattaya who give generously to our raffle, which raises even more money for our welfare work. There are really so many to thank, and we certainly couldn’t do it without them!”
Raffle tickets are available at Casa Pascal on 2nd Road, Linda’s Restaurant in Jomtien, or from any PILC member. They will also be available all day long at the event on November 3rd. For full details of the Bazaar, see the PILC website (www.pilc-pattaya.com).

PILC November Lunch at the Centara Grand Mirage

Sixty-three members and guests attended the event.

Ann Winfield
The Pattaya International Ladies Club recently held its October Lunch at the beautiful Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort in Naklua. The Centara is a large, luxurious hotel, and they put out a wonderful buffet lunch for the ladies.
Sixty-three members and guests attended the event. Club president, Ann Winfield, made club announcements, reminding members about the upcoming Christmas Bazaar and introducing new members.
Rita Timpen is just one of five women working with the Foreign Police Volunteers here in Pattaya

Ann then introduced the lunch’s guest speaker, Rita Timpen from the Foreign Police Volunteers (FPV). This group was formed a few years ago to help the Thai police in Pattaya deal with foreigners who get into trouble here in Pattaya as many tourists do not understand the language or culture of Thailand. Rita spoke about how she got involved, and shared with the audience some of her experiences. She was a hairdresser in her home country of Holland, and has lived in Pattaya for eight years. She has just been promoted to FPV Patrol Group Coordinator. She is just one of five women working with the FPV here in Pattaya, which is 60 members strong.
Accompanying Rita was Tom Coulter, operations manager with the FPV, who introduced her and gave a short history of the FPV. Rita’s presentation was well received by luncheon attendees and it created numerous questions in the Q and A session that followed. Many people asked Rita for more information on volunteering with the FPV.
Ann thanked the speakers for their presentation, and invited them to address the group again in the near future because of the interest generated. She then went on to remind members of the next lunch event in November which is being held in the Sriracha Seaside Restaurant in Sriracha.
For more information about the Pattaya International Ladies Club, please go to www.pilc-pattaya.com or email [email protected]

Members enjoy lunch at the beautiful Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort in Naklua.

The Centara put out a wonderful buffet lunch for the ladies.

Lucky couple tie the knot in free wedding at Amari

(L to R) Stephen Alexander, Walaiporn Chumnarn, Amari Area General Manager David Cumming, and Weeraya Sakolchai, Amari Orchid Pattaya sales manager.

Warunya Thongrod
A British man who won a free wedding at the Amari Orchid Pattaya’s Valentine’s wedding contest tied the knot with his Thai sweetheart Oct. 15.
More than 100 people looked on as Stephen Alexander, 35, wedded Walaiporn Chumnanr, 34, in the hotel’s ballroom.
The wedding was the grand prize in the hotel’s “Amari Loves Weddings” festival, which was aimed at enticing couples into booking weddings at the hotel. The Amari’s ballroom hosted booths highlighting every facet of its wedding service.
The promotion included free catering, photos, wish book and lodging up to a maximum 500,000 baht. The couple’s initial deposit was also refunded.
“I was excited and happy that I won the award because, apart from getting a free wedding, I got many other gifts,” Wailaporn said.
Hotel spokeswoman Pitchaya Nittikan said the Amari “wants to sponsor the dreams of couples and our campaign did that. It will also showcase the hotel’s potential and quality in holding weddings.”

Part of the package the lucky couple won in the contest included photos, flowers and guest books.

YWCA to open women’s shelter Nov. 1

Benefactors and relevant officials gather for a commemorative photo after the press conference at City Hall.

Warunya Thongrod
The YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center will open an emergency shelter for abused women while they pursue legal action and await permanent relocation.
YWCA Chairwoman Praichit Jetpai announced the Nov. 1 opening of the shelter on Soi Town & Town at a press conference with police and social workers Oct. 25. The building can accommodate only 10 women at a time, who can stay a maximum 90 days.
Praichit said the shelter, which will have its grand opening ceremony Dec. 12, was begun due to a desire to help women and children who have become victims, cast aside by society and have turned to crime to make ends meet after physical and mental abuse.
She said Chonburi Public Health Office reports that 95 percent of women seeing help since 1991 reported being abused, with 81 percent of those seeking help claiming sexual abuse.

The shelter will allow women to live in an environment protected by police as they pursue legal action against their abusers or while police investigations remain ongoing. After 90 days, women will need to find permanent shelter placement or other living arrangements.
Praichit also announced that the shelter project received financial donations of 30,000 baht from Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, 70,000 baht from William Macey representing the Pattaya Sports Club, followed by Elfi Seitz from Pattaya Blatt with 44,400 from her birthday party and 80,000 from Reinhard Gander, an Austrian friend of Elfi’s. Some of the members of YWCA also donated some more money.
32,800 baht raised at the Shubertiade concert held on August 30 at the Hard Rock Pattaya was also donated to the YWCA to be used for the center during a press conference a day earlier, on Oct. 24. Sponsors of that event included New Frontier Music Academy, Acorn Distribution and Pattaya Mail.