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Hollywood Moments at PCEC
It was Hollywood Moments at the Pattaya City Expats Club
meeting on Sunday, April 14. Several brave souls ventured out on this
Songkran day to see member David Garmaise’s video presentation. David’s
hobby is taking video clips from various movies and other sources and
creating an interesting and entertaining video of his own.
Board member David Garmaise
introduces another of his popular “Hollywood Moments” presentations, sharing
his hobby as a film buff with other PCEC members and guests. David gives
interesting anecdotes and the background of selected clips, from various
films.
David has
frequently shared his productions with the Club, which are always enjoyable
and well received; especially his commentary about behind the scenes events
surrounding the movie.
Dame Helen Mirren, the actress, did such a convincing portrayal of Queen
Elisabeth II in the movie “The Queen” that by the end of the shooting for
the movie, the crew would stand at attention and fold their hands behind
their backs whenever they were in her presence. This was one of the many
anecdotes related by David in his presentation. David presented clips from a
half-dozen or so movies - all involving comedy and music which, he said, was
in keeping with the spirit of Songkran.
In the movie “Bruce Almighty,” God, played by
Morgan Freeman, tries to keep Bruce, played by Jim Carrey, on the straight
and narrow.
In the movie “Bruce Almighty,” God, played by Morgan
Freeman, tries to keep Bruce, played by Jim Carrey, on the straight and
narrow. David recounted how the movie was initially banned in Malaysia and
Egypt because of pressure from religious Islamic groups that objected to the
fact that God was portrayed as an ordinary man.
In that same movie, God would occasionally call Bruce on his cell phone. The
number “555-0123” was flashed on the screen. The exchange “555” is the one
that movie producers in North America usually use to avoid any conflict with
a “real” exchange. But, David explained, in the original movie the number
shown had a “716” exchange. That exchange was not being used in Buffalo, New
York, where the movie was shot, so the producers thought they were safe. But
the 716 exchange was in use in other parts of the U.S. The hundreds of
people who received calls from people who wanted to talk to God were not
amused. The exchange was altered to “555” in the home video and TV releases
of the movie.
Tom Cruise in the role of
Maverick in the 1986 movie “Top Gun.”
David showed a clip from Top Gun, an action film from
1986, showing Tom Cruise trying to pick up a woman in a bar by singing “Lost
That Lovin’ Feeling,” a 1964 hit from the Righteous Brothers. David showed
two other clips involving pop songs: A scene in a restaurant in “My Best
Friend’s Wedding” where one table, and eventually the entire restaurant,
sing a rollicking version of “Say a Little Prayer for Me,” originally
popularized by Dionne Warwick; and the concluding scene from Notting Hill,
featuring the song “She,” performed by Elvis Costello. The other films
included in David’s montage were “History of the World, Part 1,” “When Harry
Met Sally,” “A Touch of Class” and “Witches of Eastwick.”
For more information about the many activities of the Pattaya City Expats
Club, visit their website at
www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, stars of the 1989
movie “When Harry Met Sally.” This is the famous fake orgasm scene in a New
York deli, which culminates with another restaurant patron pointing to Meg
and ordering “I’ll have what she’s having.”
Jack Nicholson and his female
co-stars, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer, in the 1987 movie
“Witches of Eastwick.”
Julia Roberts and Rupert
Everett in the 1997 romantic comedy “My Best Friend’s Wedding.”
Hugh Grant in the 1999
romantic comedy “Notting Hill.”
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F&B association
holds reunion party
Yuparat Wongdaokul (left),
president of the association, with F&B members welcome Anusak Rodbunmee
(center), former president.
Phasakorn Channgam
The Food & Beverage Management Association organized a 29-year reunion party to
raise funds for colleagues facing difficulties.
Anusak Rodbunmee, president of the group back in 1984, hosted the April 11 party
at the Hotel J in Pattaya with current President Yuparat Wongdaokul, welcoming
more than 100 former and current members.
Party organizer Direk Pongsawat said the 29-year reunion party was the first of
its kind for the association, but will take place every April 6 from now on.
Apart from getting reacquainted with old friends, the party offers the group a
chance to raise funds for members facing sickness or unemployment.
The association collected contact information from party
guests with plans to compile all the information into a club database.
The Food & Beverage Management Association Eastern Region was founded in 1969
and became an official association in 1980. It’s main purpose is to promote and
develop the careers and skills of F&B employees to match international
standards.
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Centara’s Zulu bar hosts April Lighthouse Club mixer
Julian Stanley and the team from New Developments
are joined by the co-sponsors for the event, The Cube and Masters Residence for
a fun group photo.
Paul Strachan
More than 150 people enjoyed food, drinks and a night of networking at
the Lighthouse Club’s April mixer.
The April 5 event at the Centara Grand Resort & Spa’s Zulu bar was sponsored by
the Masters Residence and The Cube, two condominium developments marketed by the
New Developments Asia Group.
The Masters Residence, on Pratamnak Soi 6, offers 118 units on eight floors and
features a rooftop “infinity pool” amid lush greenery and a view of Koh Larn.
The Cube, the second project from the Tudor Group, is an eight-floor condo tower
on Pratamnak Soi 2. The name refers to the modular design of the property, which
is described as “luxurious affordability” with an open-air swimming pool on the
seventh floor.
New Developments Asia supports various charities and, by sponsoring the
Lighthouse Club of Pattaya, it is assisting the Melissa Cosgrove Children’s
Foundation, which safeguards children in construction camps.
Lighthouse Club events are held monthly and no membership is required. Entrance
is 500 baht, which affords you food, drink and a chance to meet players in the
area’s business community.
For more information, e-mail
[email protected]
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Pattaya Mail marks Songkran with ‘Rod Nam Dum Hua’ ceremony
Marlowe and Peter Malhotra (seated, 2nd & 3rd right)
lead the Pattaya Mail “family” in traditional Songkran blessings.
Phasakorn Channgam
The Pattaya Mail management and staff paid respects to the elders in the
company’s annual Songkran ‘Rod Nam Dum Hua’ ceremony.
Marlowe Malhotra, the revered elder of the Malhotra family, along with Pratheep
Malhotra, MD of the Pattaya Mail Media Group, led the April 16 ceremony at the
Pattaya Mail offices. More than 40 employees and friends joined in the
festivities.
Elders present included Elfi Seitz, Boonlua Chatree, Supatra Samleekaew, Sue
Kukarja, Malwinder Malhotra and Martin Bilsborrow, all representing the
management and employees of the company.
Peter gave blessings to company employees, saying he considers the entire
company to be one big family that works through problems and crises together.
“This is the first Songkran that we celebrate together in our new home. We are
very fortunate that after having to move from our previous offices where we had
worked and practically lived together for the past twenty years, God and all
that is holy have been benevolent to us by giving us this new and beautiful
home.
“This is a home where the holiest of holies who you worship has given us the
opportunity to work for the progress and benefit of the organization and by
doing so we better the lives of not only ourselves, but also those of our
families, our communities and our country.
“We live and work here as one family. If one suffers, we all suffer. We must
consider our colleagues’ difficulties as if they were our own and mutually help
to overcome them.
“The Pattaya Mail is a media group to be reckoned with. Our duties and
responsibilities as the voice of the masses are vital in creating understanding
between communities not only in Thailand but also the people of the world. We
hope that by doing so, we are playing our part to build and enhance peace
amongst all humankind.”
In conclusion Peter called upon all that is holy to bless and grant everyone
with good health, happiness and prosperity. “Work hard and I promise you, you’ll
be able to repay all your debts this year.”
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Green Pattaya Community
cleans up Pratamnak Hill
Green Pattaya Community gathers on Pratamnak Hill,
preparing to clean up the area. (Photo Courtesy Chaianan Moontreephakdee)
On the 6th April 2013 the Green Pattaya Community gathered over 175 people to
clean from Pratamnak Hill to Cosy Beach. Just after two o’clock people started
gathering and after the media prompted photoshoot, the cleaning crews made their
way down Soi Rajchawaroon from Pratamnak Hill. Everybody was placed in a team
and took care of the various streets from Kasetsin 1 to 11 down to Cosy Beach.
Different sponsors had set up camp along the way providing a media centre, a
medical center and refreshments to make sure nobody got overheated on this hot
day.
The Pattaya City Hall Environmental Department kindly dedicated to the occasion
two big trucks, over 15 staff plus 150 different tools for clearing and
cleaning. They also took care of all the rubbish bins and sorted out the
recycled items.
Kingdom Property and The Universal Group provided extra shirts, caps and drinks
and Amazon Travel offered trucks to help move the rubbish. Orion Development and
Cosy Beach Hotel had set up refreshments stations for the army of cleaners. The
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya provided first aid kits and the Defence International
Security Services provided security through the whole day. MBMG and PTA Travel
plus a number of private people made donations to the event. The Pattaya media
was well represented promoting and covering the event.
At six o’clock it was time for the Green Pattaya team to round things up and
have refreshments courtesy of the Lighthouse Cafe at Bali Hai Pier.
The aims of Green Pattaya are to create awareness of green issues and encourage
people into action. Green Pattaya’s first regular cleaning day was a big success
with over 500 Bags of rubbish cleared away from the Cosy Beach area and
increased awareness by Pattaya City Hall of the area’s problems. From awareness
come improvements, for example a broken sewage pump station near the beach and a
rubbish dump on private land, both have been brought to the attention of Pattaya
City Hall, who are keen to see remedial action.
Green Pattaya is a non profit grassroots community and an initiative by members
of the Rotary Club of Eastern Seaboard. The next event is planned for 12th May
2013 when they are cleaning the temple and the hill around Big Buddha,
Pratamnak. To check the date and time see more information available on
Facebook; everybody will be welcome.
In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out
completes the circle and comes back to us.
Facebook:-
https://www.facebook.com/GreenPattaya
Web:- www.pattaya-events.com
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Banglamung Home for Elderly,
YWCA honor seniors for Songkran
YWCA members pay respect to elders, pouring lustral
water on their hands.
Phasakorn Channgam
The Banglamung Home for Elderly focused on healthy living at its annual
Elderly Day commemoration.
Chonburi Deputy Gov. Pornchai Kwansakul presided over the April 10 event with
home Director Uthit Bunchauy.
“Elderly Day is another event organized to develop the quality of lives for the
elderly to create awareness in society about the value and importance of
seniors,” Pornchai said. “They should be honored as benefactors.”
Members of the Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya Center sprinkled water on the seniors to
honor them on Songkran. Various booths offered health services from massage to
checkups to eye exams. Children from Thart Thong Chonburi and residents
Garunyawet and the Alcazar Show provided entertainment before lunch was served
by the Y.W.C.A.
The Y.W.C.A. also provided towels, soap, toothpaste and other necessities.
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