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PCEC members discuss world events
Pattaya City Expats Clubs’
December 1st meeting began with Treasurer Judith Edmonds reminding members
of the Christmas collection for gifts for children of orphanages in the
Pattaya area.
Albert Einstein once said, “I fear the day that
technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a
generation of idiots.” This quote was mentioned during the program at the
Sunday, December 1 meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. In lieu of
having a scheduled speaker, the planned program was to have an open
discussion on current events around the world and in Thailand moderated by
PCEC member Tony Heron.
The open discussion touched on the following topics: (1) Where were you on
the day the twin towers in New York were hit (9/11)? (2) Is the art of
conversation on the wane? (3) Was Michael Jackson’s doctor responsible for
administering the fatal dose? (4) What was the true story concerning the 34
striking miners in South Africa killed by police? (5) What should we make of
the latest protests in Bangkok? (6) Why are there differences in the way
various countries handle pension payments for people living abroad? Some of
these issues got more “air time” than others.
Member Tony Herron MC’d the open
discussion of various current topics of Thailand, & particularly items of
concern to expats. Here Tony listens as a member on the floor expresses an
opinion on the subject of pensions for expats, from their various home
countries.
On the question of whether the art of conversation is on
the wane, Tony cited a recent study that showed that seven out of 10 parents
use social media to communicate with their children rather than conversing
with them. He added that the use of social media is also changing the rules
of spelling - for example, use of “u” instead of “you.” One member felt that
this is simply a natural evolution of the English language. Another member
added that the Oxford Dictionary’s “new word of the year” for 2013 also
reflects the impact of social media. The word is “selfie.” The meaning being
a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically with a smart phone or
webcam, and then uploaded to a social media website.” Another contributor
mentioned that at a Thanksgiving dinner he attended, all the talk at his
table was about a new Sony tablet with the evening consisting of taking
pictures with it and using the media on the tablet; there was little other
conversation.
Concerning the situation in Bangkok, one member said that if you want a
“blow by blow” account, you can follow Richard Barrow on Twitter. Barrow is
a professional blogger. When there are major events happening in Thailand,
Barrow is usually there covering it. He sends out up to 15 or 20 tweets an
hour. The member provided a summary of the latest events in Bangkok based on
Barrow’s tweets.
Chairman Pat Koester presented
Tony with a Certificate of Appreciation for his capable MC’ing of ‘Current
Event Topics’.
In the discussion on government pensions, it emerged that
some expats from the UK have inflation protection in their pensions while
others do not (depending on where they live); a point of sore contention for
those in Thailand as they do not receive increases in their UK pensions. The
subject of Australian government pensions also came up; but there were
differences of opinion expressed by the Australians in attendance regarding
whether Australian expats can receive such pensions and how to apply for
them.
Following the open discussion, member Pat Koester provided a report, with
picture projected on screen, of the recent trip she organised for 24 club
members and guests to Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and the King’s Palace at Bang Pa
In. The trip coincided with the four-day Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai.
The festival is held in the historical park where ruins from the Sukhothai
period are located. The park has several large ponds. The group enjoyed a
sound and light show, a parade of large boats with lights on the ponds and,
of course, the tradition of individuals floating their krathongs on the
water.
Pat reported on the recent Loy
Krathong trip to Northern Thailand. Here are beautiful Krathongs floating at
the ceremony at Sukhothai.
The Ayutthaya leg of the trip featured a visit to the
ruins and to several Buddhist temples, including one in nearby Bang Pa In
that resembles a Christian church. Wat Nivet Thamaprawat was built by King
Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in the late nineteenth century. Likewise, the Royal
Palace in Bang Pa In also consists of a series of structures, only one of
which is in the Thai style. The others are all done in various styles,
mostly European.
At the conclusion of the discussion and Pat’s report, Master of Ceremonies
Richard Silverberg brought everyone up to date on upcoming events and called
on Roy Albiston to conduct the Open Forum, where questions are asked and
answered about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya.
To learn more about the club and their many activities, visit
www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
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Diana Group opens Sala Thai
Diana Group Managing Director Sopin
Thappajug (front row, 4th left) presides over the opening of the Diana Garden
Resort’s new Sala Thai blessing ceremony.
Thanachot Anuwan
The Diana Garden Resort opened its new Sala Thai with a blessing
ceremony from nine area monks.
Diana Group Managing Director Sopin Thappajug presided over the food-offering
ceremony for the 3 million baht expansion of the North Pattaya hotel Dec. 3.
Chonyanmunee, abbot of Utokkhepasimaram Temple, led the chanting ceremony with
monks from Chonglom and Sriracha temples before blessing the new pavilion with
holy water.
Sopin said Sala Thai offers living space surrounded by 13 Thai-style houses that
will be used for hosting cultural activities.
Community leaders turn out to fete
General Kanit on 70th birthday
Pratheep Malhotra (4th left), MD of
Pattaya Mail Publishing Co. Ltd., Suwanthep Malhotra (3rd left), Deputy MD,
along with the Malhotra family present their best wishes and a health basket to
Gen. Kanit and Thanpuying Busyarat Permsub.
Phasakorn Channgam
Community leaders turned out Nov. 23 to wish General Kanit Permsub, deputy chief
aide-de-camp, general to His Majesty the King, a happy 70th birthday.
While his actual birthday was three days later, Gen. Kanit held a Buddhist
ceremony at his home presided over by nine monks from Boonsamphan Temple. In
attendance were a host of family members, friends and dignitaries who had come
to pay their respects to the general.
Dean of Region 2 monks, Visuthipiyakorn, who also serves as abbot of Boonsamphan
Temple, presided over the ceremony with nine monks attending.
Gen. Kanit lit candles and incense to begin the services. The monks chanted
prayers and at the end of the ceremonies sprinkled lustral water to bless him on
his birthday.
The revered couple made offerings of food and water to the monks and later
guests were treated to a vast selection of traditional Thai cuisine in the
compound of the Permsub residence.
General Kanit is held in high esteem by those who know him for his unbounded
love and loyalty to His Majesty the King and his devotion to the Royal Family.
He affectionately speaks of the love and benevolence of our King for the people
of Thailand. “His Majesty has never stopped caring for His people throughout the
more than 60 years of His reign.”
Guests presented the general with gifts and flowers.
(L to R) Banglamung district chief
Sakchai Taengho and Nongprue Mayor Mai Chaiyanit convey their good wishes to
Gen. Kanit and Thanpuying Busyarat Permsub.
Pol. Col. Somnuk Changate,
superintendent of Banglamung station Nongprue branch, leads police officers to
wish Gen. Kanit Permsub a happy birthday.
Chonburi MP Santsak Ngampichet
(right) presents a birthday gift to Gen. Kanit and his lovely wife Thanpuying
Busyarat Permsub.
Gen. Kanit Permsub lights incense
and candles to pay respects to Lord Buddha.
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Pattaya charity groups donate
43,500 baht to Philippine typhoon victims
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome (center), representing Pattaya
charity groups, presents a large donation to Yu-een Khapis (4th right) from the
Couples for Christ Faith Family Life, to help Philippine victims of Typhoon
Haiyan.
Warunya Thongrod
Pattaya-area charity organizations joined to aid the disaster-stricken
Philippines, sending more than 40,000 baht to victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya Center Chairwoman Praichit
Jetpai joined tourism police volunteers and members of the Lions Club of
Pratamnak-Pattaya to present 43,500 baht to Yu-een Khapis of Couples for Christ
Faith Family Life at city hall Nov. 25.
Itthiphol explained that the Y.W.C.A., volunteers and Lions Club collected
donations Nov 23-24 on Walking Street with a large number of tourists giving.
Likely the strongest cyclone ever to hit land, super typhoon Haiyan had
officially killed 3,976 Filipinos with authorities estimating another 10,000 may
have died. Worst affected were the islands of Leyte and Samar, with cataclysmic
damage. Many areas remained inaccessible a week after the Nov. 7 storm and many
still had no food or shelter.
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Redemptorist Vocational School given 331,500 baht for repairs
Principal Udomchok Churat (center) provides an
update on various projects at the Redemptorist Center.
Veechan Souksi
The Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities has
received 331,500 to repair roofs and sidewalks at the Pattaya campus.
The grant from the Office of Private Education Commission will be used to
replace broken roof tiles, patch holes in leaky ceilings, widen sidewalks and
fix other broken footpaths, Principal Udomchok Churat told the school’s Nov. 29
board meeting.
Udomchok said school officials were busy preparing Father Ray Foundation
school’s 25th anniversary Dec. 7 and planning the graduation ceremony for the 33
boys and eight girls who finished the most-recent term.
The vocational school has seen a startling number of drop-outs, suspensions and
expulsions. The principal said 40 of the 155 male students that started the term
did not complete it. Meanwhile, only three of the 53 female pupils didn’t
complete the term.
The meeting wrapped with routine business including news that student Pichana
Kuratsiri finished second in the Oita International Wheelchair Marathon in Japan
with a time of 1.54.03. Student Sakda Khamtha finished 11th in the same race.
The board also was given an update on construction of the Redemptorist School in
Nong Khai. The project secured partial funding from sponsor Thailand Water Pipe
and 27 students and teachers are currently using the school’s first building.
Construction continues on a stadium and the school has a shortage of teaching
supplies, the board was informed.
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GM Gang chills out at Icing Me
Hoteliers affirm that tourism on the upswing
Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra
When was the last time you went down Naklua Soi 18, a.k.a. Soi Wong
Amat, which runs parallel to the beach all the way to Soi 16?
I remember the road when I first moved to Pattaya almost 40 years ago when the
only hotel of note was the Wong Amat hotel and bungalow complex catering mostly
to German tourists. It wasn’t easy getting there unless you had your own
transportation in the form of a little motor bike, which was the mode of travel
for most people in Pattaya, if you could afford one.
Chatchawal Supachayanont, GM of the
Dusit Thani Pattaya.
Things have changed quite a bit in the past four decades
along this once almost deserted road. The street is now lined with hundreds of
restaurants, hotels, condominiums and shops, including dozens of 7-11s and
Family Marts, some even situated right next to each other.
There must be a real big demand for so many of these mini marts and shops, I
wondered. My thoughts were answered as I arrived at the Icing Me Restaurant &
Bakery located at the street front of the Long Beach Hotel on the corner of
Naklua Soi 16.
Having been given a rowdy welcome by members of the GM Gang, I settled in my
chair, took a sip of red wine and gazed out the window.
I was mesmerised by how the intersection was being transformed right before my
eyes. It was dusk and shadows became long. The street lights were switched on
and as if from the sets of a Fellini movie, the intersection came to life.
For a moment I thought I was in some small town in India, replete with the
hustle and bustle of people crowding the streets, strolling around, oblivious of
cars and buses small and large that zig-zagged their way around the masses, just
barely missing them. This looked like the early days of Walking Street when it
was still called the South Pattaya strip. I was overwhelmed by this sensation of
déjà vu.
Sanpech Supabowornsthian, GM Long
Beach Garden Hotel & Spa.
I was jolted back to present day as I heard the soothing voice of our host,
Sanpech Supabowornsthian, GM Long Beach Garden Hotel & Spa Pattaya, addressing
the gathering of general managers and executives of the hotels in Pattaya.
Chatchawal Supachayanont, the head of the GM Gang, welcomed his friends and
colleagues and graciously welcomed Rudolf Tröstler, the new general manager of
Hilton Pattaya to the gang.
Chatchawal opened the evening by saying, “Even with the unhappy state of affairs
in the country, it is still good to see some cheerful faces in this room.”
He commented on the uniqueness of the Icing Me restaurant and said that it was a
nice and cosy place for friends to meet, at the same time thanking Sanpech for
his kind hospitality.
Though the political climate in Thailand seemed gloomy, Bundarik Kusolvitya,
President of the Thai Hotels Association (Eastern Chapter) was very optimistic
about the hotel and tourism business in general.
In an exclusive interview with Pattaya Mail, Bundarik said, “The number of
tourists to Pattaya in the first 9 months of this year has far exceeded the
number of visitors for all of last year.”
Bundarik Kusolvitya, President of
the Thai Hotels Association (Eastern Chapter)
Commenting on the drop in tourist numbers from China, Bundarik said, “This
setback is only temporary. The Chinese government has put some measures in place
to protect their citizens from being exploited by unscrupulous tour operators
and want to put a stop to those unfair practices. I am confident that once the
new policies are in place, the numbers would increase again.
“Tourism to Pattaya has a bright future. We still see an influx of Russians,
Indians and Koreans to our city and the eastern region,” she continued.
“I am also pleased to note that tourists from Europe including Germans and the
British still come in large numbers.
“The best piece of good news is that after a break of almost two decades, the
Japanese tour operators have finally put Pattaya back in their travel brochures
as of the next tourist season. The Japanese have come to realize that Pattaya
does not have a bad image after all and that we have positively transformed into
a family oriented destination.
“With almost 90,000 rooms available, we are one of the biggest and best tourism
and MICE destinations in the world. What we really have to look into urgently is
to improve our infrastructure. We need better roads; water management and
disposal of garbage are amongst the more urgent matters. Having said that, I
know this is all not beyond our capabilities because our strength lies in the
fact that the public and private sectors cooperate closely with each other for
the benefit of all concerned.”
The evening ended on a high note and as we walked out of the restaurant and into
the street, I reminisced about my old friends from days gone by, some of whom
are with us no more, when we were young, energetic and carefree, walking up and
down the South Pattaya strip, joking and laughing as we bar-hopped until dawn.
Prayuth Thamdhum (GM Montien
Pattaya) arrives just in time to drink a toast with his friends.
(l-r) Tony Malhotra (Pattaya Mail),
Nopporn Kanchanamanee (District Sales Manager of Thai Airways), Neoh Kean Boon
(RM Dusit Thani Pattaya), Sanpech Supabowornsthian (GM Long Beach Garden Hotel &
Spa), Jitmanee Siravithayavanich (Way Hotel), Bundarik Kusolvitya (President of
the Thai Hotel Association - Eastern Chapter), Chatchawal Supachayanont (GM
Dusit Thani Pattaya), Danilo Becker (RM Thai Garden Resort), Yuwathida Jeerapat
(MD Hotel J Pattaya), Holger Kroninger (GM Siam Bayview & Wave Hotels), Sittidej
Rochanavibhata (General Manager Cape Dara Resort), Rudolf Tröstler (GM of Hilton
Pattaya), Rene Pisters (GM Thai Garden Resort) and Peter Malhotra (Pattaya
Mail).
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