COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

 

Events

The next meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) will be on Sunday, December 7. Everyone is warmly welcome. The presenter will be Dr. Penguin (aka Doc Penguino); bringing back some more of his “magic.” The Club meets every Sunday morning at The Tavern by the Sea Restaurant located on the north end of Beach Road (part of the Amari Orchid Resort). The program starts at 10:30 a.m. with a buffet breakfast available from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard invites all Rotarians, friends & guests to join an evening of fine food and excellent entertainment at the club’s annual Christmas party to be held at the Siam Bayshore Resort in South Pattaya from 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 6. Tickets cost 1,200 baht and can be reserved by calling Bob Denzel at 081-715 20 51 or email: [email protected]. Dress code for the event is formal or smart.

The annual Jet Ski King’s Cup-World Cup Grand Prix tournament will take place from December 3-7 at Jomtien Beach. The event will feature some of the biggest names in world jet-ski racing with participants coming from over 40 countries to take part. Free practice takes place on Dec. 3 & 4 with the main completion starting Dec. 5 at 8 a.m. Admission is free to all spectators. For more information, go to website: http://jetski-worldcup.com.

A ceremony of 5 religions will be held at The Sanctuary of Truth in north Pattaya on Tuesday, December 9. The ceremony features 200 monks and activities of other religions including Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Sikhism and Hinduism. People who are interested can join the ceremony for free.

The 8th annual Bangsaen Thailand Speed Festival will be held from December 10-14 on a road circuit at Bangsaen Laemtan and Khao Sam-muk with over 300 participating vehicles. The event highlight will be the final round of the 2014 Thailand Super Car racing series. Entrance is free to all spectators.

Rayong-Pattaya Ladies Circle will be holding a monthly Coffee Morning on Wednesday, December 10 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the home of Romayne McAlister in Jomtien. All money raised from entry (200 baht) and raffle ticket sales will go to support Pattaya Family Bike Day. For further information, including directions to the venue, call Tiew on 081 644 4 432 or email: rayongladiescircle @gmail.com.

A Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening will be held at the Amari Pattaya Resort on Thursday, December 11, from 6.00 -9.00 p.m. (last drinks served at 8.30 p.m.). Price of admission is THB 400 for members of BCCT, AustCham, AmCham, GTCC & SATCC and THB 850 for non-members. For more information and reservations, go to chamber websites: www.bccthai.com, www. austchamthailand.com or www.amchamthailand.com.

The Queen’s Cup Pink Polo tournament is scheduled for Dec 14 at the Thai Polo & Equestrian Club in Pattaya to help raise funds for the Queen Sirikit Center for Breast Cancer at Chulalongkorn Hospital and the Thai Red Cross Society. The tournament features an all-women cast, with the players turning up for the matches dressed in pink, while the venue itself will be adorned in matching decor. The day’s events begin at 12 noon and include show jumping, a fashion show on horseback, kids’ polo, Pink Polo final with divot stomping & high tea, fireworks Assado & dancing. Entrance costs 1000 baht as a donation to the Queen Sirikit Center. For more information, call Kh. Surapol on 081 617 4744 or check website: www.thai-polo-club.com.

TFI (Thai-Farang Initiative) will be holding its second Jolly Kids Xmas Party at Jameson’s Irish Pub & Restaurant on Sunday, Dec. 14 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bring the kids as Santa will give every child a Christmas gift. The kids’ buffet will include chicken nuggets, fish fingers, mini burgers, French fries, jelly and ice cream plus soft drinks. Magic shows will be performed by Doc Penguin and there will also be face painting & a bouncy castle plus a Grand Raffle with a fantastic selection of prizes available. Admission is free for all children. Also, order any Jameson’s Sunday roast dinner and 50% of the price shall be donated to the TFI charity fund. For more information, email info @tfi-events.com or visit facebook.com/funcharityevents.

BCCT Christmas Luncheon: Friday 12 December, 11.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. at Amari Watergate Bangkok.

The Wonderfruit music & art festival is to be held for 3 days from December 19-21 on over 200 rai of land at the entrance to Siam Country Club. The festival will be focused on the beauty of nature with over 100 hours of shows and entertainment and aims to attract those who love music and have a passion for art. 3-day pass/camping tickets cost 5,000 baht for adults, 3,500 baht for teens (12-19) and children (0-11) have free admittance. For more information, go to website: wonderfruitfestival.com.

Horseshoe Point Riding School is offering three special Christmas themed Ranch Days on December 18, 22 & 29. The fun packed days for children of all ages include a Treasure Hunt on horseback, Christmas party games, dressing up your pony for a Christmas Parade competition, fabulous prizes and much more. The events are open to all children 5 years and up, beginner riders or experienced. The cost for each day is 2,000 baht per participant. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Able the Disabled Foundation.  For more information and booking, call Sandra on 086 848 3684.

Pattaya City has scheduled the Pattaya Countdown celebration for 7 days and 7 nights from December 25-31 at South Pattaya (Bali Hai) Pier. This year’s Pattaya Countdown 2015 is planned to be bigger than ever, with popular music artists from in and out of the country performing nightly and booths offering a wide variety of products and food to give tourists, both domestic and foreign, a traditional Thailand New Year to remember.

Naklua Walking Street is open every Saturday and Sunday evening from 18:00 onwards at the Old Naklua Market. There will be a variety of traditional activities from communities in Pattaya, handcrafted products, traditional food and fresh seafood to offer at very special prices. There will also be shows performed by students from the local Pattaya schools. The Walking Street festival is being held until January 18, 2015.

Dining

As well as the excellent European food for which it is very well known in Pattaya (including some very rare Dutch items), Mata Hari restaurant also has a complete range of Thai cuisine, including Thai Isaan on request from Chef Jackie, herself coming from Isaan. Mata Hari restaurant is located at the top of the hill on Thappraya Road, and for reservations (strongly recommended) phone 038 259 799 or email [email protected] or go through the website at: www.mataharipattaya.com.

The Thai Garden Resort offers nightly dining presentations with different themed buffets! Happy Hours are from 17:00 - 18:00 with most drinks at 50% discount. The “All You Can Eat Buffet” starts at 18:00 until 21:00 hours and offers a wide variety of soups, salads, bread, cold cuts, smoked salmon, choices of hot food dishes, live cooking stations and of course a home-made desserts selection. All this for just 399 baht net for adults and 199 baht net for children under 12 years old. What you see is what you pay, no additional service charges or VAT. For reservations call 038 370 614 or make your booking at www.thaigarden. com under “buffet reservation”. Thai Garden Resort is located on North Pattaya Road, 200 meters from the Dolphin roundabout and 200 meters before Tesco Lotus.

Saturday Night BBQ Buffet at The Bay Restaurant: Dine al fresco and enjoy a fantastic selection of meat and seafood BBQ items as well as international cuisine in the Saturday Night BBQ Buffet. Open from 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. at The Bay Restaurant of Dusit Thani Pattaya. Buffet price is THB 1,490++ per person (food only) - add a free flow of wine, beer, juice and soft drinks at an additional THB 599++ per person. For reservations, call 038 425 611-7 Ext 2149-50.

Havana Bar & Terrazzo at Holiday Inn Pattaya offers the following on a weekly basis: Monday - signature cocktail at just THB 180 net per glass; Tuesday - enjoy all traditional and signature pizzas at only THB 279; Wednesday - local draft beer at THB 119 net per glass; Thursday - enjoy a selection of pasta dishes with a glass of house wine or beer at only THB 450 net/person; Friday - enjoy a BBQ seafood platter with a variety of local seafood. Price starts from THB 1,200 net; Saturday - enjoy one of the best Mojitos in town at THB 159 net all night; Sunday - lucky draw, a chance to get 50% discount off your bill. Hi Club membership gets 10% discount. For more information or reservations, call 038 725 555 or email to: [email protected].

Surf & Turf at Elements restaurant - Sheraton Pattaya Resort: Grilled Australian tenderloin, lobster & pumpkin hash, red wine sauce: THB 950++; Sautéed snow fish, braised beef cheek & mushroom ragout: THB 600++; Wok fried Szechuan lamb with sea scallops, Thai kale & Shaoxing wine: THB 450++; Tenderloin Carpaccio & crispy oysters, horseradish aioli: THB 425++; Crispy pork belly, blue crab & apple salad: THB 425++. For more information call 038 259 888 or email: info.pattaya@ sheraton.com.

Louis Restaurant is offering a new weekly set dinner menu alongside the regular a la carte menu items. The set menu includes a choice of starters, main courses and desserts. Louis Restaurant also offers a set lunch menu for THB 250-290. Louis is located on Naklua Soi 31 or North Pattaya Road Soi 6. For reservations contact Vichai on mobile 081 001 3298 or email: alois.pattaya @gmail.com.

Ruffino Restaurant offers Monday to Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. a homemade pizza “buy 1 get 1 free” promotion and Chef Luca has created a delicious rustic 3-course set dinner perfectly paired with a carafe of red or white wine for THB 888 net per person, only available on Thursday’s from 6 to 10 p.m. At Oceana Restaurant from 6:30 to 10 p.m. daily enjoy a 4-course Royal Thai Cuisine set dinner for THB 777 net, including a glass of red or white wine. A superb mid-week buffet featuring tasty European favourites is also available every Wednesday from 6.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. priced at THB 599 per person (add THB 400 for a free flow of beer). Afternoon Tea is also available daily from 3-5 p.m. at the Espresso Bar for THB 700++ per set for 2 persons, including scones and clotted cream, freshly made sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee or try one of the 17 wines available starting at 190 baht per glass with a complimentary snack. All outlets are located at the Centara Grand Phratamnak Pattaya on Pratamnak Road, Soi 5. For more information and bookings call 038 306 337 or e-mail: supparatchpi @chr.co.th.

Halal international buffet dinner @ Harbour - only THB 420 net per person. The buffet dinner includes halal food, an international buffet line and many selections of dessert. The food is certified and cooked by a halal chef with 40 years experience. Both indoor and outdoor dining options are available. Harbour restaurant is located at the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel on Pattaya Beach Road (Soi 3), Open daily 6.00 pm - 10.00 pm. For more information, call 038 259 555 Ext 4236.

Sugar Hut Restaurant is open for lunch with set menu prices from 240 to 350 baht net/set. Menu items include chili fried rice, pork soup with tofu, noodles, fresh spring rolls, salad, fruit, desserts and more. For inquiries and reservations, call 038 364 186, 038 251 686.

Marco Polo Chinese Restaurant is famous for its authentic Shanghainese and Szechuan cuisines prepared to perfection by master Chinese chefs. Enjoy a dim sum lunch daily from 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and dinner from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. daily. The Verandah Coffee Shop is also serving an international seafood BBQ buffet dinner every Saturday from 6.30 p.m. - 10.00 p.m. Price THB 995 net for adults and THB 550 net for children. Also make sure to call in at the Montien Bakery Shop for freshly made cakes, pastries and breads plus a range of Thai desserts. Open daily from 9.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. (Every day). For more information, call the Montien Hotel, Pattaya, tel. 038 428 155, 038 361 340 ext. 1620, 1621, or email [email protected].

Edge restaurant at Hilton Hotel Pattaya offers a Monday “Post weekend BBQ” featuring freshly grilled sausages, Korean style pork cuts and chorizo burritos while Tuesday’s “Mediterranean Fare” includes Middle Eastern dips and salads, pizza and pasta. On Wednesday, Edge presents “Burgers, Salads and Gourmet Sandwiches” where guests can create their perfect burger, toss a fresh salad or grab a gourmet sandwich. The tastes of Southeast Asia, India, China and Japan come together for Thursday’s “Extended Asia” followed by Friday’s “Seafood Pattaya” where the crystal waters offer up fresh local prawns, crabs and lobsters served on ice or grilled. Saturday’s “Classics & Confectionaries” presents timeless favorites such as Greek salad, oven-baked whole salmon, green curry and bouillabaisse and margherita pizza. In addition, guests will be able to indulge in traditional Thai desserts with a modern twist. Every Sunday, the chefs pull out all the stops and offer the hotel’s famous “Sunday Brunch” that brings together a wide selection from around the globe. Bookings are absolutely essential for this very popular event. Monday to Thursday @ THB 480 net; Friday and Saturday @ THB 540 net, Sunday Brunch @ THB 1400 net; Wine Buffet @ THB 1100 net. “Seven Days, Seven Themes” is available from Mondays to Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 12 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. on Sundays. An International Buffet Dinner is also available 7 days a week priced at THB 920 net on Monday - Thursday and Saturday & Sunday, and THB 1100 net on Friday. Edge restaurant is located on the 14th floor of the Hilton Hotel Pattaya. For bookings, please dial +66 (0)38 253 000.

The Tavern by the Sea Restaurant introduces the following daily promotions: Monday Curry Night features the tastiest curries, naan bread and salad buffet for just THB 499 net per person. Wednesday is Ribs & Wings evening: finger licking good ribs and 6 different kinds of wings - all you can eat for THB 449 net per person. Thirsty Thursday Beer Buffet offers a Free Flow of all local draught beer including Chang, Tiger, Heineken and San Miguel. Price 699 THB net per person, starts from 18:00 – 21:00. Friday & Saturday Churrasco Nights offer prime meats and seafood, grilled to perfection on the fire and freshly skewered for you on the churrasco pens at the Tavern. All complemented by a full buffet of starters, side dishes and desserts. Only THB 749 net per person. Every buffet is open from 18.30 - 22.00 hrs. There is also a daily happy hour from 11 am - 6 pm. Watch all the premier live sports on one of the many widescreen TV’s or on the big projector screen (Sports hotline 038 418 419). Amari Pattaya, Beach Road, North Pattaya, Tel 038 418418.

Eat to the New Beat at Starz Diner located at the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya between 2nd Road and Beach Road, Central Pattaya: A selection of Pan Asian and continental flavors, from the griddle, BBQ char-grill, pan, fryer, steamer, wok, and tandoori oven, as well as some really delicious desserts. Sat: THB 850++, Sun-Fri: THB 750++ food only. Sat: THB 1,080++, Sun-Fri: THB 980++ including free flow drinks. Children under 11 years of age eat for free. Show time for live music is from 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. For more information call 038 428 755-9 or go to http://pattaya.hardrockhotels.net.

Ginger & Lime presents a “Friday Night Thai Buffet” showcasing a wide variety of Thai cuisine, lots of live cooking stations and includes a vegetable carving show, flower arrangement demonstration, silver jewelry hand craft stall, fun games and traditional Thai live shows every Friday night from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Price: THB 799++ (subject to 10% service charge and 7% VAT) per person. Ginger & Lime Restaurant is located at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya. For more information and reservations, call 038 714 981.

Throughout the entire month of December 2014, Oasis Restaurant invites you to come and enjoy “Festive Turkey” dishes including turkey club, turkey steak, turkey schnitzel and turkey skewers with spicy coconut green curry. Prices start at only THB 200++. Oasis Restaurant is located at the lower Main Lobby near the water park at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya. Open daily from 06.00-23.00 hrs. For reservations call 038 714 981.

Promotions

To welcome the upcoming year-end festivities, Amari Pattaya is providing special hampers to celebrate and share this holiday season. Chose from three different styles of hampers, all containing a variety of goodies such as Christmas cookies, chocolate praline, AC fresh juice, jam, tea, Christmas teddy bears and much more. Prices are 1,600, 3,500 and 6,000 THB and hampers are available from 15 December 2014 until 5 January 2015. Place advance orders by contacting Essence Restaurant at 038 418 418 or email to [email protected].

eforea spa at Hilton Pattaya has announced its new special promotion package, “Relax, Renew and Emerge Brighter”. Guests can book the package for only THB 3,500 and receive a 90-minute meditation massage, inspired by traditional Australian Aboriginal techniques, which focuses on instilling a deep sense of mental and physical relaxation. A choice of native aromatic oils is prescribed to suit your individual needs to rejuvenate, harmonize or detoxify. For an additional THB 500 guests can enjoy a 30-minute body scrub and receive an eforea music CD, which features soothing tunes that they can relax to in their own home. For more information, call 038 253 000, email pattaya. [email protected] or visit eforeaspa.com.

Tea Tree Spa at Holiday Inn Pattaya is currently offering a special promotion - for every two regular treatments purchased, receive 20% discount from normal price (terms and conditions apply). For more information and reservations, call 038 725 555 ext. 3902 or email: [email protected].

Spa Cenvaree at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort, Pattaya is offering a “Heavenly Care Spa Membership” for an annual 12 month fee of THB 10,000 net, which enables each member to enjoy spa treatments up to the value of 35,000 baht. Membership also includes unlimited use of other spa facilities including the sauna for general detoxification, weight loss and stress relief, herbal steam room, cold & hot plunge pools, lap pool in front of the Fitness Center, spa lockers and Relaxation Lounge complete with juice and snacks. For more information, contact Spa Cenvaree on 038 301 234 ext. 4333 or email: [email protected].

Now at Café Kantary Sriracha visitors can enjoy a happy hour, featuring savings on a host of refreshing beverages. Every Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm, every visitor who purchases a beverage will receive a free beverage of equal or less value. The offer is limited to 2 free beverages per visitor, and excludes alcoholic beverages. For more information, please contact Café Kantary, Sriracha: Tel. 0-3831-410, or visit www.cafekantary.com.

Entertainment

Ripley’s Pattaya will organize a fun run at the U-Tapao Naval Air Base on Saturday, December 13. The race will be organized into 3 race distances - 5km, 10.5km and 21km - and participants will have to overcome various obstacles set up by the organizers, featuring famous movie characters. For more information, call 02 236 2931-2 or to register send an email to [email protected].

The ZHdK String Orchestra from Switzerland will be performing a concert at the Siam Bayshore Resort on Monday, December 15 at 7 p.m. The evening program will include works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Elgar and Grieg. Tickets are priced at 600 baht at the door and are available to book in advance for early bird at 500 baht. For more information, send email to mongkolchaya [email protected] or call Mr. Mongkol 081 682 8000.

The Bangkok Community Theatre (BCT) will hold open auditions for the off-Broadway musical, ‘Pageant’ on Monday, 15 December, starting at 6 p.m. at Creative Industries, M-Theater, 2884/2 New Petchaburi Road in Bangkok. All actors should be able to sing moderately well, move fluidly and possess strong comedy skills. Performances are set for 19-28 March in Bangkok. Email: [email protected] for more information.

Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya presents ‘Mix Tape’ every Friday night from 9 p.m. till 2 a.m. at the Moon Deck. A roster of four guest DJs play soulful funky sounds, deep house, tech and all manners of groovy tunes laced with rock & roll. For more information and/or reservations, call 038 426635, send e-mail to [email protected] or go to www.facebook.com/HardRockCafePattaya.

The North Star Library on Sukhumvit Road, north Pattaya holds regular Thai language classes Mon - Fri from 10.30 till 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. Cost of admission is 100 baht per session for library members and 200 baht for non-members. Private lessons are also available for 200 baht per hour. In addition, the library also holds Yoga training every Tuesday from 1 - 2 p.m. at the Father Ray Foundation. Cost is 1200 baht for 6 sessions (first session free). For more information, call 081 575 4854 or email [email protected]

Come and enjoy live music at the Jazz Pit Pub. Listen to great music by Thomas Reimer, one of the most famous European Jazz guitarists, playing live on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. The Jazz Pit is located on Soi 5 off Pattaya Beach and 2nd Road. Tel: 038 428 374. And you can also catch Thomas performing on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. at the Sugar Hut restaurant on Thappraya Road, call 038 364 186 for details.

Groups & Associations

Al-Anon Family Group: Are you bothered by someone else’s drinking? Maybe we can help. Sunday meeting at 2 p.m., Pattaya, Satree Pattaya Center, 519/56 Pattaya 2nd Road, Soi Skaw Beach near the Skaw Beach Hotel, next door to Scandalia Restaurant. Thursday meeting is at 10:30 a.m. on the 4th floor of Jomtien Plaza Condotel. For more information, call the Helpline 092 674 4109 or Richard 084 867 4138.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Pattaya: The Pattaya Group meets Wednesday and Thursday at noon (open); Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 5 p.m. (closed) and Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (closed) at the Satree Pattana Center, Soi Skaw Beach (2nd Rd): contact Mick on 087 994 6224, Bob 087 939 2463 or Joe 082 715 2082. The Good Morning Pattaya Group meets 9 a.m. every morning. All meetings are ‘open’: contact 084 564 8479. The Jomtien Group meets every day at noon at Jomtien Long Stay Hotel: contact: Warren on 086 158 9688, Andy 080 570 1404 or Henk 086 070 6684, Thai contact: Somchai 081 445 3302. The Scandinavian Group meets on Tuesdays and Fridays 6 p.m. at the Norwegian Seaman’s Church, Thappraya Road Soi 7: contact Hans 085 135 7755 or Rune (Rayong) 089 754 9515. 10.30 a.m. meetings every day at Satree Pattana Centre on Soi Skaw Beach off Second Road. Call 084 564 8479.

For the past 28 years the Samaritans of Thailand have been providing confidential crisis intervention services over the telephone. The English-speaking unit, Samaritans English Help Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support to the expatriate community. English-speaking staff, trained in crisis intervention will provide active, non-judgmental and empathetic listening services on the phone. All calls will be handled on an anonymous basis and are free of charge. Please call (02) 713-6791 (24hrs a day, 7 days a week).

Overeaters Anonymous meetings in Pattaya/Jomtien - The ‘Up to You’ group meets Wednesdays at 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the housing area just behind Pan Pan Restaurant in Jomtien on Thappraya Road. Call Steve at 038-364-207(h) or 089-250-1359 (cell) for directions or more information.

Narcotics Anonymous - Hotline: 082 811 2686. There are 3 English speaking meetings in Pattaya near Central Festival and 2 more in Jomtien each week. Also regular Thai speaking meetings at 12 Midday every Sunday and Persian Farsi speaking meetings at 5.30 pm on Thursdays. Please call the Hotline for details.