Jim and Jum celebrate their 6th birthday

The Pattaya Family Land Company is constructing a 58-rai theme park off Sukhumvit Highway near the coast, opposite Nong Nuch Park, 15 kilometers outside of Pattaya.

Minority hilltribes from the Chiang Rai area will be moved to the park and will display their customs and culture. Company Chairman Wichien Kasemsri said that the location of the park will allow tourists to experience traditional Northern Thai culture right here in Pattaya, eliminating the need to travel to the northern provinces.

Karen Long Necks.

As many as 10 villages, arranged in native style, will he constructed on the 58 rai of land at a cost of 600 million baht.

Hilltribes that will be represented include E-Kaw, Karen, Lawa, Akha, Meo, and Sakai, as well as the long-neck Karens, both males and females. All tribes’ people will offer a glimpse of their traditional customs and culture in everyday village surroundings.

Traditions over a thousand years old and carried on today will be on display in traditional settings, portraying a way of life that is still in existence in some rural areas.

The park will be complete with waterfalls, a lake and twisting waterways near the village settings. Tourists will be able to tour the different villages and surrounding area on horse drawn and water buffalo drawn carts. These carts are considered to be a convenient way of taking visitors around the villages in a quiet and environmentally safe setting, allowing the visitors to see how travel used to be in former times.

E-Kaw traditional dress.

Visitors will be able to witness the different handicrafts being made by the various hilltribes, and each village will having its own store to sell merchandise and hand-made traditional items.

Chairman Wichien said that it is likely that the people from the north may encounter some problems at their new home after being accustomed to a cool high-altitude environment. He said that the surrounding hills and lakes will give the outward appearance of their former dwellings, but it will take the newcomers a while to adjust to the new sea-level climate in Chonburi Province. To help with this, investors have coordinated with medical personnel to attend the villagers’ needs.

Inland waterways are also being constructed around the villages and stocked with fish, and trees are being planted in the surrounding hills to produce many varieties of fruit indigenous to this area, which will also be available for visiting tourists to sample.

The park will also offer other, more modern attractions, such as jet ski rentals, wind surfing, water-skiing, canoeing, water-scooters, children’s play areas, sunbathing areas along the beach and a 60 million baht Viking watercraft. Many restaurants will prepare food from different regions, including Korean, Chinese, and Thai cuisine.

The entire enterprise is being viewed as a way of preserving the rich culture and various traditions belonging to each of the tribes for future generations to study.

The business enterprise will provide an income for the hilltribe members and provide employment for 400 residents in the area.

The Pattaya Family Land Company just recently opened their office to promote the project. Company Chairman Wichien Kasemsri, Member of Parliament (Chonburi) Rewat Phonluk-In, and Bunleur Kunwanich participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Family Land Park is expected to open before the end of the year.

Local transvestite crowned Queen of the Universe

Mr. Boonlert Saechai, a.k.a. Miss Patriya Siri-ngarmwong from the Tiffany’s Show in Pattaya, was crowned Queen of the Universe 1999 on 5 September at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles, USA. Boonlert was also awarded prizes for best native costume and best evening gown.

Miss Queen of the Universe 1999 Mr. Boonlert Saechai, a.k.a. Miss Patriya Siri-ngarmwong from the Tiffany’s Show in Pattaya.

The Tiffany’s Show in Pattaya sponsored Boonlert to represent Thailand in the25th international Miss Queen of the Universe Contest.

The contestants, representing over 40 countries, were all “girls of the second category” or gays waiting for sex change operations, dressing like women. An estimated crowd of over 1,000 people watched the spectacle in the enormous convention hall of the five-star hotel.

Boonlert, shown here in his native Thailand costume, was also awarded prizes for best native costume and best evening gown.

Countries represented from East Asia included Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tibet, Nepal and Thailand. Africa sent representatives from Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Angola and South Africa. From the American continents there was also a large representation from Los Angeles and Mexico, as well as Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Paraguay and Puerto Rico. Russia and other countries also sent their potential queens.

The competition began with the contestants demonstrating their poise and other attributes. Judges from 14 countries chose the first 15 finalists, with Assistant Professor Dr. Seri Wongmontha among the judge’s on the panel.

Five of the 15 finalists who were considered to possess extraordinary beauty and who demonstrated their mixed charm while answering questions from the master of ceremonies received special awards: Most Friendly: Brazil. Most Photogenic: Iceland. Best Facial Make-up: Mexico. Best Native Costume: Thailand. Best Evening Gown: Thailand.

The Queen and his international court.

After the five special awards were presented, contestants from Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, Uganda, and Nigeria were chosen as the top 5. Out of these five, Mr. Boonlert was judged to be the best of the lot. Cheers erupted from the audience when Thailand’s queen was announced as the winner.

Ms. Nepal Queen was awarded 1st runner up, followed by Ms. Mexico as 2nd runner-up, Ms. Uganda as 3rd runner-up and Ms. Nigeria as 4th runner-up.

Miss Queen of the Universe 1999 Boonlert Saechai was crowned and presented the queen’s trophy, along with US$5,000 cash and other prizes assessed at US$10,000.

Boonlert performed the duties associated with winning the title in Los Angeles until 9 September, and then returned to Thailand on September 11th.

Seaboard Sound and Friends

Pattaya’s first international choir prepares for the new millennium, and we need your help!

All about us: In 1992, this group was founded as an “activity group” of the PILC (Pattaya International Ladies Club). Over the years, new members were attracted from different organisations.

All our members come from this community and are amateurs, except the classical pianist from Belgium, Dorothea de Vos and the conductor and director, an instrumental teacher from Germany, Monika Rottmann. Each member is dedicating a lot of time, work and money in order to help improve Seaboard Sound and Friends.

Seaboard Sound and Friends shown here performing for the Home for the Aged in February this year.

Our goals:

1. To promote Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard
2. To help people in need through our benefit concerts
3. To bring fun to our community through our music

Our performances: Regular summer and winter concerts are taking place at the “Banglamung Home for the Aged”, at various clubs and organisations, like the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, PILC and RLC (Rayong Ladies Circle) and at the occasions of fund raising events like the annual garage sale at Phu Luang. The Christ Church in Ban Chang invites us regularly to be a part of their Christmas-Mass. We also performed in Bangkok, in front of many hundreds of inmate of the Lard Prao prison. In June 1999, we held a public concert in the Royal Garden Plaza at the famous fountain.

We need your help. We are a non-profit volunteer group performing mainly out of love for singing and our desire is to give some joy to the people with our performances. We do not receive or have the intention to receive any income for ourselves, but a choir of 15 to 20 members needs special technical equipment to reach the best possible sound for the audience. By sponsoring a stage piano, speakers and speaker stands, choir microphones, music stands or other equipment so badly needed, or if you sponsor a certain amount of money allowing us to purchase some of this equipment, you could help us immensely! You would receive an acknowledgement and a certificate confirming your contribution.

Future plans: The second annual concert of Seaboard Sound and Friends will take place on Sunday, November 7, 1999 at the Moon River Pub in North Pattaya. We do hope to see you there to make this event a big success! More concerts are planned during the Christmas Season and the change into the new millennium.

How to get in contact: For further information and/or in case you are able to help our group, please contact: Monika Rottmann, 225 903, Ursula Rothstein, 733 858, or Katja Biechl, 601 960.

Big Boy and little boys (and girls)

The El Shaddai family had a treat in store at Beach Road’s Big Boy Restaurant last weekend. With the Pattaya Sports Club and friends along, thirty of the children were delighted to try the burgers and fries and then went on to Pattaya Park for a fun filled afternoon. During lunch a cheque was presented to Alan Purvis, the founder of the El Shaddai family, by Glen Dragland. This was the proceeds from the Pattaya Sports Club’s Jack-A-Lope golf competition, which raised 185,000 Baht for the abandoned children’s home. A plaque of appreciation was also given to Bobby Joe who accepted it on behalf of Big Boy Restaurant.

El Shaddai kids enjoy a fun meal at Big Boy Restaurant.

Whilst last week was very much a “Care for Kids” week, it is very heartening to see that so many Pattaya people understand that caring for kids is a 52 weeks a year job. Those who would like to know more about the El Shaddai concept should telephone Fred or Dianne Doell on 249 491, who run the Friends of El Shaddai, a volunteer support network for these children’s homes.

PILC promotes one-stop shop for Xmas

The Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) will be holding their annual Holiday Bazaar in two weeks time at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. This event is promoted as a “one stop shop” with 75 vendors from all over Thailand under the one roof.

Good bargains with the added benefit of helping local charities, as scene here during last year’s PILC Xmas Holiday Bazaar when even a broken leg couldn’t keep this woman away!

It is the place to buy all those Xmas presents for friends overseas, without the hassle of bartering on Beach Road!

As it is one of the major fundraising events for PILC, it is designed so that while you make things easy for yourself through the availability of such varied and keenly priced items, you are also helping those less fortunate than us through the charities that are supported every year by PILC.

Convenor Arlette Cykman is also running the Millennium Raffle with many prizes up for grabs, including return air tickets to Hong Kong and Singapore. Just the “ticket” for visa runs perhaps?

We will know more about this annual “shop-athon” next week and the Pattaya Mail will be publishing more details as they come to hand.

Secrets of a leading Asia-Pacific hotel chain

by Imtiaz Muqbil,
Executive Editor,
Travel Impact Newswire

One of the region’s top hotel chains has gained quite a reputation by showering its guests with ‘’moments of delight’’. Some of the secrets revealed...

Editor’s Note: The Mandarin-Oriental chain recently put out a creative media release listing many of the ‘’little touches’’ that give it a distinctive service edge and a unique historical position. I thought they were worth reproducing; other hotels and hotel schools will find them yielding much food for thought.

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

Silver tankards kept for regular guests in the Captain’s Bar by bar staff who have been serving more than 20 years.

Irish bed linen and Floris bathroom amenities in all rooms and suites.

The Chinnery Bar was previously a traditional English Gentleman’s Club until 1989. It houses Asia’s largest collection of single malt whiskies.

Invigorating and therapeutic Shanghainese medicure-pedicure at the Beauty Salon.

The Clipper tea lounge makes its own homemade rose petal jam to accompany scones for afternoon tea.

The only hotel in Hong Kong in which every room has a balcony and a pair of binoculars.

Retired butler Lai, who had been working at the hotel since opening in 1963, is a favourite of Baroness Thatcher and is brought back to the hotel upon special request. He was also a popular choice with the late Princess Diana.

Chief Concierge Giovanni Valiente and Executive Assistant Manager Danny Lai have been with the hotel for almost three decades. The list of celebrities, ladies-who-lunch and visiting international dignitaries whom they both know is substantial.

Signature restaurant Vong features a marble wall carved by 80 Moroccans and a 24 karat gold leaf ceiling.

The Oriental, Bangkok

Home of the famous Author’s Lounge and renowned literary greats such as Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad, Noel Coward, Barbara Cartland. Suite rooms have even been dedicated to the authors who have made The Oriental their home.

The world’s first hotel to introduce a traditional Thai cooking school.

A freshly-woven jasmine hand garland presented to all arriving guests.

Personal butlers for all guest rooms.

Four slipper sizes.

The highest-percentage of the longest-serving staff worldwide with 200 staff who have worked for the hotel over 20 years; 26 more than 30 years; and one staff member over 40 years.

The Oriental Spa at The Oriental, Bangkok

Garlands of jasmine that act as a “do not disturb” sign on the spa doors.

Chef’s own hot ginger and honey tea to follow treatment.

Oriental body wrap - 21 Thai herbs made daily by the chef based on a recipe from an elder in Chiang Rai, initially wary to divulge his ancient secret. Some of the recipes are more than 2,000 years old.

The herbs and roots used in all treatments are grown in the north by tribes as part of Thailand’s Royal Project, under the direction of the Thai Royal family. Executive Chef Norbert and the hotel are sponsors of this project and obtain the essential herbs for cooking and therapeutic purposes.

Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Hawaii

Kahala Keiki Club is a club within the hotel environs that introduces children to Hawaiian culture through session of legends, story-telling, lei-making, ukulele-playing and even seaweed-painting.

The Executive chef has his own garden on property, ensuring fresh herbs and certain organic produce are available at all times.

Dolphin lagoon and interaction programme featuring father-and-son dolphin team of Maka and Hoku.

Marion Sato has been baking guests their own bread for 25 years, including fresh banana or mango, and even sends it to their home address upon request.

Mandarin Oriental, Manila

The hotel holds a monthly business breakfast forum for in-house guests and local community leaders. he meeting involves a prominent guest speaker who discusses issues pertaining to the Philippine economy.

Guests flying Cathay Pacific can check-in directly from the hotel up to 24-hours before boarding, where they are allocated their boarding pass and seat assignment.

On turndown, guests are given a mini-paper fan scented with lavender to induce a good night’s sleep.

The hotel is the first deluxe hotel in the Philippines to be added to the Kalkakbay Hall of Fame, a distinction awarded by the Department of Tourism, for being the only hotel named “Hotel of the Year” three times.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

Society weddings, grand dances and parties have ensured a long and distinguished history and patronage from royalty and heads of state from around the world. Where Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret had their first dancing lessons. Queen Mary was even a regular during World War I and became friends with the Irish cleaner who attended to the ladies’ powder rooms.

The only hotel which has a private royal entrance to Hyde Park, and with Royal permission, access can be granted to guests. Guests can also view daily the Procession of the Horse Guards making their way to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace at 11 a.m. every day.

Exclusive Jo Malone bathroom products and a potted Phalanopsis orchid in each guest room.

The hotel offers priority passes to the Historic Royal Palaces including The Tower with its magnificent Crown Jewels and Hampton Court Palace, home to Henry VIII.

The Park Restaurant is one of very few restaurants to be awarded four AA red rosettes. At the helm is Chef David Nicholls, who currently holds the title as the youngest chef ever to be awarded a Michelin star at age 21.

Built in 1899, the hotel was, in its time, the tallest building in London at 100 feet high. During the great fire of London, the building was so tall that the firemen’s ladders only reached halfway up the building.

Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco

In line with Chinese astrology and 1999 being the auspicious Year of the Rabbit, the hotel provides a bunny-rabbit donning a Mandarin Oriental T-shirt.

Milk and cookies on turn down.

Full-sized Bushnell Insta-focus field binoculars in 7x35 magnification are featured in guest rooms by the window.

Suite guests are provided with a once-in-a-lifetime bath experience with spectacular views of the Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

The Oriental, Singapore

Guests staying more than one week receive large-size toiletries and bath products.

The hotel features a collection of unique and distinctive art pieces inspired by certain Eastern Beliefs and philosophies. On level 5, the “Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute” include 18 beautifully-illustrated wall murals. These depict Asia’s well-known tale of the late Hang Dynasty statesman, Cai Yong, written by his daughter Cai Wenji.

Morton’s restaurant is the only steakhouse franchised outside of the United States.

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

The public areas of the hotel feature more than 297 original pieces of local artwork, including Ikat carved door handles and traditionally weaved sonket cloths.

Positioned next to the world’s tallest buildings, the Petronas Twin Towers, the hotel was harmoniously designed so as not to compete but complement the towers. The architects even went so far as to cover obtrusive external roof fittings with a “second roof’, so that the building was attractive to its towering neighbour.

Mandarin Oriental, Macao

An official hotel for the handover of Macao to the People’s Republic of China in December 1999, located next to the official ceremonial site.

Located on the site of the famed Macao Grand Prix, held every November. A Grand Prix survival kit is given to each hotel guest, including a Bloody Mary, candy, Tiger Balm, Panadol, Alka-Seltzer and a commemorative cap, all neatly packaged in a checkered bag.

Hand-made taper bookmark on turn-down scented with relaxing oils.

Standing over the marble grand staircase is a replica of a famous Portuguese national treasure, the magnificent window in the chapel of the Convent of Christ in Tomar. The replica weighs 400 kilograms and took 3,650 hours to recreate, and depicts the faith and experiences of the Portuguese pioneers on their sea voyages.

Hotel Majapahit, Mandarin Oriental Surabava

The hotel Cultural Concierge is well-versed in Javanese history, traditional musical and theatrical arts and is an active bridge between the hotel’s vision of “Sense of History, Sense of Place”.

The hotel was built by the Sarkies’ brothers in 1910 (who also built Raffles) and is a historical landmark. In 1945, the hotel was the site of Indonesia’s famous “flag incident”, starting off the revolution for independence.

The daily Duck Parade, held from 16.00-18.00, features nine ducks trained by the Concierge staff who perform for guests around a chosen path. The rare ducks, born in neighbouring Bali, were brought back by a Balinese staff member.

Regular guests included Charlie Chaplin, Crown Prince Leopold III and Joseph Conrad.

Turn down service, conducive to a good night’s sleep, includes bath oil, anti-stress herbal water, honey and milk soap, bath salts and petals of fresh rose and jasmine.

All staff members gather weekly for “Selempang Emas”. This is a traditional embroidered Javanese cloth presented to staff to recognise and award fellow employees who create Moments of Delight.

The Excelsior, Hong Kong

Directly opposite to the site of Hong Kong’s famous Noonday Gun. The concierge offers a complimentary daily tour for guests.

The hotel offers Deli Express for guests who prefer a more casual approach to room service, without the formality of traditional silver service. Meals are all freshly prepared and delivered in special recyclable containers.

The revolving door on entrance was especially installed in 1978 for the late Peter Seller’s “Revenge of the Pink Panther”.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: ptymail@loxinfo.co.th
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.