|
Skal International in
Pattaya and the East forges ahead
Skallegues met for their monthly luncheon at the
Benjarong Restaurant in the exclusive Royal Wing of the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort.
 Members
of Skal International - Pattaya and the East met at the Benjarong in the
Royal Wing of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
The meeting was chaired President Wicha Han and the
committee meeting directed it’s attention to the matter of re-activating
the club and assembling new and old members. Club Secretary Andrew Wood
announced that currently 19 member application forms had been submitted,
over the pre-required minimum of 15 members to initiate the club. At this
meeting it was agreed that the name of the club should appeal to a wide
group of tourism professionals as possible. It was unanimously decided
that the name of the club would be “Skal International-Pattaya and the
East.”
President Wicha Han identified the goals of Skal and
the wider benefits to Pattaya and the East to have an internationally
recognised tourism and travel club active in the eastern seaboard once
again. Vice President Peter Malhotra chaired a very enthusiastic debate,
on how the club could work towards the benefit of Pattaya and the
community.
Thought for the week: Yet
another two essentials for face to face selling
by Richard Townsend, Corporate Learning
Consultant
http://www.orglearn.org
5. Listen for the way forward
Active listening is probably the most important skill a
salesperson needs to develop. Let’s be honest, most of us are fairly
poor listeners; impatience, constant mental planning of our response and
our desire to talk tend to make us jump in before we get the full picture.
There are three stages of listening that effective salespeople need to
understand. Firstly, to focus on what is being said by being quiet, and
confirming our attention by using appropriate gestures such as nodding and
a culturally acceptable level of eye contact. Secondly we need to reflect
on what has been said by asking ‘open’ questions that will encourage
the speaker to reemphasize their main points and clarify areas we may not
understand. Lastly, we need to summarize the speaker’s main points to
demonstrate we have understood their message. Summaries ARE NOT retelling
the story, just a reiteration of the main points. The skill of summarizing
is quite difficult to master and needs to be practiced. To be a really
great listener we need to adapt our communication style that of the
message sender.
6. Look for the buying signals
Few buyers will say, “I’m ready to buy.”
Salespeople need to be alert for the clues and tips a buyer can give that
will tell them when it’s time to ask for the sale. A practiced feel for
the meaning of gestures, body language and positive facial expressions (a
lifted eyebrow, a smile, a nod) and how to recognise when these ‘non
verbals’ represent a strong buying signal will significantly improve
‘closing rates’. A professional salesperson will also understand that
the ‘ask for the sale’ time (buying signal) can come at any time
during the interview, not just at the salesperson’s preconceived time
for the close. Detect a buying hint from the prospect... CLOSE and shut
up! Listening with our eyes takes much practice and we should set up
situations where we can view body language in action, either through
role-plays or videos of successful sales negotiations. As with active
listening, matching or adapting our style and gestures (without mimicking)
to that of the prospect is a great way to improve sales communication.
Worth a thought!
To contact Ric mailto: [email protected]
Pattaya Redemptorist
School for the Blind celebrate Teacher’s Appreciation Day
Mr. Suranit Ahcharyt from the Bang Lamung Educational
Department and the Redemptorist Center Administrator Father Patrick Maurice
presided over the Teacher’s Appreciation Day ceremony at the Redemptorist
School on the morning of 30 June.
 Blind
student pay their respects to Father Patrick Maurice and other teachers
The School for the Blind opened on 18 May 1987, and the
annual ceremonial custom with students paying respects to their teachers and
school administrators began the following year and has continued each year
thereafter.
The school currently has 211 persons with sight
disabilities and 144 are eligible for support from various private
educational assistance programs. The school has 19 teachers, seven assistant
teachers and 10 assistants who attend to the student’s special needs with
support from a Royal Program in the name of Her Royal Highness Mahachakri
Sirindhorn, charitable organisations and private donors.
Uwe’s birthday party
raises funds for charity
 Mr
Uwe Sonthof, owner of Pattaya’s well-known German restaurant ‘Deutsche
Schaenke’, on Naklua Road, continued on with what he had started on his
previous birthday. He invited his friends and customers to the party, asking
them not to bring gifts but instead to put some money into a collection box.
This year the party was held at Uwe’s newly opened ‘Lemon Pub’,
located only a few hundred metres from his restaurant. Uwe called and many
people came, feeding the collection box as soon as they entered the Pub. Uwe
has promised to either double the amount or at least generously round it up.
We will keep you informed just how much the amount of
money is, which Uwe will in turn present to Mayor Pairat to help him with
his charity work.
The picture shows Mr Uwe Sonthof, blowing out the candles
on his birthday cake, while the large crowd of friends cheer him on.
Jotun Thailand assists
Rotary Club to paint school
Earlier this year, Rotary District Governor and Past
President of the Rotary Club Jomtien Pattaya, Prempreecha Dibbayawan,
visited a teacher’s home at the Banglamung School. After noticing that it
urgently needed painting inside and outside, he found out that neither the
school, nor the teacher herself, had enough money for the renovation work.
 Past
President of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya and Rotarian Karl Lohr seem
extremely pleased after the painting of the school was completed.
This lady, was not only a parent teacher, but also the
supervisor of The Interact Club of the Banglamung School and at the same
time takes care of needy pupils. A big part of her salary was therefore
being spent on the care of these children.
The Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club, after learning about
this teacher, decided to help upgrade her home to a decent standard.
Checking the house, it was obvious that just a paint job would not be
enough, since wood work, plumbing and electrical repairs were required as
well.
The Managing Director of Jotun Thailand, Bjorn Naglestad,
became involved and offered to donate the paint for the interior and the
exterior of the house. To complete the picture, one member of the
Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club, Hans-Juergen Lohr, surveyed the work and
carried out the necessary repairs using all the donated material.
Pattaya Animal Welfare
Society, (PAWS) Help Line
I am an American planning on returning to Thailand to do
some charity work at a Karen village north of Chiang Mai. I want to bring my
dog, a German shepherd mix, to Thailand. One of my main concerns is dog
fights with the local dogs. I will be arriving and staying in an area in
Bangkok that has lots of street dogs. I will then continue travelling north
by bus.
My questions are these - Is this a crazy idea to bring a
dog to Thailand? Can dogs travel in busses and taxis? Will I be constantly
breaking up dog fights? Regards, Todd.
Dear Todd,
Thank you for your inquiry about bringing your dog to
Thailand. We believe there are no quarantine restrictions for animal
re-entry to the U.S. Only a valid rabies certificate issued by a qualified
vet. However it would be advisable to check on current regulations over
there.
Where would you house your dog in Bangkok? It would not
be practical to leave it on the street. If your dog is an intact male, sure
there will be dog fights. However training your dog and having it on a leash
when out in public would prevent this. Living in a village there would
certainly be constant fights with the village dogs, unless you could find a
way to isolate or fence in your dog. Then there is the climate. Thailand is
rather hot for a German shepherd. You could travel in taxis with an animal
as long as it was leashed, or crated as baggage on a bus (you would have to
have it crated to fly it over here anyway.) These are the pros and cons that
may be of some assistance in making a decision. Good luck.
PAWS, Pattaya Animal Welfare Society, meets at 7.30p.m.
on the first Tuesday of each month at Delaneys Pub Pattaya 2nd Road. PAWS
main target is fundraising to build an animal shelter in addition to outside
inoculation programmes. Membership 200 baht. All welcome, come along and
help PAWS help Pattaya stray animals. Inquiries PAWS secretary Bob Davis
telephone 225514 Ext 224. Email <[email protected]>
Funny Hats and First
Lady Presidents
The Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club celebrated the
installation of the first expat lady President in the history of Rotary in
Thailand last Friday evening. At what could only be described as a Hollywood
showbiz spectacular, Pattaya resident Erika Keller popped out of a birthday
cake (fully clothed!) to welcome all the guests to her installation.
 “Official”
table. (From left) DG Premprecha Dibbayawan, Bruno Keller,
HE Bernard Freymond the Swiss Ambassador, President Keller Erika Keller,
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat , Past President Bancha Mungchana, PDG
Somchai and PDG Niwet Khunawisarut
With “ringmaster” Michael Vogt and MC’s Peter
Malhotra and Tui moving the show along, the entertainment acts followed even
more song and dance routines, and the guests at the Grand Ballroom of the
Royal Cliff Beach Resort really started to get into the swing of the Swiss
themed evening. To the accompaniment of cow bells and Alpine horns, Erika
and her new Board of Directors of the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club were
presented to the other Rotarians and guests, who had come from all over
Thailand to witness this ground breaking event.
The Swiss community had also very much got behind the
petite, but forceful Erika, with Swissair supremo Brian Sinclair-Thompson
being on hand to present Swissair tickets to the lucky grand winner of the
raffle draw. Roche Pharmaceuticals, Zurich Insurances, Diethelm Travel,
Bangkok Airways and the Pattaya Mail all assisted to make the night a
memorable one.
 Out
of the cake spring Oi, Tuk and Erika
The event was even important enough to bring the Swiss
Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Bernard Freymond, down to Pattaya to see what
all the local Swiss/German people can get up to when given an opportunity to
celebrate an event such as this one. And celebrate they did, with acts from
the very talented Daisy Vogt and adagio dancing friends, Monika Rottmann and
the Seaboard Sounds singers (and a little saxophone number from Monika as
well, ably assisted by background musician Big Fritz on keyboards), and even
a stand-up comedy routine from young Michael Tensich, son of the Royal
Cliff’s Executive Chef Walter.
But there were some serious moments too, such as when
Pol. Col Jirat Pichitpai was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship (the highest
Rotary award) in recognition of his inestimable work with drug
rehabilitation of minors in this city, and the official welcoming of two new
Rotarians, Cavalier Peter Rottmann and “Rin” from the offices of New
District Governor Premprecha Dibbayawan.
Newly installed President Erika gave a speech in
appreciation of the honour that has been bestowed upon her, adding her own
personal watch cry of ‘Don’t talk - help’ to the Rotary
International’s theme for the Rotary year 2000-2001 of ‘Create Awareness
- Take Action’.
If the installation night is anything to go by, this will
certainly be a very active year for the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club. The
“little lady” has a lot in store!
Leo Company Sponsors
ATCC Seaboard Sundowners
Story and photos by Peter Cummins
It was, indeed, a splendid evening last Friday at the
Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (ATCC) Seaboard Sundowners, held at the
Royal Garden Resort, Pattaya. Fortunately for almost all concerned, the
Leo-named sponsor was the Leo Logistics and Moving Comapany and NOT Leo
beer. Generously sponsored, in fact, by the Leo Company, last week’s event
certainly fulfilled the purpose of presenting an “opportunity for members
and guests of the Chamber, to meet, network and exchange views” in the
conducive, informal ambience of the Royal Garden Resort. The Seaboard
Sundowners has been an ongoing tradition since the inaugural function
started by Hardy Papson at his Pattaya residence in May, 1998.
Enjoying
the Sundowner
When Hardy moved away - in fact, to Hobart, Tasmania
(some people have ALL THE LUCK) - the Sundowners has continued to thrive as
was most evident by the big attendance at last week’s. The presence of a
bevy of beauties - thank you John Pollard for the many ‘Meinhardt
Mademoiselles’ and the sponsor for a lot of ‘Leo Lovelies’ - was a
sure guarantee of increasing attendance at future Sundowners. Even Captain
Leo, the sponsor mascot, although slightly cross-eyed, was also able to
appreciate the attention from some of the ladies present. Of course, the
“Pattaya Mail” team, led by ATCC member Peter Malhotra, was there in
full force, to cover the action and imbibe a little in the liberal supplies
of Fosters and other libations. Dr Iain Corness captured the very lively
party spirit for the Pattaya Mail Channel, before rushing off to cover about
six other events. And that was one of his quiet nights! Dr. Iain pointed out
that local ATCC committeeman Mark Lawrence was very happy with “the
cohesive spirit displayed by the Eastern Seaboard members.”
Would
YOU buy a used car from any of these? (L. to r. Des Holmes, Niel Poulsen and
Peter Malhotra)
In his interview with the good doctor, Mark also noted
that most of the ATCC members “were pleased with the economic direction
being taken by Thailand and the general air was more than just optimism.”
Mark also observed that the trend was towards expansion “and, thus, the
training of personnel was now becoming an important factor for the
Australian-based industries,” he concluded. A highlight of the evening was
the “raffle”, for a week’s camp at Dulwich College for a school pupil,
donated by Mark Lawrence. Eligible for the draw were any parents having a
child 13-15 years-of-age. It was won by Niel Poulsen who immediately made
the offer available for a disadvantaged child who will enjoy a week’s camp
at Phuket. Kathy Lindsay, executive secretary of the Chamber, in her usual
inimitable style, organized a very full and satisfying visit to Pattaya and
the Eastern Seaboard for Bangkok ATCC members.
John
Pollard and friends - supporting the Sundowners
Many took advantage of the very reasonable accommodation
rates which Kathy had negotiated with Royal Garden Resort and stayed
overnight. On Saturday, the group visited the Ban Khao Huai Mahad School,
one of the Chamber’s ongoing projects and held informal English-teaching
classes. Of course, what would a visit to the Seaboard be without the
inevitable round of golf. After ‘teaing-up’ and a luncheon, the members
were ‘teeing-off’ at the Khao Kheow Country Club, for a friendly game.
By all accounts, it was a splendid, fruitful and highly-enjoyable weekend,
with the promise of many to follow. Well done Kathy and ATCC and, again, a
big vote of thanks to Captain Leo and the Leo Logistics and Moving Company
staff for the sponsorship and support of the ATCC Seaboard Sundowner.
Emirates celebrate 10th
Anniversary in Style
Emirates, the International Airline of the UAE held a
party at the Siam Bayshore this month to celebrate their tenth year in
Thailand. On the guest list were the predominantly female staff from all the
major Travel Agencies in and around Pattaya and two male journalists from
the Pattaya Mail.
 General
Manager Soonthorn Suree was the MC for the 10th year anniversary.
The party atmosphere was promoted by the manager for
Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, Soonthorn Suree, ably helped by his
silver jacketed staff throwing CD’s into the frenzied horde of Travel
Agents, who with girlish squeals delight, scrabbled for the prizes.
Party games were held and mini-competitions, in between
Soonthorn advising the ladies of the new Skywards advances made by Emirates,
including the ordering of the new Airbus AXXX with its 550 seats which will
come on stream later. Everyone clapped a lot.
 The
silver suited staff
Then the serious business of dancing was on the agenda
and one fact became obvious. There was a serious shortage of male partners!
This is where the Pattaya Mail staff, in the full spirit of self
sacrifice, stepped into the breach, or rather the dance floor. Taking on 150
partners each, the two journalists kept themselves busy with rock ‘n roll
and flying fandango’s. It was certainly a night to remember!
Emirates have booked the dance hall for the year 2010
when they celebrate their 20th anniversary in Thailand. The two journalists
have made tentative bookings with the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital cardiologists
to ensure their fitness levels will be adequate.
No Lonber the Cultural
Backwater?
Hot on the heels of the Pattaya International Ladies Club
art show, former fashion model Phenporn Phitoon held a one-woman show at the
Steak Lao restaurant.
 Phenporn
Phitoon as beautiful as her self portraits
A mixture of oils and water colours, many of the thirty
framed art pieces reflect Phenporn’s former life as a super-model. Figure
studies, which are undoubtedly either self-portraits or strongly influenced
by her own persona, are placed in pictorial situations that produce
evocative feelings of Ankor Wat and its majestic sandstone blocks. A most
interesting juxtaposition.
The display finishes this weekend at the Steak Lao
restaurant, corner of Soi 10 and Beach Road.
Starting early for Xmas
Xmas came a little early on Soi 7 this year - but it was
for a good reason and an even better cause. The “After That - It’s
Different” bar showed that it was a little different by putting on a party
with the proceeds going to the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club for application
to the Street Children’s Home.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by Delaney’s
East Coast Band, Samsara’s Jaguar Band and the resident After That band,
Flipper Jam. Other musicians also stepped up to play with the professionals
during the course of the evening. Lucky door prizes and auctions, along with
a roast chicken buffet completed the “Xmas” party, with everyone
enjoying this novel event.
After That management said they are already planning next
year’s repeat event.
Copyright 2000 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: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by
Boonsiri Suansuk.
|
|
