|
Jester’s Pub Night - What a night - What finale!
The Children’s Fair held last week raised 850,000 baht
to go with an unprecedented 1.65 million baht in corporate sponsorship. But
that was nowhere near the last word, as the grand finale of this year’s
Jesters Care for Kids charity drive was the highly anticipated Pub Night at
Shenanigans Pattaya. Having learned from years past, landlord Kim Fletcher
removed all but essential furniture and punters packed Shenanigans to
partake in the evening’s events.
Pub Night got off to a roaring start when, after
Shenanigans was filled to capacity, Eddy Henheffer began the fun when he
assumed the role of auctioneer. In his own inimitable way, Eddie kept the
boisterous crowd entertained with his witty and humorous running commentary
while simultaneously selling off the night’s prized items, including an
autographed cricket bat which went to literary master and novelist Stephen
Leather for 8,500 baht. Meanwhile, in the name of charity Gerry Carpenter
snatched up a part in Stephen Leather’s next novel for the whopping sum of
100,000 baht. Rich Wibrow, also in the name of charity, bid 45,000 baht for
a lithograph of the Beatles’ album Abby Road.
MC’s Andy Francis and Neil Smith handed out a variety
of spot prizes that ran the gambit from toenail clippings to a condom.
Everyone was definitely in party mode. Celebrating his own birthday and
braver than most, Jason Payne from Odyssey International offered to dye his
hair any color for charity.
By 10.30 p.m. the total funds had reached 2.9 million
baht, with a few auction items still to go and the grand raffle draw still
to be held.
Throughout the evening, entertainment was provided by
Pop’s All Stars rock ‘n’ roll, as well as Rick & Harpic and local
bands jamming.
As the auctions concluded the Grand Raffle began. The
four top prizes included two return tickets to Koh Samui with 2 nights
accommodation from DTC Travel, a return ticket to Singapore from Swiss
International Air Lines, one return ticket to Hong Kong on Emirates and the
grand prize of a return rip for two to Sydney courtesy of Qantas/British
Airways.
Tension built up as the Jesters moved quickly through the
raffle draw. The final grand prize went to Noi’s Bar. Delighted, Noi
strode up to collect her prize with the winning ticket amongst many
congratulations.
Then it was time to party! The band played on and
everyone squeezed onto the dance floor. Lisa Love and Jason Payne danced a
scene straight out of ‘Pulp Fiction’ while others simply danced into
oblivion.
Despite the wild night had by all, or perhaps because of
it, the overall winners of the evening were the Jesters’ designated
beneficiaries - The Fountain of Life, The Eastern Child Protection Center in
Huay Pong, Rayong and the Redemptorist School for the Blind. The final total
rested at 3,085,175 baht! This year’s event was a huge success; the best
ever!
Organizers wish to express their enormous appreciation to
community and corporate sponsors without which an event of this magnitude
could not happen. And a big “Thank you’ to all who so generously
contributed to this year’s charity drive. Everyone can feel very proud
that they helped Care for Kids by providing the necessary means to change
the lives of children in need. Well Done!
|
Andy
Francis (left) and Neil Smith kept the night buzzing as MC’s. |
|
Ron
Amero and Bjarne Neilsen were seen enjoying Pub Night |
Shenigans
was packed with all types, Egon Nielsen (centre) models his new
hair colour. |
Jason
also celebrated his birthday on the night |
The
ever vigilant web mistress, Susie Ngamsuwan taking notes |
Gerry
Carpenter happy to to be in Stephen Leather’s next novel. |
Steve
Turner looking much more relaxed after a tough afternoon on the
rugby pitch. |
Stephen
Leather, the proud new owner of a cricket bat. |
Beautiful
still manages to flash a smile during a hectic night. |
Jason,
Kim and Ray seriously thinking how they’re going to make it
alive through the night. |
Sooner
or later everybody mobbed the dance floor to sounds of some
great music |
Bancha
(centre) and a buncha beautiful ladies enjoying the night. |
Michael
and Marion Vogt chill with Pop from Pop’s Allstars. Live music
was a huge success for this year’s Pub Night. |
Ray,
Diane, Rick and Lou proudly display their new acquisitions,
framed paintings from the kids at the Fountain of Life. |
Eddy
Henheffer kept the boisterous crowd entertained while selling
off the nights prized items. |
Graham
McDonald(left) searching for would be raffle ticket buyers, Ron
and Jason were just in the way.... |
Aom
(Tawan Thonglim) presents Lewis Underwood President of the
Jesters Motorcycle Club with a cheque for 100,000 baht, as
Platinum Sponsors for the Care for Kids Charity Drive 2002 at
Shenanigans Pattaya on the final of the years event the Pub
Night. |
That
pesky photgrapher is still following me. |
Annabel
Kershaw and Paige Bryant, plus furry friend, provided
million-baht smiles at the fair last week. |
(above and below) The
Sisters from the Fountain of Life enjoyed the night, even if it was just a
little to wild for them.
|
 |
The
Ryser Clan in full Jesters colors, they also picked up an
autographed photo of Ad and Lek Carabao. |
Rich Wibrow
collects his Abbey Road lithograph. |
‘Pleased
as punch’, Noi collects the first prize in this year’s Grand
Raffle. |
“You
want to give me how many tickets?” |
| |
| Auction
Results |
|
Thai German Institute (TGI) holds another successful ‘Sales Motivation and Communication Training’
The Thai-German Institute (TGI) recently held a training
workshop under the title ‘Sales Motivation and Communication Training’ (SMT),
in English, at the Garden Beach Hotel, Pattaya. This time participants from
Siemens, GTZ projects, Diana Group, Garden Beach Hotel and the TGI staff
themselves joined in the workshop.
The TGI
staff looks worried because they have so many benefits to offer; it’s hard
to cut them down into 3 minutes of presentation.
The aim of the seminar was to encourage the participants
to improve their presentation skills and understanding of sales, and to give
them insight into human needs and how to think positively in every
circumstance in life, especially in business. Psychology for a better
relationship was also part of the training and brain storming tools were
introduced to help in expressing oneself in a very effective and organized
way.
The benefit of the seminar is applicable for both
business career and personal lives.
TGI staff trainer, Sue Malhotra, who has over 20 years of
experience in teaching and training in English communication at civil
aviation schools, hotel industry and international schools, intensively
coached the participants for three and half days, after which all the
trainees agreed that everybody is in sales, no matter what one does.
Group
picture on graduation day, with Walter Kretschmar, German director of TGI,
in the middle.
The sales attitudes of some of the participants were
graded at minus 3 points on the first morning before the workshop started,
but successfully shot up to plus 3 points by the end of the third day.
Though it was constant brain work for the trainees, at
the end not only did the participants leave with great results and benefit
from the training, but they also gained new friends and business partners
with whom they had been working in teams with for the whole 3 and a half
days.
Pattayaporn from GTZ, Bangkok said, "This was the
best communications training that I have ever attended." Sabine from
Siemens reiterated, saying, "This seminar was indeed very interesting,
extremely educational, thoroughly exhausting and yet at the same time
absolutely enjoyable." These sentiments were echoed by the rest of the
participants.
You can find out more about TGI’s sales and communications training
programs both in English for top and middle management level and in the Thai
language for those who wish to have the training in their own language.
Email [email protected]
Skål Club gearing up for Pattaya promotion
The Skål Club in Thailand is a dynamic mover in the
international tourism and hospitality industry. The Bangkok chapter
celebrated its 46th anniversary with a luncheon held at the Grand Hyatt
Erawan in the nation’s capital, with Bangkok President Brian
Sinclair-Thompson welcoming the president of the Pattaya and the East
Chapter, Murray Hertz, with committee members Peter Malhotra (VP), Michael
Vogt and Bob Lee in attendance, as well as Jan-Olav Aamlid from Pattaya.
At the 46th anniversary, much talk was focused on the
forthcoming 50th anniversary in 2006, the same year that the Skål Club of
Pattaya and the East are hoping to host the Skål World Congress in Pattaya.
The bid for the right to hold this prestigious congress
will be put forward at the Skål World Congress 2002, being held in Cairns,
Australia. The other bidder is the Skål Club of London, and the vote to
decide the venue for 2006 will take place in Cairns this November.
Murray
Hertz (left) president of Skål International-Pattaya and East Thailand
presents a bouquet of flowers congratulating President Brian
Sinclair-Thompson of Skål International-Bangkok on the occasion of their
46th anniversary. Past president Somsak Kiratipanich is all smiles in the
back.
The local group met at the Sher E Punjab II Restaurant on
Beach Road to discuss promotional ideas to present the case for Pattaya at
this year’s congress, and much appreciated help is forthcoming from the
Tourism Authority of Thailand, whose hard working ‘man on the ground’,
Manit Boonchim addressed the Skål meeting, giving valuable statistical
information on tourism trends. He also gave details on work being done by
the TAT to attempt to boost tourist figures, particularly in the traditional
"low" season.
Richard
Hawkins (centre front) president of Skål International 1999-2000 attended
the celebrations as guest of honour. He is flanked by many past presidents
and the present president of the Bangkok Skål Club.
With the Skål International movement encompassing the
‘movers and shakers’ in the tourism world, to get the world congress of
this group to Pattaya in four years hence would be a real boost for the
city. The Pattaya Mail is behind them in their attempts to secure this event
for Pattaya, as it will have far reaching and advantageous effects for us
all.
The Wine Club moves to Bordeaux in France
by Miss Terry Diner
Following the successful launch of the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort’s own wine label, the Wine Club members were taken on a tour of
Bordeaux by the World Champion Sommelier, Markus del Monego.
Markus
begins the tour through one of the world’s famous wine regions.
This was a "virtual" tour through eight of the
famous wineries in the Bordeaux region of France, where the Wine Club
members were able to sample the latest (pre-release) 2000 vintage from the
region. According to Markus del Monego (and he is a man who does know his
wines, not a poseur) the wines sampled were the best vintages from Bordeaux
in the last 100 years.
Markus
del Monego, World Champion Sommelier (left), Ron Batori, managing director
of Ambrose Wines, Ranjith Chandrasiri, Wine Club Captain, Jean Pierre
Meslier co-owner Chateau Raymond-Lafon winery, Panga Vathankul, managing
director of Royal Cliff Beach Resort and Lt. Chawalit Techapaibul, executive
chairman of Ambrose Wines (far right).
The World Champion Sommelier turned out to be a brilliant
raconteur, as well as a wine guru. "Life is too short to enjoy without
good wine," he told Pattaya Mail. He also showed the full house
of Wine Club members just how to swirl the wine to release the bouquet.
"If you don’t swirl, you don’t get a reward," he advised them.
I have to admit that I became so enthusiastic I over-swirled and spilt some
red wine on the Royal Cliff’s beautifully starched white tablecloth, but I
believe peroxide should get it out. Sorry Ranjith.
Wine
Club members getting into the taste of a tour through Bordeaux
The wines sampled were a Chateau Cissac, Medoc; Chateau
Hunt Bailly, Graves; Chateau Branaire Ducru, St. Julien; Chateau Pontet
Canet, Pauillac; Chateau Calon Segur, St. Estephe; Chateau Pavie Macquin,
St. Emilion; Vieux Chateau Certan, Pomerol and a Chateau Raymond-Lafon
Sauternes.
As always, wine is a personal taste, but I found the
Chateau Calon Segur, Estephe more to my taste than the other reds, and the
lone white, the sauternes was quite exquisite. This last wine was explained
in detail by Jean Pierre Meslier from the family who own the Chateau
Raymond-Lafon winery, who had flown out expressly to attend the wine
tasting.
Not
just the nose knows the nose. Wine connoisseurs demonstrate how to savour
the true taste of wine without depending on the nose. Mmmm... Umami.
Again, this was another highly successful and informative evening hosted
by the Royal Cliff Wine Club and their captain, Ranjith Chandrasiri.
A Choco-Holic Bonanza at the Sheraton Grande
story and photo by
Peter Cummins
There is always something exciting at the Sheraton Grande
Sukhumvit and this Pattaya Mail special correspondent is always
lurking around to see what is happening. This time it was a case of
"the mountain coming to Mohamed" - or, rather, the mountains (of
Switzerland) coming to Sukhumvit. It was a "Grand Cru" - and not a
bottle of wine was in sight.
Master
Chef Philippe Blindenbacher presides over the cutting of one of his chef-d’oeuvres.
During August, great numbers of the many choco-holics of
Bangkok descended on the Sheraton to meet Swiss mountaineer - and
chocolateer supreme - Philippe Blindenbacher the corporate chef of
world-renowned Max Felchlin chocolate treats. Laid out in a splendid setting
at the Sheraton’s Living Room and Orchid Café was an array of the planet’s
finest chocolate confections: Max Felchlin’s pralines, gateaux,
patisseries, truffles, walnut whips, rum raisin delights, hazelnut mousse,
nougats Black Forest cakes - and, wait for it - chocolate sea shells: a
cocoa-bean fest tempting enough to dive into, like the sea on a hot day.
By a strange twist of fate, I had just seen the
marvellous film "Chocolat", starring the beautiful Juliette
Binoche. Set in a tiny French village, it is the story of the opening,
operating and, finally, seduction of the ultra-conservative Catholic
populace of the township, through the medium of the "Chocolaterie
Maya", operating not only during the Lenten fast season - but also on
Sundays, right opposite the local church. And one of the house specialities?
Chocolate seashells!
So, I was more than ready for this first occasion that
Max Felchlin chocolate has been served in Asia and Felchlin’s chef
Philippe flew in specifically to design these Grand Cru Chocolate dishes and
specialties made from super premium chocolates and pastry ingredients from
Europe.
Philippe brought with him - besides his sparkling
personality and wit - the unique experience of having worked in his
chocolate expertise in various countries in Europe - France, Belgium,
Switzerland and Germany. He has special insights into the chocolate and
pastry cultures of each of these countries and, in the course of his
presentations, he combines and integrates the best aspects of each culture
producing his sumptuous and unique creations.
Felchlin Grande Cru chocolate products are created by
using traditional, and extremely careful, methods in Switzerland and the
goals set by Felchlin are to find and process the best and purest cocoa
varieties, specializing in Maracaibo beans.
Thus Felchlin Grand Cru Maracaibo chocolates are so
superior because of the rarity and complexity of the specially-harvested
cocoa beans, with their unique aroma and finesse. In fact, the Grand Cru
harvest makes up less than 5% of all cocoa harvests. Original and pure cocoa
varieties are becoming increasingly rare, and Felchlin selects and secures
the best from the world’s harvest.
The secret of uncovering the finest flavours and aroma is
also hidden in the careful traditional method of roasting cocoa to fully
unfold its finest characteristics. The process reveals a wonderful fineness
and a smooth, velvety cocoa - a rediscovered luxury highly esteemed by
connoisseurs as an original and pure product of the highest quality.
For the few minutes when my mouth was not full, as I
wolfed down these heavenly delights, I asked Philippe if he would come to
Pattaya next time "for we are not all alcoholics down there," I
assured this charming man. "Just look at me, I am an unabashed - and
unashamed - choco-holic".
"I can see that," he said. As he watched me continue to devour
the products, Philippe did not need any reassurance about the calibre of
Pattaya chocolate lovers. "Yes, indeed, Pattaya will be on my itinerary
next time I come to this charming country," he assured me, with a
roving eye fixed on the bevy of Sheraton Grande management and PR beauties
who were doing their best to assure M. Philippe that the Sheraton staff also
appreciates a fine chocolate!
Looking for a new wine? Try looking in the Royal Cliff’s cellar
by Miss Terry Diner
The Royal Cliff Beach Resort released its own prestigious
Royal Cliff Cellar Selection wines at a star spangled cocktail evening.
Hosted by the managing director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Panga
Vathanakul, and chaired by the captain of the Royal Cliff Wine Club Ranjith
Chandrasiri, the launch was enhanced by the presence of the World Champion
Sommelier, Markus del Monego who had also been involved in the selection of
some of the wines.
The ‘star
spangled’ introduction of the Royal Cliff Cellar collection.
The ten new wines, which are original blends, not just a
new label on tired old bottles, come from celebrated wineries in Italy,
South Africa, Australia and France. The range covers reds and whites and a
sparkling white, so there is something for everyone. They are also quality
wines and are being retailed by the Royal Cliff Beach Resort at the
amazingly affordable price of 800 baht. By the way, you can pop in and pick
up a bottle or two to take home!
I have had the opportunity to sample some of the wines
and the selection shows the depth of appreciation of fine wines demonstrated
by Ranjith Chandrasiri, and also shows the commitment and support given to
the Wine Club by Panga Vathanakul and Andrew Wood, the general manager of
the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
The wines have been imported for the Royal Cliff by Ambrose wines, whose
managing director, Ron Batori has been another stalwart supporter of the
Wine Club.
|
