|
Santsak Ngamphiches celebrates his birthday
amongst hundreds of wellwishers
Suchada Tupchai
Over 100 local businesspersons and political figures
visited Santsak Ngampiches on the occasion of his 62nd birthday. Provincial
heavyweight, and mayor of Saensuk municipality Somchai Khunpluem joined
Santsak to wish him a very happy birthday and stayed to attend the
morning’s religious ceremonies.
 Somchai
Khunpluem, mayor of Saensuk Municipality attended the religious ceremonies
to bless Santsak Ngampiches on his birthday.
A constant stream of well wishers turned up through out
the day, many of whom stayed for the afternoon party at the Grand Sole
Hotel, provided by Santsak, who is also president and CEO of the hotel.
Santsak Ngampiches was born in 1941. During his younger
years he strived towards education, graduating with a mini MBA in business
management from Rachamongkol Institute of technology before moving onto a
degree in political science from Ramkhamhaeng University as well as an
honors degree from the University of Western Pacific in California, USA.
 Thanet
Supornsahasrungsi and his family convey good wishes to the former MP.
Upon returning to Thailand, Santsak then began his long
political career, holding numerous positions over the years until present
day as advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Sports.
Santsak’s business life has been equally fruitful. He
is the CEO of the Grand Sole Hotel, president of the Grand Ocean Co. Ltd.,
New Chonburi Business Co. Ltd. and vice president of Burapa Golf Co. Ltd.
 Nittaya
Patimasongkroh wishes Santsak a Happy Birthday.
At the community level, Santsak has a long list of
achievements. He is a past president of the Jaycees of Thailand, past
president of the Chonrasadorn Alumni Association and head of the Parents
Teachers Association of Assumption College, Sriracha, and advisor to the
Lions Clubs of Chonburi as well as advisor to the Chonburi Chamber of
Commerce. Even at 62, Santsak continues his busy life without signs of
slowing down.
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital receives Prime Minister’s award
Outstanding Business Most Recognized by Foreign Patrons
The Bangkok Pattaya Hospital grabbed this prestigious
award under the “Private Hospital” category for 2003. It is the
recognition for excellent medical and health services provided to
international patients. This takes into account not only the quality of the
medical care given, but also the efforts to bring international patients
from all over the world to Thailand for treatment.
 The
Bangkok Pattaya team proudly display their award after the presentation
(l-r) Neil Maniquiz, Marketing Excutive, Dr. Weerasak Pongpattanapan,
Assistant Director, Neera Sirisampan, Assistant Director-International
Operations, Dr. Pichit Kangwolkij, Director, Satit Viddayakorn, Managing
Director, Dr. Pirus Pradithavanij, Deputy Director
Former Prime Minister, H.E. Anand Panyarachun, initiated
the Prime Minister’s Export award in 1992, which represents the degree of
excellence regarding aspects of production processes and overall product
quality. The award scheme is driven by a vision of developing original and
unique Thai products for the world market. The presentation of the Prime
Minister’s Export award is one of the measures, which the Royal Thai
Government is undertaking to capably and continually increase export growth.
A commerce ministry spokesman said that, “This year,
the Ministry of Commerce initiated an additional award to recognize
businesses that have managed outstanding performances and most recognized by
foreign patrons i.e private hospitals and educational institutions.” He
added, “For the award winners, the Prime Minister’s Export Award is one
of the quality assurances, which significantly enhance their capability when
exposed to the world market with pride and total confidence. In addition,
foreign importers and consumers can greatly appreciate the products and
services that meet their preferences in price, design, taste, and
satisfaction.”
His Excellency Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
presented the awards at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok last week.
Lions declare first stage renovations of Nongphangkae Public Clinic ready for use.
Songklod Kaewvisit
It was a long haul but the tireless Lions Club of
Jomtien-Pattaya finally declared the first stage of renovations was ready
for the Nongphangkae Public Clinic on Thursday afternoon. Lions Club
members, led by front man and president Peter Smith officially handed over
the new room to Clinic Director, Sunee Phiromplad.
 Peter
Smith, president of the Lions Club of Jomtien-Pattaya led his members to
hand over the completed renovations to the happy directors.
The renovations cost 200,000 baht and will allow patients
to recover in peace and quiet in clean environment. The Lions Club donation
doesn’t stop there. Further plans by the Lions Club are underway as the
next project includes the purchase of further hospital equipment, medicine
and hospital beds for patients. The government run facility had been pressed
for money and no extra funds to refurbish the busy center.
Sunee told reporters, “This new room that the Lions
Club of Jomtien-Pattaya has made for us will enable our patients to recover
in peace. The new projects will provide a more convenient facility for them
to use and with this addition we are very grateful for their contribution to
improve the quality of life for our patients.”
The construction process lasted just over one month with
the funds being provided by the Lions Club through a number of fundraising
activities.
Erika Keller celebrates her birthday in style... Oh Boyz!
Erika Keller, past president of the Rotary Club of
Jomtien-Pattaya, also known as the iron lady of charity projects, celebrated
her birthday on August 19. Of course as birthday parties go, they are
supposed to be a surprise. So to keep with tradition Bruno Keller threw one
for her at Casa Pascal. What a surprise! Friends brought her happiness and
good wishes with flowers and lots of presents. Erika showed her appreciation
by treating them to champagne, wine and an exquisite meal.
 Erika
is delighted to be surrounded by Boyz, Boyz and Boyz. Bruno (center) and
Pascal (right) had no time to change into their glittering dresses for this
picture.
Bruno related the story of how he met Erika and described
in vague detail about some of the lighter moments in Erika’s life. Erika
just smiled at these stories, but we wonder why Bruno had a black eye the
next day, later to be revealed that he walked into the bathroom door.
A show by dancers from the Boyz Boyz Boyz was the
highlight of the party, which was enjoyed by one and all.
Aussie’s and Kiwis meet at Seaboard Sundowners
The Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) held an
intimate gathering of members and guests for a Seaboard Sundowners
networking evening at the Garden Beach Resort in Pattaya last weekend.
With a number of committee members attending a meeting in
Bangkok, the details were left to the very bubbly Chanakarn Peeratantikun,
Office Manager for the Chamber. The evening’s event was co-sponsored by
resident Kiwi Rod Skinner, managing director of Transport Maintenance and
the Garden Beach Resort Hotel.
 AustCham
networkers enjoyed a cool evening by the beach.
A live band played while stalwart networkers went about
chatting and enjoying an evening by the pool and the beach. Chris May from
Executive International movers was vigorously schmoozing, being his usually
joyful self, and chatting to anybody and everybody. Rod Cummins from JVK was
seen chatting with his ‘father’ Peter Cummins, and though they are not
related, both play on the fact of having the same last name.
Steele Lambrinos rolled up to take part in the
proceedings and introduced Rod to the group. Rod spoke of how great the
venue was and would like to see more networking nights organized on the
beach. He also announced further developments in business by adding the
extra dimension of building boats, due to begin soon.
With plenty of food and wine for all, the evening was a
delightfully refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of most networking
nights.
Chanakarn also urged all members to join in teaching
English at the Ban Huay Mahad School in Rayong, one of their three teaching
projects in Thailand. The next Sundowners is scheduled for Friday November
14. Don’t miss it.
Adisorn promises to wed Jyoti
Wadhai ceremony attended by over
400 relatives and friends
“by Randharimhar
There is something captivating about an Indian bride, or
one to-be, which never fails to leave one in awe. The grace, that shy smile,
her lowered gaze, the jewellery and that stunning dress will enchant just
about anybody. And you can only imagine how Mr. Adisorn Singh Kwatra, son of
Mr Surin Singh Kwatra, owner of Siam International Tailors, one of
Pattaya’s oldest settlers felt on the evening of Saturday August 16, when
he saw his lovely fiance Jyoti. Jyoti is the daughter of Mr. Balbir Singh
Madan, a prominent businessman in Nakhon Phanom.
 Lovely
Indian girls dressed in colourful traditional attire brighten up the lives
of the ‘Promised Ones’
Adisorn’s family invited Jyoti’s family to come to
Pattaya for the ‘Elaan’ and ‘Wadhai’ ceremonies. The ‘Elan’
ceremony is the announcement of the commitment and took place in the morning
at the Sikh Temple in Soi 17. The prayers in this ritual, ask God for His
blessings as this newly engaged couple take their first step towards a
life-long union. Relatives and friends of the family from far and near were
gathered to witness this auspicious occasion.
The ‘Wadhai’ ceremony celebrates the get-together of
both the families in a ritual of blessings and gift exchanges. The
ceremonial proceedings were held at the Dusit Resort, Pattaya later in the
evening. The ballroom was painted in bright colours as guests dressed in
their finest Indian formal wear filed in for the celebration. The family of
the groom to-be staged a dance medley of the latest Bollywood music that had
the audience moving with joy in their seats. The delicious food, that
feeling of love in the air and the wonderful performance all in all made the
evening one that will be remembered by the young couple for a long time to
come.
Todd Hoppe sets off a grand slam of celebrations
Last week, Todd and Jennifer Hoppe made a quick trip to
Thailand to visit their parents. Both had only a week before the start of
university classes on August 25. They flew in from Michigan, USA to see
their parents, Bruce and Judy Hoppe. Daughter Jennifer is a junior at
Michigan State University. Son Todd is a third year law student at
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
 (Front
row, L to R) Apple Hoar, Nittaya Noyes, Todd Hoppe, Jennifer Hoppe, No
Sinthuvanik, (Middle) Susie Zofkie, Chittima Tobarameekul, Sue Kukarja,
Bruce Hoppe, Judy Hoppe, Alvi Sinthuvanik, Al and Pat Caudullo (Rear) Tom
Zofkie, Dave and Pauline Morrison, Tom Hoar
Since the family will not be together on Todd’s
birthday, September 12, they decided to round up some of their Thailand
friends and have an early birthday party for Todd. Apple Hoar suggested
holding the party at her new restaurant, Your Hut Caf้, in Naklua, on
the south side of Soi 12. Since Apple has not formally opened her new cafe
as yet, she made it the first event of her soft opening. The Thai food,
cooked by Apple, was delicious. Everyone loved it, including the vegetarians
in the group. The Your Hut Caf้ will be open for several other soft
opening events as Apple finalizes her menu. This new, cozy, restaurant will
officially open about September 9.
 Bruce
Hoppe presents his son Todd with a cartoon drawing of Todd proposing
marriage on the beach of Lake Michigan.
Todd recently asked his girl friend of several years,
Robin Lileikis, to marry him. Both Todd and Robin attended Michigan State
University. It is a tradition for couples to become engaged by Beaumont
Tower, on the MSU campus. Todd decided to carry the tradition to the beach
of Lake Michigan where Robin’s parents have a condo. Instead of going to
Beaumont Tower to propose,
 Todd
Hoppe constructed a sand sculpture of Michigan’s State University’s
Beaumont Tower on the Grand Haven beach recently before proposing to his
girlfriend, Robin Lileikis. The Beaumont Tower has traditionally been the
location for many marriage proposals over the years at MSU.
Todd brought Beaumont Tower to the beach. He built
a sand castle replica and that was where Todd proposed to Robin. When Todd
and Robin got engaged on the beach, it was big news in the local Grand
Haven, Michigan newspaper. A story about the happy couple and their picture
with their sand castle were on the front page! Bruce and Judy decided to
give Todd and Robin something else in remembrance of that event. They
presented him with a cartoon drawing of the happy occasion.
Everyone had a fun evening with good food and many
memories.
|
