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Muay Thai action hits center ring in North Pattaya
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Hot Muay Thai action exploded in center ring last Tuesday
night as boxers throughout the region gathered at the North Pattaya stadium
to take part in a string of matches. The boxing tournament was held to raise
funds for the construction of a meeting room for the Pattaya Department of
Prosecutions.
 Poramet
Imtornchumnum, Chonburi public prosecutor hands over the champ belt to
Yodnukrob Cherkiat in the 60kg class.
The boxers, however, battled it out in numerous rounds,
each vying for the Defense Minster’s trophy. Combatants from the region
included some well-known name in local circles, such as Lomto Prasopchoke,
Pongsak ‘ISS’ as well as others from the famous Sityodtong School of
Muay Thai, located just outside Pattaya.
 Some
of the great Muay Thai witnessed at the North Pattaya stadium.
With numerous rounds and competitors, the crowd cheered
on their favorites while getting a look at the local boxing talent.
Special guests Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to the Minister of Tourism
and Sports; Niran Watthanasarthsathorn, Pattaya mayor elect; Poramet
Imtornchumnum, Chonburi public prosecutor and Pakorn Sukothnchart, Pattaya
public prosecutor joined the ranks of spectators for a night at the fights.
Action to heat up
at Bira next weekend
Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup Rounds 5 and 6
The Bira International circuit will roar with the sounds
of racing as Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup rounds 5 and 6 are scheduled to
run on June 18 with the main races held on June 20.
Hot
action in round three of the Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup is coming to Bira
next weekend.
The Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup Asia runs as part of the
Asian Festival of Speed, and is organised by Malaysian-based Motorsport Asia
Limited.
Speaking after round 3 of the competition, Porsche Asia
Pacific’s Regional Marketing Manager, Dr. Henrik Dreier, delighted with
both the standard of racing competition and the promise of an intense,
season-long battle said, “The competition in both classes is incredibly
exciting and the championship is wide open after three rounds. I predict a
tough fight right down to the end of the season.”
Bira International Circuit is located just outside Pattaya, on the Rayong
road. The circuit is 2.4 km long, and the grandstand and spectators area can
accommodate up to 30,000 people.
Peacock Place Indoor Bowls and Snooker League
Last week saw the conclusion of the Snooker and despite
George going down 58 - 46 against Dancing Danny. It was too late for anyone
to catch him in the league, which he retained for the second season.
Yellowbirds won the mixed doubles and Peacock Sue
retained her ladies singles for the third time. League cup bowls cup and
presentations will be held from 2 p.m. on Saturday June 12.
The final leagues were:
Ladies Singles
Peacock Sue 10 7 0 3 98 53 14
Lek 10 6 1 3 104 52 13
Nut 10 5 1 4 73 71 11
Nid 10 5 1 4 59 83 11
Tukta 10 2 3 5 55 81 7
Danny Sue 10 1 2 7 52 101 4
Mixed Doubles
Yellowbirds 10 6 1 3 94 70 13
Gin 10 6 0 4 80 80 12
Peacock 10 5 0 5 95 81 10
Love Nest 10 4 2 4 66 85 10
Spotty Dog 10 4 1 5 83 84 9
Double Trouble 10 3 0 7 71 89 6
Snooker
George 14 11 0 3 844 518 22
Danny 14 10 0 4 819 640 20
Ad 14 8 0 6 736 587 16
Terry 14 8 0 6 675 663 16
Derek 14 7 0 7 734 755 14
Patrick 14 6 0 8 551 777 12
Danny Sue 14 5 0 9 628 717 10
Brian 14 1 0 13 575 905 2
Pattaya 9 Ball Pool League
Pattaya Pool League
Jack & Tar and VFW Post 9876 move up the standings
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
200
bowlers:(front) Kran, Somrak, Mio, (rear) Ken, Sven and Bill.
Jack & Tar led by Morn’s 501 series moved back
into third place as they took three points from Nam Tip. VFW Post 9876 won
four points for the second week in a row as they beat Alt Koelle. Captain
Bill Key rolled another great series for VFW with games of 204, 213 and 187
for a 604 series to lead all bowlers on the day. Three Sisters and House of
the Golden Coin split their series at two points apiece and Three Sisters
remains in first place. House of the Golden Coin Captain Mio was best in
this match with a 220 game and 579 pin count and Sven rolled a 215 game,
514 series. Brother D put a stop to Q Cars march up the standings taking
three points as Lenz, Q Cars, was best in the match with a 508 series but
it was under his handicap. Caf? Kronborg Captain Kran bowled games of 185,
210 and 193 for a 588 series, to lead her team to a two-two split with Caf?
Ole. Somrak rolled a 205 game and 523 series for Caf? Ole. Spare bowlers
did well on the day as Tue knocked down 541 pins, Scott had a 546 series
and Ken Crow rolled a 204 game and knocked down 500 pins.
Mickey Mouse Dart League
Last weeks results did not show the Smugglers win, this
has now been rectified. Helicopter Bar has risen to new heights by winning
their last three game and beer, their win this week was at Devonshire, with
Simon (helicopter) scoring a 180, he had a 251 finish with five darts, well
played Helicopter.
Bottom of the table, Windsor Tavern could not hold the
top of the table, Pleasure Dome from taking it all, with special thanks to
two of the Windsor Tavern boys from Alex.
Smugglers and Rising sun had a good evening by beating
Palmers and PSI respectively. Bunker kept up their good run by taking all at
Cheers.
Next fixtures played, June 11: Pleasure Dome vs. Cheers; Windsor Tavern
vs. PSI; Helicopter vs. Rising Sun; Smugglers vs. Devonshire; Bunker vs.
Palmers.
Pattaya Panthers reach plate semi-final
at Clive Williamson Memorial Phuket International Rugby 10s
Karon Beach Stadium, Phuket
Neil Smith
The Pattaya Panthers returned to Phuket this year on
May 29 and 30, as defending Bowl champions, with high hopes of taking home
silverware from a higher level of the competition.
Phuket is always a favourite tournament with touring
teams as it combines a beach side stadium with a good standard of rugby
and lively nightlife. In true Panthers fashion the nightlife was fully
sampled on the Friday night and was indeed found to be lively. The
Panthers touring philosophy may best be encapsulated by the phrase
“drinking men with a rugby problem”.
 Pattaya
Panthers player tackled by Pattana Tigers at the recent Pattaya 10's.
(Pattaya Mail file photo)
Saturday morning saw the serious business start. First
order of the day was trying to remember where we were (a real problem for
our captain) and then preparing for a day of rugby against some quality
opposition. We took the field with our usual playing crew ably assisted by
Carl and Matt, expat kiwis living in Australia, who are regular visitors
to Thailand and Pattaya in particular. Their aggressive, ‘in your
face’ southern hemisphere style was exactly what the Panthers needed on
Saturday morning as we faced ‘The Old Bill’ a side representing the
swine from Hong Kong. This side are no pushovers at the best of times, so
a hung over bunch of Pattaya boys did extremely well to comprehensively
put them away by a score of 31-7.
 Steve
Turner kicks the ball away from the home goal line at the recent Pattaya
10's. (Pattaya Mail file photo)
Next up saw a game against the ‘Jailors’ from the
UK. Yes, you’ve guessed it, prison officers this time. Questions were
raised as to whether the tournament organisers knew more than they should
about some of our players. However, no handcuffs or cattle prods were in
evidence and so we waded into the game with our usual disrespectful
attitude to the formbook and very nearly beat them. We ended the game
losing by just 10 - 0 (easily could have been 10 all). A real achievement
when you consider that the Jailors went on to play in the final of the
main cup competition.
The final game in the group stages saw Pattaya take on
our old friends the British Club. The British Club (BC) are usually in the
finals, if not winning, events such as this. However, remarkably we found
ourselves in the position of putting the BC out of the cup if a victory
could be found. The Panthers, who fought hard and valiantly took the game
to a BC side that contained one ex-international and two professional
players. The score was strongly in the favour of the BC finishing 26 - 5.
So the Panthers finished the day with a win and two losses, which saw us
move into the Plate (second tier) competition.
Late Saturday afternoon was spent in the pool trying to
recuperate and rehydrate for the following day. The Panthers team doctor
(name withheld) informed us that the most effective way to do this was to
drink all the Heineken in the hotel’s pool bar. We manfully rose to the
challenge and promptly fired the team doctor on Sunday morning.
Sunday morning saw the Panthers squad depart for the
stadium without our team manager Phil Dunn. This wouldn’t normally be a
problem as Phil rarely starts a game and is more of an impact player.
However, he had the kit and the team ball, so we thought it might be a
good idea to find him. He turned up, thanks to Tham’s eagle eyes and a
disaster was saved. We found ourselves at the stadium on a scorching hot
morning with an hour until kick off. Our opponents, the Bangkok Japanese,
were already warming up. Utter madness! We took the time to relax and
review our strategy for the game. It was decided that scoring more points
than the opposition was probably the best way to win the game. As the game
started, the very warm Japanese came flying at us in true Banzai fashion.
They pushed hard on the try line and several last ditch tackles were
required to keep them out. We turned over possession and immediately
scored through our trusty speedster Tham. The game changed to a one sided
affair at this point. The Panthers winning comfortably by 38 - 0.
The prize for putting the Japanese out of yet another
tournament was a place in the Plate semi-final and a date with the
Melbourne Rams. The Rams are a colossal touring team from Aussie. They
play a fast, direct and uncompromising game. They completely over powered
us to leave us battered, bruised and yes you’ve guessed it, very
thirsty! The Panthers returned home satisfied with their performance,
overall. We made even more friends amongst the circle of worldwide rugby
players and marked Phuket 2004 off as another successful tour. The
eventual winners were:
The Cup: Christina Noble Childrens’ Foundation
(Dubai)
The Plate: Melbourne Rams (Australia)
The Bowl: British Club Pinks (Bangkok)
Pattaya Panthers: Brian Reid, Richard Holt, Steve
Turner, Neil Smith, Duane Lindsay, Phil Dunn, Paul Crouch, Carl, Matt, Q,
Tham, Sup.
Chiang Mai press goes down 3-2 to Chantaburi/Rayong
Perhaps too tired after the trip?
A press team, which included
representation from the Chiangmai Mail, traveled to Rayong on the Eastern
Seaboard to compete in the annual friendly soccer tournament against a press
team from Chantaburi/Rayong.
Chiang
Mai team’s Suchai Kengkarnkha (left), exchanging flags with Suchin
Kwanchai (right), the president of Chantaburi Press Club before the friendly
match.
The local team was led by Pol Lt Suchai Kengkarnkha of Kad Suan Kaew
Journal, and at half time things were not looking too good for the
northerners, down 3-0. However, a spirited rally by the Chiang Mai team saw
two quick goals, but this was not enough to topple the Eastern Seaboard
press who held on to win 3-2.
PSC Golf from
the Cafe Kronborg
Monday May 31,
Plutaluang Stableford
The Plutaluang tough North and West layouts were host for a
Stableford Competition in two Flights, A Flight 0 to 16 and B Flight 17 upwards.
 Bob
Pearce took the A Flight with 37 at Plutaluang.
Bob Pearce took the A Flight with 37 points ahead of the
ever-present Ebrahim in second with 33 points and, Bill Plath third with 32
points. Philippe Berra took the B Flight with 38 points ahead of a countback for
second with 32 points won by Norm Martin with John Swanson in third.
Thursday June 3, Bangpra Stableford
This may be the oldest course in the area but it has matured
superbly and on this day, not only was the course in fine condition but the
trees were in their finest colour and the round was a pleasure. It seemed a pity
to hit a ball in such fine surroundings but that was what we were there for, so
let’s set too.
 Philippe
Berra, returned 39 at Bangpra.
The course, as said, was a pleasure to play, and the fairways
and greens were in fine condition and for those who know the course that means
slower puts uphill and bye bye downhill. Most of us were perplexed; just imagine
playing the course for the first time.
Under the circumstances, the scores were very good with both
flights providing some excellent golf. In the A Flight, 0 to 16, the winner was
Denis Edmunds, with 40 points, in a countback ahead of Rick Evans in second and
Alan Cassin in third with 35 points.
 Denis
Edmunds with 40 points, winning A Flight at Bangpra.
In the B Flight, 17 up, the winner was Jacky Hsieu with 41
points ahead of a countback for second on 39 points won by Philippe Berra with
Norm Robinson in third.
A fine day was ended with a hot shower and an even hotter
plunge into the hot pool, before enjoying the fine food in the Restaurant.
T.T.F.N.
PSC Golf from Bobby Joe’s 60’s Bar
Tuesday June 1,
Laem Chabang
Stableford
This being the first ‘Tuesday’ Competition at The
60’s Bar it seemed a good idea to start with a special course and a
‘Sports Day Deal’ and so Laem Chabang was a natural. I was a bit taken
aback when the day before play, the course contacted us and asked for exact
numbers, the first time in all the years I have been doing this, a course has
needed such information. If you live here you know how reliable the day after
the night before can be, especially at any bar’s days out, still when the
day is as busy as Laem Chabang on a Tuesday, every tee time counts. Somehow we
managed to give the correct numbers, with dropouts and late turn ups
balancing.
 Mike
on the first tee A1.
So stood on the first tee at the A Course, the weather was
fine, the course looked in superb condition and we were ready to go, of course
after the five ball and the three ball that just had to be slipped in before
our competition. One good thing, the three ball all put their drives into the
trees giving our less than perfect golfers confidence they could do no worse.
Or could they?
 Andy Evans, winner and Bob Noble in second.
Well some could but most girded the loins and played well,
revelling in the fine day, fine course and good company. Some good scores were
posted and some played well, till in the end playing out of his skin Andy
Evans triumphed ahead of Bob Noble.
Andy relaxes at the club after a fine round.
Back at The 60’s Bar the griddle was cooking up a pan of
Chilly and this put a lining on the tummy for the serious business to follow.
T.T.F.N.
Winner: Andy Evans; Second: Bob Noble
Near Pins: Andy Evans, Mike Gerrard, Bob Benda, Bob Noble,
Barry Elphick and Ray Spurling
Long Put: Mike Gerrard (2)
Bob Benda and
Barry.
3 Sisters
Again with good weather holding and fairways finally cut
golf scores tumbled at Siam. Winning the day with 43 points was Bill Gibson.
Shooting the game of his life, Bill couldn’t miss as he hit the fairways
and had his putter working.
 Jim
Tully left holding the bag, with Bill Gibson (right) returned a very
credible 43 stableford points.
Close on his heels was Gorden McKnight coming in with 42
points - one short of tying Bill. Two other good scores were turned in by
John Sinclair and Joe Albright. Both players came in with credible scores of
40 points.
Holding the bag this week was Jim Tully. He was given a scare by Marvin
Smith and Paul Key. Marvin and Paul slipped by with 25 and 26 points as
Tully carded 24. All in all it was a good day and all fun was had by all.
The Nowell road show rolls on
IPGC Bunker Boys at the OK Corral
On Tuesday June 1, the Bunker Boys departed the OK
Corral to take on the challenge of an immaculate Green Valley course for
their weekly medal event. The day dawned very overcast but was later to
blossom into almost cloudless skies and good golf was very evident.
 The
Bunker Boy of the Month, Steve Nowell.
Most scores were to pepper par with Mark Joshua’s 76
taking third place, one behind David Smith’s second placed net 75. The
Bunker Boy of the Month, Steve Nowell began the day with an official
handicap of eight but chose to sacrifice three shots with a voluntary cut
to five. Incredibly, his returned score of 74 (71 officially) took the
day. His form is so good at present that very few people would bet against
him making an impact in the IPGC Championships later this month. There
were no birdie two’s but at the other end of the field Angus MacFarlane
and Len Jones found the going tougher than most, Mr. Loy struggled with a
new set of irons and Bob Pearce frustrated with his putting made them all
challengers for the Banana Booby prize but it was scooped by Len Jones for
his bravery in attending the presentation at the OK Corral, the other two
candidates declining.
Once again the hero of the day was Steve Nowell and
those who witnessed the quality of his golf were staggered at the progress
he is currently making.
Jones & Philp Burst
Nowell’s Bubble
On Thursday, June 3, a heavily overcast Century Ban
Chang welcomed the Bunker Boys for their weekly stableford event. The
course was well presented yet again and as the clouds grew, they were to
be the overture for a very heavy thunderstorm which delayed the group at
the turn for almost an hour.
The going got tough but the tough ‘got going’ as
Terry Phur found out when his golf cart took a mind of its own, ploughing
into a flowerbed, and the wheels similarly came off for Steve Nowell,
winner of four of the last six events with the Bunker Boys. A gargantuan
struggle was taking place between Bob Philp and Len Jones who were going
head-to-head over the back nine as, slowly, Bob’s three point lead was
being whittled away by a resurgent Len, resolute in his resolve.
At the end of the round there was still no daylight between them and
they shared the day’s honours with 34 points each. Dave Smith had held
his game together well to take third place with a score of thirty points.
Elsewhere Don Frances pulled out a plum with his birdie two on the
thirteenth hole to take the triple-rollover Super Sawng award, whilst Mr.
Loy incredibly played the wrong ball in the height of the storm and took
the Bunker Banana Booby for his error. It was another good golf day, and,
at last, the headline writers have found new names to play with!
A difficult day out!
On June 1, The Boys from The Bunker went to Great Lakes Golf and
Country Club for their weekly Medal Competition. On a clear day with
little wind the scores were not good, unfortunately neither was the
course condition, from the tees through fairways (and rough) and on to
the greens all needed a lot of work. Likewise the Caddies also needed a
lot of training. Great Lake has the potential of being a fine golf course
but not today, not many of the players enjoyed it.
 The
view looking back down the 9th hole at Eastern Star.
Results: 1st place: Alex Becklund, Net 74; 2nd place:
Lez Hal,l Net 75; 3rd place: Mike Parsons Net 79 and Mick Ramshaw also
with Net 79.
Bunker Bonanza Bonus - Not Won Bunker Banana Booby:
John Preddy.
Mitch wins Eastern Star!
On June 3, The Boys From The Bunker travelled to
Eastern Star at Bang Chang for a Stableford Competition.
On an overcast day with the threat of thunderstorms
all around the players managed to finish 18 holes without getting wet.
The winner for the first time with The Bunker was Mitch Malone, who
manages our marvellous new website, with a score of 34 Stableford points.
Second place went to Jim Payne and third place went to Duncan McGee with
31 and 30 points respectively.
Again the Bunker Bonanza Bonus prize was not won and
The Bunker Bananas were presented to Eddie Rudkin, returning to play with
The Bunker after a long absence, for his very dismal low score!
Don’t forget, everyone can find out what activities are taking place
at The Bunker, which includes Darts, Pool and Quiz nights, as well as the
twice weekly golf competitions, on our new website @
www.bunkerboysgolf.com (This is a correction to last weeks published
address).
Queen Victoria Inn hosts Golf Asia 2004 party
The Queen Vic recently held the end of competition party for the Golf
Asia 2004 Tour, these are truly a bunch of international guys who live in
the Philippines and head over to Thailand twice a year (June and November)
for their fix of golf.
 Losing
team captain, Mike Haney(right) being consoled by event organiser, Mark Lord
at the Queen Vic party.
There are two teams involved, ‘Us’ and ‘Them’
being a mixture of Australian, American, British and South Africans with the
losing team, of course, forking out for the party. This year it was the
‘Us’ team captained by Mike Haney who had to pay up. All the honours of
course going to ‘Them’ who were led by Ady Adams.
 The
winning team, ‘Them’ celebrating their win in the Golf Asia 2004 party,
held at the Queen Vic.
A great night was had by all with plenty of food and
drink being supplied by the Queen Vic Girls and the singing supplied by Them
and Us.
We are all looking forward to next November when the Queen Victoria Inn
will sponsor the First days play and Welcome party
A Major Win at Last
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday May 31
Green Valley
Stableford
Division 1
1st Richard Garland, 41
2nd Al Rolnik, 40
3rd Fred Streeter, 39
Division 2
1st Jimmy Little, 38
2nd Terry Morris, 37
3rd Roy Thornton, 36
The pace was hot in both divisions as Richard Garland put
together another outstanding round to clean up the Division 1 and his
opposing playing partners once again. Al Rolnik continued his strong run,
but was not quite able to close the gap over the back nine and had to be
content with second. Fred Streeter on his annual trip to the Kingdom
collected his first ever placing with an unusually good round of three under
his handicap.
Jimmy Little again showed some of his latent ability to
secure the second division by a shot from Terry Morris with Roy Thornton a
further shot away in third.
Before presenting the prizes, Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA Professional, welcomed back Noel McKenna and Mark Wood.
The twos were shared between Bob Lindborg, Jimmy Little
and Mark Wood.
Wednesday June 2
Great Lakes
Stableford
1st Takeshi Hakozaki, 36
2nd Roy Thornton, 35 cb9 17
3rd Norman Isherwood, 35 cb9 13
After several months, if not years, The Haven returned to
Great Lakes as they were offering a great deal on a public holiday of 500
baht including caddy fee. Before the event a few people were a little
skeptical of the condition that the course may have been in and forwent the
chance to play this great Nick Faldo designed course. Those that did make
the trip were not dissatisfied as mostly the greens and fairways were in
good condition, although some of the greens had been a trifle over sanded.
Takeshi Hakozaki took the days top honour by a shot from
Roy Thornton and Norman Isherwood in second and third on count back.
Prior to the prize giving Richard welcomed back B.J.
Smith, who has been absent for what seems to have been years, but he is now
firmly back in the saddle, although judging by his score, he has yet to find
the reins.
There were no twos on the day and the pot was carried
forward.
Friday June 4
Eastern Star
Stableford
1st Roy Thornton, 41
2nd Bob Lindborg, 40
3rd Al Rolnik, 37
4th Barry Traynor, 36 cb9 20
5th Derek Reaper, 36 cb9 17
Following a 3rd, and 2nd place in the previous two
outings, Major Roy held on over the last hole from the also in form Bob
Lindborg to take his first win out of The Haven by a single stroke. He
really did need to beat Bob, one of his playing partners, to win on the last
hole otherwise he was doomed to another second place by virtue of Bob’s
better back six holes. All credit to him for both being aware of the
circumstances and rising to the occasion.
Al Rolnik took another placing for the week in third with
Barry Traynor and Derek Reaper in fourth and fifth respectively after a
count back.
Back at The Haven Richard welcomed new members Sid
Ottaway and Neil Willmann and also welcomed back Derek Reaper.
Mark Wood dropped in the only two of the day to claim
sole possession of the pot including the carry over.
Koh Samui Regatta: A catalyst for a marine tourism surge
by Peter Cummins
Koh Samui has just finished its third annual regatta,
which has been reported faithfully (of course), in the region’s press,
both in English and Thai language and needs no further elucidation here.
What comes to the fore, however, is the astounding
progress being made in Thailand’s marine sector and the concomitant
infrastructure, boosting marine tourism. The Samui Regatta is a microcosm of
this resurgence of what was, up until just two years ago, a flagging,
moribund industry.
 Close
racing was a feature of Samui.
A marina is being considered for the island, an embryo
boat-building industry is starting, a second airport is on the drawing
boards and, the magnificent new Santiburi Samui Country Club is a golfer’s
paradise.
Thailand has thousands of kilometers of superb
coast-line, a myriad beautiful islands, national parks and, without any
doubt, some of the best sailing, boating and cruising waters in the world.
Furthermore, apart from some of the more intense areas such as Pattaya, most
of the marine destinations are pristine, free from congested water traffic,
clean and green.
 Gary
Baguley (L) ‘& friends’: Royal Varuna is on a “boating boom”.
Pattaya has passed through some dismal times, but it is
also being rejuvenated and, compared to over-crowded and hideously expensive
tourist destinations around the world, from the Cote d’Azure to the
Caribbean, Pattaya is an exciting and burgeoning haven for marine tourism.
This was reinforced by the Governor of Chonburi Province,
H.E. Pisit Ketphasook, at the recently-held PC Classic Regatta, sailed off
the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. The Governor, who had never before been so
close to the action at a yacht race, was “awed by the marvellous spectacle
from his water-front vantage point, noting that “the PC Classic is a great
example of environmentally-friendly pursuits...(which) do much for Pattaya,
Chonburi Province and, by extension, all of Thailand”.
The major thrust for this potential boom, is that the
Royal Thai Government realized that, with the erstwhile crippling tax of
some 240 per cent on all aspects of the marine industry, there was no
incentive to go forward. It was a huge loss to marine tourism and many craft
fled to the tax haven of Malaysia’s Langkawi Island.
Now, it is the ‘green light’. With basically a zero
tax in place, Thailand is reaping a bonanza. Many yachts have come back to
the Kingdom, companies like the Thai Marine Leisure and chartering giants
like Sunsail, based in Phuket and Pattaya, are importing new fleets to
replace the old craft, groaning under a ‘middle-age crisis’.
The Royal Varuna Yacht Club is over-flowing with new
catamarans, Lasers and Optimist dinghies. As one of the principal importers,
Gary Baguley said this week, that, “he cannot keep stocks, for all new
craft and their related back-up equipment, are sold before they even reach
the shores of the Kingdom”.
Regattas, spurred on by the success of the newest
arrival, the Koh Samui event which, as one sees around the island, has the
full support of almost the total public and private sectors there. There
were eight principal sponsors: Bangkok Airways, Central Samui Beach Resort,
the regatta headquarters since its inception, Coco Group of Companies,
Coconut Land and House, QBE Insurance, Santiburi Dusit Resort, Singha and
Strategic Catering. Some 45 co-sponsors weighed in on the side of the
regatta and there were a myriad other companies displaying the
‘Participating Outlet’ banner, all over the island.
Since the Government relented on the tax issue, regattas,
marinas and other arms of the marine infrastructure are forging ahead.
In the Northern Gulf, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club holds
racing, training and cruising programmes 52 weeks a year. A splendid new
clubhouse is nearing completion and will, undoubtedly, be a show-place
greatly adding class and style to the Pattaya-Jomtien foreshore.
The Ocean Marina, a little further south, now conducts
monthly keelboat and catamaran racing, after several years of silence.
Further south again, at the Royal Thai Navy base, in
Sattahip, there is much increased activities, spurred on by Krung Thai Bank
support.
The National Authority, the Yacht Racing Association of
Thailand, conducts annual regattas off the Hua Hin shores every July,
including the King’s own ‘Royal Vega Rudder Race’. This illustrious
race, commemorates the day, April 19, 1966, when His Majesty sailed his OK
dinghy ‘Vega’ across the Gulf, from Hua Hin to Klong Toey at Sattahip.
At the time, it was mooted as the world’s longest open dinghy crossing,
out of sight of land.
The Phuket King’s Cup, established in 1987, to honour
the Monarch’s fifth-cycle, 60th birthday, is coming up for the eighteenth
sailing over the King’s birthday week, December 5, amid a profusion of
marine infrastructure, developing marinas and many new craft coming into -
and being built - in Phuket.
There is the annual Pang Nga regatta, held each year over
Chinese New Year, which takes the fleets through some of the world’s most
beautiful cruising areas.
Another new event is scheduled in mid-July: Phuket Race
Week, an International Regatta from the organizers of the first Phuket Boat
Show, to be held off the Evason Resort. Principal organizer, Grenville
Fordham of Image Asia, expects a big fleet for the inaugural.
In fact, passing from Thailand, there are regattas all
the way down through the South East Asian Peninsular, encompassing Langkawi,
Malaysia and Singapore. There will inevitably be advantages for Thailand.
Samui might just be only the ‘acorn’ but from it is spawning the
‘mighty oak’ tree of marine tourism spreading all over the Kingdom
CMAS Thailand Diving Association is up and running!
At a meeting held on May 25 at the Ambassador Hotel in
Bangkok, the Board of Directors of the CMAS Thailand Diving Association laid
out the prerequisites for the effective development of diving and water
sports in Thailand.
Chief Examiner
Northern Thai Gulf Area, Leander Schalinski; CTDA President Chaturathep
Khowinthawong; Chief Examiner West Coast/Southern Thailand, Jens Hofacker;
Honorary President, Rewood Chindapol; CEO - CTDA, Rainer Gottwald; Chief
Examiner South East Thailand, Eugen Muellerschoen; Vice President Thanakorn
Jutamachart.
The very experienced Chief Examiners, Eugen Mullerschon,
Jens Hofacker and Leander Schalinski were appointed as the first Examiners
Committee. They are now conducting CTDA Instructor Training Courses and
Cross-Over Courses throughout Thailand.
Instructors from all other dive training organizations
now have the opportunity to cross over to CTDA. According to the worldwide
regulations of CMAS, all CMAS instructors in Thailand must now apply for
membership in CTDA. Only members of CTDA will be permitted to teach CMAS
courses in Thailand. Exceptions are permitted only with the written consent
of CTDA.
Existing partnerships with related diving associations
SSI-Thailand and CMAS-Germany member association IDA guarantee an exchange
of knowledge and technical skills to promote the rapid development of CTDA.
The association will also work closely with the National Parks and other
government agencies such as tourist associations to achieve their common
goals of developing and promoting Thailand.
With the acceptance of CTDA into the worldwide
association CMAS, CTDA can now aggressively pursue its goals. These goals
include the protection of the marine environment (especially the flora and
fauna of the seas), the training of Thai teachers in all levels of
educational institutions to teach water sports (swimming, snorkeling and
diving) and the aquatic environment.
Not to be forgotten is the role of CMAS in the
International Olympic Committee. CTDA plans to conduct trials for the
National Monofin Swimming Team with the goal of participating in future
Olympic Games. An important goal of CTDA President Chaturathep
Khowinthawong, who is a high ranking official in the National Parks Service,
is the development and training of Thailand’s National Park Rangers,
Rescue Swimmers/Divers and Marine Police Divers.
Former Members of Parliament and CTDA Honorary President,
Rewood Chindapol will use considerable political influence to insure that
various government and tourism agencies are supporting the development and
promoting the goals of CTDA. Rewood believes that this serves not only to
promote tourism and environment, but also the higher purpose of raising
Thailand’s international recognition.
Rewood stated that his goal and vision is that within no
more than three years CTDA will become a hard-hitting association with a
large and active membership, especially among foreign guests and instructors
working in his country who will be proud to support standards for tourism,
training and environmental protection through their CTDA membership.
In order to facilitate relationships with international officials and
associations, the Board of Directors appointed Rainer Gottwald, who is Chief
Examiner for South East Asia for IDA/CMAS, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Gottwald will be a full member of the CTDA Board of Directors and will be
responsible together with the president and general secretary for the
development of CTDA both within Thailand and around the world.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
There use to be a guy that wrote for one of those big
papers in the city with all the traffic that use to use the term “This Is
Thailand”. Some probably though it was a phrase conjured up by some high
paid Public Relations type. I don’t know the real genesis of the term but
there are times when “This Is Thailand” covers the subject. Confusion is
autochthonous with Thailand. Let’s look at the continuing saga of WBA soon
to be world champion, Yodsanan Nanthachai (3-K Battery) 43-2. There can be
no argument but that he’s right up there with Diego Corrales (38-2), Joel
Casamayor (30-2) or Eric Morales (46-1). Well yes you could argue but in the
words of ‘My Cousin Vinnie’, “Your argument doesn’t hold water.”
Yodsanan’s contractual woes have been somewhat well documented in these
spaces. Once the contractual problems were behind him, he seemed well on his
way to a WBC title fight with Jorge Barrios this month. Not going to happen.
Barrios suffered a cut over his eye in a training session on May 25. He’ll
be riding the pine for at least 90 days. And the saga continues....
Here’s another saga that doesn’t seem to end,
“Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has scrapped plans for a
special lottery to fund ?65m move to buy a 30% stake in Liverpool. Thaksin
was forced into a rethink in the face of growing opposition, and he has
admitted the deal is now in doubt.
“At this moment, I am not certain that we can buy it or
not,” he said, “Taking money from the poor is not our aim. When we found
that it is wrong, I had to put a brake on it. We have to scrap the lottery
project.” Now This Is Really Thailand.......
Couple of stories big in America. The fights involving De
La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins and the Smarty Jones try for the Triple Crown.
It’s seems autochthonous but any prize fight has to have a jerk factor.
Hopkins, as usual, provided the “AH” moment. He threatened to pull of
out the fight just days before when he objected to the appointment of
Referee Joe Cortez some 11 days before.
The fight went on with both Hopkins (boring 12 round
decision) and De La Hoya winning but neither lit any fires. De La Hoya’s
win was a unanimous decision with scores of 115-113 on all cards. He led
114-113 going into the final round, which he won, on all three cards.
“Everything went wrong” said De La Hoya. Sturm said after the fight “I
was the better fighter and I won the fight...everyone saw it”. Not
everyone. The three judges had a different opinion. Smarty Jones? He lost to
Birdstone with class. Would drive an old drunk horse better/boxing fan to
drink. Drive me...drive me...
There was really a good fight scheduled for tomorrow in
the UK. At the MAN Arena in Manchester. Joe Calzaghe (30-0) was to get his
toughest test in Yank Glencoffe Johnson (40-9-2) for the IBF 175Lbs. Title.
Actually his toughest tussle might have been the week before when he fell
afoul of “old bill”. Got in a ‘dispute with his ex and ended up at the
Gray Bar Inn.’ While some of Calzaghe’s opponents have been a tad
suspect (the former little lady obliviously wasn’t one of the suspects)
there is some real quality in a division that isn’t the most well know or
represented by loads of talent. 137lbs to160lbs weights are the dynamite
divisions in boxing. “Opponents a tad suspect?” Two come to mind in Will
‘The Thrill’ McIntyre (32-3) and the best ‘name’ in boxing Tocker
Pudwell (39-6). Neither can fight a lick. Glencoffe Johnson is a hard guy to
figure out. There’s no middle ground with him. He went into England and
fought a ‘highly controversial draw’ with IBF champ Clinton Woods. Three
months later he took the rematch with a unanimous decision. He looked good.
Could this be the same Glencoffe Johnson that from 1999 to early 2003 lost
to the likes of Sven Ottke (38-0), Syd ‘The Myth’ Vanderpool, Silvio
Branco (38-4) and Omar Sheila? Yep seems so. He’s the Austin Powers of
boxing, ‘International Man of Mystery’. That’s all water over the
bridge as the fight has been scrapped. Calzaghe says “he hurt his back.”
Fighting with a lady will do that.
If I was to write that WBC #23 Saenghiran Lookbanyai
(8-0, 6KOs) got win over WBA #13 Rolly Lunas (16-3, 9 KOs) at the
Mongkutkasat school in Bangkok, what would you say? Now if I added that this
decision was described as “impressively retained his ABC bantam title”,
what would you comments be? I agree. Who is Saenghiran Lookbanyai? Got that
covered. He’s a former Muay Thai king who won the title last September 19.
He won a unanimous decision 115-111, 115-111, 117-110) while exchanging
‘toe-to-toe’. How about that?
Last Friday at Langsuan, Chumporn the future of Thailand
boxers might have been on display. Two-time Olympian Pakphum Jangphonak
(4-0, 4 KOs) successfully retained his PABA 147lb interim title after
defeating Tanzanian champ Hassan Matumla (8-2, 7 KOs). In light of a
champion only having 4 fights the title is somewhat suspect. Jangphonak was
the winner of the gold at the Asian Games in 1998. On the same card, former
WBA lightfly (no weight) king, Pichit Chor Siriwat (32-2, 14 KOs) used his
experience to toss a shut out over 6 against Filipino, Jerald Ubatey
(11-9-5).
Heck of a fight in the UK last week. The Square Rings Chris Jones
reports, “First decent fight in a while for the Commonwealth Heavyweight
Title between champion Matt Skelton(14-0, 13 KOs) and trial horse Bob
Mirovic (23-12-2). England’s new favorite heavyweight Matt Skelton faced
an experienced Aussie in Bob Mirovic but in Round 1 it was clear this was
gonna be an old fashioned brawl with Mirovic knocked down in a minute. He
was straight back up then gave Skelton a huge right cross which cut open his
eye. Skelton knocked Mirovic down again in Round 3. The brawl continued
through the 4th. Mirovic looked out of shape and couldn’t get out of his
corner for the start of the 5th. Solid performance by champion Matt
Skelton.” All Hail the Champ. Would I drink to that? In a Pattaya Minute.
PH3 run 1056
On Monday the Hash Bus took us up Phoenix road and into a
dirt road to Pattaya Airport. After Flying Frog had convinced the bus driver
to continue on the loose sandy road going to the A-site, we all prepared for
the run with water bottle packed up with energy powder.
After new shoes were ceremoniously filled with beer and
Down Down with toe up, the hares: Flying Frog and NMC gave us information
about the run, “A normal run with white paper and red checks. The run
starts at the end of the runway.”
Before I went out on the landing strip I took a good look
to the left and right, just in case a late incoming airplane was on the
final approach! No aircraft in the air and all 91 Runners headed East on
Runway 28. At the end of the airstrip they found 3 papers and a red check.
In the distance, we could see the front-runners bustle
about like headless chickens. By the time I came to the cross, the front
headed into a big loop, which came back close to the check, and like Magic,
I was in the front, not for a long time, but I was.
This is Hashing; you are in the back, then in the front,
without knowing why everybody is behind you. The method called Shortcut
sometimes is the best and fastest way to get back to the beer-truck. The
remaining run was on livestock land, planted woods and farm roads.
Front-runners in on 35 minutes and walkers in on 50.
After the run there was great free food sponsored by the Birthday Child, the
always charming Star Trek.
S.S, the day’s Grand Master, called the circle and a
birthday cake with 3 candles was given to Star Trek.
Then the Queen of Raffle, Energizer Bunny gave out prizes
to 9 lucky winners. The Hares called in to sit on the Ice. GM question
around the circle and the run #1056 was evaluated as a good run!
RA Sir Airhead took the command and the hares Flying Frog
and NMC once again sit on ice, “So what do we think now about the Runway
Run?”
Flat, too little paper, but overall voted for a good run.
Sir Airhead makes a promotion for Uncle Fester’s ‘Changing Show’; this
week was only a preview, for a strong comeback (he was a winner last year)
on next weeks Betty Boop Run.
Pascal Sivel’s girlfriend, Aplnya Boonjaroen, was named
Kill Bill after a story that she beat up two finger-giving customers, not
paying the Bill in her boyfriend’s restaurant.
This weeks heroes were Obewan and his virgin friend
Donald Huddleston. They sat on the ice for surviving a 12 man Pirate attack
at sea, just got free in time from the hostage situation to get to the
Monday Hash.
Another hero was NMC for leaving after circle and going
directly to the airport in his Hash clothes.
New name to Saw Kanjana named as Lady Moo. Then it was
the Pascal Sivel’s time to take the ice. He was last week test pilot for
the upcoming Betty Boop Run. After his girlfriend was named Kill Bill, he
got the name Bill’s Bitch. Circle over to SS. Returnees and 3 virgins with
sponsors in for some cold beer. Anniversary for NMC. He has hared 5 on his
total 50 Runs. Well done! Again, a big birthday cake on fire for Star Trek
carried by Fireman and Doggy Donut on ice. The cake was divided and given
out to the circle. It was the one of the most tasty birthday cakes I have
ever eaten in this Kingdom.
Sheik Bin Shaggin on ice and his 50 run day after 4 year
living in Pattaya. He finely made it. Congratulations!
Chicken F’s circle. The RA iced Fini and Tampax for
rule 6. They were both changing clothes behind Tampax’s car. Then ice for
Uncle Pervy. He is going to buy the right size trash bags for the upcoming
runs.
Ringworm on ice for just “Enjoying being a Beer Truck
Police man”. Finally the Belgians: VV, Flying Frog and Fini on ice for
just being Belgian. Flying Frog takes over the circle and gets Fini on ice
for using the same pink underwear for 25 years. Question asked in circle:
How did he know? Seaman Stains circle. He got Leavers on Ice and Lying Lever
in Bucket. Then it was the Hare song. A hoarse B.B., sang for the Hares, let
F. Dog, Flying Frog and Mad Cow the first and some other animal named
hashers topped with Free Willy sitting on ice when he sang the modified Old
McDonald had a farm.
Hash Hymn and GM S.S. ordered everybody hats off - cups
on the floor - on three -three, Swing Low... Bus back to town and to
Classroom 1 for some good Thai food. See you next week on Betty Boop.
On On
Odd-Job
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