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A new lease on life for the boys at Huay Pong
Dormitories get major renovations
A joint effort and donations from 5 Eastern Seaboard
organizations and one company has provided a new lease on life for the
boys at the Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institute in Huay Pong. The
project is to date one of the most costly renovations to the dormitories
at the center. The building is around 40 years old and was once used as a
holding cell for juveniles.
Cutting
the ribbon, Lewis Underwood from the Jesters, Horst Appenroth from Aker
Kvaerner, Helle Ransten, Rayong Ladies Circle, Sharon Tibbets (back), PILC
president, Bernie Tuppin, charity chairman for the PSC, Suwit Kuntaroj,
deputy director general of the department of social development and
welfare and Preecha Jitbunjong, Huay Pong superintendent.
The renovation of the concrete dormitory on the boys’
side was a joint venture with the Pattaya International Ladies Club
(PILC), the Rayong Ladies Circle (RLC), and Pattaya Sports Club (PSC). The
official opening of this dormitory was on Saturday June 19 at Huay Pong.
Thanks to the combined effort of the Eastern Seaboard community these boys
now have a bright and clean place to stay and the effects on the children’s
faces can already be seen.
The
front of the recently completed dormitory complete with beautiful gardens
offering a natural environment for the children.
Representatives from each organization and the Huay
Pong institute attended the opening ceremonies, which were presided over
by Suwit Kuntaroj, deputy director general of the department of social
development and welfare, under the Ministry of Social Development and
Human Security.
 The
boys proudly line up in front of their beds to welcome their benefactors
to the new quarters.
As with each of the opening ceremonies, children from
both the girls and boys’ sides gathered to show their appreciation for
the generosity of the community. With an array of speeches and plaque
giving, the official gong was jointly struck prior to the ribbon cutting.
Then a tour of the renovated building was undertaken as the boys proudly
lined up by their beds.
 Suwit
Kuntaroj, deputy director general of the department of social development
and welfare presents Bernie Tuppin, representing PSC with a plaque of
appreciation for the club’s contribution to the project.
The extensive renovations cost 1,250,000 baht, with new
bathrooms being retiled in place of the old mosquito ridden ones, solid
staircases and mosquito screens on the windows and lighting and painting
internally and externally ... a vast difference from what was before.
Lewis
‘Woody’ Underwood (left), Jester’s MC president, presents Horst
Appenroth, from Aker Kvaerner with a certificate of appreciation for the
company’s 250,000 baht donation to the project and the 2004 Care for
Kids charity drive.
The center’s psychologist, Meaw said, "The
improvement in the boy’s demeanor is a wonderful sight to see."
This was confirmed by the kids’ smiling faces and their own comments.
Helle
Ransten (left) and Sharon Tibbetts receive a plaque of appreciation on
behalf of the RLC and PILC from Suwit Kuntaroj, deputy director general of
the department of social development and welfare (far right) and Preecha
Jitbunjong, Huay Pong superintendent.
Thailand has also recently passed a law protecting
children’s rights to decent care, housing and education. Each of the 300
plus children come from either broken homes, were found on the street or
had a brush in with the law. They now have a stable environment in which
to live and learn before being allowed to re-integrate into society when
they reach eighteen.
Once a tour of the new building was complete it was off
to the dining hall for lunch with the children and a show. A job well done
by all those concerned!
Lions Clubs in Pattaya install new presidents for 2004-05
Training seminar held for 47 Lions Clubs presidents and directors
The annual installations of presidents and board members
of Lions Club in Pattaya were held on June 11 at the A 1 The Royal Cruise
Hotel.
The event was presided over by Lion Kajit Hababananda,
Lions International past president, and chaired by Lion Sawiwat Patanasin,
chairman of Region 7 in District 310 C.
Congratulations
were in order for a job well done.
The clubs taking part in the multi-installations were
the Lions Club of Pattaya, Lions Club of Pratamnak Pattaya, Lions Club of
Naklua-Pattaya and Lions Club Chonburi-Sattahip - all part of Lions
District 310 C.
Leading officials such as Surapol Thiansuwan,
Banglamung district chief, Pattaya Mayor Niran Wathanasartsathorn, Deputy
Mayor Wirawat Khakhai and Malinee Sareeman, president of the YWCA
Bangkok-Pattaya chapter, and members of the business community were on
hand to join in the evening’s formalities, as were government
dignitaries and visiting Lions Club members from district 310C.
 Chanyudh
Hengtrakul, adviser to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, congratulates
the new presidents.
Lion General Teking Mungthanya, district governor of
Lions International 310C (2003-2004) proceeded with the installation of
the new presidents and board members of the four clubs.
Lion Yongwith Kiewthong was installed as president of
Lions Club of Pattaya, Lion Surat Permwallop as president of the Lions
Club of Pratamnak, Lion Sathawat Senapan as president of the Lions Club of
Naklua Pattaya, and Lion Arwudh Meechupol as president of the Lions Club
of Chonburi-Sattahip.
 Nittaya
Patimasongkroh, past president of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Chapter,
congratulates Surat Permwallop, the new president of Lions Club of
Pratamnak.
The district governor pinned each of the new presidents
and welcomed them to their new positions, along with the board of
directors of the four respective clubs.
Lions International past president Kajit Hababananda
congratulated the newly installed presidents and directors and urged them
to work for the good of the community, always living and working by Lions
International motto, "We serve".
 Members
of the Lions Club of Phratamnak present a bouquet of flowers to outgoing
District Governor Somsak Lowisoot.
The next day District 310 C, led by Lion General Teking
Mungthanya, the district governor, opened a two-day seminar for the
training of the new presidents, secretaries and treasurers of the 47 clubs
in the district. This is an opportunity for members of the various Lions
clubs to get together and learn of the new policies and projects,
especially in creating unity for the success of service projects for the
new year 2004-05.
Flowers
and best wishes all around.
At the end of the seminar, a farewell party was held to
say goodbye to the outgoing governor and to announce and welcome Lion
Thaweedech Wongthaweerat as the new district governor of 310 C for
2004-05.
Lions International has over 1.4 million members around
the globe in 190 countries. Their motto, "We Serve", stands
proudly as a commitment to assisting the community and helping those in
need. In Thailand this extends to 10 main projects, such as helping the
blind and visually impaired, aiding the deaf and hearing impaired,
promoting education, promoting community relations and social stability,
preserving the environment, promoting health and hygiene, drug prevention,
understanding international communities and promoting better relations
across the globe and other free-style projects.
Une soiree de Foie Gras for the fortunate fastidious foodies
Miss Terry Diner
The local Chaine des Rotisseurs certainly rose to the
occasion with the latest dinner evening held at Casa Pascal Restaurant. It
was one of the most innovative culinary adventures undertaken by the
Chaine for some time, and probably one of the more difficult to prepare
for by Pascal Schnyder, who certainly showed what a prodigious talent
Pattaya has in this chef.
 Louis
Noll flanked by the gentlemen from the Scandinavian Village, Otto Krueger
(left) and his distinguished father Sten.
In accordance with the very high standards that were
set for this gastronomic soiree, it was requested by the president of the
local chapter, the ebullient Louis Noll (Mata Hari Restaurant), that
guests dressed appropriately. Tuxedos and evening dresses were almost de
rigeur for the diners, limited to 30, as this was the maximum number that
Pascal felt could be catered for with the very different offerings, based
on Foie Gras.
After cocktails the Chaine members were appraised of
the menu items and accompanying wines by the Charge de Mission, Hugh
Millar in his wonderfully melodious dark brown Calvinist Scottish brogue,
holding everyone’s attention, other than Louis Noll, who had to be
chastised roundly from the ‘pulpit’.
After the Amuse Bouche palate refresher (a gazpacho and
scallop lasagna) we began with Port Wine coated Terrine of pan-fried Goose
Liver stuffed with pine nuts and wine berries. This was accompanied by a
Pouilly Fume Henri Bourgeoise 2000 vintage. A great start to the evening
that had everyone looking forward to the next of the eight courses.
Pascal did not let anyone down with this one either,
which was described as butter sizzled air-flown Chanterelles with Duck
Liver and beetroot ravioli set in a green peas Zabayone. The apricot
flavoured chanterelles in the luminescent green soup base was simply
sensational, and all the members of the Chaine were very impressed with
this combination.
After a suitable break we were served a marinated Goose
Liver in crispy Savoy cabbage encased in puff pastry and oven baked and
set on a port wine reduction with roasted garlic and shallots. This was
washed down with Babiche Marlborough Estate Sauvignon Blanc from New
Zealand, 2002 vintage. Wines of course, tend to be an individual choice,
and whilst this was pleasant, I did not find it memorable (and definitely
not as memorable as the food).
With Pascal hovering, ensuring every detail was
correct, we were feted with Lobster medallions topped with Caviar in Crab
Roe enhanced vanilla and champagne sauce. As superlative as it sounds, the
caviar had been imported from the Astraham region of Russia, and was
another superb mélange of flavours.
 A
member of the kitchen staff is thanked for her job well done.
After the sorbet we came to the roasted item, the
center-point of any Chaine des Rotisseurs ("roasters") dinner,
and this was a roasted Guinea fowl stuffed with Duck Liver and artichokes
on white and black Truffle butter sauce. The Guinea fowl was certainly, as
Hugh Millar described, succulent and with the Zabayone, was my other dish
of the evening. This was taken with a Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia, 2000 vintage, though some of the diners, such as the Royal
Cliff Beach Resort’s Wine Club captain Ranjith Chandrasiri, had brought
some alternatives (thank you Ranjith for the ‘heavy’ samples).
By now everyone was in the mood for more, and again
Pascal Schnyder found more ways to present different tastes for the
members and guests. Dates stuffed with Roquefort cheese and wrapped in
bacon for one and hot Griottes (sour cherries marinated in Kirsch) with
Bourbon ice cream and brandy crisps for another!
The evening finished with coffee and assorted hand made
pralines, and then the presentation of the awards to Pascal and his staff
for an evening that will be talked about for many months. The next Chaine
dinner has a very difficult act to follow.
 The
grand finale, Kim presents the birthday cake and Pascal gets to blow out
the candles.
As a finale that came as a surprise for most, it was
Pascal’s birthday the next day, and the bulk of the members stayed to
toast the celebrated chef and pass on their birthday greetings. (Some of
us celebrating far too long, to the detriment of my work the next day!)
Casa Pascal truly showed that it deserves its
reputation as being one of the top fine dining restaurants on the Eastern
Seaboard, and I sincerely hope that Pascal can incorporate just a few of
the items from the Chaine des Rotisseurs menu into his regular offerings.
When journos meet, history often repeat(er)s itself
by (re)Peter Cummins
It was almost a case of deja vu when three Peters met
with AP Bureau Chief Denis Gray, Leni, the Filipina wife of one of the
Peters and an editor in her own right, and Sarah McLean, the director of
the Indochina Media Memorial Foundation, recently at the Bangkok Sports
Club.
It was a superb interlude between journos,
photographers, writers and editors and, as could be expected at such a
luncheon, graciously hosted by Denis, the anecdotes, puns and clichés
"rent the air", to resort to that last medium.
 Denis
with his trophy, flanked by two Peters - Malhotra (L) and Cummins. (Photo
by Peter Sutcliffe)
For two of the Peters - Sutcliffe, Cummins - and Denis,
it was a return to the "good old days" of Bangkok, when these
three were colleagues - and, indeed, still are - and close friends.
The third Peter (Malhotra), managing director of the Pattaya
Mail newspaper took advantage of the august (actually it was ‘June’)
gathering, to present Denis with one of the handsome sponsors’ trophies
for supporting the 2004 10th PC Classic regatta, sailed off the Royal
Cliff Beach Resort and Royal Varuna Yacht Club.
Denis recalled one of Peter Sutcliffe’s masterpieces
written before he left to "escape 30 years of Swiss Sundays in
Geneva", to the decibels, noise and confusion of Manila.
 (L.
to R.) Peter Sutcliffe, Denis Gray holding his PC Classic trophy, Leni
Sutcliffe and Peter Cummins.
He looks about 10 years younger after some five years
in Manila, than he did in Switzerland where it was so quiet that to even
move a facial muscle (= smile) would break the silence barrier.
Denis himself has had two assignments in Iraq but is
destined to stay in Bangkok, like the rest of us, who are also addicted to
noise.
Leni Sutcliffe is delighted to be back in her native
land after slogging away for years as editor of reports at the
International Trade Centre in Geneva, trying to convert UN gibberish into
a recognizable tongue.
Sarah remembers the "tragedies and
travesties" of the Viet Nam fiasco but doubts that the "better
futures" journos covering that conflict dreamed about will ever come.
The war was replaced by poverty and further conflicts. But she hopes that
through the Foundation, she can inculcate new journalists the ideals of
their predecessors, helping to eventually forge a better society.
Thus, our brief interlude was a slice of history and we
parted knowing how fragile it all is, as we hold on to daily life, with or
without the "Sounds of Silence".
BCCT Exels at Burapa
Exel (Thailand) Co. Ltd. sponsored the British Chamber
of Commerce Thailand Eastern Seaboard networking evening on June 18, held
at Burapa Golf Club. A first for such an event was also a sponsored 9-hole
round of golf.
Seventeen golfers turned up to play their round but
Mother Nature had different ideas, as the heavens opened and rain fell in
bucket loads.
The
Exel Thailand team takes a breather.
Not all was lost, as many adjourned to the clubhouse
for the networking night with a great spread laid out by Burapa’s F
& B team with the golfers later receiving a bevy of prizes for their
waterlogged efforts.
 Grant
Enders, Exel Thailand’s director, thanked everyone for attending and
provided some information on the company.
Some fresh faces were seen amid the evening’s event,
in the shape of Wendy Kahn, UK Club of Pattaya president and John Khan.
Both were seen enjoying the night as they mingled among the regulars.
Greg Watkins, BCCT executive director, took charge of
events thanking the Grant Enders, Exel (Thailand) Co. Ltd. director and
his team for their participation and Kullatorn ‘Mike’ Mesommont,
Burapa Golf Club’s marketing and operations manager for hosting the
venue.
 Kullatorn
‘Mike’ Mesommont, Burapa Golf Club’s marketing and operations
manager welcomes guests to the club.
Kullatorn said he intends to market the course to the
greater public as an ideal golf venue, which has already hosted
international competitions, and will host the BCCT again on July 10 for
the Premier League International Bangkok V Eastern Seaboard Golf
Challenge, following another networking night at the Jomtien Boathouse on
Friday.
 (L
to R) Wendy Kahn, UK Club of Pattaya president and John Khan, Events
Sub-Committee chairman for the UK Club, with Grant Enders from Exel.
BCCT directors, Julianne Rogers, Rodney Bain, Trevor
Allen and David Quine were looking refreshed after a board meeting as was
Graham MacDonald, chairman of BCCT’s Eastern Seaboard Committee.
BCCT directors (l-r)
Trevor Allen, managing director of Convent Entertainment (Bangkok) Ltd.,
Rodney Bain, managing director Market-Edge Asia Co. Ltd., and Julianne
Rogers, country manager, Thailand, Qantas/British Airways.
In all an Exel-ent (sic) opportunity for networking in
a new venue, members gained an insight into the workings of Exel in
Thailand in terms of logistics, freight management and storage facilities
with over 1,400 employees in nine offices across throughout Thailand.
Believers stand as equals with the medical and scientific communities
AIDS major killer in Thailand today, Thai women most at risk
By Noel Bruyns
Faith-based organisations will have a major voice at
the largest global meeting ever of HIV and AIDS experts that Thailand is
to host later this month.
They will highlight the vital, but often unrecognised
role they play in fighting the spread of the virus and caring for those
with it, according to a statement released by the Geneva-based Ecumenical
Advocacy Alliance (EAA).
A wide range of organisations from Buddhist, Christian,
Muslim and Jewish traditions will be represented at the International AIDS
Conference (IAC) in Bangkok from July 11-16. They will share how they meet
the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those living with HIV and
AIDS and debate the challenges involved in combating stigma and preventing
the spread of the virus.
"With more than 100 faith-based organizations
(FBOs) set to attend, the faith community will be at the heart and soul of
the conference, alongside scientific experts, world leaders, people living
with HIV and AIDS and non-governmental organisations," the EAA says.
As many as 20,000 official delegates are expected to
converge on the Thai capital for the AIDS conference.
Tens of thousands more people will pass through the
conference’s Global Village - "a melting pot where everyone from
sex workers to saffron-robed monks, massage therapists to meditation
leaders, and artists to AIDS activists" will share ideas and
experiences.
The Alliance adds, "The voice given by the
conference to the faith-based community is in recognition of the massive
range of work done by FBOs and the key role they play in educating
communities, shaping values and providing care."
Past conferences had tended to overlook this and yet in
Africa, for example, church members play the leading role in caring for
people affected by HIV and AIDS, especially children.
"In Thailand itself, Buddhist monks are
active," the statement said.
The prevalence of HIV in this country is estimated at
1.33 percent, while for women it is 2.0 percent, according to a United
Nations report last year. AIDS is now regarded as the leading cause of
death in people under the age of 50 in Thailand, according to Vic Salas, a
senior program officer with the U.K.-based non-profit International AIDS
Alliance.
According to latest figures published in the latest
issue of the research journal "Science" last week, more than a
million people were newly infected with HIV in the Asia Pacific region in
2002 alone. At present, 7.4 million are HIV-positive in the region.
Dr Prawate Khid-arn, of the Hong Kong-based Christian
Conference of Asia, said for the first time the faith community was
positioned to stand as equals with the medical and scientific communities.
"The opportunity for people of faith to speak out
at the Asia-based 15th International AIDS Conference is timely. Asia is
not only home to the world’s major religions but their influence is
crucial to countering HIV and AIDS in the region and combating
stigma," the Alliance said.
Linda Hartke, EAA coordinator, said, "Faith
communities and religious leaders all over the world have been judgmental
and hurtful to people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS.
"At the same time, there are many examples of
leaders who have rejected stigmatising behaviour, and communities that
have embraced people who are affected.
"As churches, we are still struggling to accept
the reality that we are all living with HIV and AIDS," she stated.
"We have a huge task ahead of us to build communities of faith that
welcome all and judge none."
Representatives of churches and Christian organizations
will have a "pre-conference" meeting in a Bangkok hotel next
weekend to debate the challenge of HIV and AIDS.
According to the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance more than
250 global delegates will address sensitive issues such as abstinence
versus condom use; the church, HIV/AIDS and sexuality; faith communities
collaborating with networks of people living with the virus; and
theological training on HIV and AIDS.
At the same time, Buddhist and Muslim groups will hold
parallel conferences to address similar issues. On July 10, an interfaith
gathering will bring the three groups together for an orientation to the
conference and to see how they can all work together.
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