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Teamwork is the order of the day
Janine Tillmanns
“It’s going to be a weekend of hard work, but it’s
going to be interesting,” Rene Pisters, general manager of Thai Garden
Resorts, said to his management team shortly before they set off for Rayong.
 Noi
is caught by his team after taking a jump.
To prepare for the coming peak season, the resort’s
management had decided to take part in a group seminar run by Dr Jiraphon
Sinthunawa. The aim of the seminar was to learn various job and
communication techniques which would make working together in the hotel
easier and better.
 Dr.
Jiraphon Sinthunawa delivers his talk.
The three-day seminar, which was led by Dr Jiraphon
himself, took place in the Hinsuay-Namsai Hotel in Rayong.
Our workshop actually started shortly after we arrived at
the hotel. Some of us had the back-to-school feeling as we listened to the
words of welcome from Dr Jiraphon in the conference room.
Final
group photo at the beach. We did it!
The whole time, he combined the theory in his lesson with
various practical examples and exercises. Luckily, the weather was good, so
most of the activities could take place either at the beach or in the garden
area of the hotel.
The attempts at finding solutions did not always work out
as planned, but we had a lot of fun trying them out. Every single one of us
managed to master all the situations with a smile and in good humour -
whether it was blindly following his group through the jungle, only to find
out that the track ended in the sea, or to build a tower out of straws which
would not be blown over even when the ventilator was put on “high“.
Looking back, we can truly say that this seminar really enriched our
team. We not only learnt a lot; we are also a really great team and can be
sure that we’re prepared for anything in the coming peak season.
Beauty lies in the eye of the
beholders’ broadened horizons
Elfi Seitz
The Pattaya International Ladies’ Club once again
decided it was time to broaden their horizons, so headed for the Horizon
Restaurant for their July meeting.
 President
Sharon Tibbitts discusses the upcoming bazaar of the PILC with Arlette
Cykman.
Their horizons were well and truly broadened, and not
only by the panoramic view of the large glass windows through the restaurant
or the wonderfully prepared buffet: the marketing director of the cosmetics
firm Dermalogica from Bangkok gave a presentation about their products,
which are completely herb-based.
 Germans
within the international get-together (from left) Gina Herning, Ursula
Rothstein, Anita Schoch-Kaspar and Monika Podleska.
At the moment there is only one institute that offers
this line of beauty products, Leonard Drake in Siam Discovery Center. To
provide the proper backdrop to the presentation, everyone present received a
voucher of 500 baht for a treatment in this salon. Each lady also received a
further promotional gift, membership which otherwise is expensive to buy.
Once again it was a fruitful meeting, not only because of
the great food, the friendly atmosphere and the information about the
activities of various sections of the club which the various ladies shared,
but also because of the beauty.
In this sense one can say that horizons at Horizon Restaurant once again
were broadened.
Friedrich Naumann Foundation hosted in Pattaya
Elfi Seitz
After its summer break, the German Business Lunch once
again met in the Royal Wing for the popular luncheon meeting. This time,
Thai-German Institute director Walter Kretschmar invited the project
director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Bangkok, Dr. Wilfried A
Herrmann, as guest speaker.
The
German Business Lunch met in the Royal Wing for their popular monthly
luncheon meeting.
Dr Herrmann, who studied at the German Federal Armed
Forces University in Munich and belonged to the armed forces for 25 years,
is a true representative of globalization. His wife is from Brazil and his
son is at present at a military training camp.
Before he joined the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in
November last year, Dr Hermann was the German Embassy’s military and naval
attach้ for Thailand and Singapore.
He began by explaining the function of the foundation,
which has been active in Thailand since 1976, making it the oldest German
foundation in the country. The foundations grew out of the desire for
democratization after World War II, and in the initial years they focused on
agrarian development.
Later the focus moved to strengthening the
non-governmental agencies working for agricultural and economic development.
Since the 1990s, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation has
been concentrating on cooperation with its partners in the public and
private sectors to strengthen and consolidate democratic structures and
initiatives.
This includes the implementation of constitutional
reforms, promotion of the rule of law and a competitive, market-oriented
economic system, the strengthening of civil society and, finally, the
political participation at primarily the communal level.
Dr Herrmann explained further that the foundation’s
partners include both Houses of Parliament, ministries, constitutional
organs, political parties, universities and training institutions, research
institutions, as well as community initiatives and non-governmental agencies
involved in social development.
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation has a regional office
here and at the same time is working on a land project which incorporates
Thailand and Cambodia and a second one which involves Malaysia and Vietnam,
where other projects are also on the go.
He explained that each project normally lasts seven
years, but it can be extended by request.
At the moment three projects are being run in Thailand:
on human rights, the market economy and the promotion of liberalism. The
foundation is also heavily engaged in a youth exchange program, communal
self-governance and press freedom. Work on setting up a human rights court
in Thailand along the lines of the European Court for Human Rights, has been
ongoing for the past eight years and it is expected that it will be ready in
the next four to five years.
All in all, the foundations concerns itself with the
civil movement, civil rights groups, initiates dialogue for conflict
resolution, is active in the implementation of constitutional rights and the
registration of land rights. It helps in setting up land rights offices. The
main priority of the foundation is communal politics, and it works together
with many ministries in Thailand, Dr Herrmann told his interested audience
which included representatives of the other six German political foundations
in Thailand.
The gathering ended only late in the afternoon as the guests posed many
questions and there was a lively discussion.
Bann Batik launches its fourth branch in town
Beautiful batik never goes out of style
Suchada Tupchai
Sukanya and Sompong Sinkhangam, owners of Bann Batik have
recently opened another branch in the Royal Garden Plaza. Honored guests who
came to witness and congratulate them included Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn, Suraphol Tiensuwan, Banglamung district chief, Weerawan
Khakhai, Pattaya deputy mayor, Duangporn Tiensuwan, president of Banglamung
Red Cross unit.
Guests
join the ownership for the happy occasion, opening the 3rd Bann Batik
location.
Sukanya said the business has become so successful they
have to keep looking for places to expand their product line. She said the
first shop they opened was on Central Pattaya Road, and not long after, the
second and third ones were launched in the Central Festival Center
entertainment plaza.
She said the business has a clear target market. The
store’s group of customers has a special preference for the hand-made
batik pieces. They like the unique patterns, colors, even the fabric
quality. She said the fabric is suitable to wear in all seasons and notably
its uniqueness never goes out of fashion. She said some of her products were
made here and some were imported from India, Nepal, and Indonesia.
On the day, guests, well wishers, and shoppers were also busy buying
products of their choice back to take back home.
Merry goings-on at the Moon River Pub
Peter Nordhues
Many members and friends of the German-Thailand Chamber
of Commerce gathered at the Moon River Pub at the Thai Garden Resort on July
9 to enjoy a pleasant evening together.
The regulars’ table of the Chamber has become a kind of
institution which takes place on the first Friday of every second month at
this popular pub.
 Many
young volunteers from the German Embassy and the Chamber of Commerce joined
in (from left) Vera Frick, Bj๖rn Rothenburg, Jennifer Schiffrin,
Michael Ludorf and Valerie Mosberg.
This time, acting director of the German-Thai Chamber of
Commerce Stefan Buerkle was happy to welcome over three dozen guests from
Bangkok, Pattaya and the surrounding towns.
They included many volunteers and people from the chamber
and the embassy doing their practical training, who took advantage of the
weekend to escape the hectic life of Bangkok.
The evening kicked off at 7 p.m. with Buerkle saying a
few lighted-hearted words to the guests before he declared the regulars’
table and the buffet open.
The guests did not need a second invitation, and the
fabulous buffet evoked – as always – praise and compliments. The
atmosphere was light and relaxed, with everyone chatting over beer and wine,
renewing old acquaintances or making new contacts.
The atmosphere really took off around 9 p.m. when the
enthusiastic band Rebounce from the Philippines took to the stage. People
got up from their tables or left the bar to boogie deep into the night.
The next regulars’ table of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce will
take place on August 3, again at the Moon River Pub. Tel. 038-370 614-8.
Everyone is welcome.
Cholchan Hotel organizes party
for long stay and corporate clients
Celebration conveys special thanks to regular guests
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Cholchan Hotel recently held a thank you party for the
long stay and corporation guests under the theme Corporate Appreciation
Party.
Krit Chantharaprasert, group director of sales &
marketing welcomed the guests and declared open the party. He said a similar
fete will take place in the hotel on a monthly basis.
Guests
enjoyed a beer drinking contest and other fun activities at the Cholchan
Resort’s monthly thank you party.
The party was organized in a simple but interesting style
and attendees enjoyed the evening’s festivities in a warm and friendly
atmosphere.
Guests enjoyed a beer drinking contest and a balloon
crushing competition. Prize drawing was also one of the highlights of the
night.
Sattahip Butterfly Garden Sriracha and Nong Nooch Garden sponsored the
prizes for the occasion.
‘Buffet Dee Light’
at Hard Rock Hotel
Southeast Asian gourmet food featured
Suchada Tupchai
Over 130 menus from Southeast Asian countries were
created and served at the Starz Diner during another opening of the
‘Buffet Dee Light’ party at Hard Rock Hotel. A host of honored guests
and press members were present to witness and taste the menu.
 Hard
Rock chefs happily promote the new Starz Diner ‘Buffet Dee Light’ menu.
The 4 Play Band from Indonesia played a number of light
and easy tunes for the diners. Gifted Singaporean chef Dennis Liam showed
how to make a delicious fried chilly crab, which was a big hit.
The main theme of the menu is based on Southeast Asian recipes. The
Buffet Dee Light will tempt taste buds every day except Saturdays with a
buffet ticket costing as little as 250 baht per person.
Pattaya Mail Eleventh: Home thoughts from abroad
by Pattaya Mail
Special Correspondent Peter Cummins
“Oh to be in England, now that April’s there/And
whoever wakes in England, finds some morning unaware...”, as I recall, is
the opening stanza of the above-mentioned poem by one of the Nineteenth
Century British poets, Robert Browning who, like his compatriots, Shelley,
Byron ‘et al’ was, at that time, domiciled in Italy, and for some reason
that entirely escapes me, was ‘homesick for the cold, damp and misery of
the little island.’
Well, the eleventh anniversary of the founding of the Pattaya
Mail, temporarily domiciled, as I am, in Sydney Town, I would still use
the theme “Home Thoughts From Abroad” but change it somewhat to “Oh to
be in Pattaya, now that I am HERE/Please let me wake in Pattaya, to escape
this city drear...”
Furthermore, I have not the remotest desire to be in
England in April or at any other time of the year. My own “Home
thoughts” are for our “city-by-the-sea” and, certainly Sydney is
“abroad’ for me, after living so many years in Thailand and various
other foreign climes.
As I ‘glance’ (only) at the rather large Oz ladies,
often smoking, drinking beer and swearing, I can only wonder, “What’s a
nice guy like me doing in a place like this?”
Nevertheless, this sojourn has given me some time to
reflect a little and - apart from life’s usual milestones: births, deaths,
marriages, graduations, triumphs and failures - there are really only two
things that have marked my stations on the way through: a stamp and the Pattaya
Mail. Slightly different entities, one could be excused for reasoning!
The former has been exploited ‘ad infinitum’, in
numerous stories published by the Pattaya Mail and elsewhere. It
relates to this wretched fellow entering the United Nations visitors’ area
in New York City, many moons ago, to send a post-card to his doting Mum,
sitting and knitting away in Tasmania. He was observed ‘licking’ the
stamp to send out the card and, after a brief exchange of conversation, he
had a job with the United Nations as a messenger - lasting, finally, 32
years. (He did eventually move up from the messenger service.) But, that
insignificant little stamp had a mighty influence on his life.
Fast forward to around mid-1997. He was walking along
Pattaya Beach Road, stone-cold sober (it was mid-morning, after all), when a
hand reached down to my shoulder and a voice, far above, seemingly detached
from the arm said, “The boss would like to talk to you”. It was Dan
Dorothy, now executive editor of the Mail and president of the Chiangmai
Mail.
Peter was ushered into the presence of Pratheep (Peter)
Malhotra and, to say the least, his life has never been the same since.
Now, to revert to the first person, seven years working
at the Pattaya Mail have gone past so quickly and have been the most
fruitful, productive and pleasant years of my erstwhile basically-worthless
existence.
Working with Peter and the staff of the Mail, I
have gone from being a nonentity, joining the legion of retirees, unemployed
and unemployable denizens of Pattaya, to what the Pattaya Mail has
made me today: “At the ripe young age of 69: a waster, a drunkard, a
‘lay-about’ and a womanizer!”
But, oh, the ride has been fantastic. Always an
assignment, a birthday, a Rotary meeting, a wine-maker’s dinner or other
social events, a deadline to meet, photographs to take, discussions,
planning and assisting at the successive productions of our weekly
contributions to the betterment of Pattaya - the city, the environs and,
most importantly, the citizens: the Pattaya Mail, eleven years old
this week.
These past seven years have been a marvellous experience,
a time spent among great colleagues who include, of course, the many pretty
girls in the PM office, an unfettered horizon of creative - and, sometimes,
not so creative - writing and photography on any topic I could think of or
suggest to Peter, Dan, Dr Iain and any of our other seniors like Brendan.
Never a harsh word from Peter or anyone else in the
office. An occasional “Happy Hour” with Poo and some of the girls.
Most of all, however, have been the professional
relationship and treasured friendship of Peter who never fails to promote me
and my work in all circles. He has brought the erstwhile PC Classic up from
a “Mickey Mouse” event around Pattaya Bay, to what, this year, became an
international and highly-recognized yachting event - locally and regionally.
I congratulate Peter the founder, the Pattaya Mail
and all those who have made it the “Best in the East” for six successive
years, since its founding in 1993. I know that this newspaper will continue
to contribute so much to the citizens of Pattaya, particularly the children,
bringing them hope and joy every day of the year.
I am proud of my own small contributions to the welfare
of our fellow-Pattayans - and grateful that I have been able. I hope I can
continue to do so into the foreseeable future.
The alternative is that I might end up “retired,
unemployed, unemployable ... at the ripe old age of 70/80/90+ (strike out
which is not applicable) ... a waster, a drunkard, a ‘lay-about’, a
womanizer ... writing pathetic ‘home thoughts from abroad’!”
Long Live The Pattaya Mail!
100,000 condoms to prevent HIV in prisons
The Ministry of Public Health has handed 100,000 condoms
to the Ministry of Justice for distribution in prisons, amid concern that
homosexual relations among inmates were contributing to the spread of HIV.
Speaking after receiving the condoms from Public Health
Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said that
inmates’ chances of becoming infected with HIV through homosexual
relations were high, as automatic condom machines could not be used in jails
due to restrictions governing the use of cash. But he dismissed suggestions
that Thai prisons should run a needle exchange scheme for drug users among
the prison populations as a means of preventing HIV, stressing that the
government did not want to encourage drug use among inmates. And he also
ruled out the possibility of HIV tests for incoming inmates.
“We’ve never taken blood tests of all inmates either
before, or after they leave prison, as this would infringe individual rights
under the law. We, thus, do not have statistics on the number of prisoners
infected with AIDS”, he said, adding that terminally ill AIDS-infected
prisoners were released and allowed to spend the last few weeks of their
lives with their families. The justice minister, nevertheless, expressed
support for voluntary HIV testing schemes among the prison population. (TNA)
Central Wong Amat Hotel
throws fancy night party for staff
Suchada Tupchai
Weeranat Limprasert, general manager of Central Wong Amat
Hotel organized a thank you fete under the theme ‘Fancy Night Party’ for
the hotel’s employees.
 Central
Wong Amat staff had a fun night, especially during the fancy dress
competition.
Staff competed for best fancy dress and in a singing
contest, enjoyed many fun games, and devoured a delicious dinner together.
Weeranat said after a full year of dedication that his
staff has provided, the hotel wanted to say a big thank you for their great
support.
This year the best staff award went to Sriprai Paojaturat, front cashier
officer. She received a certificate and a one-baht gold necklace. Twelve
others were also promoted to higher posts.
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