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Coffee Morning at Pan Pan
Samantha Wilson
Pan Pan was bursting at the seams with over 80 ladies (70 of whom are
members) present at the coffee morning on March 21. There were lots of news
faces at the event, with 7 new members joining the club.
 PILC
members say a fond farewell to Lara Abou-Chakra.
A ‘fond farewell’ was wished to Lara Abou-Chakra who has been a member of
the PILC for over 5 years. She, her husband and their daughter Alyssa, are
relocating to Singapore. She will be sadly missed amongst the many friends
she had made here in Pattaya.
Vice President Nancy Bradburn brought the members up to date reminding them
of the forthcoming garage sale on June 3 and the toiletry items that are
needed for the Baan Jing Jai Street Kids Home.
Cook-up at Casa Pascal for PILC
Gillian Thom
Pattaya International Ladies Club had a very well-attended lunch recently at the
evergreen Casa Pascal. Over 50 members, including four new ladies to the area,
got together for their monthly rendezvous, and the restaurant was packed to the
rafters for this popular event.
PILC President Gillian Thom
(background on mic) describes the itinerary and menu at the club’s luncheon at
Casa Pascal.
President of the group, Gillian Thom, brought the club
members up to date with recent happenings, and advised that there would be a
Beach Party at Rabbit Resort on May 12, with all members, family, friends, and
guests welcome. Helle Rantsen is also running a Welfare Tour on May 10, which is
an excellent way for club members to see some of the projects that we support.
Chef-proprietor Pascal Schnyder then treated the ladies to an effortless cooking
demonstration of gazpacho soup and flambéed pepper steak and managed to make it
all look so easy. We then sat down to a delicious menu of salmon, chicken or
lasagna, with a yummy home-made mango pudding to follow. It must be quite a feat
to feed so many hungry ladies at once, but the service was excellent and many
thanks go to Kim and Pascal Schnyder, and their team, for their generous
hospitality on this occasion.
The lunch finished up with a very well supported raffle, and again Kim gets our
thanks for her kind donation of meals and other gifts as prizes. All the raffle
monies go towards snacks and drinks for the ladies at the Garonyawet Home, which
we visit on a monthly basis, so it is nice to think that everyone is getting
something from the “ladies who lunch”!
Charity Club manages successful Wheelchair Appeal
Charity Club of Pattaya in
cooperation with the Eastern Seaboard Rotary Club and more than 10 private
sector sponsors presented wheelchairs and tricycles to handicapped residents of
Buriram.
On Wednesday March 29 the Charity Club of Pattaya met at
Fascino Pharmacy North Pattaya Road with sponsors, press and representatives of
those who helped raise funds for the Charity Club’s Wheelchair Appeal for the
people and children of Issan.
Malcolm and Christina Boden and Vic King met Som Fisher representing Cranes and
Equipment Asia, Sarens Asia, Tongkhum representing John Smith’s, Terry Schofield
of North Shore Real Estate, Middy Campbell, Bernie Pollard representing BUPA
Thailand and BUPA U.K., Peter Rottmann president of the Rotary Club
Krasang-Buriram and the Queen Victoria Inn who supported the wheelchair appeal
in December.
A special thank you must go to Haruethai Sabhanond, manager of Fascino Pharmacy
who allowed the Charity Club to host a photo shoot showing the wheelchairs and
tricycles that the club have bought. Haruethai played a major role in acting as
go between for the Charity Club and the wheelchair manufactures and the tricycle
manufacturers. He managed to get them at a good discount, and got all 31
wheelchairs and 18 tricycles delivered to Peter Rottmann’ s house in Buriram all
ready for him to distribute on behalf of the club.
The Charity Club would also like to thank BUPA U.K. who matched the money baht
for baht and Donna Pollard for all her help and support this side of the water
at BUPA Thailand.
Peter Rottmann, who had driven all night to attend, spoke at length, telling
everyone what a huge difference the chairs and bikes will make to the people and
children in and around Issan. After the viewing, speeches and photographs,
everyone moved onto the Queen Victoria Inn Soi 6 for a delicious buffet luncheon
which was enjoyed by all.
Clothing Appeal
Whilst talking to Malcolm and Christina, Peter mentioned that many
people were feeling the cold and were in desperate need of warmer clothing.
After attending the wheelchair reception Peter Rottmann was overwhelmed on his
arrival at the Queen Victoria Inn to find Jamie O’Donnell from the Pattaya City
Expat Club, Paul Sinclair from the Pattaya Expats Club and Cecilia Pitre with
the spa and recreation manager Niko from the Mercure Hotel Pattaya surrounded by
a vast amount of black bags, all containing clothing and shoes collected over
the weeks by the above.
The Charity Club would like to extend a big thank you to all the organisations
for supporting the Charity Club, the wheelchair appeal and the clothing appeal.
Due to the fact the club got such a good discount, the Charity Club is pleased
to announce that with the remaining money they have been able to place an order
for 300 handmade blankets that the rice farmers wives make, to be disturbed by
Peter to the elderly and infirmed.
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital celebrates beauty center’s 2nd anniversary
Alisa Phantusak (second from
left), assistant managing director of Tiffany’s and Dr Nitivadee
Teeyapan-Songdej, dermatologist and dermatolaser surgeon of Bangkok Pattaya
Hospital gave a talk on “Healthy Skin is Half Way to Victory”.
Narisa Nitikarn
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital organized a series of special activities on March 29 to
celebrate the second anniversary of the opening of its beauty center, with
deputy director of the hospital Dr Jakapan Phongsatiern presiding over the
opening ceremony.
Alisa Phantusak, assistant managing director of Tiffany’s, and Dr Nitvadee
Teeyapan-Songdej, a dermatologist and dermatolaser surgeon at the hospital, gave
a presentation entitled Healthy Skin is Half Way to Victory.
Alisa spoke about her own approach to beauty, saying that she liked to exercise
and eat fresh fruit and vegetables. She said that if you don’t have time to
exercise then you should drink at least two liters of water per day and your
skin will be beautiful.
Nitvadee said that it was a good idea to exercise as it helps with blood
circulation throughout the body. After exercising one must clean the body with
products that suit oneself in order that no residues are left.
Other presentations were given on using makeup and hairstyles to add to
personality and confidence in business dealings.
The beauty center is just one of the many services in which the hospital has
developed technical know-how to meet the beauty requirements of customers. The
center is one of the most modern in the Eastern region with expert beauticians
and cosmetic surgeons.
Bangkok Sculpture Centre - a project of love
The A.R.T. Collective
The Bangkok Sculpture Centre is a project of love. Love for Thai Art and
specifically Thai Sculpture of an amazing visionary man called Sermkhun Kunawong
who established this non-profit, privately funded organization. He started by
collecting pieces for himself, but the more he collected the more he learnt and
felt that these wonderful creations of Thai artists had to be preserved in a
place where others can admire and appreciate them.
 The
contemporary glass-and-steel construction which houses the office building
belongs in architectural magazines
The contemporary glass-and-steel construction which houses the office building
of PM center, an event organizer, is one that belongs in architectural magazines
and is a magnificent temple to give extra dimension to this unique sculpture
collection. The concept idea behind the design of the Bangkok Sculpture Centre
is from Dr. Chalay Kunawong, Sermkhun Kunawong’s brother. The designer tried to
create a meaningful open space for exhibition purpose using simple materials and
style. A concept which he has greatly succeeded in, and even more so succeeded
in creating an addition to modern architecture in Thailand. The centre boasts a
stunning collection of 120 Thai modern sculptures from 1949 to present. Some
fascinating works of master sculptors like Khien Yimsiri and Inson Wongsam are
to be admired. The centre also displays work of locally and internationally
famous Thai artists.
 The
Bangkok Sculpture Centre is a project of love.
As for the man behind all this, he calls it “My Passion” and his wish is that
all Thai people should cherish their art and cultural identity, preserve it and
pass it on to the next generation so Thai art will gain worldwide recognition.
As part of the scope of work the centre lends its collection to museums and
other organizations that want to organize art exhibitions for the public. From
February 2006 till February 2007 several sculptures will be exhibited in the
National Gallery or so called “Chao Fa Gallery” which is Thailand’s prime art
exhibition centre and features remarkable art pieces of the nation.
The Bangkok Sculpture Centre itself organizes one-day workshops for students
during which they attend brief lectures about Thai sculpture by invited artists.
Schools can call for an appointment and it is free of charge. The Centre is open
to the public on every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For group visits, contact in advance the office 02 559 0505 ext. 232, 119.
Let’s hope, together with Sermkhun Kunawong, that Thai art will advance into the
global art scene.
The centre boasts a stunning
collection of 120 Thai modern sculptures from 1949 to present.
Enjoy Art in an
exclusive beach setting
The A.R.T. Collective
Lately the art scene in Pattaya has developed at a rapid pace which has
surprised even the artists themselves. The recently opened Sheraton is host to
one of the first art exhibitions of its kind in Pattaya. With an open mind
towards arts and a genuine interest in all that is avant-garde and contemporary,
the management of the Sheraton in co-operation with Gallery Opium setup an
exhibition of local Thai - as well as a few resident overseas artists in the
nice surroundings of the reception lounge. Featured in this exhibition are nine
very different artists – Narakorn Sittites, Disapol Paengsri, Jessada
Kongsommart, Jieng Sae Jern, Wakako Yamamoto, Alan Kirkland-Roath, Ingrid Van
der Heyden, Steve Barnard-Long and visiting artist Einhard Zang.
 Wakako
Yamamoto brings Japanese Calligraphy to a higher level where it becomes the art
of Zen.
Bringing art into a hotel setting is adding an original touch to the existing
architectural effort done to offer guests a feeling of peace and beauty. A sense
that managing director, David Cuddon naturally radiates. David Cuddon and Alan
Kirkland-Roath, director of Gallery Opium, warmly welcomed their guests at the
opening cocktail reception.
In a stunning sunset setting down on the beach area, a demonstration of body
printing by Einhard Zang could not have been more at its place. Einhard works
with models that he covers with paint in order to print their shapes onto a
canvas, and subsequently draws the outlines in more detail using the models as
studies. An interaction of painter, model and paint come together in a very
personal flow of movement, and expression.
After the sun had set, and surrounded by the light of glowing spherical balls
randomly placed on the beach, Wakako Yamamoto confronted a very big sheet of
rice paper with black ink using her inner energy to give the large brushstrokes
power and meaning. By putting her whole being into the strokes she brings
Japanese Calligraphy to a higher level where it becomes the art of Zen.
Tourism is the major income of Thailand and all businesses involved, hotels,
restaurants and shops, provide the guests with impressions they will take home,
being the face the world gets to see. Without a doubt, Pattaya now has a
wonderful ally, as it strives to become a more family oriented – art loving
city.
Eyeglasses Bank Project -
A very worthwhile charity
Dave Anderson
If you could light up a big smile on someone’s face and change their whole life
would you do it? For Doctor Pannet Pangputhipong, the director of Mettapracharak
Hospital in Nakornpathom, the answer was and still is yes.
Fourteen years ago, the Department of Social Welfare received a large number of
used glasses from overseas. They wanted to put these to use and asked Doctor
Pannet, a highly regarded eye surgeon, to come up with a plan. Doctor Pannet is
a great organizer and he came up with a great plan. It is called the Eyeglass
Bank Project. So far, it has provided free eyeglasses to over 230,000 needy
children and elders in 41 different Provinces.
Can you imagine what life would be like if you could not see what your neighbor
across the street looks like, or see traffic in order to safely cross a road?
The Eyeglass Bank Project can completely change a person’s life for about 20 to
25 baht per person.
To keep this program going it needs your help. You can drop off donations at
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital Super Sight Surgery Center, the condo desk of the
Markland Hotel on Soi One, the barber shop at the Hotel Tropicana or on Sundays
between 10 a.m. and noon at Henry J. Bean’s Restaurant on Beach Road just past
the corner of North Pattaya Road.
If you don’t have any used glasses now, consider taking some with you the next
time you return to Thailand. The best sources of used glasses are through one of
the organizations that recycle them such the Lions Club. The most needed
corrections for children are for a range of -1 to -2. For the elderly, they most
often need a plus correction or what are sometimes call readers. Other sources
of used eyeglasses include your own house, friends, neighbors, church groups,
laser surgery offices, etc. If you are able to arrange a large shipment of boxes
or an air container, please contact the doctor. He can recommend sources of
glasses. His staff can then set up the paperwork for duty free entry, but this
requires about one month lead time.
A second way is to donate money or your time. The cost for transportation, for
volunteers and equipment can be high. Cash is also needed for lenses for hard to
fit people and other supplies such as new nose pads. If you have skills in
eyecare they can also be used. Contact the doctor for details.
A final way to help is to sponsor an outreach program. Perhaps you have a loved
one whose home area could benefit from proper eyecare. This would be a great
merit making project. It could also be a great community relations project for a
company starting or doing business in Thailand. Sponsored outreach trips can be
arranged, but require some lead time.
A final thought. Your donations will help someone see the world clearly for the
first time. You will be changing someone’s life for the better. Seeing the road
clearly could literally save someone’s life. It might even be your life. Please
help.
Doctor Pannet’s email address is: [email protected] tel. 03-432-1983; fax
03-432-1243.
For mailing eyeglasses, send them to: Eyeglass Bank Project, Mettapracharak
Hospital, 52 Moo 2 Tambon Raikhing, Sampran, Nakornpathom, 73210.
Editors Note: Dave Anderson is a recently retired United Airlines pilot and a
retired USAF Pilot. He and his wife Siriwan have been supporting the Eyeglass
Bank Project for over eight years. They are frequent visitors to Pattaya and
have carried and shipped thousands of glasses for the project. Dave has been a
member of the Pattaya City Expats Club for four years.
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