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Brilliant at Bruno’s
The PILC’s luncheon was a
noisy and very well attended affair at Bruno’s.
Gillian Thom
The September Pattaya International Ladies Club luncheon was a noisy but
very well attended affair, and although it is normally one of the quieter
months, Freddy and his team at Bruno’s adapted brilliantly to the rather
over-subscribed conditions. More than 70 members came along to one of our
long-time favorite restaurants, and it was good to see some familiar faces,
back from holidays abroad, among the newer members who have been welcomed
into the Club over the summer. Lots of catching up to do, and stories to
hear!
Gillian Thom kept everyone in order and made a few announcements before
settling back for the cocktail making demonstration, followed by a delicious
three course lunch. Thank goodness we don’t do this every day of the week.
The merchandise line has been expanded, and Stephanie showed off the
extended crystal ware, and a new range of towels and bathrobes. With
excellent prices and stylish designs, it is hoped that there will be lots of
orders, with a small percentage of the proceeds going to our supported
charities.
Members were reminded of the upcoming Bazaar on 7 October and Ball on 25
November, both to be held at the Royal Cliff Hotel. Preparations for both
events are well underway, but some volunteers were still needed to help out
at the Bazaar. Anyone willing to help can contact Roseanne Diamente on
[email protected]
Sharon Adams Deane has taken over from Diane Connelly in helping out at the
Fountain of Life, making cards, and there will be special PILC Christmas
cards available soon.
The press was out in force, thanks to the recent efforts of Elaine Poole,
and both Gillian and Helle were able to talk about the Bazaar and Ball, and
the projects that the funds raised will support.
All in all, a busy but fun time, and many thanks to Hospitality and the
Bruno’s team for a lovely event.
Holiday Bazaar set for Saturday October 7 at Royal Cliff Hotel
One of the major annual charity fund raising events organized
by the Pattaya International Ladies Club is the Holiday Bazaar. This year, as in
previous years, the Holiday Bazaar will be held at the Royal Cliff Hotel,
Pattaya. Last year, this event raised over 460,000 baht for charity.
 Hundreds,
perhaps thousands of items were on sale at last year’s bazaar, with even more
scheduled for this year.
Many vendors from previous years were keen to return and this year there will
also be some new vendors; in total some 70 will be offering their wares and
services. As many come from different parts of Thailand, this event is a good
place to find things not usually seen in Pattaya and do some Christmas shopping.
Final preparations are now well underway. Roseanne Diamente, special events
chairperson and her team have put a great deal of time and effort into
organizing this year’s event.
The winners of the five top raffle prizes will be announced on the day. This
year there are 50 prizes to be won, kindly donated by the vendors, local and
national companies and organisations. Tickets cost 50 baht each or a book of
twelve tickets cost 500 baht and will be on sale at the bazaar. All proceeds go
to charity, so come to the Holiday Bazaar, support charity and enjoy the
shopping. Entrance is 100 baht and this is donated to charity too. (Children
under 13 are free) For more information contact Roseanne Diamente 081 865 0714.
Clayton Wade talks about “past, present and future” at PCEC meeting
The main speaker at the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC)
Sunday September 3rd meeting at Henry J. Beans was Clayton Wade. Clayton is a
director of Premier Homes, based in Jomtien.
 Clayton
Wade talks about the ‘Past, Present and Future’ of the Pattaya real estate
market during his guest speaker appearance the Pattaya City Expats Club Sunday
September 3rd meeting at Henry J. Beans.
The theme of Clayton’s talk was the ‘Past, Present and Future’ of the Pattaya
real estate market. Clayton initially explained his background and the position
of the Pattaya property market of 10 years ago when he first set up his
business. He drew attention to the substantial increases in property values
which had occurred since those early days.
He also drew attention to the explosion in the current property market which is
clearly evident and provided an insight regarding the growth of businesses
directly related to the property market.
Clayton described the future market in very positive terms and summarised that
in the face of an increasingly troubled world, an appropriate catchphrase would
be, ‘As the world gets worse, Pattaya gets better’! All those present were in
total agreement!
Following his talk a large number of questions were put to him, including his
knowledge of the development of specific projects and areas. Companies which are
set up by foreigners to purchase houses still remain a topic of interest.
The PCEC was able to announce an important milestone in the Club’s development.
Max Rommel, co chairman and treasurer, made it known that the 1000th membership
card has just been issued.
As a result of the feedback which had been received from the members regarding
Club tours and excursions, it is expected that the details of the next one will
be announced shortly.
The Sunday meeting concluded with the familiar Open Forum session which on this
morning was as entertaining and informative as ever.
For more information regarding not only PCEC Sunday meetings but also the varied
mid week activities, please see the Community Happenings section of Pattaya Mail
or visit the Club’s website at pattayacity expatsclub.com
Japanese rock star Makoto visits Pattaya
Narisa Nitikarn
Japanese rock star Makoto Koshinaka arrived in Pattaya on September 3 for a
two-day visit designed to promote the city’s tourism attractions.
The visit took place through an initiative between city hall, the Tourism
Authority of Thailand Central Office Region 3, the Thai Hotels Association, and
the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association.
 Japanese
rock star Makoto Koshinaka (right) talks to the media during his visit to
Pattaya. At left is Assistant Prof. Teerasak Damrongrungruang, who acted as
Japanese interpreter.
Makoto, who had been to Pattaya for last year’s music festival and had been keen
to return, had lent his full support to a return visit in which he would be
filmed at various locations and thereby generate interest amongst young music
fans.
The rock star arrived on September 3 and the next morning was filmed at Samae
Beach on Koh Larn and other locations including the Sanctuary of Truth. He also
attended the Nong Tum-Parinya training session at Fairtex Boxing Camp. He
returned to Japan on the morning of September 5 after recording an interview for
his Thai fans.
Vice president of the Thai Hotels Association Bundarik Kusolvitya said the theme
of the video recording was “One Day with Makoto in Pattaya”. The star has many
Thai fans and this will help to establish a positive image of Pattaya for them.
In addition, the THA Eastern Chapter and the TAT wish to grow the youth market
in Japan, which they see as having great potential for the future.
The recording of Makoto’s visit will be broadcast on Channel V, MCOT and via the
TAT.
The Fobissea Music Festival at Garden International School
7th - 12th November 2006
A week into term and one could be excused for expecting an
air of mild panic to have settled over Garden International School. Another week
closer to the Fobissea music festival and the list of “things that need doing”
doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter. Nonetheless, when I ran into Chris
Stokes, a man who reeks of affability, he was utterly in control, as cool as a
cooler of cucumbers. Chris is the man behind the logo, the guy who understands
brands. He’s been around; lived in Greece for a year, Barcelona and knows South
East Asia well, “originally as a backpacker”. Chris seems to have settled in
Thailand pretty much; he’s married to “Nik” and has just started his third year
at the school.
 So
what about this logo? He’s a Design Technology teacher, so you’d expect him to
have a handle on things. Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised by the
comprehensive nature of his explanation of the concept; “The logo originated
from a treble clef. There’s a slight incline on the figure to show respect, (she
looks like she’s ‘Wai-ing’) and there’s a traditional Thai hat. I felt that it
was appropriate for children because of the way it’s drawn; it’s a fun,
personable character. The lines are deliberately sketchy (no detail is
overlooked) and the way the lines relate to each other is intended to have some
compositional balance. I think it’s appropriate for guests coming into
Thailand...” (see what I mean?)
Chris has been in on the festival planning from day one, sometime in October
2005. In light of what Shane O’Shea told me last week about the tremendous level
of teamwork and cross-curricular involvement from various departments, it’s
clear that Chris is a vital part of the machinery. Yet he’s modest and
self-effacing. He didn’t want to be “sitting on the side” thinking he should be
helping out more. He’s ended up taking control of anything to do with the visual
imagery of the event. The branding, the merchandising (including bags, hats,
pens and the obligatory T-shirt) and much of the marketing strategy are down to
Chris.
 Chris
Stokes; taking control of visual imagery
Of course, I couldn’t let him go without asking him about the “colour concept”.
The vibrant combination of magenta (he called it purple), green and gold are
dashing, daring and dramatic. “The colours idea originated from the Thai Orchid
and it’s unique, refreshing, modern and young. I chose a palette (I like the way
he talks!) which was very strong and bold”. Whilst the colours are slightly
suggestive of Garden’s traditional green, yellow and red, they are nonetheless
distinctive and are a powerful part of the branding idea.
It was early evening, a time of day when many teachers have long since torn
themselves away from work. Not Chris. He had an evening meeting to attend; “It’s
been a case of pushing forward and trying to get people to see the same vision,
to get things moving as quickly as you want them to.” Is he feeling the
pressure? “No” he chortled, “It’s been like this from the beginning!”
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