|
A fabulous Pub Night at Jameson’s as the Jesters set a new charity drive record
Pub Night and game on, as
guest of honor former Chonburi MP, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, with Jesters
Charity Drive Chairman, Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood, cut the ribbon outside
Jameson’s. Sister Jiemjit and Sister Joan from the Fountain of Life
Center look happily on, while some of the many Jesters present stand
escort.
Mike Franklin
The Jesters Pub Night and final event on the 2006 Jesters ‘Care for
Kids’ Charity Drive did not disappoint as it had all the ingredients and
meticulous planning to guarantee an enjoyable night for all. And what a
fabulous evening, on Saturday 16th September, it turned out to be. This
was the final fund-raising event and climax to this year’s Jesters
Charity Drive, taking the 2006 charity fund to a staggering new record
level of just over 6 million baht, generating new opportunities to help
needy kids in the months ahead.
A week earlier, at the Diana Garden Resort & Driving Range, the Jesters
Children’s Fair had made its contribution to the total, due to high
attendance throughout the day, a successful Children’s Raffle, and a
busy Jesters beer tent - thanks to the ‘Jesters Beer Friends’ (listed
later) who donated all the beer.
Entertainer Mike Gerrard kick-started the evening at 6 p.m. with a one
hour session of songs, impersonations and gags with the audience, to set
the scene for the evening and get everyone in a party mood.
Nothing was left to chance about continuity during the evening, as
renowned Radio DJs, Paul Jackson & Andy Francis from Bangkok, and local
radio DJ Ricky Vaughan, were on hand with high-tech disco music and
great sounds to set up Jameson’s Pub for the 2006 Jesters Pub Night.
The hour of 7.30 p.m. became especially significant when Erik Sorensen
and Robert Jonasson arrived at the entrance to Jameson’s, having
completed their amazing 417 km cycle ride from the Cambodian border.
Obviously tired and relieved to be back, they were greeted with a cold
pint, and were warmly received with admiration and gratitude for
completing yet another sponsored marathon bicycle ride to raise a
staggering 560,000 baht in sponsorship for the 2006 Jesters ‘Care for
Kids’ Charity Drive.
The ride was endured over two days and they broke their own long
distance record on the Friday first leg by covering 303 Km in the one
day. Weather had been a big factor with floods and high winds forecast,
necessitating careful timing of the stages and having to vary routes to
avoid the problems. Robert, relating some of the experience, said there
was a time around Rayong when the wind was so strong as to virtually
prevent any forward movement at all.
His description of the final part of the ride from Chanthaburi to
Pattaya sums it up. He said, “We had to think in stages. Chanthaburi to
Klaeng, Klaeng to Rayong, Rayong to Ban Chang and finally, Ban Chang to
Pattaya. If we had just had Pattaya in our minds as the destination, we
would never have made it.” This was an outstanding achievement by two
great athletes, committed every year to raise money for Jesters ‘Care
for Kids’.
What a start to the Pub Night, and what a spectacular warm-up for the
main events of the evening to come, the Grand Raffle and the Auction.
Guest of Honor for the evening was Chanyuth Hengtrakul, former Pattaya
MP for Chonburi province, duly welcomed by Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood, JCD
committee chairman. In response, Chanyuth spoke warmly about the hard
work of the JCD organizing committee, recognizing what is being done for
the children of the Eastern Seaboard. In the name of Chonburi province
he said he was happy to support the work of the Jesters and other
charity organizations.
During the DJ music sessions there were valuable trivia spot prizes
(sponsored by Minor Food Group, Double A Logistics, Jesters and others)
to be won throughout, while the serious business of selling Grand Raffle
tickets got underway. Jesters Jeff, Norm and Scar led the sales drive
with an impressive 260,000 baht being raised from the Grand Raffle
ticket sales.
The Grand Raffle list featured many great prizes to be won, and the
Auction offered around 36 lots, including sports memorabilia, jewelry,
artifacts and other attractive items. Coordinating all this frantic
activity were the lady honorary Jesters committee members Debbie
Lightley (spot prizes & DJ liaison), Helle Rantzen (Grand Raffle
organizer), Linden Phanpho and Karyn Walker (Auction lots), Ingrid
Cunliffe and Brunhilde (wrapping and presentation of auction lots).
Jester Poodle Pete was there to enthusiastically strut the lots while
Eddy raised the bids. A lot of much appreciated hard work from them
before and on the Pub Night, and at the Children’s Fair six days
previous.
Eddy Henheffer (pronounced Heneffer), our professional Canadian
auctioneer, volunteered his services for the fourth pub night in
succession and worked tirelessly to sell off the long list of lots on
offer, and that was a bit of a marathon in itself. He worked tirelessly
to work the crowded and noisy bar and closed the sale at over 700,000
baht, with the top six lots raising over 400,000 baht!
The George Best shirt from generous Mike Axford topped the memorabilia
bill going at 100,000 baht; Muhammad Ali signed and framed photographs
at 65,000; the 1966 England World Cup set at 60,000 and the Joe Montana
signed and cased football at 26,000. The two diamond rings from the
Diamond Shop went for 50,000 each and the Ursula Antiques Chinese
Cabinet raised 39,000. Grateful thanks to the principal donors of
memorabilia and other lots. Namely, Mike Axford, Capt. Steve Ponter and
Bill Ponter, Ursula and everyone else who donated items.
The Siam Country Club Golf Family membership, donated by Mark Garcia,
topped the bill in the auction at 135,000 baht, successfully secured by
the Murray Kerr family.
Such a wide range of auction lots is difficult to display for all to
see, so Tony and Prince Malhotra with the PMTV crews set up a CCTV
system to show the items as they came up on several of the many TV
monitors around Jameson’s Pub. That facility also enabled live coverage
of the evenings’ proceedings, and a looped screening of the PMTV
two-part feature film shot at the Jesters Children’s Fair and being
aired on PMTV.
There were so many prizes in the Grand Raffle that just the top 10 were
drawn live. The remaining prizes were drawn and ticket numbers and
winners displayed. A list of all winners is published here, and prizes
can be claimed at Jameson’s with manager, Moo in the Nova Park executive
office, as well as any unpaid auction items that can also be settled
with her.
Jameson’s was busy, wall to wall with people generously supporting the
Grand Raffle and bidding for the Auction lots from all parts of the bar.
Manager Molly and the Jameson’s staff worked tirelessly and cheerfully
to maintain the normal efficient service enjoyed at Jameson’s, with
Landlord Kim’s ever watchful eye roving from the Nova table.
Lewis (Woody) Underwood, JCD chairman, duly acknowledged the support
from all the sponsors, and the teamwork by the Jesters Charity Drive
committee to take ‘Care for Kids’ to its 9th successful and record
conclusion.
Looking back, the 5.4 million baht raised by the 2005 Jesters Charity
Drive was impressive enough, and with another year of experience to
build on, the committee teamwork and continuity of Jesters and
‘Honorary’ Jesters working together paid off. Add to that the support
from the Charity Drive partners (Baltex, Jameson’s, the Diana Group and
Pattaya Mail), sponsorship by 23 Platinum, 21 Gold, 21 Silver, 37 Bronze
sponsors, & Pledge donations; Erik & Robert’s cycle ride from Cambodia,
and the support from everyone who attended the Children’s Fair and Pub
Night, the high expectation for 2006 was justified and, at the end of
the night, finally rewarded. As, (subject to final confirmation), over 6
million baht has been raised this year. That opens the door for even
more help to be given to the current beneficiaries, and new
beneficiaries to be considered in the future, with new projects already
on the drawing board.
And why will we be doing it again in 2007, the 10th Anniversary of the
Jesters Charity Drive? Simply, to do what the Jesters ‘Care for Kids’
has set out to do from day one. To care for kids in need, make sure they
have an identity, health care, an education and a future like the rest
of us. With your continued help, the Jesters Charity Drive will do just
that.
Jesters 2006 Charity Drive ‘Beer
Friends’
Porn & Danie, Bjarne Neilson, Chris Oxley, John Wingnut, John
(Gaggi), Dan Hastings, Monne, Brian Murray, Shelia/Rod Kelly, Thoce
Pisoarson, Kim Karlsson, Karl Holm, Eric Hamlin, Pinky, Sweet Lou,
Farbror, Tam Gerrard, Joe, Sam Phelps, Wally Pattaya Dream home, William
Coyle, James, Jersay Quin, Kevin Moore/Nuiy/Sophi, Len Crocker, Geoff
Evans, The Boys, Aek’s Liquor Store, Geoff/Yun Lloyd, Mike Evans, Terry
Camel Bar, International Law office, Eric Pullen, Lars, Peter Goodman,
John Siam Garden, Khun Kag, Mad Dog Peter, Mr No Name, Kaj & Friends,
Charles Ducat, Mad Dog Cheesey, Neil Rothnay, Lawrence Lion Pub, Tag,
Mad Dog Puff, Dave & Sylvia, Liberty Mansion, Jun Arnas, Mad Dog Steve,
John Hutchison, Lat, Mike Feaver, Mad Dog Tom, Peter Itchit, Bob Green,
Malcolm Farquar, Mad Dog Tim, Neil & Pen, Franz, Gary Thomas, Mad Dog
Steve P, Geoff Lever, Hugo Kunin, John Crawford, Mad Dog Dale, Shamrock
Bar, Bat Huset, Rick Perkins, Mad Dog John, Patrick, V-Twin Tours,
Richard Britzke, Chris Harkins, Kaknastornet, Dirk Evers, Mike Dunham,
Sunriders MC, Roy McKensie, Gator/Andy Mac, George, Ron Panas, Doug
Brawley, Ott, Chris Wheeler, Joeseph Scott, Shanma.
|
Jesters Grand Raffle Prize Winners
|
Ticket No. |
Name |
|
DTC Travel: Week long Phuket trip. 6 nights
for 2 persons |
16149 |
Suttipron S |
|
DTC Travel: Samui trip for 3 days, 2 nights
for 2 persons |
14266 |
Scar/ Gary Brown |
|
Judi McNamara’s River Kwai trip for 2 days,
for 4 persons |
17496 |
Helle |
|
Swiss Air return ticket to Singapore from BKK
for 1 person |
6841 |
Andre |
|
Chaophya Park Hotel, Bangkok, 2 nights in a
deluxe suite |
9868 |
Helen Betteridge |
|
Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, Pattaya, 2 nights in
a mini-suite |
11965 |
Jenny J |
|
Banyan Tree Hotel, Bangkok, 1 night stay +
extra vouchers |
12885 |
Brunhilde |
|
i-Pod Nano |
6997 |
Doc |
|
Numchai - Pioneer Mini Stereo System
|
9222 |
Virginia S |
|
Pinnacle Resort & Spa, 2 night stay in a
deluxe room inc. ABF |
14128 |
Scar/Mike Hogsbreath |
|
Montien Hotel, Pattaya, one night in a
superior room |
11491 |
Knud Nielsen |
|
Dusit Fitness family membership |
6178 |
Naomi Fagan |
|
New Dynasty Hotel, Bangkok, 1 night stay
|
13297 |
Scar/Bob Hogsbreath |
|
New Dynasty Hotel, Bangkok, 1 night stay
|
13539 |
Scar/Gordo |
|
Pinnacle Resort & Spa, 1 night stay in a
deluxe room inc. ABF |
15971 |
Sonic Interfreight Co |
|
Mermaid’s Dive Center voucher for PADI scuba
diver course |
6595 |
Roy MacDonald |
|
Mermaid’s D C voucher for PADI open water
diver course |
6486 |
Mr Somkazt |
|
Mermaid’s D C voucher for PADI junior open
water diver course |
11156 |
Tony Everett |
|
Central Gems voucher |
17543 |
Mike Franklin |
|
Gold Hoop Earrings from Thai Bijoux |
9154 |
Karyn Walker |
|
Chevron golf bag 1 |
6596 |
|
|
Chevron golf bag |
16831 |
McDermid |
|
Volvo golf bag |
6981 |
Basse |
|
Thai Open tennis tickets for 2 (01/10/06)
|
11997 |
Jenny J |
|
Montien Hotel, Pattaya, Mediterranean Buffet
Dinner for 2 |
8717 |
Patrick |
|
Tiffany’s Show, 2 VIP tickets |
9792 |
Miguel R |
|
Mata Hari dinner voucher |
11535 |
T Roati |
|
Mata Hari dinner voucher |
15359 |
Brunhilde |
|
Symphony dinner voucher |
8639 |
Steve |
|
Symphony dinner voucher |
13724 |
Diamond Dave |
|
Dusit BBQ Buffet Dinner for two persons
|
16382 |
David Greg |
|
Au Bon Coin Dinner Voucher for 2 |
8675 |
Bob’s BBQ |
|
Au Bon Coin Dinner Voucher for 2 |
9226 |
Virginia S |
|
Art Café Dinner voucher |
11641 |
Jim Horne |
|
Nicky’s restaurant dinner voucher for 2
|
15604 |
|
|
Amari Eat As Much As You Can at HJB for 2
|
6826 |
Sam Moore |
|
Amari Pizza & Pasta Buffet Dinner at Orchid
Terrace Restaurant |
17743 |
Gunner |
|
Top Shop Tailors voucher for 1,000 baht
|
11699 |
Jim Horne |
|
Bob’s BBQ and Grill voucher for large order
of BBQ ribs |
11402 |
Ken Kelsch |
|
The Whitehouse Condotel, Dinner for 4 inc.
wine |
13827 |
M Cox |
|
Canadian luxury basket, inc. wine, cheese &
whiskey etc. |
8020 |
Jeff’s Wife |
|
Art Café Meal Voucher |
14461 |
Ty Kerr |
|
Art Café Meal Voucher |
15676 |
|
|
Patricks Belgian Restaurant |
11791 |
Jenny J |
|
Ben’s Beauty Salon |
10014 |
Joy Smart |
|
Mike Tex Mex |
16241 |
Red |
|
Mike Tex Mex |
6594
|
Roy MacDonald |
|
Mike Tex Mex |
14263 |
Scar\ Gary Brown |
|
Mike Tex Mex |
9611 |
Pauline |
|
Tropical Bert’s |
15807 |
|
|
Tropical Bert’s |
16006 |
Nino |
|
Paradon signed Jesters T-shirt |
15718 |
Poolsak Sutantavibul |
Nirvana now - no waiting
Dr. Iain Corness
Most faiths will have you waiting till the next life (or the one after
that) to attain a state of grace to allow you to experience Nirvana.
That is no longer the case in Pattaya, after the official opening of
Nirvana Place, which was held this month.
 A
Buddhist monk anoints the Nirvana signboard with holy symbols to bring
good luck and prosperity to the business.
It appeared that everyone in Pattaya was going to Nirvana, with police
needed to keep the traffic flowing along Thappraya Road, and indeed it
seemed as if anyone who was anyone was in attendance. The event was
covered by media crews (including Pattaya Mail TV) both local and from
Bangkok. Nirvana Place was certainly something that people were waiting
for.
The official ribbon cutting was performed by Pol. Col. Ittipol
Ittisanronnachai, superintendent of Pattaya Immigration Police, who not
only cut the ribbon with style, but also addressed the audience in
perfect English, and wished the group behind the project all the very
best for the future. He was assisted by Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh
and the managing director of ESC, Steve Graham, the project leader.
 Pol.
Col. Ittipol Ittisanronachai presents Steve Graham with a portrait of
King Rama V, to watch over and help take the Nirvana to infinite heights
of success.
After the formalities, Steve Graham invited all the guests to join in a
buffet around the Nirvana Place pool, whilst the hard working Hard Rock
“Let’s get the party started” personnel dispensed liberal libations for
the thirsty hordes.
Nirvana Place is certainly an up-market landmark at the top of Thappraya
Road, with 52 very exclusive units, of which a couple were opened for
inspection that evening. It is also different in that 34 of the rooms
are reserved as ‘hotel’ rooms, and the remainder are private
condominiums. You can stay for a night, a weekend or forever!
Complementing the up-market status of the Nirvana Place are two very
impressive restaurants. These are Mata Hari and The Manhattans. Both of
these restaurants opened their doors for display as well, with Mata Hari
personnel in white, and Manhattans in black. Mata Hari has been going
all this year and has a devoted following, while The Manhattans is yet
to be opened, but will be in full swing by the end of this month.
The official ribbon
cutting was performed by Pol. Col. Ittipol Ittisanronachai,
superintendent of Pattaya Immigration Police, assisted by Deputy Mayor
Ronakit Ekasingh and the managing director of ESC, Steve Graham, the
project leader.
Family, friends and
associates thronged the Nirvana premises, each bringing unbounded
goodwill and wishes for Steve’s remarkable achievement.
Joint Foreign Chambers ascend towards Nirvana
Miss Terry Diner
It takes some intestinal fortitude to invite all the Foreign Chambers of
Commerce to come round for dinner and drinks, but that is precisely what
Steve Graham did, throwing open the doors of the new Nirvana Place at
the top of Thappraya Hill, and making everyone very welcome.
Obviously, it was a very well attended event; have you ever seen a free
offer undersubscribed? However, it was an event that brought together a
huge number of people who probably normally do not travel in the same
circles, thus making it a premier networking event.
Nobody left hungry, with some very substantial food being prepared by
the Hard Rock Hotel’s “Let’s get the party started” personnel. Drinks
flowed copiously, tongues wagged incessantly, and there was even a band
playing around the pool to entertain the guests. This band got everyone
so much in the mood that the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital’s Monika Rottmann
was up on stage thumping out a great version of Hotel California. (For
those who didn’t know, Monika was a singer of some renown, both here and
in her native Germany.)
Torrential rain did fall ten minutes before the advertised closing, for
which Steve Graham apologized, saying that it had been ordered for
later! However, it did not stop the merrymaking, and some people like
Steve Johnson, from Water Engineered Technologies (WET) was seen to be
reveling in it.
Moody International’s Gornragan Phankum was seen enjoying a drink, while
probably inspecting the building and its features, but could find
nothing but praise for the luxurious suites and the safety aspects of
this building, which include smoke detectors and overhead sprinklers,
much more than the building permit required.
Grant Cameron from Trafalgar International was seen trying to interest
Dr. Iain in medical insurance, while the ever-jovial John L. Hamilton,
the GM of Waste Management Siam, was seen talking to Marie Andreu from
Allied Pickfords, who call themselves the Careful Movers. Perhaps he has
some rubbish needing removing? Of course the local “moving man” Paul
Wilkinson (featured in Local Personality last week) was also present (as
he is at all chamber functions).
As the rain continued, most of the revelers decided to stay on, invading
the bars in the Mata Hari restaurant, or the newly opened Manhattan’s
Steak House, both on the ground floor of the complex. For everyone, this
surely was Nirvana, and from Steve Graham’s point of view, it certainly
is Nirvana!
The BCCT networking
evenings are renowned not only for social gatherings, but more
importantly as a place to meet like-minded people for mutual business
benefits.
Cornelia Bik - A “Royal” Celebration
Andrew J Wood
When life-long Austrian friends Adi Tschisner and Helmut Schneider-Kahre
realized that Mrs. Cornelia (Corry) Bik was to metamorphose into a most
elegant and active Septuagenarian during her annual nine month sojourn
to Pattaya, they started planning in earnest and on the 10th September
2006, following 6 months of ‘elephantine’ planning they set sail on a
day long celebration that was to be the talk of the town.
The evening started where else but the sumptuous surroundings of the
Royal Wing of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
 Dame
Corry with her devoted knights Helmut, Alexander and Adi.
On arrival guests were escorted to a pool side cocktail party, decked
out in House of Orange colours from Corry’s native Holland.
On hand to greet all the guests were the birthday girl herself and her
two ‘consorts’. As befitting such a court occasion all guests were
requested to adorn themselves in pure white and what a magnificent sight
they made, as they mingled between the elegant Wing staff equally
dressed in sparkling white outfits with dashes of orange.
The entire area was cascading in the most luxurious floral arrangements,
all in keeping with the bespoke colour scheme. Taking a close glance one
could not help but admire the attention to detail with orange coloured
gem stones and quite literally ‘orange’ decorations where the fruit had
been cleverly incorporated into the extravagant floral displays.
 Panga
Vathanakul MD of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort wishes Corry the happiest
of birthdays.
Sat amongst her ‘subjects’ in a most appropriate wicker throne, the
playful Corry invited all guests to have their photographs taken, which
I am sure will become precious keepsakes for Corry for years to come.
As the champagne and canapés flowed guests were serenaded to the sounds
of the Royal Wing’s famous singing diva, Ruby and her musical ensemble.
Preceding a wonderful display of Thai Classical dance from the Wing’s
talented team, under the watchful eyes of GM Alexander Haeusler and
Marcel Sawyere, the Royal Wing manager.
Guests were kindly invited to cool off in the gorgeous white marbled
lobby of the hotel, but unknown to most was yet another surprise;
trumpeting the guests were 2 magnificent pachyderms, named for the day
‘Adi’ and ‘Helmut’, gifts from their namesakes, brought along to add to
the jumbo Thai atmosphere.
Then, as if by magic, a stream of luxury minivans appeared and whisked
the 50 or so guests off for a nautical rendezvous with the Island Dream,
the Cliff’s very own luxury catamaran.
There followed an absolutely wonderful evening of fine wines and
delicious delicacies including oysters, lobsters, BBQ and seafood from
Walter Thenisch’s famous kitchens. Dancing and fun were the order of the
evening; waltzes, modern pop music and jazz were all presented as an
endless stream of entertainment, along with a super fireworks display
and letters in fire reflecting ‘Happy Birthday Corry’ in the still
waters of Pattaya Bay.
Amongst all of this was a feeling of great warmth and friendship and as
Corry’s friends from around the world had gathered to sing a most Happy
Birthday and cut a giant sized cake in the shape of a tennis racket [a
reminder of Corry’s business interests], there followed warm hearted and
lively speeches of appreciation and thanks.
It will be a day to remember by all those who attended, the attention to
detail and superb service of the Royal Cliff‘s catering team, headed by
Utid, to the personal attention of fellow Austrian and general manager
of the Royal Cliff Alexander Haeusler. To Corry’s fellow Dutchmen who
came out in force to celebrate with their super friend we all say thank
you and lastly for a day that Helmut and Adi had planned for so long,
turning out to be a most “Royal” occasion we also say thank you. Happy
Birthday Corry Bik!
|
