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Komkit Mekmok - Urbanization
Michael Bulley, Art Critic
“Urbanization” is such an emotive word as to conjure up feelings of
resentment and repugnance towards the urban squalid sprawl, the beast of the
bulldozer, the mad money eating developers, and poor little Pattaya…”
Komkit Mekmok and one of his
works from “Urbanization”.
Most of us are indeed urbanites. However, the art exhibition now on show at
Pattaya Modern Art Centre in Soi 4, Pratamnak Road gives us a glimpse of how
impressionist abstract artist, Komkit Mekmok views his surroundings of
Bangkok. I am reminded of that wonderful saying by Norbert Irving, “I
express that which I feel, rather than that which I see.”
It’s as if this artist can enter a death camp of ugliness and feel a
wonderful sense of composition of colours and designs. His paintings,
somehow do not glorify a city of sprawl, he just captures its exuberant
contrasts.
Seeing small is the key to his impressionist works, we can be overwhelmed by
large cement cities, but this artist is more interested in the finite of his
inspiration then the infinite of his surrounds. These small windows come
with self explaining titles such as “Packed City” and “City Neons”. I liked
in particular his “Wired City”, a weird view of nothing more than electric
wires of Bangkok.
Komkit Mekmok has studied art in USA, and is head of the Art Department at
Kasetsart University, Bangkok. He has also just held a two day workshop
helping local Pattaya artists to create work from their own feelings rather
than be slave to “copycat” art.
Beauty may indeed be in the eyes of the beholder. To be able to see such
beauty in a large city sprawl as Bangkok is bewilderingly beautiful. A
cartoon of such an “urbanization” of the future might be a view of urban
vastness of buildings that stretches as far as the eye can see (or to the
edge of the canvas). In the middle of this claustrophobic wasteland is a
small group of children and art teacher “Komkit Mekmok”, who proudly
proclaims, “This, children is a tree.” Pattaya beware?
Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya holds family fun day at the beach
Kids, both young and old, had a
great day at the beach.
John Botting
At the end of September the Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya organized a family
day/fellowship day down to the lovely beach at Rayong. A VIP bus was arranged to
transport 50 adults and children to the beach location leaving Pattaya at midday
and arriving at the beach at 13.30. The day was so successful that some had to
follow in their cars as there was not enough room on the bus!
On arrival the 60 attending Rotarians with their children and guests sat down to
a nice Thai/western buffet. Then after the food came the beach games for both
the children and the young at heart adults. Prizes were awarded to the winning
participants.
We were lucky with the weather, and the rain kept away all day. On top of this
we were also able to add 5,000 baht to the club funds from the profit made on
this nice day.
Author Richard Rubacher and Pattaya’s British Embassy representative Barry Kenyon speak at PCEC meeting
The Sunday Oct 8 Pattaya City Expats Club meeting at
Henry J. Beans resulted in standing room only, as a very large number of
people were present. This was due to the club’s continuing popularity and to
the inclusion of two guest speakers this week, the first being Richard
Rubacher who was then followed by Barry Kenyon.
 Richard
Rubacher, author of ‘Thai Touch’, provided a number of entertaining
anecdotes regarding life in this country.
Richard is the author of ‘Thai Touch’ a book that focuses on the spiritual
and mystical side of Thailand. He provided a number of entertaining
anecdotes regarding life in this country. Richard also described how, on two
occasions he was able to interview the notorious Charles Manson while he was
in the California State Medical Facility at Vacaville, California.
Next up was Barry Kenyon who made a welcome return to the club. Barry is a
British Embassy representative. He was able to clarify and answer questions
regarding the recent changes announced by the Immigration Department. Barry
explained that the changes had been introduced solely to prevent abuse which
had become increasingly evident. This primarily concerns the ongoing issue
of 30 day visas on arrival which are then used to ‘live’ in the Kingdom for
indefinite periods.
 British
Embassy representative Barry Kenyon clarified and answered questions
regarding the recent changes announced by the Immigration Department.
Barry also clarified the requirements, particularly the need to prove
continuing financial viability, of the retirement visa; this was of great
interest to the attendees, most of whom fall into the retiree category!
It was announced at the meeting that three excursions, at various stages of
development, were currently underway in conjunction with TAT. A trip to
Chiang Mai was announced and details of additional trips are expected to be
announced very soon.
The regular open forum was then underway and this proved to be the usual
lively and entertaining session.
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, for more detail, visit the club’s website at
pattayacityexpatsclub.com
PILC “Around the World” Charity Ball
The ladies of Pattaya invite you
to join them for an evening of fun and entertainment at the 2006 “Around the
World” Charity Ball.
Last year the Ball was a great success! Not only did the
event raise over THB 600,000, but it was also a very enjoyable social occasion.
The 2006 Gala Ball is being held on 25th November at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel
in the Siam Ballroom. You do not have to be a member of PILC to attend, all are
welcome and this year the theme is “Around the World”.
Gillian Thom, President of PILC, explains: “We love to involve as many members
as possible with our events, so started this year by asking for suggestions for
a theme for the ball. All the suggestions were then voted on, and we had two
members who suggested “Around the World”. It’s so appropriate, as it really
reflects the “United Nations” spirit of PILC - so that was our winner!”
This years’ Gala Ball is kindly sponsored by Voclay Siam, Dana Spicer Rayong,
Thailand, Mermaid Maritime Ltd, Ursula’s Antiques, Mr. & Mrs. John Seaton,
Copeland-Emerson, Premier Homes, Laem Chabang Terminal I, Pattaya Mail and Katie
Ayers.
The ball starts with a cocktail reception at 7.15 p.m. There will also be a bar
for those guests who prefer to buy their own choice of pre-dinner drinks. A Thai
gong will call guests in for dinner at 8.00p.m.
All guests can have a complimentary photograph taken before they go into dinner.
This year, as in previous years, the venue is the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, with
a special four-course menu designed by Executive Chef, Walter. The menu
certainly tempts the palate with a delicious sounding creation of crab meat
salad on red curry mayonnaise to start, followed by an interesting fava bean
soup with crisp bacon. Then comes a difficult choice - salmon roulade with
grilled mediterranean vegetables or whole roasted beef tenderloin with baked
vegetable tart? But room must be left for dessert, and will it be the lemon and
blueberry mousse or chocolate mille-feuilles? Full details of the menu choice
and information on non-seafood and vegetarian alternatives are available when
you book your tickets. Wine is provided with the meal and has been kindly
provided by VS Classic Wines Ltd.
After dinner, there will be a Charity Auction of wonderful items, including: a
beautiful Chinese cabinet from the Shania-Province of China, donated by Ursula’s
Antique’s, a magnificent wooden replica of the USS Constitution donated by Asia
Emporium Pattaya Boat, a boat trip for 10 people including lunch on a
37"catamaran, donated by Gulf Charters, an 18k gold branch design brooch with
diamonds and two lapis lazuli lovebirds, with matching earrings, donated by
Arlette’s Treasures, and a bottle of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, considered as
one of the greatest wines in the world, generously donated by Indian by Nature
Restaurant.
The M.C. and Auctioneer this year will be Andrew Gordon. Originally from the UK,
Andrew has spent a majority of his life teaching in overseas schools, which has
taken him from Africa to Bangladesh, Pakistan (and even to Scotland - which many
consider a very foreign country!). He arrived in Thailand in February this year
and is currently working with the Special Education Needs at The Regent’s
School. He has been involved in charity and fund-raising in many of the places
he’s lived and is looking forward to making the PILC “Around the World Charity
Ball” a big success and a wonderful evening for all.
The evening will continue with dancing until 1:00AM, with music from the “Pops
All Star Band”.
Tickets are THB 1,950 per person and are available from Roseanne Diamente, on
her mobile (08-1865-0714) or by e-mail (mrdiamente2003@ yahoo.com), Kavita Singh
(08-1377-5171) or Stephanie Moorhouse (08-9544- 4842).
For more information about PILC activities and how to join, please contact
Gillian Thom, President, PILC (08-1762-6003) or pilc262@ yahoo.com.
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