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Vietnam Veterans address the PCEC
The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday
April 29th at Henry J. Bean’s continued the trend of recent meetings with
speakers with a difference.
 Roger
Fox, Jim Jones, Al Serrato and Paul Back - all U.S. veterans of the Vietnam
War - address the PCEC.
This week’s MC, John Lynham introduced four faces who would be familiar to
regular attendees of the Sunday meeting. They were Roger Fox, Jim Jones, Al
Serrato and Paul Back. They all had something in common inasmuch as they
were all U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War.
They each provided an individual account of their differing roles in the
conflict, provided their lasting impressions of the Vietnamese war, the
Vietnamese people, the conduct of that war, and how that experience affected
their future lives. Al Serrato, currently the Deputy Commander of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars in Pattaya, provided some particularly harrowing
details.
They agreed that at the time there appeared to be no end to the Cold War and
that the domino effect where neighboring countries could fall to communism
was seen as a real threat. Also, the comprehensive television coverage
increased the unpopularity of the war amongst world opinion. They also saw
many parallels with the current Iraqi conflict.
Returning to normal club activities, Richard Smith summarised the results of
a questionnaire survey which had recently been carried out at the PCEC. He
reported that there had been some very positive and helpful opinions
expressed and these would be put before the Board for further consideration
and action. Richard also stated that the Computer Group would be meeting
again on May 14th.
Following the successes of recent club trips to Chantaburi and Koh Chang
some initial enquiries had been made regarding trips to neighbouring
countries. Richard was able to provide some brief details of these.
In keeping with club’s policy to invite the attendees to participate in
announcements, Gene Berisford provided the forthcoming events. The return of
Philip Schwarz was welcomed as he described the activities of the Special
Interest Groups
Roger Fox returned to mediate the regular Open Forum, which again proved to
be the usual lively and entertaining session. For more information
regarding, not only the PCEC Sunday meetings but also the varied mid week
activities provided by the Special Interest Groups, please see the Community
Happenings section of Pattaya Mail or, for more details, visit the Club’s
website at pattayacity expatsclub.com
It might be rubbish to some but it’s fashion to others
The 5 prize winners pose with
committee members and the president of the Green Leaf Project.
Narisa Nitikarn
Siam Bayview Hotel held a recycling contest on April 25, with all departments of
the hotel taking part and creating fashion wear using discarded products and
materials.
General manager Suraphan Somthai opened the event, and the judging committee
added up the scores while staff members cheered on their own departments.
The hotel’s housekeeping manager Nittiya Rungsivararuk, who was in charge of the
project, said that both the Siam Bayview and sister properties the Siam Bayshore
Hotel Pattaya and the Siam City Hotel Bangkok have been operating the Green Leaf
recycling program every year since 1997.
The recycling competition has also been held every year, but the main materials
have changed each time. This year canvas was the primary material, with lots of
colors being available, which led to the contest being named “Carnival.”
Housekeeping, reception, food and beverage, maintenance, kitchens, accounting,
personnel and management all took part, with 16 works submitted. Five prizes
were up for grabs, with one grand prize, two excellence prizes, and two
consolation prizes.
Carnival Recycle 2007 proved to be a lively event, with a fashion show drawing
the applause and the designers of the entries providing explanations about the
materials they used and the methods of how they cut and stitched the material.
The dress that won over the judging committee the most and received the grand
prize was named Fantastic Queen and worn by Jiraporn Pongthongmee. Reception
staff were the creators of this entry, and the skirt was stitched together with
great skill. First place for excellence prize went to the Queen Inca dress from
food and beverage, and the second to the Butsaba Nano dress, also from food and
beverage. First place consolation prize went to the Mixed Flower dress from
housekeeping, and the second place consolation prize went to the Color of Mutu
Part 2 from maintenance.
Famed Yamato opens
second outlet
Former Chonburi MP Chanyuth
Hengtrakul and his family congratulate Rattana Yothawong on her new
restaurant.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya’s first ever Japanese restaurant, Yamato, which opened more than a
quarter century ago and became so popular that the soi in which it is
located is known as Soi Yamato, has finally opened a second branch.
Located at Nawin Mansion behind Carrefour on Third Road, the April 29 grand
opening included a buffet whose proceeds will go to charity.
Owner Miss Rattana Yothawong said the new outlet has a selection of
international food and a daily Thai menu, but that all the Japanese
favorites of the original Yamato are on the menu including sashimi, sushi,
sukiyaki and tempura.
Amongst the regular customers offering their congratulations on the new
opening were the family of Chanyuth Hengtrakul, former member of parliament
for Chonburi Province, and Pratheep Malhotra, managing director of Pattaya
Mail Publishing Co Ltd. Many friends from Rotary also gave their
congratulations, as Rattana was chairwoman of the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary
Club from 1993 to 1994.
Whereas the original Yamato is open from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. the new
branch is also open for lunch, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in addition to
the evenings. Both branches are closed on Sunday.
Half of the income raised from the charity buffet was presented to the
Restaurant Association of Pattaya City for charity distribution.
100 Pipers equals 100 girls at Hard Rock Cafe
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Hard Rock Cafe held a novel presentation over Wan Lai with 100 beautiful
girls on hand to join in the celebrations for its 100 Pipers Presents
Songkran Festival on April 18 and 19, and well-known Thai bands performing a
mini concert for the revelers.
 The
Nouvo Band rocked in the Thai New Year at the Hard Rock Cafe.
The members of hit-makers Nouvo signed their names on a guitar, which will
be displayed as part of the Hard Rock Cafe’s rock memorabilia, before
playing a selection of their own songs and international favorites.
April 19 saw a mini concert performed by Silly Fool and Tik Shiro, which
attracted Thai and foreign tourists alike.
Director of food and beverage John Pang said this was the first 100 Pipers
promotion organized by Hard Rock, and that it had proved so successful it
was likely that the event would also take place next year.
Ice is nice for cold
comfort champion
Narisa Nitikarn
A man who sat on a block of ice to consume almost six tubs of ice cream
quite deservedly won a 10,000 baht prize during a competition at Central
Festival on April 24.
The competition was part of the Central Plaza Ice Cream Festival, held over
the period of April 20 to 24 as a way of promoting the range of ice creams
available from the shopping center, and also of beating the heat.
 Deputy
Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn performed the official opening, with the event
being hosted by Central Festival’s general manager Sarun Tuntijumnun.
The winner of the ice cream eating contest was 33-year-old Preedee Singjan
from Samut Prakarn. Sitting on a block of ice on which the ice cream was
laid out, he was the easy winner, eating five and three quarter cups of ice
cream in half an hour.
“It was ice cold, but I was determined not to stop,” said Preedee.
Sarun said that ice cream eating competitions have been held in four
locations, namely Central Rama 3, Central Ramintra, Central Pattaya, and
Central Rattana Tibet, in Nonthaburi. The champions from each location,
including Preedee, will now go forward to a national championship to be held
at Central Rattanatibet, for a prize of 50,000 Baht.
Preedee Singjan gobbles his
way to victory.
Russell Vickers - A man with a passion for Real Estate
This week’s ‘INSIGHT’ with Mike Franklin
Mike Franklin interviews
Russell Vickers on this week’s ‘INSIGHT’ show.
With a solid Melbourne track record behind him,
Australian Russell Vickers adds his experience to the team of Alan Bolton
Property Consultants. Find out more from the ‘INSIGHT’ interview with
Russell on PMTV Saturday 12th May.
In summary Russell said, quote: “Being involved in the Real Estate industry
is exciting enough, but Pattaya with its large international appeal adds a
new dimension.”
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