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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Cheerful GTCC meeting at Moon River Pub

DSU-Treff premiers at its new home with lively presentation on cargo industry

MICE roar at Hard Rock

PSC donates 100,000 baht to Fountain of Life

Upcoming events announced at PILC July coffee morning at Henry J Beans

Schoolchildren to present traditional music performance for HM the Queen’s birthday

Boyztown party raises 255,000 baht

PCEC - expats helping expats

75-meter cake to highlight charity fundraiser

Cheerful GTCC meeting at Moon River Pub

Peter Nordhues
The German-Thai Chamber of Commerce gathered on July 13 for its regular meeting at the Moon River Pub, with some 50 people showing up at the Thai Garden Resort owned restaurant to be heartily welcomed by resort manager Rene Pisters and guest service manager Brigitta Herkner.

(L to R) GTCC executive director Dr Paul Strunk is welcomed by Thai Garden Resort GM Rene Pisters and guest service manager Brigitta Herkner.

There was enough time to enjoy a first glass of beer or wine in an informal atmosphere before the official opening by GTCC executive director Dr Paul Strunk.
Dr Strunk said he was pleased to see the large turnout despite the uninviting weather conditions.
“After a fairly long time, I am finally able to take part at our regular table at the Moon River Pub again,” he said. “I am happy to see all the familiar faces from Pattaya, the East Coast and Bangkok again. Let’s hope the political problems will be sorted out soon, so the economic mood in Thailand will be as good as ours is right now.”
Dr Strunk wished everyone a joyful and successful night and suggested to get some tidbits from the sumptuous Moon River Pub buffet. In a trice, the plates were filled with various delicacies, and the guests continued to talk business. But the real party wasn’t to start until the in-house Power Jam Band went on stage to perform their ever-spectacular music show.

The regular’s table during the meeting at the Moon River Pub
is cheerful as usual.


DSU-Treff premiers at its new home with lively presentation on cargo industry

Peter Nordhues
The latest DSU-Treff, the German-speaking business meeting took place on July 21 at a new location, Hans - Fine Dining on Third Road. General manager Hans Spoerri greeted all guests with a cocktail and personally made sure that everyone was at ease during the entire meeting. The guest speaker was Rainer Roessler, head of the East-West Air Services Co Ltd office in Pattaya.

DSU-Treff members pose on the steps of their new home.
DSU chairwoman Elfi Seitz said she was pleased to welcome many new faces at the new “home” of the event. She introduced her special guest to the gathering. Rainer Roessler was born in 1966 in Dueren, near Bonn. He is a skilled industrial clerk who later studied chemistry and subsequently worked as a software consultant. After his move to Thailand some 10 years ago, Rainer first worked for various companies before he began at East-West Air Service three years ago.
Rainer started his lecture with a brief introduction of his employer. East-West has been in business for 30 years, maintaining offices at all harbors and airports throughout Thailand. The Pattaya office is new. It offers professional haulage services for importers and exporters in Thailand.
The company currently employs 200 people who take care of all customer concerns. With its worldwide network, East-West is permanently linked to all agents inside and outside of Thailand, therefore offering global logistics. Dispatched goods can be located at any time. Air and sea freights, customs formalities (electronically only), packaging, storage and cargo are the services that the company offers.
Of course, said Rainer, East-West also carries out overland transportation. Though, due to the poor infrastructure in neighboring countries like Cambodia and Burma, airfreight is preferred in most cases.
The talk was not only about East-West. Rainer also gave an insight into the international haulage industry, amusingly illustrated from his laptop. “For the international haulage industry is not a dry matter,” he added.
The size of the modern cargo industry can be illustrated by two examples. The Mærsk shipping company owns the largest container ship in the world, the Emma Mærsk. According to an official statement, it can load 11,000 20-foot standard containers, including 1,000 ISO reefers. In the air, the An-225 Mriya (also known as the Cossack) is currently the world’s largest airplane with six turbofan engines. The maximum freight volume is 1,220 cubic meters with a maximum takeoff weight of 600 tons.
Rainer had detailed answers to all questions that arose during his talk, and the event was a lively one. Hans - Fine Dining also contributed to the success of the evening, and it is clear that the DSU-Treff has truly found a new home.


MICE roar at Hard Rock

Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya GM Andrew Khoo (right) and his band recently hosted M.I.C.E. professionals from India.

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya led by its general manager, Andrew Khoo, on July 23 rolled out a Rockin’ cocktail party and set dinner to welcome meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) professionals from India.
The event, held at the hotel’s picturesque Sunset Strip and which also featured select Indian specialties, was held in partnership with Marwin Tours and the Thailand Exhibition and Convention Bureau India.
In a brief welcome address, Khoo listed the Hard Rock Hotel’s advantages as a venue for meetings and parties.
Named Hard Rock Hotel of the Year in 2005, the hotel is a four-star property, rated by the Hotel Standard of Thailand, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and the Thai Hotels Association (THA). Hard Rock features 320 musical-themed rooms and suites with 53 rooms on Kings Club Floors. For families accompanying delegates there is a 2,000-sq meter beach and sand pool, and a Lil’ Rock Club for kids.


PSC donates 100,000 baht to Fountain of Life

PSC President Dennis Willet (2nd right) and PSC Charity Chairman Bernie Tuppin (left) present 100,000 baht to Sister Janyanee Tuanrussamee (2nd left) as Jesters Care for Kids chairman Lewis “Woody” Underwood (right) looks on.

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya Sports Club recently presented 100,000 baht to Sister Janyanee of the Fountain of Life in support of the annual Jesters Care for Kids charity drive.
The donation was made on July 19 at the club by PSC president Dennis Willet and charity chairman Bernie Tuppin. Jesters Care for Kids chairman Lewis “Woody” Underwood was on hand to witness the presentation, the funds of which were presented to one of the Jesters’ main beneficiaries, the Fountain of Life Center, represented on this occasion by manager Sister Janyanee Tuanrussamee.
The Fountain of Life Center was established for children from poor families who cannot support themselves, and for abandoned children, and aims to give them the practicalities that will help them get started in life.
Located in Naklua Sub-district, the center is currently taking care of about 100 underprivileged children.


Upcoming events announced at PILC July coffee morning at Henry J Beans

Elaine Poole
Summer is when many members return to their home countries to visit family and friends. Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) president, Rosanne Diamente, was in the United States doing exactly that, so in her absence Judy Hoppe, vice president, welcomed everyone to the coffee morning.
Judy thanked the Amari for the use of the venue and the coffee and nibbles.
Two important annual major fund raising events are being arranged by the Special Events Committee; both are being held at the Royal Cliff Hotel. Plans for the Holiday Bazaar on Saturday 6th October are now well underway. On November 17th, the 20th Anniversary Gala Ball will be held and this year it will be a Masquerade Ball.
Volunteers were required to take children to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya for dental checkups as part of the Dental Programme. Transport is provided by the Fountain of Life, but the children need accompanying.
PILC then said goodbye to Sharon Adams-Dean. Sharon has been a member of the club for a year, during which she has been a very active member; using her artistic skills to design the artwork for the 2006 Around the World Ball; helping the kids at the Fountain of Life, and not forgetting the Across the Bay charity swim that she completed with her husband Terry. Sharon now moves to Bangkok with her husband, and a full time teaching job. PILC thanked Sharon for all her help and wished her every success and happiness.
If you would like any further information about PILC fund raising events, or how to become a sponsor, please contact special events chairperson, Cindy Logue ([email protected]).


Schoolchildren to present traditional music performance for HM the Queen’s birthday

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Children from Pattaya’s schools will perform a Thai music celebration show to honor Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday on August 12.
A meeting of the organizing committee and teachers under the Pattaya City school system gathered on July 20 to plan the arrangements.
Noppasithcha na Nakorn, acting on behalf of the head of Child and Youth Activities said the location for the performance would be the park at Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya. Nine Pattaya City schools will be represented, with 230 children playing Thai musical instruments. The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. and finish at 9:00 p.m.
Musical styles will include Homlong and Jomsurang, there will be Sriwichai and Im-oun dancing, and a Lao Daungdaun Song, a particular favorite of Her Majesty.
A full rehearsal will be held on August 10 at Pattaya School No 8.


Boyztown party raises 255,000 baht

Glen Campbell and Madame Jim (hostess with the mostest for the evening) congratulate the lucky winner of the motor bike.

The Pattaya Gay Festival sponsored street party on July 26 raised 255,000 baht for the Heartt2000 charity which provides treatment for AIDS sufferers in the Chonburi area. The first raffle prize of a motor bike was donated by Dame Ruby with a TV and other electronic equipment donated by Ambiance Hotel. More than 300 people attended the evening in the Boyztown soi.
Stars of the evening were the Filipino duo El Duo, but they were ably supported by regular turns such as Toy from the Cafe Royale and the resort’s very own Dolly Sisters.


PCEC - expats helping expats

It was a very full house which attended the meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) on Sunday July 22nd at Henry J. Bean’s. The slogan of the club is ‘Expats Helping Expats’ and this week’s meeting did exactly that.

Dr Olivier addresses the PCEC.
This week’s MC Gary Brown started the proceedings by welcoming those people who were attending the PCEC for the fist time. He then introduced the first of the speakers who was familiar to a number of attendees, that of Dr Olivier.
Dr Olivier started his talk by stating that the greatest medical advance of the last century had been that of vaccinations. Vaccinations work by the introducing a dead or weakened virus to which the body’s immune system reacts in order to fight the microbe. Immunity fails with time, requiring renewal.
Dr Olivier then went on to describe those vaccinations which were normally given to children but still needed to be boosted, normally after ten years. There are certain vaccinations which are highly recommended for people living in South East Asia and these included hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever which should be boosted every three years.

Barry Kenyon provides updated visa information.
The threat of rabies was discussed and the importance of a course of vaccinations required in the event of a bite by an animal.
There are also two new vaccinations which have been introduced and which are available at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. Full details of all vaccinations recommended by Dr Olivier can be found on the PCEC website.
The second speaker of the morning was Barry Kenyon, Honorary British Consul who was making a welcome return visit. Barry informed the attendees that most embassies were becoming increasingly busy and were also in the process of installing sophisticated identification technology. He described the new requirements for obtaining or renewing a visa when using a pension verification or certification letter from the relevant embassy as proof of pension income. The new requirement, effective Oct. 1, 2007 for new and renewal Retirement Visas, requires that the embassy letter verifying pension income must have an additional stamp from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. More information on this requirement can be found on the PCEC website.
Forthcoming events were announced which included the next club dinner which is to take place on Thursday August 9th at the Asian Moon restaurant in the Jomtien Complex.
The PCEC resident computer expert, Richard Silverberg, presented this week’s ‘Website of the Week’. This week it was www.thai-language.com. Richard described this excellent website as being beneficial to both the casual user who may want to obtain a translation of a single word and the advanced user who may want to use the site for more comprehensive research. The PCEC looks forward to more sites that Richard comes up with.
The regular Open Forum was then underway led by Bob L’Etoile 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 details, plus the detailed information provided by this week’s speakers, visit the Club’s website at pattayacityexpatsclub.com.


75-meter cake to highlight charity fundraiser

From left: and Central Festival Business Center Pattaya GM Saran Tuntichamnun, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, Amari Orchid Resort & Tower GM Dominik Stamm, and Bhakanundh Thanasom, PR director for Amari Orchid Resort & Tower.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Amari Orchid Resort and Tower and Central Festival Business Center in Pattaya will be pairing up to create a 75-meter long fruitcake in honor of Her Majesty the Queen’s 75th Royal Birthday celebrations next weekend.
Chefs at the Amari Orchid Resort and Tower will bake the cake, which will be sold for charity during celebrations at Central Festival Business Center in North Pattaya from August 11 - 13. HM the Queen’s birthday is on Sunday, August 12.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, along with Amari Orchid Resort & Tower GM Dominik Stamm and Central Festival Business Center Pattaya GM Saran Tuntichamnun made the announcement on Monday, July 23.
Pieces of the cake will be on sale for 50 baht per slice or 600 baht per meter, with all profits going to charity. This is the fourth year this promotion has been held.
Income from sales of the cake, after deducting all expenses, will be donated to the “Baht for a Better Life” charity project to support children of the Amari Orchid Resort & Tower with scholarships and educational supplies, and to help build schools in the countryside. The school receiving the funds this year will be the police border school in Ban Klongwai, Surat Thani province.
Also on tap during the celebrations at Central Festival Business Center Pattaya will be a fashion show and a folk song / acoustic music contest performed by youngsters less than 15 years of age, who, using a limit of 5 musical instruments, will play HM the King’s “Kanamnom Song”.