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Thousands take part in celebrations to honor HM the Queen
The elephant pays his respects to HM the
Queen on behalf of the Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens.
Suwanthep ‘Tony’ Malhotra represents Pattaya
Mail in humbly placing Jasmine ornaments on the altar in front of Her
Majesty’s portrait.
Prateep Jongsuebtham, Banglamung district
chief, leads the populace in making merit in honour of HM the Queen.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn leads the
city fathers in pledging allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen.
Members of the Thai Sikh Community of
Pattaya proudly participate in paying homage to Her Majesty the Queen.
Story and Photos by
Pattaya Mail Reporters
Thousands of people, residents and tourists alike, turned out to
celebrate the 75th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen on Sunday August
12, the day on which Thailand also celebrates Mothers Day.
At 7 a.m. in front of Banglamung District Office, chief officer Pratheep
Jongseuptam together with Pattaya Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn led
government officers and members of the public in giving food to the
monks.
Many good deeds were performed throughout the day in honor of Her
Majesty.
Students and teachers of Wat Na Jomtien School in Sattahip planted
flowers and shrubs around the school grounds and cleared garbage from
the beach. Supporters of Baan Jingjai donated scholarships valued at
more than 80,000 baht to the students, presented some essentials to the
school, and served lunch to the students. Hard Rock Hotel served food
for the elderly from Baan Banglamung Social Welfare Development Center,
with 40 senior citizens enjoying dinner before lighting candles in honor
of Her Majesty.
Chief officer of Sattahip district Prakit Rojanadilokm led more than a
thousand people in the area in a campaign to use bicycles and thereby
save energy costs and protect the environment.
Personnel from Queen Sirikit Hospital on Sattahip Naval Base took part
in a walk-run mini-marathon for the Queen’s Cup, while Nong Nooch Garden
had a special free offer for mothers, welcoming 2,000 moms who were
brought along by their children. The Nong Nooch elephants put on a
splendid display as always, writing “Love to Mom” messages with their
trunks.
The Sea Turtle Conservation Center welcomed 85 newly born turtles who
emerged from their shells and first opened their eyes on Mother’s Day.
The eggs had been removed from the beach because of the rain, and the
danger they might have gone rotten in the wet weather, and conservation
workers had placed them in a cupboard until they were ready to hatch.
A parade was held with colorful floats, starting out from Royal Garden
Plaza and passing along Beach Road to South Pattaya, through Walking
Street, and finally arriving at Bali Hai Pier. Most of the participants
wore blue, the Queen’s color, in tribute to Her Majesty.
The candle lighting ceremony, a tradition on Her Majesty’s birthday, was
held at Bali Hai Pier. Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn led the ceremony,
which was accompanied by prayers and songs. Finally, to end this
auspicious day, fireworks lit up the night sky over Pattaya in a
glorious display of colors.
Elfi Seitz, Nittaya Patimasongkroh and
Dujduen Ruongvachetivong represented the YWCA Bangkok Pattaya Center at
the ceremonies.
More than 100 children from the Redemptorist
Street Kids Home pay homage to their substitute moms on Mother’s Day.
Andrew Khoo, GM of the Hard Rock Hotel
serves a delicious lunch to his guests from the Banglamung Homed of the
Aged.
Students of the Na Jomtien School plant
trees in obedience to Her Majesty’s
concern to end deforestation.
Residents young and old came out in force to
wish HM the Queen a Happy Birthday.
Newly born turtles emerge from their shells
and opened their eyes for the first time on Mother’s Day.
Only a mother can give boundless warmth,
love and caring.
This artistic elephant writes ‘Love Mom’
with his trunk.
Children from the Baan Jing Jai invite
people to buy Jasmine flowers for their mothers.
Students of the Blind School, play songs
from their hearts for Her Majesty the Queen.
Beautiful dancers pose in the foreground as
a fantastic display of fireworks
lights the sky.
The Pattaya Mail team joined the thousands
of citizens in celebrating HM the Queen’s birthday.
Sattahip residents ride bicycles to conserve
energy in honour of HM the Queen.
Thousands of citizens of Pattaya all dressed
in blue, parade down the beach in a show of love for the Mother of the
Nation.
The Sattahip community organized a Walk-Run
Mini Marathon to compete for HM the Queen’s Cup.
Thousands of Her Majesty’s loyal subjects
lit candles and sang songs in praise of our beloved Queen.
Play Around the World visits the Regent’s
Paul Crouch
Photos by Narisa Nitikarn
It is the summer vacations and the usually energetic corridors of The
Regent’s school are quiet for seven weeks as the students and most of the
academic staff takes well deserved holidays. This does not stop our
commitment to Round Square activities and projects though. It was with great
pleasure that the school’s facilities and open space was put to good use for
a Canadian charity called ‘Play Around the World.’
 It
was a delight to see so many young children play and interact for well over
two hours.
A group of seven young Canadian volunteers on a break from their university
studies at Alberta University in Canada have been working hard with numerous
children’s organizations in and around Pattaya and Chiang Mai. One of their
aims has been to encourage ‘play’ amongst children, teaching them how to
play safe, to play creatively, and how to interact with new people through
play.
The youth group received funding for their Thailand trip from a Rotary Club
in Canada.
This idea of play is an important development of a child’s education and
fits in perfectly with the six IDEALS of the Round Square (internationalism,
democracy, environmental awareness, adventure, leadership, and service). It
was a real shame that none of the Regent’s students were present to help
organize, lead and experience this great concept.
On Saturday August 4, more than 200 Thai children from local schools and
organizations such as; Pattaya Mercy Centre, Baan Jin Jai, Kor Pai Childhood
Center, Khao Bai Sri school, Wat Boon Samphan School, and Enfant Center
(Father Ray) came together at The Regent’s for an afternoon of play. Eight
different play areas (stations) were set up on the school oval and manned by
the Canadian volunteers (Erin, Matt, Katie, Lauren, Chelsea and Julia).
 Erin,
with her face painted, is ready to lead the kids in some fun activities.
As the children arrived they were encouraged to play and make new friends.
One station included an adventure maze consisting of cardboard boxes, nets
and string. Another station encouraged creativity and imagination as the
children used glue, card, plastic containers and coloured pens to design a
model of their choice. There was also a bubble station and a team game
station that included a large parachute and numerous footballs. It was a
delight to see so many young children play and interact for well over two
hours.
The afternoon finished with a ‘slip and slide,’ a long strip of plastic
material covered in soapy water. The children lined up and took turns
running and sliding along the plastic and onto the grass. It was as much fun
watching each other ‘slip and slide’ as it was to have a go! Wet and soapy,
everyone walked to the Globe Theatre for a final group photo on the school
steps before saying good bye.
The Regent’s School would like to say a big thank you to the Canadian ‘Play
Around the World’ team for bringing their great idea to our school and
sharing such a wonderful day with us. (For more information on Round Square
and Regent’s RS activities please contact Paul Crouch at
[email protected]).
(L to R) Katie, Julia and
Lauren from Alberta University in Canada have been working hard with
numerous children’s organizations in and around Pattaya and Chiang Mai.
One station encouraged
creativity and imagination as the children used glue, card, plastic
containers and coloured pens to design a model of their choice.
A bit of football – something
most all kids enjoy.
Creativity surfaced at this
station.
The afternoon finished with a
‘slip and slide,’ a long strip of plastic material covered in soapy water.
Shenanigans promises free beer tomorrow!
Miss Terry Diner
August 9 was a memorable day for Shenanigans Irish Pub, hidden away
under the Marriott Resort and Spa, where it had been for the previous 10
years. Landlord Simon Dutton could easily promise “Free beer tomorrow”
as August 9 was the last day of trading for Shenanigans.
 Phew,
all this packing is wearing me out.
The final day was celebrated with an enormous blow-out party where many
of the thousands of people who had drunk there came to say farewell.
This even included former Landlord Kim Fletcher (these days at Jameson’s
Irish Pub) and reformed tipplers like Rod Skinner!
However, it was not really tears amongst the beers, as Simon Dutton
explained in an exclusive interview on Pattaya Mail TV, it was a ‘moving
on up’ party, as Shenanigans was moving across the street (Second Road),
and up to the first floor of the new ‘The Avenue’ center.
Much of the old Shenanigans was also moving across and up, with the
office looking like a building demolition site, with assorted
bric-a-brac having already been pulled off the walls, ready to be
reassembled and installed in the new Shenanigans. Simon also assured the
regulars that they would easily recognize the new venue for Shenanigans,
with much of the layout and the horseshoe bar having been recreated,
even down to the black and white tiles on the floor (which more than one
person had studied at close range during the 10 years!).
It was an evening for nostalgia and “Remember the night when…” at the
last party for Shenanigans in the dungeon. However, with the promise of
‘free beer tomorrow’ spirits remained high.
The new, ‘moved on up’ Shenanigans in The Avenue will have a soft
opening around August 20, and the official head wetting for the new
premises will be held in early September.
No more downstairs, says the Doc. It’ll be
upstairs from now own says Simon.
Simon with Dennis Willett, president of the
Pattaya Sports Club, a regular at Shenanigans.
Kim Fletcher left) former landlord of
Shenanigans and Malcolm come to say farewell.
Leprechauns et al will be moving too.
Free beer tomorrow, today we still take
cash.
Last call before we set sail.
This picture is for the history books.
Pattaya becoming more sophisticated - thanks to the Marriott
Miss Terry Diner
The Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa has opened a new wine cellar
catering to both residents and guests with their World Wide Wines. On
hand to oversee the opening was cluster general manager Somsak
Tanruengsri, assisted by the new food and beverage manager Sebastian
Kleinsman, and Cannon Pacific’s MD, Ekachai Mahaguna. The cellar has
currently 150 labels, covering both old and new worlds, and will shortly
be expanded to 200 labels.
 F&B
manager Sebastian Kleinsman (left) and Dr Iain Corness (right) sample
some of the fine wine on display.
As well as presenting the wines in the usual temperature controlled
cellar, the Marriott is providing some open bottles for tasting each
day, along with some cheese, tapas or antipasti or whatever, according
to the whim of the Marriott’s Kitchen Operations Manager Luis Zamora.
Knowing the growing Pattaya penchant for good wines and food, the
Marriott now supplies both, with a special three course menu available
at the Elephant Bar, which offers special dishes, along with three
glasses of wine chosen to complement the food from their World Wide
Wines. At under 3,000 baht per head this is another addition to the fine
wine and dine possibilities available in Pattaya.
The cellar is open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and it is well worth popping
in and perusing the range. On opening night we sampled some excellent
wines, including a Lindemann’s Chardonnay, Francis Coppola Zinfandel and
a Penfold’s Bin 8, while nibbling on some wonderful cheeses, including a
Parmesan, plus Edam, Gouda, Australian Brie and some delectable
antipasti.
(L to R) Cannon Pacific MD Ekachai Mahaguna,
Peter Thorand and GM Somsak Tanruengsri are excited about the new wine
cellar.
Marriott is providing some open bottles for
tasting each day, along with some cheese, tapas or antipasti or
whatever, according to the whim of the Marriott’s Kitchen Operations
Manager Luis Zamora (2nd left).
Swiss National Day celebrated at Bruno’s
Elfi Seitz
Swiss Ambassador Dr Rodolphe Imhoof and his wife Martine came to Pattaya
on August 3 for a slightly belated celebration of Switzerland’s National
Day, which takes place on August 1 each year.
 H.E.
Rodolfe Imhoof leads Fredi Schaub and Claudio Forti in a toast in honour
of the Swiss National Day.
Fredi Schaub, owner of Bruno’s Restaurant on Thappraya Road, once more
excelled himself by organizing a wonderful party that was attended not
only by Swiss but also by many international guests. The location was
fully booked, for there is always a lot of fun when any celebration is
held by Fredi at Bruno’s.
Guest chef throughout August is Claudio Forti from Turin, and he had
created the menu for this occasion.
Dr Imhoof mentioned that he participated in last year’s National Day
celebration at Bruno’s and that he was always happy to return. “It’s
always a pleasure for my wife and I to come to Pattaya and enjoy Fredi’s
hospitality.”
The ambassador has been in office for a year and a half now, with the
same period still ahead. He gave a brief report about the current
economic and political situation in Switzerland, and raised his glass to
propose a toast to Thailand’s King and Queen and to Swiss President
Micheline Calmy-Rey.
The sumptuous buffet had boiled beef salad Thurgau-style with white
asparagus, yellow Ticino bell pepper cream soup, John Dory fillet in
light white wine cream sauce, veal tenderloin Zurich-style in morel
cream sauce, and Geneva pear pie.
It was late at night when the first guests began to leave. Even Dr
Imhoof and his wife stayed far longer than planned. As one can see,
guests at Bruno’s are always at ease.
Martine Imhoof (left) greets Elfi Seitz
chief editor of the Pattaya Blatt.
Fredie Schaub and the lovely Kanda welcome
H.E. Rodolfe and Martine
Imhoof to Bruno’s.
Jim Lumsden (2nd right) surrounded by
gorgeous people.
The Swiss Siam International management
graced the national day celebrations.
Swiss nationals and their guests enjoying
the gala evening.
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