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Book signing at Jameson’s
There will be a book signing at Jameson’s Irish Pub on
Friday, September 28, of the newly published book, “Farang, Thailand through
the eyes of an ex-pat” written by the Pattaya Mail’s Special Correspondent,
Dr. Iain Corness.
 The
good doctor signs a copy of his book for PMTV presenter Paul Strachan.
The book has 60 humorous short stories covering Dr. Iain’s experiences in
the kingdom, dating back 32 years to his first visit, followed by annual
holidays here, and then especially over the past 10 years of his living in
Thailand full time. In this period he married a Thai lady and started a
second family. “Second Time Dads” is one of the stories in the book that all
the second time dads will immediately relate to; the joys, the frustrations
and the differences between first and second families.
Written in a light-hearted way, the book has already shown itself to be a
very popular publication with both ex-pat residents and tourists, with the
publishers Maverick House in the UK already receiving great reviews from
readers.
The book has been available in the UK since the end of August, and in
Thailand for the past two weeks and Bookazine say that already supplies are
becoming limited, but they will take as many as they can to the book signing
which is at Jameson’s on Friday the 28th between 7-8 p.m. Jameson’s (Soi AR,
next to Nova Park) is supplying a keg of beer and some wine and finger food
for the thirsty book buyers!
This is your chance to get a personalized book, signed by the author, from
the prestigious first printing run.
Charity ballet will raise funds for YWCA projects
The Dance Studio dance troupe
poses with the YWCA organizers of the event.
Narisa Nitikarn
The YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center is to stage a charity ballet in association with
the Dance Studio to raise income for its main upcoming projects.
Dujduan Ruangwettiwong, the YWCA’s chairwoman, said that permission has also
been obtained for the musical compositions of His Majesty the King to be played
during the event, which is named the Prasuthon-Manora charity ballet.
Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawalee will open the event at 1 p.m. on October
6 at the Alcazar Theater on Pattaya Second Road.
YWCA projects include the school lunch fund, scholarships supporting students in
need, Sai Yai Rak Camp, and a fund for the support of disaster victims.
His Majesty’s compositions to be featured are Artit Up Saeng, Yam Kam, Oh I Say,
and the Kinnari Waltz, blending the musical heritages of Thailand and Europe.
The announcement for the charity ballet was made on September 10 at the Diana
Garden Resort in North Pattaya, with Sopin Thappajug, a former chairwoman of the
YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center presiding.
Ticket prices are 250 baht (pupils and students), 500 baht, 800 baht, and 1,000
baht. For reservations or for more information contact the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya
Center at tel 038 716316 or 087 4957795 (Joy), or Dance Studio at tel 038 361908
or 081 8652987 (Dujduan).
A Little House in the Jungle
B. Tuppin Charity
Chairman PSC
The aptly named premises in a small soi off Sunee Plaza is the initiative of
the World Vision Group which is a Christian relief, development and advocacy
organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to
overcome poverty. This area is home to many young children facing a
difficult future. The purpose of this establishment is to offer a haven and
perhaps an alternative to their current activities.
Currently some sixty children are taking advantage of the comfort and safety
of this sanctuary, but as the children require help so does the World Vision
Group to hold the attention of these kids and to offer real alternatives to
their current activities.
The House, staffed by Joey and two assistants, has plans to offer
educational and vocational training to these children supported by teachers
from the Fountain of Life and other community spirited organisations and
individuals. The offer for PSC to participate came from Ingrid and Roseanne
of the PILC. A subsequent meeting with Joey at the premises soon revealed
the many needs required to keep the project on track. Of most importance was
some furniture, as they had no seating at all, and the fledgling band was
without guitars and keyboard. It was not hard to recognize the value to the
community of this project and it was soon decided to join forces to fund the
purchase of these items.
These donations have been a great help to the people at the Little House in
the Jungle, but more help is required to assure that this very worthwhile
endeavour succeeds; other parties are invited to help. The band and dancers
practice daily. Drop by and say hello; you will be most welcome.
Bernie and PILC ladies playing
on the furniture.
PCEC members gear
up for World Heart Day
The forthcoming ‘World Heart Day’ on September 29th was
the main focus at this week’s meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC)
on Sunday September 16th at Henry J. Bean’s.
 Dr
Sutaporn addresses the PCEC.
The morning got underway with this week’s MC Jim Jones welcoming the main
speaker of the morning, Dr Sutaporn Ratanapanop, Cardiac Rehabilitation
Physician from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre at the Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya. Free blood pressure checks were also available to the attendees.
Dr Sutaporn addressed three main topics which were Heart Attack, Coronary
Risk Factors and Exercise. The symptoms of a suspected heart attack were
described together with the immediate actions to be taken.
Coronary Risk Factors included smoking, high blood pressure, high blood
cholesterol, and inactivity. Whilst smoking was considered to be the highest
risk factor, it is never too late to take control by giving up the habit and
avoiding second hand smoke.
Dr Sutaporn described the damage to the arteries that high blood pressure
can cause plus the need to limit the intake of foods which contain high
levels of LDL cholesterol such as duck, pork and shrimp which can deposit
plaque on the artery walls causing blood flow blockage. He encouraged the
consumption of food containing HDL cholesterol such as fruit and vegetables.
Of equal importance was the need to exercise, which assists in the control
of cholesterol levels, weight, blood pressure and stress. The types of
exercise are aerobic, resistance and flexibility. For example, a 10 pound
reduction in body weight can greatly reduce the risk of heart related
problems.
Dr Sutaporn drew attention to the special programme of tests and checkup
packages made available by the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya in recognition of
‘World Heart Day’ on September 29th.
PCEC Chairman Richard Smith then announced that the PCEC would be welcoming
a special speaker at the next meeting on Sunday 23rd September. This will be
Ittiphol, a leading mayoral candidate who will be presenting his vision for
Pattaya. Richard also distributed a questionnaire asking for suggestions for
the next PCEC trip.
Richard Silverberg then presented his always informative ‘Website of the
Week’ which this week concerned the less than glamorous, but never the less
critical, subject of data backup. It is estimated that 6% of all computers
will fail during the course of a year, placing the data which they hold at
risk. Remote backup is available over the internet and Richard recommended
www.mozy.com/home which offers 2 gigabyte of storage at no charge.
Bob L’Etoile was welcomed back to reform the partnership with Harry Sigworth
in the mediation of the regular Open Forum which proved to be informative
and often hilarious. 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, visit the Club’s
website at pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
Two butcher shops issued with warning as borax is found in pork
Narisa Nitikarn
Two pork butcher shops at Amorn Nakorn Market have been issued with written
warnings after the Consumer Protection Bureau found traces of borax in
minced pork during an inspection.
 Officials
check for contaminants at the Amarin market and find that minced pork there
had borax added to it.
Inspectors, who took random samples from six pork butcher shops, said the
owners would be arrested and fined if borax is found again.
Mrs Bubpa Songsakulchai, head of the Consumer Protection Bureau, which comes
under Pattaya Public Health and Environment Office said the tests were
carried out in association with Banglamung Hospital. An earlier survey three
months ago at the same market had revealed contaminants in many shops, and
the owners were given warnings.
Last week small fresh food sellers in Pattaya were inspected and a lot more
contaminants were discovered. Questioning revealed that the small sellers
ordered fresh food, particularly minced pork from Amorn Nakorn Market. On
September 4, the bureau and Banglamung Hospital carried out another survey
at the market. Emphasis was placed on pork butchers’ shops. Samples were
taken at random from six shops, and borax was found in minced pork in two of
them.
The written warnings are to the effect that if contaminants were found in
the food again, a report would be made to the police. The Food Act Article
26 (1) and Article 25 (1) makes it clear that selling contaminated food is
an illegal activity punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment and a 20,000
baht fine.
“Borax in meat is effective for the meat not spoiling for a period of two to
three days, and also makes it look more colorful and appetizing,” said
Bubpa. “Therefore, some avaricious pork butcher shops use borax so that the
goods can be sold over a period of many days. But when a consumer eats food
that has borax added to it, it can cause gastroenterological disease, and
finally even colorectal cancer.”
The two shops where the contaminants were found were Tanakorn, where the
owner told officials that the shop had ordered the pork from somewhere else
and he was not aware of any contaminants; and Amarin, whose owner had a
similar story.
The Consumer Protection Bureau team also carried out a survey at Lanpo
Market to check for borax. Samples were taken at random as at Amorn Nakorn,
but no contaminants were found.
Any shop holders or consumers wishing to discuss the problem of contaminants
in food can contact the Consumer Protection Bureau at tel 038 253100 ext
3210, 3213 and 3278, or Banglamung Hospital at tel 038 411551-2.
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