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Hi-tech wheelchair presented to new Pattaya Hospital
Representatives from a number
of expat companies gather at city hall to donate an imported hi-tech
wheelchair for use in the new Pattaya Hospital.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
A number of foreign companies have worked in cooperation to donate an
imported hi-tech wheelchair valued at 180,000 baht to Pattaya City, for use
in the new Pattaya Hospital that is currently being constructed.
The wheelchair was presented to Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn at Pattaya
City Hall on October 29 by Bruno Pingel and a group of representatives from
the Ocean 1 Tower, along with representatives from Auto Exchange Co Ltd,
German Thai Group Co Ltd, Bruno’s Restaurant Co Ltd, Jai Photoshop, MMT
Services Co Ltd, Evva Asia Co Ltd, Freeway Construction Co Ltd, the Ambience
Hotel, and ARC Co Ltd.
Niran said the hospital is due to be ready by 2010, and that the wheelchair
would be used for patients undergoing operations.
The Jet 3 Ultra Power wheelchair is valued at 180,000 baht and has many
features including a special suspension system, a quickly adjustable seat, a
300-lb weight capacity, and a compact size for ease of handling in
restricted quarters.
Bhutan delegation tours
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Patcharapol Panrak
Bhutan’s Minister of Labor and Human Resources Dr Sonam Tenzin together with a
group of officials from the ministry visited Nong Nooch Tropical Garden on
October 27, accompanied by officials from the Thai Ministry of Labor and Human
Resources.
 Bhutan’s
Minister of Labor and Human Resources Dr Sonam Tenzin and a group of officials
from the ministry visited Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, accompanied by officials
from the Thai Ministry of Labor and Human Resources.
Accompanying Dr Sonam Tenzin were Nima Dorji, deputy permanent undersecretary at
the Bhutan ministry, and Pema Wangda, director general of the Labor Department.
The Thai group was led by Pairot Suksamrit, deputy permanent undersecretary of
the ministry, Dr Chaiyut Choawalitnithikul, advisor to skilled labor, Miss
Pimpaporn Thitayanan, foreign relations officer, and representatives of Chonburi
Governor Pracha Taerat.
At Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, the visitors were met by overseas manager Miss
Patidta Pakdeewiset and botanist Andreas Linstrom and given a guided tour of the
Bromelaceae Garden, the Orchid Garden and other gardens on the estate.
The educational visit was included as part of the official itinerary for the
Bhutan delegation, who were visiting Thailand at the invitation of the Ministry
of Labor and Human Resources. The delegation visited Chonburi over the period
October 26 to 27 and in addition to Nong Nooch was briefed on the tourism
attractions of the province.
PILC celebrates 20 years with Charity Masquerade Ball
Saturday 17th November
With dancing until 2 a.m. to
the “Pops All Stars Band” there will be plenty of time to get to the dance
floor, just like last year.
Elaine Poole
Twenty years on and the ladies are still looking good! The club started with
a small group of women meeting in friendship but with a purpose - to try to
help the local community. Today, the club has a membership of over 230, from
35 different countries, and raises millions of baht for local charities. The
Pattaya International Ladies Club has come a long way.
One of the major fund-raising events is the annual charity ball and this
year it will be a special occasion to celebrate the 20th Anniversary. The
organizing committee, headed up by lively American, Cindy Logue, has many
surprises in this years’ programme. But Cindy is not giving too much away.
The event is being hosted by the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel. You do not have to
be a PILC member to attend, and there are still a few tickets available.
The evening will start with a reception at 7.00 pm with sparkling wine.
Dinner is at 8 p.m. with a menu specially designed by the Royal Cliff’s
executive chef, Walter Thenisch. This year’s menu sounds delicious: smoked
salmon tartar; lobster bisque; tenderloin of beef or fillet of snapper, and
a chocolate based desert. All prepared with the finest quality ingredients
and culinary skills that have given the Royal Cliff such an outstanding
reputation. Or there is a full vegetarian menu if preferred. Wines for the
reception and throughout the meal have been chosen and sponsored by VS
Classic Wines Ltd.
This event would not be possible without sponsors, and this year there are a
record number: Volclay Siam, Mermaid Maritime, Dana Spicer-Rayong, Captain’s
Corner, Bechtel, Foster Wheeler, Emerson Climate Technologies, Shedden Uhde,
The Mercy Foundation, Premier Homes, Laem Chabang Terminal 1 and Laem
Chabang International.
A highlight of the evening is the auction when many fabulous items are up
for grabs. This year fantastic donations have been received for auction,
which include an antique silver bowl, an antique Chinese cabinet, an
original oil painting by a well-known Australian artist, a day cruise on a
luxury catamaran. Maurice Bromley, who has a lot of experience in the field,
has volunteered to be auctioneer for the evening. There will also be a
silent auction throughout the evening for some more fabulous items, all
donated by local businesses and individuals. “The auctions will be very
different this year,” said Cindy Logue, but she is not giving away any more
than that!
With dancing until 2.00 am to the “Pops All Stars Band” there will be plenty
of time to get to the dance floor.
All money raised will be used to continue the PILC welfare projects and to
support charities. Tickets are still available at 2200 baht per person.
Contact Cindy Logue, Special Events, cindylogue @hotmail.com/086-0397811.
Come and watch The Swim on the 11th
Graham Hunt-Crowley
Looking for something to do this Sunday? Wonder why they always tell you
what happened and not what will happen. Well, now is you chance to come and
watch the annual Cross Bay Charity Swim, now in its fourth year, organised
by the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya. The normal long swim starts from Bali
Hai Sea Rescue station at 1:00pm, across the bay to the Dusit Thani, a
distance of 3.5 km.
For the first time and by popular request, we are having short swim,
starting at 12 noon from the Hard Rock Hotel along the shoreline to the
Dusit. This swim is only 1.1km long, and has 2 categories: juniors and
adults. While there are still spaces available on the short swims, entry is
required by Saturday at the latest, for safety monitoring reasons. Minimum
sponsorship is 2,000 baht per swimmer.
Why not meet us at Chaba Beach at the top end Beach Road by the Dusit Thani
and watch the swimmers come ashore? To quench you thirst, there will be a
San Miguel Beer Tent - our beer sponsor, where you can buy San Mig Lite (the
money goes to our fund). Free soft drinks are also available.
Where does the sponsorship money go? We are currently installing water
filtration equipment in local rural schools so that they have clean drinking
water. (For more information, see our website link below.) We need more
money to continue that work, for which Rotary International has been awarded
the UN Association’s Humanitarian 2007 Award.
After the swim, there will be an evening party at the Lucky Time Bar in Soi
Nernplabwan, where the San Miguel Band will be playing. The Lucky Time Bar
has always been a major sponsor for this event and this year had collected
over 40,000 baht so far for this event.
Want to register as a short swim entrant or donate money for this very
worthwhile cause? Call: Graham on 08 1340 8852. For more information about
the swim and its goals, please visit:
http://www.rotary-jomtien-pattaya.org/2007__swim-promo.htm
Last year’s swimmers all had a
great time. So could you.
PCEC members are regaled with regional business info
The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday,
October 28th at Henry J. Bean’s not only consisted of another full and
varied morning but also a large amount of information exchange took place.
 Helmut
Buchberger addresses the PCEC.
The week’s MC, Roger Fox started the proceedings by introducing this week’s
main speaker, Helmut Buchberger. Helmut has been living in Thailand for 12
years and is managing director of ABC Asian Business Development Co Ltd, ABC
Asian Business Consulting Co Ltd and ABC Asian Legal Service Co Ltd, all of
which are based in Pattaya. Helmut provided a detailed insight into the
general conditions, especially from an economic point of view, of Thailand’s
neighbouring countries.
Thailand has long played a leading role in Southeast Asia in matters of
exports and investments but neighboring countries in recent years have begun
to open their markets to foreign investors. Malaysia is making efforts to
attract European and Asian investors, and also retired people. Foreigners
are allowed to buy designated property, including land, in their name if
they invest the equivalent of 55,000 euros. A foreigner at 50 years of age,
who can verify 33,000 euros on a Malaysian bank, is granted up to 10 years
right of residence. This can even be extended but, however, this does not
include a work permit. Some of the negative aspects in Malaysia include the
antiquated banking system, the strong influential power of the public
property department and the small number of lawyers outside the capital.
Laos tries to make it even easier for foreign investors. No Laotian partners
are needed to set up a business, except for land acquisition. A 100 percent
foreign involvement as well as a one-man business is possible. Labour costs
are at around 25 percent of Thai labour costs. Negative aspects are the poor
infrastructure, limited travel opportunities, antiquated banking, poor
communication networks, and no sea access.
Cambodia is also trying to attract foreign investors. The costs for setting
up a business are around 500 US dollars, including work and residence
permit. All paperwork can be carried out within two weeks. Widespread
corruption, poor infrastructure and the lack of a qualified workforce
present big difficulties.
Vietnam is experiencing a real economic boom. This year, Vietnam is
projected to achieve an economic growth of 9 percent. Over the past 10
years, the investment from Taiwan alone has exceeded the ten billion US
dollar mark. There is a multitude of large-scale projects being carried out.
On January 11 this year, Vietnam became a member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO). Its new investment laws assure foreign investors the
same rights as Vietnamese investors. There are 38 private and 33 foreign led
financial institutions in the country. Foreign enterprises are not required
to have Vietnamese partners. A work permit is granted upon the establishment
of a financial enterprise, and the wage costs are 50 percent lower than in
Thailand.
Helmut, having traveled to Vietnam for many years, has gained the impression
that its people have left the war years far behind them. Corruption has
declined substantially. Foreigners are not allowed to buy land, but they can
lease property and hold the right of use for 50 years. Vietnam has signed a
double taxation treaty with several countries and offers tax benefits for
various fields, including exports.
Helmut Buchberger can be contacted for more information on 038 414 436 or by
e-mail to [email protected].
Next to speak was Greg Pitt, managing director of Mackenzie Smith Law who on
9th October introduced a 24 / 7 Emergency Helpline which is available should
help be needed in the event of a road traffic accident, lost or stolen
property or for a more serious matter. Access to the helpline is free but a
charge would be made if an attendance was required. The Helpline can be
contacted at 02 655 3535.
Chairman Richard Smith reported on the very successful visit to the Chonburi
Buffalo Races when the PCEC was honoured by the presence of the governor.
Board Member Michel de Goumois announced that the next Members Dinner will
take place on Wednesday 14th November at the Paradise Resort, Naklua. It was
also announced that Henry J. Beans restaurant will be celebrating its 17th
anniversary on 17th November with a number of promotional activities.
Richard Silverberg’s ‘Website of the Week’ was www.digg. com which Richard
described as an opportunity to share interesting material with the community
of users.
The regular Open Forum was conducted by Bob L’Etoile but this week without
the target of his jokes, Sig Sigworth. As always it provided an opportunity
for questions about living in Thailand with an emphasis on Pattaya to be
asked. The Open Forum again 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, visit the Club’s website at
pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
Kopai Nursery School
receives donation
Judy Hoppe (2nd left) presents
a worthy donation to Sukayana Seaton (left) and Dianne Doll (2nd right) to
help the Ghaopai Nursery School.
Judy Hoppe
The Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya, in conjunction with donations from the
Pattaya Mail PC Classic Royal Cliff Beach Resort International Regatta,
recently donated money to the Kopai Nursery School.
The donation will help support a pre-school program that serves people in
Pattaya who could not otherwise afford child care. The nursery school is
also supported by Mercy Ministries, the City of Pattaya, PILC, the Jesters
Care for Kids and other donors.
Judy Hoppe (past president of Jomtien Pattaya Rotary) is pictured here
presenting the money to Sukayana (Pim) Seaton who organized the opening of
this nursery school. Pim is a member of the Pattaya International Ladies
Club and a strong supporter of the Mercy Center and always looks for ways to
help Thai people who are in need.
Amor dinner raises 200,000 baht
There was a packed house of 56 at the Amor restaurant on
Sunday October 28 for a funding raising dinner on behalf of Pattaya Gay
Festival sponsored charities, especially Heartt2000 which provides treatment
for sufferers from HIV and AIDS in Chonburi province under the supervision
of Dr Philippe Seur.
 Jim
Lumsden (left) gratefully accepts a generous donation from Neal Bernard at
the PGF charity dinner.
At the dinner, many individuals and companies provided prizes for the ticket
raffle including Neal Bernard who donated a total of 100,000 baht for PGF
funds - including a brand new Honda motorbike to be raffled at PGF’s finale
street party in early November and added to the final tally at that time.
This year’s PGF chairman Richard Burk, who is also proprietor of the Amor
restaurant, said he was delighted by the turn-out and the generous donations
which meant that the evening had raised in the region of 200,000 baht. He
added that the PGF as a whole was well on target to exceeding last year’s
grand total of cash to assist with anti retro-viral drugs sufferers in the
area.
Medical checks for Thepprasit
Community on National Nurses Day
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya commemorated National Nurses Day by organizing free
medical checkups for the Thepprasit Community.
 Nurses
from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya provide free health checks to Thepprasit
Community residents on National Nurse Day.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay and Surapant Taweewikayakarn, assistant
director of the hospital, said that the day was being held in honor of Her
Royal Highness the Princess Mother, herself a former nurse, and who devoted
much of her life to the nursing profession.
Members of Thepprasit Community received checks on primary health, on blood
sugar levels, and on blood pressure. Medicines and blankets were also
donated to the community.
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