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Oktoberfest at the Pinnacle
Miss Terry Diner
To the delight of over 500 guests, the Pinnacle Grand Resort and
Spa at NaJomtien celebrated the famous Bavarian custom known as
Oktoberfest last week. Ingo Rauber, the Pinnacle Resort’s GM fully
realized that this was November, and not October, but there was a
precedent for holding the event in the ‘wrong’ month, as it has also
been previously held in September in Munich, due apparently to the more
clement weather at that time. And down in Jomtien, the guests at the
Pinnacle’s Oktoberfest could not have asked for better November weather
this year, cool and a mild breeze, as opposed to some previous October
years when gales were experienced and the beer tent all but ended up in
the swimming pool.
 The
Alphorn is always a highlight at any Oktoberfest party.
Novoberfest this year also featured the German band the Original
Williams MusiKanten featuring plenty of Oom-pah-pah, accordions, brass
instruments and an alphorn, and even more audience participation, with
500 guests singing in unison and swaying with the music. Munich would
have been proud of them all!
The celebration was fuelled by many wines, but most of the revelers
stuck with beer (German of course) with several hogsheads of Erdinger
Weissbier and Warsteiner Pilsener being consumed, washing down the BBQ
buffet items, including Nuremberger sausages, suckling pig on the spit
and roasted pork knuckles. Perhaps it was just coincidence that the Casa
Pascal restaurant was one of the sponsors of the evening, with Kim and
Pascal Schnyder and Dr Schnyder in attendance.
The evening was also used by the Pinnacle Grand to raise funds for the
Youth Leadership Development Foundation, with some excellent items being
auctioned by Pattaya’s newest author Dr. Iain Corness, including flights
with Lufthansa to Asian and European destinations, some holidays in
Pinnacle Resorts and fine dining meals at Casa Pascal. The final item
was a solid gold specially minted 100 euro coin, complete with its
certificate of authentication. The bidding was fast and furious for this
item, eventually going to one lucky collector for B. 14,000. The grand
total raised was B. 109,000 to be used for furthering the education of
some local school children.
One of the other sponsors was LTU, the German Airline who presented a
flight to Europe, used as a lucky draw.
In Europe, at the original Oktoberfests, it is well known that there are
people who overestimate their ability to handle large amounts of
alcohol, with many falling down inebriated (very easy to do with heady
German beer and large steins), and these especially drunk patrons are
known as “Bierleichen” (German for “beercorpses”). They are then brought
by staff to a medical tent where drunks as well as sick people are
treated. Fortunately this was not necessary at this Novoberfest!
Many revelers continued well into the late evening, some nibbling on the
gingerbread hearts decorated with icing saying “I love you”. A few were
exchanged during the festivities.
No matter which month Oktoberfest is held in, the one at the Pinnacle
Grand at Jomtien was one of the most enjoyable. The Pattaya Mail TV’s
Mike Franklin recorded it for posterity and it can be viewed through
most local cable TV operators.
The audience
participation, with 500 guests singing in unison, would have
made Munich proud.
The Original Williams
MusiKanten features plenty of Oom-pah-pah.
Dr. Iain Corness and Ingo
Rauber, GM of Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort & Spa, are all smiles at the
Oktoberfestivities.
Hilda Nordlander (2nd
left) receives the round trip Bangkok-Germany
airline tickets she won from LTU.
Oktoberfest is fun no
matter where you celebrate it.
These celebrants are
certainly dressed for the occasion.
Markus Moschner, LTU
regional manager Asia (back center) with staff and Sue are geared up for
Oktoberfest.
US Navy League celebrates 232nd birthday
Elfi Seitz
The US Navy League, a club that found its way into Pattaya last
year, has celebrated the 232nd anniversary of its establishment, and many
elegantly dressed guests and Navy officers gathered at Marriott Resort and
Spa to celebrate in appropriate style.
 Fallen
marines are honored.
The gathering was served champagne, wine and snacks upon arrival, and took
the opportunity to admire an exhibition of jewelry, with the items available
if the wallet was willing.
The evening was opened by Bobby Brooks, US Navy League president, who
introduced the club and guests like Capt Bruce Watson, who also gave a
speech. “My wife always told me not to speak for more than five minutes,
because otherwise people would get bored. Though, today I have many things
to say,” he said, and went on to talk about the history of the US Navy,
enlivened with humorous asides.
Following the much-applauded speech and toasts to His Majesty the King and
to the United States, there was a minute of silence in memory of the fallen
Marines.
 Peter
Thorand leads through the ceremony.
US Navy League member Peter Thorand led through the ceremony. He obviously
enjoyed introducing the beautiful ladies of the first and second categories
who demonstrated jewelry from the Chantaburi Jewelry Association and World
Gems.
The guests excitedly waited to see who would win the raffle prices. Vouchers
for the Amari Resort Koh Chang, King Seafood Restaurant and from both
jewelry shops were given away.
Another highlight of the evening was the cutting of the birthday cake, done
by Capt Watson and Bobby Brooks.
The Thai Navy Band from Bangkok provided hot rhythms throughout the
function.
L to R: Petty Officer Bruce,
President Bobby Brooks, Capt Bruce Watson and Tienchai Mungkorn, retired
Admiral, pose for the official cake cutting.
Ladies from the YWCA pose for
a picture with some smart Navy Officers. L to R: Visa, Elfi Seitz, Apple,
Nittaya and Premruedee.
The Thai Navy Band provides
first class musical entertainment.
The Thai Connection.
Quality jewelry is presented
by international beauties.
Amari’s Ocean Tower is launched in grand style
Elfi Seitz
The 5-star Amari Ocean Tower was launched in grand style with
its formal opening party on November 1, held in the resort’s Mantra
restaurant, followed by a huge party for hundreds of those who have
supported the project, held on November 3.
 Nantida
Kaewbuasai has the audience in the palm of her hands.
Chonburi Deputy Governor Komsan Ekachai and Deputy Mayor Ronakit
Ekasingh were among the guests who offered their congratulations to
Amari managing director Kurt Rufli and his team who included Amari
Orchid general manager Dominik Stamm and Ocean Tower manager Marco
Seiler, at the formal opening.
The cocktail reception was followed by an inspection of the rooms and
facilities in the Tower, which forms an integral 5-star wing of the
4-star Amari Orchid Resort.
Red and black were theme colors of the party held on November 3, with
most of the guests dressing accordingly, and the champagne, wine and
food in full flow all evening.
Performers from Patravadee Theater presented revivals of traditional
Thai dances, and an interlude by Sumet & the Pang had the audience
applauding enthusiastically. The crowd also gave a great reception to
singer Nantida Kaewbuasai, whose music appealed to young and old alike.
 The
special show performed by Pattarawadee Theatre is a hit.
In his speech, Kurt Rufli talked about his own long association with
Pattaya. He had started his career as general manager of what was then
the Nipa Lodge, and is now the Nova Lodge, way back in the 1960s.
“Amari is committed to Pattaya,” he said. “We strongly believe in the
long-term potential of this destination that has developed to become a
major tourist attraction.
“The investment we have made with the Ocean Tower project reflects this,
and Amari will continue playing an active part in helping to develop and
improve the Eastern Seaboard region.”
Rufli then introduced two members of his team, both of who have played a
major part in contributing to the Amari Resort’s success, namely general
manager Dominik Stamm and Somkid Impiew, who has been working for the
Amari Orchid for more than 20 years.
Nijaporn Charanachitta, one of the owners of the Amari Group, thanked
the management and the staff for their peerless and efficient work in
making the Amari Orchid a hospitality industry leader today, and for
bringing the Ocean Tower project to fruition.
A spectacular fireworks display then lit up the night, and the party
continued with some of the more tireless revelers keeping going until
dawn.
Ocean Tower, the new
five-star wing at the Amari Orchid Resort in North Pattaya had its grand
opening ceremony on November 1.
(From left) Bhakanundh
Thanasom, director of public relations, Amari Orchid Resort & Tower;
Attawut Phokeaw, advisor to the mayor, Pol. Lt. Col. Sutin Suppuang,
former superintendent at the Pattaya Police Station; Dominik Stamm,
general manager, Amari Orchid Resort and Tower; Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn, Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, Bundit Sirithunyhong,
and Panchaya Hongpairoch.
(From left) Geev Andre
Behrampoori, restaurant operations manager, Mantra Restaurant & Bar,
Judy Hoppe, and Dominik Stamm.
(From left) Suwanthep
Malhotra, Pierre-Andre Pelletier,
General Manager of the Amari Watergate Hotel, and Ashley Monteiro,
managing director of Pathfinders Travel Co., Ltd.
(From left) Dominik Stamm,
Nittaya Patimasongkroh, and Bhakanundh Thanasom, director of public
relations.
(From 2nd left to right)
Kurt Rufli, Suwanthep Malhotra, Dominik Stamm, Bhakanundh Thanasom and
Pratheep S. Malhotra.
Häfele celebrates 4th anniversary in Pattaya
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Häfele Design Studio celebrated its fourth year of operations in Pattaya on
November 3, with the hardware and furniture fittings group announcing that
by the end of this year there would be six branches in Thailand.
 Managing
Director Volker Hellstern (left) and Stefan Huber, chief executive of
international business, raise a glass to the success of the newest Häfele
Design Studio.
Representatives of the construction, interior design and furniture sectors
attended the anniversary celebrations.
Häfele, which has outlets in 36 countries, will have branches in Bangkok,
Phuket, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Bangpo and Pattaya by the end of this year.
Häfele (Thailand) Limited is headed by managing director Volker Hellstern,
with Charley Geser as showroom manager of Hafele Design Studio in Pattaya.
Rattana Poonsanga, general sales manager of Häfele (Thailand) said that
Pattaya and the Eastern region are growing strongly and that customers are
becoming increasingly discerning in quality, design and delivery, as well as
in competitive pricing.
Rattana said that because of the need to display products and layouts to
potential customers in the region, the company has recently expanded its
showroom facilities here to cover an area of 850 square meters, as well as
having a warehouse with 2,300 products in store.
Suwanthep Malhotra (right), executive
director-sales & marketing for Pattaya Mail, along with Paul Strachan
(left), production manager for Pattaya Mail on TV,
present a congratulatory flower basket to Charley Geser,
showroom manager of Häfele Design Studio in Pattaya.
Casa Pascal Restaurant catered the food and
beverages, which were
once again outstanding.
(From left) Rattana Poonsanga, general sales
manager for Häfele (Thailand) Limited; Charley Geser, showroom manager of
Häfele Design Studio in Pattaya; Greg Blain, GM-sales & marketing
architectural; Tab The, general project manager; and Yannick Schwab,
regional sales manager, Asia.
Dragon Chang Beer House launches regular Friday Night Party
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The Dragon Chang Beer House held the first of its Friday Night
Parties on November 2, an event that the management plans to hold in future
on the first Friday of every month.
This first party was held to celebrate the first month of operations for the
beer house, which opened at the Diana Dragon Hotel on October 5 as a venture
between the hotel and Chang Beer.
 Komsan
Seesam begins the proceedings with a welcoming speech.
Dragon Chang Beer House is located in the basement of the Diana Dragon Hotel
on Soi Diana Inn.
At the first Friday Night Party, general manager of the Diana Group Komsan
Seesam gave a welcome speech and thanked the Thai and foreign customers for
attending. Featured during the evening was live music, a bartender show, and
a questions-and-answers game for prizes. There was a drinking competition to
see who could sink the contents of three small bottles of Chang Beer the
fastest, and a “Long Laugh” event, of which Montree Kotchawong of PMTV was
the winner.
There was also a distribution of condoms to all customers who attended,
which was greatly appreciated.
The bartender show was
dazzling.
Montree Kotchawong of PMTV won
the “Long Laugh” event.
The International Music Band
provided live music on the night.
Five “healthy” contestants
take part in the beer drinking competition.
Austria celebrates National Day in Pattaya
Elfi Seitz
Austria celebrated its 52nd National Day on October 26, the
anniversary of the country’s liberation from military occupation.
 Rudi
Hofer (center) welcomes his guests from the Immigrations Police: Lt. Sumrouy
Saman (left) and Lt. Somsak Purisang.
On May 15, 1955, the Austrian State Treaty was concluded with the Four
Occupying Powers and the last soldier in the occupying army, a Russian, left
the territory. October 26 of the same year was the day Austria was declared
“permanently neutral” by act of Parliament. The state pledged to not build
military alliances with any other nation and to not tolerate any foreign
military power on the sovereign territory of Austria.
However, these principals have since been loosened to some degree, as
Austria supported UN sanctions on Iraq in 1991 and allowed warplanes to fly
over its territory. Austria became an EU member in 1995. In the same year,
it entered a partnership for peace with NATO and supported peace
negotiations for Bosnia.
 Kathrin
Lanzenhofer (left) from the Austrian Embassy came on behalf of the Austrian
ambassador to join the festivities in Pattaya.
Leading politicians in Austria emphasize on the country’s position as an
East-West coordinator. The nation was actively involved in the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and served for the UN-led
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. In 2005,
Austria dispatched 93 peace soldiers to Kunduz in order to monitor
parliamentary elections. Since 2002, Austria has spent 8.5 million euros on
anti-drug campaigns, mine excavations in war-zones and for women’s rights.
On October 25, a day prior to Austrian National Day, the Austrian Honorary
Consulate in Pattaya, Rudolf Hofer, organized the first time ever National
Day celebration in the city. Taking place at the Luxor Restaurant, more than
80 people showed up to celebrate with Consul Hofer, Kathrin Lanzenhofer from
the embassy in Bangkok, and immigration officers Lt Somsak Purisang and Lt
Sumrouy Saman.
 Rudolf
Hofer, Elfi Seitz and Kurt Krieger toast their homeland Austria.
Genuine Austrian wines were served along with the food. In his address,
Rudolf Hofer stated how proud he was to have organized the first National
Day party in Pattaya. He was surprised to see so many people showing up. The
consul expressed his best wishes to all attendees and promised to hold a
celebration like this one every year from now on.
Hofer covered all the costs for the party himself, saying he wanted all
guests to simply enjoy themselves. Considering that about 70 bottles of
Austrian wine were consumed, he was quite successful in achieving his
objective.
Kurt Krieger, the Austrian author in Pattaya, and I were requested to give
brief speeches. The following applause suggested that we did a good job.
Two quizzes also kept the evening lively, with the winner of both being
granted a one-year subscription to Pattaya Blatt. The first question, why
Austrian National Day is celebrated on October 26, was an easy one. There
was though only one person who knew the answer to the question: What was
then-Foreign Minister Figl’s blood type? Correct answer: G – which stands
for “Gumpoldskirchner”. For Figl was well-known for having a weakness for
this wine. And one phrase then-Chancellor Raab said to Figl concerning the
negotiations of the Austrian State Treaty is famous to this very day: “Now,
let’s fully intoxicate these Four once more – and then they’ll be under our
belt.”
Rudi Hofer had one more surprise up his sleeve as he handed a CD to every
guest. The title “The Tenth Federal State” addresses every Austrian living
in a foreign country. Thank you Rudolf Hofer – and see you next year.
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