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Pattaya longboat races could become national event says Nongprue mayor
Pattaya Mail reporters
A huge crowd gathered at the Mabprachan Reservoir last weekend
to watch a 2-day event featuring traditional long boat races. Held
November 17 to 18, viewers stood along the banks of the reservoir and
wildly cheered as the rowers showed their athletic prowess and competed
against each other in the spirit of friendly rivalry.
 A
replica of the Royal Barges deliver the Royal Trophies before the races
begin.
The event, now in its 7th year, has become such a success, Mayor of
Nongprue Municipality Mai Chaiyanit said that in future there is a
possibility the races could go national, particularly as Mabprachan
Reservoir will be used for the SEA Games rowboat competition this
December.
The Chonburi Administrative Organization, Nongprue Municipality, Pong
Sub-district, Pattaya City, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Central Region 3 jointly organized the races. Sontaya Khunplome, former
minister of tourism and sport presided over the official opening.
A re-enactment of a Royal Barge procession started the event, before the
various categories began the contests.
Boats have always played an important role in Thai society. Throughout
history communities along the rivers, klongs and waterways of the
kingdom have depended on boats for fishing and transporting goods.
One of Thailand’s most unique and colorful boats is the ‘rue yao’ or
long boat. Originally designed for battle against aggressors, this
unique and beautifully crafted vessel is now used in races. Young
powerful rowers from towns along the waterways compete against each
other in friendly rivalry to bring fun to this vibrant celebration that
marks the country’s rainy season.
King Ekatossaroth of the Ayutthaya era loved watching long boat races.
He is credited for officially marking the annual festival for long boat
racing on ‘Auk Pansaa’, the day which marks the end of Buddhist Lent in
November, and personally presented prizes to the winner. Since then the
boats were gradually adapted and altered from a battle-boat to fit the
need of ordinary people.
The unique characteristics of the long boat distinguished itself from
other type of vessels used in daily life. The three sizes of boat are
categorized by the number of rowers, the longest boat or the large size
longboats contain from 41 up to 55 rowers, the middle length boat or the
Medium size longboats carry from 31 to 40 rowers, and the small boat or
the small size longboats are powered by 30 rowers and below.
In the past the purpose of long boat racing was only to entertain people
along the riverside, and they did not race for money but just a piece of
Pha Khao Mar or a bottle of whiskey. Today, however, many more lavish
prizes await the winners and the celebrations have become a great
tourist attraction.
This year, Sao Duangkaew, a 55-man boat racing team from Singburi, won
the HRH Princess Sirindhorn Trophy for the second consecutive year and
took home the 100,000 baht prize.
Winner of the 12-30-man crew was the Chan Chao team from Pathumthani,
who received the HRH Princess Soamsawalee Trophy along with 50,000 baht.
The winner of the male five-man crew midget boat category was the Thai
Royal Navy Team, and the Thappraya Team won the female category.
Other events taking place alongside the boat races included a buffalo
race, a youth long drum competition and adult long drum competition.
Ox-drawn carriages lead
the parade.
Local students compete in
the long drum competition.
Oarsmen go all out to win
the race.
This race is close right
to the finish.
Buffalo races are not only
exciting, but also preserve a unique Chonburi tradition.
100,000 crowd into Pattaya for city’s
most exciting Loy Krathong festival
Amari GM Dominik Stamm
presents the awards to the winner
of the hotel’s
Nang Noppamas contest.
Two pretty young girls get
ready to float their krathong in Pattaya bay.
Intently watching how to weave
a wicker basket near Bali Hai Pier.
He loves me, he loves me not,
he loves me…
A young lady sets her krathong
afloat at Montien Hotel Pattaya.
A young couple floats their
krathong down near the pier.
Two lovely Nang Noppamases
prepare to loy their krathongs at Jomtien Boathouse.
Young Nang Noppamas
contestants dance the ramwong.
Classical Thai dance from the
north on display near Bali Hai Pier.
Achana Snitwongse Na Ayudhaya
(2nd right), managing director of the Montien Hotel Pattaya, presents the
awards to winners of the hotel’s Nang Noppamas contest.
Nang Noppamas
contestants line up at Dusit Thani Pattaya.
Winners one and all!
Young couples ready to float
their krathongs at Dusit Thani Pattaya.
Loy, loy krathong! Guests from
the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya make their way
to the beach to float their
krathongs.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The crowds turned out for Pattaya’s Loy Krathong festival on
November 24, with Thai and foreign tourists alike joining in the fun.
Walking Street and in particular the Bali Hai Pier area, Pattaya Beach Road
and Jomtien Beach saw the most action, and the official estimates that there
were more than 100,000 tourists this year seem realistic.
There were traffic jams in some areas, and on Jomtien Beach some people were
arrested for illegally setting off bottle rockets and fireworks, but
otherwise the crowds were orderly.
Pattaya Mail reporters were out and about and said that this year the event
was probably its most exciting yet.
The festivities centered round Bali Hai Pier, and were opened by Chonburi
Governor Pracha Taerat.
Most of the tourists used krathongs made from natural materials, and the
vendors were selling krathongs made from slices of banana tree trunks
decorated with banana leaves and flowers, or made from bread. Prices ranged
between 30 and 500 baht, depending on the size and style.
Hotels, restaurants and bars held their own parties, organizing dinners and
Miss and Children’s Noppamas contests. Staff at most of the venues dressed
in traditional Thai attire, which added greatly to the charm of this most
gentle of Thai festivals and impressed local and foreign tourists equally.
Final Seaboard Sundowners for 2007
Dr. Iain Corness
The final Seaboard Sundowners, the networking event promoted by the
Australian Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham), was held at the Amari Orchid
Resort and Tower last weekend.
 Barry
J. Rumpf, director NK Facility Services Limited and L. Peter Johansson,
managing director, Tellus Systems Limited.
For most, it was their first time to experience the ‘new’ Amari Orchid, and
local GM Dominic Stamm was obviously delighted to give the AustCham members
and guests a brief run-down on the new facilities. He was also very ably
assisted by the haute coutured Amari sales manager, Dueanpen Thongsombat.
I have to admit that when I arrived at the Amari and was told that the
function was going to be held in the garden, I thought to myself, “Here we
go again, stumbling over the tree roots trying not to spill my drink!”
Nothing could have been further from the truth.
The new ‘garden lounge’ is a terraced area set with comfortable lounge
chairs with amazing gas braziers lending a very cheery air to the venue. It
is also a huge area, and it was possible for there to be more than one
function held on the same evening. The AustCham members were also very happy
that their function lasted longer than an Asian airline’s function at the
other end of the garden area. The free-flowing Australian wines probably
helped!
 Stuart
Saunders from EssDesign Asia and L. Peter Johansson, managing director of
Tellus Systems Limited.
Gary Woollacott, the president of AustCham was staying in the new Amari
Tower and had nothing but praise for the new addition, claiming that from
his window he could see that there was a traffic jam in Bangkok at Sukhumvit
103, but it was flowing smoothly down in Sattahip. The free flowing
Australian wines were definitely helping here.
The other sponsor (other than the Amari) was the perennial Aussie Steele
Lambrinos, head honcho of the Kirwan group, an amazing company that has
taken Asia by storm (or perhaps better described as having raised a storm in
cleaning up Asia). The latest expansion for the Kirwan group being an office
in Sriracha to service the northern end of the Eastern Seaboard.
 Mike
Green, regional consultant for Opus Recruitment Ltd. and Ray D’Silva from
Operations Manufacturing Systems.
As always at these networking events, there is the exchange of business
cards, and when I checked my pocket the next morning there was one from
Apple Kaewprasert, the GM of John Allison Monkhouse Funeral Directors. I
have been checking my pulse all morning, but so far no indication that I
will need to call on her services.
Another card was that of John Wanless GM of Intelligent Risks, so I have
been waving it at baht bus drivers as I attempt to cross the road. So far it
has worked a treat, but I am still a trifle worried about Apple
Kaewprasert’s card being the one next to John’s. However, the Bangkok
Hospital Pattaya group with Neil, Nancy and Ann being in attendance would
make sure I received the last rites before referral to the ‘higher
physician’.
 Boonnarong
Petsongkram, SCIL & maintenance manager, Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate;
Somporn Kerdbanrai, sales manager, Kirwan Industrial Services Co., Ltd.;
Chalermkeat Rawanghet, assistant technical manager, Kirwan Industrial
Services Co., Ltd.; and Piyatida Triukhot, senior human resources, Kirwan
Industrial Services Co., Ltd.
The usual suspects were out in full force, with Paul Wilkinson (Four Winds),
Simon Matthews (Manpower), Kevin Fisher (crane-man and beer drinking
champion) and Peter Smith (AA Insurance Brokers) obviously enjoying
themselves. Advising the Brits about oral hygiene was Stuart Saunders for
EssDesign Asia, with his amazing credit card floss dispensers now containing
60 meters of life-giving thread.
 Andrew
Mariani, general manager of Pamco; and Philp Cook, general manager of supply
chain management for Thai Summit Harness Public Company Limited.
Before the Sundowners, the AustCham sponsored Automotive Focus Group (AFG)
held their meeting, with leader George Strampp outlining the reasons why the
group had been formed and the excellent response that had come from the
local auto industry.
David Nardone, president of Hemaraj Land and Development, Thailand’s leading
developer of industrial estates gave a most interesting talk on Thailand
Automotive Investment Opportunities, in which he was able to show
categorically that despite doom and gloom in some sectors, the exports from
Thailand’s auto industry were increasing exponentially. The percentage of
the total exports from Thailand in the halcyon days pre-1997 economic crash
was only 1.16 percent, but by the first nine months of this year was a
staggering 8.49 percent. His company, Hemaraj, had in fact just taken over
another industrial estate as the demand for space was also increasing.
It behooves anyone in the local automotive industry to make contact with
this dynamic group (AFG), which can be done though gstrampp @loxinfo.co.th.
Notification of the next Seaboard Sundowners (2008) will be given in the
Pattaya Mail as usual.
Dr. lain Corness; Sukhum Sukudom, assistant
sales manager
at Amari Emerald Cove Resort; and Dueanpen Thongsombat,
sales manager for Amari Orchid Resort & Tower.
Paul Wilkinson, general manager, Eastern
Seaboard of Four Winds International Moving Limited; Domininik Stamm,
general manager of the Amari Orchid Resort & Tower; Gary Woollacott,
president of AustCham; Steele Lambrinos, head honcho of the Kirwan group,
and Paul Whyte, general manager of Tisfish (Thailand) Ltd.
Horseshoe Point and Thai Polo Club
to showcase world-class equestrian event
First ever horse festival to be held in Pattaya
Germany’s Katrin Hunklinger
has won critical acclaim for her dancing with the horses. Katrin is a
seasoned performer who improvises to sync her movements with those of the
horses and the rhythm of the music.
Mario Miguel and Bi Valenca
are world-renowned horseman and teachers. Mario is one of the great matadors
and showmen.
Horseshoe Point and the Thai Polo Club are not only
neighbors in Pattaya, but with their modern facilities they are now
considered to be two of the most complete equestrian centers in Asia, if not
the world. This is why the Thai Equestrian Federation has selected these
venues for the up coming South East Asian Games that Thailand is hosting
from December 6-15.
 Mr.
Chaikiri and Chainarin Srifuengfung perform in a classical riding show.
By having this opportunity, and with their strong passion in promoting
equestrian sports, Horseshoe Point and the Thai Polo Club have decided to
make the weekend of December 8-9, 2007 a most memorable weekend for everyone
interested in horses and equestrian events by organising a festival with a
unique concept of “Horse + Human + Harmony” to coincide with the SEA Games.
This will provide a great experience with a concept of horse, family, fun,
and aspiration for all those attending.
 Chanya
“Cherry” Srifuengfung wows the audience with her horse handling skills.
The festival will include the 24th South East Asian Games equestrian
competition which will feature dressage, show jumping and eventing among the
national teams of various countries from South East Asia. This competition
will run from 7-15 December.
The beautiful field of Horseshoe Point will also be converted into a big
outdoor family playground that everyone can enjoy together. The park will be
set to the theme of “Fair in the sun, Fun on the Green”. There will be long
pony parades and horse stations in the park together with all the creative
games for kids to enjoy. Bozos and robot girls will be walking around. In
the evening, the park will turn itself into a venue for concerts where
people can re-gather for dinner, drinks, and music.
 The
male and female mascots will be hard to miss.
The highlight of the entire festival will be the classic “Passionata” Horse
Show. The legendary Lusitano, long known as the “Horse of Kings,” will once
again be showcased in a breathtaking performance set amidst the timeless
beauty of the Three Kingdom pagodas. These majestic creatures have for
countless years captivated the imagination and stirred the hearts of many,
including royalty.
World-renowned classical riders Luisa (Bi) Valenca and Mario Miguel will
head an international group of riders from Portugal. These two celebrity
riders belong to the well-known Valenca Family, who are much cherished as
friends and founders of Horseshoe Point.
 Katrin
Hunklinger dangles in a string of fabric 6 feet above ground and performs a
synchronized dance from that level as Mario and the horse join in on a
ground below.
Ms. Bi Valenca and Mr. Mario Miguel mesmerized the audience of the 2007 Las
Vegas World Cup finals when they performed on Brookside Lusitanos trained by
the late master Joao Oliveira, himself a true virtuoso in the field of
equitation.
The classical spirit will be embodied in this star-studded event, which will
also feature talented singers and dancers from the much-acclaimed
“Apassionata” Horse Show, already enjoyed by more than 750,000 spectators
every year all over Europe.
Part of the proceeds of this festival will go to “Able the Disable”
foundation, the foundation that brings horses to help the disabled in
Thailand.
For more information, please contact Miss Kanaporn (Bim) Ngenjuathong of
Horseshoe Point at: Tel: +66(2) 633 8800 Fax: +66(2) 633 8808 or Email:
[email protected]
The Horse Festival will
feature a spectacular parade.
A night at the opera is a rare treat for Pattaya’s music lovers
Paul Strachan
Fun City was treated a rare night of culture on Saturday November 10
when opera fans welcomed back the European Chamber Opera Company (ECHO) to
the Sheraton Hotel.
This is the third year that ECHO has held these fine performances here in
Pattaya and this year they staged Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata.
 Alfredo
is captivated by the beautiful Violetta.
It was a sell-out event with all 150 tickets sold prior to the evening. The
Sheraton offered a choice of ticket options that included either dinner at
their Elements restaurant, which serves a sumptuous buffet, or those with a
few more baht to spend could opt for dinner at the chic Mez restaurant.
Standalone tickets for just the opera itself were also available.
After dinner the eager attendees made their way to the auditorium, their
physical needs taken care of, their ears ready for a night of music. There
was no orchestra to play the score that Verdi wrote back in 1848, just a
lone piano; however, that was of little importance as the real focus was
what was happening on stage.
La Traviata is an all-encompassing opera and ECHO did a great job in staging
it in such a small venue. It tells the story of a beautiful courtesan,
Violetta, who has a wealthy benefactor and protector. However, within the
opening act she is introduced to a charming man, Alfredo, who can’t take his
eyes off her.
 Violetta’s
wealthy protector objects to Alfredo’s advances.
They end up living together and then Alfredo’s father intervenes by asking
Violetta to shun his son’s affection so that the family name can remain
intact.
She does so, losing him and her previous beau, and at the end of the show is
all alone and sadly her mind becomes addled as consumption takes a hold on
her, so much so that as the curtain falls Violetta’s madness becomes too
much and she dies.
This synopsis only touches on the storyline; however, you can see that there
is a huge transformation in Violetta in the three acts that make up La
Traviata.
The audience applaud a great
performance by the European
Chamber Opera Company.
The enthusiastic audience was treated to a very fine
performance indeed, especially from the Danish-born Soprano Anja Rossau who
played Violetta magnificently. This is such a demanding role, not only in
terms of vocal performance but also in the acting demands upon the
performer, and Anja clearly relished the challenge.
Anja later told me that she sort of stumbled into opera as she went for an
audition and she thought that she had to sing as a soprano. She was an
instant hit and now has carved a career to become one of Denmark’s most
popular sopranos.
 Danish
born Soprano Anja Rossau tells Paul Strachan (PMTV) that Violetta is her
favourite role as she has to sing & act.
Stefan Sanchez is the director of the opera and indeed of ECHO, and after
the show he told me that when his company performs in the UK they use full
orchestras. However, when touring in Asia, a piano has to suffice. But he
firmly believes that the audience only takes a few moments to tune into the
fact that it is a piano and when the performers start to sing, any
misgivings are quickly forgotten.
He went onto to say that the sets were all built at each location by the
hotel staff and that ECHO has a special relationship with Sheraton. After
the performance in Pattaya, they would be flying off to Japan to play a
number of nights at various Sheraton hotels there.
Opera lovers usually have to make the increasingly terrible journey to
Bangkok, so it was a comparatively small trek up to Pratamnak Hill for the
150 or so classical buffs who seemed to revel in the atmosphere the evening
provided.
The European Chamber Opera Company will return again next year at around the
same time where they will stage Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme, a night that
will, I am sure, bring the Eastern Seaboard’s culture vultures (including
me) out of the woodwork.
Opera lovers can catch highlights of La Traviata as well as two exclusive
interviews with the lovely Anja and the company director on PMTV on
Saturday the 21st of December.
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