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Horses, humans and harmony
provide an unforgettable night
Asia premiere of the ‘Passionata’ at Horse Shoe Point
Pattaya Mail reporters
Horse Shoe Point is Thailand’s number one venue for riding
sports and has been chosen to host the equestrian disciplines at the
24th Southeast Asian Games. In the framework of the Games the HSP
together with the Thai Polo Club (TPC) organized a horse festival that
presented its world class highlight twice, December 8 and 9 seeing
numerous glorious Lusitanos in two fascinating performances of the
“Passionata”.
 Chaikiri
and Chainarin Srifuengfung at the ‘Passionata Miracle’.
“Horse + Human + Harmony” was the appropriate motto for the ambitious
show of equestrian arts, and a starry sky provided a magnificent
backdrop at Three Kingdoms Park. Lusitanos, known as the “Horse of
Kings” are considered one of the liveliest and bravest but also most
sensitive steeds, with a history that goes back some 17,000 years. There
are hardly any other breeds that combine vigor and esthetics alike.
The show started with homage to His Majesty the King, whose 80th
birthday was celebrated throughout the nation at the same time. In his
opening speech executive producer Jate Sopitpongstorn introduced the
riders and told the large audience the story of how Horse Shoe Point was
established.
For a promising start, HSP founders Chaikiri and Chainarin Srifuengfung
demonstrated a unique dressage.
Mario Miguel da Silva, the
Portuguese matador in the ‘Bullfight’.
The show as a whole was divided into 13 diversified
acts that had the crowds entranced, and focused on the relationship
between human and horse, accompanied by classical and traditional music
featuring impressive performances from Portugal’s Filipa Lopes, Maria
Martin Molina and Thailand’s Sirilak Songklib. A fine arrangement of
varied lighting added to the emotional experience, and the elements -
earth, fire, water and air also played roles in different acts.
Singapore’s Samuel Wong Shengmiao charmed the listeners with his pipa,
the short-necked Chinese lute.
 Free
Spirit.
The twenty-minute break was followed by a smart move, for the second
half opened with the “Pegasus” act, with Ana Luisa “Bi” Valença and her
horse enchanting the audience with their elegant and lissome motions.
Her spouse, head rider Mario Miguel da Silva, proved his ability by
fighting off “bull” Puttilak Songklib, who also influenced the
choreography.
Chanya “Cherie” Srifuengfung is the star at Horse Shoe Point. The silver
medalist at the 21st SEA Games held in Kuala Lumpur shone as the
“Princess of Carousel”.
“Carnival Opera”, “River of the Knights”, “Equestrian Ballet” - despite
the act variety, the public’s response was the same at any moment:
ecstatic.
 Pegasus.
“Carmen”, the ageless story of an attractive gypsy, marked a worthy
finale of the “Passionata” through a well-staged performance.
Subsequently, all artists joined the people of Thailand to celebrate the
auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s birthday. Once more they
rode over the field, all holding candles in their hands. Before the
riders disappeared behind the scenes for good, the crowds had the chance
to chat with them in the midst of Three Kingdoms Park, pet their horses
or take a few shots for souvenirs.
Hungry ones didn’t have to travel far, as Horse Shoe Point also offers
fine on-site dining. In the meantime, the little ones had the
playgrounds in which to enjoy themselves.
It is a pity that cultural events at a level the “Passionata” presents
are still a rarity in Pattaya. The greater pleasure it is, though, to
attend these sporadic moments and, as was the case, become witness to a
spectacle that has never yet been seen anywhere else in all of Asia.
Carnival Opera.
River of the Knights.
Merry-go-round, ‘Memoir of
Childhood’.
Christmas Tree Lightup helps three local organizations
(l-r) Deputy Chief
Aide-De-Camp and General to HM the King Gen. Kanit Permsub, Khunying
Busayarat Permsub, Pattaya Mail Director and event host Tony Malhotra,
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, representative of the Thai-Sikh Community in
Pattaya Mr Harry, philanthropist and head of this year’s Christmas Charity
Light-Up organizing community Tracy Cosgrove, representative of event
sponsor Westwool Carpets Thailand, Pattaya City Public Relations specialist
Rungratee Thongsai and Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya General Manager Andrew Khoo.
Members of the Pattaya-Sikh
community with Gen. Kanit.
Pattaya Mail reporters
As relatives back home in Europe or America brace themselves for
howling gales and minus temperatures, we can revel in the continued warmth
that Thailand offers us not only in degrees Celsius but also in camaraderie.
 (l-r)
Gen. Kanit Permsub, Ittipol Kunplome and Peter Malhotra share a light
moment.
So with the festive season in mind one of Pattaya’s most popular hotels, the
Hard Rock, held its Christmas tree light up on Saturday the 1st of December.
As ever this was an opportunity for people get together, renew
acquaintances, make new friends and spare a thought for the less fortunate
in the community.
This annual charity event has gone from strength to strength under the
guidance of the ever-energetic general manager, Andrew Khoo.
Andrew is naturally a great leader and as such, inspires his team to jump in
headfirst into all the events at the Hard Rock.
 (l-r)
Steve Graham, Gen. Kanit Permsub and Khunying Busayarat Permsub.
Prior to the event, Band Members and Management made a personal donation of
THB 100,000. But where does this money go to? Well, one of this year’s
beneficiaries was the Chonburi Foundation for the Development of Disabled
People, which helps to support the impoverished disabled, and works in
conjunction with Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat.
Another beneficiary is the Melissa Cosgrove Charity Foundation, which
supports underprivileged children in Asia, and works in Thailand, Myanmar
and Pakistan, bringing hope to disadvantaged children, children with HIV and
AIDS, children living on the street and in slums, and the child victims of
human trafficking. Tracy Cosgrove established this foundation, which was
registered as a charity in 2003. Currently there is a construction project
to build a nursery and help juveniles of construction workers in Pattaya.
 The
artist Wilson Koh presents his painting to Raimon Land executives for their
highest bid.
Last but not least, the 3rd beneficiary was the Fountain of Life Center, an
organization that supports the education of children living in slums,
supplies school equipment and lunches, and health and hygiene facilities.
One of the Center’s projects is to encourage all children to have a birth
certificate, and to have the right to education when they reach the age of
seven. A minor can apply for an ID card at the age of 15.
During the event, which was organized in association with Pattaya Mail and
in partnership with VIP Chalets, Italy and Westwool Carpets Thailand, the
Hard Rock staff attended to the guests to make sure that the wine was ever
forthcoming, as the MCs for the evening, Tony Malhotra and Rungratree
Thongsai, welcomed the guests and introduced Andrew Khoo.
In his speech Andrew thanked the many donors and sponsors responsible for
the success of the event. He also noted how it was “great to see that a
tradition that began five years ago has grown so much in awareness and
acceptance. It is very heart-warming to see that all of you have taken time
out from your busy lives to be with us on this special occasion. And that, I
believe, is one of the special aspects of this event – the chance to gather
together to reflect and give to those less fortunate than us.”
Gen. Kanit Permsub, Deputy Chief Aide-De-Camp and General to His Majesty the
King, along with Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and mayoral advisor Ittipol
Khunplome, were the event’s guests of honor.
After the speeches everybody’s eyes were cast to the skies, no not to see
Santa’s sleigh but to witness an explosive fireworks display.
So, with cocktails in hand everybody was ushered into the ‘Hall of Fame’ for
a fine dinner, followed by an auction where Tony and Rungratree kept the
audience’s attention with a wide variety of ‘presents’ up for grabs.
One fine painting of some carp by a mute artist caught the eye of Ittipol
Khunplome, which prompted a frenzy of bidding. At the last moment a winning
50,000 baht telephone bid came in from one of Thailand’s most famous
property developers.
After all that excitement there was still some time for dancing to the
sounds of the in-house band and while there was no Santa in attendance, the
partygoers were warm of heart in knowing that they had participated in the
art of giving, with this year’s event raising a mighty 720,000 baht for
people who have been born into circumstances far less fortunate than
ourselves. And that’s what Christmas is all about, isn’t it?
Surprise gifts were given out
to one lucky winner from each table.
Rungratree presents a
beautiful winning bid painting to Khun Jeab and the Buddha Statue to the
highest bidder, the Band members of the Hard Rock Hotel.
Tony Malhotra presented the
highest bidder prize
to Bruce Hoppe and Apple Thamcharoen.
The Navy Band kept the
audience ‘rocking’ till midnight.
Combined chambers fill Northpoint
Dr Iain Corness
The final fling for 2007 for the Chambers of Commerce in Thailand
saw a combined meeting of them all, which was held at Northpoint in Naklua.
The turnout was enormous (no free offer is ever undersubscribed), but Raimon
Land really managed to get the ‘point’ across. The venue was spectacular.
 (From
left) Gerry C. Healy, project director for Raimon Land PLC, Graham
Macdonald, BCCT vice chairman, Nigel J. Cornick, CEO of Raimon Land PLC, and
his wife enjoy a nice conversation amongst friends.
Behind the meeting and greeting area adjacent to the beach, the construction
of the two towers was the backdrop, with Big Kev Fisher (the crane-man)
holding an impromptu training school for all those people who ever wondered
just how the crane manages to elevate itself as the working level goes up.
(If you can’t wait till next year to find out, it is done with hydraulic
rams!)
Nigel Cornick, the MD of Raimon Land, gave a short address, confirming that
the outstanding success of the company (and it has now won international
awards) has been hard work, but worth it.
For many of the networkers it was worth it too, with Peter Smith (AA
Insurance Brokers) looking particularly pleased with a couple of the
contacts he made that evening, while David Han was pleased just to suggest a
(Time-Out) Gelato at the end of the night.
The catering was more than amply covered by the Amari Orchid Resort and
Tower, with ‘Superchef’ Supachai making sure everything was up to standard -
and it was! Thanks Chef.
The new restaurant ‘Orangery’ was mentioned several times during the
evening, with Franck Rodriguez, the general manager handing out discount
cards. Miss Terry Diner, our resident culinary queen will be making public
her opinion on Orangery very shortly.
The regulars were all there (no free offer is ever etc, etc…), but there
were some new faces such as Ray O’Reilly from the Asian University’s Faculty
of Liberal Arts and Charly Geser, the showroom manager of H‘a’fele (and
don’t ask my why they have the silly marks each side of the A!).
There is no getting away from the fact that membership of the Chambers of
Commerce is definitely the way to go forward and upwards - just look at
Martin Kyle, the executive director of the Australian Chamber, if you ever
need proof (he has been reliably measured as being six foot seventeen inches
tall).
A great finale to the end of the chambers’ year, and a function that will be
difficult to surpass in 2008.
My half a century resolution -
to get a colonoscopy annually
The Urban Peasant
Have you ever wondered what happened to your last year’s New Year
resolution? Be it to lose weight, to gain knowledge, to lose spouse, to get
‘gigs’ (a gig, in Thailand, is more than a friend, but not yet a steady).
I never made any in the past; however, for this coming new year, I made a
half-century resolution on my birthday.
 Rock
Climbing at Fifty? Warning: Do not try this activity without children’s
supervision.
Two months ago I was just a normal woman growing old disgracefully, when
suddenly I was diagnosed with a stage 2 sigmoid colon cancer.
They say life begins at 50, but they never said so does cancer.
I’ve been a vegetarian all my life, I hardly drink alcohol, I don’t smoke,
and zex is a word I can’t spell anymore. Still, a picture of health, I am
not.
Needless to say it was a painful experience, both physically and
emotionally. After the operation things were fine, that is if I leave out
some gory details, including how the two parts of colon that were rejoined
together would not cooperate at first and left me howling in pain for days.
I imagined the lower colon part saying to the upper one:
“Ain’t takin’ no crap from ya!”
They finally reconciled, thank God.
Now the scar on my tummy looks like River Rhine, running from Meinz to
Koblenz. I could have gone out on Halloween night as “Scar Gut”, but don’t
worry, I didn’t.
While recuperating at home, I went on the Internet every day, read medical
encyclopedias, and asked the wise ones about cancer, but I came to my own
conclusion: Simply put, cancer is like a love affair that has gone sour,
with the usual after shock questions.
“Why me, what did I do wrong, when did it start to go wrong?”
The truth is, sometimes there is no why and how. It just is. One cell is
sick of the other and wants to kick it out and dominate the space.
Try as you may to find the cause, and with every theory that gives you an
explanation why and how (hereditary, environment, diet, stress, etc),
another will include that nobody knows the real cause for sure.
It just happens and grows from that cell that all of us already have
somewhere, waiting to be triggered, waiting to show its true colors, ready
to become an A. H. ...
To stop it, you have to stop living in denial.
The cure for cancer as is for love is usually the death penalty: surgery,
chemo, radiation, etc. Kill the bad cell before it kills you. Sometimes just
surgery is enough, but sometimes you need to go through hell after that
before you may even recover totally, if, at all.
A sad love story: Cells at War.
In such situation, family, dogs, and positive attitude can make a huge
difference. My two kids supported me throughout my down days, in and out of
the hospital, and the old dog (and I’m not talking about my ex) cheered me
up occasionally.
Xaver, the old dog plays fetch with me once a day, every day. I say once,
because I throw a ball, he fetches, and that’s it. The ball stays in his
mouth for the rest of the day. Once in a while he drops the ball in the
garden and makes me go fetch, that old tricky son of a bitch.
He’s old and I’m tired, or is it the other way round. We are a pair. We look
at each other and say: “You already lived half a century mate, forget the
excitement.”
And forgot we did. My kids’ home environment is totally different from my
usual studio. The house is located in a soi far away from the city center. I
was alone in the house with the old dog on most days, in total quietness
with the occasional sound of Xaver ‘attempting’ a bark at the passersby with
a faint www…ooo…f.
The trees in our garden as well as neighbor’s were eye soothing. Greens
everywhere. The rain on some mornings freshened the plants and boosted the
color.
Suddenly I was in the stillness of life. No rush, no obligation, no
expectation. When you are all cut up and sewn back, and have no energy, it’s
not difficult to be contented feeling useless and helpless.
In the first week I was struggling to get to the kitchen without feeling
queasy and dizzy, thus, had very little to eat, but by the second week, I
was already trying out new and old forgotten recipes to share with my
daughter after she got home from work.
Life is rich if you appreciate the simple things.
Two months have passed and my follow up diagnosis is good. The big bad
cancer did not spread, but I have to be on my toes. Quarterly blood checks
are important, and lifestyle has to change. No harmful triggers of any kind,
especially stress. “Love yourself more,” the doctors said.
“Eat right and exercise right; get your energy back, you will need it.”
I want to. I still love life, I don’t want to be a burden to anyone, and
most importantly, I’d hate to see my kids sad because of me.
Last year I joined my kids and nieces to a temple to do a ‘Sangkhathan’ or
give alms to monks. This monk, like many in Thailand, was also a
fortuneteller. Nonsense as it is, still we girls were excited to ask about
our future, work and love.
The elderly monk looked at my palm and shook his head.
“What love life? You might have a ‘gig’ or two if you’re lucky, some
younger, some older, but no long term relationship insight.”
“Fine.” I frowned.
He continued, “What do you want? You have already lived half a century, just
go on living the rest of your life peacefully, no excitement. Next.”
‘Half a Century’ woman, the monk said. That gave me both an assurance and a
warning.
Assurance. I am pretty much settled and calm in my attitude and needs.
(Except on pms days, menopausal days, and many other days.) I don’t need to
prove myself. My work is more and more appreciated (boss’s opinion doesn’t
count). My advice from experience is revered by the younger generation.
(Even if only on rare occasions.)
Warning. Time and tide wait for no man or woman.
There is still a lot of life to live, to educate, to give, and to
appreciate. Of course being lazy and energy-less as I am, I don’t jump at
the thought of going out to try to save the world, but I do my fair share,
every now and then. If I can’t save the world, might as well see more of it
and appreciate it.
So I intend to keep traveling as much as I can, and therefore I need to keep
fit and healthy.
In the last two years, I did some semi-mountain hiking (more slipping and
strolling than hiking), wind surfing (more falling into water than staying
on board), tower jumping (and hurt my already broken rib from beach massage)
and Thai boxing. Yes, I’m still alive.
However, I have to stop all the self-torturing activities and concentrate on
walking and swimming. Would love to dance but have to wait, or my River
Rhine scar will irrigate.
So there, in the second half of my century, I resolve to take it easier but
still keep on going. A friend told me to live in the present. Use animal
instinct. Hungry - eat. Sleepy - sleep. Sexy - uh…sleep.
Looking back there are some things that impressed me in last year of first
half of my century:
I visited some great places: Halong Bay in Hanoi, many old towns in Germany,
Normandy in France, the Alps in Innsbruck, The Vatican and the Lagos in
Italy, to name just a few.
I saw some good movies: Downfall, The Lives of Others, JFK, and Children of
Heaven.
Future goals?
For a long-term plan, like in my next life I want to become a figure skater,
an orchestra conductor, a physicist, a drummer, a painter, and a cello
player, along with all the things I have become in this life.
A short-term plan is to live the rest of my life in peace, grow old
disgracefully, find a gig or two, and get an annual colonoscopy.
Expat Ladies’ Building Project donates seven more houses to local families
Dolores Carr Wickes
The recent official opening of the seven houses in “Muu Baan Hugh
Green” was a dream come true for many people. With the completion of this
village, the Rayong Ladies Circle Building Project has built and donated a
total of 20 homes to needy families in the Ban Chang / Sumnakkatoan
districts.
 The
village sign welcomes you to Muu Baan Hugh Green.
The project began back in 2004 when Helle Ransten, former RLC & PILC Welfare
Co-ordinator, built a new home for an 84 year-old lady, Yia Dam. Having seen
the difference that this simple house made this elderly lady’s life, I
decided to try and raise some money to build more.
The generosity of family and friends back home in Ireland was truly amazing
and they donated over 1.6 million THB enabling us to build 19 more houses.
Two were built on private land; one for a mother with HIV/AIDS and her two
daughters while the second provided a decent home for an elderly couple and
their young grandson.
The biggest problem we encountered was getting land on which we could build
and this delayed the project for many months but thanks to the generosity of
the mayor of Ban Chang, Dr. Atithep who provided municipal land, we were
able to build 10 houses in the centre of Ban Chang and “Muu Baan Eire - the
Irish Village” was completed in September 2006.
 The
ribbon is cut at the official opening.
At this stage I was very happy and prepared to accept that 12 houses was a
good achievement but I had not reckoned on the generosity of an exceptional
Irishman, Hugh Green. Hugh grew up in an Ireland that is very different from
the rich, vibrant country it is today. As a young boy, instead of going to
school, he had to work for a living, a fate that many Thai children still
have to endure. Like numerous young Irish people of the time he had to leave
his home country and go abroad to find work. He endured great hardship and
terrible homesickness but eventually through hard work and determination he
made his fortune in New Zealand. Today he is a rich successful man with a
loving and dedicated family who help him run his business. But he has never
forgotten his roots and so when he read about my Thai building project in a
local Irish newspaper he contacted me to offer an extremely generous
donation, which enabled us to build another six houses.
 Guests
with some resident families.
Again the search for land was a major problem but after many disappointments
we were delighted to receive an excellent plot of land from Khun Sin, a
local man with a warm and generous heart who wants to help his less
fortunate Thai people. Along side Sin there have been many wonderful Thai
people who work tirelessly every day in an effort to improve the lives of
their neighbours. One such person is Mat, the nurse in Ban Chang hospital,
who through her work with poor people in the area introduced us to numerous
families who are in need of help. Another is Bic who helped us with all the
building logistics throughout the project, his Thai contacts and unending
enthusiasm for the project was invaluable.
 PILC
President Rosanne Diamente (left) with Dolores Carr Wickes (right).
As a “farang”, I hugely appreciate the joy it is to live in Thailand and I
am proud to be a member of two organisations that help people like me give
something back to our host country. The members of Rayong Ladies Circle and
Pattaya International Ladies Club give generously of their time to assist
those less fortunate than we are. They have given me tremendous support,
both physiologically and financially; without their help in sponsoring the
utilities for this village and Muu Baan Eire, I would never have succeeded.
There are two other individuals to whom I also owe a deep debt of gratitude.
They are Marco Palestrini and Fr. Giovanni from the Camillian Center. Marco
took over my role when I had to leave Thailand last December and worked
tirelessly to ensure that “Muu Baan Hugh Green” was built while Fr. Giovanni
gave me invaluable advice and assistance over the two & a half years of this
project and I hugely appreciate it.
The money we received from Hugh, PILC, RLC and all the individual Irish
people is truly appreciated. Each cent that we received has gone entirely
into the building fund; no administration costs are taken out. Each of the
20 houses built has an individual name that has a special significance to
the people back home in Ireland that chose them. They are bestowed with love
and wishes of good luck and many blessings to the families who will live in
each house.
 Mother
& son residents say thank you to Dolores Carr Wickes.
In his speech at the official opening of “Muu Baan Hugh Green” the deputy
governor of Rayong congratulated all concerned in the building project and
expressed the wish that the Rayong Ladies Building Project would become a
model for future collaboration between expat organisations and Thai local
government officials - this would make all my dreams come true!
As the deputy governor handed over the keys of their new homes to the seven
families, the look of delight on their faces was a pleasure to behold. What
set out as a small personal project has grown into something of which I am
extremely proud, most especially because of the wonderfully generous people
that have helped make it happen.
Merry Montessori Christmas!
Sue. K
I was a wonderful evening filled with dancing, singing, laughter and
photo taking when the Montessori Children Center’s Annual Christmas Party
and Show was held on Friday December 7, 2007 at the Long Beach Hotel and
Spa.
 Sandra
Haeberli (left), the school principal, teachers and parents draw raffle
tickets for the lucky winners.
Parents and children arrived early in anticipation of the night’s events.
The evening began with the Thai Royal song being sung by the kindergarten 2
class followed by other performances from the pre school and kindergarten
classes. Christmas songs such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Whoops a
Daisy Angel, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Run Rudolph Run, O’ Christmas
Tree, and Jingle Bell Rock, were sung beautifully and enthusiastically by
all the children.
The parents were overjoyed at seeing their young children perform on stage
and rushed in to take many photographs of the show.
 Santa
and his helpers pass out presents to the youngsters.
While every one feasted on the delicious buffet dinner prepared by the
hotel, a very loud HO HO HO could be heard from the corridors. It was Santa
Claus of course, with a great big red bag filled with toys and gifts for all
the good little boys and girls at the party.
Smiles beamed from all the children’s faces, as well as from their parents.
Towards the end of the evening a raffle was held, and coffee and tea served.
We sincerely thank all the parents who so generous help us with raffle, and
the Long Beach Hotel and Spa who so kindly welcomed us this year.
Young Santas take to the
stage, lookin cool.
We could’ve danced all night…
Sue interviews a young angel
for TV.
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