Professor
Pariwat, head of Siam University Computer Science, discusses Apples new
Leopard Operating System with Pattaya City Expats.
The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC)
meeting on Sunday December 23rd at Henry J. Bean’s consisted of another
full morning of information plus entertainment some of which of a Yuletide
theme.
This week’s MC Richard Silverberg started the
proceedings by introducing the familiar figure of Thor Halland. At this time
last year Thor provided a full and fascinating insight into the well known
Christmas icons. This year in a shortened talk, Thor informed the audience
that the originator of the Christmas carol was John of Dunstable who started
the tradition outside Dunstable Cathedral in England. Similarly the German
carol, O Tannenbaum originates from the substance known as tannin which is
an old name for oak. Tannin was originally a focus of worship for the early
Christians.
PCEC board member Stuart Saunders then introduced the
main speaker of the morning Professor Pariwat Ongsulee, head of the
Department of Computer Sciences at Siam University. Stuart explained that he
had been a confirmed Apple Macintosh user since 1984 and had asked Professor
Pariwat to present the latest Apple offering to the PCEC.
Professor Pariwat explained that, following a worm attack
to his computer operating under Windows, he switched to an Apple Macintosh
as the Apple Mac will ignore any virus attacks. No virus or spyware
protection is required.
The impressive capabilities of the Apple Mac were
demonstrated and the ease of their use was clear to see, such as the
dashboard feature which provides user selected information in the form of
widgets. Professor Pariwat summarized the advantages of the Apple Mac -
stability, you get exactly what you pay for; ease of use, the computer helps
with getting the task done in the most efficient manner; compatibility,
Windows applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint can all be run on
the Apple Mac as the are totally compatible.
Many questions from the floor were put to Professor
Pariwat. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services such as Skype can all
be run. Similarly as could be expected the Ipod is totally compatible. Of
particular interest were the statistics quoted which showed a high degree of
reliability with a minimum of lockouts or crashes.
Rugby
from iRugby Apple Shop advises PCEC Past President Andre Machielsen the
finer points of the Macbook.
Individual demonstrations of the Apple Mac were carried
out after the meeting.
PCEC member Bob Bisighini reported that the arrangements
with the plant officials to visit the Chevrolet Car Manufacturing Plant were
going well and will most probably take place during mid January. Bob
reported that more than 50 people had already signed up for the visit.
Board member Michel de Goumois announced that the next
Members Dinner will take place on Wednesday January 9th at the Stone Oven
Grill, Jomtien Complex.
The regular Open Forum conducted by Sig Sigworth and Bob
L’Etoile descended to new levels of dubious entertainment as the so-called
PCEC ‘Band’ took to the floor. Following a virtually silent rendition of
a well known Christmas song an encore was not requested and the Open Forum
continued! As always it provided an opportunity for questions about living
in Thailand with an emphasis on Pattaya to be asked. For more information
regarding, not only PCEC Sunday meetings but also the many 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
The PCEC wishes all Pattaya Mail readers a Happy and
Prosperous New Year.
Dusit Thani
Pattaya’s general manager leads the merit making.
The management of Dusit Thani Pattaya recently marked its
20th anniversary with a Buddhist ceremony. Chatchawal Supachayanont, general
manager, led the guests, management and staff in celebrating the hotel’s
birthday with a series of offerings and a Buddhist ceremony for merit-making.
“We are celebrating the hotel’s 20th birthday and this
marks new beginnings for Dusit Thani Pattaya. We have changed our name from
Dusit Resort, Pattaya to Dusit Thani Pattaya. This new name ensures a new level
of performance and competitiveness while also drawing from the core values of
Dusit as a Thai brand.
“We have also completed our multi-million baht facelift of
the hotel this year as the last phase of our three-year modernization plan. The
renovation includes the hotel’s main lobby and restaurants, executive meeting
rooms and convention facilities,” Chatchawal Supachayanont said.
More celebrations are expected in 2008 to commemorate the
hotel’s 20th anniversary. The 462-room resort hotel started its operation in
1987 and was the first chain hotel in Pattaya.
From left to
right: Victor Suksereee, general manager of Dusit Thani Hua Hin; Phallop
Thaiarry, managing director of Avis Thailand; and Chatchawal Supachayanont,
general manager, Dusit Thani Pattaya.
Chatchawal
Supachayanont (right), general manager, with guests after the ceremony.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital has reduced the prices of rooms,
medicines and services for those being treated in a drive to offer private
medical services to a larger number of people and to expand its customer
base.
The cost of a room in the new hospital building has been
reduced from 5,000 baht to 2,200 baht, and services have been discounted by
up to 20 percent.
The announcement was made on December 11 at a thank-you
party for the media, during which the new administrative team was also
announced. Dr Krittavith Lertutsahakul, CEO of the Bangkok Eastern Hospital
Group and hospital director Dr Pichit Kangwolkij hosted the party.
A raffle was one of the highlights of the event, with the
grand prize of two round-trip tickets to Samui being won by Rungratree
Thongsai. The hospital also provided Chivawattana membership cards along
with health checkups for the media personnel present.
Dr Pichit said that in the 12 years he has been
associated with the hospital, there has been a significant growth in foreign
customers. There are, however, less Thai customers than there should be.
After discussion with the administrators of the various departments it was
therefore decided to reduce the price of rooms in the new building from the
normal price of more than 5,000 baht to 2,200 baht. The price of medicines
and other medical services have been discounted by up to 20 percent.
In this way, said Dr Pichit, the number of Thai customers
would increase and more people would have the opportunity to use the
hospital’s services.
Dr.
Krittavith Lertutsahakul (left) presents the top raffle prize to Rungratree
Thongsai.
