Wonderful day at Little Duck Nursery

Fat officials told to slim down for the sake of their health

Pattaya’s youngsters will compete for PR Ambassador title

Wonderful day at Little Duck Nursery

Another fun filled wonderful day at Little Duck Nursery in Rayong for the 38 children there. Rev Stephen Brusini, Tic Imtub and all the staff worked very hard preparing for the annual event with food, games and presents for all. “It’s not an easy assignment, but worth the effort to see their smiling faces,” said Rev Stephen.

Fat officials told to slim down for the sake of their health

Rear Admiral Nikorn Petchweerakul, director of the Queen Sirikit Hospital, launched the campaign on December 19 in association with Capt Jongpattana Rumakom, chief of the Vital Life and Disease Prevention Center.

Patcharapol Panrak

Queen Sirikit Hospital has launched a campaign to reduce obesity amongst government officials, following a survey that revealed far too many of them are fat and that a significant number are at risk of developing chronic health complications as a result.

A survey was carried out by the Vital Life and Disease Prevention Center at the hospital, which comes under the Royal Thai Navy, and more than 200 male and female government officers were found to be obese. Of these, 40 were at risk of chronic complications.

The Health Begins at the Stomach campaign was therefore initiated for government officers who have very large stomachs, and who must lose weight.

Rear Admiral Nikorn Petchweerakul, director of the Queen Sirikit Hospital, launched the campaign on December 19 in association with Capt Jongpattana Rumakom, chief of the Vital Life and Disease Prevention Center.

Specifically targeted is the condition known as metabolic syndrome, caused by fat in the abdominal cavity that injects itself into the bladder, intestines, liver, and pancreas. This is very dangerous, as fatty acids will get to the liver more quickly. This in turn will affect the flow of insulin from the pancreas, causing it to be diminished, and blood sugar levels will rise. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and constricted blood vessels can result.

Rear Admiral Nikorn said that people in this category who have large stomachs must change their eating habits, and they must exercise.

According to the primary survey of personnel officers in the hospital, out of a total of 1,780 people, 221 had large stomachs: this represented 12.4 percent of the staff. Of this number, 40 people have been treated for the onset of chronic disease.

As part of the campaign, an award will be presented to those who lose weight and decrease their large stomachs by 1 inch. 

Pattaya’s youngsters will compete for PR Ambassador title

(From left) Pratheep Malhotra, Deborah Bundityanond, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Suwanthep Malhotra, and Thanthika Phiangphor jointly chair the announcement of the 3rd Young Pattaya PR Tourism Ambassador Training and Competition Project.

Vimolrat Singnikorn

Pattaya City announced the third of its Young PR Tourism Ambassador competitions on December 26 at Pattaya City Hall.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Pratheep Malhotra, managing director of Pattaya Mail Publishing Co Ltd, Deborah Bundityanond, president of Skๅl International Pattaya and East Thailand, Suwanthep Malhotra, Pattaya Mail committee organizer for the Mike Franklin Golf Charity, and Thanthika Phiangphor of Central Pattaya Puttana Pcl held a joint media briefing to announce the event.

The briefing began with a slideshow highlighting the past two years of success. Guests of honor were Kritsana Kongkakhet, Young Pattaya PR Tourism Ambassador of 2006, and Arisara Bunyasawat, who won the title in 2007. Both spoke with pride about their new experiences and how they felt they were making a real contribution to their home city.

Pattaya youngsters and their sponsors are ready to participate in the 3rd Young Pattaya PR Tourism Ambassador Training and Competition Project.

Mayor Niran said that the Young Pattaya PR Tourism Ambassador Training and Competition Project is a program for electing youngsters who have the ability to publicize Pattaya tourism. The competition is held for youngsters between the ages of nine and 16 years and who are residents of Pattaya City. A prize of 1,000 baht will be presented to each first round attendee, and the second round prize will be 2,000 baht each. This amount is considered as a scholarship for youngsters.

Deborah said that Skๅl International became involved in the project because last year’s PR Ambassador presented a speech about Pattaya tourism at the Skๅl International meeting at Hard Rock Hotel. Members were greatly impressed, and the SKAL International committee members had readily agreed to provide a support budget for the next competition.

Pratheep said that Pattaya City is an historic town with lots of stories. “I am a Pattaya resident and have lived here for more than 30 years,” he said.

“Sometimes the next generation doesn’t know about Pattaya City’s history. An easy example is the King Taksin Statue in front of Pattaya City Hall. Where does it come from? What is its purpose? All of these things are historical, and the next generation should preserve them.

“The Rotary Club is an organization that realizes youngsters are an important force for the country. As governor-elect of Rotary International District 3340 for next year, I fully support the Young Pattaya Ambassador project.”

Kritsana Kongkakhet (left), Young Pattaya PR Tourism Ambassador for 2006, and Arisara Bunyasawat (right), Young Pattaya PR Tourism Ambassador for 2007 invited their friends to attend the Young Pattaya PR Tourism Ambassador Competition Project for 2008.

Suwanthep said the purpose of the Mike Franklin Classic 2007 Golf Charity is to raise income to support six leading charity organizations, namely Jesters Care for Kids, the Camillion Center in Rayong for people living with HIV/AIDS, the Diana Goal Charity from the One School One Hotel Project at Ban Dontapab Pattana School in Nakhon Ratchasima, the Rotary Foundation for underprivileged children, the Water Filtration Installation Project for schools in need, and the Young Pattaya PR Tourism Ambassador Project.

Participants in the Young Pattaya PR Tourism Ambassador training and competition project will receive instruction on Pattaya’s administration from the past until the present. This includes direct input on Pattaya tourism from the business sector. Speech and presentation skills in Basic English will also be taught.

The competition is open to students who are residents in Pattaya City and aged from nine to 16 years. They can apply until January 20.

On January 23, an exam will be held and 60 students will be selected. The results of this will be released on January 24. Further training will be held from January 26 to 27. Over the period January 29 to 30, an outdoor camp will be held, and 20 people will be selected for the final round on February 4, the final being held on February 10 at the Central Festival Center in Pattaya.

The winner and two runners up will receive trophies, a certificate, and money consisting of 15,000 baht, 12,000 baht, and 10,000 baht in order. Fourth place will receive a certificate and 9,000 baht. Two consolation prizes will be a certificate and 5,000 baht each. There will also be a Young Morning Star award, and the Best Talent and Best Orator awards, in which the winners will receive a certificate and 4,000 Bbaht each. For more information please contact the PR Section at tel 038-253-100 ext 3132.

Pattaya youngsters are ready to take part in the activity.