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PCEC’s Annual General Meeting
concludes another successful year
The regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats
Club on Sunday, July 6 got underway at the Amari’s Henry J. Beans
Restaurant. Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg announced that the first
order of business was the Annual General Meeting. He called on Chairman
Richard Smith to give his report on the Club’s activities and
accomplishments during the past year. Richard Smith noted that this would be
his last meeting as club chairman as new officials would be elected at the
governing board meeting that would follow the Annual General Meeting.
 Peter
Smith of AA Insurance advises PCEC members of changes to the excellent group
insurance scheme available to members through AA.
Richard told the members and guests that it has been a pleasure serving as
club chairman this past 2007-2008 fiscal year. In reporting on the past
year, Richard said there have been many positive results. One year ago,
there were three special interest groups holding regular meetings. Today,
there are 12 groups that meet regularly to share their common interest. One
year ago there were 1,273 people on the mailing list to receive the club’s
newsletter. Today, there are 1,678 people receiving the club’s weekly
newsletter. One year ago, attendance at the club’s regular Sunday meeting
ranged from 70 to 100. Currently, during the past 3 low season months, the
club’s attendance has averaged over 100 and the average for the last high
season was over 120 in attendance. This increase in attendance has occurred
without any special efforts or advertising on the part of the club or its
officers.
 Chairman
Richard Smith presents the Pattaya City Expats Club chairman’s report for
2007 / 2008, concluding another very successful year for the club.
Also, many members and guests during the past year have taken advantage of
several trips sponsored by the club - trips to Hua Hin and Chang Mai as well
as some one day excursions to the Aquarium at Burapa University in Bang
Saen, to the True/UBC studio in Bangkok, to the Chonburi Buffalo Races, and
to Nong Nooch Gardens. Several members also had a very enjoyable and
affordable trip to Cambodia to see Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat. The club is
presently working on arranging a trip to Laos and should be having more one
day excursions to the many nearby attractions.
In addition to bringing in many and varied speakers, such as the three
Pattaya mayoral candidates, the club has also been active in the community
by participating in Chonburi and Banglamung government sponsored events,
such as bazaars and parades as well as conducting an English language
conversation program. These events and activities are reported on in the
club newsletter and website continues to include information of great
interest to expats living in or interested in Pattaya. The club also has
assisted many in getting their Thai drivers license, provided an opportunity
to get a low cost group health insurance, and participated in a program to
provide eyeglasses to the needy.
 “How
is the headache now, Lawrie?” asks Doc Penguin. Bangkok Pattaya next time,
Lawrie?
In summation, Richard noted that the club has continued to accomplish its
primary objective of expats helping expats. Richard’s report was followed by
the treasurer’s report presented by Max Rommel, and the report of Al
Serrato, the electoral officer, on the composition of the board of governors
for the coming year. Chairman Richard then presented certificates of
appreciation to outgoing board members Harry “Sig” Sigworth and Andre
Machielsen. This concluded the annual general meeting.
MC Richard Silverberg then introduced Peter Smith with AA Insurance to
comment on the club’s group policy and other insurance matters. He invited
anyone interested in finding out what was available to come by his offices,
which are on the soi adjacent to the north side of Big C (Sukhumvit Road).
MC Richard then called on Doctor Penguin, that well known magician and
entertainer, to dazzle everyone with some of his magic.
The regular open forum then got underway with Bob L’Etoile leading the
proceedings with his regular sparring partner “Sig” Sigworth. The Open forum
continued, providing an opportunity for questions about living in Thailand
with an emphasis on Pattaya. For more information regarding PCEC activities
at their regular Sunday meeting and during the week, please see the
Community Happenings section of Pattaya Mail or, for more details, visit the
club’s website at pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
Free cataract operations
ready to begin
Pramote Channgam
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya held a meeting on July 3 to prepare for the free
cataract operations it is offering to the underprivileged as part of a program
that was initiated in observance of His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday last
December.
 Dr.
Satthabut Pruttipan explains the project.
The hospital is undertaking the operations in association with Chonburi
Province, a briefing having been held on June 20 by Governor Pracha Taerat to
announce the progress to date.
The July 3 meeting was held at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, the hospital’s director
Dr Pichit Kangwolkit having invited Banglamung District officials and volunteers
associated with the project to attend.
Dr Satthabut Pruttipan, the hospital’s deputy director said there would be four
steps for the process. The first is the primary examination of the patient’s
sight, which has been assigned to the Public Health Office in each community.
From this initial step, those selected would be sent for examination at Bangkok
Hospital Pattaya to establish the nature of the cataracts. An operation schedule
is then drawn up, followed by the operation itself.
The hospital has a goal of performing 2,000 operations, with a support budget
from the National Health Security Office for 7,000 baht each.
The Free Cataract Operations Project has received good cooperation from the
National Health Security Office, the Chonburi Public Health Office of Chonburi
Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Queen Sawang Vadhana Hospital Memorial
Hospital, Samitivej Hospital in Sriracha, Phyathai Hospital in Sriracha,
International Rotary District 3340, and all of the Rotary Clubs in Chonburi.
BHP celebrates 10th anniversary of privilege healthcare card
Hospital director Dr Pichit
Kangwonkit (center) and 33 Chivawattana
Card members celebrate the 10th anniversary of the card.
Pramote Channgam
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya celebrated the 10th anniversary of its
Chivawattana Card on July 4, with a reception held during the morning at the
hospital’s E Building lobby.
The card offers privileges for members using the hospital group’s health care
service, including a free health checkup program and discounts on medical fees.
Hospital director Dr Pichit Kangwonkit said that 33 Chivawattana Card members
had been invited to attend the event, which included health checkup booths where
visitors could have free consultations on their heart, eyes, blood pressure and
other functions. There was also a cosmetics center offering free advice.
Existing members of the Chivawattana Card who invite a new member to join will
receive a gift from the hospital. The cards are in four categories; Perfect
Diamond, Prime Platinum, Value Gold, and Junior. Members can use their
Chivawattana Card at the Bangkok Hospital group, Samittivet Hospital, and at BNH
hospital.
Game for a laugh
Schoolteacher wins 100,000 baht
in international laughing contest
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A 55-year-old female teacher had something to smile about when she won a
12-minute laughing contest at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, and received a prize
of 100,000 baht.
 The
winner, Mrs. Jittarat Wongsomboon was rolling on the floor in laughter.
The competition for “Loud, Long and Amusing Laughter” took place on July 5 at
the Royal Garden Plaza, where it was opened by Mrs Bupha Robroo, a consultant
with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports along with Mayor Itthipol Khunplome,
director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Region 3 Chaiwat Charoensuk, and
Somporn Naksuetrong, general manager of Ripley’s World of Entertainment in
Pattaya.
Ripley’s head office set the standards regarding decibels, length of the laugh
in seconds and minutes, style, and response from the spectators.
Somporn said that 136 people had applied for this international contest, coming
from countries as diverse as Siberia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Czech
Republic, Israel, France, Ireland, Italy, the United States, and the
Netherlands, in addition to Thailand. The oldest was a 66-year-old, and the
youngest was nine years old from Thailand. From this total, 12 finalists had
been chosen.
The winner was Mrs Jittarat Wongsomboon, age 55, from Thailand. She was able to
laugh 12.26 minutes at 110 dB. She received 100,000 baht, a gold plaque, and
lots of other gifts. Kowit Pongsri, 32, a singer from Thailand was a runner up
with 11.26 minutes at 112.2 dB. He received 10,000 baht plus a gold ticket for
entry to Ripley’s. He also received a 5,000 baht prize for the best national
costume.
Jittarat said that she hadn’t really prepared herself for the event, as she was
a natural laugher. She is a teacher in Bangkok.
Contestants and organizers share a
good laugh.
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