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Tribute to Elvis Ballard
Sadly, Elvis Ballard, Asia’s top Elvis impersonator, who
for many years performed at the Jomtien Boathouse and Captain’s Corner,
passed away from cancer in his wife’s arms at noon on July 19.
 Elvis
Ballard was cheerful up to the very last moment of his life. R.I.P.
Elvis Ballard was cremated on July 24 at 4 pm. So many people turned up to
pay their last respects to this remarkable entertainer, South Pattaya
experienced the worst traffic jams in recent memory.
Elvis Ballard was cheerful up to the very last moment of his life. His main
concern was for his wife and 11 year old daughter he would leave behind.
We told him not to worry. His many friends and fans from all over the world
would make sure his family was taken care of. Knowing that, he seemed
content and could go to Dixieland in peace.
A memorial tribute concert for Elvis Ballard has been scheduled for August 6
at Jomtien Boathouse. Several artists have pledged to perform, including the
Ritchie Newton Elvis Show, Rick and Harpic band, Eldor Van Patrick the “sax
man”, Elvis Arthur and several others.
Ticket price is 500 baht, and includes a big international buffet. All
proceeds will go towards Elvis Ballard’s daughter’s education. A fixed bank
account will be set up in her name, to be paid out in equal installments
over the next 10 years.
Donations can also be given at the Jomtien Boathouse, Residence Garden,
Jomtien Beach Residence and the Captains Corner, or through this web site
www.elvisballard.com
Table reservations for Elvis Ballard tribute concert can be reserved by
calling Allan Ottesen 085 697 8245.
Buzz around PILC Bazaar
Do your holiday shopping at the
PILC Holiday Bazaar
on Oct 4 at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Adene Paykel,
PILC Special Events
It’s hard to believe it’s almost October and time for our annual bazaar, our
second biggest fundraiser for the year. And have we started off with a bang!
With two new sponsors on board, Amata Corporation and Crown Relocations, we have
managed to double our sponsorship income from 2007. But of course we could not
have done this without the help of our very loyal sponsors who continue to
support the PILC every year: Premier Homes, Volclay Siam, Transpo and Foster
Wheeler. A huge thank you to all of these companies on behalf of the PILC, your
contributions help us to make a difference in the local Pattaya community.
So it’s time to start thinking about your Christmas presents, and what fun
you’re going to have choosing them at this year’s bazaar. It’s shaping up to be
a very exciting shopping expedition for you all, with plenty of our regular
vendors once again showing off their wares, and some new and exciting stalls as
well. This year Wiggle Town (a new children’s indoor/outdoor playground on
Sukhumvit Road) will be providing the equipment for our children’s room, so a
big thank you to Kim and Amber for donating their time and resources to help
make this room a delight for your children (and more importantly for giving us
time to shop in peace!).
Please don’t forget about our huge raffle, once again we have some fabulous
prizes, donated by some very generous businesses across Thailand. We have luxury
getaways, spa packages, food vouchers, jewellery and much more.
This year the bazaar will once again be held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in
the Siam Ballroom, on Saturday October 4, doors will open at 10 a.m. and entry
is 120 baht.
Diana Group holds Dharma session to help people through the bad times
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Sopin Thappajug, managing director of the Diana Group, on July 14 chaired the
opening of a training session designed to teach employees moral principles and
obligations and the use of Dharma to conduct their lives during these difficult
economic times.
 Pra
Maha Klongdham Thamapo teaches employees moral principles and obligations and
the use of Dharma.
The session took place at the Diana Garden Resort, and included the project
leader Saming Suebsakul and the instructor, Pra Maha Klongdham Thamapo.
Sopin said that many people are leading difficult lives at present because of
the problems with the economy and society. Lower incomes, higher prices and
insufficient means for daily living lead to stress, aggression, and upset lives
for many people.
Dharma offers a path through these uncertain times, said Sopin, and Pra Maha
Klongdham Thamapo had been invited to show employees how to act with kindness
and virtue in such a way that they felt better in themselves and brought more
happiness to their families and others around them.
Sopin Thappajug (center) leads the
Dharma training session.
Fisher and Paykel donates washing machine to charitable home
Fisher Paykel women donate a
washing machine
to the Baan Pak Rak Puan home.
Kathleen Petras
Pattaya International Ladies Club member Adene Paykel recently organised the
donation of a washing machine from the new Fisher and Paykel factory on the
Eastern Seaboard.
 (L
to R) Mike interviews Ingrid and Meow for Pattaya Mail on TV.
The washing machine was presented to the Baan Pak Rak Puan (home for rest and
looking after friends) in the Pong district of Banglamung. This is a home that
provides accommodation and care for HIV and AIDS patients (around 12) as well as
one patient with TB (who is kept in isolation).
Fisher and Paykel (Thailand) now employs 230 staff. The first group of
production staff was on board on March 10, 2008 and the first appliance off the
production line was on March 19, 2008. They now manufacture 700 washers per day
and 400 dryers per day.
Baan Pak Rak Puan Home is a private, charitable, Christian (Good Heart
Ministries) organization; patients there are not charged fees. Fortunately the
home doesn’t need to provide medicines. Since 2000, the Thai government has
provided antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV through more than 914
public hospitals.
The home, run by Project Director Pornsawan (Meow) Khankiew and Somsak Thongbo,
is totally reliant on public donations for support.
And they’re off -
at the PCEC meeting
The Pattaya City Expats Club meeting at the Amari’s Henry J.
Bean’s Restaurant on Sunday, July 20, opened to the familiar sounds of a horse
racing track bugle and the cry of “And they’re off” as the projector showed a
related picture on the big screen. This was the introduction by Jack Daigle,
Pattaya Turf Club (PTC), who went on to explain that there were two excellent
royal horse racing tracks in Bangkok. Further, his organization provides trips
to the races almost every Sunday.
 Jack
Daigle of the Pattaya Turf Club introduces to PCEC members the PTC’s weekly
trips to race courses in Bangkok.
The two race tracks are the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and the Royal Turf Club of
Thailand. The PTC excursions offer round trip coach transportation, exclusive
seating at the track, refreshments and an international buffet. Wagering at the
tracks is legal with the minimum bet being 50 baht. They meet at 8:45 a.m. at
the Pattaya Driving Range on 3rd Road for a 9 a.m. departure arriving about 45
minutes before the first race.
The return trip departs after the 8th race, which is around 5 p.m. He noted that
both tracks have a dress code. He provided a brochure, which included a contact
telephone number 038-300-679 and email address www.pattayaturfclub @gmail.com.
He said they presently have a website under construction.
MC Stuart Saunders then introduced the main speaker Dr. Jimmy Kongcharoen,
urologist, from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. Dr. Jimmy’s topic was “Freedom for Men
Suffering from an Enlarged Prostate,” which was well received as many of the
male members and guests were at risk for this condition.
 Dr
Jimmy Kongcharoen, Urologist at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya describes to PCEC
members the treatments available for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or non
malignant enlarged prostate.
Dr. Jimmy provided diagrams showing the prostate gland and noting it is located
in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The
prostate also surrounds the urethra (canal through which urine passes out of the
body). He said that it is very common for the prostate to become enlarged with
age and that most men 60 or older will have an enlarged prostate. This condition
is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As men grow older, they may suffer
some of the symptoms of BPH such as frequent, usually at night, trips to
urinate. Another symptom is a hesitant, interrupted, or weak stream. This
happens because as the prostate grows, it begins to act like a clamp on a garden
hose - pressing against the urethra. The frequent trips to urinate occur because
the bladder does not completely empty each time.
He said the symptoms may be mild or they may be very bothersome. Either way,
ignoring them can lead to bladder and kidney damage. Also, they may be
indicative of a urinary infection or other condition that is not BPH. You may
first notice symptoms of BPH yourself, or your doctor may find that your
prostate is enlarged during a routine checkup. When BPH is suspected, there are
several diagnostic tests that can be done to confirm or rule out BPH. Treatment
for BPH is called for when the symptoms become bothersome and affect the quality
of life. In deciding what treatment is best, the doctor will consider the
benefits of each type in relation to the risks and expected outcomes.
If the symptoms are mild, then the doctor will usually monitor the BPH through
checkups once or twice a year. If treatment is needed, it will initially be
treated with medicines, which have the benefit of being convenient and having
minimal risk, although there is the potential for some side effects such as
impotence, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and loss of sexual drive. These drug
therapies can involve herbal medicine, a muscle relaxant for the prostate and
bladder, or a medicine that reduces the size of the prostate. If this does not
provide relief, there are some other procedures from minimally invasive to
surgery.
However, Dr. Jimmy concluded his talk by noting there is a fairly recent and
very effective procedure now available. The results are immediate, long lasting
(at least 5 years), and there has been no reported pain during the procedure.
This procedure is called Photoselective Vaporization of the prostate. It uses a
flexible fiber optic tube inserted through the urethra for delivery of a high
powered green light laser to quickly vaporize prostate tissue. Based on the many
questions from the audience, the topic was of great interest to the members and
guests present.
MC Stuart Saunders then brought everyone up to date on upcoming events.
Following that, there was a switch in the usual Bob and Sig routine for the Open
Forum. This time it was Sig Sigworth taking the lead and Bob L’Etoile providing
the assistance and being the foil for Sig’s wit. As always, the Open Forum
provided answers to questions from the members and guests about living here in
Thailand.
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