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Asian University celebrates its first ten years
Susan Joyce
Saturday evening, September 27, at the Royal Bangkok Sports
Club, there was a party to celebrate the first ten years of Asian
University.
 Lord
Oxburgh speaks to the assembly.
Hosted by the university president Dr. Viphandh Roengpithya with the
students and staff of the university, and attended by shareholders,
parents and friends, the party was a multi facetted celebration. Lord
Ronald Oxburgh was there and gave an interesting and entertaining talk
entitled “A decade from the top of the hill” making reference to the
location of Asian University, on a hill overlooking the cassava fields
and Jomtien.
Many alumni of the university and present day students were there to
catch up with friends and compare their experiences. Dr. Worarut Khunsin
was given the outstanding Asian U Alumni Award and Rut (Anontawong
Marukpitak) was presented with the Asian U Spirit Award. Both are
engineering graduates from the first batch in 2002, who have continued
their support for the university.
An academic collaboration agreement was signed by Asian University and
the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for a “Unified Asian U-AIT
Bachelor-Master Programme”. This combines a four year Asian University
bachelor degree (BEng) with a one and a half to two year Master
programme at AIT into one continuous 5-year (Engineering) programme.
Students who successfully complete the programme will earn two degrees,
BEng and then MEng. The study programme will be available in the next
academic year, starting August 2009.
Professor Said Irandoust, president of AIT and Dr. Vip of Asian
University signed the agreement and look forward to successful
collaboration.
DJ Champ, from Channel 3 TV helped everyone to enjoy the celebrations
and the reunion to the full.
Dr Vip closing speech.
Lord Oxburgh gives the
alumni award to Rut.
DJ Champ from Channel 3
with Panit.
Alumni Nok Yung and Sarn.
At the signing ceremony (L
to R) Dr Adul,
Dr Said from AIT and Dr Vip and Panit from AU.
Assembled Alumni.
GTCC enjoys good attendance
despite stormy times
Special guest Reiner Calmund lectures at MRP
Peter Nordhues
Members and guests of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC)
recently had their ‘stammtisch’ gathering, which takes place every other
month at the Moon River Pub in front of the Thai Garden Resort (TGR) in
North Pattaya.
 (L
to R) Rene Pisters, TGR general manager, Stefan Bürkle, GTCC executive
director, and Gerrit Niehaus, TGR proprietor.
Pattaya’s clerk of the weather must have had a bad day, as at times it
rained feral cats and soi dogs. Still, it wouldn’t stop some 60 people from
attending this popular meeting.
In his welcome address, Stefan Bürkle, the chamber’s executive director,
connected the weather to the general global situation saying, “These are
stormy times. We are witnesses to the greatest storm in the world of finance
of this century. Institutions that have been respected for generations, like
Lehman Brothers, are among the victims of this storm. The political storm in
Thailand still hasn’t settled and has even cost the prime minister his job.
The progress of Thai democracy is facing difficult times. But all these
storms will eventually settle. Financial fundamentals in Thailand are still
solid. However, major efforts are necessary in order to succeed.”
 Reiner
‘Calli’ Calmund at his inimitable lecture.
Subsequently, Bürkle mentioned the three big events the Chamber organizes or
helps to organize. October 17 sees the Oktoberfest at Millennium Hilton
Bangkok. The ‘Fest der Deutschen,’ where Germany’s reunification is
celebrated, takes place October 25 at the Shangri-La Bangkok. November 8 to
11 is marked by two events, both taking place at the Centara Grand and
Bangkok Convention Centre - the German Technology Symposium 2008 and the
Lifestyle & Travel 2008 exhibition.
Having said that, Bürkle handed over the mike to Reiner ‘Calli’ Calmund.
Having been a special guest speaker at the GTCC before, Calli is well-known,
and not only to the regulars. Within the framework of his TV show ‘Iron
Calli,’ the football heavyweight spent some weeks on holiday in Thailand, as
usual, at the Thai Garden Resort.
In his presentation, Calli lectured about ‘Competence & Passion.’ It is his
perception that a crisis exists only to be overcome. “If you are good at
something, then do it. Don’t wait on others!” He certainly wasn’t short of
illustrative examples taken from the world of football.
In September, Calli went through a stern fitness program in order to prove
his iron discipline to lose weight. Famous musician and extreme athlete Joey
Kelly (“Kelly Family”) supervises him. The goal is to lose some 30 kilos
within 12 months. So far, the result is quite promising. Last June, when
Calli was the Euro 2008’s representative for Carinthia (Austria), he
weighted 163 kilos. Now, he is already down to 150.4 kilos.
Staying in Thailand, Calli feels like he’s on the top of the world. He
doesn’t mind the hot weather and the high humidity. The TGR’s new 60 meter
long pool is the perfect place for his evening exercises.
Having withdrawn from the big football stage, Calli is still a regular in
the media. He is currently preparing a cooking show for the commercial
channel RTL, and a camera team from Germany’s popular TV magazine “Stern TV”
accompanied him during his stay in Thailand.
Stefan Bürkle thanked Calli for his extensive and quite detailed report and
announced the buffet as being officially open. The lecture provided enough
matters for discussion. Substantially strengthened, people then had the
chance to wiggle to the beats of the Power Jam band who really had the party
going until late.
The GTCC is located at 25th Floor, Empire Tower 3, 195 South Sathorn Road,
Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, tel. (662) 670-0600, fax (662) 670-0601,
e-mail: info @gtcc.org, www.gtcc.org
Royal Cliff Wine Club: Kudos 2008 and a Salmanazer
Guests of honour gather to
open the huge Salmanazer of Pommery Brut Champagne.
Peter Cummins
It is a rare sight that gala dinners, anniversaries, weddings,
birthdays or any other commemorative events are held under the ‘totem’ of a
gigantic bottle of champagne (known in viticulture as a Salmanazer). Of
course, the exotic bubbly is usually prevalent at all the aforementioned
occasions and such extravaganzas as the winning celebrations of a victorious
Formula One racing team.
But all these events paled into insignificance at the splendid Royal Cliff
Wine Club ‘Best of Awards of Excellence Celebration Dinner 2008’, held at
the Grand Ballroom of the Royal Cliff Grand and Spa last week, where a huge
Salmanazer of Pommery Brut Champagne dominated the gathering, from an ice
platform at centre stage.
 Guests
of honour H.E. Yevgeny and Madam Olga Afanasieva are graciously welcomed by
Chan and Panga Vathanakul.
This measure, equivalent to 12 regular bottles of wine could, indeed, have
represented the anthropological ‘totem’ - a revered object related to a
given family or clan and taken as its symbol. It made, in fact, a rather
appropriate symbol for the legions of wine lovers who frequent all the Royal
Cliff Wine Club’s events.
As Ranjith Chandrasiri, president of the Royal Cliff Wine Club, deputy
general manager of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and acknowledged wine
connoisseur among his many achievements, pointed out, “The Pommery Brut
Royal Champagne was specially made and shipped exclusively to the Royal
Cliff for the Celebration Dinner.
“This was made possible, of course,” Ranjith told the more than 2,000 guests
assembled at the Ballroom, “through the generosity of our co-sponsors,
Bangkok Beer and Beverages Company Limited, whose president, wine
connoisseur par excellence and an ardent supporter of the Wine Club’s
activities, Ron Batori.”
On behalf of Panga Vathanakul, managing director and all the staff of the
Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Ranjith warmly welcomed the guests of honour,
Ambassador H.E. Yevgeny and Madam Olga Afanasieva of the Russian Federation
and voiced his appreciation to all members and friends who “have made every
wine club event a successful and unforgettable one.” Panga herself has been
representing the Russian Federation on the Eastern Seaboard for some time.
“Today is a historical day for us as we celebrate one of our greatest
achievements,” Ranjith informed the gathering. “Royal Cliff Beach Resort has
become the first hotel property in the world to win five Best awards of
excellence from New York’s renowned Wine Spectator Magazine - honours from
which are coveted by the total hotel industry world-wide.
“It is for the first time that five such awards are won by one hotel
property within one calendar year anywhere in the world,” Ranjith said. The
restaurants which won the prestigious awards are the Caprice Restaurant and
Bar featuring contemporary European cuisine; Larn Thong, the classical Thai
restaurant; The Grill Room & Wine Cellar, featuring international grilled
specialities; Rossini, the Italian Restaurant; and Chrysanthemum Palace, for
the best of Chinese cuisine.
The Best of Awards of Excellence is conferred annually by the Wine
Spectator’s judging panel of wine experts, connoisseurs and editors onto
only those establishments which possess a superlative combination of wine
lists, menu with excellently-matching food, ambience, pricing, and an
international wine programme.
Each year thousands of restaurants and hotels around the world are reviewed
for the magazine’s Restaurant Awards Programme, but only a few are
recognised as the world’s best!
“As you know,” continued Ranjith, “the Royal Cliff Beach Resort has come a
long way in the last 35 years. Over the years, the Resort has been the
recipient of numerous awards, 75 so far, in recognition of our commitment to
service excellence.
“One of the most important elements of the Resort’s success has been the
ability to evolve with the changing times and trends, while unwaveringly
adhering to the highest standards of quality and service. I can assure you
that we will not rest on our laurels but continue to achieve excellence with
our trade-mark hospitality and services.
“The gourmet five-course meal served during the evening, with all wines -
even the champagne (in regular-sized bottles, that was) - emanating from the
Royal Cliff’s own extensive cellars – was prepared by Walter Thenisch and
his trusty team.”
The menu, ranging from foie gras, Cantonese-style Maine scallop, Atlantic
salmon steak, of course (fourth course, that was!) Australian beef
tenderloin and an exotic dessert. Even the butter in dishes on the table was
shaped in forms of grapes and wine glasses - so artistic, it seemed a shame
to cut them.
“The wines that we are tasting tonight are from our very own Royal Cliff’s
classic, silver and gold label collections which have been especially
bottled for the Royal Cliff Beach resort by prestigious wine producers from
all over the world,” announced Ranjith.
The range included Australian Unoaked Chardonay, Chilean Sauvignon Blanc,
Australian Shiraz and Shiraz Cabernet, Italian Ruffino, and French Bordeaux.
Then came the long-awaited moment: the un-corking of the Salmanazer. Ranjith
forewarned the expectant guests that there could well be a huge explosion;
on the other hand, it might be an anti-climactic fizzle.
Several Royal Cliff staff assisted Ranjith in trying to remove the cork. It
took some time until, without a murmur, the Pommery yielded, the totem’s
contents were distributed and the guests enjoyed the grand finale to a
spectacular evening.
The Wine Club has special wine dinners about 4 - 6 times a year and wine
tastings at unspecified intervals during any given year. The Royal Cliff
Wine Club is open to limited new memberships. For applications or enquiries,
please call +66 (038) 250 421 ext. 2782/2007/2037 from 09:00 to 18:00 hrs or
email [email protected]
Cross Bay Swim 2008 programme & coordinating teams
Sunday October 12th 2008
Hard Rock Hotel
10.00 Set up (banners, registration table)
11.00 Swimmers assembly and registration - welcome drinks (swimmers only)
Please drop swimmers and passengers in front of Hard Rock Cafe on Beach Road and
park in the Hard Rock car park on Second Road.
Alternatively park at Dusit Thani and walk to Hard Rock along Beach Road.
After final registration swimmers will receive swimmer cap and start number.
11.00 Welcome speeches and briefing (Jan Abbink)
11.45 Short swimmers proceed to beach in front of Hard Rock
Long swimmers proceed to Sea Rescue Station at Bali Hai
There will be city police to help cross the road.
All short swimmers will be lined up along the buoys at the start of the enclosed
swimming area (adult swimmers further out, younger swimmers closer to the shore)
12.00 noon: Start of short swim
All spectators are requested to follow the swimmers along the beach to the
finish at Dusit Thani. City police requested to post at the non enclosed area
(half way) to ensure safe crossing.
Sea Rescue Station - Bali Hai
11.00 Set up of banners, briefing Sea Rescue
12.00 noon Long swimmers assembly and registration.
Swimmers may leave their personal belongings to be transported to finish at
Dusit Thani with Jan Chris von Koss
12.30 Welcome speech (Richard Haughton) and briefing (Simon Simms)
13.00 Start of long swim
Dusit Thani
11.00 Set up (banners, RCJP catering)
12.15-13.00 Short swimmers arrive
Swimmers to be given medal and polo shirt upon arrival
13.00 Buffet open (at poolside) for short swimmers (medal = meal ticket)
13.45 - 15.00 Long swimmers arrive
Swimmers to be given medal and polo shirt upon arrival
14.00 Buffet open for long swimmers
15.30-15.45 Trophies for winners short swim and photo call all short swimmers
15.45-16.00 Trophies for winners long swim and photo call all long swimmers
16.00- 16.15 Sponsor certificates presentation
16.30 Close
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