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Donation made, reward offered
Kavita Lamba
The Robin Hood Bar on Jomtien Complex recently made a generous
donation of around 36,000 baht to Fred and Dianne Doell of the Mercy Center.
Every week, Robin Hood Bar donates 10% of their turnover to Mercy Center.
With the help of the local authorities, musicians are able to perform for
free and entertain customers whilst donating to a worthwhile cause in
helping the underprivileged in Pattaya.
 Alistair
Cruickshanks, owner of the Robin Hood Bar makes a donation to Fred and
Dianne Doell of the Mercy Center.
However, the Robin Hood Bar recently experienced a set back in raising such
funds, including a donation of 24,000 raised by Cameron Alderton from
Mermaids Dive Centre, by taking part in 10km race in the Pattaya Marathon in
August.
The Robin Hood Bar on Jomtien Complex was robbed at 8 a.m. on Friday morning
by a Thai person who entered the bedroom of the manageress and her husband
whilst they were asleep. The thief stole 31,000 baht, a passport and other
papers. The thief also got away with one of the collection boxes which the
Robin Hood collects on behalf of the Mercy Center.
The thief, who is approximately 5 feet tall, entered the second floor window
by climbing up the outside of the building to gain entry. He woke the
occupants as he was exiting after grabbing his haul. A chase ensued but the
assailant was able to get away somewhere in Jomtien complex.
The Robin Hood owners and management are offering a reward of 50,000 baht
for any information which will lead to the identification and prosecution of
this thief as they feel the theft of the charity box which is supporting the
Mercy Centre orphans here in Pattaya is so galling. In the meantime, Robin
Hood Bar continues to support the Mercy Center in any way they can.
Jesters Certificate of Appreciation presented to Ooi’s Tae Kwon Do
On behalf of the recent Jesters
Children’s Fair, Samm Franklin (front right) presents a Certificate of
Appreciation to Kru May of Ooi’s Tae Kwon Do.
Mike Franklin
Kru May, whose students gave a Tae Kwon Do demonstration at the recent Jesters
Children’s Fair, has been presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. The
presenation was made by Samm Franklin on behalf of her dad, Honorary Jester Mike
Franklin.
Always a popular attraction at the Children’s fair, the demonstration by senior
belts included patterns disciplines, a variety of kicking routines and wooden
block breaking with flying kicks. Ooi’s Tae Kwon Do students are sure to be back
at the Children’s Fair in the 12th Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive in
2009.
PCEC plans trip to Ayutthaya for Loy Krathong
The regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club
got underway at the Amari’s Henry J. Bean Restaurant on Sunday, October 5, after
the usual announcements. MC Stuart Saunders then asked Sermsakdi to introduce
Niti from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Sermsakdi and Niti announced
an upcoming event and special arrangements being made for the Club, a 4 day 3
night trip to Ayutthaya from November 10 to 13. In addition to sightseeing,
there will be a special celebration on the night of the 12th for Loy Krathong.
Sermsakdi said that additional details on the itinerary and cost should be
available within the next two weeks.
 Sermsakdi
(left) introduces TAT Region 3 director, Niti Kongkrut.
MC Stuart then introduced featured speaker Lawrence (Lux) Cochrone. Lux spoke
about the benefits of using the holistic approach to preventative medicine for
health care. He started by telling everyone about his background and interest in
holistic medicine. Lux said he felt that help for the sick is best provided by
someone with personal experience in health care. Further, he started gaining
such experience early when he was 16 years old. At that time he was assisting
people in Vancouver, Canada at an old folks home and at a children’s’ hospital.
This led him to the view that there were two issues in helping the sick. One was
to help the sick get better and the other was the delivery system for doing so.
He felt that the accepted medical practice was to treat the symptoms rather than
the causes of illnesses.
An example of one case he was involved in while in Mexico was when Steve
McQueen, a famous American actor, came to their clinic for treatment. McQueen
was suffering from a cancerous tumor. Lux said that he looked very bad when he
arrived. Initial treatment was to improve his overall condition and that it was
working as his physical bearing improved and the cancer appeared to be going
into remission. However, McQueen was being pressured by friends and associates
to return to the USA and to have surgery to remove the cancer. Lux and the
others at the clinic recommended that he wait until his immune system was better
before undergoing surgery. But, he decided to return to the USA for surgery and
died soon thereafter.
Lux said that he had been in Thailand seven years and came to Pattaya last
December. His primary reason for addressing the Club was to make people aware
that in treating illnesses, they need to rely on more than pills, surgery, and
normal treatment that they get from the local hospitals. He also wanted everyone
to be aware that although there were many people who tout their alternative
medical treatment, some are in it just to sell you something. But, there were
some legitimate practitioners.
There were several questions for Lux as well as recommendations from the
audience on certain holistic practitioners or practices that they would
recommend. In conclusion, David Meador, club secretary, announced that there
would be a signup sheet for those interested in forming and participating in a
holistic network.
After updating the audience on upcoming events and special interest group
activities, MC Stuart called on Richard Silverberg to tell everyone about his
most recent website find. Richard prefaced his remarks by saying he wasn’t sure
the website he came across was working within the bounds of the law, but it was
an interesting site. The site is www.mygazines.com. If interested in reading
some of the latest magazines including those in other languages, Richard said
this is the site to visit. People scan magazines or articles, which are uploaded
and made available in the popular Adobe reader format for all to read.
MC Stuart then brought everyone up to date on upcoming events and the regular
Open Forum was conducted by “Hawaii Bob” Sutterfield. As always, the often
humorous Open Forum provided answers to questions from the audience about living
here in Thailand - following the Club’s motto of Expats helping expats.
Naval landing armed with flowers
Patcharapol Panrak
In what seemed a beautiful way to add a splash of color as well as help reduce
global warming, three Rotary Clubs and Royal Thai Navy sailors planted
bougainvillea shrubs on Mu Island after a peaceful naval landing.
 Rotarians
and naval personnel plant bougainvillea on Mu Island.
The brilliant multi-colored flowers will also help celebrate the “116 days from
Mother’s Day to Father’s Day” period to link the royal birthdays of Her Majesty
the Queen and His Majesty the King which many activities are commemorating all
over the country.
It all resembled a naval landing operation, bristling with flowers rather than
guns, as members of the Rotary Clubs of Sattahip, Plutaluang and Ban Chang,
students and others converged by naval ship on the island in Sattahip Bay in a
planting spree on October 3.
Capt. Narathip Tadsanatrailak, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Fleet, went in
the lead of the landing party disembarking from the Chakri Naruebet naval ship.
Close behind him were Capt. Sanit Boonpeun, president of the Sattahip Rotary
Club, Chaweewan Adinan, president of the Plutaluang Rotary Club, Narongsak
Leepromrat, assistant of district 3340, a representative from the Ban Chang
Rotary Club in Rayong Province and 20 members, all armed to the teeth with 299
bougainvillea plants.
Admiral Supakorn Buranadilok, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Fleet, said
he wanted all units under him to help the community grow more flowering trees on
the many islands in the Sattahip sea to celebrate the royal birthdays, to
beautify the scenery and to promote tourism.
Capt. Sanit Boonpeun, retired military officer and chairman of the Sattahip
Rotary Club, was pleased with the environmental conservation policy being
adopted by his the community, citing a recent move by Sattahip Municipality and
residents to grow more than 2,500 trees.
PILC celebrates 21st anniversary with Charity Black & White Ball
Saturday, November 15
Loran Davidson
It’s hard to believe it has been 21 years since the Pattaya
International Ladies Club began! It started when a small group of women began
meeting in friendship, but with a purpose - to try to help the local community.
Today, the club has a membership of over 250 ladies from 35 different countries
and raises millions of baht for local charities. The Pattaya International
Ladies Club has come a long way.
One of the major fund-raising events is the annual charity ball, an event the
PILC members and the Pattaya community looks forward to every year. This year
it’s a fresh, glamorous and exciting look for the ball, with a new organising
committee and a new venue. It’s shaping up to be not only a successful fund
raiser but a highly anticipated evening!
This year the event is being hosted by the Dusit Thani. You do not have to be a
PILC member to attend, and there are still a few tickets available.
The evening begins at 6.30pm with canapés and cocktails, with guests sure to
enjoy stunning views of the bay as the sun sets.
Dinner promises to be a delicious feast, with a menu designed by the Dusit
Thani’s executive chef. Poached scallops, grilled pork, chicken consommé with
pancakes are just some of what will be on offer. For those with a sweet tooth,
you will be in heaven, with a choice of more than 6 scrumptious delights! Or,
there is a full vegetarian menu if preferred.
Of course this event would not be possible without our generous sponsors: Fisher
& Paykel, Laem Chabang International Terminal, Dana Spicer, UTI, Brunel, Foster
Wheeler, the Pluto LNG Project, P&O Management Services, Premier Homes, Mermaid
Offshore Services Ltd and of course we would always love to have more!
A highlight of the evening is the auction, when many fabulous items are up for
grabs, including beautiful artwork, Thai antique furniture, a private chef for
your very own private dinner party; these are just some examples of what will be
on offer. There will also be a silent auction throughout the evening for some
more amazing items, all donated by local businesses and individuals.
With a fabulous jazz band and dancing until 1 a.m., there will be plenty of time
to really enjoy the festivities! All money raised will be used to continue the
PILC welfare projects and to support local charities.
Tickets are still available at 3500 baht per person. Contact Adene Paykel,
Special Events: [email protected] mobile 0861491771.
International Wine Challenge - a major highlight
at Food and Hotel Thailand 2008
Ranjith Chandrasiri
The Food and Hotel Thailand 2008, a “Total Solutions” event for the
high-end hospitality industry was held at the state-of-the-art Royal Paragon
Hall, Bangkok from September 17-20. This year’s exhibition, billed as Asia’s
only 5 star industry event, attracted exhibitors from all over the world, packed
into the entire 12,000sqm of exhibition space of the impressive Royal Paragon
Hall.
 Chairman
Ranjith Chandrasiri briefs the judges on criteria before the judging begins.
Food and Hotel Thailand once again provided an excellent platform for buyers,
attracting only premium food, beverage, equipment and technology products for
the region’s hotel, restaurant, food service and retail sectors. Some 30,000
people attended the exhibition, an unexpected 5% increase over last year despite
the local political tensions and international economic slowdown.
A wide range of industry competitions, seminars and conferences were also held
alongside the exhibition with regional experts participating in the seminar and
activity programs sharing their expertise and knowledge with the delegates.
Among the highlights were the 14th Culinary Gathering of Cooks and Chefs
organized by the Thai Chefs Association, the International Wine Challenge
organized by the Food and Beverage Association of Thailand, Housekeeper
competition - Grand Archway Decoration organized by the Executive Housekeepers
Club, Wine Professional Challenge organized by the Siam Winery, Thai Retailers
Association Seminar organized by the Thai Retailers Association and a Bartender
Competition.
One again, the International Wine Challenge 2008 was held on day one with 101
international wines being judged in 8 categories of Premium and Super Premium by
a panel of wine experts from Thailand’s wine, hotel and restaurant industries,
chaired by Ranjith Chandrasiri, the president of the Royal Cliff Wine Club and
the deputy general manager of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. As in most
international wine competitions, FBAT awards were given based on averaged out
scores from the judges in categories of varietal reds, whites, blends and
sparkling wine. Trophies were presented to each category winner and the two best
overall winners by Chandrasiri at the award ceremony.
GranMonte Estate and Siam Winery, the only domestic entries, both won silver and
bronze medals but the walk-away winning distributor was Festive Wine & Beverage
Co. with 14 medals for its entries. Central Food Retail Company took impressive
six gold medals while Nobel Marketing Co. and Independent Wine and Spirits
(Thailand) won gold medals for their entries in blended whites and Cabernet
Sauvignon categories.
Among the gold medal winners were Woodshed Brut (Sparkling wine), Gangara
Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Elderton (E-Series) Uncorked Chardonnay 2007, Evans & Tate
Margaret River Chardonnay 2006, Monsoon Valley Colombard 2008, Tulloch Verdelho
2007, Blue Moon Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Elderton (Friends) Cabernet Sauvignon
2005, Elderton (E Series) Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Spy Valley Pinot Noir
2006, Mont Clair Bin 4 Shiraz reserve 2007 and Majella Shiraz 2003.
Oktoberfest on the beach at the Pinnacle (and in October!)
Dr. Iain Corness
Oktoberfest is a national celebration in Germany. This wonderful boozy,
beer-drinking event was established in October of 1810 by Prince Ludwig of
Bavaria (crowned as King Ludwig I) in celebration of his marriage to Princess
Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Almost 200 years later, the celebration in
Munich continues with an event that has become not only a symbol of fun in
Bavaria, but for all Germans and the world. Officially Oktoberfest now lasts
16-18 days, beginning in mid-September and ending on the 1st Sunday in October,
but here in Thailand the dates can be manipulated a little, and at the Pinnacle
Grand Resort in Jomtien, Oktoberfest will be held on October 22 and 24, starting
at 6.30 p.m.
 There
will be the Alphorn competition for those who think they can blow up a storm.
Pinnacle GM Ingo Raeuber has ensured that there is enough of an authentic
Oktoberfest in the celebration on the beach at Jomtien, with draft Erdinger
Weissbier and Warsteiner Pilsener served as exclusive beers, for the night.
Entertainment is provided by the Original Williams MusiKanten,
(www.original-williams.de), the group who really made last year’s Oktoberfest
such an ‘oom-pah-pah’ success! There will also be the Alphorn competition for
those who think they can really blow up a storm. (It is not all that easy, but
it is fun!)
As novelty items, each guest will receive either a ‘love apple’ which is a
regular apple dipped in sugar syrup colored with red food color (hard on the
outside, soft on the inside, “same as in real life,” says Ingo) or a
heart-shaped ginger bread with “I love you” written on it complete with a ribbon
to hang around the neck of the object of your desires!
 The
Original Williams MusiKanten is back again with more entertainment.
The menu items have also a wonderfully German emphasis, with Krautsalat (white
cabbage salad with vinaigrette and crispy bacon) Laugenbretz’n (the pretzel with
the salt on the outside), from Ina’s Beergarden is her spit roast machine with
grilled pork knuckles, Nuremberger sausages, farmer sausages, Weisswurst
sausages and much more to tempt the hungry Oktoberfest drinkers.
LTU has sponsored the flights for the musicians and will also provide a return
flight to Germany on both evenings, as well as another Lufthansa ticket to be
auctioned. These tickets will go to the highest bidder, the proceeds going to
the YLDF (Youth Leadership Development Foundation). Other auction prizes include
two 100 euro coins and two large paintings.
Entry is only 700 baht net (for advance ticket sales) or 800 baht purchased that
evening, and includes the entertainment and the dinner buffet.
Incidentally, out of each dinner ticket, B. 200 will be given to the YLDF to
assist in funding the fourth camp, but if the tickets are sold by the Rotary
Club of Phoenix Pattaya, the B. 200 will go to the beneficiary of their choice,
the Pong School and its computer center. The Rotary Club of Phoenix Pattaya will
also organize a raffle with 250 prizes each night. The major prize each evening
is a two night/three day trip, with one evening in Hong Kong and one evening in
Singapore, plus other valuable prizes such as bicycles and TVs.
Casa Pascal will also be present with a champagne booth and has donated dinner
vouchers for the auction (and that’s worth going for on its own).
The Pinnacle Grand Resort is in Najomtien, and the venue on the beach is always
a wonderfully laid back affair. Oktoberfest on the beach.
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