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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Jumbo dad sires 34th baby

Isaan comes to Pattaya

Youngsters from Pattaya Orphanage sing carols for PCEC

New Isaan restaurant tempts customers

Black & White Splendour

Happy 35th birthday, Mayor Itthipol

Jumbo dad sires 34th baby

Ply Bird (left) meets his 34th offspring, Ply Santisuk, for the first time.

Patcharapol Panrak
Meet Ply Bird, the hulking 30-year-old Jumbo Dad extraordinaire.
The mighty father elephant is certainly doing more than his share to ensure the survival of his endangered species by just now siring “Ply Santisuk”, his 34th offspring, brought into the world by Pang Duen Pen at the Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens outside Pattaya.
It is believed that Ply Bird may hold the world’s record for the number of offsprings sired, in captivity at least.
In fact Ply Bird is daddy to all the young elephants in Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens while Pang Duen Pen has produced four babies: Pang Spy, Pang Poonsap, Pang Tanwakhom and now Pang Santisuk.
Around 2 a.m. on the good-fortune date of December 9, 23-years-old mum gave birth to her baby after going into labor on the King’s birthday. She was then brought to the 200-acre resort to give birth.
Excited keepers waited day and night for the mother to deliver her baby.
Kampol “Khun Tong” Tonsajja, director of Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens Pattaya, named the baby elephant “Ply Santisuk” or “Peacefulness”, since December is considered an auspicious month and after peace reigned again in the country.
At 8.09 a.m. Jiraprit Sodorn, sales and marketing director, and elephant keepers brought 20 elephants to present a garland to congratulate the jumbo mum, dad and “tiny tot” of which were healthy and fit.
Jumbo Dad trumpeted in celebration with Mum while the other elephants made suitably joyful noises to welcome the new arrival to the jungle.


Isaan comes to Pattaya

Contest winners and officials gather for a group photo.

Tony Malhotra
Isaan came to Pattaya as the annual ‘The best of Isaan’ festival got underway on December 20-21 on the sports field of Pattaya School No. 8.

A couple contestants proudly show off their somtam entry.

Graceful dances and the distinctively upbeat folk music of our northeastern region enticed and welcomed local and foreign visitors who had a chance to enhance their knowledge of the art and culture of Isaan.
There were plenty of OTOP quality handicraft products to buy and take home for those Christmas and New Year gifts on the shopping list.
The highlight of the event was the somtam (spicy papaya salad) competition to win 10,000 baht prize money, as well as educational scholarships for students who excel in studies. Lucky judges and participants could lunch on the competition entries and breathe out fire.
More festivals of this kind in 2009 are promised by Pattaya City Administration.


Youngsters from Pattaya Orphanage sing carols for PCEC

The highlight of the Pattaya City Expats Club’s December 21 meeting at Henry J. Beans was Christmas Carols sung by 25 youngsters from the Pattaya Orphanage with their beaming faces and melodic voices. Their opening carol, “Joy to the World” positively brought joy to the hearts of the audience. Prior to the appearance of the children, Radchada “Toy” Chomjinda, who brought them to the meeting, was introduced by emcee Richard Silverberg to talk about the beginnings and current operation of the Orphanage.

Ratchada (Toy) Chomjinda shares the history of Pattaya Orphanage since Father Ray Brennan found a baby on his doorstep 30 years ago. Now it has 189 orphans, ranging in age from babies (pictured) to university undergraduates.
She said she has been with the Orphanage for 15 years with the last 8 years handling adoptions. She began by explaining how the Orphanage began when Father Ray Brennan, an American Redemptorist priest, found a baby left on his doorstep over 30 years ago. Father Ray took the child in and cared for it. As word got around, even more babies were left with Father Ray.
This was occurring during the Vietnam War when Pattaya was a popular rest and recreation location for American troops serving there. Since many of the babies were from girls that were working in Pattaya to entertain the Americans, Father Ray asked the Americans at Utapao Air Base for assistance. Father Ray then approached the Catholic Diocese with the idea of building an Orphanage on land they owned in Pattaya. The Americans, for their part had agreed to build the Orphanage and donate over time 500,000 baht. Father Ray told the Diocese he would take charge of looking after the orphans and would also raise any additional funds needed. This was the beginning.

Club member Bob presents the children with gifts to sparkle their Christmas.

Over time, the Father Ray Foundation took on the responsibility for the Orphanage as well as a school for the deaf co-located with the Orphanage.
Based on the recent expiration of the original agreement for the land, the Diocese took over the operation of the Orphanage and the School for the Deaf from the Father Ray Foundation. Toy, whose heart was with the children at the Orphanage, chose to continue the adoption work she has been doing for the past eight years.
Although many of the children can be adopted, others cannot because they are often unable to locate the birth mother to obtain the required release. Presently, she said, the Orphanage is taking care of approximately 189 orphans, ranging from newborn babies to students studying at the university level. The children receive pre-school lessons at the Orphanage and then go to public school so that they will be assimilated into the mainstream of Thai society.

Pattaya City Expats venue sponsor, Amari / Henry J Beans, presents gifts of freshly cooked muffins to all the Orphanage Singers. They were greatly appreciated!

For those going only through High School, the Orphanage assists them for a few months in transitioning to employment and living outside the Orphanage. For those going on to higher education, the Orphanage continues to support them till they finish their studies. She said that several have gone on to obtain their masters degree.
The children at the Orphanage live as brothers and sisters. After leaving the Orphanage, they often return to help out as big brothers and sisters for those that remain. For health care, she spoke about the doctors that donate their time. There is a pediatrician that has been coming in once a week for several years and recently, doctors and nurses from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya are donating their time to providing additional health care for the children.
Toy said that their current operating budget is about 2 million baht per month. About 50 percent of their funds come from donations received by their two European organizations. She said the Orphanage welcomes visitors, especially expat wives who come to help hold and take care of the babies. However, for the protection of the children, all volunteers go through a vetting process and if they take any of the children for an excursion into town, it is always in the company of a chaperone.
She said that often people want to know how they can help the Orphanage. Toy said there are several ways. One can make donations, give scholarships, provide powdered milk, buy articles for the children, or sponsor a meal for the children.
In response to questions from the audience, she said that sponsoring a luncheon for the children costs from 3,500 baht to 5,000 baht, the latter including desert, which she said was a treat the children look forward to.
At this point, the much anticipated arrival of the children took place. They all were resplendent in their white choir robes. To the accompaniment of their two guitarists, the audience was entertained with several well known Christmas Carols concluding with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The Club, having been tipped off by Toy, presented each of the carolers with a bag containing Hershey Kisses (their favorite) and other useful items. At this point, the staff of Henry J. Bean brought trays of muffins as their gift to the children.
For those interested in learning more about Pattaya Orphanage, they can visit their website at: www.thepattayaor phanage.org/eng/index.php
After the inspiring talk by Toy and the delightful singing of the children, PCEC board member Marjorie Blissett, who had taken up a collection at previous meetings asked PCEC board chairman Michel de Goumois to join with her in presenting 10,000 baht to Toy for the Orphanage. Marjorie also mentioned that another 9,000 baht had been collected and shared with the Mercy Centre and Father Ray Foundation’s School for the Blind. Board Member Richard Smith also announced that PCEC members had been invited to tour the Orphanage, which would take place after the first of the year.

The Orphanage Carol singers delight PCEC members with a number of very well sung popular carols.


New Isaan restaurant tempts customers

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Delicious somtam (papaya salad) and kaiyang (grilled chicken) is definitely on the menu as the Amorn Group steps into the restaurant industry and opens the Isaan Inter Restaurant on Pattaya 3rd Road.

(L to R) Rungratree Thongsai and Suwanthep Malhotra, director of sales and marketing for Pattaya Mail Publishing Co. Ltd., congratulate Amorn Malhotra.

Amorn Malhotra, managing director of Amorn Decor of Amorn Group, and his wife Amornrat are doing their bit to fight the economic crisis with good food at their new restaurant.
Amorn said Issan Inter is a fully Isaan (northeastern) restaurant offering Thai and western dishes. The chef is from Khon Kaen Province with 20 years of cooking experience.
“The prices of the dishes are moderate with music creating a relaxing atmosphere. The quality of food used is clean and fresh and all sorts of drinks are available. Current opening hours are between 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday with Monday as a holiday,” Amorn said.
Somtam is a favorite of all now but the recipe is only some 40 years old when the main ingredient of papaya was imported from Melaka, Malaysia during the Vietnam War.
The Thai government at that time gave permission to the United States to have an army base in Sattahip. Papaya seeds eventually arrived in the eastern part of Thailand and spicy somtam had been tantalizing the Thai and farang palate ever since.


Black & White Splendour

PILC Special Events Committee 2008
Saturday January 17, 2009 is shaping up to be a glamorous event; a truly festive way to bring in the New Year with a bang! With sweeping views of the bay, and a January sea breeze to match, the Dusit Thani will be hosting the Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) Black & White ball.
The evening begins on the veranda, listening to the lively sound of Bangkok Jazz Band “Sharps and Flats”. Wash down your canapés with a lychee martini and sparkling wine, while you browse our fantastic auction items, including a private French chef who will cook for you and 5 of your friends, a weekend away in Hua Hin, fabulous artwork donated by renowned Pattaya artists, an antique silver cutlery setting valued at 100,000 baht, and your very own sailing coach at Royal Varuna Yacht Club!
A four course meal will follow, along with a sumptuous dessert buffet, after which the real fun begins; you can let your hair down and spend the rest of the night on the dance floor, with a DJ and Jazz Band to ensure your feet will be sore!
Of course beautiful wines and stunning company is a given, but we must not forget the purpose of this important event … to raise money which the PILC welfare team will distribute to many needy causes throughout 2009. Your participation will ensure the health and welfare of many local families and orphans. We have received tremendous support in the form of sponsorship for this event, now we need you to make this night one to remember!
Tickets are on sale for 3500 baht; this includes sunset cocktails, canapés, a 4 course meal, wine, beer & soft drinks on tap, fabulous entertainment, photographs and of course a special gift from the PILC, a massage for those tired feet!
The theme is black and white, so be creative. There will be prizes for the best dressed!
Contact Jacinta Chamberlain on 086 997 0671 or Rachel Hoag on 081 782 6118 to make your reservation now!


Happy 35th birthday, Mayor Itthipol

Mayor Ittipol Khunplome began his birthday celebrations by paying respects to King Taksin the Great’s statue in front of city hall.

Pramote Channgam
Politicians, local leaders, government officials, businessmen and the public congratulated Mayor Itthipol Khunplome on his 35th birthday December 15.
The morning saw the mayor paying respect to King Taksin the Great’s statue in front of city hall. Religious activities followed, including worshipping Phra Rattanatrai and receiving blessings from monks.
Then the mayor had a happy lunch with guests and well-wishers.
At his residence in Soi Tong 5 Pattaya-Naklua Road, birthday greetings and gift baskets came from many senior officials including Mongkol Tummakittikul, Surasit Nitiwuttawornluk, Poramet Ngampichet, Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Mai Chaiyanit.
The birthday party was also attended by Itthipol’s brother Sontaya Khunplome, former minister of sports and tourism, his mother Satil Khunplome, president of Women’s Development of Chonburi, another brother Wittaya Khunplome and the rest of the high-profiled Khunplome family.

Apichart Puechphan and government officials present a birthday gift to the mayor.