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Nong Jazz crowned Miss Tiffany Universe 2009
Story by Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Photos by Vimolrat Singnikorn
Sorrawee “Nong Jazz” Nattee, a 20-year-old student from Ratchapat
Suansunanta University, was crowned Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2009.
Nong Jazz collected cash, a car and other prizes worth more than one million
baht as the judges’ choice in the transvestite beauty contest.
On May 15 at the Tiffany Show Theatre in Pattaya, the 12th annual contest
for the most beautiful women “of the second category” (transvestite) was a
glittering show, attended by stars, actors, actresses, and the mass media.
The event, broadcast live on Channel 7, was organized by Tiffany’s in
cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 and
Pattaya City.
In the final round of the competition, 30 beautiful contestants were pared
down to 10, and then to three finalists. The end of each selection round saw
a Tiffany Show performance.
The judges as always had the difficult task of choosing.
Shedding tears of joy, Nong Jazz received a 100,000-baht prize, a Honda
Jazz, a sash, a trophy and she also received a prize for winning the Most
Beautiful Costume Category.
The first runner-up was “Nong Bell”, Wirithorn Norapatpimol, a 20-year-old
student from North Chiang Mai University, who won 80,000 baht and gift
vouchers. She also won the Miss Unlimited Sexy Star, sponsored by Central
Festival Pattaya Beach, and received 10,000 baht for that.
In third place was Napatsawan Cholakorn, 21, who received 50,000 baht and
gift vouchers along with 20,000 baht for the Most Beautiful Complexion
title.
Other prizes were: Pakwalan Bantita, 21, who was crowned popular vote in the
Miss Unlimited Sexy Star contest, receiving 5,000 baht. Miss Photogenic was
Lerlak Lertworapong, who received a 20,000-baht award and cosmetic set from
Cover Mark. Miss Congeniality was Peerada Maneeket who received 20,000 baht
and cosmetics.
Nong Jazz said, “This contest provided lots of life experience for the
contestants … and many friendships.” She and the runner-up promised to
conduct duties for their reigning year at full capacity.
“I would like to thank all my supporters, especially my parents. I want to
give them all of my awards and I am grateful for both of them,” said the
beaming winner.
Lions remember 25 years of work
Pratheep Malhotra (2nd left),
governor of Rotary International District 3340, along with members of the
Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya Center offer congratulations to Wiwat Patanasin,
new Lions district governor of District 310 C.
Pramote Channgam
Lions Club of Pattaya held its 25th anniversary celebration on May
17 at the Amari Orchid Resort & Tower in Pattaya.
 Organizer
Naris Petcharat chairs the evening.
During the ceremony, Lions honored the 25 club presidents they’ve had over
the years (including this year) and congratulated the new Lions District
Governor Wiwat Pattanasin.
Mayor Itthipol Khunplome, Lions Captain Kachit Hapananon, former
International Lions president, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, former MP of Chonburi,
and Pratheep Malhotra, governor of Rotary International District 3340, all
joined to congratulate Pattaya Lions on its 25th anniversary.
Wiwat Pattanasin, 2002-2003 president, received many congratulations for
being elected governor this year.
Naris Petcharat, former district governor of 310 C and former club
president, paid tribute to the 25 former club presidents and praised them
for their work for the benefit of society over the last 25 years.
 Mayor
Itthipol Khunplome (left) presents flowers for moral support to Wiwat
Patanasin, new Lions district governor of District 310 C.
Somsak Kamphu, former Lions district governor and founding member of the
club, Pongsak Ketsawatdiwong, president of the Core Council Districts, Capt.
Kajit Happananon, former club president, and Mayor Itthipol Khunplome were
honored guests.
Pratheep Malhotra, governor of Rotary International District 3340, and
Nittaya Patimasongkroh, president of YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center, and
members all took part in remembering the many years of community work.
Lions Club of Pattaya was established on October 8, 1984, the same day as
World Lions’ Day, at the Grand Palace Hotel (now Dusit Thani) by Weerayut
Saengcharoenwong.
Over the last 25 years the club has helped the underprivileged with public
charities emphasizing support for education, sports, public health and the
fight against drug dependency.
ML Somsak Kamphu presents a
flower garland
to one of the former club presidents.
ML Somsak Kamphu presented
flowers to all former club presidents.
Lions Capt. Kajit Happananon
(left), former president of the International Lions, congratulates Wiwat
Patanasin, new Lions district governor of District 310 C.
Former President Sitthichai
Sirisutthiworanan (left)
receives flowers from ML Somsak Kamphu (right).
Pongsak Ketsawatdiwong (left),
president of the Lions International Council Districts Core, congratulates
Wiwat Patanasin, new Lions district governor of District 310 C.
The members of Lions District
310 C congratulate Wiwat Patanasin on his appointment as new Lions district
governor of District 310 C.
(L to R) Sumalee Wattanasin,
Wiwat Patanasin, new Lions district governor
of District 310 C, Somchai Manothaworn, Montree Satdae Temmer,
Sitthichai Sirisutthiworanan and Wisit Ekakara.
Members of Lions Club of
Bangkok-Laemthong offer congratulations to Wiwat Patanasin, new Lions
district governor of District 310 C.
Aussie Chamber enjoys a night on ‘Ice’
Dr. Iain Corness
The Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) held its May Eastern
Seaboard Sundowners meeting in the Ice Bar of the Amari Tower. As always,
these Sundowners are very well attended, and much networking took place
during the very convivial evening.
 (L
to R) Jeffrey Burrows, senior partner of Watermark Capital Management Ltd.,
and Peter Smith, director of AA Insurance Brokers Co., Ltd.
The executive director of AustCham, Brett Ganaway, in an exclusive interview
on Pattaya Mail TV confirmed that despite the global economic gloom, the
AustCham members were generally still very buoyant, and with the exchange
rates improving for the baht versus Australian dollar, export markets are
responding, albeit sluggishly in certain sectors. He also admitted to having
used Grecian 2000.
Catering for the event was from Mantra, and the finger food was certainly of
a very high standard. The salmon was superb. And plenty of it. Australian
wines were in evidence, though no Fosters, but the beer drinkers did not
seem to mind that the beer was Dutch.
 (L
to R) George Strampp, managing partner of Automotive Manufacturing Solutions
and David Cumming, general manager of Amari Orchid Resort & Tower.
Events like these would not be the same without Englishman Jimmy Howard
(Milan Crosse Creative) and his lovely wife Jenny; however, many people did
not recognize him in the plain green shirt, rather than the technicolor
creations he has been wearing of late. Jimmy, as the world’s oldest front
row forward was seen in deep discussions with the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s
Ann Wangviriyaphan, arranging medical evacuation for injured football
players at their next match.
Another company that is involved in many sectors, including medical tourism
through the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, is T ConNet, with GM Jum Singhabumrung
representing her organization and throwing out her business cards, as one
does at these events.
 (L
to R) David Cumming, general manager of Amari Orchid Resort & Tower and John
S. Anderson.
Despite the fact that this was an Aussie evening, Simon Matthews (Manpower)
and a board member of the British Chamber of Commerce, was seen very happily
enjoying himself in the company of the Australians, who for the sake of
bilateral relations ignored the pink shirt he was wearing. Simon also
indicated that his company was still being asked to head hunt people for the
workforce, so again, not every business was contracting.
Another group involved in executive recruitment is Grant Thornton,
represented last Friday evening by Ian Robertson, and he too was very
upbeat.
 (L
to R) Ian Robertson, business development director for Grant Thornton; and
Mark Butters, CPFA United Kingdom director of RSM Thailand.
Conquering quite a few hearts was Duangmanee Yantawattana (Apple), from the
Sheraton’s Marketing Communications, who in Australia would be described as
a “good looking sheila” and I can recommend their Infiniti restaurant for a
spectacular sunset dinner as well.
Peter Smith from AA Insurance Brokers did a sterling job as usual, making
sure the Ice Bar’s bar did not fall over, joined by “Big Jeff’ Burrows to
really ensure none of the lovely waitresses could be injured by falling
masonry.
 (L
to R) Gareth Vaughan Hughes, managing director of RSM Thailand; Gregory Pitt
managing director of Mackenzie Smith Law and Mike Watkins from RSM Thailand.
The AustCham local representatives Paul (Tinfish) Whyte and Paul (I can
shift anything - AGS Four Winds) Wilkinson were on hand and made sure that
everyone really did enjoy themselves (which they did, Paul and Paul).
The throng was swelled later by the AFG (Automotive Focus Group) members who
joined after their presentation from Chris Bruton of Dataconsult. These
included secretary Maurice Bromley and his sparkling wife Granita, plus
Maria Teresa Tomaselli, the operations manager for Aquafil Asia Pacific
(they make flying carpets which are exported to Arabia).
Another great event from AustCham, and the next Seaboard Sundowners will be
held on June 12. Details will be in the Pattaya Mail beforehand.
(L to R) Damien Scull, CEO &
managing director of Scully Trucks; Michael Chick, general manager of the
Coffee Club (Thailand) Ltd.; and Simon Lake, managing director of Duscholux
(Siam) Ltd.
(L to R) Robin Hyde,
development manager for Schenker Relocations; David Cumming, general manager
of Amari Orchid Resort & Tower; Chutima Konfai, assistant sales director for
Amari Orchid Resort & Tower; John Anderson, vice-president of AustCham
Thailand; Dhaninrat Klinhom, director of public relations for Amari Orchid
Resort & Tower; and Brett Ganaway, executive director of AustCham.
(L to R) John Pollard; Mark
Wood, counselor (Commercial) and Trade Commissioner of the Australian
Government; Gareth Vaughan Hughes, CA Australia, managing director of RSM
Thailand; and John Anderson.
(L to R) Dr Iain Corness;
James Howard, consultant for Milan Crosse Creative; Pattaravadee
Wangviriyaphan, marketing executive at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s
International Marketing Department and Wararat Sasom, marketing coordinator
at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s International Marketing Department.
(L to R) Jitra Wongjuna,
director of AA Insurance Brokers Co., Ltd.;
Mark Wood, counselor (Commercial) and Trade Commissioner of Australian
Government; John S. Anderson; and Dhaninrat Klinhom, director of public
relations for Amari Orchid Resort & Tower.
(L to R) Alan S. Verstein,
managing director of Siam Gazette; Korkaew Korwatna, assistant director of
sales at Sheraton Pattaya Resort; Duangmanee Yantawattana, Marketing
communication executive & sales assistant at Sheraton Pattaya Resort; and
Simon Matthews, director of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand.
(L to R) Wararat Sasom,
marketing coordinator at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s International
Marketing Department; Pattaravadee Wangviriyaphan, marketing executive at
the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s International Marketing Department; Kavita
Lamba, fundraising events coordinator for the Mercy Center; and Sam Wilson,
Pattaya International Ladies Club newsletter editor.
Moooore Bar provides even mooooore
(L to R) Dr. Iain Corness;
Esther Kaufman from My Office Travel; Peter Thorand, president of the US
Navy League of Thailand; Ranjith Chandrasiri, deputy general manager of the
Royal Cliff Beach Resort; Agustin Gandia, export manager,
La Chamiza Wine of Argentina and Som Corness.
Dr. Iain Corness
The Marriot Resort and Spa has been steadily developing its sports venue,
the More Bar, which then became its “Moooore” Bar and after its inaugural
wine dinner last week, it really has become its “Mooooore” Bar!
 (L
to R) Kannika Pingwong, Prissana Lunboosha and Bangon Khongpetch greet wine
connoisseurs upon their arrival.
With the staff outfitted in formal attire, gold tablecloths and silver
settings, the transformation was complete. The reception wine as the guests
walked in was indeed very welcoming, as were the smiles of the Moooore Bar
hosts. Amongst those who attended was Ranjith Chandrasiri, the Royal Cliff
Wine Club’s president, the highly accredited wine judge. Other amateurs
included Peter Thorand, well known Rotarian, and Esther Kaufman from ‘My
Office Travel’.
The principal winery was La Chamiza from Argentina, with Augustin Gandia,
their export manager in attendance. The local Thai side was supported by the
importers Italthai, complete with their enthusiastic wine sommelier Anuchit
Saeng-on.
In his very brief speeches, Augustin mentioned the fact that the La Chamiza
winery was only 10 years old, so these were still very young wines. He
concluded his introduction by saying, “Enjoy my wines, and thank you for
coming.”
 (L
to R) Agustin Gandia, export manager for La Chamiza Wine of Argentina; Dr.
lain Corness and Anuchit Saeng-on.
The first of “his” wines was the La Chamiza Polo Amateur Chardonnay 2007, a
very crisp, slightly sweet wine, but very good drinking when icy cold. This
wine was accompanied by the first of Luis Zamora’s (the Marriott chef)
courses, a trio of seafood with chardonnay seared scallop with salsa verde,
peppered tuna sashimi with Chilean sauce and mini crab cakes with a
remoulade sauce.
The second course was a sole fillet with truffle shavings on a bed of
Belgian witlof (the famous endive) with a coconut and lemongrass sauce. This
was superb, and I admit to soaking up the last of the sauce with my bread
roll.
 (L
to R) Som Corness, Dr. Iain Corness and Martine, assistant F&B manager at
Moor Bar & Grill.
The wine for that course was a Chilean Dona Dominga Chardonnay Semillion
2007, similar in many ways to the La Chamiza, but less sweet, with a much
more earthy nose.
Chef Luis returned to Argentina for the main course, with a beautiful
Argentinean tenderloin, with foie gras and young vegetables. A change to a
red was in order and this was the La Chamiza Polo Amateur Malbec 2007. This
was a fine wine with enough body and a long finish, and I liked it very
much.
Another red followed from Dona Dominga, a Sauvignon Merlot 2007. On its own
this would be a pleasant quaffable wine, but it was teamed with two powerful
cheeses which swamped the wine, but did not stop the enjoyment of the
cheese. The first was a Fourme d’Ambert, one of the oldest French cheeses
which is injected with wine during its maturation process. Beautiful! The
other was a truffled brie, which was again another exceptional cheese. And
both came in very generous portions. Thank you Luis!
The finale was a Grahams Late Bottle Port 2001, but for me, after the very
flavorsome cheeses, was just a little lacking in body, but this was a
personal opinion.
The Moooore Bar certainly raised its own bar as far as customer satisfaction
was concerned. Hopefully they will continue with wine dinners, as this was
certainly a very successful evening, especially for their first trial at
this style of dinner in the Moooore Bar.
(L to R) Anuchit Saeng-on;
Adthapong Visutyothapibal, Sheraton food and beverage service manager;
Agustin Gandia, export manager for La Chamiza Wine of Argentina; and
Thanawin Ketviriyakarn, restaurant manager of Elements, Sheraton.
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