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Easy listening at PCEC meeting
Master of Ceremonies (Emcee) “Hawaii” Bob Sutterfield
began the regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club at the
Amari’s Henry J. Beans Restaurant on Sunday, June 28, when he welcomed
members and guests to the meeting. After the usual announcements, he
introduced our speaker, who really needed no introduction. Drew Noyes, an
early member and former chairman of the club, is also a well known
businessman in Pattaya. He has also spoken to the club on numerous occasions
on various topics of interest to expats. Today was no exception.
 PCEC
founding member Max Rommel is retiring after his two year term, and presents
himself to PCEC members for re-election for the 2009 - 2011 term.
Drew said he wanted to share with everyone his plans for Bay Radio 103 FM, a
community radio station that is currently on the air. As a community radio
station, Bay Radio has been limited to 30 watts or less of power. However,
the government has now afforded these community radio stations, 30 in
Pattaya alone, with the opportunity to be fully licensed stations. In
addition to broadcasting at greater power, 103 FM has also received a
dispensation from the requirement to include a certain amount of Thai
language programming. So, it will be an all English station.
The expected listening area when the new transmitters are operational will
be from Laem Chabang in the North to near Sattahip in the South and from Koh
Larn in the West to Horseshoe Point in the East. Currently, the studio for
103 FM is East of Sukhumvit Road. Drew said they were completing a new
studio on Pattaya Tai (South Road) opposite Duck Square.
 PCEC
member Judith Edmonds, and prospective board member, expresses her
commitment to the club in announcing her candidacy.
According to Drew, they will change the current format and will be calling
the station T.I.T. FM 103 Expat Radio. He noted that Bernard Trink, a former
columnist for the Bangkok Post, originated the T.I.T. acronym for “This is
Thailand” and they do have his permission to use the term.
He explained that new programming for the station is still in the planning
stages. He said that was why he wanted to address the club; to solicit input
and ideas on what expats would like in a radio station. He handed out a
survey form and asked the audience to select those items that they would
most likely listen to. The form had 10 types of music listed as well as a
talk radio format. He also asked that if anyone had ideas or suggestions
about programming to please note it on the form.
Drew said that they were considering having a talk radio format in the
morning, say from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and devoting the evening programming to
love songs where you could call in and make requests (for folks not living
in Thailand, they will have a Skype address for incoming calls).
Also, different types of music would be scheduled for different times of the
day so listeners would know what time to tune in for the things they like to
hear. He also said the plan is to have news on the hour for about 5 minutes.
He mentioned that they will have feeds from AP and other sources as well as
reporters to report on local news stories. However, actual programming is
just now being formulated and the results of the survey would go a long way
in making final decisions on the format.
In addition to the radio station, Drew said they plan to have a website with
streaming video and audio where one can stream in the audio from T.I.T. 103
FM to listen while they use their computer.
Drew then opened it up for questions and suggestions. Drew thanked the
audience for several good suggestions and said they would be considered.
Drew said they hope to have the new format up and running in about two
weeks.
Emcee Hawaii Bob then called on Richard Silverberg, the Club’s Internet
guru, to comment on any interesting new websites that members should be
aware. Richard said that instead of a new site, he wanted to revisit a
previous recommendation. The site is http://notthenation.com/ , which is a
parody of the Nation newspaper with some very humorous articles. Richard
then read one, which was greeted with a lot of laughter.
Emcee Hawaii Bob updated everyone on upcoming events. He then called on
Judith Edmonds to conclude the meeting with the usual informative and often
humorous Open Forum.
The Grand Old Men of Pattaya celebrate birthday milestones
Herbert H. Ishinaga, PSC President
When Pattaya was a small fishing village years ago, a few expats made it
their home. Included in those early years were two Americans whom most people
with more than fifteen years in country would know. By an act of fate, both of
these gentlemen were born on the same date but 10 years apart, the 28th of June.
10 years ago we went to the same venue to celebrate their earlier birthdays. At
that time Frank Mack was 80 years old and Richard (Dick) R. Devine was 70 and
the party was held at Frank Mack’s residence on Soi 34 on Sukhumvit Road next
the Pattaya Orphanage.
 The
“Hawaiian Mafia” - Herbie Ishinaga, Kenny Mau, and Sus Ige - showed up at the
party. This is the only known photograph in existence.
This year their birthdays were held at the same venue (Frank and Morn’s Home).
Frank’s daughter Jan and her husband Ron were in attendance again. They were
here 10 years ago and made it again for their father’s 90th birthday.
Dick Devine, as we all know him, turned 80. It was a smashing party for those
invited. The food was great and the desserts were outstanding. With blueberry
cheesecake, apple, pumpkin, and lemon meringue pies along with Morn’s carrot
cake, it was something not to be missed. There was ham, lasagna, potato salad,
ribs and other goodies. If you went away hungry after than it was your fault.
Frank and Dick invited all of their old friends and some of the new ones. Some
of the notables were: Gary Stevens from Bangkok, Don Ratcliffe from the American
Veterans Club, and Vince Spirito, an old time friend. Also in attendance were
the “Hawaiian Mafia” - Sus Ige, Kenny Mau and Herb Ishinaga, the newly elected
PSC president. Others in the 20 year circle were Kenny Crow, Jim Montgomery,
Wayne Bartlett, Bill Thompson, Doug Powell, Paul Kraft and possibly others that
I have missed.
 Gary
Stevens (left) with birthday boys Frank Mack (center) and Dick Devine (right) at
the party.
Pattaya Sports Club was well represented as President Herbert Ishinaga, Vice
President Tony Oakes and Social Chairman Mike Gerrard along with many of our PSC
voting members were present to wish both Frank and Dick a Happy Birthday. Dick
Devine was a member of Pattaya Sports Club for many years. He was finally taken
off the list as his membership ran out and Dick did not see any reason to renew
it at his age. His daughter Opal is still a strong supporter of our club and
still holds her membership. It was due to Opal and the other old-timers that
Herb Ishinaga got elected as the PSC president.
We wish both Frank Mack and Dick Devine many more prosperous and happy years and
may we celebrate their 90th and 100th birthdays in the future.
Remnants of Shakey Pete regulars
(L to R): Herbie Ishinaga, Wayne Bartlett,
Jim Montgomery, Bluey, Dick Devine, Frank Mack, Dougie Powell,
Paul Kraft, Ken Crow (and front) Bill Thompson.
Auction scheduled to aid Fr. Ray Foundation
Put July 13 in your diary
An auction in aid of the Fr. Ray Foundation takes place on
13th July with some great sale items.
Billy Coulson, owner of Sammy’s Bar in Mabprachan Road is holding an auction
where many donated items, including a 1992 Mercedes, four motorbikes, sports
equipment and Thai wood carvings will be on offer.
Funds from the auction will go to support the Fr. Ray Foundation, particularly
to equip new houses at Fr. Ray Children’s Village. Sammy’s Bar is situated at
Soi Siam Country Club, Mabprachan Road close to the Children’s Village.
Knowing that the Fr. Ray Foundation is helping many underprivileged children in
Pattaya and transforming many lives of orphans and the disabled, Billy aims to
make a difference by using his own bar.
His last auction in March reached 40,000 Bt. But with the items on offer this
time he hopes for a considerable increase.
The auction is open to all. You can find Sammy’s Bar at Soi Siam Country Club on
the corner of Mabprachan Country Club Village. The auction begins at 7.30.
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