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Tony Crossley regales PCEC with his views on Pattaya
Master of Ceremonies Roger Fox welcomed everyone to The
Tavern for the Pattaya City Expat Club’s regular Sunday meeting on May 30.
After the usual announcements, he called on the guest speaker Tony Crossley.
Tony has written several books on diverse subjects, but dealing with
Thailand. His currently published books are Condos in Thailand: Your
Rights (2007 - new edition 2008); The Butterfly Circus - A balanced
guide to partner-seeking in Thailand (2007); Pattaya: the Good, the
Bad & the Other - An all-sides look at Pattaya (2008); The Farang
Wife - An erotic novel - a new-age ‘Emmanuelle’ (2009); and Quotes to
Know in Thailand (2009).
Meeting for the second time in the newly remodeled Henry
J Beans, now called ‘The Tavern’ (and well worth a visit!), Pattaya City
Expats Club invited well known author Tony Crossley to address us. Tony has
some controversial ideas on the concepts of human sexuality and particularly
‘commercial’ sex - he encouraged an empathy for Pattaya’s ‘girls’, as many
have little option for self improvement in the avenues that might be
available to their Western sisters.
Tony has lived in Thailand many years and said he started
writing as a hobby and he still considers it to be one. He has written on
diverse subjects about Thailand. Several of his books provide insight into
the cultural differences between Thais and westerners, especially in their
views about sex. He gave a discourse on his views regarding prostitution.
His theme was that everyone is a prostitute in some fashion. He pointed out
that the definition for prostitution is not only one who solicits and
accepts payment for sex acts, but also one who sells one’s abilities,
talent, or name for an unworthy purpose. He made some analogies including
that most politicians would be considered prostitutes based on the
dictionary definition.
He mentioned that Pattaya has often been referred to as a
big open air brothel. However, he pointed out that prostitution is only one
aspect of Pattaya. He also said that many westerners want to apply their
western morals to Thailand. In recent years there has been much publicity
about sex trafficking and the inference made that Thai sex workers in
Pattaya are forced into the sex trade. However, Tony’s view was that this
was not the case. Most Thai sex workers are involved in the trade because
they can make more money with less effort than going into other forms of
work. For example, many are poorly educated and come from a poor rural
background. Thus, their prospects for earning money are limited. But a bar
girl in Pattaya can often make double, or more, than a Thai that has spent
many years getting an advanced education. They can afford a better life and
send money home to their families. Further, there is always the hope of
meeting and marrying a “rich” farang. He also noted that western morality
looks down on the prostitute; whereas the Thai attitude toward sex is that
it is a natural function. Therefore, it does not carry the same stigma as it
would in western society.
PCEC Chairman Michel de Goumois advises next Club dinner
will be Wednesday June 16th at 7 p.m. at the restaurant Le Chineur, located
on Soi 17 not far from Thepprasit Road.
Tony then gave his perspective on the oriental concept of
“face.” He said that many consider this to be a baffling concept; whereas he
can’t see what all the fuss is about. Face is in effect pride. The concept
of pride should not baffle the westerner. A common western expression is
saying someone is “keeping up with the Joneses.” In doing so, they are
motivated by pride or, in other words, having “face.” Pride is also listed
as one of the seven deadly sins in western culture. So it is not an alien
concept. He pointed out that many of Shakespeare’s plays dealt with people’s
action being based on pride. Further, Tony noted that pride is behind most
of our daily decisions. In forming those decisions, we often consider how we
will be perceived by others or what will people think about us.
Consequently, Tony considers “face” to be a normal human trait with no
mystery about it.
He also had some comments about people who come to
Thailand to get away from where they are from; then they seem to be set on
changing Thailand to be like their previous home country. In conclusion, he
left everyone with this secret to Pattaya, recognize the illusions of
Pattaya and do it without becoming disillusioned.
After Tony answered several questions, Roger updated
everyone on upcoming events and called on “Hawaii” Bob Sutterfield to
conduct the always informative and sometimes humorous Open Forum where
questions are asked and answered about living in Thailand and Pattaya in
particular.
PILC announces special events
PILC Holiday Bazaar
On October 2, 2010, the annual Pattaya International Ladies
Club (PILC) Holiday Bazaar will once again take place at the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort Pattaya. Shop until you drop, get ready for the festive season, support
the local community and help PILC reach the same goals collecting money as last
year - or why not make it better?
Shop ‘til you drop at this year’s PILC Holiday Bazaar in
October.
Not only is the Holiday Bazaar an annual tradition of the
PILC but also it gives members and the public a chance to meet up, either sell
or buy an array of goods from silverware, to jewelry, to local handicrafts, to
food and wine.
Members of PILC customarily give their time and money to help
out the people of the Eastern Seaboard; however, on the occasion of the Holiday
Bazaar the PILC ladies really come into their own. Vendors and sponsors are
invited to contact bea. [email protected] or visit the PILC web page www.
pattya-pilc.com.
Venue and theme for Annual
PILC Gala Ball announced
At the last coffee morning it was announced by the PILC
Special Events that the Annual Gala Ball will be held at the Amari Ballroom on
November 20.
The theme for the evening is “Hollywood meets Bollywood”.
PILC members and their guests are encouraged to come dressed in either black
tie, traditional costume or their favourite Hollywood or Bollywood character.
Organisers are looking for Indian traditional dancers, and
sponsors for the auction (last year the auction raised over 200,000 baht). All
proceeds of the ball go to PILC supported charities in the Eastern Seaboard
Region. For more information please contact [email protected] or
sandra.schonherr@gmail. com. Ticket sales will start in October.
Over the next few months there will be more announcements about these events.
Watch this space.
21st annual Canada Day celebration to be held at British Club in Bangkok
Saturday, June 19
The Canada Day Organizing Committee recently announced the
annual Canada Day party will be celebrated at the British Club on Saturday, June
19. The event marks Canada’s 143rd birthday and the 21st year Canada Day has
been celebrated in Bangkok.
“Last year was a great success with over 350 people in
attendance,” said Germain Bergeron, chair of the volunteer Canada Day Committee
organizing the event. “This year’s event promises to be a great time as the
Canadian community and its many friends comes together to celebrate Canada’s
birthday,” he added.
Officially, Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st each year,
but the event will be held early in Bangkok to accommodate school breaks and to
allow more families to participate in the festivities. The aim of this annual
event is to encourage Canadians and their families, friends, and colleagues of
all ages and nationalities, to gather and celebrate Canada Day in a lively
atmosphere, with delicious food, exciting games and fantastic camaraderie.
Similar to last year’s event, tickets are being sold in
advance with limited tickets available at the door - based on a ‘first come,
first serve basis’. We encourage participants to buy tickets in advance to help
us coordinate a more organized, hassle-free event. Early ticket purchasers are
also rewarded with special ticket pricing.
As in past years, the Canada Day Celebration will feature
children’s games, tug-of-wars, and various sporting activities for adults,
including the ever-popular ball hockey tournament! A delicious buffet dinner
will be served following the afternoon activities. Canadian wines and the
ever-popular Canadian beer are being made available for the occasion, as well as
clamato juice for the uniquely Canadian Bloody Caesar. Event ticket holders will
also be eligible to win a host of fabulous lucky draw prizes.
Tickets are only available through the Canada Day Organizing
Committee c/o the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (TCCC). Proceeds from the
Canada Day celebration will be donated to the Thai Fund Foundation (TFF). More
details on TFF’s projects will be provided at the event.
For more details, please contact the Thai-Canadian Chamber of
Commerce office at 02-266-6085/86 or e-mail: [email protected]
Ticket prices (includes entry into the event, dinner and a chance to win
lucky draw prizes):
Adults (13 & up) 850 baht in advance / 1000 baht at the door
Children (4-12) 400 baht in advance / 500 baht at the door
Children (3 & under) 100 baht in advance / at the door
Reserved Tables of 8: You can reserve tables to ensure
seating arrangements (In advance only; contact TCCC before Friday, June 11,
2010)
Tentative schedule:
15:00 Doors open
16:00 Children’s games
16:30 Ball hockey, volleyball tournament & adult games
18:00 Greetings and grand draw prizes
18:30 Dinner
For further information, please contact the Canada Day
Organizing Committee C/o the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, 139 Pan Road,
Sethiwan Tower, 9th Floor, Tel: 02-266-6085-6 or email us at: [email protected]
A healthy meal you can drink
Friends wish Sunisa the best of luck with her new venture.
Sue K
On Tuesday May 25, Healthy Meal Thailand meal proudly opened
its first health and wellness club in Pattaya at soi Khao Talo.
Sunisa Jongsawat, a well-known actress and model decided to
open her own Healthy Meal club after many people asked her how she keeps herself
in shape whilst staying healthy.
Sunisa Jongsawat begins to create a healthy shake in her new Healthy Meal
Thailand outlet in Soi Khao Talo.
Sunisa said that Healthy Meal is a science-based program
which combines cellular nutrition with the power of protein, so members can
manage their hunger, maintain a healthy metabolism and feel energized as they
lose those unwanted kilos.
The shakes offer a wide variety of delicious and nutritious
soy-formulated flavors, with an added variety of fruits and grains.
The club offers a peaceful and cozy environment where healthy
tips are given while enjoying nutritional shakes amongst members.
Many friends turned up to wish her success as well as to
taste the wide variety of healthy shakes.
For more information on Healthy Meal, visit their branch in
Soi Khao Talo or visit their website: www.healthymealthailand.com or call 0810
012 390.
Royal Cliff Beach Resort donates to Pattaya School for the Blind
and Pattaya Orphanage
Top row,
left to right: Choosakdi Srivatjanapong, resident manager of the Royal Cliff
Beach Hotel; Naruemol Tiemsamur, Vipavee Wuthichat, resident manager
administration and event director; Aurora Sribuapun, Ajima Chavalitthamrong,
Radchada Yomjinda, Panga Vathanakul managing director, and Joachim Grill,
general manager. Bottom row: Students from the Pattaya School for the Blind and
Tassanee Preutikul.
On May 24, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort made a special
donation to the Pattaya School for the Blind and Pattaya Orphanage on behalf of
the late Albert Fader, a much loved and well respected Swiss National who had
resided at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel and Pattaya for many years and had
recently passed away.
With the blessing of Mr. Fader’s existing family, Panga
Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, and Joachim
Grill, general manager, were present to make the donation to the visiting
organizations at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel.
It is the wish of the Fader family and the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort that this donation may in some way go to better the lives and education
of the blind children and orphans of Pattaya.
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