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Shamrocks at Dicey Reilly’s
Dr. Iain Corness
One of Thailand’s best known exponents of Irish music
played at Dicey Reilly’s Irish Pub last week. With the stage name of Lee
Shamrock, and outfitted in green from fedora to footwear, he kept his
audience’s attention with his energetic renditions of traditional Irish
numbers.
It’s a
rare treat for Pattaya when pub manager Cat Brett was able to convince Lee
to come down for the Half Way to Paddy’s Night fun event at Dicey Reilly’s.
Being a polished stage performer, Lee can also play to
his audiences, and after finding an Australian family in Dicey Reilly’s
dedicated some “traditional Australian love ballads” to them. This turned
out to be “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport” (Rolf Harris) and the “Pub
With No Beer” (Slim Dusty)!
Lee Shamrock has a great affinity for Irish Pubs under
the Marriott’s Garden Caf้, having played the opening night in many of the
incarnations of the venue. Twelve years ago, it was Delaney’s, then it
became Shenanigans, and now Dicey Reilly’s, and Lee Shamrock has entertained
the pub guests in all of them.
Unfortunately, Lee now plays five nights a week in
different venues in Bangkok, so it was a rare treat for Pattaya having pub
manager Cat Brett able to convince Lee to come down for the Half Way to
Paddy’s Night fun event at Dicey Reilly’s.
Bicyclists trek Pattaya’s streets
to fight global warming
And they’re
off! Cyclists head out from City Hall, led by Chatchawal Supachayanont (front
right) with Alisa Phanthusak close behind.
Thanachot Anuwan
More than 350 people streamed through the streets of Pattaya
to reduce global warming and raise awareness about the need to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions from cars.
The Sept. 22 event sponsored by the Thai Hotels Association
Eastern Chapter and Green Leaf Foundation sponsored the “Car-Free Day” with a
goal of reducing emissions in Pattaya to less than 350 parts per million.
Association environmental chief Chatchawal Supachayanont said
carbon dioxide reached the 392 ppm level in June and continues to increase as
Thailand develops. The bicycling campaign is aimed at getting people to
understand the problem and reduce the area’s carbon dioxide content to 350 ppm,
the limit of what is considered safe for humans.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said the dramatic sight of seeing so
many bicyclists teaming up in cream-colored shirts for the environment is proof
the community is focused on reducing energy use.
Miss World runner-up lights up swimwear show at Royal Garden
Thanachot Anuwan
The second runner-up of the Miss World Thailand beauty
pageant showed off her curves at Pattaya’s Royal Garden Plaza to open last
month’s “All About Swimwear & Lingerie” exhibition.
Nong
Kukkae-Panika, who finished second runner-up in the Miss World Thailand pageant,
and well-known swimsuit model Benz Nipat Hunkae display the latest swimwear
fashions.
Nong Kukkae-Panika joined Sa-Marisa Anita and other top
models Sept. 18 to slow off the latest designs from Sabina, Triumph, Valisere,
Wacoal Pacha, Hom and Police. The promotion ran through Sept. 30.
Marc Kingpayom, designer for swimwear retailer and Royal
Garden tenant Phuket Mermaids, presented his “Crystal Waters Limited Edition
Collection for Miss Thailand World 2010” as well.
Nucharee Maratanaruk, deputy managing director for Royal Garden, called the
show a success with people coming both to check out the latest trends in
swimwear as well as for the models and prizes.
Top models
strut the catwalk in new collections
from well-known brands at Royal Garden Plaza in Pattaya.
Do you support President Obama?
American Expats - The time to act is now
J.C. Phillips
In many states the cutoff for U.S. Overseas Ballots occurs in
just a few days, so if you are an American living in Pattaya and want to do more
then “talk the talk” about President Obama and your political convictions, then
“walk the walk” and apply for your overseas ballot now.
A copy of
the Nevada Application for Absentee Ballot Request.
Many states must receive your request for an Overseas Ballot
by October 2nd, so time is of essence. Your state must receive the signed
application from you before you are mailed a ballot. This means you must first
obtain an application for an absentee ballot, fill it out, and mail it back to
your states Registrar of Voting for their approval. Then they will mail you a
ballot to fill it out and send back to them before November 2nd. This takes a
lot of time.
The U.S. Elections in November may be one of the most
important elections in decades. America is greatly divided between Obama
supporters and those that just can’t stand the guy. There has never been an
American President that has received so much negative press especially over the
internet.
Whether you believe President Obama is right or wrong, it is
time for American expats living in Pattaya to apply for their Oversea Ballots.
In some states, the cutoff for the state to just to receive your application for
an overseas ballot may be less then 10 days away. There are several websites
that will help you, but the Overseas Vote Foundation will provide phone numbers
and in some cases, e-mail addresses for your State. They will also help you
obtain an overseas ballot request form.
https://www.overseasvote foundation.org/overseas/home.htm.
But, there may be a better and faster way to process your
ballot request. Many states now offer to e-mail you an Overseas Ballot Request
Form. You simply e-mail your County Voting Registrar and request an overseas
ballot. Give them your home address, driver’s license number, and date of birth.
They will send you back a request form (.pdf), usually the same day. You print
the form, fill it out, sign it, then scan it and send it back. The whole process
usually takes about 24 hours.
As an example, let’s look at Senator Harry Reed’s home state
of Nevada. If you live in Las Vegas (Clark County), you would send an e-mail to:
[email protected] and request an application for an overseas ballot.
They will e-mail you a form to print, fill out and sign. You then scan that form
with your signature and e-mail it back to them. They will then send you a ballot
listing all of the candidates you can vote for in Nevada. They must receive your
request before October 2, 2010, the cutoff date. You will be sent a ballot to
your address in Thailand. Your ballot then must be mailed back to the U.S. and
received no later than Nov 2, 2010. If for some reason you return to the U.S.
before the general election, you must turn in your Overseas Ballot when you go
and vote at the voting booth in your home town.
Pattaya Mail will be glad to offer assistance to our
American readers living in Pattaya. If you have trouble, you can email [email protected]
and we will try to help.
Remember, if you “talk the talk”, then “walk the walk” and
vote...
469-day royal photo exhibit opens in South Pattaya
Some of the
photos on display at the exhibition.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
An exhibition of photos celebrating the life of HM the King
has opened in Pattaya and will run until after the monarch’s 84th birthday next
year.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and Norm Pongkanchananukul,
former qualification chief for royal photography cut the ribbon at the Sept. 18
opening of the 9th His Majesty King Bhumibol Photography Exhibition Sept. 18 at
the Pattaya Learning Center Exchange on Soi Gopai and South Pattaya Road.
Set to run 469 days, the exhibition is sponsored by the
family of Yuthanarit Deeden. It will feature sets of photos changed every 45
days, along with 99 historical royal posters and 99 photographers works,
complete with English and Thai captions. It closes Jan. 9, 2012.
The exhibit’s location was used for photography training for
people interested in honoring lecturer and royal photographer Syayom Sapseethong.
This was done under special themes such as shooting photos in the studio, photo
advertizing techniques, studio publications and outdoor photo shoots.
Dignitaries
and friends gather to cut the ribbon for the official opening of the 9th His
Majesty King Bhumibol Photography Exhibition.
Pattaya Classical Guitar Festival
coming to Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa
The Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa and Thailand Guitar Society
proudly present the second annual Pattaya Classical Guitar Festival over two
fabulous days, October 23 and 30. The festival is the only event of its kind in
Thailand, showcasing many of the world’s top guitar makers and musicians.
The event will kick off with a special Charity Gala Concert
at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23; featuring Maestro Flavio Cucchi (Italy),
Alessio Monti (Italy) and Leon Koudelak (Swiss).
The following Saturday will see a full day of events,
starting at 1:00 p.m. with a luthier exhibit and workshop featuring Sakurai
Kohno (Japan), Wiroon Song-Bundit (Thailand), Karl-Heinz Roemmich (Germany),
Yuichi Imai (Japan), Eduard B. Jones (England) and Raks Chingsakol (Thailand).
They will be followed by a Thailand Guitar Society student concert and young
artist showcase by Hitoshi Miyashita (Japan) and Chavajed Maskulrat (Thailand).
Festivities then head south of the border with a feisty
flamenco recital brought to you by Tana Suiebsiri (Thailand). And lastly, the
Spanish theme is continued with a lively finale concert by Pongpat Pongpradit
(Thailand), Woratep Rattana-umpawan (Thailand), Santi Kaeojai (Thailand) and
Tomonori Arai (Japan).
Admission (inclusive coffee breaks) is 400 baht, 200 baht for
students, on each day. Tickets on sale at the Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa, call
+66 (0) 3842-8678 for purchasing.
PCEC members urged to have periodic blood pressure checks
Master of Ceremonies “Hawaii” Bob Sutterfield first welcomed
everyone to the Sunday September 19 meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club at
the Tavern by the Sea Restaurant. After the usual opening announcements, he then
called on fellow member and international marketing executive for Phyathai
Sriracha Hospital Gavin Waddell to introduce the guest speaker from the
hospital.
Dr. Nat
Tansupswatdikul, M.D., an Internist from Phyathai Sriracha Hospital, gives an
informative talk about the ups and downs of hypertension.
First Gavin pointed out that flu shots were being provided to
those that had signed up previously. Further, he said he will arrange another
future date to bring additional doses for those that wanted them, but had not
previously signed up. He then introduced Dr. Nat Tansupswatdikul, M.D. who
specializes in internal medicine.
Dr. Nat’s subject was Hypertension: New Concepts, Guidelines,
and Clinical Management. Dr. Nat noted that Hypertension, otherwise known as
high blood pressure, is a serious problem that can lead to cardiovascular
(heart) and renal (kidney) disease. He explained that blood pressure is a
measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps
blood through the body. It is measured in millimeters of mercury and is usually
expressed in two numbers, the first being systolic (pumping blood into the
arteries) and the second being diastolic (relaxing after heart contraction). He
pointed out that blood pressure below 120/80 is considered normal; pressure over
120/80 but below 139/89 is considered “pre-hypertension;” pressure above 140/90
but below 159/99 is considered stage 1 hypertension; and pressure above 160/100
is considered stage 2 hypertension.
A Phyathai
Sriracha Hospital Registered Nurse seems to enjoy administering flu vaccine
injections.
Dr. Nat said that a diagnosis of high blood pressure should
be based on an average of three or more properly measured blood pressure checks
over a period of time. This is because it is natural for blood pressure to be
high at times, but if it is consistently high, then it needs to be treated. He
also said the best time to check blood pressure is in the morning when you are
more comfortable and most likely to be free of stress. Also, a high blood
pressure reading in a doctor’s office is not necessarily a good indicator
because the patient may have elevated blood pressure because of anxiety over the
visit to the doctor - this he said is often referred to as “white coat”
hypertension. Dr. Nat said that taking readings at home may be needed to get
proper measurement in these cases.
Wana, AA
Insurance agent, stands ready to assist club members enroll in the PCEC group
health insurance scheme or with any other insurance needs they may have.
He pointed out that hypertension is often referred to as the
“silent killer” because in 95% of the cases, there are no symptoms.
Consequently, many people have hypertension, but do not realize it. As a result,
they do not seek treatment and are at increased risk of developing heart,
kidney, and other diseases. He emphasized that for this reason everyone should
have periodic blood pressure checks so that if you do have hypertension, you can
get treatment before it causes you to have more serious medical problems.
A sample of
Hawaii Bob’s extensive ‘give and take freely’ book exchange available to Club
members.
Dr. Nat said that one needs to evaluate lifestyle and risk
factors. The primary risk factors for heart disease are hypertension, smoking,
obesity, alcohol intake, and inactivity. So, one treatment is to reduce the risk
factors by modifying your lifestyle - quit smoking, lose weight, limit your
alcohol intake, and become physically active. Another is to treat hypertension
with medication, which should be in combination with lifestyle changes. The type
of medication will depend on other underlying diseases that you may have such as
heart or kidney disease.
In conclusion, he mentioned that there are many different
medicines available and that your doctor should be monitoring your blood
pressure and adjusting the medication as needed until the blood pressure
readings are consistently less than 140/90.
After Dr. Nat answered several questions from the audience,
Hawaii Bob called on Harry Sig Sigworth to conduct the always informative and
sometimes humorous Open Forum, where questions about living in Thailand and
Pattaya in particular are asked and answered.
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