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Mind your head
PCEC given a look at head injury detection and treatment
PCEC
member Gavin Waddell, also international marketing executive for Phyathai
Sriracha Hospital, introduces the guest speaker Dr. Wirote Jiamsiri, M.D., a
neurosurgeon from the hospital, to talk about head injuries.
On November 21, master of ceremonies Les Edmonds welcomed
everyone to the regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club at
the Tavern by the Sea. After the usual opening announcements, he called on
fellow member Gavin Waddell, international marketing executive for Phyathai
Sriracha Hospital, to introduce the guest speaker Dr. Wirote Jiamsiri, M.D.,
a neurosurgeon from the hospital to talk about head injuries. Dr. Wirote is
a Fellow of the Board of Neurosurgery in Thailand with a lot of experience
in treating head trauma.
Dr. Wirote said the definition of a head injury is an
outside force hitting the head that can injure the scalp, skull, or brain;
they can be open or closed. The most common causes of head injury are motor
vehicle accidents, falls, and physical assault.
The
Ozzy skipper of the new ferry service from Pattaya to Hua Hin introduces the
service to PCEC members.
Head injuries have various symptoms and they may not
appear immediately or even after a day or two. Common symptoms of brain
injury can be coma, confusion, drowsiness, personality change, headache,
convulsions, nausea, change in pupils, and/or fluid coming from ears or
nose. In determining the seriousness of a head injury, Dr. Wirote said that
doctors use the Glasgow Coma Scale. This scale is based on a patient’s
ability to open his or her eyes, give answers to questions, and respond to
physical stimuli, such as a doctor’s touch. A person can score anywhere from
three to fifteen points on this scale. A score of 13 to 15 indicates mild
damage, a score of 9 to 12 indicates moderate damage, and a score of 3 to 8
indicates the presence of serious brain damage.
Consequently, when a moderate or serious head injury is
suspected, the patient may be kept in the hospital for observation for a few
days. Diagnostic tests can also be performed, which can include computed
tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among others.
The CT scan and MRI provide visual images of the brain.
Dr. Wirote displayed several pictures of the results of these tests and
explained which pictures revealed subdural or epidural hematomas. He also
noted that X-rays can be used to identify skull fractures.
The next step in treatment depends on the nature of the
injury. In the case of a penetrating wound, surgery may be necessary. In a
closed head injury, surgery may still be needed to drain blood from the
brain or to remove a clot. Surgery also may be needed to repair severe skull
fractures. Dr. Wirote showed several pictures of the surgical procedures for
brain injury. In conclusion, Dr. Wirote said that prevention should be
through the use of safety equipment, such as helmets or seatbelts.
After Dr. Wirote answered several questions from the
audience, Les called on Richard Silverberg, the club’s Internet guru to give
everyone his latest “find.” Richard said the website for HSBC Bank has a
section with a report on a survey of expats around the world. He noted that
the place picked as the overall best was Thailand. If you want to see the
report, go to http://tinyurl.com/HSBCexpat.
Les then called upon a representative of Thailiving; the
company that has a ferry service between Pattaya and Hua Hin. He informed
everyone that this service has just started and is currently available 3
days a week. They use a catamaran that is equipped to meet Australian safety
standards. The ferry travels at 20 to 22 knots and it takes about 3 hours to
travel the 59.2 miles between Pattaya and Hua Hin. The Catamaran will
accommodate 70 passengers and a crew of 5 and has a small refreshment bar
aboard and bus type seats that can recline. The representative did mention
that the waters between the two cities can be very rough at times; when it
is severe, the crossing will be canceled. For more information about the
service, you can visit their website at http://www.thailivingferry.com/
In concluding the meeting, Les updated everyone on
upcoming events in and around Pattaya and called on Roger Fox 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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New Zealand - Thai Chamber of
Commerce expands to Eastern Seaboard
The New
Zealand - Thai Chamber of Commerce committee invites you to their Pattaya and
Eastern Seaboard networking evening on Thursday December 9 at the Amari Orchid,
Beach Road, Pattaya, in the Garden Lounge from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
The New Zealand - Thai Chamber of Commerce has announced the
expansion of its presence to the Eastern Seaboard and Pattaya areas.
 New
elected committee member Richard Prouse (of the Sutlet Group, who opened their
Pattaya branch recently), will be the local representative for the Chamber.
Prouse says, “This is an exciting period of growth for the New Zealand - Thai
Chamber of Commerce. We are looking forward to working with local Kiwi firms and
raising the awareness of what the chamber can offer to local New Zealand run
businesses.”
Now in its 15th year, the New Zealand - Thai Chamber of
Commerce has developed a reputation for its professional approach and events,
resulting in membership now totaling over 125 companies throughout Thailand.
Prouse advises that there will be a Pattaya and Eastern
Seaboard networking evening on Thursday December 9th at the Amari Orchid, Beach
Road, Pattaya (in the Garden Lounge from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.) and that all
are encouraged to attend and learn how the chamber can work with you in this
part of Thailand. The networking event will be the first of several meetings
held in the coming months and provides an ideal opportunity for interested
parties to meet some of the committee members and talk to other local
businessmen and women.
The New Zealand - Thai Chamber of commerce is also a member
of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand, so works closely with
this group when approaching various government departments or trade divisions.
Find out more and get the latest newsletter from the website
at http://www.nztcc.org/
Alternatively email Richard Prouse at [email protected]
or [email protected]
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Pattaya students donate 1,200 uniforms to Issan flood victims
The Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya
Center and Pattaya Tourist Police donate 1,200 second-hand school uniforms
and other necessities to help flood victims in Issan.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
School children around Pattaya literally gave the shirts
off their backs to help fellow students in flood-ravaged areas of Issan.
Nittaya Patimasongkroh, chairwoman of the Y.W.C.A.
Bangkok-Pattaya Center, and Maj. Arun Promphan of the Pattaya Tourist
Police, presented 1,200 second-hand school uniforms to Mayor Itthiphol
Kunplome Nov. 17. Collected by the Tourist Police from 11 city schools, the
uniforms were delivered this week by the Y.W.C.A. to hard-hit Nakhon
Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, and Loei.
Nittaya said she and tourist police officials realized
that heavy flooding that has killed more than 220 people in Thailand this
year also has had a big impact on education. Homes and schools were flooded,
damaging many students’ clothes. The Tourist Police contacted schools and
was amazed at the response by sympathetic students who, within just a few
days, have donated 1,200 uniforms.
In addition to the clothes, the Y.W.C.A. and Tourist
Police gave flooding victims foodstuffs and other supplies.
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Rodney Bain O.B.E.
1950-2010
 It
is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce the passing of former
British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) Chairman Rodney Bain. Rodney served
on the BCCT board for nine years from 2001 to 2009, the last three as Chairman.
He played a significant role in many Chamber activities and charity events. With
the support of successive boards, BCCT experienced record levels of membership,
member satisfaction and event participation. He ran the very popular,
twice-monthly, BCCT Quiz Nights and is also remembered for his nine years as
Master of Ceremonies at the BCCT Christmas charity lunches.
Rodney was also Managing Director of Market-Edge Asia Ltd., a
respected regional information company, which he founded in 1993, and leading
provider of large B2B and B2C marketing databases.
During his 26 years residence in Thailand, Rodney was
strongly committed to the objectives and values of the BCCT, and to
strengthening the trade and investment relationship between the UK and Thailand.
Rodney was also a Director of the Board of Trade of Thailand. He was widely
respected in both the public and private sectors and across all nationalities.
In June 2010 Rodney was awarded the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in HM
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to UK/Thailand commercial
interests.
Rodney is survived by his wife Bom and two sons, Nicky and
James.
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