Japan’s PM Yoshido Noda reaffirms commitment to polio eradication

Rotary International President-elect Sakuji Tanaka heard reassuring words from Prime Minister Yoshido Noda regarding Japan’s continued support of polio eradication, the humanitarian organization’s top philanthropic goal, during a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders on May 30.

R.I. President Elect Sakuji Tanaka (left) meets with Prime Minister Yoshido Noda of Japan.

“Needless to say, we should (continue to) help with the issue of polio eradication,” Noda told Tanaka, a retired business executive from Saitama. The prime minister added that Japan’s history of supporting global humanitarian efforts, including polio eradication, was no doubt a factor in the massive outpouring of aid and support from the international community in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck eastern Japan in March 2011.

To date, Japan has invested US$445.1 million (about 13.353 billion baht) in global polio eradication, making it the third largest public sector donor to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Rotary clubs worldwide have contributed more than $1.2 billion toward ending polio, with Rotary clubs in Japan accounting for more than $64 million.

Tanaka commended Japan for its longstanding leadership in the fight against this crippling disease, noting that it is particularly important now, following the World Health Assembly’s recent declaration that “the completion of polio eradication is a programmatic emergency for global public health.”

“Polio eradication efforts would not be possible without the support from Japan,” Tanaka told the prime minister. “I am certain that polio cases will continue to decrease, and that the support from Japan will play an essential role.”

Since Rotary began its polio eradication efforts in 1985 and co-launched the GPEI in 1988, polio cases have plunged 99 percent worldwide, from 350,000 cases a year to fewer than 700 in 2011. In February 2012, India, once the world’s largest global exporter of polio cases, became the last country in Southeast Asia (as defined by the World Health Organization) to be removed from the polio-endemic list.

Only three countries remain polio-endemic: Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan. However, other nations remain at risk for infections “imported” from the endemic countries. Continued funding from the government of Japan will be essential for the successful completion of this historic initiative, particularly in the outbreak affected countries in west, central and the Horn of Africa.

Rotary members travel at their own expense to join fellow members in polio-affected countries to immunize children against polio during national campaigns. A team of volunteers from Rotary clubs in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture went to India in April to help immunize children under the age of five. In 2010, more than 20 Japanese Rotary members went to India to participate in immunization activities. Tanaka emphasized, “Now is the first time in 25 years that we are within reach of the finish line of global polio eradication. We are especially proud that India has been removed from the World Health Organization’s list of polio-endemic countries.”

During his one-year term as president, which begins 1 July, Tanaka will lead a global network of 1.2 million business and professional leaders from more than 200 countries and geographical regions who, through volunteer service, help meet the needs of communities worldwide.

Tanaka, a member of Rotary since 1975, and the international organization’s third president from Japan, said he would like to see Rotary “continue its vital work as the force to improve communities around world.”

Rotary clubs have long embraced the call for peace at the grass-roots level by addressing the underlying causes of conflict and violence through thousands of community-based service projects around the world. Since 2002, Rotary has taken a more direct approach to world understanding. Rotary’s Peace Centers program offers graduate degrees in peace and conflict resolution at campus-based centers worldwide, including the International Christian University in Tokyo. A professional development certificate is offered at Rotary’s Peace Center in Bangkok.

As president, Tanaka will hold peace forums in Berlin (30 Nov. - 2 Dec. 2012), Honolulu (25-27 Jan. 2013) and Hiroshima (17-18 May 2013). “While these events will take place at historic sites, the main emphasis will be on the future and youth,” said Tanaka.

Rotary members often are both first responders and re-builders when major disasters strike because Rotary clubs are present in every corner of the world. In response to the massive earthquake off of the coast of Japan and the resulting tsunami on in March 2011, Rotary raised more than $7.8 million to support of longer-term disaster recovery efforts in Japan and the Pacific island nations.

Under its new Future Vision plan, Rotary seeks to forge strategic partnerships with established organizations with expertise in any of Rotary’s six areas of focus: peace and conflict prevention/resolution; disease prevention and treatment; water and sanitation; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and economic and community development.

German-Thai cook-off celebrates diplomatic ties

(From left) Radchada Chomjinda, Winfried Schaefer, his friend, and Rene Pisters have a look at what Reiner Calmund has cooked up.

Elfi Seitz

German television star Reiner Calmund and Thai chef Sirichalerm “McDang” Svasti put on their own version of the “Iron Chef” cooking competition to help celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The two chefs, Calli (left) and McDang, celebrate a great night.

The June 7 culinary event at Bangkok’s Kempinski Hotel attracted a full guest list of dignitaries, including Ambassador Rolf Schulze and his wife Petronella; German Chiang Mai Consul Ingo Winkelmann; top executives of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce; charity officials and business owners with ties to Germany.

Radchada Chomjinda, head of the Human Help Network Thailand, and two other women joined Calmund on stage as assistants in the cook-off. Together they whipped up Pikeperch with creamy sauerkraut and cappuccino of curry and lemongrass, seared Japanese Wagyu beef tenderloin with baby zucchini saut้ed in olive oil. For dessert it was La Scodella Dimitri a la Angelo Conti Rossi.

At the opposite end, “Chef McDang” concocted a roasted Thai eggplant dish, an herb-infused broth with green mango and chili peppers and shrimp and poached salmon in a light curry broth, among other dishes.

Sponsored by more than a dozen companies, the evening celebrating ties begun in 1862 was a relative bargain at 1,862 baht each for the gourmet meals and raised money for charity.

Many might wonder why the price for this evening was exactly 1862 baht. Well, this was the year in which Germany and Thailand began their diplomatic relations - exactly 150 years ago.

Boyz Town celebrates Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

The “British queen from Pattaya,” John, alias Dolly Sister, together with the relay runner is welcomed by manager David Kerridge.

Elfi Seitz

Although far from home, Britons in Boyz Town celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the U.K.’s Queen Elizabeth II in festive style.

A packed Cafe Royale in South Pattaya watched the jubilee parade live on Thames TV June 3. The crowd was festooned in British hats with plenty of Union Jacks on display.

This being Boyz Town, though, there was some gay camp thrown into the celebration. A member of the Dolly Sisters drag queens paraded through rows of tables. In his company was a faux relay racer for the Olympics.

Following the parade, those in attendance rose for the British national anthem, singing along in loud voices.

The “queen” talks to some guests.

Diabetes is rising at an alarming rate

Diabetes is rising at an alarming rate. This was the message provided by Dr. Tanat Wongchinsri, M.D. to the Pattaya City Expats Club at their Sunday, June 17 meeting. After announcing that Phyathai Hospital Sriracha had a nurse providing free blood pressure checks for everyone, Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg called on fellow member Gavin Waddell, international marketing executive for the hospital, to introduce Dr. Tanat.

Dr. Tanat Wongchinsri, M.D., of Phyathai Hospital Sriracha begins his presentation on the subject of Diabetes by explaining how the body uses sugar.

Dr. Tanat began by explaining how the body uses sugar. When we eat food, it is broken down and used by the body for energy. When food is digested, a sugar called glucose enters the blood stream which is a fuel for the body. Within the body, the pancreas is an organ that makes insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar to move it from the blood stream into cells where it can be used as fuel.

Diabetes, he explained, is a disease in which there are high levels of sugar in the blood which is caused by too little insulin, a resistance to insulin, or both.

The two major types of diabetes are called Type 1 and Type 2. The causes and risk factors are different for each type. Type 1 diabetes is when the body makes little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes makes up most of diabetes cases and occurs when cells fail to use insulin properly. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it.

Using a chart, Dr. Tanat showed that in 2003, about 5.1% of the world’s population had diabetes; which was projected to be 6.3% by 2026. In Thailand, he said, the rate is 10.8% meaning that one in 10 have some form of diabetes.

Dr Tanat listens to one of the many questions from the PCEC’s appreciative members as Gavin Waddell looks on, ready to assist.

High blood sugar levels can cause several symptoms. He mentioned blurred vision, excessive thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, hunger, and weight loss. However, because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar are asymptomatic (have no symptoms). These people are usually diagnosed as the result of a blood test.

Glucose levels are usually measured in mg per deciliter and Dr. Tanat said that diagnosis of diabetes should be based on the results of at least two blood tests; not just one. The amount of glucose indicating diabetes differs depending on whether you have or have not eaten within a specified period of time. If you have a fasting blood glucose level higher than 126 mg/dl twice, than you are considered to have diabetes; if it is between 100 and 126 you are considered to be impaired.

There is no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves medicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and prevent symptoms and problems. If you have diabetes and it is not adequately controlled, you have a significantly higher risk of developing complications. Long term complications can be cardiovascular disease, retinal damage, chronic kidney failure, nerve damage, poor healing of wounds, and gangrene on the feet which may lead to amputation.

MC Richard then updated everyone on upcoming events and called on Roy Albiston to conduct the always interesting and lively Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about expat living in Thailand; Pattaya in particular.

The Pattaya City Expats Club meets every Sunday at the Amari Orchid’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant. Read more about the Club’s activities on their website at www. pattayacityexpatsclub.com.

Staff and nurses of Phyathai Sriracha Hospital, from left Bussaman, Manee, Wanvisa and Anna also attended the meeting, providing free blood pressure checks to PCEC’s grateful members.

Fellow member Jerry Dean advises PCEC members of the efforts of the Pattaya ‘Friends of Youth’ to enrich the lives of Pattaya’s less fortunate orphans and street children. Friends of Youth activities include fishing days, bowling, and also shopping days for what we normally regard as essentials, and also the occasional treat.

Hard Rock celebrates Founder’s Day with Nokyang mangrove cleanup

Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya employees plant mangrove shoots and clean garbage out of Nokyang Canal.

Warunya Thongrod

The Hard Rock Hotel celebrated it’s 41st Founders Day by planting trees and cleaning garbage out of Nokyang Canal and mangrove forest.

Executive Assistant Manager Patrick Ng led hotel employees and 45 students from Banglamung School and Mahidol University International College to Naklua Public Park June 14.

Following through on the Hard Rock’s long-time motto of “Save the Planet,” the outing received sponsorship from the Naklua Bay Preservation Group, Thai Insurance Co.

The event began with a mini walk rally attended by Pattaya city workers and all enjoyed a lunch together before cleaning up around the canal.

Nokyang Canal is home to the last mangrove forest in Pattaya and its resident populations of egrets, bulbul, crabs, fish and other diverse species. Serving as ideal spots for breeding, nurseries and food sources, mangroves are endangered in Thailand and a focus on groups looking to preserve the environment.

“The hotel has always given importance to the preservation of nature,” noted Hard Rock Cafe Assistant Floor Manager Kawee Suwanchartrhan. “This time we turned our attention to someplace close to home. The mangrove forests in Pattaya have been disappearing for some time, leaving this as the last one.”

Mangrove trees are delivered to the site by Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya employees.

70 and Fabulous!

Anou McPherson (left) and Rachna Rao (right) say happy birthday to Pat Burbridge.

Sue K

On the 23rd of June, members of Pattaya and Bangkok Communities gathered at the Pinnacle Resort and Spa Pattaya to celebrate the 70th birthday anniversary of Pat Burbridge.

This surprise White Beach Chic themed party was organized by Pat’s daughter Cindy and her husband Byron Bishop, who easily brought out a large number of Pat’s much loved friends, old friends and older friends, plus families from near and far.

The surprise went on when Cindy put on a PowerPoint presentation of Pat’s 70 years in pictures, bringing tears to the birthday girl’s eyes as well as the rest of the audience.

After a million or two candles were blown out and the huge cake was cut, the crowds immediately got on to the floor and danced away the night under the beautiful starry skies.

It was indeed an evening to remember for Pat and for all who were there for the celebrations.

Happy Birthday!

(L to R) Paul Back, Sangla Kunrawang, Dick Caggiano, Pat Burbridge and Siriporn Sisakulmekee are having a great night!

Pat Burbridge takes to the dance floor with daughter Cindy.

Pat Burbridge and Rani Khanijou enjoy some birthday cake.

Pat Burbridge (center) blows out the birthday candles helped by (from 2nd left) Byron, Layla and Cindy Bishop.

(L to R) Judy, Rosanne, Leila, Chitra and Sue look fabulous in their evening beach wear.