An interesting day at Ripley’s place

by Thomas Brecelic

Ripley is at it again. Sitting at a dusty desk stacked with mouldy books, he gives a globe a little spin and announces how proud he is to present the curios he has collected from hundreds of countries around the world. Then he vanishes. I’m left looking at a vacant desk - the victim of holographic trickery. This is no ‘’Beam me up, Scotty" sci-fi scenario, just an everyday occurrence at Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in Pattaya.

The man with the world’s longest hair visited Ripley’s in Pattaya.

At Ripley’s, everything is definitely in the realm of fact, as Wayne Harbor of Iowa painfully discovered. Over a 29-year period of reading and disbelieving Ripley’s cartoon column, the sceptical Mr Harbor penned over 24,000 letters challenging those printed marvels.

But Ripley’s fact-checking team, backed by experts with the credentials to make even the tallest tale sound like conventional wisdom, replied to 11,000 of those letters, putting Harbor in his place. What about the unanswered ones? Either they were too fanciful for Mr Ripley to reply to, or he had more pressing concerns, like reapplying glue to his Titanic model made of a zillion matchsticks.

With over 250 fascinating exhibits on display, Ripley’s is an interactive stage show which uses wax works, special effects and a little sleight-of-hand to keep things interesting.

Standing at the main doors of the Royal City Garden Plaza, the shopping centre housing the museum, a Chinese gentleman with a Fu Manchu moustache and a burning candle disconcertingly sticking out of his cranium beckons me inside. Enticing as this Ripley superstar’s offer is, I am temporarily distracted by the first exhibit poised to capture visitors’ attention - a full-scale plane smashed into the top floor, projecting half inside the building and half out.

Passing through the portals of the museum, one is immediately submerged in the oddity-filled world of Robert Ripley. The first stop on the tour, like a three-dimensional version of the Guinness Book of Records, is a room of waxworks.

Dominating more than a corner of the room is Robert Earl Hughes, a man, who in full bloom, weighed in at half a tonne. Running a close second in sheer mass is purportedly the biggest glutton in the world, the Emperor Vitellius (15-69 AD) who once ate 1,000 oysters in a day and starved his mother to death ‘’to fulfil a prophecy that he would have a long, trouble-free reign if she died of hunger".

Perhaps affected by this gargantuan gourmandism, I head for the Ripley’s Beer Bar. Though it sported a display of canned beers from around the world, it lacked a key ingredient: a bartender.

The chief source of amusement at this desiccated watering hole is a TV monitor tuned to a surveillance camera in another room, where a sign warns people not to gaze into a peephole. In a classic example of reverse psychology, Peeping Toms just cannot keep away. This silly joke is aired live for Ripley’s barflies who, like myself, look on with growing paranoia: Are we being monitored from another room?

Despite the bar’s lack of libations, the trickery of the adjacent billiard room is guaranteed to make you feel you’ve tossed a few. Place an eight ball on the seemingly level table and watch it mysteriously roll to a bottom pocket. Angled with odd perspectives that would make MC Escher proud, the room’s visual tricks are enough to make even the most die-hard teetotaler feel tipsy.

For younger visitors, another room features puzzles, quizzes and interactive games that activate with gaily-lit push-button panels. A quadraphonic sound system offers kiddies and adults alike the chance to experience what it sounds like to hear a jumbo jet overhead, or a bomb explode. With the recent spate of bomb threats in Bangkok, the special ‘’boom" effects had some people dashing for cover under the statue of Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man, who, at 2 metres 70 cm, stood unfazed in the corner.

One of the more popular exhibits, though not for the squeamish, is a room which delves into pain, torture and tolerance. It has items ranging from medieval torture devices to displays of bizarre ritualistic practices that are certain to make your hair stand on end.

But what part does Thailand play in this collection of international fascinations? Lu Seng La of Chiang Mai is its main representative, who’s claim to fame is possessing the world’s longest hair; 3.87 metres of uncoiffured wonder.

This leads me to question the absence of some of Thailand’s other marvels. What about Jong, the mongrel dog who regurgitated it’s food for eight orphaned pups at a time when the Asian crisis was at its height?

Or Nuan, the intelligent dog who talks to its owner, folds clothes and has the airs and the IQ of a human?

For these and other exciting additions to Ripley’s you’re going to have to wait until September when three new rooms with a Thai theme will be added to the museum, says Rapeepan Aungsusingha of Ripley’s public relations department.

‘’First, we must confirm these claims and have them verified at the World Headquarters in Florida," she says, emphasising that Ripley’s claims are rigorously scrutinised before they are exhibited in the museums.

Will Ripley’s consider the Phi Ta Khon fertility festival in Loei province where villagers wear ghost outfits? Or the Yasothon Festival, where participants frolic in mud baths?

Extraordinary festivals will be included if they fit the template that Ripley has based its reputation on, says Rapeepan. ‘’We welcome any feedback or suggestions from the public for the new Thai section of the museum. And we hope the new room will give Thais and foreigners a unique glimpse of Thailand through its rich cultural heritage."

If you want to side-step the past and time travel into the future, you can do it with Ripley’s Motion Master Theatre, which is mind (and spine) boggling good fun.

Once you’re strapped in, the state-of-the-art hydraulics rev up for a wild ride into Alpha Omega Charlie, a Star Wars space chase which puts you in the pilot’s seat fighting against the dark forces. A high definition 70 mm projection system, in sync with hair-splitting turns, adds to the five minutes of a hell-raising excitement.

Next time you have a spare day, you’d be hard pressed to find a more ‘’curious" place to spend it than Ripley’s. And don’t dare try refuting this, because Ripley is always Right!

Bangkok plans extraordinary cultural tourism campaign in 2000

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said it will soon announce a tourism theme for 2000 in which the capital city will show off as a city with richness in culture. Extraordinary events and activities have been planned to promote tourism in the heart of Thailand next year.

According to Ms Natanon Thaveesin, a deputy mayor, cultural events and activities in 2000 BMA would attract up to 7 million foreign tourists, while authorities hope to earn about Baht 105 billion. Meanwhile, about 4 million local tourists are expected to appear on Bangkok streets during the year.

According to Bangkok’s governor Dr Bhichit Ratakul, Bangkok, for decades a passageway for foreign tourists who made stopovers for other provinces, will have a new cultural look, like Paris and other major cities. Bangkok will be more charming and tourists will stay longer in the capital city, said the governor.

Notes: The grand Rajadamnern Avenue will become a shopping street. Year 2000 countdown activities to start later this year. Bangkok’s floating market planned at the Temple of Dawn. More boat trip services planned along the Chaophraya. ;Trade exhibitions, cultural shows, which include the Broadway-styled plays of King Mongkut, will be among highlights.

Beach volleyball draws huge crowds

Possibly the most highly publicized event of the Pattaya Festival was the second leg of the Asian Beach Volleyball Circuit that took place on Jomtien Beach in front of Pattaya Park.

Chonburi Govenor Sujarit Pachimnan presents the championship trophies and cash prize to Thailand’s golden duo Manasnan Paengka and Rattanaporn Arlaisuk.

Once again, Thailand’s darlings of international beach volleyball, Manasnan Paengka and Rattanaporn Arlaisuk brought home gold for the host nation. The two women were last in the spotlight for their stunning gold medal performance in the 13th Asian Games held here last December.

Their growing popularity has brought national attention to this once nearly anonymous sport. And while large crowds turned out mainly to watch the famous duo, they were also treated to exciting volleyball from the other competitors.

Kazuyuki Takao (left) and Satoshi Watanabe of Japan won the men’s division.

In all, 9 nations sent athletes to compete, including Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, and China, as well as a team from Hong Kong. 15 men’s and 12 women’s teams competed. Thailand alone sent in 6 teams: 3 men and 3 women.

Thailand’s Women’s A team, the aforementioned Manasnan Paengka and Rattanaporn Arlaisuk dominated the women’s division, winning the gold and US$1,500 (55,500 baht) first prize. Thailand’s B team of Kamolthip Kulna and Wilaiwan Katmanee took the silver medal, while China’s Fu and Lan earned bronze.

Governor Sujarit presides over the official ceremonies.

In the men’s division, Japan’s Satoshi Watanabe and Kazuyuki Takao won the gold medal, and were also awarded US$1,500 (55,500 baht) for first place. Joel Durant and Peter Jones earned silver for Australia, while Anjas and Iwan brought home the bronze for Indonesia.

A total of US$20,000 was awarded as prizes.

The event was organized and sponsored by the Amateur Volleyball Club of Thailand in cooperation with Pattaya City.

Go! Win! Cheer for Cheerleaders! Takraw, jet skis and power boat races also featured at Pattaya Festival

Surely one of the most vocal, athletic, and popular events of the Songkran Festival was the Eastern Seaboard Cheerleader Championship sponsored by Pattaya City, TAT and Big C.

Pattaya Panichyakarn School earned earned first prize at the Matheyom level.

Cheerleading squads from local schools drew large crowds for the preliminary rounds at Big C, and huge crowds for the finals at the Festival Center on 3rd Road.

Teams of 7 to 10 persons, both male and female, kept spectators revved up with elaborately choreographed dance routines done with remarkable precision. Most of all, it truly seemed that the kids were having fun.

The demanding game of Takraw, played all over Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Yet the stakes were high, as nearly 100,000 baht in prizes and trophies was on the line.

Professor Somphorn Khemkamnert, an advisor to the Cheering Association, chaired the event. Khun Somporn was the head judge of the contest, evaluating the contestants with the help of 5 other judges.

Niran Wattanasadsathorn (center) joins in presenting the many prizes awarded to the Jet Ski winners on the 18th of April at the front of the Krau Surf Restaurant in Jomtien.

Pattaya Panichyakarn School earned first prize in the Matheyom level category, followed by first runner up E-Tech University of the Eastern Seaboard and second runner-up Victory Team.

Aksorn Technology School earned first place in the Prathom level category.

From Greens to Blues at Delaney’s!

Poulsens and “Jake” Fletcher Blues.

It was not "Saturday Night Live" in Pattaya last week, because it was last Friday evening that the car park at Delaney’s, the Irish Pub on Pattaya Second Road, was full of 1974 Dodge Monaco’s. It certainly was, because inside the pub were Jake and Elwood, the Blues Brothers! However, there were several Jakes and even more Elwoods and several of the Blues sisters as well.

“James Brown” and another Sister Blues.

Delaney’s manager, the ebullient Kim Fletcher, turned on one of the best pub promotions this year, with his Blues Brothers evening. It obviously struck a chord (E Major, perhaps?) with the Pattaya Party People because they were all there, several in the dark suits, black hats and dark glasses. They, in turn, were being fed and victualled by the staff in dark suits, black hats and dark glasses.

There was much stumbling and bumping later in the night which was put down to an inability to see properly while wearing dark glasses in the dark corners of the pub. There are those who would argue that bumping into the same nubile maiden on three separate occasions could not be put down to a simple visual problem, but probably showed a certain hormonal element as well.

“Elwood” Garred Blues.

Prime Minister of the Pattaya Pub Party, Niel Poulsen, was there with First Lady Alice. With his Mum now being back in Australia, Niel showed none of the restraint he had shown while she was up here, while Alice tried very hard to repeat her ‘falling under a man on the dance floor’ trick that she initially demonstrated in TQ last year!

Leader of the local Leprechauns League, Fergal O’Neill, was seen wearing a several days growth of beard and looking like Jake on one of his not so better days. He really should stand closer to the razor and get a better shave! By the end of the night, Steve Fraser was advising Graham Macdonald where to go for a crew-cut, while Sandra Haeberli and Liz Milintacupt-Taylor were winning beers by getting people to try and spell their surnames.

Leader of the Lycra and "Pencil Turn" set, David Garred from the Dusit Resort Sports Club left his John Revolting outfit at home and appeared in a dark suit, hat and dark glasses so that he would stand out in the crowd. It worked David, you were spotted!

Sister Blues whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

The Jakes and Elwoods behind the music thumped out everything from the Peter Gun Theme to every one of the Blues Brothers standards, while Sister Blues lashed the dancers with the knotted leather thongs on her microphone. "James Brown" saw the light while everyone else saw the darkness when they took off their shades and eventually wound their way home.

Good one, Kim! What’s next?

Footnote: There is no truth in the rumour that Jake and Elwood were chased by Pattaya’s finest while driving home in the Dodge through the centre of the Royal Garden Plaza. With 116 warrants for parking infringements, they drove home very carefully!

Wine-Fun-Run Competition

The Pattaya Festival this year had a lot of entertainment to offer. Amongst all this was also a Win-Fun-Run-Competition, organized by Pattaya City and the Food & Beverage Manager’s Association of Eastern Chapter.

It’s always fun to drink wine, yet the competitors in this run - waiters and waitresses of 26 different hotels and restaurants from Pattaya, Rayong, Siracha and Chonburi - had the fun of carrying the wine during a race. Everybody was in a fabulous mood, even without drinking the wine. Lots of cheering could be heard from the staff members of the various hotels who desperately wanted their colleagues to win. Yet, it wasn’t too easy. Wineglasses, filled to the rim, had to be carried over a distance of 100 m, 200 m and 400 m. All the glasses were marked so the judges could tell exactly how much each of the competitors spilled so as to cut points accordingly.

As a special demonstration, a relay race over 400 m was on the program. During this race, it took a lot of skill to pass the filled wineglass on to teammates.

During this and of course also during some other races, a few of the competitors came back empty handed - yet still with a smile on their faces. A few glasses broken and lots of wine spilled - so what! Nobody took it too seriously; everybody just had a lot of fun and were happy to participate.

A list of the happy (and skilled) winners:

100-m race
1. Siam Bayview Hotel (Monthong Wongsamang)
2. Amari Orchid Resort (Pichet Dontree)
3. Montien Hotel (Sareena Yensil)

200-m race
1. Dusit Resort (Praphon Paratanya)
2. Amari Orchid Resort (Pichet Dontree)
3. Thai House Restaurant (Somchid Petklang)

400-m race
1. Dusit Resort (Praphon Pratanya)
2. Flipper Lodge Hotel (Srisuwan Rattanavee)
3. Dusit Resort (Paiboon Sangthong)

4x100-m relay race
1. Siam Bayview Hotel (Arisa, Vilai, Duli, Monthon)
2. Dusit Resort (Paiboon, Ruangnapa, Preecha, Nuchanart)
3. Montien Hotel (Somporn, Thongchai, Rattanaporn, Narinthorn)

Wan Lai - East Coast’s send off of Songkran, a lot of fun, and a lot of mayhem!

by Kittisak Khamthong

On the 19th of April, home folks and tourists alike awaited this final Songkran, celebrated on this day only in this region, a tradition passed on to us for generations.

As always, it was a timely affair because of the hot summers; an indigenous "cooling down" affair.

As the sun eased upwards into the hot Siamese sky, people all over began their preparations. Big jars and buckets to the fore, extended hoses from house taps ready to replenish the emptying water stock. The willing and the playful were splashed with relish as they passed by.

And those that could still not yet join the fun were asked politely to accept a slight pouring of water over the shoulders as a meritorious gesture. That was how we once celebrated Songkran. A lot of us still do.

But today we’ve gone "high tech". Plastic water guns, some worthy of the Rambo genre, canons, et al. And beware, some jars and canons were filled with ice, which left many of the unsuspecting chilled to the bone.

The young and young at heart from all surrounding areas started pouring into town in thousands of pickups and assorted trucks laden with jars filled with water. A proper traffic jam incurred, much to the liking of the young men who now had the chance to paste wet powder on the young lasses’ cheeks from nearby wagons. And oh, those street side pelters. "It’s only once a year," so mused the girls.

Songkran today has adopted so many splurt, splat and splash pieces of equipment - the assorted guns, cannons, and cylinder pumps that can eject water with thunderous pressure over a distance that could sweep a schwachkopf off her wicker rocker. Also, the indiscriminate use of paste, powder, plastic water bombs thrown at anything that moves, even paint, has alienated the once casual fun. Many elders are aghast at what our young people and their too keen foreign disciples have turned this festival into.

In spite of zealous campaigns for public awareness for not abusing and debasing this beautiful fanfare, it has not been very successful. We hear next year they will be an even more vigorous campaign.

Jasmine water anyone? Please...

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.