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Local windsurfers take top prizes in first stage of the Second DTAC Windsurfing Championship
Local windsurfers took the top prizes in the first
stage of the Second DTAC Windsurfing Championship held April 13-15 off
Jomtien Beach.
The good showing by local windsurfers came as no
surprise, as most of the Thai National Team come from the Jomtien
Beach/Pattaya area.
Aran Homraruen, former SEA games and ASEAN games gold
medallist, who hails from Jomtien, won the One Design Overall and the One
Design above 20 years categories. A lack of wind made for a long, grueling
competition, but despite the conditions, Aran was still able to defeat the
field by a comparatively large margin.
Aran earned the “Sonthaya Khunpluem, the Minister of
Science, Technology and Environment” trophy for his first place effort.
The first and second runners-up were also national
windsurfers, Phanuthat Ruamsap and Seksan Khunthong.
Local schoolgirl and occasional Pattaya Mail
columnist Daisy Vogt won the women’s category, proving once again that
one can be both smart and athletic.
Daisy’s closest competitors were Rungfah Daiber and
Porntiwa Pruetnaroon in 2 nd
and 3rd place respectively.
DTAC, the Pattaya Windsurf Association and Pattaya
City, who have all been great supporters of local windsurfing, organized
this 3 day event to help support young, local windsurfers who have shown
strong interest in the sport. Many hope to eventually join the national
team.
Competitors
line up on the beach, ready for the starter’s gun to set off the first
round of the Second DTAC Windsurfing Championship held off Jomtien Beach
April 13-15.
Witthaya Khunpluem, president of the Pattaya
Windsurfing Association and chairman of Chonburi Sports Association was
amongst the many distinguished guests on Jomtien Beach during the opening
ceremonies.
A large group of spectators gathered at the site
opposite the Surf Kitchen Restaurant in Jomtien to watch both the racing
and the featured live band.
The event was the first of four Windsurfing
Championship events scheduled for this year. The second round is scheduled
to take place June 22-23.
| Results:
One Design Overall
1 st: Aran Homraruen
2nd: Phanuthat Ruamsap
3rd: Seksan Khunthong
Women
1st: Daisy Vogt
2nd: Rungfah Daiber
3rd: Porntiwa
Pruetnaroon
One Design Category under 13s
Winner: Naumin Sinnoy
One Design Category U17s
Winner: Ake Boonsawad (15 y.o.)
One Design Category U20s
Winner: Chakrapong Jaengsuk
Formula Novice B
Winner: Petty Officer 1st Class Theerapong Wathiboonrueng
Formula Novice A
Winner: Decha Hommanee
Mistral Board One Design Novice (4.5 sq. m board)
Winner: Songkram Singsart |
And they’re off ... again!
Once again, the Jesters Care for Kids Charity drive
thinks up an incredibly stupid thing to do in order to raise money. Four
mad Englishmen, Jesters Paul and Richard, and friends Jon and Ian,
henceforth known as the four f’s (Forty, Fat, Fit and F@#$), are cycling
a sponsored bike ride from Ubon Ratchathani to Pattaya, approximately
800km. The ride is expected to last somewhere between 7 to 10 days, and
the team guarantee that there is no guarantee that they’ll finish it!
 Three
of the “Four Fs” (the 4th must be taking the picture) prepare to set
out on a money raising charity bike ride from Ubon to Pattaya for the
Jesters Care 4 Kids Charity Drive.
Just to make sure that friends sponsoring them get
their money’s worth in terms of pain, they’re doing the ride in the
hottest month of the year and setting off from Ubon on May 17th.
“What we’re actually doing is an investigative
piece into whether everywhere shuts down at 2 a.m. in Thailand,”
explains one of them. “We’re also searching for a faith healer to mend
David Beckhams foot before the World Cup, and we’ve heard of some dodgy
forest spiritualist geezer living in a tree on the Cambodian border.”
The team has already commenced training for the event
and can be found regularly in TQ and Shenanigans working out.
All money raised will be going directly to the Blind
Children’s School in Naklua, but as per the usual tradition of Jesters
charity raising, monies raised will be used to buy items of equipment
required for the school by the team, rather than a direct cash donation.
Anyone wishing to sponsor the “Four F’s” can
contact them directly, e mail pledges on [email protected] or speak
to Kim in Shenanigans, Woody at TQ or any Jester.
Alistair and Keeratika back, and in form
By Mike Franklin
Alistair Waugh and Keeratika (Jas) Lohakoon made a
welcome return to Shenanigans Tuesday outings on April 16th at Eastern
Star Resort, and proved that none of their form had been lost in the pairs
scramble by returning a net 66.2.
 (L
to R) Tournament director Mike Franklin awards the spoils of victory to
Shenanigans Very Friendly Golf Society April 16 pairs scramble champions,
Keeratika (Jas) Lohakoon and Alistair Waugh.
Jas has obviously now recovered from a shoulder injury
which has kept her away from golf for many months.
The ever present Clive Bruce and George Jackson
continue to strive for more press coverage, but fell short once again with
a back-to-back runners-up score, this time a net 68.6. Again a fine
performance, proving just how consistent this pair is.
Clive Bruce was nearest the pin on signature hole #4,
Jas Lohakoon on hole #8, with Aree Chusri and Arthur Hancock nearest on
#12 and #15 respectively. Usa Chaiyusit ‘quietly’ sank the long putt
on #9, and newcomer Dennis Forrest was longest with the first putt on #18.
It was a hot, overcast and breezy day, with the Eastern
Star course in good shape and fairly quiet given that it was a public
holiday.
The next very friendly Shenanigans outing is on Tuesday
April 30th when club restrictions are to be imposed. It will be a ‘Four
Clubs’ Pairs Scramble with no exchange of clubs between partners. A fun
format, and a chance to apply a little more strategy to the game than
usual.
Sign-up at Shenanigans in pairs please, and well in
advance if you are looking for a partner.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
Low and behold the career of David Tua (40-3) has been
resurrected, if not from the dead then from those not expected to survive.
Trailing on all cards 78-75 (including the Pattaya’s Mail’s)
entering the 9th round, Tua landed one of his patented “lunging right
sweeping hooks”. The punch landed on the top of #1 ranked Fres
Oquendo’s (22-1) head. Closing the deal like Tiger Woods on the 18th at
Augusta with a one footer, Tua unleashed a plethora of heavy-handed
punches to end the fight at 1:54 of the 9th. But before you Kiwi’s break
out the Stienlager, stop! Take a deep breath.
David Tua of 2002 is not much different from the one of
November 2000 when he followed Lennox Lewis around the Las Vegas ring in a
futile attempt to wrest the Heavyweight title. The Tuaman did show flashes
of movement early in the fight but that dissipated when Oquendo moved and
jabbed, keeping him at bay. Early on Kevin Berry, Tua’s manager/trainer
pleaded, “I need more punches.” In the end it may have been
Oquendo’s corner that did him in. His trainer, Felix Trinidad Sr.
(“The Don”) from round 5 on kept saying, “Now be careful. Don’t
make any mistakes.” To a fighter that’s like telling a golfer, “Easy
par four. Just don’t hit the ball in the water.” Of course the next
sounds one hears after that are, “Whack... splash... expletive
deleted.” “That’s it. Fight’s over. Good night and drive home
safely.”
 WBC
flyweight champion Pongsaklek (Singwangcha Wonjongkam) Kratingdaeng-gym of
Thailand jubilates on the neck of his corner man after winning over
Japan’s challenger Daisuke Naito in the first round in Khon Kaen
Province, 390 kilometers (242 miles) northeast of Bangkok Friday, April
19. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
WBC flyweight champ Pongsaklek Singwangcha Wonjongkam
(44-2, 26 KOs) must have been in a hurry to get down to Pattaya last
Friday to “toss some water”. He scored the quickest KO title defense
in flyweight history. A left to the chops sent unbeaten Japanese Daisuke
Naito (19-1-2, 14 KOs) down and unconscious for the “walk off” KO at
34 seconds. The quickest KO before? Frenchman Emile “Spider” Pladner
KO’d Frankie Genaro for the NBA flyweight belt at 58 seconds. The date?
March 2, 1929. It was Pongsaklek’s 4th defense.
On the same card, WBF 115-lb king Samson
Kratingdaenggym 43-0-0, 36 KOs) announced his retirement after a UD win
(118-109, 119-109, 119-108) over WBF #3 Alfren Bulala (4-3). “That
so?” says I. Upon further review Samson is better known under the names
Dutch Boy Gym, 3-K Battery, Thailand Toyota and other names too numerous
to mention. Samson had a remarkable career starting with his first world
title in his third fight (WBF jr. Bantam) and continuing with his 23
defenses of his WBF Superfly title. Of 24 title defenses he won 19 by KO.
He is the “peoples champ”.
Lots of world championship fights last week. In
Copenhagen Johnny Bredahl (52-2) became the first ever Dane to win a major
world title when he KO’d WBA bantamweight champion Eidy Moya (15-2) in
9. The now former champ was down for five minutes and then another five
before he could stand. The ex champ was “legless”. Been there, done
that and I got a T shirt. This was Bredahl’s third try. Maybe a charm?
Could be.
WBO light heavyweight champion Dariusz Michalczewski
(46-0, 38 KO’s) annihilated an overmatched Joey DeGrandis in less than
two rounds in front of 5,000 fans in his hometown of Danzig, Poland. The
Champ landed a right-handed uppercut that sent DeGrandis into the ropes
and down. He stayed down as the referee counted him out. DeGrandis seemed
to be talking to himself while down. What did he say? Probably “What the
&%$# am I doing here”.
Anek Hongtongkongkam (Thailand) was one of the three
judges that voted for Floyd Mayweather, giving him the WBC lightweight
title at the MGM in Las Vegas. Anek had it 116-111, John Keane (England)
had it 115-111 and Jerry Roth of Vegas had it 115-111, all for Mayweather.
The Pattaya Mail had it 116-112 for Jose Luis Castillo. It was the
worst decision since Monica Lewinsky said to Linda Tripp, “I’m going
to keep the blue dress to remember our love.”
In Cardiff Wales WBO super middleweight champion Joe
Calzaghe turned back a spirited challenge from #6 ranked Charles Brewer,
retaining his title with a 12 round UD (117-112, 118-111, 119-109). The
score belies the fact that both were rocked during the contest. Brewer,
former IBF champ, brought everything he had. He just didn’t have enough.
“I give full respect to Charles Brewer, as far as I’m concerned he was
the number one challenger out there.”
Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist Audley
Harrison (4-0) dropped 7’2 Julis Long (6-2) with a left hook in round
two at London and the bout was halted.
Unbeaten WBA #1 fly Denkaosan Kaovichit (26-0) dropped
PABA #6 Sukarno Banjao in round 1 on his way to a 12 round UD (119-112,
119-111, 118-110) at Hua Hin. This was Kaovichit’s (26-0, 8 KOs) 18th
successful title defense. Decho Bankluaygym (10-0, 6 KOs), age 17, over
Filipino Rudy Andaho. At 17 Decho is the youngest of the three Sawangwong
triplets (Decho, Decha 8-1-1, 5 KOs and Dechapol 1-0-1, 1 KO). Their
manager, Suchart Teerawutchuwong predicts they’ll become the first world
champion triplets. How you like them apples?
Thanawat Yong wins Bulls Eye Darts Open
Competition dominated by Bangkok players
Thanawat Yong, Thailand’s number 1 ranked darts
player took the winner’s trophy in the Pattaya Shopping Plaza- Bulls Eye
Dart Open.
Not only did Thanawat take the top spot in the Open
Singles category, defeating doubles partner Chalor, but the pair also won
the Doubles competition from the 39 pairs that competed.
Thanawat hails from Bangkok and came second in last
year tournament. “I tried my best ... the last time I played in Pattaya
I got second place behind Ian. I couldn’t have that again.”
All
the winners, most from the Bangkok darts circuit, proudly display their
trophies. Thanawat Yong (center) shows off the two trophies he won as
Singles Open champ and Doubles champ.
More than 100 local and foreign players from Pattaya
and Bangkok braved the heat and took part in the darts tournament held at
the Bulls Eye Bar on Pattaya Second Road April 19-21.
The successful tournament follows the last one held in
December 2001, with more players, more sponsorship and a better standard
of darts than the first tournament.
Organizers Nee from the Bulls Eye and Alan Ross from
Pattaya Sports Supply were very happy to see such a large turnout for this
event and Nee expressed her sincere thanks to everyone who helped in
organizing the tournament, especially Nok who promoted the event
throughout the Bangkok Darts playing community, where the majority of
players had come from.
Planning is already underway for the next darts
tournament in December when organizers expect even more people will
participate in the event.
The organizers thanked all sponsors including Dr. Carl
Burgess, Payom Sridokbuab, Beer Chang, Shark and others as well as the
players for supporting the event, which they hope to continue for a long
time to come.
The prize giving ceremony was also a lively event with
singing and dancing and a buffet for all players and guests.
The results:
Singles Open
Winner: Thanawat Yong
R/up: Chalor
Doubles Open
Winners: Yong/Chalor
Ladies Singles Open
Winner: ‘Red’
R/up: ‘Pipo’
Panthers christen new home
The Pattaya Panthers and Panties recently played their
first matches at their new home, the Horseshoe Point Resort and Country
Club. Ever since the club was formed in 1998 the team has always wanted a
place to call home, and now they have thanks to Horseshoe Point. To
celebrate the new tie the Panthers invited an All-star 10s team down from
Bangkok and played four 10 minutes of 10s rugby in preparation for the
upcoming Sante Fe International 10s Tournament to be held by the Panthers
in next week. The rugby was played in a sporting manner and was very open
as both teams ran in tries on the new pitch. The final score was 8 tries
to 7 for the Panthers who just edged it with their extra pace. There were
tries for Francois, Dave D, Coombsy and Phil Dunn.
After the men had played and refreshments taken it was
time for the girls to practice their handling skills. The teams were mixed
as the men made up the numbers, and some excellent touch rugby was played
as the sun went down over the resort. Oanh and Lisa continued to show
their improved understanding of the game as they organized the men on
their side and drove their team forward for a 5 tries to 4 victory over
Karen’s team. The Panties are as strong as ever at present and are
looking forward to hosting the other 9 ladies teams that will be competing
in the 10s tournament on the 4th and 5th of May.
The Panthers would like to say a big thank you to their
new friends at the Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club, and are very
much looking forward to having the third annual 10s tournament there in
May. There will be 12 men’s teams competing over the weekend as well as
the ladies. Games will start at 9.00 a.m. on both Saturday the 4th and
Sunday the 5th of May and continue all day. Keep reading the Pattaya
Mail for more details, or pick up a tournament program from
Shenanigans.
Ian Edwards brought thunder to the course
PSC Three Sisters Golf
On Thursday the 18th the golfers from the Three Sisters
got together for their weekly session at Siam Country Club. Due to
holidays and Wednesday bowling, the usual Monday Golf slipped to Thursday.
 Ian
Edwards claimed the bragging rights with 39 points at the 3 Sisters weekly
golf get together at Siam CC on Thursday 18 April. Jovial Mike Howard came
in last with 23.
As the storm clouds gathered in the distance and
rumbled, little Ian Edwards brought thunder of his own to the golf course
as he rolled in with 39 points. Ian kept nipping at Paul Kraft’s heels
and finally caught him as Paul’s game faltered on the back nine. Paul,
like Ian, came in with 39 points but lost on count back.
On the lower side came Bill Thompson fresh from the
fields of Kazakhstan. Due to traveling, Bill had an excuse for his poor
performance plus the fact that it was his first game back. On the other
hand, he was no match for Mike Howard, who nose-dived to 23 points to take
the honors at the bottom of the pile. Mike struggled with his drives,
second shots, third shots, bunker shots, and approach shots to the green.
Any more shots were lost in the count. Mike would like to forget this
round and get on to the next one.
As the winners bragged and the losers moaned, it was
announced that next week will be back on schedule with golf on Monday. See
you all there.
The week that wasn’t
P.S.C. Golf from Cafe Kronborg
 Philippe
Berra stayed dry on Thursday the 18th and scored 38 Stableford points to
win the PSC outing to Khao Kheow.
This was the week that wasn’t: it wasn’t a good
week for golf in Pattaya as a mass exodus of the regular golfers fled the
madness that is Pattaya for the week, and went to quieter pastures. Few
people remained so the competition at Pattaya Country Club on the Monday
had to be cancelled, but a few hardy souls clothed in swimsuits and
snorkels braved the ‘festivities’ on the Thursday and ventured forth.
Thursday 18 April - Khao Kheow (Stableford)
In the absence of the usual organisers, the outing to
Khao Kheow was led by Pete Galle, and the golfers were happy to spend a
very pleasant day dry on the golf course, and produced some quite
respectable scores.
The winner with 38 points was Philippe Berra, second on
37 points was Ebrahim and third on 32 points was Rick Evans. The party
returned to Pattaya, not via Naklua, really looking forward to the next
day.
Dige dominates at Chonburi
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
On Tuesday, 16th April, the excesses of Songkran forced
the Bunker Boys out of Pattaya for their weekly medal competition and the
always welcoming Century course at Chonburi proved to be the perfect host.
On this occasion the course was very dry and hard and the untrimmed greens
showed signs of wear after the heavy weekend of competitions.
Undaunted, the PSC champion, Michael Dige, set about
his task and produced a flawless net 69 off his six handicap. The strength
of his game is his forceful iron play and his impeccable putting.
In second place came the ever improving Alan Alexander
with net 70 and, once again in the frame, Roy Mitchell with net 73
finished third.
Other fine performances came from Fireman Danny Greer,
Bill Hewitt and Neil Griffin. The fluffy greens prevented anyone from
scoring a two but the two former IPGC “Rabbit” champions in the field,
Len Jones and David Johnson, suffered the most and were duly awarded the
Bunker Banana Booby prize for their worst gross figures of the day. Oh
dear, how are the mighty fallen!
Songkran Success for
Michael Dige
On the eve of Songkran, the Bunker Boys sought relief
at the always testing course at Treasure Hill. The course was very dry and
there was a lot of run on the fairways, as is common at this time of year.
For the second round in succession the Danish dynamo
Michael Dige showed how good his game really is when he triumphed with a
score of 37 Stableford points.
After a long time in the wilderness the Bunker’s
transport manager, John Preddy, managed to tie for second place, shooting
a very respectable score of 34 points. He left the course wondering what
might have been because his final three holes saw a tally of 7, 8, and 10
for a total of 1 point! Nevertheless, the Bunker’s favourite son rounded
off the week in fine style. He later put his success down to his regular
playing partner, Len Jones, taking a timeout in Chantaburi!
In joint second place, with 34 points, was Alan
Alexander who also had a very fruitful week on the course.
There were surprisingly no two’s recorded. John
Hughes boasted on the fifth tee that, “Too much has been said about this
course being a monster!” and proceeded to amass only one point on the
next three holes. Head down, dejected and despondent he then headed for
Don Muang Airport bearing the Bunker Banana Booby and a wealth of golfing
memories for his colleagues at his North Oxfordshire club, a man beaten by
the course at Treasure Hill.
Check out the Bunker Boys at http://www.the
bunkerboys.com
The “Doc” blows a gasket
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday
15th April - Noble Place (Bogey)
1st: Mike Dabanovich, plus 4
2nd: Dick Lyne, plus 2
3rd: Bob Lindborg, plus 1
The day’s competition was scheduled to be played over
the Century Chonburi course, but due to a slight oversight on the course
management’s behalf, a rather large tournament of some one hundred plus
golfers were also playing at the same time. After a quick straw poll of
the contenders, it was resolved to move to Noble Place. This proved to be
a very good decision as the course was found to be in excellent condition
and apart from a fifteen-minute downpour during the round it provided a
challenging track enjoyed by all.
Dabber again led the field with an outstanding round of
80 to further reduce his tumbling handicap, which now stands at 11.5. This
he achieved by recording a gross forty over the two nines and mesmerizing
his playing partners with prodigious drives throughout the round.
Dick Lyne at last started to show some form following
an extended series of lessons with Richard and recorded his first podium
position at The Haven.
Bob Lindborg, for once having left Lamud at home,
seemed not to be overawed as is usual lately. Partly due no doubt to not
having to worry about how much money Lamud would be taking off him.
The rest of the field lagged some way behind to further
enhance the winners’ performances.
The twos pool was shared by Dick Lyne and newcomer
Julian.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the
resident PGA professional, welcomed new member Julian Nield from the north
of England
Wednesday 17th
April - Eastern Star (Stableford)
1st: Harry Riley, 37 points, cb9 18
2nd: Stephen Beard, 37 points, cb9 14
3rd: Mike Dabanovich, 34 points
Eastern Star is at last getting into good shape with
the greens mostly recovered and the fairways showing some benefit from the
hollow tining being currently undertaken. The hazard markers have at last
been moved to the proper positions, which allows the players at least half
a chance of playing their next shot after a visit to the water. As usual
the course is one of the best managed in the region by the staff and
starting team. Let us hope that this good work is continued to the benefit
of both players and the club.
The “Doc”, having started bogey, double, then
proceeded to rip the course a new orifice as he played the next six 2
under par and faced a 12 footer to record a gross 37 outward half. It was
not to be, as a rare 3 putt ensued and signalled the end of a good day’s
golf, as the rest of the round went to hell in a handcart.
Wee Harry Riley, who was playing in the same four ball,
saw his chance after a steady opening nine and cruised in to win the
day’s honours with a solid 18 over the last nine and easily win the
count back.
Dabber rounded out the winner’s rostrum again playing
close to his new handicap and leading the rest of the pack by a distance.
Whilst doing so he made a nonsense of the par 5 seventeenth, playing a
four iron and a three iron over the flag to set up an easy birdie.
Back at The Haven, Richard welcomed new member Bob
McLachlan.
There being no twos on the day a sizeable carry forward
will be added to the next competition.
Friday’s golf was cancelled due to the impossibility
of movement around Pattaya during the madness that is called The Pattaya
Songkran Festival. Oh, for the return to the old ways with a very gentle
and beautiful new year’s celebration and the true meaning of it all.
Another pipe dream no doubt sacrificed on the altar of perennial greed.
Cafe Kronborg golfers escape Pattaya’s Songkran with a trip to Soi Dao Highland Golf Club
With the dread week of the Songkran Festival
approaching, many golfers who have witnessed the ‘fun’ make plans to
evacuate the city for a few days and where better to go than the peace and
quiet of the blissful mountain hideaway of the Soi Dao Highland Golf Club
And Resort.
Embraced by the majestic Soi Dao range and just 46
kilometres from the Muang District of Chanthaburi Province, the resort is
a first class facility complete with a superb 18 hole golf course,
mountain bikes, speed boats, jungle trails, fishing, four trax, etc., and
the only way you’ll get wet is if it rains, which it certainly did on
the Thursday and Friday when the heavens opened and the typical mountain
cloudburst cooled the whole area down.
 Mick
O’Connor won the honour of ‘champ’ for the trip.
Early on the morning of Tuesday the 16th, 12 people set
off for Soi Dao, 10 of these persons were committed golfers and to get
there by 12 o’clock meant you could get in at least 18 holes. One of the
good points of the golf package is that you can play as much golf as you
wish and only have to pay for caddy fees. Indeed, two of the people played
36 holes a day.
On the first night’s get together, the golfers
decided they’d have a Stableford competition on the next two days, with
a first and second each day, and have a ‘champion’ over the trip. At
least they think that’s what was decided when they met next day through
the hangovers.
 Frank
Sinclair finished second on Day 1 with 33 points.
Next morning in the middle of the beauty of this scenic
area, the group teed off for their 18 holes (or 36 for the fit) and once
more were amazed by the sheer quality and toughness of this course, and
were quite happy to see the boys pull up on their motorbikes selling balls
at 20 for 100 baht, as most all needed them.
At the end of the round, golfers sat in the clubhouse
helping jugs of beer to evaporate, before a short nap and back to the
clubhouse for the barbeque. Winner on the first day was Neville Steward
with 39 points followed by Frank Sinclair on 33 points.
 Neville
Steward won the first day with 39 points.
Thursday morning was a repeat of Wednesday, with one
major difference: as the golfers stood on the 12th tee it started to rain,
and rain and rain. The course was flooded, but with a little invention the
intrepid managed to finish the round.
That night the winner for the day was the ‘ever
improving’ Mick O’Connor with Bua Brook in second place. That meant
Mick won the honour of ‘champ’ for the trip.
 Bua
Brook (shown here with husband KSM) finished second on Day 2.
The last day was very relaxed, late breakfast, tee off
at 1100 hrs, food after finishing, and a bimble back to Pattaya through a
massive thunderstorm in the mountains, getting back as all the
‘participants’ were leaving and sanity reigned again.
A very pleasant and successful trip, as it was last
year and hopefully will be next year.
Polo - the “sport of kings” returns to Hua Hin
Anantara Resort & Spa Hua Hin, together with the
Thai Elephant Conservation Center (Forest Industry Organization) is proud
to announce the return of the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament to
Thailand.
Under the auspices of the World Elephant Polo
Association (WEPA) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Anantara Resort
& Spa Hua Hin will host the second annual King’s Cup Elephant Polo
Tournament to be played September 17 to 22.
Last year’s event was won by the Chivas Regal Nepal
Team captained by James Mann-Clark in an action packed overtime final
against first timers Thailand. Thailand team captain Oliver Winter is keen
to bring the King’s Cup back to Thailand and is busy making preparations
with his colleagues.
Christopher E. Stafford, resort general manager and
tournament organizer said, “The spirit of this event is to raise
awareness of elephant polo as a safe, enjoyable sport and at the same time
to raise funds to support the difficult plight faced by these magnificent
animals. The Thai Elephant Conservation Center received 381,000 baht last
year and we hope we can increase the proceeds this year.”
Forest Industry Organization (FIO) managing director,
Chanatt Lauhawattan stated, “Elephant polo is a great opportunity to
highlight the work of the Elephant Conservation Center and raise awareness
and funds, both of which are desperately needed.”
The event will be attended by an FIO team, including
Richard Lair, advisor and foreign affairs officer at the Thai Elephant
Conservation Center. Major conservation projects undertaken by the Center
include the Mahout Training School, two mobile veterinary clinics, an
elephant hospital, the Elephant Art Project, where elephants actually
paint, and the Thai Elephant Orchestra - a world first!
“Thailand’s 2500 domesticated Asian elephants are
the only survivors from around 100,000 last century. The biggest problem
is to find suitable work that will enable their owners to continue keeping
them,” said Lair.
Prasob Thipprasert added, “Elephants are intelligent
creatures and enjoy interacting with humans. They are quick to pick up
polo playing skills and in some cases have outwitted the players!”
Elephant polo was first played by Mogul Indian Kings
but was reinvented in 1982 by an Englishman (Jim Edwards) and a Scotsman
(James Mann-Clark) in a bar in Switzerland. Both passionate polo players,
they decided that polo on elephants would be more interesting and
adventurous. The rest is history! Since then the tournament has been
played in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Current preparations are underway for the second
King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament hosted by Anantara Resort & Spa
Hua Hin. Intense interest has been shown already from 10 teams, including
two from Thailand, the Singapore Polo Club, Tickle & the Ivories from
Sydney, Australia, Chivas Regal, Sri Lanka and an elite team from Perth,
Australia led by Peter Prendiville (Australia’s ambassador for polo).
Ladies are also represented with the famous Screwy
Tuskers team making a welcome reappearance on the elephant polo scene. Alf
Erikson of Screwy Tuskers fame is also introducing a new team during the
tournament.
Colonel Raj Kalaan, aka the Silver Fox, will return to
train the mahouts and elephants in the lead up to this year’s
tournament. Tiger Tops and World Elephant Polo chairman and founder Jim
Edwards will also be back and may compete as well.
The tournament in Thailand will be played with two
teams of three elephants with two chukkas of 10 minutes playing time each.
The players will use specially made elongated polo sticks that are 78 to
110 inches in length, depending on the height of the elephant, using
regular polo balls.
Each elephant carries a polo player and a mahout. The
mahout directs the elephant using his voice, hands, feet or a goad. The
umpire of the game oversees the play from a wooden howdah (bench type
seat) on the back of the largest elephant.
The height of the elephants ranges from 2 to 2.5
meters, and they weigh between 2 to 2.8 tons each. They usually eat in
excess of 200 kilograms of food each day. The largest elephants are used
in defense while the smaller ones with greater speed are used in attack.
The tournament will be held over three days on a
specially prepared Elephant Polo Field at the Som Dej Phra Suriyothai (the
16th Infantry Division) in Hua Hin.
Hua Hin is steeped in history with a bounty of natural
attractions, located 238 kilometers south of Bangkok, in the Gulf of Siam.
It is a sanctuary frequented by the Thai Royal Family and high society.
King Rama VII built a summer palace there in the 1920s and in 1928 the
King completed a magnificent ocean hideaway as a gift to Queen Rambaibarni,
naming it “Klai Klangwol” which translates to “far from worries”.
There are six championship golf courses in Hua Hin, easily accessible from
the resort.
Guests at the Elephant Polo will experience an
exquisite highlight in the Annual Elephant Charity Polo Gala. This
year’s theme is “The Silk Road” which will also include culinary
delights from celebrated executive chef David Bedinghaus.
The week-long celebration includes the Grand Parade of
Elephants in Hua Hin to the accompaniment of the Royal Navy Marching Band
and the Blessing of the Elephants at the famous Hua Hin Railway Station on
the 17th September. The Elephant Orchestra and Elephant Painting will take
place each day at the Elephant Polo grounds. Polo sticks, team shirts,
elephant paintings and elephant polo memorabilia will be auctioned to
raise funds for the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang, Northern
Thailand.
For further information please contact Christopher E.
Stafford, general manager Anantara Resort & Spa Hua Hin at email:
[email protected] or visit website www.anantara.com
For information on Elephant Conservation Center:
www.thaielephants.com and for information on Elephant Polo:
www.elephantpolo.com
Bangkok men take top trophies in first TIBHAR tournament
Local youths from TIBHAR take lion’s share of boys’ trophies
Winners
of the first TIBHAR International Table Tennis tournament held on the 5th
floor of Mike Shopping Mall April 13-14.
A group of Bangkok-based men took many of the top
prizes in the men’s categories of the first TIBHAR International Table
Tennis tournament held on the 5th floor of Mike Shopping Mall April 13-14.
Don Booktaram from Bangkok achieved a daily double,
winning both the Men’s Single title and the Men’s Over 40 category.
The Bangkok team of Metha and Phusit won the Men’s
Over 40 Doubles, whilst Frank from the Netherlands and Jirawat from Mike
(Pattaya) Tibhar Club won the Men’s Doubles to keep it from being a
Bangkok sweep.
The youth categories were a different story, however,
as local youths won most of the titles.
Jirawat Thongpirach (Mike-Tibhar Club) won the Boys
Under 18 Singles title plus the Boy’s Under 14 Singles title, then
teamed up with Athiwich to win the Boy’s Under 14 Doubles title.
Anuchote and Surachet from Mike Tibhar Club won the Boy’s Under 10
Doubles title.
Chakaphan Khumkaew from ACS won the Boy’s Under 10
Singles title, whilst Patiyarn and Surawat from Chonburi teamed up to win
the Boy’s Under 18 Doubles title to keep it from being a Mike-Tibhar
Club sweep.
The tournament was the first in a series of monthly
events being held at Mike Shopping Mall, organized by the ITTCP. The next
tournament is scheduled for May 11-12. These tournaments are open to
everyone, and advance applications are not necessary. The tournaments
start at noon, and registrations are accepted up until 11:30 a.m. on the
day of competition.
| Results:
Men’s Singles
1st: Don Booktaram (Bangkok)
2nd: Frank Decries (Netherlands)
3rd: Metha Weeradecha (Bangkok)
Bangcha Nonepolgrang (Bangkok)
Men’s Doubles
1st: Frank & Jirawat (Netherlands - Mike Tibhar
Club)
2nd: Bancha & Metha (Bangkok)
3rd: Pongsathorn & Charoen (Sattahip - Rayong)
Men’s Over 40 Singles
1st: Don Booktaram (Bangkok)
2nd: Charoen Kocharin (Pattaya)
3rd: Gallo Charles (France)
Metha Weeradecha (Bangkok)
Men’s Over 40 Doubles
1st: Metha & Phusit (Bangkok)
2nd: Gallo & Jose (France)
3rd: Pongsathorn & Charoen (Sattahip - Rayong)
Boy’s Under 18 Singles
1st: Jirawat Thongpirach (Mike-Tibhar Club)
2nd: Patiyarn Panichsukho (Chonburi)
3rd: Akachai Narongnoon (Mike-Tibhar Club)
Apiwich Ruengsngthongkul (Mike-Tibhar Club)
Boy’s Under 18 Doubles
1st: Patiyarn and Surawat (Chonburi)
2nd: Apiwich & Jirawat (Mike-Tibhar Club)
3rd: Akachai & Attapon (Mike-Tibhar Club)
Boy’s Under 14 Singles
1st: Jirawat Thongpirach (Mike-Tibhar Club)
2nd: Pachara Kijpanakul (ACS)
3rd: Apiwich Ruengsngthongkul (Mike-Tibhar Club)
Prasertsak Charoensap (ACS)
Boy’s Under 14 Doubles
1st: Jirawat & Athiwich (Mike-Tibhar Club)
2nd: Pachara & Prasertsak (ACS)
3rd: Akachai & Attapon (Mike-Tibhar Club)
Boy’s Under 10 Singles
1st: Chakaphan Khumkaew (ACS)
2nd: Surachet Kijsamret (Mike-Tibhar Club)
3rd: Anuchote Sae Sow (Mike-Tibhar Club)
Boy’s Under 10 Doubles
1st: Anuchote & Surachet (Mike Tibhar Club) |
PH3 Run 945
It’s Monday again and for me, this particular day
started off with a bit of a panic as I woke up to see a snake of all
things drop from my ceiling and scurry around my bed! Up until now
(Tuesday evening) I have yet to find the little bugger! The next bit of
drama was to sign up with Dr Pinky at the Scandi Bar only to find the
dreaded ‘Scribe’ written on the back of my ticket. Had to happen
sooner or later I suppose.
Being Songkran, I left town early and apart from
stopping on the way to buy some writing implements, I was not delayed and
managed to get to the A-site with plenty of time to spare. By the way,
this site was last used by C. Face and Boy George back in Feb. 2001. No
sooner had I got out of the car than I saw Miserable walking in with a bag
full of paper. The poor sod had been out re-laying paper after heavy
overnight rain had washed Sunday’s hard work away.
After nearly an hour on the road, the magic bus arrived
and after a short late sign up process, joint GM Charlie Manson called the
circle and the hares quickly sent us on our way. Unlike last week’s run,
the front runners, including Charlie Manson, AH, KBB and FTT were easily
able to run and also follow the paper trail. We were soon crossing the
busy 331 road via a handy tunnel and heading for the nearby hills. The
checks proved to be effective in keeping the pack together. Or at least
until we started up the inclines.
As usual, I made a few false trails but they were not
too long which was fine by me. Somewhere in the middle of the run, I saw
T4 darting about and running up one of the trails. Bit of a surprise
really as he had been complaining of a tendon problem before the run.
Anyway, on the very last check near the top of the hill, it appeared that
to continue up the trail was the only logical thing to do. This I did
along with FTT and Charlie Manson. To my surprise, I saw BHC and Sir
Chicken ahead near the top. Now I wonder how they got there before us? So
with additional enthusiasm, I lurched up the hill only to hear BHC
shouting “false trail”. He then proceeded to disappear over the hill
as the rest of us turned and went back to the check.
The check turned out to be a ‘back check’ and we
went up the side of a field and then over the hill and down through the
long grass with a nice view of the surrounding countryside. It was then
just a long and gentle jog back to the A-site, although most people
decided not to follow the paper back through the tunnel and opted instead
to risk life and limb crossing the 331.
Most runners got back within 15 minutes of the front
runners with the exception of BHC who wandered in after having made long
detours as his preferred route down from the hill didn’t quite work out
for him.
As usual, the beer truck was now the centre of
attention and we were soon all catching up on the latest happenings around
town. It was good to see some of the old faces back on the run again such
as Sharon Tate, General Kidney Wiper and others such as Hedge who have
been away for some time.
After getting myself cleaned up a bit, I thought it was
time to get the camera out and look around a bit for some shots. I
didn’t have to wait long as low and behold, there was T4 with his foot
and ankle immersed in a bag of ice-cold water. I guess he wasn’t lying
about his Tendon after all!
Eventually Charlie Manson called the circle and we all
gathered around for the night’s entertainment. First on the agenda was
the evil but necessary beer truck security and for this, Mobile and Lord
Lucan volunteered their time.
Next on the list was the news that our good and
extremely missed late friend ‘Pacemaker’ had been taken away and
cremated by the US embassy. Sadly, this has denied the possibility for
many of us to show our last respects.
Next, we had Ewok’s raffle and a chance to win one of
our famous yearbooks. Can’t have many left now surely? Charlie Manson
briefly brought in the hares but after that run, no danger at all of any
bad awards. We had a fair few virgins this week and they soon had the
centre of attention along with their fellow sponsors. The circle was then
handed over to RA Sir Chicken whom immediately iced the hares again. We
were told that No More recently had a motorbike crash and then a few days
later, was bitten by a dog. He is now on rabies injections. I have
sympathy for him as I was once bitten whilst jogging along Beach Road by a
dog after first being distracted by a bargirl shouting my name! It’s no
fun having to take jabs for a month I can tell you! Incredibly, a dog had
also recently bitten Miserable. Could it be the same dog?
Sir Chicken Fellow remembered seeing me throwing my bed
upside down earlier in the day as I had been ‘snake hunting’ (as
Blowfly would say) and promptly sat me down on the ice.
Next we had an announcement that the registration forms
for the Chang Mai Indo China hash were now available and on the front of
the beer truck. I guess they will be available every week from now on.
Once again, I found myself back on the ice but this time to wish me happy
birthday. Thanks for the thoughts Charlie. I thought I had that date well
under lock and key!
We then had an incredible site as Charlie brought in
one of his fellow scandi’s (No Trucking Idea) with an instruction to
remove his T-shirt. The guy is dedicated I will give him that. He has a
Pattaya Monday Hash logo tattooed across his chest of all things ... Wow.
Throughout the circle, AH had been seen firing a water
gun at all and sundry and for this he was iced and all invited to drench
him in water, which of course was taken advantage of.
Sir Chicken once again performed one of his short songs
as F-Troop sat patiently on the ice. He was there because as he did not
run, he blew the Hash Horn (from the A-site) so all could find their way
back!
Finally we had the Hare song followed by the Hash Hymn
before we all departed and headed to Shenanigans for the Happy Hour and
lots of very nice food. Well, for me it’s going to be another restless
haunted sleep. See you all next week hopefully.
On On
Santa Fe International 10’s Rugby Tournament this weekend
The Pattaya Panthers Club, lead by chairman Jim Howard,
will host the Santa Fe International Pattaya Rugby 10’s and Ladies Touch
Tournaments 2002 on May 4th and 5th. 11 teams in the Men’s Tournament
and 10 teams in the Ladies Competition will compete for the silverware.
Teams will come from as far as Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan and England,
not to forget the local favorites from Bangkok, Khon Kaen and Phuket.
 The
Pattaya Panthers, shown here in a previous tournament, will host the Santa
Fe International Pattaya Rugby 10’s and Ladies Touch Tournaments 2002 on
May 4th and 5th at the Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club.
The games will be played on the pitches of the
Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club near Siam Country Club.
The Pattaya Panthers have only a small pool of players
to draw from; however, they will make up for their lack of numbers with
enthusiasm for the game.
The Pattaya 10’s not only caters for the rugby
fanatic, but also for the beer and party ‘animals’ with the “Quaich
2002”. The Quaich is a tradition initiated by former Panthers coach Vic
Wilkie and one the Panthers plan to continue for many years to come. It
provides something for every team and individual on the Saturday night of
the Pattaya 10s weekend, and hopefully will bring out some social
competitiveness as teams (ladies, men and social) compete for the Quaich
2002 trophy - one worth winning (at the time - but not the next morning)!
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