HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Hamlet set to take to the stage of the Regents’ Globe Theatre

Happy Songkran from the Pattaya City Expats Club

Camillian Social Center receives visit from old friends

Hamlet set to take to the stage of the Regents’ Globe Theatre

Michael Thomas
Following their hugely successful performances of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (2005), Russell’s Educating Rita (2006) and Shelley’s Frankenstein (2007), the TNT / American Theatre Group make a welcome return visit to the Regent’s School Globe Theatre on Tuesday, April 29 at 7.30 p.m. with their flagship production of the most famous play in the literature of world drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The Japan Times described the production as ‘a striking example of how Shakespeare can be made relevant for a modern audience’.

Hamlet meets the ghost of his father.
The tragedy of the Danish student prince doomed to avenge the unnatural death of his father by his scheming uncle has fascinated audiences worldwide for the last 400 years, as well as generating at least 10 different filmed interpretations. As usual, TNT do not disappoint in a production which daringly combines forms of Eastern and Western theatre, including bold use of commedia masks. The edited text is performed at a breathtaking pace, its contrasting moments of startling humour and chilling horror captivating the audience from start to finish. Furthermore, the versatility of the company is truly amazing with the 28 characters in the play acted by only 7 actors, the performance climaxing in the thrilling sword fight between Hamlet and Laertes.
TNT is a professional global touring company and this production has received massive acclaim wherever it has played, which has included a stadium of 6000 spectators in Munich! The production won first prize at the Teheran International Theatre Festival and received an Arts Achievement Award from the Government of Singapore.
Tickets are a bargain 250 baht for students and 300 baht for adults. Reservations and further information about the production can be obtained by email on [email protected] or by mobile tel: 0811554313. Tickets will also be available at the door on the evening of the performance. Light refreshments will be available during the interval
‘A truly extraordinary production of Shakespeare’ raved the Czech Pravo newspaper. Do not miss out on this great opportunity to see this great classic play.

Happy Songkran from the Pattaya City Expats Club

The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday, April 13th at Henry J. Bean’s fell at the beginning of this year’s Songkran celebrations. Subsequently it was decided to introduce some of the traditional aspects of this often misunderstood Thai festival.

PCEC member Michelle prepares to pour water on the hands of Nai Amphur Mongkol, in a traditional Songkran ceremony held at the start of the meeting.
Songkran provides the opportunity to make merit by offering food to the monks. It is also achieved by way of the bathing ceremony of the Buddha image which was carried out in the entrance at this Sunday’s meeting. On entering Henry J. Bean’s, attendees were welcomed and garlanded by staff in traditional Thai costume
This week’s MC Roger Fox took some time to provide the background to the true Songkran festival, explaining that elderly relatives are visited over the period in order to pay respect and ask for their blessing by pouring fragrant water over their hands.
The PCEC was honoured to welcome back the Nai Amphur, chief of the Banglamung district, Mongol. Mongol, together with the most senior club members, Richard Smith, Bill Burbridge and Marjorie Blissett, were pleased to take part in this aspect of the traditional Songkran ceremony. They were seated in front of the large group of members and guests at a decorated table, who then lined up to pour water over their hands and flower bouquets, and gave blessings which were duly returned.
The PCEC was most appreciative of the efforts of Sermsakdi for organising this event and enabling club members to participate in it.
MC Roger Fox reminded all those taking part that the meeting was to finish earlier, at 12 noon this week, enabling those people who had volunteered to participate in the Chonburi Songkran parade could put on their shirts and sashes and then depart for Chonburi.
He also announced that a traditional Songkran ceremony was being held in the grounds of the Amari Hotel from 2.30 p.m.
Returning to normal club activities, Noi Nongkoonoi was introduced as the manager of the Sanctuary of Truth. Noi related that the building of the Sanctuary had started in 1981 by Lek, who was a very successful businessman with manufacturing and insurance interests. It was explained that the structure was not a temple but a sanctuary of peace, philosophy and understanding. The major world religions are equally depicted in parts of the Sanctuary. Numerous photos were shown which confirmed this spectacular location including the erawan, a statue of a huge three headed elephant.
Also included in the grounds of the Sanctuary is a dolphin show with performances twice daily.
PCEC board member Stuart Saunders announced that the next one day excursion was planned for April 30, this time taking in Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, including the buffet lunch available there and a chance to ask questions of a horticultural nature regarding Thai plants and flowers.
The next club dinner was announced by PCEC board member Michel de Goumois. Taking place on Thursday May 1, the dinner is to be held at the Scandinavian Beach Club were the highly recommended smorgasbord would be available at a very attractive price.
The regular Open Forum was then underway mediated by Roger Fox. As always it provided an opportunity for questions about living in Thailand with an emphasis on Pattaya to be asked. The Open Forum again proved to be the usual lively and entertaining session. For more information regarding, not only PCEC Sunday meetings but also the varied mid week activities, please see the Community Happenings section of Pattaya Mail or, for more details, visit the Club’s website at pattayacityex patsclub.com.

PCEC members and friends with Nai Amphur Mongkol (4th right),
and with speaker of the day Noi Nongkoonoi (third from right),
manager and chief guide of the Sanctuary of Truth.

Camillian Social Center receives visit from old friends

Johan de Graauw
Long time friends and ex-residents of Thailand recently returned for a short vacation at the Camillian Social Center, Rayong. Fr. Giovanni and all the children were happy to see them again after two years.

Gerard Lubbers (left) and Johan de Graauw (right) present funds they’d raised in Holland to Non at the Camillian Center in Rayong.

Johan de Graauw and Gerard Lubbers have never forgotten the children they cared for when they lived here. It is their legacy that the children of the Camillian Center have so many sponsors and people that have put in place so many activities for them, such as the last swimming pool. They are the two people who have launched so many wonderful expressions of generosity from people who visit this center.
When Johan and Gerard went back to live in Holland they decided to continue their work on behalf of the center in Amsterdam. They are the founder members of the “Foundation Friends of the Camillian Social Center Nederland” there. In the first 4 months they raised 225,000 baht for the center, which was presented too Fr. Giovanni during Easter and Songkran.
Since they have been here they have been hosted by their friend Geoffrey Hughes, a large fund raiser for the Center, and they voluntarily worked in all three sections of the center (Garden of Eden, CSC and the independent living center).
They would personally like to thank all their friends and sponsors for the opportunity to be in Thailand again to help these poor people suffering with HIV, and promise that their work will continue when back in Holland.

Fr. Giovanni and the children say thanks
to Gerard Lubbers and Johan de Graauw.

News | Business | Features | Columns | Mail Bag | Sports | Auto Mania
Our Children | Travel | Our Community | Dining Out & Entertainment
Social Scene | Classifieds | Community Happenings | Books Music Movies
Clubs in Pattaya | Sports Round-Up

E-mail: [email protected]
Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
62/284-286 Thepprasit Road, (Between Soi 6 & 8) Moo 12, Pattaya City
T. Nongprue, A. Banglamung,
Chonburi 20150 Thailand
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596

Copyright © 2004 Pattaya Mail. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.