Songkran getaway suggestions

‘Around the World in 80 Days’ - ok, ‘Around South East Asia in 40 minutes’ was the talk given by PCEC member Gary Hacker - about some of the many places Gary has been in Asia.

Where can I get away during the next Songkran Festival? This is a question many ask ourselves who are not willing to remain in Pattaya for the week long water throwing madness. Some ideas were provided at the November 6 Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg introduced fellow member Gary Hacker to the members and guests assembled at the Amari’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant.

Board member & newsletter editor Darrel Vaught provides an update of changes to Pattaya City Expats comprehensive website, with all kinds of information about living in Thailand.

Gary really needed no introduction. In addition to being a US Embassy Warden for Pattaya, Gary is also an ardent traveler around the region and has on several occasions presented his photos and his interesting narratives about some of these trips. Gary said although Songkran is still some months away, now might be a good time to start planning your getaway. With the aid of many splendid pictures of these idyllic places, Gary provided his suggestions including places to dine and to stay.

His first suggestion was not far away. Koh Si Chang is an island that is a short drive up the coast and quick boat ride from Sriracha. Although still in Thailand, Gary said there was not much water throwing on the island so it would make a good getaway. Gary pointed out that you could hire a Tuk Tuk (on Koh Si Chang these are powered by automobile engines) or rent a motorbike. Gary then took everyone on a pictorial visit of the island. Gary previously wrote an interesting article including pictures about his visit to Koh Si Chang, which are posted in the General Interest section of the club’s website, www. pattayacityexpatsclub.com.

Reg Knowles of the Royal British Legion reminds PCEC members of Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the US), held on the 11th of November each year, when returned service personnel, and those who did not return, are remembered.

After Koh Si Chang, Gary took everyone to Angeles City in the Philippines. Gary noted that while not much for daytime activity; it has a great nightlife similar to Pattaya. Not too expensive to get to and can provide a few days respite from all the water throwing in Thailand.

Another place that has much more to see and do is Borneo. Gary pointed out that this island is about 2/3 governed by Indonesia, 1/3 by Malaysia and is the home of the tiny country, Brunei. Gary was particularly fond of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah State. He mentioned several attractions and all the activity around the boardwalk. There is also an orangutan rehabilitation center called Sepilok that is worthy of a visit.

Gary gave an interesting description of his experience renting a “brand new” car that is made in Malaysia to drive to Sepilok - seems parts kept falling off of it that they had to stop and pick up. He also explained how his daughter talked him into going into the “dangerous jungle habitat” of the orangutan instead of staying in the safer area where they are caged.

Gary also extolled Phnom Penh, the capital of neighboring Cambodia, as another great get away location. Although there is some water throwing, he said it is not as bad as Pattaya. He said that it has built up and modernized some since his last visit. He recommended hiring a boat to take a trip along the scenic river to get the flavor of the place.

Another nearby country that is also well worth a visit is Vietnam. Gary said that he found Hoi An to be a fabulous getaway. You can fly into either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) City and take train, air, or other transport to Hoi An. He said it is a beautiful city, especially the old town where the buildings are decked out with lanterns at night. It is on a river with bridges that cross over it and is also a short distance from the coast where there are some lovely white sand beaches.

This short article cannot do justice to Gary’s presentation. The club hopes that he will prepare some more articles on these and maybe other locations to share on the club’s website as he did for Koh Si Chang.

Richard Silverberg then called on Pat Koester to bring everyone up to date on upcoming events and to conduct the always informative Open Forum, where questions are asked and answered on Expat living in Thailand and Pattaya in particular.

Austrians aid flood victims on National Day

Ambassador Dr. Johannes Peterlik (left) and consul Rudolf Hofer at the bestowal of the award and listening to the Austrian anthem.

Elfi Seitz

Austrian Ambassador Johannes Peterlik led about 70 of his countrymen in celebrating Austrian National Day in Pattaya.

The Oct. 27 celebration at the East Tapas Lounge in Jomtien Beach was also attended by his two sons, Lukas and Florian, as well as German Embassy Consul Paul Strunk and his wife Vicky.

Hosts John Darker and Michael Stief treated the crowd to Austrian wine and Austrian Consul Rudolf Hofer opened the speeches, urging his countrymen to help Thais suffering from disastrous floods.

Peterlik saluted Austrians for their show of national solidarity as well as his chief consul.

“It gives me special pleasure to honor you today as an extraordinarily active and helpful representative of Austrian interests in Pattaya,” Peterlik told Hofer. “Since you became the honorary consul you showed immense engagement for Austrians interests and its citizens. You are not only observing all occurrences concerning Austrians in Pattaya but you also defend successfully their interests with Thai authorities and are always reachable for all Austrians, be they residents or tourists. I would like to express my deepest thank for your work as an honorary consul of the Republic of Austria. I am aware that your work here is not easy. To be a honorary consul needs personal engagement and is an important function with lots of responsibility. You fulfill this responsibility remarkably by using your time, energy and dedication.”

With that, he presented Hofter with the gold service medal.

“To receive such an award means for me to show even more commitment, more commitment to fulfill my duties as honorary consul furthermore dutiful and give all I can,” Hofer said in thanks.

Speeches concluded, the party kicked into high gear with food and a puppet show. Lukas Peterlik helped collect 50,000 baht in flood-relief donations, including 10,000 baht from tourist Reinhard Gander. The funds will be donated to a school to be determined later.

The event draws a big crowd.

AustCham flies to Hard Rock

Which do you like better, Arabica or Robusta, Dylan Counsel, director of operations for the Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa, asks Michael Chick, general manager of The Coffee Club.

Dr. Iain Corness

The final networking night in Pattaya for the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) was held in the mezzanine area above the Hard Rock Cafe. It was one of those legendary cool tropical evenings, for which Pattaya is famous, and all the attendees enjoyed the venue.

With the continued flooding in Bangkok, the number of members and guests were down, but the Pattaya members have been showing their generosity, offering dry housing and business space to the Bangkok people. Kevin Fisher, the MD of CEA mentioning that he had made yard space available to a Bangkok company, and had even given them office space so they could continue. Dylan Counsel, the director of operations of the Pattaya Resort and Spa has some Bangkok businesses now working out of the Marriott, while many other Pattaya locals have made houses and apartments available for flooded out Bangkok families. Even Bangkok Hospital Pattaya has been taking in so many patients from Bangkok that all 400 rooms are filled. Pattaya has the dry facilities.

Chanakarn Lim, office manager for AustCham Thailand and Josh Hyland, communications officer for AustCham Thailand, welcome guests to the Hard Rock.

President of AustCham John Anderson (Meinhardt) mentioned that Pattaya is 15 meters above sea level, which is why the Eastern Seaboard does not suffer from catastrophic flooding like Bangkok which is around two meters above only. (For interest, U-Tapao airport is 18 meters above sea level at its lowest point.) The Ocean Marina Harbor Master Scott Finsten adding that the ocean is not going to rise 15 meters, no matter how much water drains into it from the central plains.

The sponsors for the evening were Strategic Airlines and the Hard Rock Hotel itself. Sarinya Holloway, the manager of sales and marketing represented the airline, which was established in 2002. Since 2009 it has been plying the Phuket-Brisbane route. However, this has produced an upsurge in traffic for the fledgling airline and during November it will be rolling out its new corporate identity of Air Australia. Bases are now established in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Darwin, Luxembourg and London.

The airline is a ‘budget’ one, with Sarinya saying Phuket - Brisbane and return is only 21,000 baht. Dr. Iain suggested on Pattaya Mail TV that Air Australia should consider the other resort in Thailand, also starting with the letter P. You can find them at www.flystrategic.com.

Ken Brookes, business development technical director for KA Shin, and Damien Kerneis, key account manager for Geodis Wilson Thai, talk about the best way to ship components.

The venue sponsor was the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, who was represented by Matthew (Matty) Carly, the manager of the Hard Rock Cafe. Matty spoke about the 15 month-long renovations which have been ongoing in the hotel, and how excited the staff are with the re-opening of the main hotel. With 323 new rooms, including the new concept of accommodation for families with children and a revamped Rock-Star Suites, with restaurants, bars and lounges serving Pan Asian cuisine next to Mediterranean fare in a variety of stylish settings. www.hardrock.com.

The Australian Chamber has been supplying very quaffable wines, and the Broken Hills red was particularly enjoyable, with more attendees on the wine than the beer (but then it wasn’t VB, Fosters or XXXX). The origin of the Queensland XXXX beer is very interesting (I used to be their medical officer) and the name came from the originator, who was Irish and couldn’t spell beer. (Joke! No need to write in!)

Damien Kerneis, key account manager for Geodis Wilson Thai, and Michael Diamente, managing director of Dana Spicer, debate: beer or wine?

Carey Archer from Gold Coast Web and Scott Finsten from OMYC tuck into the great food put on by Hard Rock.

Mel Hand and Jon Fox from Q Cars Thailand aren’t debating beer and wine, but white and red.

Pierre Fabry from RR Asia and AustCham director David Bell are immersed in deep conversation.

Svetlana, Jum and Nok from Hard Rock Hotel signal their enduring friendship.

Michael Parham, business development manager for Cranes and Equipment Asia, and Gregory Pitt, managing director of Mackenzie Smith Law Firm, chat about the legal issues involved in moving cranes and equipment through the region.

The president and main sponsors (L to R) Sarinya Holloway, sales and marketing manager for Strategic Airlines; AustCham President John Anderson; and Ian Sutedjo, director of sales and marketing for Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya.

(L to R) Sarinrat Tassanachainun, sales and marketing executive for Strategic Airlines; Michael Parham, business development manager for Cranes and Equipment Asia; and Piyawan Suwapap, sales and marketing executive for Strategic Airlines, pose for a group photo after discussing round trip airfare to Oz.