Community Happenings – Friday May 4, 2018 – May 10, 2018

Events

The next meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) will be held on Sunday, May 6. Stefan Sanchez, Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, who is currently the Director of Grand Opera Thailand will be the presenter. The program starts at 10:30 a.m. with a buffet breakfast available from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on the 4th floor of the Holiday Inn’s Executive Tower, located behind the Holiday Inn’s Bay Tower on Beach Road.

This year’s annual Chris Kays Pattaya Rugby Festival will be held at the Rugby School Thailand, located at Khao Mai Kheow in East Pattaya from May 5-6. Five overseas teams will compete against the best that Thai amateur rugby has to offer at 10’s style rugby in a round-robin format. There will be lots of diversions to keep the little ones happy while the adults can enjoy some great rugby, good food and cold beer. The tournament kicks off at 10am on Saturday May 5. Spectators are welcome and admission is free of charge. For more information and directions to the venue, check website: www.pattayapanthers.com.

A Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard networking evening will be held at the Movenpick Siam Hotel in Pattaya on Friday, May 18 from 6.00 p.m. – 9 p.m. (last drinks at 8.30 p.m.). Entrance cost is THB 500 on the door for members and THB 1000 for non-members. Admission includes free-flow drinks and finger food. For more information send email to [email protected] .

The Amazing Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018 takes place along Pattaya Beach Road from May 4-8. More than 200 street-stalls and food trucks will be in attendance to serve up an abundance of seafood fare to suit all tastes, accompanied by music and entertainment from some of Thailand’s biggest artists and stars. For more information, check out webpage: www.facebook.com/amazingpattayaseafoodfestival .

The spectacular 2018 Pattaya International Fireworks Festival will be held from June 8-9 at Central Pattaya Beach. Starting at 6 p.m. each evening, competing countries will put on short individual displays on the first day while longer 45 minute performances will take place on the second day. Vendors along the Beach Road will provide a multitude of food and refreshments for onlookers.

The Pattaya Bikini Beach Race 2018 will take place on Saturday, May 19 at Central Festival Pattaya Beach. Race distances are 3km and 9km and admission fees are 700 & 800 baht. For more information, go to Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CentralfestivalBikiniBeachRace or call 082-563-1291

The Pattaya International Ladies Club invites you to a Black & White Party at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya on June 23 beginning at 19.00 hrs. Enjoy a bubbly reception, buffet, disco, raffle prizes and a free flow of wine, beer and soft drinks: Price 1500 baht per person. Dress code Black & White. Email: [email protected].

YWCA Pattaya Center will hold the 6th Charity Walk-Run on Pattaya Beach on Saturday, June 16 with runners competing for Her Royal Highness Princess Somsawalee’s Cups. The races cover distances of 1.5km, 3km, 6km and 10km and admission cost is 400 baht. Proceeds from the event will go towards charitable projects chosen by the YWCA. To register, visit website: https://race.thai.run/

A Farmers’ Market takes place every 2nd Saturday of the month at the Holiday Inn hotel on Pattaya Beach Road from 10.30 am – 3.30 p.m.  Products range from wellness items, jewelry, freshly prepared food, organic vegetables and fruits. The next market will be held May 12.

A stamp market is held every Sunday from 10.00 a.m. till 3.00 p.m.at Rahnpintang Moe Kata Restaurant, Panji Place, on Soi Ponphraphanimit 7 (200m from the Bangkok Highway underpass). Here can you exchange stamps from the whole world. Call 089 091 3418 for more information and directions.

Dining

Benihana Terrace Bar offers a ‘Shushi High Tea’ with fresh sushi and nigiri, California rolls and Temaki, all served with beautiful sea views. High tea served daily from 2pm – 5pm. Price: THB 750++ per set (for two). Benihana is located at the AVANI Pattaya Resort & Spa. Call 038 412 120.

Every Wednesday during the month of May you can enjoy a delicious seafood Buffet dinner from 18.00-21.00 pm at the Persimmon restaurant, Pattana Golf Club & Resort, priced at just 399 baht net per person. For further information or reservations, call 038 318 999 Ext 11230 or Email: [email protected].

Tuesdays are Asian Seafood BBQ days at Coast Beach Club and Grill, located at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya. Enjoy a wide offering of delicious local seafood cuisine for just THB 1099++ per person. Seafood BBQ served every Tuesday from 6.30pm – 10.45pm. For more information or reservations, call 038 714 981.

Hilton Pattaya features two bars and three restaurants, and all are the perfect venue to create a wonderful moment at the popular Pattaya Bay. Dine on a light meal at Drift, or relax at Horizon while watching the sunset. Enjoy a lunch and dinner buffet at Edge, or savor exquisite Asian dishes at Flare. The exceptional dining experience at Hilton Pattaya is complemented by equally impressive views, ambience and service. For more information or reservations, call 038-253- 000 or visit pattaya.hilton.com.

The Bay Grill & Buffet at Dusit Thani Pattaya: Dine with a sea view and enjoy seafood and meat barbecue accompanied by Thai and international items from soup, appetizers and main courses to dessert for only THB 1200++ per person. Free flowing beverage for additional THB 599++ per person. The Bay is open daily from 18:30 – 22:00. Call 038 425 611-7 ext. 2149 0r 2150 for more information and reservations.

Big Fish restaurant at Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya enhances its seafood buffet with a Thai marketplace theme: live stations offer traditional Thai cuisine in a unique atmosphere and include Thai salad, papaya salad, lemongrass & shrimp salad, Thai noodle served with beef/chicken and meat ball, pad Thai, fishcake served with chili-pickled cucumber and Thai dessert of mango with sticky rice, luk chub, woon bai toey, tup tim krob and more. All you can eat only at THB 400 net per person and enjoy a special welcome drink from the antique jar. Promotion daily from 12pm – 2.30pm. For more information and reservations call 038 930 600 or email to [email protected] .

The Thai Garden Terrace Restaurant offers nightly dining presentations with different themed “all you can eat” buffets at the resort poolside: Monday – Italian buffet; Tuesday – BBQ buffet; Wednesday – multi-cuisine buffet; Thursday – German buffet with roasted pig; Friday – Thai buffet; Saturday – international buffet; Sunday – steak & skewers buffet. The buffet starts from 6 p.m., runs until 9 p.m. All this for just 399 baht net per adult. What you see is what you pay, no additional service charges or VAT. For reservations call 038 370 614 or make your booking at www.thaigarden .com under “buffet reservation”. Thai Garden Resort is located on North Pattaya Road, 200 meters from the Dolphin roundabout and 200 meters before Tesco Lotus.

Yupin’s Restaurant in Jomtien Complex offers some fabulous culinary options including slow roast soft pork stuffed with garlic and coriander, and served with an onion and red wine sauce, vegetables and a choice of potato at only 395 baht or delicious fresh from the sea, jumbo tiger prawns served with a cream, parmesan and Malibu sauce, and vegetables or a choice of potato at only 495 baht. Special promotions include two set menus plus a bottle of wine for only 1,295 baht or order a two course meal between 6-7 PM and get a free glass of red or white or rosé wine or 250 baht off a house bottle of wine at 545 baht. For more information or reservations, call 038 250394 or visit website: www.yupins.com.

Linda’s Restaurant is large with seating for 200 people, with a covered al fresco verandah outside for those who wish to smoke. Inside, in air-conditioned comfort, there are comfortable chairs and decent sized tables, with white starched napery. The menu is large and covers northern European items, Scandinavian dishes and several pages covering Thai cuisine. Linda’s Restaurant, 315/177-180 Moo 12, opposite the Jomtien Complex. Thappraya Road, Jomtien. Open seven days from 7.30 a.m. until late. Tel: Reservations: 038 252 726, www.lindasrestaurant.com, street-side parking. Email [email protected] . GPS 12.901655 N 100.869.

Jameson’s Irish Pub offers daily food specials from Mon-Sat as well as fabulous Sunday roast dinners with all the trimmings, priced from 340 baht – 400 baht. Jameson’s Irish Pub is located on Soi Sukrudee (Soi A.R.) in Central Pattaya. Call 038 361 874 for more information or visit www.jamesons-pattaya.com.

Yamato Restaurant located on Soi Yamato has been around for more than 35 years and the soi was named after its oldest tenant. Just look for the Japanese characters on the blinds outside. You cannot miss it. The menu is pictorial, which is a must when trying a different cuisine/language. This is a restaurant to take a few people with you. The prices are certainly not over the top, and the quality is superb. Yamato Japanese restaurant, 219/51 Soi Yamato (13/1), close to Beach Road end, telephone 038 429 685 or 038 421 618. Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. On street parking (or do some shopping in the Avenue or Royal Garden Plaza).

The legendary Somsakdi Restaurant has been in operation in Pattaya for almost 40 years. Proprietor and Chef Somsakdi is still cooking and running his amazing restaurant at 78 years of age. The menu is probably the largest in Pattaya, with 374 individual items. Each dish is in Thai with an English explanation underneath. Rather than be swamped by choices, let Somsakdi guide you. After all, who knows his dishes better than he? Somsakdi Restaurant, Pattaya Soi 1, tel. 038 428 987, 038 423 284, 038 429 869, limited parking plus on-street parking in the soi. Hours 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., seven days.

Spa & Hotel Promotions

The new Sawasdee ritual at Spa Cenvaree in Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya uses traditional Siamese massage with modern aromatherapy techniques and the uplifting properties of lime, lemongrass and plai for a completely refreshing all-in-one spa session. Priced at THB 2,800++ per person, the package includes a THB 300 retail voucher and is available throughout May and June. For reservations and more spa packages, call 038 301 234 ext 4333.

Entertainment

An evening of Grand Opera will take place at 6pm on Saturday, May 19 in the Jakatheppimarn Room, Diana Garden Resort, North Pattaya. The evening will feature singers from Grand Opera Thailand: Tae Miyata, Soprano; Bussayapat Aunchittikul, Mezzo Soprano; Stefan Sanchez, Baritone; and Pitchaya Kemansinjki, Bass, singing works from Opera and Broadway. Tickets cost 500 baht and 300 baht for students and are available from the Pattaya Orphanage or by emailing [email protected] .

Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya is calling for the most talented guitarists to compete in this year’s Guitar Battle 2018 at Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya on Saturday, May 26. If you are a guitarist, this is your chance to enter the most rockin’ guitar competition in Thailand. To apply, simply go to this link https://goo.gl/GZzpYs and complete the application form. Applications are open until May 12.

Linda’s restaurant on Thappraya Road now holds Latin night every Saturday. Bring your dancing shoes and friends and enjoy dinner and dancing. Don’t worry if you are new to salsa, Virginia Sorensen and her team will be on hand to guide you on the floor. For more information and reservations call Linda at: Tel: 038 252 726, Mobile: 0878 130 115.

Enjoy great music from Thomas Reimer, one of the most famous European Jazz guitarists, playing live every evening (except Tuesday) from 6.00 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Sugar Hut restaurant on Thappraya Road, call 038 364 186 for details.

Community Services

The North Star Library on Sukhumvit Road, north Pattaya holds regular Thai language classes Mon – Fri from 10.30 a.m. till 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. Cost of admission is 100 baht per session for library members and 200 baht for non-members. Private lessons are also available for 200 baht per hour. In addition, the library also holds Yoga training every Tuesday from 1 – 2 p.m. at the Father Ray Foundation. Cost is 1200 baht for 6 sessions (first session free). For more information, call 081 575 4854 or email [email protected]

Groups & Associations

Post 12146 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America (Ban Chang – U-Tapao, Thailand) meets the second Saturday of each month at 13:00 on the second floor of the Camel Pub in Ban Chang. If you are interested, please contact Membership Chairman Dan Morgan at banchangvfw [email protected]  or visit website: www.banchangvfwpost12146.org.

The Royal British Legion Thailand meets the last Saturday of every month from 2 p.m. at the Tropical Bar on Soi Khao Noi (Watboon­sampan near the Temple entrance) in East Pattaya. You do not need to have served in the Armed Forces to become a member and can join in the many social events arranged throughout the year. The Legion’s primary aim is the care and welfare of those who have served and/or their dependents. For general enquiries send email to [email protected] , www.rblthailand.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous: The Pattaya Group meets Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. All meetings are closed (alcoholics only) and are held at Soi Skaw Beach (off Pattaya 2nd Rd). Contact Carl 08-456-31-671. The Good Morning Pattaya Group meets 9 a.m. every morning. All meetings are ‘open’: contact 084 564 8479. The Jomtien Group meets every day at noon at Jomtien Long Stay Hotel: Contact, Andrew 086 107 6631. The Scandinavian Group meets on Tuesdays and Fridays 6 p.m. at the Norwegian Seaman’s Church, Thap­praya Road Soi 7: contact Hans 085 135 7755 or Rune (Rayong) 089 754 9515. 10.30 a.m. meetings every day at Satree Pattana Centre on Soi Skaw Beach off Second Road. Call 084 564 8479.

The Samaritans of Thailand English Help Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support to the expatriate community. English-speaking staff, trained in crisis intervention will provide active, non-judgmental and empathetic listening services on the phone. All calls will be handled on an anonymous basis and are free of charge. (02) 713-6791.

Overeaters Anonymous – The ‘Up to You’ group meets Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the housing area just behind Pan Pan Restaurant in Jomtien on Thappraya Road. Call Steve at 038-364-207(h) or 089-250-1359 (cell) for directions or more information.

Narcotics Anonymous – Hotline: 082 811 2686. 3 English speaking meetings in Pattaya near Central Festival and 2 in Jomtien each week. Also regular Thai speaking meetings at 12 noon every Sunday, and Persian Farsi speaking meetings at 5.30 pm on Thursdays. Please call the Hotline for details.