The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) is much more than just its regular Sunday meetings. The PCEC was started in March 2001 when three Expat residents of Pattaya felt that there should be a way they and other members of the Pattaya Expatriate community could meet to share advice and information about the best way to live and enjoy life in Pattaya. Thus it adopted as its motto “Expats helping Expats.” It prides itself in having met every Sunday without fail.
The PCEC also offers its member’s opportunities to organize interest groups which the PCEC helps facilitate. The groups are formed by one or more individuals and meet weekly, monthly, or periodically outside the regular Sunday meeting. The PCEC also helps facilitate day and overnight trips throughout Thailand and sometimes to nearby countries organized by its members. The PCEC is truly devoted to its motto, “Expats helping Expats.” During this past month, there were several events of note involving the Governing Board, special interest groups, and members.
PCEC Chairman and Board Members meet the Governor of Chonburi Province (left to right) Panajut – Owner of the Thai Resort Pattaya; Sermsakdi – Honorary Member; Governor Wichit Chatpaisit; Pat Koester – Chairwoman; Judith Edmonds – Club Treasurer, and Board members Roy Albiston and Richard Smith.
On January 14, the PCEC Board Chair and several members paid a courtesy call on Chonburi Governor Wichit Chatpaisit, Chonburi Permanent Secretary Chawalit Saeng-Uthai (recently the Banglamung District Chief), and other officials. The purpose of the visit was to re-acquaint the Chonburi Officials with the PCEC, to discuss several programs in which the PCEC is or has been participating, and to offer the PCEC’s continued assistance in their programs. PCEC Honorary Member Sermsakdi, who made the arrangements for the visit, was also in attendance.
Amari management and PCEC Board members unveil the new plaque announcing that the Tavern by the Sea restaurant is the weekly Sunday meeting place of the PCEC. Left to right David Garmaise, Roy Albiston, Judith Edmonds, Amari General Manager Brendon Daly, Richard Smith, PCEC Chair Pat Koester, Amari Operations Manager Dan Jamme, Lawrie McLoughlin, Bob Sutterfield, and Jerry Dean.
On January 20, there was an unveiling of a new plaque at the entrance of the Amari Orchid Resort’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant (previously named Henry J. Beans) where the PCEC has held its weekly meetings for more than nine years. In attendance were the Amari’s General Manager, Food & Beverage Manager, PCEC Board Chair and several of the PCEC’s Board members. Although unavailable for the brief ceremony, the PCEC had special thanks for the Amari’s Resident Manager Richard Margo, who was of great help in making the arrangement for the plaque.
Another event was a meeting held on January 22 arranged by members Richard Smith, Howard Posener, and Roy Albiston to get people acquainted with the features of smart phones (iPhone, iPad, and Samsung Galaxy). There were 29 people in attendance to learn more about how to use their smart phones and various “apps” available for their use. Nathan Russo, another member, enjoys sailing. He has formed the Blue Water Sailing group and arranges for some sailing ventures they can enjoy. There were two sailings in January on the 22nd and the 31st. They enjoyed snorkeling, kayaking, and taking an inflatable dinghy to visit the isolated shores of nearby islands.
PCEC members Richard and Janet Smith and Gavin Waddell visit while enjoying their bottomless glasses of wine and the Amari Orchid Resort chef’s creations during the Amari’s monthly Wine Experience.
On January 25, several PCEC members gathered as usual at the Amari Orchid Resort’s monthly Wine Experience to enjoy the bottomless wine glass and accompanying food along with each other’s company. The featured wines were Cabernet Sauvignons; both red and white and a sparkling wine also was on offer. You will usually find a good representation of PCEC members at each of these monthly Wine Experiences as they enjoy good wine, food, and socializing with their fellow members; PCEC members receive a 15% discount from Amari on this event.
PCEC Blue Water Sailing group enjoys their time aboard the Rhumba, a 52 foot catamaran out of Ocean Marina before visiting the beaches of Koh Sak and Koh Pei during their day sail outing.
February also promises to be a great month for PCEC members and guests. The speaker for February 10 will be Michael Hancock, Consul at the British Embassy in Bangkok talking about British Consular Services in Thailand. Member David Meador has organized a morning trip to the Meyer Industries Factory in Lam Chabang for February 12 where they make cookware. Unfortunately, the Factory limits tours to groups of 40 and David advised at last Sunday’s PCEC meeting that there were no more spaces available. Nathan Russo will again be organizing a day sail on February 28 for his Blue Water Sailing Group and because many that attended the smart phone meeting wanted more, Richard Smith is in process of making arrangements for another session in February.
For more information about the PCEC, its activities, and expat living in Thailand, visit their website at: www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
