Pattaya Expats Club Newsletter Feb 10, 2005

Dear Pattaya Expats Club Members & Friends

SATURDAYS at 1100 AM. PATTAYA EXPATS CLUB Presents
SATURDAY LUNCHTIME KEYNOTE SPEAKERS & CONVERSATION for 12 February 2005.
For all Pattaya’s Expats, at The Green Tree Restaurant & Bar, on Beach Road at Soi 1. (Please walk through the outside terrace area to the indoor Restaurant behind the garden). We open at 11.00 am for Drinks and Snacks. An entrance fee of ONLY 20 Baht to assist Club costs is payable at the door.

NEWS…We are pleased to be able to inform you all that our new Club President is Niels Colov. Further announcements will be made next week after a Board Meeting.

OUR CLUBHOUSE THAI LAWYER….Pattaya lawyer Khun Ponthep Werachon is a Board Member of Pattaya Expats Club, and attends regularly in the Saturday Club Meetings to give advice and answer general questions on Law. Khun Ponthep also appears on the weekly news programme “Legal Vision” on Pattaya People Television on Sophon Cable TV and has valuable information about Thailand’s laws.

GUEST SPEAKERS LINE UP 12 February 2005 Our speaker this week is Khun Tom Kanathan Chantsriri,

he is the CEO of FARA Thailand ( Fire and Rescue Association ) and Vice President of APFF (Asia

Pre-Hospital & Fire Rescue Association.)

He will present us with a video on rescue and prevention on High risebuilding. He does prevention and rescue

demonstration across Thailand on a voluntary basis and just did some at the Redemtorist Center, here in

Pattaya. 

WEEKLY EMCEE. Hi, I'm Brian Maxey

5 February meeting - a little bit different for me today. Niels took the main MC slot, and handed over to me for the 'Open Microphone' session.

We were delighted to see Denis Laurin back among us. He has a 'straight-shooting' attitude to the way we should operate - very refreshing.

I attended my first full 'Thai style' funeral on Monday to bid farewell to Tom Nelms. A grand crown gathered to send him on his last earthly journey. My very best wishes to Noi & all other members of the family. Tom's daughter Stephanie made the journey from London.

One of the questions asked at the meeting was: 'How do you go about VAT refunds?' for goods bought in Thailand. We said we would find out, and my thanks to Harry Stacey for this answer -

Present a passport and ask the store to issue a PP10 form (VAT Refund application form) immediately on the purchase date. Spend at least 2000 baht per store per day. Let the customs officers check the purchased goods at the airport before you check in and have them sign the PP10 forms on departure date. Bring all PP10 forms and all tax invoices to claim your VAT refund at the VAT Refund Office after the check-in counter and the immigration check point. Luxury goods (jewellery, gold ornaments, watch, glasses and pen), of which the value is 10,000 baht or over, shall be re-inspected at the VAT Refund Office again. The goods purchased are required to be taken out of the country within 60 days of purchase.

The Newsletter is always available on our website http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/newsletter.htm, and just became available as a 'BLOG' on http://pattayaexpatsclub.blogspot.com which you can access direct, or via a 'My Yahoo' page if you have one. If you would like to get regular updates each time a new newsletter is posted, set up a 'My Yahoo' account for yourself:

Setting up you're own 'My Yahoo' Account:- If you do not already have a 'My Yahoo' account then log on to http://www.yahoo.com and sign on for your free My Yahoo account. Log in to My Yahoo. Click on Add Content (just below the Search Box). Just to the right of the Find Content search box you will see Add RSS by URL and Learn about RSS. Click on Add RSS by URL. Enter your site feed URL to the Add RSS by URL box on My Yahoo, which in this case is: http://pattayaexpatsclub.blogspot.com/atom.xml. Click Finished and you are done. Our entries in your blog will now start to appear in you're 'My Yahoo' page as they are recognized by the Yahoo search engine. It may be necessary to 'Refresh' you're 'My Yahoo' page to see the new post as you may be viewing an older cached page.

We had many questions this week referring to my comments about Soi 8 Immigration Office. Requests for 'extensions' to Non-Imm 'O' visas, result in an 'extension' of 14 or 15 days the first time - and a further 7 days the second time. Each, of course, at a cost of 1900 baht each (1900 x 2 = 3800 for 21 days). A few people were able to confirm this new situation. I have no idea what has caused this action, and I suspect it isn't being adopted at other Offices. This makes the 'visa run' to the border seem cheap by comparison, as you will get a further 90 days each time you go for around 2000 baht.

Mrs. SUVANNEE CHINCHIEWCHAN, Deputy Managing Director of SF Cinema Group, spoke about the cinema industry in Thailand. It is apparently a thriving industry, mainly amongst the young. She then supervised 6 lucky draw winners to each receive 4 free tickets to performances. 24 free tickets was many more than we had hoped for. A well presented and competent talk.

We've heard from two people who have 'found' a lost relative, thanks to the Club's 'forum'. Please visit our 'web-forum' to find a few names of people wishing to 'contact' someone. If you know any of the listed people, either reply on the site, or contact one of us to do so for you. Also please tell that person to 'call home' - someone wants to hear from them. The forum 'link' is: http://s8.invisionfree.com/expats/index.php? You will need to set up a username the first time you visit, but the forum is an excellent place to 'talk' to people worldwide about anything you want to know - try it.

The 'Open Microphone Forum' each Saturday is a time for you to ask that question that has haunted you for a while. We can usually find someone who has 'been there - done that' to provide the answer. We Expats like to help other Expats - that's what it's all about. Why wasn't there an 'Expats' club when I first came here? If you cannot attend the meeting why not try our 'website-forum' (details above) - same idea. (http://s8.invisionfree.com/expats/index.php?) or via the website. You can always email me direct - see above for address.

Don't forget 14 Feb - Valentines Day. It may only last one day, but if you forget, it could last all year! 14 February is the day Alangkarn presents it's 'Chinese Spectacular'. The world-class troupe from China is giving just two performances in Thailand, Bangkok & Jomtien. Alangkarn is on the left, just before Ambassador City, on the way down to Sattahip. What a grand show for a Valentine memory. Tickets can be bought at the 'Pattaya People' office on Day-Night, South Pattaya Road, for 300 baht. All proceeds go to Royal Family Charities.

The German Chapter, followed at 1315 (1:15pm) led by Bruno Keller. It will occur each week from now on.

Keep the emails coming, tell us what you think of our club, tell us what you think is missing, always happy to know someone's listening.

The 'Bank' site next door is available for limited parking - but very much at your own risk. It is still a 'building site'!

See you next Saturday 11:00am (1130 program start) - introduce a friend.

Brian.

EDITORIAL PAGE’

The Pattaya Expats Club is honoured to have the following HONORARY BOARD ADVISORS

General Chatchai Tammaraksah, Personal General to His Majesty the King;

Khunying Tidarat Tammaraksah, Assistant to Her Majesty the Queen;

Khun Niran Wattanasasatorn, Mayor of Pattaya City

Khun Somchai Manothavorn, Advisor to the Mayor of Pattaya

Khun Sansak Ngampiches, Advisor to the Minister of Tourism & Sports.

Khun Poramate Inthornchumnom Chief Prosecutor of Pattaya Court

Khun Sanga Kitsamrej, Owner of the SK Group of companies and President of SOS Rice.

Khun Surat Mekavarakul, Owner of Mike business group.

Khun Sopin Theppajug, Owner of Diana Group of companies.

Khun Paisan Bundityanond Founding President of the Real Estate Brokers Association of Thailand and owner of the Rabbit Resort in Jomtien

Dr. Prasan Stianrapapongs, Specialist in Preventative Medicine at Bangkok and Pattaya Hospital

Kru Yodthong Senanan, Most respected teacher of Thai Boxing in Thailand

CLUB BOARD MEMBERS

Club Founder & Web-Master Pete Mills.

Honorary Co-Founder, Preben Hansen

Club President & CEO Niels Colov

Club Vice Presidents, Pete Mills & Richard Ravensdale

Club Secretary (Memberships & Speakers), Denis Laurin

Board Secretary & Newsletter Editor, Bernard Leach

Club Treasurer, Daniel Dandoy.

Board Members – Herman van Gucht, William Hurndell, Colin de Jong, Brian Maxey, Frans Moret, Peter B. Piedferme, Paul Sinclair, Khun Ponthep Werachon, Michael Withers and Khun Laddawan Yingyong.

- Here is a calendar of World Events.

~ Wed-09-Feb-05 Chinese New Year day Thailand - year of Rooster

~ Sat-12-Feb-05 Lincoln's Birthday USA

~ Mon-14-Feb-05 Valentines Day Thailand

~ Mon-21-Feb-05 President's Day USA

~ Tue-22-Feb-05 Washington's Birthday USA

~ Wed-23-Feb-05 Makha Bucha. Important Buddhist festival - holiday Thailand

~ Thu-17-Mar-05 St Patrick's Day - Ireland

~ Sun-27-Mar-05 UK BST - British Summer Time starts

~ Sun-27-Mar-05 Easter Sunday

~ Sun-03-Apr-05 US DST - Daylight Saving Time starts

~ Wed-06-Apr-05 Chakri day - festival for King Rama 5 Thailand

~ Fri-08-Apr-05 Total Solar Eclipse

~ Fri-15-Apr-05 Songkran festival starts - Thailand

~ Sun-17-Apr-05 London Marathon. The finish is about 1900 Thai time.

~ Fri-22-Apr-05 International Earth Day

~ Sat-23-Apr-05 Passover (Begins at Sundown*) - Jewish holiday

~ Sun-24-Apr-05 Penumbral Lunar eclipse

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REGULAR MEETINGS OF GROUPS IN PATTAYA

Saturday - The Pattaya Expats Club - meet at Green Tree Pub each week 1130

Saturday - UK Club of Pattaya meet each week at a different location at 1:00pm (1300). Call 038-426098 for venue

Saturday - The PRILL (a classical music trio) will be performing in the Lobby of the Bangkok/Pattaya Hospital 10:30am to mid-day (1030-1200). Performances every 1st Saturday of the month in the Lobby.

Saturday - Free Masons, Lodge Pattaya West Winds. Every 2nd Sat of the month. Call Jon Morgan 012999574

Sunday - The Scandinavian Expats of Pattaya - meet at Soi 4 Tower Condo every second Sun. Call John 015236080 or Per 070833834.

Monday - Rotary Club of Pattaya - meet at Town in Town hotel each Monday from 7:00pm (1900)

Monday - Pattaya Bridge Club. 2pm every week in the coffee shop, Pattaya Beach Tower, Soi 4

Tuesday - Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) Morning coffee meeting every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Also PILC Lunch meeting every 1st Tuesday of the month. Special meeting for 'newcomers' 4th Monday of each month. Contact Patricia Cromwell for locations and speakers, or email PILC262@yahoo.com

Wednesday - Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, Royal Cliff Grand from 1830. Call Judy Hoppe 099302004

Wednesday - Lions Club of Jomtien - meet at Town in Town hotel each 2nd Wed of the month. Call Peter 038303072.

Thursday - Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya meet each week at Woodlands Resort 1900. email tropicfr@gmx.ch

Thursday - Lions Club of Pattaya meet each 3rd Thursday of the month at A-One Cruise hotel.

Friday - Dutch Expats Club meet last Fri of every month at Sea Breeze Hotel Jomtien Beach Road (near Soi 10), email koger@Loxinfo.co.th

Friday Night - The Pattaya Motorcycle Club meets at the "Old Speckled Hen" pub, Soi 9, Jomtien Beach from 8 p.m. Meet new friends and enjoy "Bike Club Happy Hours" 8 till 10 with 10 baht off all beers and soft drinks and 15 baht off all spirits. New runs to be organized from day trips to the beach to 2, 3 or 4 day tours to?? Contact Martin 09 9909342 or Az 09 9356011

Every Day - Alcoholics Anonymous meet every day of the week to help. Call Jim 038303285, Craig 019967852, Tony 068403055, Hanns 019849501, Christain (German) 018634581

CONTACTS & CONTRIBUTIONS to our weekly E NEWSLETTER. Bernard Leach is the editor of our Club Newsletter, members with NEWS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS should email in by Wednesday 12 noon at bernjill@hotmail.com. Club Members seeking advice on practical topics such as Visas, work permits or services needed, please send an email direct to our MC and Open Microphone Forum specialist Brian Maxey at kop1bj-pecmc@yahoo.com. If Brian cannot answer your question from his own knowledge of Pattaya he'll forward on to someone who can. Member's emails on club business and policy issues please send to either Club Founder & President Pete Mills on info@pattayaexpatsclub.com or to Club Vice Presidents, Niels Colov dragone@loxinfo.co.th, or Richard Ravensdale richardexpatsclub@yahoo.co.uk

ADVANCE SPEAKERS PROGRAMME. Please think of offering the Club a speaker of your choice on a theme you think members may find interesting. Contact Pattaya Expats Club Secretary, Denis Laurin with the details.

MEMBERSHIP CARDS. We produce our Club's laminated photo ID cards in just a few minutes at the same Saturday meeting in which you join or renew your membership. So if you are a past Pattaya Expats Club member and you can bring in a past ID card with the words 'Pattaya Expats Club' on you will get a new membership FREE of charge to expire 31 Dec 2005. The cards identify our members to staff at many shops and businesses around Pattaya where Club Members can claim our discounts. There are two membership options one expiring 31 December 2005 for 150 Baht or a Life Membership for 600 Baht. To get a new card please bring in two small driving licence style photos and see Daniel Dandoy or Denis Laurin

PATTAYA EXPATS CLUB ….ON SOPHON CABLE TV. 5 times per day. Watch Club news during the week. A Vice President of the Club, Niels Colov, who is the Chief Executive of 'Pattaya People News Channel' on Sophon Cable, Pattaya City's cable TV operator, has very kindly provided a regular segment of each show, devoted to Pattaya Expats Club news. This is a wonderful regular 'free gift' to our Club of highly valuable TV time! This is a 60 minute local News bulletin five times per day at the following times:
On Cable Channel 5 showing at 0800 hrs and 1200 noon.
On cable Channel 2 at 1600hrs and 2400 midnight.
Plus peak evening bulletin at 2000hrs on Cable Channel 4.
(These are the channels which show English language movies on Sophon Cable.)

Best Regards to all

From Pattaya Expats Club