Pattaya Expats Newsletter March 26. Full version

Pattaya Expats Club. Est.2001
www.pattayaexpatsclub.com

Founder of Association of Thailand Expats Clubs (A.T.E.C)

E NEWSLETTER 31 March 2005

Dear Pattaya Expats Club Members & Friends

SATURDAYS at 1100 A.M. PATTAYA EXPATS CLUB Presents
SATURDAY LUNCHTIME KEYNOTE SPEAKERS & CONVERSATION for 2 April 2005.
For all Pattaya’s Expats, come and join us at our new venue at THE GRAND SOLE HOTEL, Second Road, Pattaya. (Mid-way between Central Road and North Road, on the right hand side going towards the Dolphin roundabout.

GUEST SPEAKERS LINE UP 19 March 2005. Supplied by Denis Laurin Here is our line up for this Saturday 2nd April for the PATTAYA EXPATS CLUB meeting at the Grand Sole Hotel, on Second Road North between Tops and Big "C"

Our guest speaker is British Born James Lane. Being in corporate industries, he turned to sports to bring balance to his stressful life. He eventually became a Tai-Chi instructor and is the creator of the "What If" personal development program, for about 8 years and this is due to be launched on the Internet in unique and novel ways. The concept deals with the basics of how we work mentally as human beings and then follows through with practical applications that enable individuals to solve problems easier, dealing with subjects such as stress, worry and confusion, improvement of relationships and assists them in becoming whatever they choose to be in the future.

He will be joined later on, with Khun Sombat who will talk on the fascinating subject of Thai thinking in relationship to Farang.

In our "Weekly Draw" we have the pleasure of getting a dinner for two from the

Restaurant ‘OPSINJOOR’ 20/68-69 South Pattaya Road in Soi Day & Night 2. Rudy, the owner, will be here to talk to us more about it and he whispered to us, he will have a few surprise “extra gifts" for attending members.

MEETING REPORT - PATTAYA EXPATSCLUB MARCH 26 2005 at The Grand Sole Hotel.

Once more many expats visited the Grand Sole Hotel to attend a memorable meeting of the Pattaya Expats Club. Everyone got a copy of the weekly Expats Information Bulletin, a new initiative. If you can't read the newsletter, it informs you about what's going on in the club, upcoming events and activities.

Guest speaker was Khun Suttikorn Jearpaitoon, a honorary board advisor of the club and the managing director of Alangkarn, a must visit top attraction in Pattaya, situated on Sukhumvit road in the Jomtien-area. They perform an extravaganza show, presenting Thai culture in a unique way. The theatre has 2.000 seats, a huge stage, large movie screen and water track. You will enjoy a spectacular multi dimensional show, complete with fireworks, featuring 150 performers. There's also a restaurant, you can watch handicraft demonstrations or buy Thai products. On video he showed some of the magic. But the best was yet to come, when artists of Alangkarn performed a show, specially arranged for today. In traditional Thai costumes men, lifting flowers, danced and did acrobatics. Later the

ladies joined, looking gorgeous in the stylish dresses and under the beautiful cha-da. The crowd was overwhelmed, certainly not something they expected after just having eaten the breakfast the club offers.

Club President Niels Colov had some important messages:

He introduced Khun Chachan, the new director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Pattaya, who talked about his work and asked the help of the expats to reach his goals. He is a honorary board advisor now and having him onboard is another step forward for the club and the foreign community.

- He told about the dinner with the Pattaya police chief on April 24, at 18.30. Police Colonel Somnuk Changate will give a bilingual speech and presentation about the history and function of the Pattaya police. Tickets are on sale now. Be quick, only 250 can join. We already have 7 sponsors supporting this unique event.

- Then he announced yet another great service, soon the Immigration Police will open an information desk outside the meeting room. While in the Immigration Office the staff is too busy, here they will have time to answer questions or help you fill in forms.

The Pattaya Expats Club, always expanding it's activities, will pay attention to important national days. Today, March 26, Bangladesh celebrates its National Day. Khun Jahir Uddin Amshed Khan, told about the history of his country and the Bangladesh-community in Pattaya. Everybody stood for a minute of silence, honouring the many victims of the war that set the people of Bangladesh free.

Tom Vincent of the Thomas J. Vincent foundation for charity-purposes, sold and signed the book ‘In the name of the boss upstairs’, a biography of late father Ray Brennan, founder of the Pattaya Orphanage and architect of many other social projects. The child on the cover, now receptionist at the orphanage, was also present.

The winner of the free lucky draw got a dinner for 2 at the popular Papa David Restaurant in Jomtien and after the announcement of more restaurants

giving discounts to the members, the open microphone forum started. The people in the room again exchanged vital information and experiences about various matters concerning living in Pattaya. Then the swinging programme ended.

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.

-

WEEKLY EMCEE Hi, I'm Brian Maxey (kop1bj-pecmc@yahoo.com)

~ 26 March meeting - Definitely not at my best today. Don't know exactly what the problem was, but I slept for about 16 hrs of the next 24, and now all is well. NO, not party related, just some unknown BUG! Don't forget, we're now at the Grand Solé Hotel, 2^nd Road (north), and what a great atmosphere.

~ Last week. Barry Kenyon, the Honorary Consular Officer for the British Embassy, Bangkok. His details unfortunately disappeared into 'the great internet heaven in the sky'. Sorry Barry! His contact phone is 017827363 for REAL emergencies. All official forms are also available at the Cheers Bar in Soi Pattayaland 2.

~ Last week. Joe & Peter briefed us on Insurances available in Pattaya. Their details suffered a similar fate. Sorry Peter & Joe! - For Medical, Personal accident, House, Condo, Contents, Motor, Travel, Golf, Small business, & Corporate cover -- Contact 065086210, 038250089, (info@aainsure.net), (www.aainsure.net).

~ This week I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some of the Alangkarn show dancers. I would have liked to join in more but, as I said before, I wasn't feeling too well, so they just had to cope alone. A show worth seeing, they were great! Reservation info 038256000 (fax 038256005) (www.alangkarnthailand.com) (email: rsvnpty@alangkarnthailand.com)

~ Greg, of the Sunset Café, right next to the Grand Solé Hotel, has offered a 15% discount to members who can show a current card. Thanks Greg.

~ Keith, from UK, sent an email detailing his heartache after following a link requesting him to update his 'Paypal' account details. His antivirus program warned of repeated downloads of 'malicious code' which could not be 'quarantined', 'repaired' or 'deleted'. He tried everything to shut-down the Internet Page, but could not stop it. Finally a 'blue' screen relayed the bad news that the 'bug' had won. To eventually cure the problem, he had to start in 'safe mode' & delete ALL 'temporary internet files'. This allowed him to start in full 'windows' mode. He then updated his 'antivirus' definitions & ran a full-scan. Far better not to 'click' on things you are not sure of. Good luck!

~ If you feel you would like to offer your services and 'volunteer' to assist our Club in any way you choose, please tell us what you feel you could offer, or just help out in general. We need at least a second person for each of the many aspects you see at the meeting, and many more in the background. It may only be a couple of hours a week - please come forward. Don't let it all stagger to a halt, it's too good to lose!! Denis is desperate for an assistant. The boys & girls outside the meeting room need a chance to catch up on a meeting too - why not stand in for them for a day - what a nice gesture. Come on, this is our club - please help oil the wheels.

Right now we are looking for a couple of people to help Niels with the MC slot while I holiday. Just a few minutes, handling one of the many aspects of the MC Job - its great fun, believe me! The audience is always friendly.

~ Dtac mobile phone operator is offering a 'promotional discount'. Check out our website for the details -

http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/telephone_tips.htm

~ The regular bus (from the bus depot in North Road) to Bangkok Airport has been withdrawn - BUT a private company has replaced them at the same location. Walk further into the depot around the corner on the right side (look for the big sign 'AIRPORT'). Operates 3 times a day 0900, 1300, 1700. 250 baht one-way. Contact 038370055, 038370056.

~ Another lucky winner received free tickets to a restaurant (Papa David) for 'Dinner for 2'. Another prize next week! - see details elsewhere in this newsletter.

~ If you need to rent a Safety/Security Box (similar to Hotel Foyer style), there is a company at Jomtien Complex Condotel 038 303863 (near Police Box on Dongtan Beach). 300 baht per month. Mail boxes are 1000 baht per year.

~ This Newsletter is always available on our website http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/newsletter.htm, and is also available as a 'BLOG' on http://pattayaexpatsclub.blogspot.com which you can access direct.

~ We have managed to 'resurrect' the 'email newsletter' - I received mine, the first in many weeks. We will send a short-form 'headline + taster' type of email, with a link to the full thing on our website.

~ The Club's 'Chat 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' had plenty of time for the varied subjects covered this week. Obviously the early start of 'Club news', 'formal announcements', 'notices', 'coming events', etc - just prior to the official start time of 1130 - worked well. No-one complained of indigestion. We had a full & busy event from 1130 onwards, and fitted everything in nicely. Juggling is definitely a specialty of an MC!

Those attending certainly come to be entertained, they also come for the social aspects of 100+ expats gathering in one place, but they tell me that they also come to have their questions answered, and I hate to have to cut-short a good Q&A session.

(Please note the German speaking group will follow us at 1315)

~ The most common 'mistake' made by visitors to Thailand is in 'misreading' what their visas state.

A 6-month 'tourist visa' does NOT allow you to stay here for 6-months (60 days only).

A 12-month 'non-immigrant O visa' does NOT allow you to stay here for 12-months (90 days only).

If this makes 'no sense', please attend one of our meetings. (or email me if you cannot attend)

~ Please remember, the hotel cannot serve Decaffeinated Coffee at the meeting, although they do provide 'low-fat' & 'low-calorie' sweetener. So pleased to see you are all keeping to that diet, as suggested by the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Hot water is available for your own sachets of tea or coffee.

~ Next meeting (2^nd April) sees a new 'ticketing system'. 1 multi-part ticket is purchased for entry to the meeting. All parts are similarly numbered & dated. 1^st part is removed for the Lucky Draw (members only), or kept for our records. 2^nd part is removed by the buffet staff when you obtain food (choice of Thai Lunches or American Breakfast). 3^rd part is your proof of purchase & verification for the Lucky Draw Winner to claim the prize (please have your membership card handy), and also an advert for the meeting. Maybe you could give this part to a friend later who isn't yet part of our growing group of 'friends'.

Ticket prices are 65 baht for members (on production of a current PEC membership card), 75 baht for non-members, and include the buffet & tea & coffee. There is a Bar with 'Happy Hour' prices (60 baht for Heineken, 25 baht for Chang).

~ Many complaints result from 'mobile phone alerts' breaking into the weekly meeting. So please 'silence' your phone. Many phones have a 'vibration' setting if you really need to be interrupted. We are considering a 20 baht 'Charity Fine' if this continues.

Also, NO SMOKING anywhere in the Auditorium. There are two balconies available for smoking & private conversations.

~ Keep the emails coming, tell us what you think of our club & it's new format, in it's new venue, tell us what you like, tell us what you think is missing, always happy to know someone's listening.

~ Plenty of 'parking' at the new venue.

~ See you next Saturday 11:00am (1130 program start) at the Grand Solé Hotel, 2^nd Road (north) (between Tops & Big C supermarkets) - introduce a friend.

Brian. (kop1bj-pecmc@yahoo.com)

‘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 Chanyut Hengtrakool,

Member of Parliament

Pol. Col. Somnuk Changate,

Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station

Khun Sansak Ngampiches,

Owner of Grand Sole Hotel and senior politician in Pattaya

Khun Revat Pholookin,

Senior politician in Pattaya

Khun Sanga Kitsamrej,

Owner of the SK Group of companies and President of UPE

Khun Surat Mekavarakul,

Owner of Mike business group

Khun Somchai Manothavorn,

Advisor to the Mayor of Pattaya

Khun Sopin Theppajug,

Owner of Diana Group of companies

Dr. Prasan Stianrapapongs,

Specialist in Preventative Medicine at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital

Kru Yodthong Senanan,

Most respected teacher of Thai Boxing

Khun Porramate Inthornchumnom,

Prosecutor at Pattaya Court

Khun Paisan Bundityanon,

Owner of Rabbit Resort Pattaya

Khun Suttikorn Jearpaitoon,

Owner of Alangkarn Pattaya

CLUB BOARD MEMBERS

Club President & CEO, Niels Colov

Club Founder & Web-Master, Pete Mills.

Honorary Co-Founder, Preben Hansen

Club Vice Presidents, Pete Mills & Richard Ravensdale

Club Secretary (Memberships & Speakers), Denis Laurin

Board Secretary & Newsletter Editor, Bernard Leach

Club Treasurers, Michael Mayne & Paul Sinclair.

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

DIRECTORS OF P.E.C.CO.LTD.

F. Moret, M. Withers

Here is a calendar of World Events.

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

Wed-13-Apr-05 Songkran festival starts - and goes on & on! - Thailand

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 The Grand Sole Hotel each week at 11.30

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 10:30a.m. 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)

PATTAYA BRIDGE CLUB
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 13.00 pm
Diana Inn, Second Road, between Soi 11 and 12

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 President, Niels Colov dragone@loxinfo.co.th. Club Founder & Vice President Pete Mills on info@pattayaexpatsclub.com or Vice President 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 djlauri@loxinfo.co.th 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 Paul Sinclair, Michael Mayne or Denis Laurin

PATTAYA EXPATS CLUB ….ON SOPHON CABLE TV. 5 times per day. Watch Club news during the week. 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