PEC Meeting Program for August 13, 2006

Meeting Programme for Sunday 13 August 2006.

This week first of a new regular feature on ‘Do’s and Don’ts in Thailand’ hosted by Khun Sombat
Feature speaker Khun Tong of SOQI hot spa, on a dramatic weight-loss system with a clubhouse demonstration.
News of several needy Banglamung school sponsorships to be awarded by PEC
News of a celebrity birthday party you can attend with Pattaya Thai VIPs and movie stars
MC is Richard Ravensdale
and with our new Meeting Manager - Paul Moore

Pattaya Motorcycle Taxi driver and PECs own eastern psychologist Khun Somba,t is back on stage this week with another episode of both serious and amusing advice for expats in understanding Thai thinking, where east meets west, in both domestic harmony and friction and the cultural ‘head-on’ collision’s are not all road traffic accidents. This week we have asked him to start the first of a regular feature, suggested by our Club President, on advice with the ‘Do’s & Don’ts in Thailand’.

Main feature this week by popular request of expats wanting to shed a few Pounds (in weight) is a presentation of SOQI hot spa a company with a local branch on 2nd Rd, down toward Pattaya Tai from the Marriott Resort. Khun Tong the branch manager, from the Phillipines, will give a powerpoint slide show and demonstrate the ‘Chi’ machine, with willing victims in the audience. When I went to SOQI to book this speaker, carrying a magazine advert supplied by club member ‘Big Ken’ which claimed a loss of 1 to 3 inches off your waistline after the first treatment – I didn’t expect it to happen to me but it did. Me and an Amercian club member were invited to try it out. A rather painful massage later, pummeling liver and kidneys, basted with ginger cream and wrapped in cling film I went under the grill…you’ll have to come Sunday to hear the rest of my story. (But I did lose an inch !).

Khun Tong will describe the Hot House, a product which arches over the body transmitting ‘far infrared rays’ – FIR, the most beneficial rays produced by the sun, thermal heating the target area of treatment. It increases blood and lymphatic flow and removes toxins, says the literature, via vibrations.

The Chi machine which we hope to have onstage gives a passive therapeutic massage – developed by Dr Shizuo Inoue, president of Japan Oxygen Foundation, after 38 years of research. The machine is a foot rest which slowly jiggles the feet, and so moves body organs to and fro sideways. The exercise it provides in 15 minutes use is said to be equivalent to the oxygenation the body gets from a brisk 90 minute walk. The Chi machine is said to provide steady weight correction, more energy, restful sleep, balances the spine, improves immune system etc.

So, a fascinating topic for anyone concerned with their weight and good health.

We will have Club News of education scholarships to be awarded with PEC charity funds to needy Banglamung school children and also...how you can join some Thai movie stars at a celebrity birthday party organised by a former City Council member. Our club members have been invited to mix with high ranking Thai's at a 12 rai estate, which has 'five a side' football pitches and so there will be a team competition featuring England, France, Germany and Ireland, plus a show match with Pattaya VIPs va Thai movie stars. Plenty of food and beverages and Guest of Honour will be the City Mayor. Your invite details will be given this Sunday.

We also have Lucky Draw prizes of dinners for two at the Premiership and other fine restaurants around the city, such as Jameson’s and The Globetrotter, another great reason to be a member and to come into the Pattaya Expats Club this Sunday 1130 am at The Grand Sole Hotel, 2nd Rd. For one week only we add a special prize to our Lucky Draw when we announce a free tour to Koh Samet to be won, donated by the popular Jomtien travel agency JR Travel. It is being donated in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday.

We will have our late-morning start time of speakers programme from 1130 am, with the optional brunch from about 1030am till after 12 noon. The meeting entry cost is 80 Baht and for non-members 100 Baht. For that cost we enjoy the excellent technical presentation facilities of the Grand Sole Hotel conference room.

Our foyer exhibition displays, throughout the meeting period from 1030 are worth a visit for practical advice from experts. In the club’s greeting, programme and memberships area you can get Club memberships at only 300 Baht expiring 31 Dec 2007 or 600 Baht for Life Membership. (Bring two very small 'visa' photos and your card is laminated and ready at the same meeting.) Display tables have in-depth information from regular expert contributors in their field. Our Microphone announcement at 11.10am confirms who is available to consult free of charge. For example The Pattaya International Hospital table usually includes regular FREE testing of blood groups, blood sugar, blood pressure and lung function to help you stay healthy. Advice on Insurance policies is available from AA Insurance – including the club's own low cost 'group' health policy, now in its second year - as well as a range of Insurances such as property, house contents and motor cover are available.

Plus, our large take-away information point with leaflets and publications from hundreds of member to member services available in Pattaya is open until the end of the meeting.

Our Meeting Entry cost, now set by the Hotel at 80 Baht, are sold as tickets from 1030 am when hall doors open for seating. The table plan is usually in friendly format tables for eight or ten – so please allow the ‘gaps’ to be filled by new arrivals at your table.

This week I am your M.C. and will lead our Open Microphone Forum.Please come this Sunday morning, at 2nd Rd’s Grand Sole Hotel and participate with questions and answers about nearly everything for living safely and legally in Pattaya !

Richard Ravensdale
Vice President