5 November 2006 PEC Newsletter

Hi, I'm Brian. MC at the Sunday meetings of PEC

To contact the Pattaya Expats Club email: (webhits2000@yahoo.com)

5 November 2006 - Meeting Manager:- Enrico (ably assisted by everyone!).

Back in the saddle after a break of 4 weeks up in the quiet Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom. It sure is a bit different from Pattaya - but as the old song says "Gee, but it's good to be back home"! There are some aspects that are so pleasant, and some that are real difficult to handle. Maybe I'll tell you about it - sometime!

A special thank you to Enrico who stepped in so quickly to effectively run our meetings during the absences of Richard, Pete, Brian, Niels, Loran & Paul. He is also very active in the German Language Wing of our Club. All of the 'Jackets' (our Production Team) have rallied around him to ensure an interesting & successful 'Meeting' occurred each week. Loran is our new Program Manager and 'organiser' of the Future Speakers List, so please pass your ideas on to her. Alexander has contributed that different approach to MC-ing that we had been searching for, and last meeting another member (Bob) offered his services as MC. That's 3 of the 5 needed MCs we plan to rotate on a regular basis. "Variety is the spice of life". There's plenty of opportunity for you to give your own individuality to a meeting by joining the MC group - we're aiming for once-a-month for each MC. Maybe Richard will offer to be number 4?

Please think about helping out at the Pattaya Expats Club Meetings, or in the background during the week. You would be amazed as to how much preparation goes into one of these Meetings. You would be welcome, and you can determine your own level of help. Please contact a 'Maroon Jacket' member at any meeting.

The owner of 'Pattaya Bay Radio', Khun Naulnooch Phetchawee (please call me Anna!) came to tell us of her reasons for starting a radio station (103 on the FM band) that included the allowed English Language Content, here in Pattaya. She told us her American Mother gave her a unique insight into 'western ways', and how easy it is for a 'farang' to feel left-out in a Thai speaking community. Now we have something for us. She is looking for suitable DJs for a 1hr spot on her station, and she hopes to increase the variety of music styles on offer. If you would like to help Anna, call 038 425740.

Khun Tomdee of Superconsultants, and his Lawyer friend Khun Suwiwat, helped to reassure us that the changes in the 'Land Office' policies of recent months were not specifically aimed at 'small company property owners', but more at the many foreign controlled large property developer companies who were really bending the law. He explained that formation of companies with small changes to the old set-up were accepted by the Land Registry without problem as long as it was for small land/property ownership. He is happy to consult with anyone needing advice, and 'walk' them through the procedure using a competent Lawyer. You can contact Tomdee at SuperConsultants: 081 622 0128 (superconsult@hotmail.com) (http://www.pattayasuper.com).

Open forum questions & information arising from the Meeting:--

An email arrived from the BBC London as follows: The BBC is currently producing the third series of Wedding Stories for BBC Three. We are looking for the last few couples to take part in the series. In particular we are looking for a wedding in Thailand. Due to a tight deadline the wedding would have to be before the end of December 2006. Any couples that might be interested in taking part please feel free to contact us for an informal chat on: +44 (0)208 752 5724 Or email: (wedding@bbc.co.uk), CLAIRE BRICKELL 'WEDDING STORIES' BBC Factual & Learning, Room 5218, BBC White City, 201 Wood Lane, W12 7TS. Tel: 020 8752 4360, e-mail: (claire.brickell@bbc.co.uk)

Ralph Gibbs 086 014 8657 is looking for Scrabble Game players. All levels are welcome.

New City Hall phone number 038 253 100. Septic Tank emptying for just 400 baht 038 253 276.

A number of questions about 'Visas', 'Dentists', 'Property Ownership', 'Marriage' were asked & answered. A really knowledgeable crowd our members!

International bank transfers from Nationwide Bank in UK are possible via the Internet, but you have to set it up first. Apparently an application form is downloadable from the bank site. One member uses this method successfully. Of course, along with most other banks, a debit card can be used in an ATM for limited withdrawals and presented to a bank's foreign exchange desk for larger amounts following contact with either 'visa' or 'maestro' or similar.
Also, a personal cheque from your own foreign bank may be paid into a Thai bank account in any currency . There will be some charges, and a long delay before you have access to the funds, but is much cheaper than a bank-to-bank transfer. Apparently you write the cheque for 'cash', and the amount is entered into your local bank book at the current exchange rate. Basically 'exchange now - receive later'.

Remember, the end of November sees the completion of the changeover of mobile phone numbers. If you haven't changed the numbers stored in your SIM card, or phone, they will not work. An extra digit (an 8) must be added after the original 0 (e.g. 01 234 5678 will become 081 234 5678). The new mobile numbers are all 10 digits, home phones are 9 digits.

How do you know which numbers are mobile or house phones? Visit: (http://www.thailand-uk.com/phones/10digitmobile.php).

The British Embassy has a Pattaya Office local representative for emergencies. He is Barry Kenyon. Contact 081 782 7363. Barry can authenticate your UK pension or UK bank statements for Immigration purposes if you can show proof.

US Embassy local Pattaya representative for emergencies is Gary Hacker. Contact 089 803 0388.

Please help our Meeting organisers by suggesting 'Speakers' for our weekly (Sunday) Meetings. Tell us a subject you wish to hear of by suggesting a competent speaker. There are vacancies in November, onwards. Please come up with some ideas and contact Loran our current Program/Speakers Manager. Give her your suggestions and let her arrange the details. Please do not fix dates in advance.

Contact: Loran Davidson (furzymouse@msn.com).

The PEC next golf group's Monthly Golf Tournament for November is being planned. More info on this event is available from Pattaya People Office (Soi Day Night), Globetrotter (just off Soi 7), and of course PEC Club meetings on Sunday, or contact Ossi Viljanen on 081 851 9620, (ossigolf@yahoo.com). These events are popular and fill up quickly, so sign-up early to avoid disappointment.

The PEC German Speaking Group hold their meetings on the first and third Saturday of each month at 10:00am. They meet in the Conference Room of Wat Chaimongkon Temple in South Pattaya, near the Intersection of Second Road and South Pattaya Road. The Conference Room is in the big white building at the end of the temple complex. Next meetings are 18 November & 2 December. Contact Erwin Schlottmann, 086 009 8497, email: (erwinschlottmann@gmail.com)

Deutschsprachige Treffen. Jeden 1.und 3. Samstag im Monat,10:00 Uhr morgens, im Konferenzsaal des Wat Chaimongkon an der South Pattaya Road. Nachste Treffen: 18. November und 2. December 2006. Jeder ist eingeladen. Info: Erwin 086 009 8497

Sun-12-Nov-06 UK EX-Servicemen's Club. Every Sunday at Tropical Bert's 1300 - 1700. 2nd Road opp Bangkok Bank. 038361887, 0898072335

Sun-12-Nov-06 Earliest sundown Pattaya at 1746 (latest sundown is 29 June)

Tue-14-Nov-06 THE VEGETARIAN CLUB OF PATTAYA - 2nd Tuesday of the month 6:00pm, 99 baht. For further information call: Café New Orleans: 038710805

Wed-15-Nov-06 "Buddie" meetings at Redemtorist Centre, Sukhumvit Road. 7:00pm. Contact Lynda 0841327086,

Sun-19-Nov-06 Long Boat racing on Mapracham Lake - there will be a small charge for car parking. Opens around 1200. There are lots of stalls with food and beer. It is very exciting, and lots of noise.

Sun-19-Nov-06 UK EX-Servicemen's Club. Every Sunday at Tropical Bert's 1300 - 1700. 2nd Road opp Bangkok Bank. 038361887, 0898072335

Fri-24-Nov-06 Thanksgiving Day (US): Thursday, November 24

Sat-25-Nov-06 Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) Annual Gala Ball at the Royal Cliff Hotel. Tickets 1950 baht, an excellent sit down dinner and beverages. There will be a raffle with substantial prizes, and a silent auction.

Why not come along next Sunday morning 10:30am (11:30 program start) to the Grand Solé Hotel (in the Theppraya Room, up on the Mezzanine level), 370 Pattaya 2nd Road (north), near the Pattaya Mail Office. Hotel tel: 038 427 555 Fax: 038 427 550. Half way between TOPS supermarket & BIG-C supermarket - bring a friend.

For location - link to: (http://www.grandsolepattaya.com/location.htm)

See you soon, MC - Brian.