PEC Program for 4 March / Report from 25 Feb 2007

Meeting Programme for Sunday, 4 March, 2007:
Thor Halland will be our guest speaker this Sunday, and will give us a talk on the History of Thailand. This will be the first of 5 lectures covering Thailand's history. Khun Thor was born in 1967, just outside of London, England, and attended Public school and The University of London. Thor served briefly with the Scots Guards, then managed his own property company for 10 years, and retired at 35.
We will again be instructed by Donaat Vernieuwe how computer junkies can stay fit and healthy on their chairs! Based on Yoga and other techniques, Donaat will show us more of his techniques on how to pre-empt those annoying back and shoulder cramps! Khun Donaat writes:
"In the Pattaya Expats Club meetings, every Sunday we are all sitting in the same posture for a few hours! This can disturb your blood circulation, taxes your back, and weakens your muscles. Therefore I will demonstrate some simple exercises for the neck, shoulders etc. The demonstrated software program Fit and Healthy on your Chair is a package of 30 exercises where all muscles of the body are activated. It makes your whole body more supple. Relaxation is the thread in the exercise package (breathing with the belly...). Regular relaxation increases your immunity and reduces backaches, stress and fear."
In addition to an extensive career in Electronics, Donaat studied and practiced yoga, hypnosis, and other relaxation techniques, which he has passed on in seminars to many industrial and educational groups.
Our Master of Ceremonies this Sunday will be Brian, and Loran will host the Open Microphone Forum, so come and listen in at 2nd Rd's Grand Sole Hotel, and participate with questions and answers about nearly everything for living safely and legally in Pattaya!
The PEC's DVD and Book Swap will be in the front left of the meeting room. Bring in those books, magazines and DVD's that you've already perused, and swap them out for some new ones! Many thanks to PEC members Ray and Joyce Aldridge for their help with this project!
Events Around Town:
PRESS CLUB BOWLING CHARITY on 5th of March at P.S. Bowl Pattaya.
BARTERCARD TRADE EXPO on 10th of March at Town In Town Hotel in Pattaya starting at 10.30am until 4pm.
ASIAN UNIVERSITY ENGLISH SUMMER CAMPS. Students aged 14 up (no upper limit). Camp I from 15th March - 11th April. Camp II from 16th April - 13th May. Join the fun at Asian U English Summer Camps. A busy academic programme combined with an active social programme to give youngsters an enjoyable, productive way to spend their summer holidays. Information from Asian U website: www.asianust.ac.th or e-mail admissions@asianust.ac.th or telephone 038 754 450.
'Sunday Unplugged' Jam SessionsAt the Bristol Music, Bar Soi 6, Jomtien, every Sunday 1900-2300. All musicians & vocalists are welcome - proceeds help to support The Camillion Society of Rayong, which manages six projects for HIV positive children and adults. For more info call Danny at 08-471-21819.
BUDDIE meetings at Redemptorist Centre of Thailand, Sukhumvit Road, every Wednesday at 7.00pm. Contact Lynda 0841327086 or lbcrone@hotmail.com
Transportation to/from Suvarnabhumi Airport:
Roong Reung's Blue and White coach service departs from the airport bus depot to Pattaya Nua station at the following times: 8 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM and 7 PM. The Ticket office window is in the airport bus station. Price 106 Baht. Bell Travel goes up to the new airport each day from Pattaya Nua Bus Station (ticket office bungalow in the car park to right) at 06:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00. Two ticket prices, depending if you book to be picked up by Bell Travel minibus from your home, 150 Baht or 200 Baht.
A Yellow Bus to the airport leaves from Jomtien's Chaiyaphuk Road, (the office is near Beach Road). Tickets can be purchased 1 day in advance. The current schedule is:
Pattaya to Airport: 0630, 0900, 1300, 1700, 1930.Airport to Pattaya: 0630, 0900, 1300, 1700, 2030.
At the airport - Transport Depot - this bus to Jomtien is referred to as number 999, but the bus itself does NOT carry this number. The bus is bright Yellow - single deck, with the words Pattaya - Suvarnabhumi Airport written large on both sides, and a large notice in the drivers windshield saying either Pattaya or Airport. The cost is 106 baht in each direction. A recent visitor who used this bus reported a 'good service'. The yellow bus does not have a scheduled stop in Pattaya, but will stop if requested.
We are doing our Lucky Draw prizes throughout the meeting with the prizes being announced after the Open Forum. These prizes are dinners for two at 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 11:30 am at The Grand Sole Hotel, 2nd Rd.
Advice on insurance policies is available from AA Insurance - including the club member's own low cost 'group' health policy, now in its second year, with a premium at under 11,000 B - please show your member's card to apply. They also have a range of Insurances such as property, house contents and motor cover available. --------- And the MC Report from 25 Feb Meeting:
Hi, I'm Brian, an MC at the Sunday meetings of the Pattaya Expats Club.
To contact PEC email: (webhits2000@yahoo.com)
Please think about helping out at the Pattaya Expats Club Meetings, or in the background during the week. A lot of preparation goes into one of our Meetings. You would be welcome, and you can determine your own level of input. Please contact a 'Maroon Jacket' member at any meeting.
Each week we have a guest Speaker on a subject of choice, often recommended by a Member.
Ask those questions on living in Thailand - here at the Meeting - during the Open Forum. This feature occurs each week - come and ask the expat experts! :) We have a couple of wireless microphones available to the floor to ask those questions, or just write it out and hand to one of our helpers.
26 February was our 2 year anniversary at the Grand Sole Hotel for PEC Meetings.
The British Embassy's Pattaya Office local representative for emergencies, Barry Kenyon can authenticate your UK pension or UK bank statements for Immigration purposes, if you can show original proof. Contact 081 782 7363.
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 April, 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@gmail.com). Here are just a few useful Internet site links:
Driving Tips: (http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/drivinginthailand.htm)
Visa Tips: (http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/visainformation.htm)
Telephone Tips: (http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/telephonetips.htm)
Newsletter link: (http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/currentnewsletter.htm)
Q&A Forum: (http://s8.invisionfree.com/expats/index.php?)
Thailand Immigration website:-(http://www.imm.police.go.th) (For Email - imm@police.go.th)
Pattaya Immigration website:-(http://www.pattaya-immigration.com)
90 day address confirmation:-(http://www.thaiimmigration.com/inv/index.php?showtopic=4)
T.M.47 form for a visa extension:-(http://www.thaiimmigration.com/apf/TM47.doc)
Phuket Provincial Employment Office for Work-Permit advice:- (http://www.phuketwork.org/english/index.html)
Thai Consulate (UK) website with good visa information:(http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com)
A very helpful web-forum with all the answers, if only you can find them:(http://www.thaivisa.com/forum)
For all information on Thai Embassies & Consuls worldwide:(http://www.thaiembassy.org)
Thai Customs website in English:(http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/indexEng.jsp)
Thai Tax Office website in English:(http://www.rd.go.th/publish/6045.0.html)
UK Tax Info: (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk)
USA Tax Info: (http://www.irs.gov)
The UK Dept of Work & Pensions is at:(http://www.dwp.gov.uk)
Useful UK Pension & Tax Information:(http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/penret/pr_visit_or_living_abroad.asp)(http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/psimanual/part17/psi17.2.4.htm)
Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Visa information (in English)(http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php)
Immigration (Royal Thai Police) Visa Rules (in English - pdf download)(http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/2notice/rtp606EN.pdf)
Immigration Bureau Headquarters, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120 Tel. 02.287.3117
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)PEC website:- (http://pattayaexpatsclub.com)PEC Blogg:- (http://pattayaexpatsclub.blogspot.com)
See you soon, MC - Brian.