PILC successful charity quiz night

Quiz mistress Jillian& Ingrid present a certificate to Paul Wilkins of AGS 4-Winds Co.

The Bangkok Hospital Pattaya made the 10th Floor of its ‘D-Wing’ available for a Charity Quiz Night, which was organized by the Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC), to raise funds for Pattaya’s Mercy Center which provides full time care for children with no parents or no family support. A delicious buffet dinner complete with staff was provided by South Pattaya’s Cafe New Orleans and other sponsors who made major contributions included Ursula’s Antiques, AGS Four-Winds freight removalist company and Jamesons Pub.

After the first quiz round the AGS 4-winds team were in the lead

PILC ladies Jillian & Ingrid, presented a certificate of appreciation to Maike

     Well over eighty keen quiz contestants attended, and found that they had to have their brains well in gear for some of the questions, such as “What insect can lift fifty times its own body weight and always falls on its right side when drunk?” There were four rounds and after the first round the six person team at the AGS Four-Winds Company table were leading, and yes, we almost forgot to tell you, that the answer to the insect question is “an ant.” This highly successful event finished up raising an excellent amount of money in excess of 100,000 baht for chosen charities.
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Optimists’ club extends help

Big benefactor Brian & Captain Bill (left) who donated a complete water filtering system

The new Optimist International Club of Thailand is based in Pattaya, and although it has only been operating for a few months, it has made a good start in charity work. Two of their members Brian and ‘Noon’ Wright, traveled south to a remote mountain area, because ‘Noon’ wanted to spend her birthday with the children at the Ngo School in Petchaburi, (2-1/2 hours south of Bangkok). She took some gifts and even decided that she wanted to cook lunch for the kids, who range from 3 - 16 years of age. Later the Optimist Club members made a trip to the school, with ‘Noon’ generously paying for the transportation vans. They found that the children were not getting enough food, did not have clean drinking water and lacked shoes, plus other essential items, so the club has now adopted this needy school as their charity project.

Brian and his wife Noon were the instigators of the first Optimist Club charity project

Club Officials Max Rommel, President Drew Noyes, Phil Webb & Hawaii Bob

The Optimist Club help included 8x50 kg. bags of rice (needed monthly), clothes, shoes, balls, books & pencils, and recently club member Capt. John Downing generously donated an 8,000 baht water filter. This charity service club meets regularly at the Hard Rock Hotel restaurant, and new members are welcome, (Phone Mr. Drew Noyes on 084 111 7999).
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Rotarians Rugby for charity

The Royal Thai Marines fly high to gain control of the ball from the Pattaya Panthers

Main organiser Rotary VIP Peter Thorand (left) with Nai Amphur Khun Mongkol (right)

An exciting Saturday of Rugby was held at the Horseshoe Point Country Club & Resort, and this was preceded by fun on the night before at the More Grill & Bar on Pattaya Second Road. The Thai Royal Marine Team and the Pattaya Panthers received new T-shirts for this great match, known as the “Southern Initiative” and was organised by the Thaksin-Pattaya Rotary Club plus many other sponsors to help school children in one of southern Thailand’s strife ridden regions.
     After the official welcome the following Saturday afternoon by Pattaya’s Nai Amphur Khun Mongkol Thumakitikun, the brawny rugby boys battled it out for some nice looking trophies, and some great rugby action, which referee David Viccars said was a good game with excellent scoring.

Red shirts were presented to the Thai Royal Marines Team the night before the match

The Captain of the Royal Thai Marines Rugby Team graciously accepts the winning trophy

     The younger and fitter Royal Thai Marines won, with many of their members coming from the Thai National Rugby Team, but our mainly English Pattaya Panthers also put up a very creditable performance. That evening everyone met at Jamesons Pub for some well earned relaxation and a big party, which was sponsored by Jamesons themselves.
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Monks at mayor’s home

Mayor Itthiphol´s ceremony included his wife Khun Ratchada (2nd left) and his mother (centre)

Vanquished & Victor, Mayoral contender Khun Surat (Mike) presents flowers to Mayor Itthiphol

Our new Pattaya city mayor, Khun Itthiphol Kunplome, held a huge function at his residence recently, but this was not just one big party, as there was no alcohol served, only snacks and soft drinks. Khun Itthiphol is a devout Buddhist, and the entire time was taken up by Buddhist blessings, in spite of the fact that around 1,000 guests attended. Even though it was held in the morning, a large contingent of guests came from areas as far away as Bangkok, and eagerly took part in the blessing ceremonies. Most local government officials and dignitaries attended this prestigious ceremony, with the meticulous planning showing exactly what can be done by Khun Itthiphol’s very professional team.

Pattaya Police Chief Noppadol Wongnom was in attendance to congratulate Khun Itthiphol

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome tends to the Monks with some tasty food

Many of Khun Itthiphol’s family were present and everyone was impressed by the fine example set by Itthiphol Kunplome and his wife Ratchada who showed themselves to be a great couple to lead the local community.
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Mercy Centre gets AFT help

Dianne Doell had a great evening with her Mercy Centre children

Malinee & Estella are stalwart supporters of AFT charity events

An innovative way of giving help to one of our local charities was provided by Pattaya’s Association of Filipinos in Thailand, when they organised a very friendly dinner party at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital recently. This also celebrated the Philippine Independence Day, so it was attended by many visitors from Bangkok, including their Ambassador, Antonio V. Rodriguez, and was an entertaining night of singers, dancers, games and fine food supplied by the Cafe New Orleans.

Event organisers Maike & Sisa with emcees Maria & Chem

Philippine Ambassador Mr Rodriguez & his wife (left) with Litta, Sattichai and Mercy Centre´s Fred Doell

     In addition to this there were a huge number of raffle prizes donated by scores of local business people, and the small underprivileged children from the Mercy Centre even put on some well rehearsed dance routines.      There was some very welcome support from San Miguel Beer Company, and there was non-stop entertainment until late into the night, which was made even more pleasant by the Filipino host’s friendly manner.
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AustCham – ESB charity golf

ACCT member Jesper Pederson is welcomed by Asst. F & B Manager Sebastian Kleinsman

Local Businessmen Robert Watson, Wim Scheggetman, Maurice Bromley & Killian Jones

The Australian Chamber of Commerce were very grateful for all the sponsors, who helped them stage their annual 2008 Eastern Seaboard Golf Charity event in the area with 144 keen golfers making up four person teams for a great day of sport.

Winners were the Birdie Boys team, pictured with ACCT´s Martin Kyle (rear) and President Shane Torr (right)

Later in the evening they retired to the More Grill & Bar on Pattaya Second Road, for the prize giving, which was combined with another regular ACCT ‘Sun-downer’ with fine food and drinks being consumed in considerable quantities.
    There were many prizes, such as ‘closest to the pin,’ and the provisional winners were declared as the Mickey Mouse team who, as luck would have it, were not present. However, surprise, surprise, a recount revealed that the Birdie Boys team were the eventual winners. Funds raised went to the Camillian Centre in Rayong.
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Reception during military exercises

The U.S. NAVY recently hosted a reception aboard the USS JARRETT based in Sattahip during the CARAT exercises 2008. The United States Navy League in turn hosted a reception for the Officers and Crew at the Marriott Resort and Spa Pattaya. Awards and plaques were exchanged at the event.

Commodore Mike Selby, Rear Admiral Nora Tyson, James Copulos, CSI Homeland Security, Bobby Brooks Pres. United States Navy League-Thailand

     CARAT is a sequential series of bilateral exercises held annually with six Southeast Asia nations and the United States to enhance regional cooperation, promote understanding between participating military forces and continue to develop operational readiness of participating forces.
     The U.S. ships participating in the exercise are the amphibious docking ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), the guided missile frigates USS Jarrett (FFG 33), USS Ford (FFG 54), and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Morgenthau (WHEC 722). A fifth U.S. ship participating in CARAT is the rescue and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50)with an embarked mobile diving and salvage unit that is participating in training and salvage activities with their host nation counterparts. Approximately 1400 U.S. personnel took part in CARAT 2008.