Pattaya Mail - Friday Nov. 14 - Nov. 20, 2014 (Vol. XXII No. 46)

Established in 1993

VOL.XXII No. 46

Pattaya’s First English Language Newspaper

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14 - NOVEMBER 20, 2014

21st Anniversary

30 BAHT

Loy Krathong as vibrant as ever

This edition represents a special, once in a lifetime achievement, for it is issue number 1111.

For over 21 years, we have worked hard to be the voice of Pattaya, and will continue to do so into the future. In fact, in numerology, 1111 means initiating procedures to build a firm foundation for the future. It looks like we’re off to a good start.

Loy Krathong this year was as vibrant as ever, with throngs of people turning up at Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach, local temples and at Lan Pho Public Park in Naklua to launch their krathongs (floats) of flowers and incense. Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome commented that Loy Krathong provides a good chance for foreign guests to not only experience true Thai culture, but also to see people wearing traditional Thai costumes, as seen here on Walking Street. (Full story and more photos on center pages.)

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PATTAYA MAIL

Bangkok cabbie returns fat wallet to Brit tourist

VOL. XXII No. 46

Chonburi police chief meets local media

Teerarak Suthathiwong A Bangkok cabbie bailed out a British tourist who had just arrived, and who dropped his wallet in the back seat of a taxi on his way from the airport to Pattaya.

Kamsin Meethongsan, 49, turned in the wallet containing the equivalent of about 55,000 baht and passport belonging to David Phillip Pennington, 40, at Pattaya Police Station Nov. 1.

The driver said he’d picked up Pennington and another at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and, after dropping them off in Pattaya, discovered the wallet and passport in the back seat when he stopped to get fuel.

Pennington claimed his

Taxi driver Kamsin Meethongsan returns the lost money and passport to British tourist David Pennington. belongings and admitted he’d he’d lost his wallet when he been a bit drunk in the cab. went to pay the bill.

He’d then gone straight to a He gave the driver a reward bar in Pattaya and discovered for his honesty.

Soi Nernplabwan roadwork finished Jetsada Homklin Long-delayed construction on Soi Nernplabwan was completed five days earlier than an estimate given last month.

Nongprue Sub-district Mayor Mai Chaiyanit said officials had received 7 million baht from Chonburi Province to finish the project originally slated for completion on Sept. 6.

Residents in Roong Ruang village have complained bitterly that contractor Promyothakan Rayong had left large holes in the road while workers went missing. He announced on Oct. 27 work would be done on Nov. 10. It finished on Nov. 5.

Krtisada Ketjinda, the coordinator between the contractor and Chonburi

Pattaya officials finally fixed about 500 meters of Sukhumvit Road following complaints about the dilapidated roadway.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome ordered workers to patch the road near Pattaya School No. 7 with “cold mix” concrete Nov. 6. The mayor said the roadway was damaged by repeated flooding and traffic from heavy trucks.

Itthiphol said the city is working with communities and agencies to resolve problems and encouraged residents to report road and other problems to the Pattaya Complaint Center at 038-253-102.

City workers repair parts of Sukhumvit Road following complaints about the dilapidated roadway.

Jetsada Homklin Chonburi’s provincial police chief reached out to Pattaya-area media organizations to forge a better working relationship and publicize law enforcement’s efforts to clean up the city.

Maj. Gen. Nitipong Niemnoy met with the Pattaya Press A s s o c i a t i o n ’s Umphan Seangkeaw and other city

reporters at a Central Festival Pattaya Beach steakhouse Nov. 8.

He chatted with reporters as a start toward reinforcing a good relationship between police and reporters while explaining the safety measures being pursued to build a good reputation among tourists.

Nitipong said working with Pattaya reporters is a good thing as the cooperation in

publishing the facts will reinforce the good working relationship between Pattaya reporters and police.

“Pattaya attracts a huge number of foreign tourists.

Hence the police must be very strict on protecting the safety of life and property as well as reducing the crime rate as much as possible while wiping out high-risk areas for drug abuse.”

Leaking since 2010, water pipe finally repaired by Pattaya City Hall Urasin Khantaraphan Long-delayed construction on Soi Nernplabwan was finally completed.

Province, said Promyothakan Rayong claimed it couldn’t finish the work on the original schedule due to continuous rainfall.

Promyothakan Rayong laid drainage pipes and covers, U-shaped pipe connectors and resurfaced the street with ferro-concrete.

Sukhumvit Road patched Jetsada Homklin

Maj. Gen. Nitipong Niemnoy (center, striped shirt) meets with the Pattaya Press Association’s Umphan Seangkeaw and other city reporters at a Central Festival Pattaya Beach.

Eight months after the Pattaya Mail first reported it and nearly five years after it broke, a leaking water pipe on Pratamnak Soi 5 finally has been fixed.

Sutat Nuspan, water-supply manager for Banglamung District, actually pledged to fix the cap on a standpipe outside Ruamchok Condo View 2 on Aug. 19, yet it still took until Nov. 5 for workers to actually show up.

The exceedingly difficult and complex repair job that took since 2010 to resolve?

Workers had to rethread the cap fitting and secure the pipe with concrete.

The broken pipe first earned Pattaya Mail headlines in March after Australian expat Roy Albiston, 63, calculated that the standpipe had been leaking an estimated 1.3 million liters of water a year since a fire damaged it in 2010. He said he’d contacted city hall several times but nothing was done until a Pattaya Mail reporter brought Sutat photos to see himself.

Sutat actually blamed city

workers for breaking the pipe and acknowledged they never fixed the cap, which was quite old. He said more than two months ago he had ordered staffers to finish the job. It took

them nine weeks to do so.

The leak was blamed for water shortages by condo residents and Albiston said he even saw people using the water to clean their cars.

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PATTAYA MAIL

Bigger pipes would solve Beach Road flooding, but Pattaya can’t afford them

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 3

Pattaya workers, vendors scurry to clean up Loy Krathong’s aftermath

Jomtien Beach was littered with floats, balloons, discarded bottles, bags and food containers left behind by revelers.

Urasin Khantaraphan Officials look over a plan for new, wider drainage pipes, for which, evidently, Pattaya coffers don’t have the funds.

Surasak Huasoon After discovering that their newly installed pumps weren’t going to solve Beach Road’s chronic flooding problem, Pattaya officials were told they should install new, wider drainage pipes at three beachfront locations.

Thanawat Jarupongsakul of the Chulalongkorn University Department of Geology, which has been the

consultant to the city on the Pattaya Beach refill project, told Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay and officials from the Marine and Engineering department that, instead of pumps at three places along Beach Road, the city needs bigger pipes.

Thanawat said a 1.25-kilometer pipe, two meters wide, was needed running from the sea at Soi 6/1, the current site of four ineffective pumps. A 200-meter-long

pipe should be installed at the Dusit Curve to connect with the existing drainage network, and a 47-meter connecting pipe at Walking Street, the site of another pump, he said.

The pipe projects were called a permanent solution to Pattaya’s beachfront flooding problem, but will require a large, currently unavailable, budget to fund them. Thanawat estimated total cost at 190 million baht.

All the twinkling lights on the water and in the sky look pretty on Loy Krathong, but the day after the festival Pattaya turns into a sea of water-logged krathongs and spent hot-air lanterns.

Pattaya city workers, beach vendors and volunteers set to work around 5:30 a.m. Nov. 7 in Jomtien and Dongtan beaches to clean up the mess

left by the Loy Krathong festivities the evening before.

CP All Co. organized a clean up and offered bags for more than 100 people to clean up more than two kilometers of beachfront.

The beach was littered with more than just floats and balloons. There also were discarded bottles, bags and food containers left behind by revelers.

Beach vendors noted that

the evening festival coincided with low tide, so people had to walk far out to launch their floats of flowers, candles and incense into the sea.

Then the tide came in and all the tiny boats washed ashore.

Most, vendors noted, were made of natural materials.

Pattaya municipal officers rapidly collected trash gathered by the beach operators and the beachfront was back to normal by 10 a.m.

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PATTAYA MAIL

12 arrested in Sattahip meth raid

VOL. XXII No. 46

Drunk arrested for running checkpoint with fake gun Boonlua Chatree

Police arrested 13 people and seized more than 500 methamphetamine pills during a raid of a suspected Sattahip drug den.

Patcharapol Panrak Sattahip police seized more than 500 methamphetamine pills and arrested 13 people in a raid of a suspected Moo 6 village drug den.

Four alleged dealers were taken into custody: Natcha

Meanduang, 38, with 250 ya ba tablets and 8 grams crystal methamphetamine; Arsana Charoenniran, 32, with 100 ya ba pills and 2.3 grams of ya ice; Napaporn Chawsuanthong, 26, with 200 tablets and 10 grams of crystal meth; and Chanon

Yensabai, 31, with 20 pills of ya ba.

Eight suspected drug users also were apprehended at the rental house on Soi Samutlom 3 Nov. 4. Police said the accused dealers had been arrested several times before.

Suspected Nigerian Internet scammers arrested in Pattaya

A drunk Chachoengsao man was arrested after allegedly running a police checkpoint and possessing a fake gun in Pattaya.

Suthee Noppasit, 31, was captured near Soi 9 following a 2 a.m. police pursuit.

Police accused Suthee of driving through a police checkpoint, causing several injuries as officers dove out of the way of his speeding Honda.

They then followed him and stopped the car behind Central Festival Pattaya Beach.

The suspect failed the alcohol-breath test and, after searching his car, police found a fake handgun and six fake bullets.

He was charged with reckless driving, running a checkpoint and possession of a fake firearm.

Suthee Noppasit awaits his fate after driving drunk and running a police checkpoint.

Sattahip Market raided for Loy Krathong lanterns, firecrackers Patcharapol Panrak Working to make Loy Krathong a quieter festival, Sattahip officials outlawed firecrackers and the sale of hot-air lanterns.

District Chief Phawat Lertmukda led a team of volunteers, police and navy personnel through the Sattahip Market Nov. 4 looking for vendors selling pyrotechnics without a license.

Wassana Wannasorn, 49, was arrested for selling “khom loy” lanterns and firecrackers were seized from six other shops.

Phawat said the crackdown came out of fear of fires from flying lanterns falling to earth and from children being

District Chief Phawat Lertmukda (right) leads a team of volunteers, police and navy personnel through the Sattahip Market raiding vendors selling firecrackers and khom loys. injured by playing with firecrackers.

Another, similar raid was

conducted in Naklua where one shop was inspected and one arrest made.

American found dead in Naklua condo Boonlua Chatree

Police bring out for the media Nigerian scammers Chigozie Nnamdi Nwaogu and Onyebuchi Uchegbu.

Teerarak Suthathiwong Two Nigerians were arrested for allegedly scamming a Thai woman out of cash through an Internet scam.

Chigozie Nnamdi Nwaogu, 31 and Onyebuchi Uchegbu, 34, were captured at a rented room on Soi Mabyailia 10 Nov. 7 and charged with visa

violations as they investigated fraud charges.

Police accuse the Nigerians of running the old “million dollars in a bank account” e-mail scam on the Facebook website, targeting Thai women with a story that they had 15 million baht in a Thai bank, but couldn’t withdraw it due to

having to pay a 100,000 baht processing fee.

The scam asked women to transfer the processing fee into their bank account on the promise that, when the 15 million baht was released, they’d get a large share of it.

Police are trying to determine how many people fell for the scam.

An American man found dead in his Naklua condo on Loy Krathong is believed to have died of natural causes.

The body of Gregory Scott Grinstead, 67, was found fully clothed and sitting up, a pillow on his lap, inside his

Ocean View 1 room Nov. 6.

There were no signs of foul play in the Naklua Road apartment.

Police had been contacted by telephone from Chumphon province by Grinstead’s girlfriend of four years. She said she called him every day to check in on

the elderly man and, on Loy Krathong, she didn’t get any answer and got worried. She also contacted an Australian friend of the Oklahoma man to meet police at the condo.

Police suspect a heart attack or other natural causes for the death, but sent the body for autopsy.

Penniless American jumps to death from Pattaya condo Boonlua Chatree An American man who spent all his money but didn’t want to go home committed suicide by throwing himself from the 27th floor of central Pattaya condominium.

Douglas Rex Rinehart, 52, was captured on video lying

on a ledge on outside a room in the View Talay 6 condo tower next to Central Festival Pattaya Beach Nov. 5.

After a crowd and police assembled, he rolled off and fell to the third-floor pool area where he was pronounced dead.

Rinehart had no identification

on him, but police found his expired passport and a suicide note at the 27th floor elevator.

The note said he spent all his money and his passport was expired. But, he wrote, he did not want to go home and wanted to “party here for a long time.”

Pattaya cops caught flat-footed by shoe thief Boonlua Chatree Pattaya police were literally caught flat-footed after a market vendor allegedly stole 40 pairs of shoes left outside officers’ dorm rooms Siriwan Nhongharnpithak,

37, was caught in the officers’ dorm on Second Road around 5 a.m. Nov. 1 by cops waiting to see who was taking their shoes and those of family members living there.

Police said Siriwan

confessed to lifting loads of loafers, about 40 pairs before she was caught. She told police she planned to sell them second-hand at the Thepprasit Market for 200 baht each to pay her rent and expenses.

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PATTAYA MAIL

Public brainstorms tourism ideas at PBTA forum Jetsada Homklin The Pattaya Business & Tourism Association opened its annual meeting to the public to brainstorm ideas on improving tourism and other local government operations and businesses.

President Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn welcomed Patchanee Taraseina, dean of the Graduate School of Public Administration, Burapha University, to the Oct. 22 session at the Grand Bella Hotel to speak on three topics: politics, governance and decentralization; finance and investment; and tourism.

Most people were only interested in tourism.

Surin Yimyai, president of the 5 Thunwa Community, called on the government to install bicycle lanes or create biking areas, as it also encourages exercise and good health.

He also said that he believes he ought to be paid for working for his community, saying he’s never received a single baht for volunteering.

Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho said one of the best ways to boost

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 5

Social Welfare opens registration for new elderly residents Jetsada Homklin Until the end of this month, Pattaya’s elderly and disabled residents can register for Department of Social Welfare benefits providing them monthly stipends and identification cards.

Registration began Nov. 1 and ends on the 30th.

The Department of Social Welfare takes new applicants each year to provide ID cards and monthly allowances as per government policy.

Pattaya’s new elderly residents register for benefits.

PBTA President Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn addresses the gathered community leaders. tourism would be to exempt Walking Street from legal closing times for entertainment venues, a call that has been made many times and ignored by central governments.

Wiwat Pattanasin, president of the Chonburi Industry Council, suggested Pattaya ought to be made more like Singapore, with its clean and hygienic environment, low crime, proper trash collection and convenient transportation.

Sinchai said all the comments will be collected and presented to the National Reform Council as it works over the next year to address the country’s problems.

Rockin’ dogs headline Central Center music festival Jetsada Homklin A four-legged band took center stage when Central Center kicked off “The Musical Festival” for dogs and dog lovers.

The Four Legs Band entertained fellow canines and their owners with a “Dogs That Rock” show at the North Pattaya Mall Nov. 1.

The event, which ended Nov. 2, also featured food-eating contests and health checks (for dogs) and booths selling accessories to their owners. Thonglor Hospital provided the veterinarian services while also offering advice on proper feeding.

Pattaya City Council members and mall management opened the festival, which was aimed at offering a unique event to drive tourism.

Pattaya City Council Vice President Rattanachai Sutidechanai and Central Center Pattaya General Manager Sajan Nhakbhun preside over the opening ceremony of “The Musical Festival” for dogs and dog lovers.

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Banglamung drug offenders to be sent to military-style rehab center

Venezuelan crowned Miss International Queen

Jetsada Homklin

Teerarak Suthathiwong

Banglamung District will starting taking a harder line against drug users, sending anyone caught using them to military-style “rehabilitation centers,” District Chief Sakchai Taengho told community leaders.

Laying out new policies for the start of the 2015 fiscal year, Sakchai told the 80 community leaders that users will be treated at the Rehabilitation Center Chonburi.

The center uses militaryst y l e t r a i n i n g f o r d r u g treatment, as the military government has announced that solving drug problems is a nationwide task and needs to be strictly followed.

As a first step, the district chief had everyone assembled submit to drug testing of their urine.

A 22-year-old Venezuelan triumphed over 21 other transgender contestants from 18 countries to win the crown at the Miss International Queen pageant in Pattaya.

Isabella Santiago took home 440,000 baht in prizes at the glittering Nov. 7 pageant, the world’s largest of its type and a major vehicle for promoting the rights of transvestites and transsexuals. As part of the prizes, Santiago, who also won the prize for best evening gown, can also opt for free cosmetic surgery.

Santiago, who wore a shimmery white evening gown, laughed and said “Sleep!” when asked by the media about plans after the win.

“When on stage, she is so elegant and that’s why the judges’ decision was unanimous,” said Seri Wongmontha, one of the pageant’s judges told the media.

Like other beauty pageants, contestants for “Miss International Queen” paraded in their national costumes, evening gowns and swimsuits at the Tiffany Theatre.

Contestants had participated in pageant activities for almost a week to promote tourism, publicize their

Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho lays out plans for taking a harder line against drug users.

The government has tapped the National Command Centre for Combating Drugs to enforce standard measures to solve the drug problems.

Its mission is to encourage all provinces to have a Rehabilitation Center to solve drug problems. The centers are for those who are on

drugs, addicted or those who just have experimented with drugs to be cleaned up and returned to society.

Community leaders are being encouraged to watch over neighbors, especially youths, to prevent drug use. Those spotted using drugs should be treated at a rehab center, they said.

Ban Jing Jai charity ride Nov. 22

Nongprue Mayor Mai Chaiyanit (center) joins Piangta Chumnoi, director of Ban Jing Jai Foundation, and Panuwat Sriboon-ngam from Racerg.net, to announce the 4th Ban Jing Jai charity bicycle ride will take place November 22.

Jetsada Homklin Nongprue officials and Racerg.net are joining forces again to raise money for orphans with the 4th annual Ban Jing Jai bicycle race Nov. 22.

Sub-district Mayor Mai Chaiyanit joined Ban Jing Jai

Foundation Director Piangta Chumnoi and Panuwat Sriboon-ngam from Racerg.net to announce the event Nov. 7.

The event aims to promote cycling as a way to exercise, reduce pollution from automobile and save energy. Its objective is also to raise

money for daily expenses and education of children at Ban Jing Jai. The race will be divided into two groups. The public will cycle for 40 kilometers while a “VIP” group will go for just 15 kilometers.

The ride begins at 8 a.m. and the entry fees of 300 baht for the general public and 1,000 baht for VIPs include a shirt and breakfast from 6-8 a.m.

Applicants may apply at the Nongprue Municipality office (Welfare Department).

Riders will begin the ride at the Mabprachan Reservoir, circumnavigate the reservoir, and end at the Nongprue Municipality office.

VOL. XXII No. 46

22-year-old Venezuelan Isabella Santiago (center) has been crowned this year’s Miss International Queen. She is flanked by 1st runner-up Nissa Ketrahong (left) from Thailand and 2nd runner-up Piyada Inthawong of Laos. capabilities and raise money for King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Organ Transplant Centre.

Thai contestant Nissa Ketrahong placed second and won Best Traditional Dress and Miss Photogenic, securing 150,000 baht in prizes.

Piyada Inthawong of Laos finished third and won the Miss Popular Vote title and a

total of 95,000 baht in prizes.

The Special Talent Award belonged to Samira Sitara from the United States who took home 30,000 baht. Samira told the media afterward participating in the contest was a “dream come true” as Samira had just come out as gay publicly.

The Miss Friendship Award went to Uni Carrie from Cuba, who won 20,000 baht.

Half-effort by city workers leaves eastside residents fully angered Surasak Huasoon Rainwater replaced water from leaking pipes after city workers dug up an eastside sidewalk and left it unfinished for months.

Residents near the worksite on Sukhumvit Soi 41/2 have complained to city hall about the long delay in repaving the mud-filled and debrisstrewn sidewalk.

Daeng, a local resident, said he last saw Water Department workers at the site two months ago. They spent a day digging up the bricks and repaired the pipes, but never bothered to lay new bricks.

“Are the residents supposed to clean up this mess?”

City workers dug up an eastside sidewalk to repair leaking pipes, then left it unfinished for months. he asked incredulously.

Alerted to the workers’ negligence, city hall promised to fix the problem, but said that although the pipes

no longer are leaking, rain had made the surface unsuitable for resurfacing, so they’ll have to wait for it to dry out first.

Chonburi students win cash prizes at Lions’ traditional pageant Jetsada Homklin Young Chonburi students competed for up to 5,000 in cash prizes at the Lions Club of Taksin Pattaya’s annual traditional children’s pageant.

Eighteen boys and girls ages 9-14 took part in the annual Loy Krathong Thepthida and Thepphabut Duanphen (most beautiful god and goddess of the night of the full moon) contest at Royal Garden Plaza. The kids, who must live in Chonburi or attend school in the province, dressed in traditional costumes and put on a three-minute cultural

performance.

Former Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome handed out the prizes to both male and female winners.

The Thepthida winner was Fahprathan Pholaaharn from Pattaya School No. 5. Second place went to Chernkhwan Singtoniwet from Sawang Boriboon Wittaya School, and third place to Tina Samarover from Marywit School.

Thepphabut Duanphen’s winner was Tawanthai Khongsomrit from Lertpunya School.

Second place went to Srongwut Akhotmee from Sawang Boriboon Wittaya School

Winners in the Lions Clubs’ annual Theptida and Thepphabut Duanphen Contest gather on stage at Royal Garden Plaza. and third place to Phumi- home 5,000 baht while secphasut Khongsomrit from ond place won 4,000 baht Lertpunya School. and third place received First-place winners took 3,000 baht.

VOL. XXII No. 46

PATTAYA MAIL

A model wears a creation from the Ronaldo Fraga Winter collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Nov. 5. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine)

A dragonfly clings to a branch in Surfside, Fla. on Wednesday, Nov. 5. It’s compound eyes are made up of thousands of facets which allow it to see even behind itself. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

(Right) Policemen carry an arrested protestor, during a national trade union demonstration in Brussels, Thursday Nov. 6. Tens of thousands of demonstrators converged on the Belgian capital to protest government policies that will extend the pension age, contain wages and cut into public services. (AP Photo/ Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

An anti-austerity demonstrator confronts British police officers during a protest across from the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Nov. 5.

(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

People walk on and around a digital mosaic of photographs of people, depicting British Army private James Ernest Beaney, killed during World War One, outside the BBC headquarters in central London, Friday, Nov. 7.

Created by artist Helen Marshall, the portrait created by using more than 30,000 images, depicts Beaney, who was serving in France, when he was killed on Aug. 8, 1916. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 7

A woman, dressed as a game character called Draenei, attends BlizzCon, the fan-centric celebration of video game publisher Blizzard, Friday, Nov. 7, in Anaheim, Calif. The annual convention kicked off Friday with more than 25,000 attendees. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 9

Sicily: 5 free things for visitors to do from the sandy tourist beaches of Cefalu and Mondello, near Palermo, to slices of peaceful bliss among rocky outcroppings, especially where the regional park boundaries touch the shore.

The Norman Cathedrals

Belgian driver Olivier Gendebien waves as he is flagged in to win the 42nd running of what the organizers claim to be the oldest car race in the world: the Targa Florio, May 11, 1958. Gendebien teamed with Italy’s Luigi Musso, driving a Ferrari.

The race was over 605 miles, covered in 14 laps in the countryside around Palermo. The Italo-Belgian team covered the distance in 10 hours, 37 minutes and 58.1 seconds for an average of 58.52 mph. (AP Photo)

In the Middle Ages Sicily was conquered by the Normans, bands of northern knights who were leading the Crusades at the time. In Sicily, the Norman kingdom merged northern and Muslim aesthetics to create one of Europe’s most fascinating architectural styles.

Awe-inspiring vaulted ceilings, glass mosaics with rich golden backgrounds and moving depictions transfix visitors. The cathedrals at Monreale and Cefalu are open to the public and free, giving one the chance to

Cain Burdeau Palermo, Sicily (AP) - Sicily is the Mediterranean’s largest island and a trip around this triangular-shaped ancient land can be particularly rewarding for those in search of free things to do. Besides Sicily’s sights, smells and sounds - the feast of wildflowers in rainy months, colorful street markets in towns and cities alike, picturesque faces and places around every corner - many of the island’s greatest gifts are free.

Mountains There are three extensive regional parks to explore those of Mount Etna, and the Nebrodi and Madonie mountains. In each of these reserves there is a wealth of hiking trails, rivers and spectacular gorges to navigate.

Many paths skirt the smoldering volcano of Etna, which offers one of the most spectacular free shows on earth during its frequent eruptions.

Near the volcano is the Gole dell’Alcantara, a gorge where incredible rock formations seem to dance with the shadows of the sparkling water. The Nebrodi Mountains also offer hiking trails, lakes, forests and historic sites. Next to the Nebrodi are the Madonie Mountains, where walkers of various ability levels can choose a path to reach the summit of Pizzo Carbonara, the island’s second-highest peak. One particularly rewarding and challenging route winds through an ancient grove of holly trees, among the oldest in the world.

The Sea When you think of Sicily, you can’t help but imagine the sea. Sicily’s coasts are dotted by public beaches and gorgeous quiet spots.

Besides the beaches of the main island, Sicily’s satellite

A herd of wild mountain goats graze in the vicinity of the summit of Pizzo Carbonara in Italy, on Sicily’s second-highest mountain peak after the volcano of Mount Etna. Pizzo Carbonara is a central mountain of the Madonie range on the northern side of the island. Various footpaths lead to the mountain summit. (AP Photo/Cain Burdeau)

The Targa Florio became a celebrated event of daring and innovation, but it eventually became too dangerous both for drivers and spectators. Regardless, the event continues as a rally in May where classic and modern souped-up cars roar through the narrow mountain switchbacks above Termini Imerese.

Other motor sports give visitors the chance to combine speed with breathtaking panoramas, including auto slalom races and other similar sporting events on many parts of the island.

Festivals It’s not an exaggeration to say there’s a town festival nearly every week somewhere in Sicily. Celebrations for patron saints, religious days, local foods, music and art pop up around the island in all seasons.

Among the biggest and most celebrated festivals are those connected to Easter.

Trapani’s daylong Easter procession - the Misteri di Trapani - is best known for its masses of people, its ornate wooden statues, music and the range of emotions displayed by participants and viewers alike. The hourslong procession evokes everything from frenzy to sorrow to joy as bearers bolster the statues through crowded streets.

More secular delights include indulging in April’s artichokes cooked in a myriad ways in Cerda or cheering on the men of Cefalu as they try to grab a flag from the end of a greased pole suspended over the sea during the town’s St. Salvatore festival in early August.

This September 2014 photo shows the Norman cathedral of Cefalu in northern Sicily. The cathedral, which dates to the 12th century, is one of many splendid examples of Norman architecture in Sicily that are open to the public and free to visit. The Normans conquered Sicily during the Middle Ages and established a kingdom that to this day fascinates scholars and tourists alike for its melding of northern European and Muslim cultures. (AP Photo/Cain Burdeau)

This Aug. 2014, photo shows beach-goers at the Torre Conca beach near Finale, Sicily. Sicily is lined with beaches of all kinds - from sandy coves near picturesque towns and cities to rocky out-of-theway havens. Sicily’s seas and beaches are among Europe’s most treasured places to visit. (AP Photo/ Cain Burdeau)

This pasture is full of wildflowers in the Madonie mountains. Sicily becomes a panoramic canvas for nature’s colors during the wet winter and spring months when a bounty of wildflowers sprouts up across the island. The mountains of Sicily also offer hikes suiting all levels of skill. (AP Photo/Cain Burdeau) islands - the Aeolian and Egadi are the easiest to reach - offer stunning oases.

To enjoy the sea at its best, go to the protected marine area of the Egadi islands where sea life flourishes.

The western and southern coasts are flatter and sandier with beaches that can appear endless. The northern coast offers reefs and sea life for the snorkeler and a variety of locales for the sun worshipper,

appreciate their splendor in various lights and when Mass is being celebrated.

Targa Florio For those who like motor sports, Sicily remains a great destination to watch open road racing. The biggest of these events is connected to the historic Targa Florio, an open road race begun in 1906 that took racers onto the hair-raising mountain roads near Palermo.

This Sept. 14, 2014 photo shows the festival called the Santissimo Crocifisso (the Feast of the Cross in English) in Castelbuono, a mountain town in the province of Palermo, Italy, on the island of Sicily. Across Sicily towns celebrate this holy day with a solemn religious procession accompanied by special market days, foods and other traditions. Sicily is rich in festivals of all kinds celebrating holy days, foods, art and much more. (AP Photo/Cain Burdeau)

10 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014

PATTAYA MAIL

VOL. XXII No. 46

Is the Fed a Cult? - Part 3 Paul Gambles Co-founder of MBMG Group In my previous article I wrote about why the Federal Reserve is beginning to look like a cult, with its dogmatic beliefs in a system which, to the outsider, clearly does not work.

With that in mind, I decided to do a quick review of how the Fed installs such beliefs.

Wikipedia lists cognitive and social biases which affect belief formation, business and economic decisions, and human behaviour in general1.

Below are part 2 of the ones which I believe facilitate the ‘Cult of The Fed’: Information bias The tendency to seek information even when it cannot affect action- sounds like how central banks send their lives!

Insensitivity to sample size The tendency to under-expect variation in small samplesthe focus on very short term data points by the fed and lack of context Irrational escalation The phenomenon where people justify increased investment in a decision, based on the cumulative prior investment, despite new evidence suggesting that the decision was probably wrong-The Cult of the Fed- if what we’re doing isn’t working, it can only be because we’re not doing enough of it Just-world hypothesis The tendency for people to want to believe that the world is fundamentally just, causing them to rationalize an otherwise inexplicable injustice as deserved by the

victim(s)- this may explain the acceptance of policy by the wider cult members.

Loss aversion “the disutility of giving up an object is greater than the utility associated with acquiring it”. (see also Sunk cost effects and endowment effect)- the cost to the socioeconomy of preserving the bank system exceeds the cost of letting it go Ludic fallacy The misuse of games to model real-life situationsthe Fed is all about mark to fantasy models Mere exposure effect The tendency to express undue liking for things merely because of familiarity with them-Fed loves interest rates, fed loves money supply.

Money illusion The tendency to concentrate on the nominal (face value) of money rather than its value in terms of purchasing power- Do I need to say anything??

Neglect of probability The tendency to completely disregard probability when making a decision under uncertainty-Fed have pursued utterly implausible experiments because they neglected the probable outcomes.

Normalcy bias The refusal to plan for, or react to, a disaster which has never happened before- well it has but a long time ago and they won’t face it Observation selection bias The effect of suddenly noticing things that were not noticed previously – and as a result wrongly assuming that the frequency has increased- the GFC built up over 30 years but fed behaved like it had appeared

overnight but then started treating it that way!

Observer-expectancy effect When a researcher expects a given result and therefore unconsciously manipulates an experiment or misinterprets data in order to find it (see also subject-expectancy effect)-The Fed only really know one policy option so they reverse engineer all outcomes o fit it.

Omission bias The tendency to judge harmful actions as worse, or less moral, than equally harmful omissions (inactions)-You betcha – if the Fed had done nothing in 08 the crisis would have been over by 2010.

Optimism bias The tendency to be overoptimistic, overestimating favourable and pleasing outcomes (see also wishful thinking, valence effect, positive outcome bias)- got it in one!

Ostrich effect Ignoring an obvious (negative) situation- and again!

Overconfidence effect Excessive confidence in one’s own answers to questions. For example, for certain types of questions, answers that people rate as “99% certain” turn out to be wrong 40% of the time- Fed track record at predictions has been shown to be appalling and yet they still act

as though they have absolute certainty about the future Post-purchase rationalization The tendency to persuade oneself through rational argument that a purchase was a good value-the Fed Cult have been doing this together ever since QE1!!

Pro-innovation bias The tendency to have an excessive optimism towards an invention or innovation’s usefulness throughout society, while often failing to identify its limitations and weaknesses- that’s the fed and QE/ZIRP! Pseudo certainty effect The tendency to make riskaverse choices if the expected outcome is positive, but make risk-seeking choices to avoid negative outcomes-sounds like the fed.

Semmelweis reflex The tendency to reject new evidence that contradicts a paradigm-BoE refusing to acknowledge its own findings.

Status quo bias The tendency to like things to stay relatively the same (see also loss aversion, endowment effect, and system justification)- central bankers’ central tendency!

Subjective validation Perception that something is true if a subject’s belief demands it to be true. Also assigns perceived connections

between coincidences-Hello the Cult of The Fed Dunning–Kruger effect An effect in which incompetent people fail to realise they are incompetent because they lack the skill to distinguish between competence and incompetence.

Actual competence may weaken self-confidence, as competent individuals may falsely assume that others have an equivalent understanding-The Fed can’t because they think they can.

False consensus effect The tendency for people to overestimate the degree to which others agree with them-The Fed doesn’t promote healthy debate on this it encourages within very narrow bounds and disregards even its own findings that stray beyond this.

Illusory superiority Overestimating one’s desirable qualities, and underestimating undesirable qualities, relative to other people. (Also known as “Lake Wobegon effect,” “better-than-average effect,” or “superiority bias”)The Cult of The Fed. Ingroup bias The tendency for people to give preferential treatment to others they perceive to be members of their own groups- More Cult of the Fed Naive cynicism Expecting more egocentric bia s i n o t h e r s t h a n i n

oneself-The Fed sees itself as rational…oh boy….

Outgroup homogeneity bias Individuals see members of their own group as being relatively more varied than members of other groupsthey don’t even realize that they’re a weird cult!

Projection bias The tendency to unconsciously assume that others (or one’s future selves) share one’s current emotional states, thoughts and valuesthey think they’re normal!

Shared information bias Known as the tendency for group members to spend more time and energy discussing information that all members are already familiar with (i.e., shared information), and less time and energy discussing information that only some members are aware of (i.e., unshared information) - sounds like FOMC minutes!

System justification The tendency to defend and bolster the status quo.

Existing social, economic, and political arrangements tend to be preferred, and alternatives disparaged sometimes even at the expense of individual and collective self-interest. (See also status quo bias.)- The Fed!!!!

Footnote: 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases

Please Note: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained herein is correct, MBMG Group cannot be held responsible for any errors that may occur. The views of the contributors may not necessarily reflect the house view of MBMG Group. Views and opinions expressed herein may change with market conditions and should not be used in isolation.

MBMG Group is an advisory firm that assists expatriates and locals within the South East Asia Region with services ranging from Investment Advisory, Personal Advisory, Tax Advisory, Private Equity Services, Corporate Services, Insurance Services, Accounting & Auditing Services, Legal Services, Estate Planning and Property Solutions. For more information: Tel: +66 2665 2536; e-mail: info@mbmg-group.com; Linkedin: MBMG Group; Twitter: @MBMGIntl; Facebook: /MBMGGroup

FTI believes Thailand remains Thailand’s Consumer Confidence Index rose in October ASEAN industrial leader The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) believes that investment in infrastructure and special economic zones along the border will maintain Thailand’s status as the largest production base of ASEAN. FTI Chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree said in a discussion on Thai industries in ASEAN in Bangkok last week that Thailand remains as ASEAN’s industrial production leader, especially in electronic and electrical appliances, automotives, and food processing.

He said that Thailand is the world’s major exporter of products worth over Bt900 billion annually.

Supant emphasized that Thailand has to retain the status.

“The government’s decision to invest in infrastructure and special economic zones along the border helps maintain the status of Thai industries as the biggest production base in ASEAN,” Supant said.

However, he urged Thai operators to improve their production technologies to cut

FTI Chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree. costs, emphasize research and development, and to patent their inventions.

He also advised garment and textile industries move to special economic zones along the border to benefit from cheaper labor costs using workers from neighboring countries.

The National Federation of Thai Textile Industries reported that the value of Thai garment and textile exports was the 13th biggest in the world, amounting to Bt240 billion last year. (MCOT)

The Thai Chamber of Commerce University’s Economic and Business Forecasting Center announced that the country’s Consumer Confidence Index in October stood at 80.1, rising from 79.2 in September.

Center director Thanavath Phonvichai said the increase resulted from the government’s economic stimulus measures worth Bt360 billion for the fourth quarter of this year, lower oil prices, and increases in exports in September.

However, consumers were still worried about the low prices of farm products, the cost of living that remained high and the uncertainty of the global economy.

The center predicts that

the Thai economy will grow by 1.3-1.5 percent this year and 4-5 percent next year due to government investment projects.

However, Dr Thanavath said, the unfolding global

economic situation would be an important factor.

He projected that inflation would run between 2.3-2.8 percent and exports would grow by 3-5 percent next year. (MCOT)

VOL. XXII No. 46

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 11

PATTAYA MAIL

Hilton Pattaya celebrates third annual Hilton Worldwide Global Week of Service In celebration of Hilton Worldwide’s third annual Global Week of Service, October 19 - 25, more than 50 volunteers from Hilton Pattaya helped support the local community by donating food and culinary equipment for underprivileged children to the Banglamung Home for Boys.

The team also performed a community project, ‘Dive for Life’, to collect and remove debris from under the water around Koh Sak and clean up the beach there.

Community service is an integral part of Hilton Worldwide’s culture, and acts of volunteerism occur year-round across the eleven distinct brands and more than 4,200 properties. Hilton

Pattaya’s efforts are a part of Hilton Worldwide’s weeklong annual celebration of the company’s commitment to serving and enriching the communities where they live, work and travel. This year, Hilton Worldwide participated in more than 3,000 hands-on service projects globally.

“We are delighted to take the lead on this community project and support Hilton Worldwide’s Global Week of Service, said Montree Sattham, director of human resources at Hilton Pattaya.

“Every day, our team members come up with great ideas to make this a special and memorable week for the kids and as Hilton ambassadors, we’ll try our best to be the ‘light’ at the Banglamung

More than 50 volunteers from Hilton Pattaya donate food and culinary equipment to the Banglamung Home for Boys.

Home for Boys.” milestone in Pattaya,” said “We would like to thank Pakkamon Sirithanakarn, Hilton for seeing it as a cru- Head of Cookery, Bangcial factor to extend a help- lamung Home for Boys. ing hand to the community.

“We are pleased to col( T h i s i s ) a n o t h e r g r e a t laborate with Hilton to

The Hilton Pattaya team joined with Mermaids Dive Center to collect and remove debris from under the water around Koh Sak and clean up the beach there. help rehabilitate the marine support live coral,” said ecosystem in Pattaya; we Sheena Walls, general believe that cleaning at the manager of Mermaids Dive bottom of the ocean can Center, located in Jomtien.

Etihad Airways commences daily non-stop flights to Phuket Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has commenced daily non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, the airline’s second destination in Thailand.

The inaugural flight - EY430 - departed Abu Dhabi International Airport at 8.40am local time on Sunday 26 October and touched down at 6.00pm the same day at

Phuket International Airport, where it was welcomed by a water cannon salute, a gathering of dignitaries and airline representatives, and a performance by traditional Thai dancers.

Situated off the west coast of Thailand in the tranquil Andaman Sea, Phuket is one of Thailand’s southern-most provinces and the largest island in the Kingdom. Its

Etihad Airways commences daily flights to Phuket.

pristine natural beaches, plethora of resorts, and yearround sunshine make it a topranking destination for holidaymakers the world over.

James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways said, “The new Phuket route is a natural expansion of our Thai network and a strong addition to our portfolio of leisure destinations, such as the Seychelles, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

“With attractive departure and arrival times and seamless connections from more than 25 cities across the GCC and Europe, the new services will contribute greatly to the growth of tourism to the region.

“Holidaymakers from the UAE and GCC as well as from key European markets including London, Milan, Munich and Paris will now have enhanced travel options

Stricter measures to be imposed on direct sales A request has been proposed to the Office of the Consumer Protection Board to be more careful before issuing a business license to operators of direct sales businesses following arrests of a Chinese national and three Thais recently, said Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn.

Admitting that get-richquick scams are a national problem and could damage Thailand’s image and economy, Apiradi said her ministry, which oversees businesses in the country to ensure that they operate legally, would take stern action against illegal business owners.

She said the Business Development Department has been ordered to speed up

Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn. investigations on the three Thais who acted as nominees for the Chinese national to establish a business in Thailand.

The Chinese man, identified as Zhang Jan, was arrested by police in the resort

province of Phuket and charged with setting up a pyramid scheme under the business name of Yun Shu Mao, also known as YSLM, which he allegedly used to dupe people in China and Malaysia before coming to Thailand.

Zhang came to Thailand and set up the business in June. The Thais who worked for him asked for a revoke of the business license on October 28 with the Business Development Department and were apprehended before escaping.

If found guilty, Zhang would face a maximum threeyear imprisonment or a fine of one million baht or both.

He could also face a criminal lawsuit, Apiradi added.

(MCOT)

(Left to right) Anoma Vongyai, Tourism Authority of Thailand Director - Phuket Office; Craig Thomas, Etihad Airways Vice President Asia Pacific North and Indian Sub-Continent; Captain Adel Al Zubaidi; Monruedee Ketphan, Director of Phuket International Airport; Dimitrios Karagkioules, Etihad Airways new General Manager for Thailand; and Etihad Airways cabin crew celebrate the airline’s inaugural Phuket to Abu Dhabi flight with a floral garland cutting ceremony at Phuket International Airport. to the island destination and enjoy Etihad Airways’ award-winning service along the way.”

Connections to Phuket from Berlin, Düsseldorf, Rome and Belgrade are also available with Etihad Airways’

European partners, airberlin, Alitalia and Air Serbia.

Phuket is one of the 10 new routes launched or to be launched by Etihad Airways in 2014. Others included Medina on 1 February; Jaipur on 1 April; Los Angeles and Zurich on 1 June; Yerevan on 2 July; and Rome and Perth on 15 July. These will be followed by San Francisco on 18 November and Dallas on 3 December. Phuket is also the airline’s seventh destination in South East Asia alongside Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore.

A two-class Airbus A330200 aircraft operates the Abu Dhabi-Phuket sector with 22 seats in Business Class and 240 seats in Economy Class.

Reservations for the new Phuket service can be made at etihad.com, through Etihad Airways Contact Centres or travel agents worldwide.

Thai inheritance tax expected in six months Thailand’s Ministry of Finance proposed its inheritance tax bill to the cabinet this week and expects the tax will be imposed in six months without any retroactive effect.

Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said the ministry would seek cabinet approval for the tax. The bill will then be proposed to the National Legislative Assembly.

He believes the assembly will finish its consideration in about three months. Afterwards it will be published in the Royal Gazette and enforced in three following months.

The rate of the tax is set at 10 percent of the portion of each inheritance that exceeds Bt50 million.

The Revenue Department will amend the Revenue Code so that the acceptance

Finance Minister of assets from living givers will also be subject to the same tax rate of the planned inheritance tax.

If an inheritor is unable to afford the tax at once, he will be allowed to pay in

Sommai Phasee. installments in 2-3 years. Assets subject to the inheritance tax are property, savings, shares and bonds.

Other kinds of assets such as gems and gold are not included. (MCOT)

12 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Odds and Ends The Associated Press

Oops: UN head means Austria, thanks Australia Vienna (AP) - It was clearly a slip of the tongue, but many Austrians will not be amused because they hear it all too often: Expressing his gratitude for the hosting of a major conference in Vienna, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon offered his thanks to - Australia. Ban recovered about 20 minutes into his news conference on the sidelines of the meeting focused on landlocked developing countries. Tipped off by aides, he apologized, noting he knows full well that there are “no kangaroos in Austria.” Ban was addressing a pet Austrian peeve: Tourists often say Australia when they mean Austria. Cashing in on the mistake, most Vienna souvenir shops stack t-shirts with a crossed-out picture of the bouncy marsupial and the slogan “There are no kangaroos in Austria.”

Drivers scramble for flying cash on US highway Urbana, Maryland (AP) - Drivers scrambled to grab money flying around a Maryland highway after an armored truck’s door burst open. Maryland State Police say a lock on the truck seems to have malfunctioned, causing the door to open Friday morning. A bag of cash fell onto the road and the bills flew in the air. Police say a number of drivers stopped on the interstate and grabbed what cash they could before a fire department vehicle arrived and turned on its emergency lights. Responding troopers were able to help the truck’s driver recover about $200. It’s not known how much cash was lost. Police urge the drivers who took the cash to return it to the state police barracks, or else face charges of theft if they’re found.

Norway TV on tenterhooks, impending rockslide Helsinki (AP) - Norway, which provided TV viewers with five hours of knitting live, showing a fire burning itself out and minute-by-minute salmon fishing, has found a new attraction - a rockslide on a mountain. But no one knows when it will happen. For days, local media have focused webcams on the isolated, rubbly mountainside of Mannen in western Norway. National broadcaster NRK is streaming it live on its website. Last week, 11 people were evacuated from the area, now declared a no-go zone. Webcams cannot guarantee a good show. It might happen at night, and daytime viewing could be hampered by thick rain and mist. As darkness fell on Tuesday, a tiny rockslide lasting 15 seconds was the big news of the day.

Heads or tails? Coin toss decides Peru election Lima, Peru (AP) - A coin toss has decided the mayoral race in small town high in the Peruvian Andes after two candidates tied at the ballot box.

Wilber Medina was chosen mayor of Pillpinto near the tourist center of Cusco Wednesday after he and his rival each garnered 236 votes in municipal elections this month. Peru’s electoral law allows for tied races to be decided by a coin toss. The 40year-old teacher said he’ll work to earn voters’ trust. His rival Jose Cornejo accepted the results.

Bikers cancel party after police recover bar Copenhagen, Denmark (AP) - No bar, no party.

Danish police say members of a biker gang have called off a planned party after officers raided a new club house in western Denmark and took away the bar that had been stolen from a nearby workshop. Anders Uhrskov of the police in Aarhus said officers found the piece of furniture when raiding a house in Lystrup, northeast of Denmark’s second largest city, as part of “our preventive strategy” against organized crime groups so “they never doubt that we keep an eye on them.” Police also seized a “minor amount” of drugs and a gold chain.

Gang members declined to comment, and it was unclear whether the party would be rescheduled.

PATTAYA MAIL

VOL. XXII No. 46

Can private space survive 2 explosions in 4 days?

Seth Borenstein Washington (AP) - Fiery failures are no stranger to the space game. It’s what happens when you push the boundaries of what technology can do, where people can go. And it happened again to Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo. In the past decade, the space industry has tried to go from risky and government-run to routine private enterprise - so routine that if you have lots of money you can buy a ticket on a private spaceship and become a space tourist.

More than 500 people have booked a flight, including Justin Bieber, Ashton Kutcher and little known space scientist Alan Stern.

But it all depends on flying becoming safe and routine.

This week hasn’t helped.

Three days after a private unmanned Orbital Sciences rocket taking cargo up to the International Space Station blew up six seconds into its flight, a test flight of SpaceShipTwo exploded Friday, Oct. 31, over the Mojave Desert with two people on board, killing one crew member.

The developments reignited the debate about the role of business in space and whether it is or will ever be safe enough for everyday people looking for an expensive 50-mile (80kilometer)-high thrill ride.

“It’s a real setback to the idea that lots of people are going to be taking joyrides into the fringes of outer space any time soon,” said John Logsdon, retired space policy director at George Washington University. “There were a lot of people who believed that the technology to carry people is safely at hand.”

The question for space tourism might be, “if it survives,” Logsdon said. But he thinks its momentum in recent years will keep it alive.

Law enforcement officers keep watch on the wreckage near the site where a Virgin Galactic space tourism rocket, SpaceShipTwo, exploded and crashed in Mojave, Calif. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson expressed the same view Saturday after arriving in Mojave, California, to meet with the project workforce reeling from the accident.

“We would love to finish what was started some years ago, and I think pretty well all our astronauts would love us to finish it, love to go to space,” he said. “Millions of people in the world would love to one day have the chance to go to space.”

Federal estimates of the commercial space industry - only a little of it involving tourism exceed $200 billion. NASA is counting on private companies such as SpaceX and Orbital Sciences to haul cargo to the space station. They are also spending billions to help SpaceX and Boeing build ships that will eventually take people there, too.

Internet pioneers Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have gotten into the space game. Aviation entrepreneur Branson and others are pushing a billiondollar space tourism industry.

The Virgin Galactic and Orbital accidents have nothing in common except the words private space, Stern said. Still it raises issues about the space industry.

Some experts said they worry that private industry may just

not be as safe as the government when it comes to going into space.

Jerry Linenger, a former astronaut who narrowly survived a 1997 fire on the Russian space station Mir, said private industry lacks the experience and the advocates for safety that NASA had when he was launching into space. He pointed to former moonwalking astronaut John Young, who NASA encouraged to raise safety issues and slow things down.

Watching the Orbital Sciences accident on Tuesday, Linenger said, “it was blatantly obvious that it is a dangerous operation that is very nearly on the edge,” yet private companies talk of doing it better, faster and cheaper. Then they find out that was naive, he said.

American University space policy professor Howard McCurdy, who wrote the book “Space and the American Imagination,” said NASA in the 1990s and private companies tout lean management to get things done faster, better and cheaper in space. But he said that leaves no margin for error and “is like flying an airplane without a qualified pilot.

You really need to do it right.”

McCurdy pointed to all the Silicon Valley whiz kids in space and worried that they

come with the same Microsoft attitude of pushing a product out and fixing it on the fly.

“I’m not sure that works for rocket ships,” McCurdy said.

“That may work for cellphones, smartphones and computer programs.”

With space, he said, “you’re working much closer to the edge.”

Logsdon said he wouldn’t fly on commercial space flights now, but Virgin Galactic customer Alan Stern said he had no qualms about it: “Let’s not be Chicken Littles,” he says.

He recalled the early days of aviation or the early days of jet test piloting in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, when people died pushing the boundaries of technology.

McCurdy said the private space industry seems to be having the same growing pains and failures that NASA and the military had when the first astronauts watched a rocket blow up in front of them.

It seemed that in the first five years of U.S. rockets, one blew up every other week, but it wasn’t quite that bad, said Roger Launius, associate director of the National Air and Space Museum. This week seems a lot like those old times, he said.

Launius wonders if the public will support private efforts despite the visible failures, and can the for-profit companies tolerate the risk that comes with space and accidents. Orbital’s stock price has dropped 13 percent since Tuesday’s accident.

For Stern the answer is obvious.

“I want to be part of the opening of this future frontier,” the former associate administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said. “I want to make that better future a reality.

“No frontier has been one without the risk of life and limb,” he added. “I stand with the brave pioneers of space who do this for all mankind.”

Stone tools show ancient settlement high in Andes Malcolm Ritter New York (AP) - The air was thin, the nights were cold, the sun could easily burn the skin.

But about 12,000 years ago, small groups of hunter-gatherers found a home very high up in the Peruvian Andes.

Now, their stone tools and other artifacts have revealed their presence at about 14,700 feet (4,480 meters) above sea level, about as high as the Matterhorn and much higher than Machu Picchu. They lived there nearly 1,000 years earlier than any other known human habitation anywhere above even 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), researchers report.

Among the bogs, wetlands and grasslands of the treeless plateau, the ancient people found plentiful deer and wild ancestors of llamas and alpacas to hunt for food and clothing between 12,000 and 12,500 years ago. There were rock shelters to live in, and deposits of obsidian for making stone tools. While the plants weren’t edible, some contained

This image shows a campsite in Pucuncho Basin.

Stone tools and other artifacts have revealed the presence of hunter-gatherers at about 14,700 feet above sea level, between 12,000 and 12,500 years ago in the Peruvian Andes. (AP Photo/Science, Matthew Koehler) combustible resin and made for “really nice warm fires,” says researcher Kurt Rademaker.

“I can’t say why people first went there,” said Rademaker, an author of a report released by Science. “But once they did go there, there were plenty of reasons to stay.”

Rademaker is a researcher at

the University of Tuebingen in Germany and a visiting assistant professor at the University of Maine in Orono. He led a research team that uncovered two sites of high-altitude Andes settlement in southern Peru, within about 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the Pacific coast and roughly west of Lake Titicaca.

Both sites included workshops for making stone tools. Hundreds of tools were found there, including scrapers that were evidently used to make clothing from hides. Sharpened points were probably used for spears.

Bone and shell beads, used for adornment, were also recovered.

Rademaker said he doubts people lived there year-round, noting the rainy season from December to March.

“You’re cold,” he said.

“You’re being rained on and snowed on and sleeted on all day long. It makes for misery.”

John Rick, an archaeologist at Stanford University who didn’t participate in the study, called the work “a major advance.”

He said he had found an Andean site at about the same elevation that appeared to be about as old, but its age could not be as confidently established as in the new work. So the new study provides the first solid data showing extensive human settlement in the Andes that high and that long ago, he said.

Online: Journal Science: http://www.sciencemag.org

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Review: Better cameras, less glare in iPad Air 2 Anick Jesdanun Cupertino, Calif. (AP) - If I’ve seen you taking photos with a tablet computer, I’ve probably made fun of you (though maybe not to your face, depending on how big you are). I’m old school: I much prefer looking through the viewfinder of my fullbodied, single-lens reflex camera, even though it has a large LCD screen.

But as I tested out Apple’s new iPad Air 2, I see why people like to shoot pictures with a tablet. Images look great on the large screen, and there’s less guesswork about whether or not small details, such as lettering on a sign, will be in focus.

And what you see - and get - with the iPad Air 2 is a better camera. The rear one now matches the iPhone’s 8 megapixels, up from 5 megapixels, and incorporates features such as slowmotion video. Packed with a faster processor, the 9.7-inch tablet is also 18 percent thinner and 7 percent lighter than the previous model, at about a quarter of an inch and just under a pound.

Apple is also updating its 7.9-inch iPad Mini, though

“Homeland.” In many cases, the quality of the video stream makes a bigger difference.

To me, the iPad Air 2 also has better speakers. With the volume cranked all the way up, sound is louder on the new model. Apple says there shouldn’t be a difference, though I’m not complaining. (My neighbors might, though.)

the cameras, processor and dimensions haven’t changed.

The tablets recently went on sale, starting at $499 for the iPad Air 2 and $399 for the iPad Mini 3. Both now have fingerprint ID technology to expedite online purchases through Apple Pay. Gold joins silver and grey as color choices, and pricier models have twice as much storage as before.

Other Changes

Improved Camera The iPad Air 2 takes sharper images. I can tell even before snapping the shot because I see all that detail on the screen. I’m able to read the small name tag on a baby bottle. Lettering on a van across the street looks clearer.

Last month’s iOS 8 software update brought panorama and time-lapse features to the iPad. With the iPad Air 2, you can snap 10 shots per second in a burst mode great for restless kids, as you can choose the best shots later. You also get slow-motion video, though only at 120 frames per second. The new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus offer 240 frames per second as well, so motion looks even slower.

In this Oct. 16, 2014, file photo, the iPad Air 2, left, and iPad Mini 3 are displayed for journalists at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. Apple unveiled the thinner iPad with a faster processor and a better camera as it tries to drive excitement for tablets amid slowing demand. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) The new Air’s front camera gets a burst mode, too, and the front sensor is better than before at capturing light for indoor and night selfies.

Unfortunately, the iPad still doesn’t have a flash. Although I prefer taking shots with natural light anyway, a lot of people like the flash.

My advice is to light subjects with the iPhone’s flashlight.

Better Viewing and Sound An anti-reflective coating

reduces glare on the iPad Air 2. It’s a first for Apple and possibly a first for any consumer mobile device. I was dubious until I watched video with light shining in through my window. The coating didn’t eliminate glare completely, but made video viewable. The glare was too distracting on last year’s Air. The coating also promises to improve contrast. However, I had to look hard to notice differences in some dullcolor scenes in Showtime’s

I’m glad to see the fingerprint ID sensor for unlocking both new tablets. Passcodes seem so last century, not to mention inconvenient.

That fingerprint can now be used to authorize Apple Pay purchases in apps. Unlike the new iPhones, the iPad doesn’t have a wireless chip needed for in-store transactions. Then again, I’d probably mock anyone who tried to wave a giant device over a cashier’s payment terminal.

But I can see myself choosing a tablet over a phone for online shopping, and the fingerprint with Apple Pay will work nicely for that.

For the iPad Air 2 only, there’s a faster Wi-Fi technology called 802.11ac, though you need new home-networking equipment to take

advantage of it. The Air also gets a barometer sensor to track elevation in fitness apps.

The Bargain Last year’s iPad Air was a huge improvement over the 2012 iPad, so this year’s update seems small by comparison. The improvements might not be enough for existing iPad Air owners to upgrade, but there’s enough there for those who have older models or are getting their first tablets.

The update in the iPad Mini is less pronounced. That makes it less tempting to save $100 by going for the Mini.

For the same price as an iPad Mini 3, you can get last year’s full-size iPad with similar technical specifications. Bargain hunters should consider previous versions of the Mini, including the original model for $249, the cheapest iPad yet.

If you can afford it, though, spend more for added storage. For $599, you get an iPad Air 2 with 64 gigabytes, compared with 16 GB in the $499 base model. For $699, you get 128 GB. You’ll be surprised how quickly your iPad fills up with photos and video - especially now that I won’t mock you.

Skip check-in; latest hotel room key is your phone Scott Mayerowitz New York (AP) - Hotels don’t want guests to have to linger at the front desk or even stop by at all.

New programs are helping speed up the check-in process for busy travelers, or in at least one case, letting them go straight to their rooms by using their smartphone to unlock doors.

The innovations are still being tweaked as hotels scramble to catch up to airlines. Fliers today use their phones to check in, select seats and as a boarding pass. Hotels envision a similar relationship, with guests ultimately ordering poolside drinks via an app.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts became the first chain to let guests unlock doors with their phones. The feature is available at only 10 Aloft, Element and W hotels but will expand to 140 more properties in those brands by the middle of next year.

Hilton Worldwide is the only other hotel chain to publicly acknowledge plans for mobile room keys - which it plans to roll out at the end of 2015 at more than 250 U.S. properties in its Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and Canopy brands.

“Guests want this because it makes their lives simpler,” says Mark Vondrasek, who oversees the loyalty program and digital initiatives

A mobile check-in option is offered for travelers at the main check-in counter at the Marriott Marquis Times Square hotel in New York. Marriott International launched the ability to check in through its app at 330 North American hotels last year. By the end of this year, the program will be live at all 4,000 hotels worldwide. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) for Starwood. “The ability to go right to your room, gives them back time.”

Other hotel companies are finding other ways to streamline the arrival process.

Marriott International launched the ability to check in through its app at 330 North American hotels last year. By the end of this year, the program will be live at all 4,000 hotels worldwide.

When a room becomes available, a message is sent to the

guest’s phone. Traditional room keys are pre-programmed and waiting at the front desk. A special express line allows guests to bypass crowds, flash their IDs and get keys.

At Hilton, all 4,000 properties worldwide will have a similar check-in by the end of the year. The one added feature: Guests can use maps on the app to select a specific room.

InterContinental Hotels Group is testing express

check-in for its elite loyalty program members at 500 hotels, primarily in the U.S. The services are geared toward road warriors who don’t want to slow down, even for a second. Guests who like personal interaction can still opt for a more leisurely check-in, and hotel companies say the move isn’t about cutting jobs.

“If you’re at the end of a long day, you might want a little less of a chatty experience.

But if you’re showing up at a new resort, you may want to know what the pool hours are,” says Brett Cowell, vice president of information technology for Hyatt, which is testing permanent keys for frequent guests at six hotels.

The push isn’t just about avoiding frustrating check-in lines. Hotels are trying to get more travelers comfortable using their mobile apps to interact. In some cases, that means using an iPad to request a wakeup call. But ultimately hotels would like to see people purchasing suite upgrades, spa treatments and room service though their phones and tablets - and at some point wearable devices like smartwatches.

Marriott guests made $1.25 billion in bookings last year through its mobile app, according to George Corbin, senior vice president of digital for the company.

Switching to smartphone room keys won’t be easy.

Starwood’s app communicates using a Bluetooth data connection. Each hotel room needs to have a new lock that can communicate with phones.

The top 15 hotel companies have more than 42,000 properties worldwide with a combined 5.2 million rooms, according to travel research firms STR and STR Global.

Many hotels have made updates over the past few years, but they remain the minority.

Then there is the issue of security. If there is knock on the door late at night and a guest goes to the peephole to see who is there, nobody wants the phone in their pocket to accidently unlock the door. That’s why Starwood requires the phone to actually touch a pad on the outside of the door to open it.

Finally, only one phone can be linked to a room at a time.

So if two people are staying in the room, they still need to get a traditional key for the second traveler.

Marriott says it is holding off on smartphone keys until all the potential bugs can be resolved.

“If there was ever a moment that matters,” Corbin says, “it’s the moment when you go up to your door and the key doesn’t work.”

But for the frequent business traveler, this might just be the time-saver they are looking for.

Bruce Craven spends about 100 nights a year on the road, traveling between his California home and New York where he does executive training programs and teaches at Columbia Business School.

He’s been testing Starwood’s smartphone room key since March.

“If you’re traveling all the time, little things can take on a symbolic importance,” Craven says. “This is one less thing that I need to think about.”

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VOL. XXII No. 46

Medically assisted suicide and Living Wills A poor young woman in the US just took her own life with a medically assisted suicide, rather than face a lingering painful death from an aggressive brain tumor. This is legal in only five states in the USA. Was this a Living Will or not? I also received a request from an ex-pat friend of mine to enquire as to whether euthanasia was offered by my hospital.

Unfortunately, there is confusion in the minds of many people, as to what a “Living Will” actually is and what it covers. Borrowing from the Mayo Clinic in the US, it states on their website “This written, legal document spells out the types of medical treatments and life-sustaining measures you do and don’t want, such as mechanical breathing (respiration and ventilation), tube feeding or resuscitation.” The important words to note are “life sustaining” and “resuscitation”. Neither of these concepts implies medically assisted suicide, or euthanasia.

In Thailand, I can state categorically that medically assisted suicide is against the law. Period. No further discussion.

Once again from the Mayo Clinic, “Injury, illness and death aren’t easy subjects to talk about, but by planning ahead you can ensure that you receive the type of medical care you want, to take the burden off your family of trying to guess at what you’d want done.”

Remember that we are talking about terminal situations here. Not situations from which it would be reasonably expected that you will recover and still have a good quality of life. A fractured hip when you are 90 is a serious situation, but provided you are healthy otherwise, then it would be expected that you would recover. You might need a stick for a while, but you would still be able to have a beer with your mates or play Scrabble or whatever your pursuits were before the incident. In other words, the expectancy of a reasonable quality of life is there.

However, if you are in the terminal phase of metastatic cancer, which has progressed despite treatment, the future quality of life is not there. Artificially prolonging life under that situation is then covered by the Living Will.

As an example, I ask you to note the following: The Living Will is made while in sound mind. It is not something you scribble out while lying in God’s waiting room. An example of a Living Will. “Being of sound mind and understanding all the implications, I ask that this document be brought to the attention of any medical facility in whose care I happen to be, and to any person who may become responsible for my affairs.

“This is my ‘Living Will’ stating my wishes in that my life should not be artificially prolonged, if this sacrifices my Quality of Life.

“If, for any reason, I am diagnosed as being in a terminal

condition, I wish that my treatment be designed to keep me comfortable and to relieve pain, and allow me to die as naturally as possible, with as much dignity as can be maintained under the circumstances.

“As well as the situation in which I have been diagnosed as being in a terminal condition, these instructions will apply to situations of permanently unconscious states and irreversible brain damage.

“In the case of a life-threatening condition, in which I am unconscious or otherwise unable to express my wishes, I hereby advise that I do not want to be kept alive on a life support system, and I do not want resuscitation, nor do I authorize, or give my consent to procedures being carried out which would compromise any Quality of Life that I might expect in the future.

“I ask that you are sensitive to and respectful of my wishes; and use the most appropriate measures that are consistent with my choices and encompass alleviation of pain and other physical symptoms; without attempting to prolong life.”

Now those are only examples. The Bangkok Hospital Pattaya has a pro forma Living Will, which is also repeated in the Pattaya City Expats website, I believe.

But remember that the message is that a Living Will is not euthanasia, and that you must lodge it, before you need it!

Gates Foundation boosts aid to stamp out malaria Marilynn Marchione New Orleans (AP) - Philanthropist Bill Gates says he wants to end malaria in his lifetime and will give more money toward that goal, part of his broader fight against tropical diseases that are getting unusual public attention because of the Ebola outbreak.

In an interview with The Associated Press and in prepared remarks for a speech at a global health conference in New Orleans, the Microsoft co-founder said his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation would increase its malaria program budget by 30 percent, to more than

$200 million per year. That’s on top of the foundation’s other donations to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“Small steps won’t get the job done,” and scientists don’t have all the tools they need to eradicate malaria, Gates said.

His plan includes developing a drug or vaccine to purge the malaria parasite in people who carry it without showing symptoms - a “human reservoir” that helps spread the disease.

“If we commit to investing in all of these approaches, I believe that we can eradicate malaria in the next generation,” Gates said. “Let me

put it this way - I just turned 59 the other day. If we can’t get rid of malaria in my lifetime, I’d be very disappointed.”

Gates spoke at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, a conference that usually gets little public notice, about diseases often referred to as “neglected.”

That is not the case this year. Louisiana officials created a stir by asking the 3,500 people registered for the conference to stay away if they have been to certain West African countries or have had contact with an Ebola patient in the last 21 days, the incubation period for Ebola.

Conference organizers called the stance an overreaction to Ebola fears, and said it would prevent some scientists from presenting studies on the outbreak, which has killed about 5,000 people in West Africa this year.

In all, Gates said his foundation will commit more than $500 million this year to fight malaria, pneumonia, and diarrheal and parasitic diseases in poor countries. Here are some he discussed.

Ebola The conference comes “at a critical moment in the history of global health” because of the world’s largest outbreak of Ebola, Gates said.

He and his wife have pledged $50 million to help contain it and for research on treatments, rapid tests and vaccines. Another Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, has pledged $100 million, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, $25 million.

The global response to

India earlier this year, and as of early September, Nigeria had confirmed only six wild poliovirus cases this year.

“There is now a real chance that we’ll soon get the polio case count for the entire continent of Africa down to zero,” he said.

Dengue Fever

Microsoft co-founder and Berkshire Hathaway board member Bill Gates says he wants to end malaria in his lifetime and will raise his donations toward that goal by 30 percent, to more than $200 million per year. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) Ebola initially stumbled and revealed flaws in our health systems, Gates said. Since then, some countries and groups have helped, but much more is needed, he said.

Malaria It kills more than 600,000 people each year, mostly children in Africa but also in Asia, Latin America and other areas.

It is caused by parasites spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. In areas where the disease is common, people can develop partial immunity - they carry the parasite but don’t get sick, and mosquitoes that bite them become infected and then spread the disease when they bite others.

Efforts to control the disease, such as bed nets to prevent mosquito bites, must continue but “the only way to stop malaria is to end it forever,” Gates said.

His plan includes $156 million over five years to the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative to develop vaccines that prevent mosquitoes from infecting people and vice versa.

Dr. Chris Plowe, a malaria expert at the University of Maryland’s Center for Vaccine Development and incoming president of the tropical medicine group, said targeting silent infection is key because “if you want to eradicate or eliminate malaria, you have to get rid of all the parasites.”

The idea of ending malaria in 20 to 40 years “is faster than most people expect,” but a good goal, Plowe said.

Polio Gates called polio eradication “my top priority,” noting the viral disease remains endemic in three countries - Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. He cited progress: Polio was eliminated in

The mosquito-borne disease, also known as breakbone fever for the pain it causes, has spread from a few countries a few decades ago to more than 100 today, including the southern United States. An experimental vaccine seems to prevent most severe disease and hospitalizations. Details of a major study on it will be presented at the conference, and Gates said his foundation would work to build on that work and make a vaccine available to all who need it.

Chikungunya Another mosquito-borne disease, chikungunya causes fever and extremely painful joints. It spread to the Caribbean last year after expanding in Africa and South Asia, and in July, the first locally acquired case in the U.S. was documented in Florida. It’s an important field for research and vaccine development, Gates said.

Online: Gates Foundation/malaria: http://www.gatesfoundation .org/What-We-Do/GlobalHealth/Malaria WHO on malaria: http:// www.who.int/mediacentre/ factsheets/fs094/en/ Malaria vaccine effort: http ://www.malariavaccine.org/ Help for Ebola: www.

TackleEbola.com

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Wounded camera syndrome There is much similarity these days between mobile phones and digital cameras.

I was reminded of this the other day when my daughter managed to drown her (reputedly waterproof) phone. Cameras also do not swim well either, unless it is an expensive Nikonos. Neither piece of modern technology does well in the dropped stakes either.

Since it is always better to have a fence at the top of the cliff, rather than an ambulance at the bottom! Let’s begin by thinking about all the disasters, how you can avoid them and what to do if the ultimate disaster does occur.

The first is dropping the camera. Cameras are very complex devices full of electronic trickery. The electronic shutter on even the cheapest camera can open and close in 1/500th of a

second. It doesn’t take much to knock the operating electronics around. The camera is also a lightproof box, dropping it and distorting the case will soon let light in.

So what should be done beforehand? Just as you buy a shockproof case for the smartphone, get a decent case for the camera. My own one cost over 1000 baht - but it will keep the camera safe in the situation of it falling out of the car or slipping from the shoulder. If you have one of those leather cases, you should throw it as far as you can. It will not save your camera from any hard knocks.

Another important point always loop the camera strap around your neck. OK, so now you have the camera hanging on the strap around your neck, what can go wrong here? Well the strap can slip or the eyelet rings can break, and the whole lot hits the floor unless you have lightning reflexes. Answer? Check and make sure that everything is correctly attached and not worn. Replace regularly. Especially the eyelet rings.

So it did hit the floor, what

Dear Hillary, It’s the same old, same old every time. You must get tired of the moaners who have nobody to blame but themselves.

No wonder the girls leave them after the money runs out. I would do just the same if I had to put up with all the belly aching. These guys start to think they are “hansum man” when they sure as hell ain’t. If they believe that “stuff” (I changed what you wrote to something that will not offend, OK?) then they will believe anything. They should stop these guys at the border, for their own good. Talk about leaving their brains at the Immigration counter! They should have stayed at home.

Jack Dear Jack, I think you are being a bit hard on some of the ex-pats, my Petal. Why did they come here and leave their home countries? What is the alternative for these lonely men? Stay at “home” and be even more lonely? Everyone deserves some fun in life, even if it doesn’t last forever. You worry me a little, as you are so much down on your fellow ex-pats.

Have you been burned before?

Dear Hillary, I see a lot of girls in my local shopping center, and many are quite nice. I see them resting on the seats. I know you say we older foreigners should stay away from the bars, and that is what I have been doing these days, but will I find Miss Right in the shopping center? Or do

now? Turn it on. Is it still electrically OK? If no power, take the batteries out and then put them back in - they may just be jolted out of position. Unscrew the lens and put it back on. Look through the viewfinder - if it looks normal, then try to take several shots at different shutter speeds and apertures and carefully look at each one, blowing them up if necessary. Pray a lot. You may be lucky.

After dropping, the next disaster is water. Cameras are not like children, you cannot “drown proof” them. They stay drowned. In the rain you must take precautions.

A plastic bag wrapped around the camera with just the end of the lens poking through, and held on with rubber bands is the way to “safe photography”. Even then, as soon as possible you should take the camera inside and dry the outside of the case thoroughly. Take the lens off and dry carefully around the lens mount too, making sure you do not touch the mirror. Take the batteries out and thoroughly dry the battery compartment and the contacts. Batteries

and moisture do not go well together.

Now we should think about the great shots you can get on board speedboats and similar situations.

Resist the temptation to take

I have to lie about my age (I’m a pensioner) and go back to university? What should I do? I’m getting tired of being lonely. I could always get somebody from the bars to look after me.

Lonely Lester Dear Lonely Lester, What shower did you come down in, my lonely Petal? Must have been the last one, and we certainly have been having a few heavy showers recently. Will you find Miss Right waiting on the bench for you at the supermarket? No Lester, you will only find Miss Take there. Mistake if you talk to her and Miss Take all your money by the time you reach the checkout counter.

These are freelance girls who can disappear very easily and you will never find where she went or came from (other than Aisle B next to the hot dog counter). They are more dangerous than the girls from the bars. At least Hello Sexy Man bar will still be there tomorrow, and the mamasan knows the ID of her girls. As far as lying about your age, that’s not such a bad idea. I heard of one 70 year old chap, when seen walking down the street with a cute 17 year old, told his friends it was easy. “I lied about my age. I told her I was 95!” If you are getting really desperate, talk to the girls in the optical stores. They are all well dressed and university graduates. You must be needing glasses at your age, so you’ve got a good excuse for being there. They also do eye checks for free, and that’s a free offer without a hoop of balloons and a roasted pig outside either.

Don’t despair, Lester. Just be nice to everyone you meet.

your good camera - you can buy a waterproof compact for very little money or even one of the disposable ones.

Do not take your good one!

So what do you do when you drop the whole lot in the

drink? If it is a modern electronic camera you have probably just lost your investment - especially if it is salt water you drop it into. One camera technician’s advice was, “Leave it there!” However, you can try flushing the camera in running tap water for at least an hour, then drying it and taking it to the repair shop. An audience with the Pope would be a good move as well.

Drowning the camera in fresh water is not quite so bad, but you have to pull it apart as much as you can and then dry it out as thoroughly as you can - a hair dryer set on “No Heat” can help, but again your chances are slim.

You can also immerse it in rice for a couple of days - but?

Very soon someone will snap you up for who you are, and not just to get their hands on your pension.

Dear Hillary, I am new round this neck of the woods, and I am still finding my feet, and this can sure be a difficult place to find things. I had to get a hose for the bum washer the other day and the girl in the hardware shop just didn’t understand what I wanted and was trying to sell me the whole kit and caboodle. Yes, I did manage in the end, but I’d like to know of some nice, not over the top, restaurants where I could take some female company. The girls are so nice, I reckon they deserve a feed every so often.

Robert Dear Robert, You sound like a nice genuine guy, my Petal, but I don’t really see the connection between the bottom washer and some “nice, not over the top, restaurants”? However, here’s your answer to the bottom washer purchase and the restaurant. There are a couple of things you need to do. First go and learn the language. This is Thailand and the people speak a language called Thai. It is not impossible for foreigners to learn it (after all, little children learn to speak it). Secondly, if after some replacement hardware part, take the original one into the shop with you. Simple and no hassle. Now where to go to eat? I’m not the right one, Petal, you need Miss Terry and not Ms. Hillary. Miss Terry Diner reviews one restaurant every week in the Pattaya Mail, and gives average prices in the review to make it easier for you. However, if you are taking to dinner one of our nice ‘readily available’ young ladies, be warned that many do not like western and only eat Thai food.

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VOL. XXII No. 46

Who’s worth more, inventors or footballers?

We live in a world where inventors are often not recognised while footballers make millions of dollars. This was one of the messages conveyed by Stuart Saunders, an inventor himself, and longtime PCEC member, when he spoke to the Pattaya City Expats Club on Sunday, November 2. Stuart said that many inventors face an uphill struggle marketing their inventions and being adequately remunerated for them. Stuart Saunders is an Australian who has been inventing since the age of 11 (a stereo crystal set). He is a former PCEC Vice-Chairman.

Stuart told the story of John Spinello who invented an electric board game called “Operation.” The object of the game, as explained on the website www.iloveoperation .com, was to insert a metal wand into holes in the top layer of the board without touching the edges of the openings. If you failed to have a steady hand, a buzzer would sound and “startle you with great delight.” In 1964, John Spinello sold his game to an invention firm for $500. Stuart said that the

Club Member Roger Fox, who keeps his eye out for bargain ship cruises, announces two upcoming cruises that are good bargains that can be found on the website Vacations to Go. Based on his past recommendations several PCEC members have joined Roger on some delightful and economical luxury cruises. game became very successful, generating profits of $40 million for the manufacturer.

But Spinello never received another penny. Fifty years later, Spinello is in need of an “operation” (not the board game, but rather a medical procedure) and is having trouble coming up with the money to pay for it.

He also told the story of Edwin H. Armstrong, an

Stuart shows some of his many awards for inventions; including selection for the CES Design and Engineering Exhibition twice, the Award for Engineering Excellence at the 2013 World Metro Summit in Shanghai, and Bronze, Silver & Gold Medals at the recent Thailand Inventors Award.

American who invented FM radio among other things.

Armstrong was involved for years in a dispute with RCA concerning his FM radio invention, ultimately resulting in his suicide. He added that the company eventually settled with Armstrong’s widow. Stuart also mentioned an American man who invented a dental flossing device that represented a significant advance in flossing but whose invention was suppressed and dismissed by a media giant with ties to a company that was then a dominant player in the flossing industry; and an Australian man who invented a solution to software piracy, and patented it, and whose invention was promptly stolen by a major software company. The man sued the company for millions of dollars. The case was eventually settled out of court.

Stuart described some of his own inventions, including a suspension system which duplicated the functions of the complicated and expensive Mini rear-end in a single moving part for Minis; a number of differentials and four-wheel drive systems; and a wireless stereo system. Stuart said that Sony representatives expressed considerable interest in the stereo system, but then became impossible to contact; and that the European Patent Office rejected his application for a patent.

While living in Taiwan, Stuart designed a “Yangmingshan MRT Line,” an urban maglev line to serve almost all of Taipei, particularly the least

Stuart describes his plan for a ‘Pattaya Bypass’ on the east side of Pattaya, free of traffic lights that would provide double the capacity of Sukhumvit Road, with traveling times of 5 minutes from the Floating Market to Highway 7. “A lot of the road already exists,” said Saunders. well served areas. For this design, he received the ‘Award for Engineering Excellence’ at the 2013 World Metro Summit in Shang Hai. But although the line would have significantly cut commute times for people going from Yangmingshan to the centre of Taipei, it was never built because of opposition from special interests, including some people in the media.

In July this year, Stuart won bronze, silver and gold medals at Thailand Inventors Day - for Pattaya Bypass (Bronze), FlossFirst (Silver) and the KhaoLarmAtorium (Gold).

The KhaoLarmAtorium is a cooker for Khao Larm, the delicious Thai desert of sweet sticky rice and beans with coconut milk, cooked in a length of bamboo. The KhaoLarmAtorium reduces CO2 emission by over 99% by using less than 2kg of fuel vs. the 250kg of coconut husk

Pat Koester reminds PCEC members that the travel agent needs their hotel deposits by November 16 for those signing up for the two day trip to Nakhon Pathon Province on December 2 and 3rd.

for the traditional method.

Stuart said he is CO2 negative to the order of approximately 10 tonnes per month just because a few friends are using his cooker. For information on Stuart’s Pattaya Bypass proposal, visit the website of the Pattaya Progress Association at http://pattayaprogress.org/ roads/pattaya-bypass.html.

Stuart said that inventors face a lot of obstacles, including (1) the time and money it takes to get an invention to market; (2) a corrupt patent system; (3) companies that steal your inventions; and (4) a patent law that is difficult and expensive to navigate and that doesn’t give inventors a say. “Too many people take inventors for granted,” Stuart said. “If inventors are not allowed to thrive, our planet may become unlivable.” Further, the patent system needs to be reformed.

He concluded his presentation by stating he had prepared a model patent act that he calls the “One Dollar Patent Act 2014.” The Act states that its purpose is “To ensure maximum chance of success for Inventions/ ...

To allow Inventors to devote maximum assets and energies to realizing a successful Invention, ... minimal demands shall be levied on Inventors and their assets by the patent process before commercialization…”

After Stuart’s presentation, MC Richard Silverberg updated everyone on Club activities and upcoming events, then called on Roy Albiston to conduct the Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya.

For more information on the PCEC’s many activities, visit their website at www. pcecclub.org.

YWCA, PBTA donate food, rice to child-protection center Jetsada Homklin The YWCA BangkokPattaya Center and Pattaya Business & Tourism Association donated rice and dried food to the Child Protection and Development Center to alleviate hardships caused by flooding there.

PBTA President Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn presented the donations to YWCA Chairwoman Praichit Jetpai, who presented the 16,000 baht in rice, food and other necessities to the center, which was damaged by runoff from several recent storms.

Praichit thanked Sinchai for the group’s efforts.

Further donations of rice, dried food or daily necessities are always appreciated.

Contact CPDC at 081-4111750.

The Child Protection and Development Center also suffered from the recent floods.

Members of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center and Pattaya Business & Tourism Association donate rice and dried food to the Child Protection and Development Center.

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 17

Pattaya Sports Club are delighted to be able to help with the new home of Hand to Hand

Margaret and Pai are happy - and why not?

William Macey Duck Square, situated behind Big C South, is virtually deserted with the exception of a few sites that have immediate access to external roads around the site.

But that does not stop cars and motorbikes using the internal roads as a shortcut and, usually, too quickly.

The children that attend

There is a play area which is now safe from any traffic.

Hand To Hand day-care centre are of pre-school age and live on construction sites and various slums in the area. Pre-school centres are essential to families who have very little income. The older children go to school but what happens to those under 5 years? One of the parents must stay at home to take care of them preventing that parent from working

The centre in Duck Square was very small.

Here, volunteers are teaching the children to read and write.

thereby helping the family’s finances, hence the importance of centres similar to Hand To Hand.

Margaret and Pai run the preschool Hand To Hand in Duck Square and have two major concerns. The safety of the young children that attend their centre just in case they venture onto the roads and secondly, bearing in mind the amount of development going on in Pattaya, at any time the owners could decide to reduce the buildings to rubble and develop what is a very large area. For some time they have been looking for an alternative building that could accommodate 60 children during the day with the issue of safety paramount in their minds.

They have recently found the perfect location in the Khopai area of Pattaya with no busy roads to concern them and has everything that is needed to take care of the children. Reconstruction is now complete with ample toilet facilities, a kitchen, store areas and an external, grass covered, play area. Margaret, having been a teacher previously, has called on all her experience to have a medical room and separate areas where the children can learn to read and write to prepare them for the 10 years or so they will spend in school. The end result is a happy, colourful centre where the children can enjoy a really nice day.

Donations have been made by a number of companies and individuals including Pattaya Sports Club who

The children say thank you to all the sponsors.

have provided funds to enable them to buy items that are needed: desks, toys, air conditioning and various items for storage.

Margaret and Pai never have a moment to themselves for, in addition to the day care centre, they visit the local prison three times per week to help those families that need help and make regular visits to the local slums. If you feel that you would like to make a contribution in any way, please contact William on 0861522754 or Margaret on 0890936067. Every little bit helps.

The new centre is big and spacious.

Sleep comes easy to young children.

A long way from home Derek Franklin Earlier this year Reuters, the international news agency, reported that in the past decade almost six thousand people have been killed in the insurgency taking place in the southern provinces of Thailand.

Many more, Buddhists and Muslims, have been wounded, or left with a disability, and while there are rehabilitation and educational facilities for people with a disability living in the south, they are not of a similar standard as throughout the rest of the Kingdom.

To offer support to those living in the south, several teachers from the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities in Pattaya traveled to the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathwat.

There they met several young men and women who were interested in enrolling at the school.

Fifteen were accepted, and they made the long journey, over a thousand kilometers, to Pattaya, most accompanied by their parents. Having a child so far away from home is a worrying time for any parent, but Sister Pavinee, manager of the school, was on hand to meet with several mothers and put their mind at ease.

These are not the first students at the school who came from the south of the country. But as life for people with

Sister Pavinee greets the mothers who travelled to Pattaya with their children.

The new students received a blessing on their first day.

Two years at the school and his life will change forever.

disabilities becomes more hazardous, and the likelihood of finding a vocational education and employment is low, there is a need for young people, with or without a disability, to gain knowledge, learn new skills, build their confidence and become more independent.

After two years at the

school they will once again make the long journey home.

But in two years time they will have the ability to live independently, join the workforce as equals and, in the words of Father Ray Brennan, ‘earn their own rice’.

More information can be found at www.fr-ray.org or email info@fr-ray.org

18 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014

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VOL. XXII No. 46

Loy Krathong comes to GIS

Let me help you - an IB student lends a hand.

Away it goes! Releasing their krathong.

Take that! A Muay Thai expert performs a high kick.

Mark Beales Photos by Ritche Guisona

Secondary students from GIS have fun making their krathong.

I think this goes here - Primary students figure out how to make a krathong.

Students celebrated Loy Krathong at Garden International School (GIS) with an array of cultural activities.

The school’s Thai department organised an afternoon show on November 6 to mark one of Thailand’s most popular festivals.

Students from Primary and Secondary performed

traditional Thai dances, gave a display of Muay Thai boxing and made their own krathong using biodegradable materials. Parents were invited to come along and watch the show.

Indorama was the gold sponsor and Blue Sky Developer Company Ltd., was the silver sponsor for the school’s Loy Krathong event.

GIS is based in Ban Chang, near Pattaya.

Students from Secondary perform a traditional Thai dance.

Young Muay Thai boxers put on a fantastic show.

Many GIS teachers dress up for the occasion.

Young guests at Holiday Inn Pattaya enjoy an adventure in English

Children on vacation enjoyed two fun-filled days of English-language activities.

There was no time to relax by the pool for staff at Holiday Inn Pattaya and Regents International School Pattaya on 25 and 26 October. The British boarding school and the family-friendly hotel worked together over the busy Chulalongkorn weekend to offer children on vacation two fun-filled days of English-language activities.

“Adventures in English” is the British school’s unique Englishlanguage activity programme, designed to show children aged 5 to 13 how much fun learning English can be. Over the course of

Mr Jamie and his assistant Khun Ning guide the children through activities.

two days, Mr Jamie - one of the teachers at Regents - and his assistant Ning guided the children through activities like ‘the jungle’ and ‘the underwater world’. These adventures took place in the hotel’s colourful Kids’ Club, where the youngsters laughed, learnt some new English phrases and created some wonderful artwork.

“At Holiday Inn Pattaya, we celebrate family time, and the precious moments families can have on holiday together. Adventures in English is one of our various activities made keeping in mind our very special guests - kids.

This activity combines fun with learning, giving mums and dads the chance to make their kids’ holiday truly memorable one. Kids are really special to us. That’s why at Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts worldwide, kids stay and eat for free - making it that much easier to turn holiday dreams into reality without breaking your budget!” said Kate Gerits, general manager of Holiday Inn Pattaya.

Tim Eaton of Regents International School Pattaya commented, “As a British boarding school based in the countryside beyond Pattaya, we’re a popular choice with parents,

The kids learn some new English phrases and create some wonderful artwork.

particularly those living in the capital who don’t want their children to spend all their time in Bangkok. We have students of 50 different nationalities enrolled here, so we are truly an international school, but Thai families are such an important part of our community and the children we met this weekend were really enthusiastic learners.”

Both the hotel and the school are looking forward to offering another round of Adventures in English later this year.

One of the young guests with her masterpiece.

VOL. XXII No. 46

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 19

PATTAYA MAIL

E-mail: comhaps@pattayamail.com

Fax: 038-427596

ATTENTION! Public Service Announcements in our Community Happenings pages are FREE! All Commercial promotions will be charged at a very reasonable rate of 10 Baht per word.

Please send your Community Happenings to:

comhaps@pattayamail.com, DEADLINE: Saturday 5:00 PM Please contact us by E-mail for any information that you may require.

Events The next meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) will be on Sunday, November 16. Everyone is warmly welcome. The guest speaker will be Dr. Iain Corness, a consultant with Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and manabout-town. His topic will be “Growing Old Disgracefully”. The Club meets every Sunday morning at The Tavern by the Sea Restaurant located on the north end of Beach Road (part of the Amari Orchid Resort). The program starts at 10:30 a.m. with a buffet breakfast available from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

The Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) will be holding its annual Christmas Bazaar on Sunday November, 23 at the Holiday Inn Pattaya. The bazaar will be open from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. and entrance cost for adults is 150 baht; children under 12 are allowed in free of charge. The event will feature over 70 vendor tables from all over Thailand and beyond selling handmade quilts, jewellery, designer clothing, leather handbags, Christmas decorations, beauty products, household products and much more. Santa will be located in his grotto

for all to visit and the foot massage ladies will be present to sooth tired feet.

There will be a ‘pop-up’ café offering refreshments during the day and a Grand Raffle will see a lucky winner walk away with a great prize. Proceeds from the event will be used to help the disadvantaged in the community. The PILC will also be holding a Coffee Morning at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in South Pattaya on Tuesday, November 18. Registration is from 10.00 a.m. and guests will also be able to sign up and pay in advance for the PILC Christmas Lunch to be held on December 2 at the Royal Cliff Hotel. Admission price to the Coffee Morning is THB 300 for members and THB 350 guests. For more information, email: coffeepilc @gmail.com or go to website: www.pilc-pattaya.com.

A Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening will be held at the Cape Dara Resort Pattaya on Friday, November 21, from 6.30 - 9.00 p.m. (last drinks served at 8.30 p.m.). Price of admission is THB 350 for members of BCCT, AustCham, AmCham, GTCC & SATCC and THB 750 for non-members. For more information and reservations, go to

chamber websites: www. bccthai.com, www.austcham thailand.com or www. amchamthailand.com.

Hard Rock Pattaya will be holding its annual Charity Fundraiser event on November 21 featuring a concert by famous Thai singer Aof Pongsak. Tickets priced at Bt 2,990 & Bt 3,490 VIP include a welcome cocktail, grand buffet dinner, music show and charity auction.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Charity Fund, Huay Yai School, Rock The Farm, Rock The Lunch & Rock The School scholarship. For more information or reservations call 038 428 755-9 or E-mail: rsvp.pty@hardrockhotels.net.

The Pattaya Long Boat Racing Festival 2014 will be held on 22nd & 23rd November at Lake Mabprachan in East Pattaya. Along with boats racing for the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s trophy there will also be a buffalo race, motorcycle motocross event and a folk drumming contest.

Events start from 09:00 until 18:00 and admission is free.

The Pattaya International Fireworks Festival 2014 will be held on 28th & 29th November. The festival typically features 45-minute shows by different nationalities and can sometimes start as late as 9 p.m. Together with the firework displays there will also be

booths selling locally made products, a carnival-style parade, shows, concerts, magic and juggling acts and 3D painting photography along Beach Road.

The third annual Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show will take place from 27th to 30th November at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien, Pattaya. Over 100 exhibitors and in excess of 6,000 visitors are expected at the show this year with its expanded four-day format. Leading luxury boat brands from around the world will be exhibiting as well as boat builders and accessories, boat services and technology, marine toys and gadgets, super bikes and cars, luxury real estate and resorts. There will also be an International Fishing Boat Competition (29th and 30th November) and the Boat & Yacht Thailand 2014 Conference (28th November). Other highlights include free yacht cruises, kayak and paddle boat experiences, an open-air drink and food festival with live band, jetpack flying board and radio control power boat demonstrations, games and much more. For more information visit: www. facebook.com/oceanmarina pattayaboatshow.

Ploenchit Fair: Saturday 29 November, 10.00 a.m. 8.00 p.m. at Bangkok Patana School.

BCCT Christmas Luncheon: Friday 12 December, 11.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. at Amari Watergate Bangkok.

range of Thai cuisine, including Thai Isaan on request from Chef Jackie, herself coming from Isaan. Mata Hari restaurant is located at the top of the hill on Thappraya Road, and for reservations (strongly recommended) phone 038 259 799 or email louismatahari@gmail.com or go through the website at: www.mataharipattaya.com.

Enjoy delicious Thai and International cuisine at Mata Hari restaurant.

The Thai Garden Resort offers nightly dining presentations with different themed buffets! Happy Hours are from 17:00 - 18:00 with most drinks at 50% discount. The “All You Can Eat Buffet”

Dining

Philippine Pork Adobo This week’s recipe comes from the Philippines and is not spicy, but very tasty. Best served with steamed white rice, this item has its origin in Spain, where it was a simple pork stew. Requiring a marinade, remember to leave enough time for the flavor to permeate the meat. I recommend putting the meat in a Ziploc plastic bag with the marinade for two hours in the refrigerator, turning once.

Cooking Method

Ingredients Serves 6-8 Pork shoulder or leg 1 kg Cut pork into 5 cm cubes. Prepare the White vinegar 1 cup marinade of garlic, pepper, salt and vinegar Garlic crushed 6 cloves and pour over pork (see introduction).

Black peppercorns crushed 1 tspn In a large saucepan combine meat cubes Salt 1 tspn and marinade and over a moderate heat Stock (beef or chicken) ½ cup simmer till all the liquid evaporates.

Thick coconut milk ½ cup Now add the stock, simmering on low Vegetable oil 3 tbspns heat and till all the liquid has evaporated and the pork is slightly tender.

Pour in the coconut milk and cook over a moderate heat until the coconut milk is completely absorbed by the meat. At this stage add oil and fry until meat is deep brown with a slightly crisp surface.

Serve with steamed jasmine rice.

As well as the excellent European food for which it is very well known in Pattaya (including some very rare Dutch items), Mata Hari restaurant also has a complete

starts at 18:00 until 21:00 hours and offers a wide variety of soups, salads, bread, cold cuts, smoked salmon, choices of hot food dishes, live cooking stations and of course a home-made desserts selection. All this for just 399 baht net for adults and 199 baht net for children under 12 years old. What you see is what you pay, no

Thai Garden Resort chef merrily cutting away at the roast pig.

additional service charges or VAT. For reservations call 038 370 614 or make your booking at www.thaigarden. com under “buffet reservation”. Thai Garden Resort is located on North Pattaya Road, 200 meters from the Dolphin roundabout and 200 meters before Tesco Lotus.

Saturday Night BBQ Buffet at The Bay Restaurant: Dine al fresco and enjoy a fantastic selection of meat and seafood BBQ items as well as international cuisine in the Saturday Night BBQ Buffet. Open from 6:30 p.m. 10 p.m. at The Bay Restaurant of Dusit Thani Pattaya.

Continued on page 20

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E-mail: comhaps@pattayamail.com

From page 19 Buffet price is THB 1,490++ per person (food only) - add a free flow of wine, beer, juice and soft drinks at an additional THB 599++ per person. For reservations, call 038 425 611-7 Ext 2149-50.

Havana Bar & Terrazzo at Holiday Inn Pattaya offers the following on a weekly basis: Monday - signature cocktail at just THB 180 net per glass; Tuesday - enjoy all traditional and signature pizzas at only THB 279; Wednesday - local draft beer at THB 119 net per glass; Thursday - enjoy a selection of pasta dishes with a glass of house wine or beer at only THB 450 net/person; Friday - enjoy a BBQ seafood platter with a variety of local seafood. Price starts from THB 1,200 net; Saturday - enjoy one of the best Mojitos in town at THB 159 net all night; Sunday - lucky draw, a chance to get 50% discount off your bill. Hi Club membership gets 10% discount. For more information or reservations, call 038 725 555 or email to: info@ holidayinn-pattaya.com.

Surf & Turf at Elements restaurant - Sheraton Pattaya Resort: Grilled Australian tenderloin, lobster & pumpkin hash, red wine sauce: THB 950++; Sautéed snow fish, braised beef cheek & mushroom ragout: THB 600++; Wok fried Szechuan lamb with sea scallops, Thai kale & Shaoxing wine: THB 450++; Tenderloin Carpaccio & crispy oysters, horseradish

aioli: THB 425++; Crispy pork belly, blue crab & apple salad: THB 425++. For more information call 038 259 888 or email: info.pattaya@ sheraton.com.

Louis Restaurant is offering a new weekly set dinner menu alongside the regular a la carte menu items. The set menu includes a choice of starters, main courses and desserts. Louis Restaurant also offers a set lunch menu for THB 250-290. Louis is located on Naklua Soi 31 or North Pattaya Road Soi 6.

For reservations contact Vichai on mobile 081 001 3298 or email: alois.pattaya @gmail.com.

Ruffino Restaurant offers Monday to Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. a homemade pizza “buy 1 get 1 free” promotion and Chef Luca has created a delicious rustic 3-course set dinner perfectly paired with a carafe of red or white wine for THB 888 net per person, only available on Thursday’s from 6 to 10 p.m. At Oceana Restaurant from 6:30 to 10 p.m. daily enjoy a 4-course Royal Thai Cuisine set dinner for THB 777 net, including a glass of red or white wine. A superb mid-week buffet featuring tasty European favourites is also available every Wednesday from 6.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. priced at THB 599 per person (add THB 400 for a free flow of beer). Afternoon Tea is also available daily from 3-5 p.m. at the Espresso Bar for THB 700++ per set for 2 persons, including scones and clotted cream, freshly made

Fax: 038-427596 sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee or try one of the 17 wines available starting at 190 baht per glass with a complimentary snack. All outlets are located at the Centara Grand Phratamnak Pattaya on Pratamnak Road, Soi 5. For more information and bookings call 038 306 337 or e-mail: supparatchpi @chr.co.th.

Halal international buffet dinner @ Harbour - only THB 420 net per person. The buffet dinner includes halal food, an international buffet line and many selections of dessert. The food is certified and cooked by a halal chef with 40 years experience.

Both indoor and outdoor dining options are available.

Harbour restaurant is located at the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel on Pattaya Beach Road (Soi 3), Open daily 6.00 pm - 10.00 pm. For more information, call 038 259 555 Ext 4236.

Sugar Hut Restaurant is open for lunch with set menu prices from 240 to 350 baht net/set. Menu items include chili fried rice, pork soup with tofu, noodles, fresh spring rolls, salad, fruit, desserts and more. For inquiries and reservations, call 038 364 186, 038 251 686.

Marco Polo Chinese Restaurant is famous for its authentic Shanghainese and Szechuan cuisines prepared to perfection by master Chinese chefs. Enjoy a dim sum lunch daily from 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and dinner from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. daily.

The Verandah Coffee Shop is also serving an international seafood BBQ buffet dinner every Saturday from 6.30 p.m. - 10.00 p.m. Price THB 995 net for adults and THB 550 net for children.

Also make sure to call in at the Montien Bakery Shop for freshly made cakes, pastries and breads plus a range of Thai desserts. Open daily from 9.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. (Every day). For more information, call the Montien Hotel, Pattaya, tel. 038 428 155, 038 361 340 ext. 1620, 1621, or email pattaya@montien.com.

Edge restaurant at Hilton Hotel Pattaya offers a Monday “Post weekend BBQ” featuring freshly grilled sausages, Korean style pork cuts and chorizo burritos while Tuesday’s “Mediterranean Fare” includes Middle Eastern dips and salads, pizza and pasta. On Wednesday, Edge presents “Burgers, Salads and Gourmet Sandwiches” where guests can create their perfect burger, toss a fresh salad or grab a gourmet sandwich. The tastes of Southeast Asia, India, China and Japan come together for Thursday’s “Extended Asia” followed by Friday’s “Seafood Pattaya” where the crystal waters offer up fresh local prawns, crabs and lobsters served on ice or grilled.

Saturday’s “Classics & Confectionaries” presents timeless favorites such as Greek salad, oven-baked whole salmon, green curry and bouillabaisse and margherita pizza. In addition, guests will be able to indulge in traditional Thai desserts with a modern twist. Every Sunday, the chefs pull out all the stops and offer the hotel’s famous “Sunday Brunch” that brings together a wide selection from around the globe. Bookings are absolutely essential for this very popular event. Monday to Thursday @ THB 480 net; Friday and Saturday @ THB 540 net, Sunday Brunch @ THB 1400 net; Wine Buffet @ THB 1100 net. “Seven Days, Seven Themes” is available from Mondays to Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 12 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. on Sundays. An International Buffet Dinner is also available 7 days a week priced at THB 920 net on Monday - Thursday and Saturday & Sunday, and THB 1100 net on Friday.

Edge restaurant is located on the 14th floor of the Hilton Hotel Pattaya. For bookings, please dial +66 (0)38 253 000.

The Tavern by the Sea Restaurant introduces the following daily promotions: Monday Curry Night features the tastiest curries, naan bread and salad buffet for just THB 499 net per person. Wednesday is Ribs & Wings evening: finger licking good ribs and 6 different kinds of wings - all you can eat for THB 449 net per person. Thirsty Thursday Beer Buffet offers a Free Flow of all local draught beer including Chang, Tiger, Heineken and San Miguel. Price 699 THB net per person, starts from 18:00 – 21:00. Friday & Saturday Churrasco Nights offer prime meats and seafood, grilled to perfection on the fire and freshly skewered for you on the churrasco pens at the Tavern. All complemented by a full buffet of starters, side dishes and desserts. Only THB 749 net per person. Every buffet is open from 18.30 - 22.00 hrs.

There is also a daily happy hour from 11 am - 6 pm.

Watch all the premier live sports on one of the many widescreen TV’s or on the big projector screen (Sports hotline 038 418 419). Amari Pattaya, Beach Road, North Pattaya, Tel 038 418418.

Eat to the New Beat at Starz Diner located at the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya between 2nd Road and Beach Road, Central Pattaya: A selection of Pan Asian and continental flavors, from the griddle, BBQ char-grill, pan, fryer, steamer, wok, and tandoori oven, as well as some really delicious desserts. Sat: THB 850++, SunFri: THB 750++ food only.

Sat: THB 1,080++, Sun-Fri: THB 980++ including free flow drinks. Children under 11 years of age eat for free.

Show time for live music is from 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. For more information call 038 428 755-9 or go to http://pattaya. hardrockhotels.net.

Oyster Omelette. Prices start from 100 THB for natural oysters, 290 THB for dressed Fine de Claire oysters and 390 THB for other dishes with oysters. Mantra’s superb wine selection also offers a vast choice of great names from France, Italy, Australia and Chile by the glass or by the bottle. For more information and reservations, call 038 429 591 or email@mantra-pattaya.com.

Throughout the month of November, Oasis Restaurant offers the Mexican speciality dish of Chimichangas.

These traditional deep-fried burritos come with fillings of shredded chicken, pork, flank steak or fillet of fish for a taste of Tex-Mex cuisine.

Prices start at THB 250++ (subject to service charge and VAT). Oasis Restaurant is located at the lower Main Lobby near the water park at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya. Open daily from 06.00-23.00 hrs. For reservations, call 038 714 981.

Promotions Friday night Thai buffet at Ginger & Lime.

Ginger & Lime presents a “Friday Night Thai Buffet” showcasing a wide variety of Thai cuisine, lots of live cooking stations and includes a vegetable carving show, flower arrangement demonstration, silver jewelry hand craft stall, fun games and traditional Thai live shows every Friday night from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Price: THB 799++ (subject to 10% service charge and 7% VAT) per person. Ginger & Lime Restaurant is located at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya. For more information and reservations, call 038 714 981.

This November at Mantra Restaurant & Bar, Executive Chef Leonard Faust and the Mantra culinary team have selected the best oysters in the world: Flat Belon and Tsarskaya, Kumomoto, Majestic, Dutch Zeeland, Sydney Rock, Andaman and Eagle Rock oysters will all be on the menu. Enjoy oysters served fresh on the half shell with your favourite condiments or try creations like the Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter, the Samurai Oysters Poached in Sake or treat yourself with the Lobster &

Monday Curry Night at Tavern by the Sea.

eforea spa at Hilton Pattaya has announced its new special promotion package, “Relax, Renew and Emerge Brighter”.

Guests can book the package for only THB 3,500 and receive a 90-minute meditation massage, inspired by traditional Australian Aboriginal techniques, which focuses on instilling a deep sense of mental and physical relaxation. A choice of native aromatic oils is prescribed to suit your individual needs to rejuvenate, harmonize or detoxify. For an additional THB 500 guests can enjoy a 30-minute body scrub and receive an eforea music CD, which features soothing tunes that they can relax to in their own home.

For more information, call 038 253 000, email pattaya. info@hilton.com or visit eforeaspa.com.

Tea Tree Spa at Holiday Inn Pattaya is offering a 150 minutes promotional package featuring products by Carole Franck that aid the contouring process, reduce cellulite, firm muscles and improve the body’s natural detoxification processes.

Available every day at the Tea Tree Spa from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Price: THB 4,990 net per person. For more information and reservations, call 038 725 555 ext. 3902 or email: spa.reception@Holidayinnpattaya.com.

Spa Cenvaree at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort, Pattaya introduces a signature “Salt Pot Muscles Melter” treatment, which combines a deep tissue massage and hot salt pot compress to release tension in the shoulders and lower back muscles. Each pot contains a blend of coarse salt Continued on page 21

VOL. XXII No. 46

From page 20 and medicinal herbs to provide relief to tired muscles.

Therapeutic oils such as Pettigrain, Eucalyptus and Lavender penetrate deeply into muscle tissue during this therapy and help rebalance your body. Price starts at 1,995++ baht for 90 minutes. For more information or reservations, contact Spa Cenvaree on 038 301 234 ext. 4333 or email: spacenvareecmbr@chr.co.th.

PATTAYA MAIL

Entertainment “A Little Bit of Britain” comedy night starring Raymond Mearns and Sam Avery will be held at the Tavern by the Sea, Amari Orchid Pattaya on Saturday, November 15.

Tickets are priced at 1,000 baht per person (buy 4 get one free). Doors open 6.30 p.m. - show starts 7.30 p.m. till 10.30 p.m. Email buzz@ buzzinpattaya .com, call 086 089 4699 or purchase tickets via tickets tab at www.facebook .com/thecomedymixasia.

Fresh oysters at Mantra.

The Cliff Spa at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Pattaya is currently offering a ‘Jet Lag Massage’ for re-balancing the body system and a treatment of rose, geranium and orange oils rub to improve circulation and boost the skin texture and radiance.

Special price only 2,200 baht net for a 60-minute treatment from 1st October - 30th November 2014. For more information Tel: 038 250 421 ext.

2828/ 2628 or email: cliffspa@royalcliff.com. Cliff Spa is open daily from 10:0022:00 hrs.

Now at Café Kantary Sriracha visitors can enjoy a happy hour, featuring savings on a host of refreshing beverages. Every Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm, every visitor who purchases a beverage will receive a free beverage of equal or less value. The offer is limited to 2 free beverages per visitor, and excludes alcoholic beverages. For more information, please contact Café Kantary, Sriracha: Tel. 0-3831-410, or visit www.cafekantary.com.

Indulge in luxurious honey with Breeze Spa’s two new products, the Almond Milk Honey Body Scrub and the Oat Honey Cookie Body Mask. These invigorating spa treatments are perfect to help restore the skin after a long, hot summer. With a special promotion across all Breeze Spas, guests booking any 90-minute massages will enjoy a selection of one of the treatments from the honey collection. Valid from now until 30 November 2014.

Breeze Spa is located at Amari Pattaya at the north end of Beach Road. For more information or to make a reservation visit, www.breezespa.com.

On Saturday, November 15, Mantra Restaurant & Bar will present a Tribute to The Endless Summer Concert, which will be themed and decorated as a beach party.

Barry Upton’s Beachcombers will perform more than 40 songs in three sets, mainly focusing on classics from The Beach Boys, but also including other hits from famous surf rock bands from the 1960s and 1970s. Price for the set menu is 2,600++ THB per person, which includes the entry fee. Guests can also choose to dine from the à la carte menu, with an additional 650++ THB per person being charged for entry. Both prices include the performance and a souvenir T-shirt. Performance starts at 19:45. For more information, contact Mantra Restaurant & Bar at 038 429 591 or email email@mantrapattaya.com.

Acclaimed crooner Palapol Ponkongseng will host a mini concert on November 19 from 7 p.m. until late at the California Steak Restaurant on the 9th floor of Kameo Grand Hotel, Rayong. The voice of Palapol, delicious food and refreshing cocktails will be on hand for your enjoyment at only THB 1,500 net per person; guests who make 4 reservations will receive 1 free bottle of wine or liqueur (mixer included); guests who make 5 reservations will be charged for only 4! (This offer does not include free wine or liqueur).

For more information and reservations, call 038-621626, or visit website: www. kameocollection.com.

The world famous Dutch Swing College Band is heading to Pattaya for a free ‘live’ concert on Thursday 27

November at the Beachfront Sunken Amphitheatre of the Central Festival Pattaya Beach shopping mall. The performance will take place from 18.30 hrs – 22.00 hrs and admission is free of charge to all music lovers.

Regent’s School Family Pantomime will be “A Christmas Carol” staged in the Globe Theatre. Performances are on the 27th, 28th & 29th of November at 6:30 p.m. and a matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday 29th just after the Regents Christmas Fair. Bar Humbug will open one hour before the performance selling mulled wine and mince pies among other refreshments. Tickets are 200 baht and are available from The Regents International School Pattaya. Call 038 418 777.

Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya presents ‘Mix Tape’ every Friday night from 9 p.m. till 2 a.m. at the Moon Deck. A roster of four guest DJs play soulful funky sounds, deep house, tech and all manners of groovy tunes laced with rock & roll. For more information and/or reservations, call 038 426635, send e-mail to hrcpr.pty@hardrockhotels. net or go to www. facebook .com/HardRockCafePattaya.

Chimichangas at Oasis Restaurant.

The North Star Library on Sukhumvit Road, north Pattaya holds regular Thai language classes Mon - Fri from 10.30 till 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. Cost of admission is 100 baht per session for library members and 200 baht for non-members.

Private lessons are also available for 200 baht per hour. In addition, the library also holds Yoga training every Tuesday from 1 - 2 p.m. at the Father Ray Foundation. Cost is 1200 baht for 6 sessions (first session free). For more information, call 081 575 4854 or email wan_nujan@yahoo.com Come and enjoy live music at the Jazz Pit Pub. Listen to great music by Thomas Reimer, one of the most famous European Jazz guitarists, playing live on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.

The Jazz Pit is located on Soi 5 off Pattaya Beach and 2nd Road. Tel: 038 428 374. And you can also catch Thomas performing on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. at the Sugar Hut restaurant on Thappraya Road, call 038 364 186 for details.

Groups & Associations Al-Anon Family Group: Are you bothered by someone else’s drinking? Maybe we can help. Sunday meeting at 2 p.m., Pattaya, Satree Pattaya Center, 519/56 Pattaya 2nd Road, Soi Skaw Beach near the Skaw Beach Hotel, next door to Scandalia Restaurant. Thursday meeting is at 10:30 a.m. on the 4th floor of Jomtien Plaza Condotel. For more information, call the Helpline 092 674 4109 or Richard 084 867 4138.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Pattaya: The Pattaya Group meets Wednesday and Thursday at noon (open); Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 5 p.m. (closed) and Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (closed) at the Satree Pattana Center, Soi Skaw Beach (2nd Rd): contact Mick on 087 994 6224, Bob 087 939 2463 or Joe 082 715 2082. The Good Morning Pattaya Group meets 9 a.m. every morning. All meetings are ‘open’: contact 084 564 8479. The Jomtien Group meets every day at noon at Jomtien Long Stay Hotel: contact: Warren on 086 158 9688, Andy 080 570 1404 or Henk 086 070 6684, Thai contact: Somchai 081 445 3302.

The Scandinavian Group meets on Tuesdays and Fridays 6 p.m. at the Norwegian Seaman’s Church, Thappraya Road Soi 7: contact Hans 085 135 7755 or Rune (Rayong) 089 754 9515. 10.30 a.m. meetings every day at Satree Pattana Centre on Soi Skaw Beach off Second Road. Call 084 564 8479.

For the past 28 years the Samaritans of Thailand have been providing confidential crisis intervention services over the telephone. The English-speaking unit, Samaritans English Help Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support to the expatriate community. Englishspeaking staff, trained in crisis intervention will provide active, non-judgmental and empathetic listening services on the phone. All calls will be handled on an anonymous basis and are free of charge. Please call (02) 713-6791 (24hrs a day, 7 days a week).

Overeaters Anonymous meetings in Pattaya/Jomtien - The ‘Up to You’ group meets Wednesdays at 9:3010:30 a.m. in the housing area just behind Pan Pan Restaurant in Jomtien on Thappraya Road. Call Steve at 038-364207(h) or 089-250-1359 (cell) for directions or more information.

Narcotics Anonymous Hotline: 082 811 2686. There are 3 English speaking meetings in Pattaya near Central Festival and 2 more in Jomtien each week. Also regular Thai speaking meetings at 12 Midday every Sunday and Persian Farsi speaking meetings at 5.30 pm on Thursdays. Please call the Hotline for details.

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PATTAYA MAIL

VOL. XXII No. 46

by Colin Kaye

The Spice of Life We have to thank the eighteenth century English poet and hymn-writer William Cowper for this phrase, although its origins could well be earlier. The expression you hear today is not exactly what Cowper actually wrote, which was “Variety’s the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour.”

He was one of the most popular poets of the day and also gave us the line “God moves in a mysterious way” which I sometimes quote when I trip over one of the dogs.

A friend of mine drinks nothing but red wine, thus depriving himself of half the wines in the world. Another acquaintance is reluctant to buy an unfamiliar bottle on the grounds that he might not like it. Of course, I’m guessing here but I bet a huge number of people, whether they know it or not, restrict themselves to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or Chardonnay. This is the “I know what I like” mind-set which is hardly an adventurous approach. Up to them of course, but it does seem a lost opportunity when you stop to consider how many different wines there are in the world. And while we’re on the subject, just how many are there?

Well, a research team from the University of Adelaide recently compiled a database covering virtually all the world’s wines. Among other things, their study revealed that over 1,200 different grape varieties are used to make wine in forty-four countries. It would be something of a challenge to remember the names of all those grapes, should one feel the need to do so. On a good day, I could probably manage about fifty or sixty from memory but that’s about it. Many of the more obscure varieties never leave their own country, so in these parts you’d be unlikely to find a bottle of Bogazkere, Magaratch Bastardo or Mtsvani, assuming you could manage the pronunciation.

I am all for a bit of variety because it’s just too easy to fall into a rut. If you want to extend your vinous horizons, why not try something unfamiliar just once a month for example? If you prefer reds, there are many alternatives to the Big Four. For light wines, try a Cinsault or Grenache from southern France or an Italian Bardolino. If you prefer something full-bodied, look for a Carmenere from Chile, a Malbec from Argentina or a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Italy.

If you normally drink reds, you could venture into uncharted waters and try a rich full-bodied white, like an oaked Chardonnay from Chile which has a buttery flavour, loads of vanilla and sometimes slightly smoky overtones.

It makes a splendid accompaniment to roast pork, turkey or chicken and some Thai dishes too. The Viognier makes quite full-bodied whites and the Alsatian Gewürztraminer is a dry, rich and satisfying wine which goes well with many spicy foods. Riesling can produce powerful dry wines and the most rewarding come from the Mosel, the Rhein or Alsace.

Castillo del Moro Airén-Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (white), Spain (Bt. 599 @ Wine Connection) Airén grapes come from the largest plain in the Iberian Peninsula - La Mancha. It’s a wind-swept place over 1,500 feet above sea level yet, in parts of this hot and arid plain, the Airén (i-REHN) grape thrives. It’s been around at least since the fifteenth century and twenty years ago, it was the world’s top white grape.

This pale gold wine has an attractive, delicate floral aroma with pineapple and gooseberries up front and hints of

Airén vines trained low off the ground (Photo: Bodegas Ambite). fresh oranges. You may also notice the grassiness that tends to come with Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is very smooth on the palate but has a pleasing tang of applelike acidity. It doesn’t have the toe-curling bitterness of some Sauvignons, because the Airén in the blend has successfully softened Sauvignon’s characteristic bite.

Nevertheless, it’s light and refreshing, ample fruit on the palate and an attractive lingering finish with delicate hints of grapefruit. The wine is dry, but not in the dinosaur bones class because there’s a tiny hint of sweetness to the taste. In many ways, this is a real charmer - an unassuming crisp wine that is a delight to drink. At just 12% alcohol content, it would make a lovely apéritif or you could enjoy it with seafood and salads. Perfect I’d say, for summer evening drinking.

Molino Loco Monastrell 2012 (red), Spain (Bt. 599 @ Wine Connection) Molino Loco wines come from the Castaño vineyards, at over 2,000 feet above sea level in Spain’s Murcia region, about sixty miles from Alicante. The name means “crazy windmill” and refers to one which stands at the edge of the vineyard. Unlike normal windmills, this one evidently springs into action only on days when there’s no wind at all. Now if you ask me, that sounds a little bit spooky.

The Monastrell grape is better known by its French name Mourvèdre. It’s thick-skinned and needs plenty of hot sunshine to ripen. The high hills of Murcia are just the place. The 2011 vintage of this wine won a Silver Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards. It’s a rich, dark red with an intense aroma of cherries, black plums and a dash of spicy licorice. At first taste, the wine seems quite powerful but it has a soft mouth-feel with a lively touch of acidity. It’s very dry with plenty of fruit and you might also pick up an attractive oakiness. The tannins are quite firm and there’s a long earthy, dry finish.

This is a wine with character. It’s very assertive in style and it’s not for wimps, wusses or those of a delicate disposition. At 14% alcohol content, it begs for rich foods to absorb the high tannin. Rich beef or lamb dishes spring to mind or vegetarian meals made from lentils and rich mushrooms tarted up with pepper and soy sauce. If you’re cooking at home, Monastrell goes well with lavender, rosemary and thyme. Nutmeg is wonderful for enriching flavours, so don’t forget the spice.

VOL. XXII No. 46

PATTAYA MAIL

International and Seafood BBQ at the Montien The Montien’s International and Seafood BBQ is on again, and I have to admit that I was very pleased when Pornpimon Geybui, the Montien’s happy PR lady contacted me with the good news!

The Montien is an icon amongst the better hotels in Pattaya, and has been there on Second Road (about 100 meters up from the Central Pattaya Road intersection, and before the Hard Rock Hotel) for more years than people imagine. I remember staying there in 1975, when it was known as the Regent of Pattaya.

We were not only pleased to hear of the return of the Saturday International and Seafood BBQ, we were also very pleased (and surprised) that it has been held at the same price as last year - B. 995 (net) with children under 12 B. 550.

Another surprise was in the range of items on offer (95) and the number of live cooking stations (15).

The event is held in the Verandah Coffee Shop, and

(almost) missed the fresh oysters on ice in the central island.

The offerings are truly international with items from Italy (including a beef tenderloin on a Chianti sauce), Mediterranean region (Kofta with raisin and walnuts on yoghurt cream), Thailand (curries and khanom), Japan (Japanese salmon salad with caviar), Norway (baked Norwegian salmon with puff pastry), New Zealand (mussels), France (roasted lamb leg “Grande Mere” and crepes

every year I say that it is far more than a coffee shop.

There are two areas, one getting the sea breeze over the pool, and the other behind glass and air-conditioned.

We chose the natural breeze, being a cool night as we head into “winter”.

With so many different items, it becomes essential to go right around the buffet display before lining up to start the culinary voyage.

For example, I was so pleased to see a salmon steak that I

Suzette), and much more!

The flambé station (which was busy with fiery theater all night) had beef tenderloin, pork steak, chicken breast, lamb chops, salmon steak, shrimps and sirloin.

The seafood BBQ has rock lobster, river prawn, squid, mussels, white fish in banana leaves and salmon fillet.

One particular feature of the Montien buffets has always been the exceptional presentation of the food, and even with the 95 items,

they were still displayed with artistry.

The house white wine is perfectly suitable for the BBQ buffet, and with my (first) glass in hand, I then began with the oysters with just some freshly squeezed lemon, a great appetizer and palate cleanser.

After a detailed walk around, I decided on the tenderloin steak flambé with roast potatoes and herb butter. The tenderloin was truly tender, most enjoyable. And the herb butter just raised the humble potato.

The children soon cottoned on to the fact that they could indulge themselves - and did. I admit that the children (and I) were unable to go past the live ice cream station, though I only went up once.

The Montien buffets have always represented good value for your baht, and this year’s high season International and Seafood BBQ is no different at B. 995. In fact, with the improved range, it is even better value for money.

I cannot imagine that there could be anyone who could not find something to their liking, and that goes for junior diners as well as gourmet adults. One of our junior testers was enthralled with the beef in green curry and the Thai vegetarian rolls, while the other excitedly watched his lamb get the flambé treatment. I have always said that food should be fun as well as sustenance.

The staff are always helpful and I appreciated the fact that they went out of their way to assist the children. (Good training, Montien.)

By the way, there are three rotating menus for the International and Seafood BBQ, so it is not the same each Saturday, so you can go each Saturday without getting bored.

Montien’s International and BBQ Seafood Buffet is on Saturday evenings 6.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Montien Hotel, Pattaya Second Road (about 100 meters past Pattaya Klang intersection and before the Hard Rock Hotel), telephone 038 428 155-6, email pattaya@montien.com, web www.montien.com, secure parking in hotel grounds.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 23

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014

“THE WEEK” RUNS FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2014 - NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Aries 21 March - 20 April A practical link between Mars and Saturn can get the week and the festive season, off to a great start. Your social life can also expand as Mars heads into Aquarius, stirring up ideas for fun events. Meanwhile, Saturday’s Full Moon could be perfect for a lively get-together Aries.

Taurus 21 April - 21 May It’s worth organizing your festive budget early on Taurus. Adopting a down-to-earth approach might save you time and money too. Later, the focus shifts to goals and personal ambitions, and this can encourage you to take on board an idea with a potentially exciting outcome.

Gemini 22 May - 21 June Social options and perhaps a romantic possibility can boost your spirits as the season of goodwill starts to ratchet up. You’ll head into the coming weeks with a desire to engage with others. Saturday’s Full Moon can liven up your relationship sector, and help to reinvigorate how you interact.

Cancer 22 June - 23 July Be mindful of the type of red tape you may encounter which could delay a plan or project.

Also, conferring with others can help you make the most of a creative idea whose time has come. With Mars in Aquarius, when it comes to handling seasonal expenditure, can you share resources?

PATTAYA MAIL

Crossword No 1110

VOL. XXII No. 46

sponsored by

Classic Tailor

Across 1 Upset, agitate (7) 5 Cereal (5) 8 Hit (5) 9 Citizens of Troy (7) 10 Magnify (7) 11 Tale (5) 12 Walk with long steps (6) 14 Plot (6) 18 Plunges (5) 20 Even, consistent (7) 22 New England state (7) 23 Waterside plants (5) 24 Yorkshire city (5) 25 Quick sharp reply (7)

Down 1 Edicts (7) 2 Mar (5) 3 Spoken (7) 4 Beer (6) 5 Horribly large (5) 6 Fashionable (1,2,4) 7 Unpleasant (5) 13 Drive backwards (7) 15 Sound made by a bird (7) 16 As a group (2,5) 17 Six-stringed instrument (6) 18 Demon (5) 19 Halts (5) 21 Spells of bowling (5)

Answer to 1110 Leo 24 July - 23 August A positive mood and high energy levels can help fire this month off to a fine start. Organizing your festive agenda now, could free you up later to truly enjoy it. You’re likely to be keen to absorb new information and that could make a difference. A new friend can impact on your world.

Virgo 24 August - 23 September With a focus on your home and family sector, you’ll be busy getting your place ready for the weeks ahead. Along with wanting to have fun, you may experience a desire to volunteer your time to help out others, which may prove fulfilling. You can find renewed determination to stay in shape.

Libra 24 September - 23 October Chances are you can start the week in a progressive mode, keen to ensure the month ahead is lively and fun. First though, lay the foundations by getting money matters sorted. More excitingly, creativity and romance can sizzle and bring many pleasure options your way.

Scorpio 24 October - 22 November If you are offered a cheap gadget or gizmo, the Mercury Neptune connection suggests such an item may have dubious origins. Home and family matters can positively glow, while a high-powered alignment could enhance communication and even passion in a key relationship.

Across: 1 Defeat, 4 Blow up, 8 Mourn, 9 Florida, 10 Tiddler, 11 Iceni, 12 Dauntless, 17 Aired, 19 Arbiter, 21 Sincere, 22 Ashen, 23 Drowsy, 24 Besoms.

Down: 1 Demote, 2 Founded, 3 Annul, 5 Leonine, 6 Waive, 7 Placid, 9 First-rate, 13 Undress, 14 Satchmo, 15 Paused, 16 Uranus, 18 Ringo, 20 Blaze.

Ten-Minute Sudoku An easy Sudoku puzzle that should not take long to complete.

The rules of Sudoku are simple. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Each row must contain one of each digit. So must each column and each 3x3 box.

Answer next week.

Last week’s answers:

No. 014

Sagittarius 23 November - 21 December You seem to have a way with words that will make others feel better. And as Mars arrives in Aquarius on Friday you can enjoy connecting, whether for business or pleasure, and doing so might bring some upbeat opportunities your way. Saturday’s Full Moon can heighten feelings.

Capricorn 22 December - 20 January The pace of life can pick up, which means you may have to think on your feet, whilst you juggle seasonal tasks. Try to avoid impulse buys, as a heady focus on your money zone could cause you to wander off budget. However, the weekend can bring both enjoyment and understanding.

Aquarius 21 January - 19 February Mars arrives in your sign Friday, bringing a sense of determination and drive. You also get moving on plans you’ve been floating for some while. If you decide to involve others you could see spectacular results in a short time.

Later, the Full Moon offers romantic and creative potential.

Pisces 20 February - 20 March Your thoughts may be on achieving a key ambition and exploring new opportunities to get ahead. There’s a sense of excitement around that encourages you to aim higher and further than ever before. Meanwhile, a bubbly influence on Saturday can be perfect for a get-together.

NEWLY LAUNCHED! Read your Daily - Weekly - Monthly Horoscope Log on to www.pattayamail.com/horoscope

Answers next week.

VOL. XXII No. 46

Eye opening experience Editor; It has been an eye opening experience of the incompetence of the Road Works Dept here in Jomtien/Pattaya, with the millions of baht spent and no improvement during 10 years of construction/destruction. In 2004 they re-

placed the complete road, (but) flooding continued, 2nd Road exit/entry was restricted to 1 lane, U turns were blocked off, digging one hole leads to another, with no sign of any urgency to finish. Meanwhile, condo developments continue. A lorry park adds

to the pressure on the road.

The small residential B road that comes off SWB, where children walk to school, is now used by 24 wheel lorries. This road was never designed for this. A complete failure of this road would not be a surprise.

Matt Jomtien

And still another potato defender Editor; Before John Wayne bad mouths potatoes being so fattening and containing no useful nutrients without knowing what he’s talking about, he should do a Google

on “potatoes nutrition”. Potatoes are full of essential vitamins and minerals, and their protein to carbohydrate ratio is about the same as rice. For some reason potatoes always get a bad

We can solve this problem Editor; Re: Beach Road pumps flunk first test (PM Friday, 07 November 2014) - We can largely solve this problem, as

far as Beach Road & adjacent areas are concerned.

Contact PattayaProgress .Org for copy of NDA / NUA. Stuart51

Beach Road almost never flooded Editor; Re: Beach Road pumps flunk first test (PM Friday, 07 November 2014) - I lived on Beach Road for years and, though it got some water, it almost never flooded

to the extent it does now. 2nd Road did, so maybe the new lane/piping job was done wrong? With the crack team doing this it couldn’t be, could it?

Don Aleman

A crazy idea Editor; Re: Jomtien Beach Road goes one-way Nov. 12 - for a month (PM Friday, 07 November 2014) - A crazy idea unless they properly fix the disintegrating Jomtien 2nd Road, and properly widen and lengthen the U-Turn

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014

PATTAYA MAIL

lanes of Jomtien 2nd Road.

Plus they need to do a complete clean out of the all the encroachments on the five minor sois and Soi Wat Bunkanchanaram, and control parking and travelling vendors on those sois.

John Guru

Write to the Editor:

E-mail: mailbag@pattayamail.com Note: Letters printed herein in no way reflect the opinions of the editors or writers for Pattaya Mail, but are unsolicited letters from our readers, expressing their own opinions. No anonymous letters or those without genuine addresses are printed, and, whilst we do not object to the use of a nom de plume, preference will be given to those signed.

Pattaya Emergency Numbers Pattaya Call Center ................................ 1337 Police Station .......................................... 191 - Pattaya ................................................... 038 424 186 - Banglamung ......................................... 038 221 800-1 Highway Police ....................................... 038 392 001 Fire Brigade ............................................. 199 Pat. Int. Hopsital ..................................... 038 428 374-5 Bkk-Pat Hospital ..................................... 038 259 911 TAT Central Office: Region 3 Pattaya . 038 428 750 Tourist Police ......................................... 038 429 371, 1155 . .................................................................. 038 410 044 (FAX)

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Wongamat sewer is a disgrace Editor; Re: Rains overwhelm Wong Amat sewage system (PM Friday, 31 October 2014) - One would think that there may have been some urgency by Pullman, Skybeach, Northpoint, Zire, Centara, Long Beach and the myriad of other developments along Wongamat Beach and the staff and representative of these multi-billion baht tourist/expat hotels and condos involved in promoting Wongamat to have a look at

what is going on here.

This “rectification” work of the sewer is a disgrace. Pattaya wants to develop a reputation as a desirable place to visit both by tourists and expats. The local Thai community also deserves a better environment for themselves and their children.

The government is promoting a “Green Thailand” and yet the face of Pattaya is being destroyed by incompetent construction practices.

As an Australian civil

engineer having worked on many projects around the world and with some significant financial investment in Pattaya and in particular the Wongamat Beach area I can only throw my hands up in the air with frustration.

Thank you to the local government showing some interest and I hope that they appoint a representative that can adequately ensure that the works are carried out in a professional manner.

Pattaya Engineer

name about being fattening, but from people that don’t bother to look up the facts. It’s the stuff that people put on potatoes that is the culprit - gravy, butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, etc. And if you French fry them or fry them in a pan, you at least quadruple the calories - same with potato chips.

R.L. Holt

Oxford graduate returns to GIS Mark Beales Photos by Ritche Guisona An Oxford graduate who was one of the first ever students at an international school near Pattaya has returned to her old classroom.

Lauren Dingsdale was one of the first students to study at Garden International School (GIS) in 1994. GIS is based in Ban Chang, near Pattaya.

As the school prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, Lauren came back for a look around. She was photographed in the Pattaya Mail as the first student to walk through the school gates when GIS opened.

Lauren is now a successful lawyer for a major law firm in the UK. When she returned to GIS, several students who are interested in becoming lawyers were able to interview her and ask for advice on how to enter the legal profession.

After leaving GIS, Lauren was granted a scholarship to go to a private Sixth Form College and completed her A levels in English Literature, Mathematics, Economics

Lauren with IB Coordinator Mr Beales and budding lawyer Berenice. and Government and Politics. Lauren then attended Oxford University and, after that, law school.

Today, Lauren lives back in England, as a corporate lawyer. She said: “We specialize in competition law. I really like my job, I’m very happy there and I’m very lucky - it worked out very well. My company works for Google, Royal Mail and the UK government.”

Lauren said she decided she wanted to become a lawyer after watching a film. She explained: “The movie Legally Blonde inspired me! I

also watch Law and Order and Silk but Boston Legal was my favourite.”

Today, GIS is the largest international school in Rayong, but back in 1994, things were relatively small. Lauren remembered: “There were about 12 students in my class, but Year 7 had about three students. I had some English friends here and the other students were mainly Thai and Japanese. I enjoyed my time here.

“I remember at GIS we had a Bluebirds’ Club, which was like the Guides or Scouts and I remember sitting around the circle that’s in Primary

PATTAYA MAIL PUBLISHING CO., LTD.

Oxford graduate Lauren Dingsdale - one of the first ever students at Garden International School! taking an oath. We also did a school play based on Star Trek. At the time there were the original Star Trek and Batman series on TV for two hours a day so all the children watched it.

“I played Scotty’s assistant in our play. We made the scenery ourselves, we spray-painted cups to make them look like buttons.”

Do you have any memories or photos of studying or working at GIS? If so, email them to anniversary@gardenrayong.com.

Member

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Administration, Advertising and Editorial Offices: Tel: 038 411 240-1, 038 413 240-1 • Fax: 038 427 596 E-mail: ptymail@pattayamail.com • Website: http://www.pattayamail.com Managing Director: Pratheep S. Malhotra e-mail: pratheep@pattayamail.com Executive Editor: Daniel M. Dorothy e-mail: dan@pattayamail.com Sports Editor : Martin Bilsborrow e-mail: martin@pattayamail.com Special Correspondent: Peter Cummins e-mail: npetercummins@hotmail.com General Manager/Advertising Kamolthep Malhotra e-mail: prince@pattayamail.com Business Development Director: Suwanthep Malhotra e-mail: tony@pattayamail.com Editor: Nopniwat Krailerg e-mail: editor@pattayamail.com Advertising Department: Primprao Somsri e-mail: poo@pattayamail.com PMTV Production Manager: Paul Strachan e-mail: paul@pattayamail-tv.com Director of Communications Supa Kukarja e-mail: sue@pattayamail-tv.com News Department: Boonlua Chatree, Manus Boonyakovit, Surasak Huasoon, Jetsada Homklin, Urasin Khantaraphan, Patcharapol Panrak, Tanachot Anuwan, Theerarak Suthathiwong (e-mail: newsroom@pattayamail.com) © Copyright Pattaya Mail Publishing Co., Ltd.

26 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014

PATTAYA MAIL

VOL. XXII No. 46

Unified Loy Krath Staff reporters

Tourists release a cartoon lantern.

The sun sets behind a giant krathong on Beach Road Pattaya.

Pattaya’s decision to consolidate its usual two official Loy Krathong celebrations into one proved a success as tourists and locals turned up at Lan Pho Public Park for a krathong competition, Miss Noppamas pageant for young girls, a country music concert from the P Saderd Band, booths selling food and drinks, and vendors selling locally made products.

Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome kicked off the event, pointing out that the Nov. 6 festival was just the start of a full calendar of highseason events, such as, “The 100 Years Old Naklua Market that will be held on November 29; Pattaya International Fireworks Festival November 28 - 29; the countdown festival from December 25 to midnight of December 31; and the New Year 2015.”

Itthiphol also spoke about

A foreign “super” couple lets go of a lantern for good luck.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and members of the Pattaya City Council join people in floating their krathongs at Lan Pho Public Park.

A Nong Noppamas contestant floats a krathong with her mother after the contest.

Thousands of krathongs were floated during the evening.

Staff at entertainment venues on Walking Street were having a vibrant time.

A family makes a wish before floating their krathong into the sea at Pattaya Beach Soi 4.

Tourists stroll along, looking at beautiful krathongs on Walking Street.

A lovely family prepares to loy their krathong.

Foreign teenage girls float lanterns together.

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ong a success how the Loy Krathong Festival gives foreign guests a chance to see Thai traditional dress, “As it is the only occasion that people widely dress in Thai traditional costumes.” He finished with, “So today let us jointly float our krathongs to apologize the Goddess of Water.”

Loy Krathong this year was as vibrant as previous years. People came out to Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach, local temples and at Lan Pho Public Park in Naklua to launch their floats of flowers and incense. Most were made of natural materials, in accordance with the government’s policy to conserve the environment.

Most tourists and Thais were aware of the environmental problems posed by plastic krathongs, but some still used foam floats.

Roads were congested and beaches were crowded with people, especially at Lan Pho, where an estimated 10,000 turned out for the concert by P Saderd, who is best known for hit “Jee Hoi.” Pattaya’s krathong contest awarded prizes for both the most-beautiful krathongs in three categories: public, elementary and high school students. A second contest awarded prizes for the mostcreative krathong. All krathongs had to be made from natural materials.

Amari Pattaya General Manager Brendan Daly (center) presents awards to Nong Noppamas contestants, including winner Nilobol Yusawat (5th left) from the Kitchen Department. Manaschanok Thabthone (4th left) from the Front Office Department finished runner-up, whilst Anusara Songkarin (4th right) from the Food & Beverage Department (Mantra Restaurant & Bar) was awarded second runner up.

This Nong Noppamas contestant is very patriotic.

Three generations dress traditionally for the event.

The little winner of the Pattaya Nong A boy poses before floating his Noppamas contest. krathong.

Children look for money from inside the krathongs.

Student teams celebrate winning the krathong contest.

Boon Kanjanawararam Temple’s Loy Krathong event features Thai folk dance music.

Chaimongkol Temple in South Pattaya hosted a grand Loy Krathong festival.

There is always a morning after - staff from the office of Public Health and Environment clean leftover materials used in making krathongs.

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Review: Solid Washington in mediocre ‘Equalizer’ Jocelyn Noveck Los Angeles (AP) – Anyone lucky enough to catch Denzel Washington in “A Raisin in the Sun” on Broadway would have seen the hugely charismatic actor portray, in an iconic role, the full complexity of a human being: strengths and weaknesses, attributes and flaws, durability and vulnerability.

All topped off, of course, with that boyish Washington charm.

Alas, Washington doesn’t always choose big-screen roles similarly worthy of his unique talent. This is especially true of “The Equalizer,” a mediocre thriller that tries to establish the 59-year-old actor as a middle-aged action hero, a la Liam Neeson. Here, we get to see Washington kill a lot of people. Yawn.

OK, he does it in somewhat inventive ways. Still: Yawn.

“The Equalizer” isn’t a terrible movie, as action sagas go. It just doesn’t nearly live up to what it aspires to be, which is a smart, classy update of the 1980s TV series of the same name, about an ex-government agent who spends his retirement as a sort of ultra-violent avenging angel, rubbing out villains who treat good people badly.

Changes have been made — liberally. On TV, Robert McCall (Edward Woodward)

Denzel Washington appears in a scene from “The Equalizer”. (Photo/ Columbia Pictures) was a debonair middle-aged guy in a trench coat, collar upturned, cruising the streets of New York in a black Jaguar. Here, no trench coat, no Jaguar, no New York. Director Antoine Fuqua and writer Richard Wenk have moved the action to Boston, and Washington’s McCall is a blue-collar type. A widower with few possessions, he spends his days working at the Home Mart, and his nights reading literary classics and drinking tea at the diner.

It’s at this diner that McCall befriends a sweet young prostitute (Chloe Grace Moretz).

And when her pimps — nasty Russian mob types,

straight from central casting — rough her up so badly she ends up clinging to life in a hospital, McCall’s vigilante instincts emerge.

He confronts the thugs, trying to buy her freedom. They laugh. Bad move. Using his hyper-vision skills, he sizes up the room and dispatches every thug within seconds (he’s counting), using handy props like a corkscrew.

Now, if seeing a corkscrew lodged in a bloody neck inspires you to applaud gleefully, well, you’ll probably like this movie. If not, then, like me, you may feel your initial affection for this character wavering ever so

Orson Welles’ last film may finally be released New York (AP) - Orson Welles’s last film may finally be nearing release after decades as one of cinema’s most storied unfinished creations.

The New York Times reported that a Los Angelesbased production company, Royal Road Entertainment, has agreed to buy the rights to Welles’ largely unseen “The Other Side of the Wind.”

Producers are planning to unveil the film in time for the centennial anniversary of Welles’ birth on May 6.

The semi-autobiographical film is about a movie director, played by John Huston, feuding with Hollywood over an ambitious film. Welles

Movie director Orson Welles is shown in this Feb. 22, 1982 file photo. (AP Photo/Jacques Langevin) shot the movie in 1971 and spent the rest of his life editing it, before dying in 1985.

Director Peter Bogdanovich,

who appears in the film, will help edit the footage, which includes a roughly 45-minute edited print.

slightly as the body toll rises.

But it’s never easy to resist Washington. First, he still gets to display his charm every once in a while, though not enough. And besides, McCall’s opponents are so cartoonishly one-dimensional, how can you not root for him to crush them?

Turns out, the Russian pimps are only the tip of the iceberg in an operation managed by a Moscow crime lord named, yep, Vladimir Pushkin. For most of the movie, Pushkin isn’t seen, only heard via telephone, like Charlie of “Charlie’s Angels.” He sends an emissary, Teddy (Marton Csokas), to investigate who killed his

men. Teddy’s a psychopath who thinks nothing of beating a man to death at his desk to make a point, or quietly breaking a girl’s neck for telling a falsehood.

Maybe because Csokas resembles Kevin Spacey at his most fiendish and has some of his manic energy — a contrast to Washington’s calm — his character adds spice to the proceedings.

But not for long, because “The Equalizer” grows tiresome and formulaic.

An overly long final confrontation is suspenseless, and that’s because the filmmakers haven’t bothered to give McCall any vulnerability whatsoever. He may be

human, but by mid-film, after seeing him knock off thug after thug, we’re so convinced he has super-powers that we’ll never worry about him again.

And that’s boring. You could do worse than watch Washington kick butt for two hours (actually, a little more.)

But it would be a lot more interesting to watch him struggle while doing it.

“The Equalizer,” a Columbia Pictures release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America “for strong bloody violence and language throughout, including some sexual references.”

Running time: 131 minutes.

Two stars out of four.

Memories make their mark for Nicole Kidman Ryan Pearson Los Angeles (AP) - Nicole Kidman didn’t land the part she wanted in her first formal acting gig.

She had been angling to play Mary or perhaps an angel in the school nativity play, but was cast as a sheep. The 5-year-old actress’ costume: a decorated car seat cover.

“Not my finest moment.

But I felt amazing,” Kidman said in an interview, laughing. “It’s the beginning of my whole career. I bleated through the whole play, and got my first laugh. And I was hooked.”

Kidman was reminiscing while promoting her new thriller “Before I Go to Sleep”.

The 47-year-old actress plays a woman whose memory is wiped clean every night, and begins questioning her husband and others as she tries to unravel what happened to her.

Memory is key to Kidman’s work. Tapping into feelings from past personal experiences — love, trauma, heartbreak, whatever — is essential to acting, she said.

“That’s what we’re made of is our memories, right?” she said. “Actors of course have to use things that trigger our emotions.”

Kidman’s very first childhood memories are apropos for the release date of her latest film.

Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman. (AP Photo/ Alastair Grant, File) “I remember Halloweening when I was about 3 with my parents when we lived in Washington, D.C.,” she said. She was a ghost, dressed in a sheet with eyeholes cut out by her mother.

“And then I remember eating snow when I was about 3 as well — wanting to taste it and being told I wasn’t allowed to but still secretly doing it,” she said. “Isn’t that crazy?

And I have a vivid memory of both of those things.”

Kidman demurs when asked about her most memorable

and forgettable filmmaking experiences. Certain characters do stick with her, though.

“A lot of times you stagger out of there. And sometimes it’s sad to leave a character. Sometimes it’s like ahhh, I can’t wait to shed this,” she said.

The one role she wanted to hold on to the longest: her Oscar-nominated turn as Satine in Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 musical, “Moulin Rouge!”

“I would love to be able to sing through everything,” Kidman said, smiling.

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Rivers of Life “A river,” wrote Laura Gilpin, “seems a magic thing … a magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.”

Now Laura Gilpin you might recall, was an indefatigable American pioneer photographer remembered not only for her expressive portraits of Native Americans, but also for her monochrome photographs of south-western landscapes. As a child, her mother encouraged her to study music, and she even spent five years at the New England Conservatory of Music. As it turned out, her musical talent did not blossom as anticipated but instead she became one of the great names in photography who in addition, became one of the finest exponents of platinum printing.

In his short piece River of Life, the Scottish poet Thomas Campbell wrote, “The more we live, more brief appear our life’s succeeding

George Butterworth in 1914. stages.” Anyone over a Certain Age will recognise a melancholic ring of truth in that. “Life is like the river,” Emma Smith wrote; “Sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere.”

I suppose most of us have experienced that sort of thing. Comparisons between rivers and life it would seem are hard to resist.

Battles have been fought over rivers or at least, close to them. The Battle of the Somme was a horrific and tragic episode during the First World War, involving British and French troops against those of the German Empire. The battle began in July 1916 and raged for over four months on both sides of the River Somme in France.

By the following November, over a million soldiers had been killed or wounded.

One of them was 31-yearold George Butterworth, a Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry who had already been awarded the Military Cross for bravery. On 5th August 1916 in the muddy trenches near the river, he was killed by sniper fire. Few other soldiers, including his commanding officer were aware that Butterworth was one of the most promising young English composers of his generation.

George Butterworth (1885-1916): The Banks of Green Willow. National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, cond.

Roger Clarkson (Duration: 06:34; Video: 480p) Although he was born in London’s Paddington district, the family soon moved to Yorkshire so that his father could take up an appointment as General Manager of the North Eastern Railway.

The boy received his first music lessons from his mother and he began composing at an early age, playing the organ for services in the chapel of his elementary school. He won a scholarship to Eton College and later in life became a close friend of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Dutch swing band B2F plays ‘thank you’ concert at Silverlake Urasin Khantaraphan Silverlake Wine & Grill thanked customers for their support with a special dinner package and concert from the Dutch swing band B2F on the evening of Saturday, November 1.

The 1,300-baht ticket covered dinner, wine, dessert and the jazz concert by B2F, which the band says is short for “Big to the Future.” Their “DSF,” or “Dutch Swing Frenzy” included vocalist Athalie de Koning, Paul Van Duyn on saxophone, Jos Mujjens and Tom Ridderbeekx on trumpet, Jeroen Verbeerne playing trombone, Paul Bebington on piano, Sarun Ganyl on drums, and Jadesada Kulphaisal on the bass.

B2F later was slated to appear in Bangkok at the Grand Hyatt Erawan and Amari hotels and Check-Inn 99 cabaret.

The restaurant sits opposite

The Banks of Green Willow was written in 1913 and it’s a pastoral piece, based loosely on a folk song that Butterworth heard and wrote down in Sussex. The title implies a musical picture of a river somewhere in England, but we don’t know exactly where. The work is given a lively performance by the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, a well-established organisation in the UK. Hearing these young musicians playing with such commitment and maturity it is hard to believe that they are all less than thirteen years old.

Like so much of the music

by Delius and Vaughan Williams, this work sounds utterly English. It’s a picture of the England that Butterworth loved so much and for which, like so many others, he fought for - and paid for - with his life.

Bedøich Smetana (1824-1884): Die Moldau. Chamber Orchestra of Europe, cond. Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Duration: 14:38; Video: 360p) Unlike Butterworth’s meandering English river, we know exactly where this one lies.

Bedøich Smetana is known today as the grandfather of Czech music because he pioneered

a totally national musical style.

Má Vlast, meaning “My Homeland” is a set of six symphonic poems that Smetana wrote during the 1870s and one of the movements is called Vltava, also known by its German name Die Moldau.

It describes the journey of the Vltava River from its source in the Bohemian mountains through the countryside to the city of Prague.

The Czech name probably comes from an old Germanic expression wilt ahwa, meaning “wild water”. The piece contains Smetana’s most famous melody, an adaptation of a borrowed Moldavian folksong which is strikingly similar to the tune of the Israeli national anthem.

Despite the slowish tempo, this is one the most expressive recent recordings I’ve heard.

It’s beautifully timed and phrased with responsive playing from the orchestra. It starts with a musical impression of two springs, with water bubbling out of the earth, which eventually leads into the main theme. There are musical snapshots of a hunt in the forest, a peasant wedding, water-nymphs in the moonlight, St John’s Rapids and finally the concluding section in which the river triumphantly enters Prague and then flows majestically away into the distance.

Handy hint: If you are interested in following these links, either use your Smartphone to read the QR codes or go to this article online, click on the “live” links and go direct to the videos.

Members of Dutch swing band B2F pose for a photo at Silverlake Wine & Grill, Saturday, November 1. the SIlverlake Vineyard at a popular draw among tour- surrounding scenery and the foot of Big Buddha ists and locals. The restau- diners can enjoy grapes Mountain. The vineyard is rant offers a view of the grown at the vineyard.

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E-mail: socialscene@pattayamail.com

It was a happy and auspicious day for the Ratanaopath family when Suppachai Ratanaopath, the Assistant MD of the A-One Hotel Bangkok-Pattaya was ordained as a monk to make merit for his beloved family. The ceremonies were held at the Rama IX Golden Jubilee Temple (Wat Praram 9 Kanchanapisek) which was attended by his father Somchai Ratanaopath (left) and many relatives.

Royal Cliff ’s top executives, led by Panga Vathanakul (Front row - 5th right), Managing Director of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group; Vathanai Vathanakul (Front row 4th right), Vice President of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, and Vitanart Vathanakul (Front row 5th left), Executive Director of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, celebrate with Royal Cliff’s Food and Beverage team their outstanding world record achievement of receiving 5 “Best of Award of Excellence 2014” for their award-winning restaurants from the renowned Wine Spectator Magazine in New York.

Sopin Thappajug (2nd left), MD of the Diana Group, took part in a seminar on Thai Economy and Growth Opportunities in the region organised by the Siam Commercial bank recently.

Hilton Pattaya, led by GM Rudolf Troestler, organised their Year End Thank You Party 2014 at the Cartoon Network Amazone recently. Almost 70 participants, including friends from the media, hotel and corporate clients, enjoyed the day of activities followed by refreshments at the Horizon.

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Jennifer Lopez shares journey to self-acceptance Alicia Rancilio New York (AP) - Jennifer Lopez wants to share a life lesson with her fans: Learn to love yourself first.

“I promise that if you get into it, if you tap into it, it’s gonna make your life better,” she says.

The actress, singer, producer sat down for an interview about “True Love,” her new book that was originally intended to be a piece of memorabilia about the 2012 Dance Again World Tour that she embarked on in the wake of her split from husband Marc Anthony.

But then it became much more.

“It became so evident that my songs were so autobiographical of what had happened in my life all along the way, not just the story of my relationships but the story of my career. ... and then love was a big part of it as well.”

Lopez, 45, recently kicked off her heels, got comfy on a

couch, and opened up about her own journey to self-acceptance.

Associated Press: You say early in the book that this is not a tell-all.

Lopez: I don’t feel that it’s my responsibility as a public person to share all the intimate details of my relationships. ... I do feel as an artist it’s my responsibility to bare my soul, use my experiences and share my lessons through my art. ...

That’s what this book does.

AP: Once you realized things you needed to work on, you write about really committing to that and put in time to change your way of thinking.

Lopez: We all have our stuff from when we’re little that we have to work out. ... You kind of have to get into the gooey stuff and pull it out and look at it and get rid of it.

AP: You also write about having confidence issues.

Lopez: Being successful caused me to have some low

Jennifer Lopez (right) and her estranged husband Marc Anthony are shown together in this May 2011 file photo. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) self-esteem issues. When you hear negative stuff about yourself that becomes the mantra that’s in your head — ‘You’re not good enough; You’re not a good enough actress, performer, person, you want candles in your room’ — things that aren’t true!’ It’s the tape that plays in your head that’s

Book Group reviews ‘Infidel’ selects reading list for 2015

Ladies Book Group members pose for a photo at their monthly meeting on Oct. 28.

Sue K Members of the Pattaya Ladies Book Group met for their monthly book discussion on October 28, this time Angela Poustie kindly hosting the meeting at her residence.

The book under discussion this month was “Infidel”, written by one of today’s most admired and controversial political figures, Ayaan Hirsi Ali. The book tells of the author ’s upbringing in a strict Muslim family in Somalia, and how she survived civil war, female mutilation, brutal beatings and strict beliefs in Muslim Brotherhood; of her escape from forced marriage and attempts to seek asylum in the Netherlands where she eventually attained a college degree in political science before going on to become a Member of the Dutch Parliament and fighting for the

rights of Muslim women worldwide.

The book received a high 9.21 out of ten from the Book Group members, with some personal reviews: “Fascinating life story made me appreciate where I was born and all the freedoms I have.” - Pam Lovell.

“I think that through this book and Ayaan’s voice, we now are able to see Islam under a different light. It is the first time that I found myself ‘face to face ‘ with an account of a well educated Muslim teenage woman’s life in such a direct, simple, crude and so realistic way.”

- Silvia Muda.

“The book showed how, with determination and strength, an uneducated Somali Muslim woman, overcame a dreadful childhood, got educated, and saw the deep flaws and cruelties towards women in some Muslim societies. It is a book of empowerment for women

everywhere.” - Anne Winfield After the discussion, pot luck lunch was enjoyed and two thousand baht was raised from the members which will go to the scholarship fund for the underprivileged.

On the same day, a complete set of 11 books were voted for year the 2015 reading list. These include (in order): Bel Canto - Ann Patchett, Same Kind of Different as Me - Ron Hall and Denver Moore, The Garden of Evening Mists - Tan Twan, The Women of the Island Ho Anh Thai, Mountains Beyond Mountains - Tracy Kidder, Saturday - Ian McEwan, The Book Thief Markus Zusak, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Maddon, Mango Rains - Daniel M Dorothy, Letters from Thailand - Botan - translated by Susan Fulop Morell, A Journey in Ladakh - Andrew Harvey.

dangerous and what you want to do is reprogram that tape.

AP: Does being called ‘The Most Beautiful Person in the World’ make you feel like you need to always be on your game?

Lopez: (Laughs) No, I don’t take it all that seriously. I take it for as flattering as it is and exactly like it’s gonna be tomorrow’s trash. I don’t let that feed my ego in the way that some people could. I don’t drink my own Kool-Aid. AP: Are you gun shy now about having a relationship in the public eye?

Lopez: For right now I just kind of want to be on my own and have friends and get to know ... Jennifer and what she wants and love her before I can love somebody else. And if somebody comes along, they can add

to that happiness.

AP: It can be fun to be single and not looking.

Lopez: Yeah! And you just like shut it down. You realize, ‘I have a lot of time for other stuff! What should I do?’ And you start appreciating things around you because you put so much energy in, ‘Is that text coming in? What’s he doing?

Is so-and-so gonna call? What do we do this weekend?’ Instead of being like, ‘What do I want to do this weekend?’ ... It just opens you up. It’s a good thing.

AP: Would you marry again?

Lopez: I would if it was right. I think that standard is just a tiny bit different because of me, not because of the people I was with. But for me.

Hardwiring Happiness Hardwiring Happiness proclaims that it will reshape your brain and your life. In fact, the New Scientist even goes as far as stating that this book “might change your life.”

Hardwiring Happiness (ISBN 978-1-84604357-4, Rider, Penguin, Random House, 2014) has been written by Rick Hanson, a neuropsychologist and an authority on self-directed neuroplasticity, founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, and an affiliate of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.

Now, in case I’ve lost you here, or I should say Rick Hanson’s lost you, Wikipedia asserts that “Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is an umbrella term that encompasses both synaptic plasticity and non-synaptic plasticity - it refers to changes in neural pathways and synapses due to changes in behavior, environment, neural processes, thinking, emotions, as well as changes resulting from bodily injury.”

Author Hanson states that you have to take in the good, which is “the deliberate internalization of positive experiences in implicit memory.” It only takes four simple steps with the mnemonic “HEAL” (now there’s a snappy internalization).

H is for Have a positive experience E is Enrich it A covers Absorb it L is to Link positive and negative material.

The reader meets HEAL first on page 60, but then again on page 66, 77, 86, 142, and probably more but I gave up counting.

The beginning of your hardwiring comes

from recognizing positive experiences and apparently there can be lots of brief ones, which add up to one big happy. Some people need physical reminders of the fun events, such as one person who would take a stone from his garden to remind him of the beauty of the flowers.

To be honest, I found the HEAL analogy somewhat juvenile, but of course I came from an era where all you did with garden stones was to throw them at predatory dogs. You’d need more than a pocketful in Pattaya.

I got this book from Bookazine’s “Self Help” section. I liken that more to a “Gawd ‘elp me” section.

There is no doubt about the fact that if you look pleasant and have the gift of the gab, all you need as a follow up is to write a book. It must also help book sales if you get references from people with lots of K’s and Z’s in their name, with Roman Krznaric, Sharon Salzberg and Wes Nisker being just a few.

At B. 545 this is not a cheap book of pop psychology. But did I get the grey thing in my skull hardwired? Did I get anything of lasting value from this book? Did I manage to put life’s good experiences into the brain where I could make use of them to control my own thoughts? I’m sorry, my hardwiring experience was a failure. For my next book, perhaps I should go to Bookazine’s IT section, they might teach me how to do it!

No I’m sorry, I seem to have completely missed the pop-psyche boat, but that may be, of course, because I don’t have enough K’s and Z’s. In fact, I don’t have any.

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The super sessions Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Steve Stills: Super Session (Columbia/CBS) The term “super group” was popular at the end of the 60’s. Cream started it back in 1966. But it was Al Kooper’s “Super Session”-album that really opened that can of sardines. The album was recorded at a time when the key players were “between jobs”.

Al Kooper had left Blood, Sweat & Tears right after their debut LP. Mike Bloomfield, whom Kooper had worked with in 1965 (on Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited”-album and on his infamous performance at the Newport festival) was leaving the Electric Flag. And Stephen Stills’ career had stopped mid air as it was game over for Buffalo Springfield.

Kooper had no intentions to start a permanent group. “Super Session” was intended as an experiment, and it was to be created around the powerful blues guitar playing of Bloomfield. Kooper wanted it to be fresh and unpredictable, just turn on the groove, let Bloomfield fly and see what

happens. An album of jamming. That was the only plan.

Bloomfield said OK, so Kooper booked a studio for two days and hired some musicians, two of Bloomfield’s colleagues from Electric Flag plus drummer Eddie Hoh.

On the first day this lineup recorded what was to become the album’s first side. Five extraordinary instrumentals – all anchored in the electric blues, but with the odd glance towards jazz. A fusion that both Kooper and Bloomfield were familiar with from the bands they recently had been involved in. Bloomfield’s guitar rules on these tracks, but there’s also some phenomenal dialogues evolving between guitar and keyboards.

And behind them the sterling rhythm section is cooking, transcending most of what you could hear in 1968.

On the second day everything went wrong. Bloomfield simply didn’t show up. That left a highly frustrated Kooper with two choices, postpone the whole thing, or find a replacement at that very instant. In desperation he called Stephen Stills. Stills, bless him, agreed to help his friend out, and thus the album could be completed.

The second side contains recordings from day two.

Kooper had to re-adjust of course. Stephen Stills was no slacker on guitar, but no way could he fill Bloomfield’s shoes. His musical background differed too, he had very little in common with Electric Flag.

Kooper’s plan B put himself up as vocalist. He decided they’d do cover versions of familiar songs, but keep the element of jamming. This was simply done by starting the song, do a couple of verses, clear the space for improvisations, and then return to the song at the end.

This way they didn’t risk ending up in blind alleys.

They always knew where they were heading: For the redemption of that last refrain. This worked especially well on the 11 minute “Season Of The Witch”.

Although the Bloomfieldside is the most impressive and satisfying of the two,

“Season Of The Witch” is clearly the album’s outstanding track.

This Donovan song from 1966 with its hypnotic time pattern and minimalistic melody, absolutely begs to be covered. In addition to the “Super Session”-version there were just as successful, but very different versions available from both Vanilla Fudge and Julie Driscoll at the time.

In September 1968 Kooper tried to put the Bloomfield part of the show up on a live stage, at the Fillmore West. It went well on the first night, but then Bloomfield did his disappearing act again. Kooper was not amused of course, but he managed to get excellent replacements in Carlos Santana and Elvis Bishop. Tracks from the concerts were compiled for the double album “The Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper”, released in 1969. I recommend that set as well. It is just as good, and on some tracks even better.

Released: July 22, 1968 Contents on “Super Session”: (Side 1): Albert’s Shuffle/ Stop/Man’s Temptation/His Holy Modal Majesty/Really/ (Side 2): It Takes A Lot to Laugh, It Takes A Train to Cry/Season of the Witch/You Don’t Love Me/Harvey’s Tune Produced by: Al Kooper Personnel on “Super Session”: Al Kooper — vocals, piano, organ, ondioline, electric guitar, twelve-string guitar Mike Bloomfield — guitars on side one, reissue tracks 10, 12, 13 Stephen Stills — guitars on side two, reissue track 11 Barry Goldberg — electric piano on “Albert’s Shuffle” and “Stop” Harvey Brooks — bass Eddie Hoh — drums, percussion Contents on “The Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper”: Opening Speech/The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)/I Wonder Who/Her Holy Modal Highness/The Weight/Mary Ann/Together ‘Til the End of Time/That’s All Right/Green Onions/ Opening Speech/Sonny Boy Williamson/No More Lonely Nights/Dear Mr. Fantasy/Don’t Throw Your Love on Me So Strong/Finale-Refugee Personnel on “The Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper”: Al Kooper – Organ, Ondioline, Piano (overdub as Roosevelt Gook on “Together ‘Til the End of Time”) Mike Bloomfield – guitar John Kahn – bass guitar Skip Prokop – drums Carlos Santana – guitar Elvin Bishop – guitar

Jazz clarinetist Acker Bilk dies aged 85 Jill Lawless London (AP) - English clarinet player Acker Bilk, who beat the Beatles and other British rockers to the top of the U.S. music charts with the instrumental “Stranger on the Shore,” has died at the age of 85.

Bilk died Sunday, Nov. 2 at a hospital in Bath, southwestern England. The cause of death was not announced.

Born Bernard Stanley Bilk in 1929 in the southwestern English county of Somerset, Bilk adopted the name Acker from a local slang term for friend.

He learned the clarinet as a bored army conscript, stationed in Egypt after World War II, and became one of the stars of Britain’s 1950s “trad jazz” scene.

Before the British rock invasion, he was the first

Acker Bilk is shown with his MBE in this March 2001 file photo. (AP Photo / John Stillwell, PA) U.K act to top the Billboard music chart in the 1960s, with “Stranger on the Shore.”

The wistful 1961 instrumental also spent more than a year in the British charts and became his signature tune.

He was on the select list of artists who have been played in space. Along with tracks

by Frank Sinatra, the Kingston Trio and others, three of Bilk’s tunes were included on a cassette that accompanied

the Apollo 10 astronauts on their mission around the moon in 1969.

Bilk attributed his distinctive vibrato sound to a pair of childhood accidents. He lost part of a finger in a sledding accident, and two teeth in a fight at school.

His smooth signature style became an instantly recognizable sound for millions of listeners, and his goatee, garish waistcoat and bowler hat helped cement his image.

He remained a television regular with a large and loyal following long after jazz was displaced from the charts by rock ‘n’ roll.

Bilk, who was treated for throat cancer around the turn of the millennium, was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001 for services to music.

VOL. XXII No. 46

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 33

PATTAYA MAIL

Charity concert raises 2 million baht for Pattaya Orphanage

CLUBS IN PATTAYA To be listed, please send your information to <admin@pattayamail.com>

Lions Club of Jomtien Pattaya English speaking Lions club meets 2nd Wednesday of the month. Call President Peter Smith 081 805 6717, 038 303 072 email: <lions@aacondo.com> Website: www. jomtienpattaya.lionwap.org

Lions Club of Naklua Pattaya Meets at Green Park Resort, 4th Tuesday of the month. For information. President Jakapan Pintanon Tel. 090 985 0146

Lions Club of Pattaya Banglamung Meets every 16th of the month at 7.00pm at Ruen Thai Restaurant on Pattaya 2nd Road. President Sasithorn Kleetiang Tel. 086 392 0838

Lions Club of Pratumnak Pattaya Meets every 2nd Thursday of the month at 7.00pm at Ruen Thai Restaurant on Pattaya 2nd road. President Navin Khakhai Tel. 081 683 0056, 038 420 771

Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA) Meets every 2nd Thursday of the month. Call President Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn 038 426 357. Website: www.pattayatourism.org Dr. Steve Chana Kittikiatsak, CEO of Maryvit School (centre left), Father Kritsada Sukhphat, vice director of Pattaya Orphanage (centre),, and (suited up) Mr. Suthikorn Jianphaithun, owner of Thai Alangkarn Theatre (centre right), pose for a pre-show photo with members of the Christian monk committee.

Urasin Khantaraphan About 2,000 public officials, private organizers and students raised more than 2 million baht for the Pattaya Orphanage at the Love & Care charity concert at the Alangkarn Theatre on Oct. 25.

Organized by Rev. Kritsada Sukhphat, deputy director of the Pattaya Orphanage, and Radchada Chomjinda, director of the Human Health Network, the concert proved an immense success, generating 2.5 million baht in revenue with 2.05 million baht remaining after expenses and musician fees.

Two thousand tickets were sold and heavy rain didn’t deter the crowd, which enjoyed

One of the main highlights of the evening was a concert Jo & Gong NUVO. performances from Jo & to the audience.

Gong NUVO, a popular The concert was honored rock band, and Weerapong with the presence of Steve Thaweesak introducing the Chana Kittikiatsak, CEO of ancient glass harp instrument Maryvit School, and Bishop

Silvio Siripong Jaiseri on the 40th anniversary of the orphanage.

It has been more than four decades since Pattaya Orphanage first took care of more than 1,000 abandoned children and provided them a future through care and love given by personnel, including the Father Ray Foundation, Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres Thailand, and Lovers of the Cross Chanthaburi Pattaya Orphanage officials expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the concert, including all attendees for honoring the event. Special appreciation was reserved for Suthikorn Jianphaithun, who provided the Alangkarn Theatre to use for free.

Pattaya City Expat Club Meets every Sunday at Tavern by the Sea restaurant, Amari Hotel, Beach Road. Buffet Breakfast available from 9.30 a.m. Meeting starts at 10.30 a.m. and finishes about 12.00 noon. Website: www.pcecclub.org

Pattaya International Ladies Club The PILC organizes regular lunches and coffee mornings.

President Helle Rantsen. Tel. 085 8 71 2837, email: <presidentpilc@gmail.com> Website: www.pattaya-pilc.com

Pattaya Sports Club Clubhouse located on Pattaya 3rd Rd., next to Pattaya Driving Range. Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. every day. Call President Peter Malhotra at 038 361 167, Fax 038 361 929. Email psc@cathinet.com See Pattaya Mail Sports Round Up for activities. Website: www.pattayasports.org

Rotary Club of Eastern Seaboard Meets every Thursday at 6 pm at Siam Bayshore Hotel Pattaya. President Russell Iffland. Tel. 086 089 0402 E-mail: <russelliffland@gmail.com> Website: www.rotary-es.org

Rotary Club of Pattaya Meets every Monday at 6.30 pm at Town in Town Hotel, President Satienpong Kumnon. E-mail: <juristic@ksc.th.com> Website: www.rotarypattaya.com

Rotary Club of Phoenix Pattaya Meets every Tuesday at 6.30pm at Holiday Inn Hotel Pattaya. President Ingo Raeuber. Tel. 081 949 9433 Email: <ingoraeuber@hotmail.com> Website: rotaryphoenix-pattaya.org

Rotary Club of Pattaya Marina Réunion tous les vendredi à 19 h, Hôtel MERCURE, Pattaya 2nd road, Soï 15, Contacter Président Joseph Roy 085 436 2402, E-mail: joseph.roy@hotmail.com Website: www.rotarypattayamarina.org

Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya Dinner meeting every Wednesday 6.30 pm at Royal Cliff Grand Hotel. President Vutikorn Kamolchote. Tel. 081 447 4152 E-mail: <vut@vnresidences.com> Website: www.rotaryjomtien pattaya.org

Royal Varuna Yacht Club Eye-catching dance performances thrilled the packed audience.

Young performers wear traditional Lanna dresses of the Tharawadee era, a magnificent sight.

Open every weekday from 8am to 8pm. Weekend from 7.30 am to midnight. Call 038 250 116, 087 075 2194. Commodore Dave Littlejohn. Email: rvyc@loxinfo.co.th Website: www.varuna.org

Skål International Pattaya & East Thailand Meetings: Date and venue will be announced by email, Facebook and in the Pattaya Mail. President Tony Malhotra. E-mail: skalpattaya@gmail.com Website: www.facebook.com/skalpattaya

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9876 (VFW) Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 1 p.m. at the Hog’s Breath Saloon on Soi 46/3. For information, call Quartermaster Eric Larsen at 038 423 462 or Email: <vfwpost9876@hotmail.com> www.vfwpost9876.org

Y.W.C.A. The audience of over 2,000 lapped up the evening’s entertainment.

Weerapong Thaweesak produced some sonic wonders on his glass harp.

Meets as notified call Chairwoman Praichit ‘Nidnoi’ Jetpai 038 716 316. E-mail: <pattaya@ywcabangkok.com>

34 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014

PATTAYA MAIL

VOL. XXII No. 46

Tel. 038 411 240-1, 038 413 240-1 Fax. 038 411 833

E-Mail: mailmarket@pattayamail.com

Articles For Sale/Rent As615/46/ Handicap Mobility Scooters (2) from US brand new. Both delivered after friend died. “Pride-Pursuit Outdoor PMV” & “Afikim Breeze C”.

Paid $3,699 & $3,769 ea. Sell for half price (or?). Eng: 089 803 0388; Thai: 086 245 1459.

As614/22-52/ Space Saving Wall-Beds and Custom made furniture, Kitchens and Condo refurbishment. www.wallbed furnitureshop.asia.Tel: 089-003 6894 As611/27-52/ For Fans of M.J.B. the Cartoonist to Pattaya Mail, you can now buy Mike Baird‘s two new EBooks called “Life in Fun City” and “More of Life in Fun City” from www.bangkokbooks.com at $4-99 each. Both E-Books are the Best of his Pattaya Mail cartoons over 13 years in beautiful full colour. You can carry them around with you, show them to your friends, store them on your computer or give them as a unique gift. You never know - you might see yourself in them!

Bop01/44-48/ Associate Business Brokers Pattaya – 580,000 baht LARGE EARNING POTENTAL! Operate your own business in the field of selling businesses and properties.

Includes full businesses model and company set-up with visa and work permit, training and materials. Interested parties will have to complete a standard confidentiality agreement. Contract: phill@tsba.info www.tsba. info 087 034 0568

Pets

Aw01/26-52/ Missionary in Rayong sponsoring Little Duck Nursery needs help.

Please - Any unwanted items you have would be appreciated.

(Eng) Rev Stephen 086 600 5682, (Thai) 038-621343

Pets03/27-52/ Adorable homeless puppies available for adoption to warm and caring homes! All puppies are healthy, vaccinated and acclimated to people. If you are looking for a friend for life, just call 088 402 6772 or e-mail to karin@carefordogs.org.

Pets02/27-52/ **Free Cats and Kittens** We are still trying to find loving homes for over 40 cats and kittens. Please check the pictures on our website or ring Sandra. Call 085 287 5004 http:/ cats4youinpattaya.webs.com

Boats & Fishing Trips

Property for Rent

Articles/Services Wanted

Bo/45-17/ High quality Fishing & Boat trips on private boats! Silverton 42-foot yacht or Yamaha 26-foot: Fishing, snorkelling, swimming in clear waters off the white sandy beaches. See more details: www.siamgreatadventures.com or facebook Siam Great Adventures Co.,Ltd. Booking contact siamgreatadventures@gmail .com, 087 137 6006 (Eng/Finn) or 087 137 0880 (Thai)

Business Opportunities Bop02/46/ APARTMENT HOTELFORRENT:AURAHOUSE: Ongoing business, Best area Soi Buakhao Tel: 093 881 6233, 093 560 8378, www.booking.com/hotel/th/aura-house.th

Houses, Villas Prb/46/ A 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom 2 storey House in Jomtien available for 28,000 Baht per month. Ref: HR1436. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property.net Check our website www. pattaya-property.net Prb/46/ A 2 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom 2storey House in East Pattaya available for 25,000 Baht per month. Ref: HR1985.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property. net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net Prb/46/ A 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom single storey House in East Pattaya available for 35,000 Baht per month. Ref: HR2060.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@ pattayaproperty.net, Check our website www.pattaya-property.net Prb/46/ A 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom single storey House in East Pattaya available for 21,000 Baht per month. Ref: HR1813.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@ pattayaproperty.net, Check our website www.pattaya-property.net Prb/46/ A 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom single storeyHouse in East Pattaya available for 20,000 Baht per month. Ref: HR1733.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property .net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net

Request English Teacher in Chiangmai

VOL. XXII No. 46

PATTAYA MAIL

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 35

Tel. 038 411 240-1, 038 413 240-1 Fax. 038 411 833

Prb13/46/ Beautiful decorated townhouse, 2 floors, on Soi Siam Country Club, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, all rooms have A/C, gas stove, all doors teak, window aluminium, dark glass, iron protection, 1st floor ceramic, 2nd floor teak, Euro kitchen with fridge, fully furnished, swimming pool in village, short way to golf course and city: 15,000 baht/month + 3 months deposit. Call: Jack 081 161 3270 Prb12/46-51/ OCCASION! Beautiful townhouse (South Pattaya), 2 minutes to city or beach, peaceful and green environment, superbly fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 televisions, ADSL, 4 air-conditioners, garage. Contact: 092 647 1521 Prb11/44-49/ Office space Office space Office space: Now available for rent. Great location in the Heart of Pattaya and Jomtien. ample parking in a garden setting. Already 60% full.

Available spaces from 575sqm.to 16sqm. Tel. 081 805 3849. Gary Email: lou997@ hotmail.com Prb10/44-48/ 2-storey house on a ½ rai, in Soi 14 off NakluaPattaya Road, big balcony, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, maid’s room, covered parking for 3 cars, needs some work: 20,000 baht/month (yearly contract).

Phone: 086 063 5848 Prb09/44-48/ CORNER TOWNHOUSE, Off Soi Khaotalo, Like new, quiet, safe, two bedroom, one bathroom, patio, carport, Thai kitchen, airconditioned, FULLY FURNISHED, 10,000 Baht/ Monthly, English 087 805 5276 Prb06/42-46/ A 2 and 4-Bedroom Terraced House on Soi 5 Pratamnak Rd. for rent. Phone 081 782 0206

E-Mail: mailmarket@pattayamail.com

Prb05/42-46/ A beautiful 3Bedroom Villa with private pool and garden off Soi Chaiyapruk (Beach side) Jomtien. Phone 081 782 0206

Condos, Apartments Prc/46/ 80sqm, 1 Bedroom Condominium in established development located in Pratumnak available for just 20,000 Baht per month .Ref CR1613. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081996-2489 or email info@pattayaproperty.net, Check our website www.pattaya-property.net Prc/46/ 79.5sqm, 1 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Condominium in established Central Pattaya development available for just 19,500 Baht per month. Ref CR1225.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattayaproperty.net, Check our website www.pattaya-property.net Prc/46/ 46sqm, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Condominium in this popular Central Pattaya development available for just 20,000 Baht per month. Ref CR2649 Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or e-mail info@pattaya-property.net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net Prc/46/ 46sqm 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Condominium in established development located in the city center available for just 18,000 Baht per month. Ref CR2461 Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081996-2489 or e-mail info@pattaya-property.net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net

Prc/46/ 44sqm, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Condominium in this recently completed development located in Jomtien for just 24,000 Baht per month.

Ref: CR2800. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property.net Check our website www.pattaya-property.net Prc/46/ 48sqm, Studio Condominium in established development located in Wong Amat available for 15,000 Baht per month. Ref: CR2663. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattayaproperty.net Check our website www.pattaya-property.net Prc/46/ 52sqm, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Condominium in abrand new development located on soi 1, Beach Road, North Pattaya available for 25,000 Baht per month. Ref: CR2969. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property. net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net Prc/46/ LUMPINI CONDO Naklua – Wongamat: 10th Floor, 28sqm, fully furnished, For RENT or SALE, Long term rent 2 years - 12,000 Baht/month.

Contact: Ms. Benjawan 086 300 8680, Chin 081 903 2050 Prc10/44-48/ Apartment for Rent: 2 minutes walking distance to Jomtien beach, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, fully furnished, separate kitchen, free WIFI, 500 baht/day utility included, 2 persons allowed in the room maximum, one month lease, for pictures email juanitareed@hotmail.com or for appointment call 081 653 1950 and 083 578 6664

Prc09/42-46/ Pattaya Beach Road Soi 13: Studio – wooden interior, balcony: 9,600 baht/ month. Studio + big terrace: 12,000 baht/month. Tel 081 835 0967 Prc08/41-50/ VIP Condo (Ban Amphur), studio for rent, 40sqm, flat screen TV, free Wifi, newly renovated, large swimming pool, tennis courts, good gym, on the beach, 1 month 15,000 baht/month, 1 year 13,000 baht/month. Tel 086 069 4399 and 083 687 1900 Prc07/40-03/ Furnished Studio For Rent: A/C, Hot Water, Cable, Swimming Pool 4,500 baht per month Nernplaubwon Soi 53 at Mapyaillia Soi 45, Tel 085 276 8457 (Eng).

089 931 4170 (Thai).

Prc02/34-48/ Condo 32sqm for rent: located near Big C Extra, Foodland, fully furnished, balcony, air-con, big swimming pool: 6,500 baht/month (ADSL-connection available) Call 082 973 9440/ 082 862 7964 Eng/Ger (after 1 p.m.)

Prc01/38-47/ Royal Park Luxury Service Apartments and penthouse suite, Jomtien, 56-70 sqm, one bedroom, large living area with balcony and European kitchen. Free internet.

Enjoy our rooftop swimming pool. Short walk to the beach.

Monthly and daily rentals, starting 17,000 bath/month. Contact 086 111 7414 or check on our website www.royalparkjomtien .com to see why we are number 1 in Jomtien.

Property for Sale Houses, Villas Psb01/43-05/ Rayong Ban-phe - near Mae Ramphung beach, new houses and villas for sale, 2-4 bedroom, private pool/land, partly furnished: Price 2.7 8.5M.baht. Tel (Thai) 081 863 6063, (Eng) 086 158 5667

Psb/46/ A substantial 3 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom Detached family House in East Pattaya on offer for 6,950,000 Baht.

Located in a well established village with all the facilities a family could ask for. Ref: HS3704. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property.net Check our website www. pattaya-property.net

36 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014

PATTAYA MAIL

Tel. 038 411 240-1, 038 413 240-1 Fax. 038 411 833

VOL. XXII No. 46 E-Mail: mailmarket@pattayamail.com

Psb/46/ A 4 Bedroom 4 Bathroom house with private pool in Naklua for only 11,100,000 Bath. A perfect family house in a fantastic location. Ref HS4115.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property. net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net Psb/46/ A 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom house with communal pool in East Pattaya. An ideal family home or rental investment for 3,400,000 Baht. Ref HS3866.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property. net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net Psb/46/ A 3 Bed, 4 Bath House in East Pattaya, located in an exclusive, secure village close to Mabprachan lake. On offer for just 5,000,000 Baht. Ref: HS3850. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081996-2489 or email info@pattayaproperty.net, Check our website www.pattaya-property.net Psb/46/ A Brand New 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom House located just off the Highway 7 in East Pattaya on offer for 2,890,000 Baht. The owner is offering a finance scheme of 6-9 months. Ref: HS3711. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property. net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net

Psb/46/ A 5 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom House in Soi Nernplubwarn in East Pattaya on offer for only 3,850,000 Baht.

A large, fully furnished house for a very low price! Ref: HS3851. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081996-2489 or email info@ pattaya-property.net, Check our website www. pattayaproperty.net Psb03/45-49/ Stunning 5-bed, 7bath villa, near beach: 25 MB. www.facebook.com/beach villabangsaray, Tel: 092 472 5743 Psb02/45-49/ The Willows exclusive villas from 7.8 MB: www.willowbangsaray.com/ Tel: 092 472 5743

Condos, Apartments Psc02/43-47/ The Avenue, 1 bedroom, 8th floor, views, F/F, 2 TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s etc, built in wardrobe, 45sqm: THB 2,750,000 (great rental).Tel. 083 911 3965 Psc/46/ A 58 sqm 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Condominium right in the heat of the city.These unit make excellent rental investment in one of the most popular projects in Pattaya. Priced at only 3,400,000 be quick not miss out. CS4431. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@ pattaya-property.net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net

Psc/46/ A 46.5sqm 1 Bedroom High Floor Condominium in the recently completed Nova Cliff development in Pratumnak, on offer for only 3,422,400 Baht.

Stunning Sea, Koh Larn and Panoramic Views. Ref: CS4563.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@ pattayaproperty.net, Check our website www.pattaya-property.net Psc/46/ A 24.2sqm Studio Condominium in Central Pattaya on offer for 1,325,000 Baht. Be the first to own this property, 80% payment now and 20% in March 2014. Ref: CS4475.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property. net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net Psc01/43-50/ For Sale: 74sqm, 3-room condo, 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, balcony, swimming pool, First floor Majestic Condominium Jomtien,

fully furnished, Farang name, Price 2,300,000 baht. Urgent Tel 087 485 3770 and 082 474 3154, email: josger8586@gmail.com Psc/46/ A 75sqm Brand New Fully Furnished 1 Bedroom Condominium in Pratumnak, 5,990,000 Baht. A spacious condo ready to be lived in, enjoy the modern style, large balcony and pool view. Ref: CS4586.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property. net, Check our website www. pattaya-property.net Psc/46/ A 25sqm 1 Bedroom Condominium in South Pattaya, 1,199,999 Baht! Due for completion in Q3 2016 this property offers exceptional investment value. Facilities include large pool and shopping centre.

Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@ pattayaproperty.net, Check our website www.pattaya-property.net

VOL. XXII No. 46

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 37

Tel. 038 411 240-1, 038 413 240-1 Fax. 038 411 833

Psc/46/ A 117sqm, 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom, Sea View Condominium with large balcony for 14,300,000 Baht. This popular, well established development in Pattaya offers an unrivalled common area and is located on Beach Road. Ref: CS2984. Contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 081-996-2489 or email info@pattaya-property. net Check our website www. pattaya-property.net

Land for Sale P04/27-52/ Land in USA for Sale: 24.3 acres (61.46 rai) (9.8 hectares) of prime wooded land in northern New York State is now up for sale. Formerly a tree farm, the ambitious could recoup some of the purchase price by harvesting the wood.

7 minutes from downtown Potsdam, New York, home to 2 major universities, Clarkson College and SUNY (State University of New York). Located near the St. Lawrence waterway and Lake Ontario, beautiful Hanawa Falls is just around the

E-Mail: mailmarket@pattayamail.com

corner. Only about 20 minutes from Adirondack State Park.

Lake Placid, home of the 1932 & 1980 Winter Olympics, is just one and a half hours drive away. Less than 2 hours drive from Ottawa, Canada. Land could be used as a hunting lodge (plenty of wild game in the area), or as a quiet, secluded residence, or developed into many house lots. Only US$70,000 OBO. Contact Dorothy Petrosky: dottreal@twcny.rr.com or email Dan at totopm@csloxinfo.com.

P05/42-46/ Land for sale: 7 Rai (3,000,000 baht per Rai). Close o Dolphin Show in Huay Yai. Tel 089 444 4407 Email: noisuk71@gmail.com

Services Provided Sp15/46/ Architect Engineer: Houses, Condos, Tel: 085 083 4221.

Sp14/44-48/ Service construction: Tiling, painting, electricity, water pipe, ceiling, art wall etc. Call 087 783 4015 or 087 136 7036

Sp11/08-52/ WWW.321 CLEAN.COM – General home cleaning: Dynamic team and foreigner follow-up. Call now on 089 886 5445 (English), 080 091 2924 (Thai) or leave a message on our web site.

Sp06/26-52/ Connex Asia Co. specializes in providing general contracting, renovation works, construction management and design/build services to a wide range of market segments. With over 15 years experience in the Pattaya marketplace, our team of construction professionals is dedicated to providing our clients with quality workmanship in a timely manner. In short: we are dedicated to service! Call Winnie 038 422986 or 081 802 1467, wpsvo@chonburi.ksc.co.th Sp04/26-52/ Magna Carta Law Office can assist you in securing loans from a minimum 700,000 up to a maximum of 50 Million Baht through various financial institutions with no credit checks or black marks and no penalty for a bad credit history. All loans are secured against either land or property and we are able to lend you up to 50% of the appraised valuation of your asset. The funds will be available around 10 days from the start of the application. Loans can be for a period of 6 months to 1 year and can be extended for longer if needed.

Call either 038-373735 or 0819833-620 for an appointment.

Sp02/26-52/ Swimming Pools: Connex Asia has a long history of providing our clientele with quality swimming pool construction, premium equipment, and unsurpassed customer service. We have the knowledge with years of experience to fit your needs, your desires, and your specifications. All our pools are absolutely chlorine and salt free. Call Winnie 038 422 986 or 081 802 1467, wpsvo@ chonburi.ksc.co.th

Sp01/26-52/ Magna Carta Law Office in South Pattaya offers One-Stop Quality Legal Services. Criminal, Civil, Family & Labor Law Consultancy, Full Accounting Service, Company Set-up, Visa and Work Permit, Notary Service, Real Estate Transactions, Last Will & Testament. You can visit our website www.magnacarta.co.th for the complete list of services. Call us at 038 373 735 to 6 or email us at legal@magnacarta.co.th to set an appointment for a FREE NO OBLIGATION INITIAL CONSULTATION

Staff Wanted Sw01/45-02/ Driver wanted for mini-van. Call: 081 146 1811

Vehicles for Rent Vr28/43-47/ Jay’s Rent A Car: Toyota’s & Honda’s. All top of the range, for your safety all serviced by Toyota/Honda, all have A.B.S./airbags + 1st class, rental Insurance, Rent the best, Please ring for details: (Thai) 084 865 5102 or (Eng) 085 283 4915.

Vr27/46/ Fortuner 3ltr from 1000 baht per day, full insurance, also Toyota and Isuzu pickups only 550 baht per day, 2 left, well maintained nice cars, long term discounts available, just ask! Call 089 932 7965 you ring we bring!

Vr26/35-46/ SPS Car and Bike Rentals: cars from 500 baht/day, Yamaha Nouvos and Mios from 80 baht/day, free delivery in Pattaya area. All cars with 1st class insurance. Tel. 081 177 3307, 038 405 165, www.pattaya-carhire.com Vr/39-01/ Low season prices all through high season 100% insurance. New Honda City. Tel: Nat 084 738 8812 Holiday Car Rent

Vehicles for Sale Vsc01/46-50/ Honda Accord 2.0: 2012. Automatic, black 10,500km: Price 950,000 baht, Norwegian owner Tel. 092 643 6595

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VOL. XXII No. 46

What did we learn from the Brazil GP? Or do you have to be nuts?

Zero to 100 clicks in 2.5 seconds - and it’s a motorcycle According to Kawasaki, they have just unveiled a motorcycle that is so fast even daredevils are wondering if it is too powerful.

With a design inspired by Formula One motor racing cars and a supercharged engine that uses aerospace technology, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 covers from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2.5 seconds.

It can accelerate as quick as an F1 racing machine - if riders can hang on to it - because the supercharged engine has almost as much power as a Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatch, but the Kawasaki Ninja H2 weighs barely onefifth as much as the car.

The supercharger technology is so sophisticated it has been banned from international motorcycle racing since 1946, but has returned to a modern, road-going motorcycle in the search for more power from smaller engines.

The Ninja H2 is expected to comfortably overtake the previous titleholders of the world’s fastest bike including the Kawasaki Ninja ZX14-R from 2012, the Ducati Diavel from 2011, the Yamaha VMAX from 2010, and the Suzuki GSXR-1000 from 2006.

The official slogan “built beyond belief” may also go down in history as the most honest in advertising; even Kawasaki admits the Ninja H2 is “not for everyone, nor is it designed to be”.

Kawasaki Ninja H2 When it comes to performance the Ninja H2 is so powerful Kawasaki has fitted a range of electronics that limit power to enable it to be ridden safely in wet weather or in slippery conditions, as well as a “launch control” mode to get the perfect start.

The brakes are bigger than those fitted to a mid-size V8 sedan.

Contrary to expectations, the motorcycle insurance industry in Australia is not up in arms over the supercharged superbike.

“There are already motorcycles on the road that can accelerate at racing car levels and many that can do more than 300 km/h,” said Swann Insurance research manager Robert McDonald.

“Generally most motorcycle owners only use these speed capabilities on organized track days. There are also many cars on the road currently that can do more than 300 km/h.”

The insurer said it was important to note the Kawasaki Ninja H2 had the latest available safety equipment, including intelligent anti-lock brakes, as standard.

“We don’t anticipate higher than normal claims rates with this motorcycle compared to other high-powered sports bikes on the road,” said Mr McDonald. (Mr McDonald has obviously not seen the way they ride motorcycles round here, but the purchase price will be beyond almost everyone here.)

Kawasaki Ninja H2 Engine: Supercharged 998 cc in-line four-cylinder Power: 154.5 kW at 11,000 rpm (210 horsepower) Torque: 140 Nm at 10,000 rpm Transmission: Six-speed Weight: 238 kg (ready to ride) Brakes: 330 mm discs (front), 250 mm (rear) 0 to 100 km/h: Less than 2.5 seconds (estimated) Top speed: 299 km/h (electronically limited, but racetrack H2R version can reach 340 km/h).

Well, we learned that Rosberg has the mental strength to resist Hamilton and that the two Mercedes drivers are streets in front of the opposition. And when I write “streets ahead” I mean it.

Third placed Massa (Williams) was 41 seconds behind the Mercedes duo.

The battle at the front was interesting, without being nail-biting, quite frankly. It was obvious that Hamilton could catch Rosberg, but was never so close as to make a pass anything but optimistic.

Massa was given a five second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, and at that point it looked as if the diminutive Brazilian’s hopes of a podium were dashed. However, he recovered and continued, and then survived going into the McLaren box instead of his own, but this was probably because he couldn’t see over the dash? Whatever, it was a very popular podium for the Brazilian crowd.

With the driver pairings at McLaren still not made public, Jenson Button, now an old man in F1 terms, has been trying very hard and has bested his team mate recently, and his fourth place was the result of an intelligent drive. Whilst Kevin Magnussen has done a sterling job, he has been eclipsed by the very experienced Button, and if one has to go

to make the place for Alonso, results would say to keep Button. However, how much does Button think he is worth, compared to how much he will accept?

Vettel, who is off to Ferrari next year, had a steady drive without being switched on at all. He seems to be just stroking it home and ready to say goodbye, if he hasn’t done so already.

Alonso put in his normal 110 percent drive, but it was noticeable that the Ferrari pit wall did nothing to help him when he was bottled up behind Raikkonen. If they had made Kimi move over Alonso could have challenged Button. Fernando is no longer the shining light at Maranello.

Raikkonen woke up for Brazil and tried for the two stop strategy, which almost worked. How will he go next year with Vettel alongside? I predict it will be back to sleep again. Enzo would not have put up with such flouting of the Ferrari rules.

The last driver on the same lap as the leaders was Nico Hulkenberg in the Force India, coming in behind the two Ferraris. When will someone give this driver a good car?

What was noticeable was the lack of penalties for having four wheels off the racing surface. There was one particular corner where everyone was cutting off the apex with all four wheels off the

racing surface. Stewarding not consistent (as usual).

Finally, tyres again. With the soft tyres not lasting, most drivers had to come in and change for the more durable compound after only five laps. Race rubber that lasts five laps? Give me a break, Mr Pirelli. That is ridiculous.

So the WDC goes on to the final race at Abu Dhabi with the very contrived points available for the last GP of the year. Hamilton is in the box seat with a 17 point advantage, and he only has to finish one place behind Rosberg and the title is his.

With the Mercedes dominance, it is almost a foregone conclusion that they will return with a 1-2, which again gives Hamilton the title, even if he is second.

So now we go into fortune telling mode, trying to work out who will have the best car for 2015, and who will be sitting in it? Looking at this year, you would have to say that Mercedes has the best platform to work from - but we shall see.

During the three month layoff, the powers that be (read B. Eccles) and the FIA have to work out what to do about the dwindling number of teams being financed by the dwindling number of sponsors with dwindling purses.

The free lunches are well and truly over, gentlemen.

Mazda MX-5 one make series

Toyota steamrollers the others Toyota Motor Corporation, the world’s largest auto manufacturer, is looking at a record full year profit. How much? $17.5 billion. This represented a 3.3 percent increase.

Total sales for 2014 is estimated as 10.22 million vehicles.

However, Honda claimed 19 percent profit, but Nissan trumped them all with a 25 percent half year increase in profit. Some of the increase in profits has come from

the lower Japanese Yen in the money market, making exported cars relatively cheaper.

The marketplace in China remains a problem for the Japanese automakers, as the anti-Japan sentiment is still strong, while the total Chinese market has slowed (as has the Thai market).

It will be an interesting time ahead for the local vehicle and parts manufacturers.

Autotrivia Quiz Last week I asked what was the significance of XOO 349 F? Hint: Ford. It was the registration number of the championship winning Ford Escort Mk1 driven by Australian Frank Gardner in 1968. That car was fitted with a 240 BHP FVA engine, which was legal under the 1968 rules.

So to this week. The AC Ace did not start its production life as an AC, but as something else, which was purchased by AC and its Bristol engine removed. Of course, the ultimate form of this car was the 7 liter Ford

Gardner and XOO 349 F. Shelby Cobra. What was that original car?

For the Automania free

beer this week, be the first correct answer to email viacars@gmail.com.

MX-5 racer Mazda has announced that the upcoming fourth-generation MX-5 will form the basis of a new global race series starting in North America, Europe and Asia in 2016.

The track-prepped MX-5 racer was previewed at this week’s SEMA show in the US, with the show car wearing a discreet aero body kit, single outlet exhaust and larger wheels than the road going example revealed in September.

The interior has also been stripped out to make room for a race-spec roll cage, steering wheel and instruments, along with a racing seat and harness for the driver.

What is shown may not be the final form that takes to the grid in 2016. Further development will occur over the coming months, with the final specifications confirmed

when the car goes on sale in 2015.

Mazda has confirmed that the Global MX-5 Cup racers will use the 2.0 liter SkyactivG petrol engine destined for the road car in some markets.

Each regional series of the Global MX-5 Cup will run identical production-based machinery, and the season will culminate in with a Global Shootout grand finale at the end of the year held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the US. The prize for winning the Shootout will be a one-day test in Mazda’s Skyactiv-D LMP2 prototype racer, which competed this year in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship in the US. Single-make global series like this are not new, with Porsche’s Carrera Cup running in Asia for

a decade and in Germany since 1986. However this is Mazda’s first tilt at a factory-backed single-make series.

Previously, their involvement has been limited to the US-based MX-5 Cup and Spec Miata series. There was also an MX-5 Challenge held between 2011 and 2013, which pitted motoring journalists from Australia and Europe against each other in conditions not typical of the topless sports car. It was indeed a snow challenge, and I would have certainly put my hand up for that one, as I am a great fan of the MX-5, having had one as a daily drive car for three years.

They also make very good track cars with Brian Farrabee, a friend of mine in Australia, running a fleet of older MX5’s as rent-a-racers.

VOL. XXII No. 46

Thursday Darts League Results & Standings Oct. 30 (week 6) Team P W D L F A Pts. The Swan 6 6 0 0 46 10 12 Crazy Eddie’s 6 4 2 0 40 17 10 2 Dogs Bar 6 4 1 1 38 19 9 Londoner 6 4 1 1 37 19 9 Don’t Tell Mama’s 6 4 0 2 37 21 8 Ta’s Bar 6 4 0 2 25 26 8 The Clinic 6 3 0 3 30 24 6 i-Rovers ‘ Casuals’ 6 3 0 3 20 29 6 Buffalo Jack’s 6 2 0 4 17 32 4 Naughty Kangaroo 6 2 0 4 13 32 4 W. Tankies 6 2 0 4 17 34 4 i-Rovers ‘A’ 6 2 0 4 17 23 4 Results: 2 Dogs Bar 4-0 Bye, Londoner 5-5 Crazy Eddie’s, Naughty Kangaroo 4-0 Bye, The Clinic 3-9 Don’t Tell Mama’s, The Swan 9-0 i-Rovers ‘Casuals’, Wanky Tankies 8-1 Buffalo Jack’s, i-Rovers ‘A’ 3-4 Ta’s Bar

King Factory Friday Night Pool League Results & Standings Nov. 7 (week 3) Team Legends Pool Shoot Pool The Butchers Arms The Rest Stop Sweethearts Bar Pook’s Bar Links Bar

P 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

W 2 2 2 2 2 1 1

L 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

D 1 1 1 1 1 2 2

+/12 6 6 0 -6 -8 -10

Pts 6 6 6 6 6 3 3

Results: BYE1 A-W Pook’s Bar, Legends Pool 9-11 Sweethearts Bar, The Butchers Arms 8-12 Shoot Pool, The Rest Stop 12-8 Links Bar

Asia Back Packer’s Monday Darts Super League Standings Nov. 3 (week 18) Team P W L F A B/L Pts. Legends 18 15 3 98 60 14 30 Load Out 18 14 4 105 49 11 28 Buffalo Jack’s 18 14 4 102 52 12 28 W. Tankies 18 12 6 97 57 12 24 Bye 18 8 9 67 78 9 16 i-Rovers ‘A’ 18 8 10 66 80 11 16 Bye 18 8 8 62 62 8 16 Don’t Tell MaMa’s 18 5 13 63 82 4 10 i-Rovers ‘B’ 18 3 15 37 116 4 6 Bye 18 1 16 30 91 3 2 Results: Buffalo Jack’s (4-0)-(5-1) v Legends, Don’t Tell MaMa’s (4-0)-(5-1) v Load Out, W. Tankies (9-1)-(0-0) v Bye, i-Rovers ‘A’ (4-1)-(5-0) v i-Rovers ‘B’

Links Bar Wednesday 9-Ball Pool League Results & Standings Nov. 5 (week 21) Team Legends Pool Links Bar Pook’s Bar Mates Bar George &Dragon Classroom Crazy Eddie’s FCUK Inn The Ranch Connections Queen Vic

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P 17 18 19 20 17 20 18 17 16 17 19

W 14 12 11 10 9 7 6 4 5 4 4

D 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 2 2 1

L 2 5 6 8 5 10 8 8 9 11 14

+/84 64 24 -8 34 -26 -2 -26 -28 -44 -72

Pts. 43 37 35 32 30 24 22 17 17 14 13

Results: FCUK Inn 614 Crazy Eddie’s, George & Dragon 10-10 Classroom, Legends Pool P-P The Ranch, Links Bar 16-4 Connections, Pook’s Bar 13-7 Queen Vic

Pattaya 8-Ball Pool League Results & Standings Nov. 3 (week 11) Team Played Won Lost For Agst Diff Points Smile Bar 11 10 1 115 50 65 31 Phimai Geordie 10 10 0 114 36 78 30 Asian Nomads 11 6 5 79 86 -7 23 Pom Bar 11 5 6 74 91 -17 21 Funny Girls 10 5 5 75 75 0 20 Crazy Eddie’s 10 5 5 65 85 -20 20 San Snack Bar 9 5 4 78 57 21 19 Ta Bar 10 3 7 71 79 -8 16 Doggy Style 10 3 7 57 93 -36 16 Parrot Inn 9 3 6 54 81 -27 15 Connections 11 1 10 58 107 -49 13 Results: Crazy Eddie’s v Doggy Style, Funny Girl 7 v 8 Smile Bar, Bye 0 v 0 San Snack Bar, Parrot Inn 3 v 12 Pom Bar, Phimai Geordie 11 v 4 Connections, Ta Bar 7 v 8 Asian Nomads

Crumpton Oaks Cider Monday Pool League Standings Nov. 3 (week 12) Team Legends Links Bar Rest Stop Nicky’s Bar Sweethearts Bar Shoot Pool Cheers Bar Dean’s Bar Offshore Bar Wok’n’Rok Classroom Two Dogs Mates Bar

P 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 12 12 12 11 12 12

W 10 9 9 9 9 6 6 6 5 4 3 1 0

L 2 3 3 3 3 6 5 6 7 8 8 11 12

+/31 29 29 21 17 3 -4 -5 -7 -26 -19 -50 -19

BP 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 0

Pts. 30 28 27 27 27 20 20 20 16 13 11 4 0

Results: Legends 10 v 9 Shoot Pool, Offshore Bar 9 v 10 Nicky’s Bar, Rest Stop 6 v 10 Links Bar, Sweethearts Bar 10 v 9 Dean’s Bar, Two Dogs 3 v 10 Classroom, Wok ‘N’ Rok 4 v 10 Cheers Bar

Shoot Pool Thursday Darts League Results & Standings Nov. 6 Team Ben’s Tattoo Bar Shoot Pool Nervous Wreck Scandalic Bye Connections Bar

P 4 3 4 2 3 2

W 4 2 2 1 0 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 1 2 1 3 2

+/11 1 -5 -5 0 -2

BL 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pts. 8 4 4 2 0 0

Results: Bye A-W Ben’s Tattoo Bar, Nervous Wreck 49 Shoot Pool

Darkside Tuesday Darts League Standings Nov. 4 (week 10) Team P W L F A T/G Pts. Chill Bar 10 8 2 63 27 8 16 PJ Pub 9 7 2 46 35 6 14 Oscars Bar 10 6 4 57 33 6 12 Load Out 10 6 4 55 35 3 12 Double Dutch 9 2 7 23 58 2 4 Moonies 10 0 10 17 73 3 0 Results: Chill Bar (8-0)-(1-0) v Double Dutch, Load Out (5-0)-(4-1) v PJ Pub and Restaurant, Oscars Bar (9-1)-(0-0) v Moonies

Tuesday Darts League Results & Standings Nov. 4 (week 18) Team Londoner Legends Buffalo Jack’s Yates’ Bar The Swan Naughty Kangaroo Crazy Eddie’s Nervous Wreck i-Rovers Shoot Pool Scandalic Bye W. Tankies Bye

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 18 13 12 12 11 11 10 9 7 7 6 5 3 0

L 0 5 6 6 7 6 8 9 11 11 12 11 15 17

F 164 110 118 96 101 93 101 95 91 79 74 36 51 0

A B/legs Pts. 50 14 36 Results: Bye (0-0)-(767 9 26 1) v The Swan, Buffalo 74 11 24 Jack’s (11-1)-(1-0) v 71 13 24 Scandalic, Legends (765 16 22 0)-(3-1) v Yates’ Bar, 84 12 22 Londoner (7-1)-(0-0) v 87 19 20 Bye, Shoot Pool (4-1)95 7 18 (8-0) v Nervous Wreck, 94 9 14 W. Tankies (4-1)-(8-0) v 97 9 14 Naughty Kangaroo, i113 6 12 Rovers (4-1)-(8-0) v 82 5 10 Crazy Eddie’s 111 4 6 119 0 0

40 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014

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VOL. XXII No. 46

Voller & Blair form dynamic duo Jomtien Golf with the IPGC Monday, Nov. 3, Pattavia – Stableford We had a tee off time of 10.00am today but as always we were early and had four groups in front of us who were not the quickest in town.

Our first group came in rain free but as the second approached the last green the heavens opened and the remainder of the field struggled in over the next hour, most looking a little sodden.

The best score returned came in division 1 (7-19) from Edward ‘Teddy’ Bourne with 39 points, Terry Madsen took second one point behind and Dennis Scougall was third with 36.

In division 2 a meager 31 points was enough to win it for Steven Cliff while Tom Novak was three points behind in second and Colin James took third after beating Rod Howett on a 14/12 back nine count back, both scoring 26 points.

Near pins went to Terry Madsen, Lindsay Phillips (2), Pete Sumner, Alan Bissell and Steven Cliff.

Colin James and Dennis Scougall.

Lindsay Phillips and Pete Sumner birdied the 13th to split the ‘2’s pot in division 1 while a rollover ensued to Plutaluang on Wednesday in division 2.

We wished bon voyage today to Dawn and John Hughes and also Steve Cliff.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, Plutaluang Stableford The East and South courses were the challenge

today and despite some dark clouds building up during the day, we escaped with a rain-free round.

Playing off 5, Kari Kuparinen topped division 1 today with 38 points while Pete Sumner was second on 33 and Dennis Scougall beat Chris Voller 17/14 on the back nine for third after they both came in with 32 points each.

Colin James was the winner in division 2 with 38 points, one ahead of Magne

Pete Sumner and William Chang.

Gunnarsson in second and Jeff van Uffelen beat Roger de Jongh 16/11 for third spot after both scored 31 points.

Near pins were claimed by Kari Kuparinen, Mike Lewis, Pete Sumner, Alan Bissell, William Chang, Don Head and Roger De Jongh.

Edward Bourne birdied South 4 and Mike Lewis and Chris Voller East 2 to share the division 1 ‘2’s pot while in division 2 William Chang birdied East 5 to take sole

possession of the rollover prize.

Friday, Nov. 5, Eastern Star – 2P Scramble/Stableford A two-person scramble took place at Eastern Star on Friday, with the team pairings featuring one player from each division. The rules gave a 40% combined handicap allowance with each player having to record 7 tee-shots on the card.

There were 18 teams out on a very hot day here with clear

blue skies all around. All looked well until the first group reached the 17th green when the rain came down again. Fortunately it eased off enough to allow all the teams to finish.

Chris Voller and Darryl Blair were the winners today with 46 points, ahead of Mike Lewis and Jim Connelly in second with 45 and Bill Bertram and Joe Kubon third with 44. We then had four teams tied on 43 points but Mikael Anderson and Frank Kelly had the better of the count back and completed the podium in fourth.

Regular near pin awards went to Dennis Scougall, Pete Sumner (2), Chris Voller and Alan Bissell. Additional prizes were also on offer for near pins in multiple shots; these were won by Pete Sumner and William Chang #2, Khalifa Nasser and Cliff Elliot #8, Mike Chatt and Glyn Evans #11, Colin James and Dennis Scougall #12, and Pete Sumner and William Chang #16.

Tournament winners Chris Voller and Darryl Blair were the only team to record a ‘2’ today, theirs coming on the 17th.

Putting in Pattaya Ever wondered why certain putts don’t behave the way you expect? Why the pace of some greens appear fast, yet one hole later the pace slows significantly? What is it about putting surfaces in the tropics compared to the temperate climates of much of Europe, North America and Australasia? And why do local caddies say “Lohm” (down) or “Khung” (up) when there is no slope to be seen?

The answer is grass, or to be more exact, grain.

Grain refers to the direction grass grows, or more precisely, the angle at which the blades of grass tend to lie.

Grain can and does have a huge impact on the speed of the putt, especially with the types of Bermuda grass used in tropical climates. It will also influence direction.

Some courses around Pattaya, such as Bangpra and Emerald, are more

“grain obvious” than others. Whereas courses using thinner-bladed grasses on their putting surfaces, such as Mountain Shadow, Crystal Bay and Khao Kheow, have grain that is less apparent to the naked eye – but is there nonetheless.

Reading Grain: The direction of the setting sun, nearby mountains or water is irrelevant. Over here, there is one simple way to read grain; simply walk up to the hole you are playing and look in – it should tell you all you need know. Look at the inside rim of the hole – the cut-line where the edge meets the surface of the green. You will notice onethird of the hole’s circumference is ragged. Directly opposite this point is smooth by comparison. The ragged look is caused by the grass’s tendency to grow and fray.

If your ball is on the same

Asian Turfgrass Center’s research facility near Bangkok. side of the hole as this rough and ragged portion, you are putting into the grain. If your ball is located opposite, on the smooth-cut side, you are putting down-grain. The difference in putting speed between down-grain (lohm – sounds like loom), and upgrain (khung), is massive.

When putting cross-grain, expect the ball’s route to be influenced by the direction of the grain, especially when your ball slows as it approaches the hole.

Tell-tale signs around the hole at some courses may not be as obvious as others.

If you can’t tell by looking

at the rim of the cup – and I would be surprised – check the fringe – the grass on the edge of the green. Sometimes this grass is sufficiently long where you can see the direction of the grain simply by looking at it. This method works best mid to late afternoon, whereas the rim of the cup can tell all from early in the day.

How do you handle a downhill putt that is also down-grain?

Many courses around Pattaya will give you this very challenge. The one thing you don’t want is to putt short as that is the worst possible outcome. The

speed of your putt should be determined by two things – the length of your backswing and where on the putter-face you hit the ball.

All putts, whether uphill, downhill or level, should be hit with an accelerating putter-head. If faced with a particularly fast putt, where you simply want to get the ball started on line, you can hit it following a short back-swing, or instead of the sweet-spot, use the toe of your putter.

Whatever method is chosen, it is still a hit. Never use a decelerating stroke.

Now back to your 25-footer, downhill and down-grain;

how do you get this ball to stop? It’s possible that you can’t, so try not to worry about it. Just ensure you do not leave it short by any distance greater than 18 inches.

Using the toe of your putter does have a dampening effect, but practise it first. Personally, when faced with this type of putt, where length dominates line, I focus solely on the feel of my right hand giving the ball a gentle tap. Normally, my hands apply equal pressure in my putting stroke, but not when putting downhill and downgrain. As with putting generally, it is whatever works best for you. There is no right or wrong way regarding grip, stance or swing, so long as the ball is struck squarely with an accelerating putter-head.

Effective putting in Pattaya is absolutely dependent on reading greens correctly. A major part of this is to determine grain direction and the effect it has on line and length, particularly length.

Achieve this and your total putts per round will drop.

How sure am I about all of this?

As any good caddie will tell you, “Ha sip, ha sip.”

Happy golfing, Golfnutter.

VOL. XXII No. 46

Friday DFiT, Dusit Thani Pattaya: Visitors using the group fitness membership can avail of the THB 2,000 offer for five visits to the gym after their membership has expired. The offer includes unlimited use of DFiT facilities including tennis courts. For more information, call 038-425611 ext. DFiT. 1:00 p.m. The Pattaya Bridge Club meets upstairs at Altos Restaurant, 144/99 Thappraya Road near flyover. Contact Jeremy Watson 085 818 2172, www.pattayabridge.org.

2:00 p.m. Pattaya Sports Club Bowling at PS Bowl on the top floor of Tops Supermarket at the junction of Central and Second Roads. Contact La at PS after 1:30 p.m.

Saturday Pattaya Archery Club meets between 10am and 12 midday every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at our dedicated shooting range within easy reach of Pattaya, near the new railway road. Beginners of all ages are welcome, and equipment and coaching are free. For more information call Eric, the club President , on 089 535 1193 or visit www.pattayaarcheryclub.com Ocean Marina Yacht Club invites experienced sailors and learners for racing weekends and funsail/training weekends. The club has 5 star clubhouse facilities and a fleet of 25' racing yachts available. www.omycsailing.com, phone Kev Scott 087 825 0011.

8:00 a.m. Diving with Mermaid’s Dive School. Contact Mermaid’s Dive Center, tel. 038 232 219 - 20, email: mermaids@loxinfo.co.th 8:00 a.m. - noon & 2 - 6 p.m. (Sat & Sun - Also Monday to Friday) Horseback riding at the Horseshoe Point Riding Academy, the biggest equestrian center in South-East Asia. Show jumping, hacking, trail, dressage and classical dressage. Training courses from beginners to advanced riders with English speaking instructors. Leisure trail riding, group and private classes. All levels of riders welcome. Over 100 horses and ponies available. Located on 1,500 acres of beautiful tropical garden land just outside Pattaya.

Free shuttle service available. For more information: phone (+66) 3873 - 5050 (ext. 4016-18), fax (+66) 3873 - 4973 or email: ridingschool@thehorseshoepoint.com 8:30 am. -10:00 am. International Players Academy meets every Sat. morning for Jr. Intermediate level Tennis at Ambassador City Tennis Courts. Visitors are welcome, just bring your tennis racket, ages range from 10-16. For more details call CJ on 086 086 2121

DATE:

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 41

PATTAYA MAIL

Fri 14

Sat 15

Indoor Lawn Bowls Free at Coco Club every Saturday for school or college aged children from 11.00am - 2.00pm, with Male – English and Female Thai tutors. Parents can sit at the bar and watch. New champions needed! Call Sue on 087 135 8357 or pop in to the club at Baan Amphur - signposted behind Phoenix Golf.

3.00 pm - Pattaya Cricket Club practice nets at Horseshoe Point next to Siam Country Club. All ages and abilities welcome.

Please contact Simon at pattayacricketclub@gmail.com

Sunday

Monday

Thursday

1:00 p.m. The Pattaya Bridge Club meets upstairs at Altos Restaurant, 144/99 Thappraya Road near flyover. Contact Jeremy Watson 085 818 2172, www.pattayabridge.org.

3.15 p.m. Pattaya Hash House Harriers: The club for drinking

7:00 p.m. Pattaya Panthers and Panties (mixed) Touch Rugby every Thursday night at Horseshoe Point next to Siam Country Club. New players are always welcome - we are a very sociable team!

Please contact Paul Crouch on 089 902 6286 or pjcrouch@hotmail.com

Sun 16

Mt. Shadow

The Haven

Green Valley

Mon 17

Tue 18

Bangpakong

PSC Monthly Open

Plutaluang

The Emerald

PSC Monthly Open

Burapha

Phoenix

PSC Monthly Open

Greenwood

Green Valley St.

Tropical Golf

Plutaluang

Jomtien Golf

Eastern Star St.

Khao Kheow St. Crystal Bay

The Emerald

Sugar Shack

Greenwood

Growling Swan Le Katai

Plutaluang

Players Lounge Witherspoons Beaver Bar

Pattavia

.

The Emerald

PSC Monthly Open

PSC Monthly Open Eastern Star

PSC Monthly Open

Green Valley St.

Green Valley St. Suphabruek

PSC Monthly Open

Pleasant Valley

Plutaluang

PSC Monthly Open

Pattavia

PSC Monthly Open

Mt. Shadow

Burapha

TBA Pattaya C.C. Eastern Star St.

The Emerald St.

Crystal Bay

Greenwood

Mt. Shadow

Pattavia St.

PSC Monthly Open

TBA Eastern Star

PSC Monthly Open

Green Valley

Green Valley

Green Valley St.

Khao Kheow St.

Greenwood St.

Khao Kheow St.

Siam Country Rst

Green Valley

TBA

Eastern Star

Greenwood

Donovan’s Golf

Silky Oak

Green Valley

Plutaluang

Mt. Shadow St. Eastern Star

Pattana TBA

The Emerald

Eastern Star

PSC Monthly Open

Plutaluang Green Valley St.

Fri 21

PSC Monthly Open

Plutaluang

Travellers Rest

The Golf Club

Green Valley St.

Pattana St.

Khao Kheow St.

Pattavia

Thu 20

Treasure Hill

Green Valley

The Links

Pattaya Golf Soc.

Wed 19

PSC Monthly Open

Kronborg

Billabong Golf

Wednesday

TBA

I-Rovers

Lewiinski’s

Chess and Scrabble Club: every Tuesday 12pm - 5pm at Hoek-Van-Holland in Jomtien. Take Thappraya Road to intersection with Beach Road. Dong Tan Police sub-station is right there.

Walk back towards Pattaya 10 meters along walking path. HoekVan-Holland is on the right, before the parking lot. Bring your own chess set and/or scrabble board. For more information please see website www.hoek-van-holland.com - Everyone welcome.

The Pattaya Chess Club meets every Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. onwards at Brauhaus on 2nd Road between Soi 7 and Soi 8. Learners and anybody who would like to play chess are most welcome. Boards and clocks are provided.

Pattaya Ladies Netball Club: 7.30 pm every Tuesday at Fairtex Sports Club. All ages and abilities are welcome. 100 baht per person. Please email pattayanetballclub@gmail.com to confirm or find us on Facebook – ‘Pattaya Ladies Tuesday Night Netball’ 1:00 p.m. The Pattaya Bridge Club meets upstairs at Altos Restaurant, 144/99 Thappraya Road near flyover. Contact Jeremy Watson 085 818 2172, www.pattayabridge.org.

3.00 pm - Pattaya Cricket Club practice nets at Horseshoe Point next to Siam Country Club. All ages and abilities welcome.

Please contact Simon at pattayacricketclub@gmail.com.

4.00 pm – Club Petanque Thailand plays Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. The court is open for groups every day. New and bigger surface. Very good drainage as well as better lighting. No membership fee. Find us at Soi Nernplabwan 100/2 Moo7, next to Sutawas Temple and small Banglamung Police station. Contact: 085 280 7182, fax 038 248 067, email: petanque.Th@gmail.com (English, French, German, Scandinavian); (Thai & Chinese: 080 618 2831.)

RichmanPoorman Outback Golf Bar

Tuesday

Badminton players are invited to play 3 mornings a week at X-zyte Sports Club on Third Road. We play 10-12am Sunday, Tuesday and Friday with a mix of mostly 50+ farangs and younger Thai’s.

The Amazing Sunday Golfers are a friendly group of average index who welcome new players. Each Sunday they have friendly games on different courses with a meeting point at the course.

Contact Philippe at 082 546 0770 or email 2012tasg@gmail.com to be updated each week for the upcoming game.

8:00 a.m. Diving with Mermaid’s Dive School. Contact Mermaid’s Dive Center, tel. 038 232 219 - 20, email: mermaids@loxinfo.co.th 12:00 p.m. Pattaya Sports Club Softball plays slow pitch recreational pick-ups games at every Sunday at 12 noon. New players always welcome regardless of skill level, experience, age or time away from the game. For more information and directions see the softball page at the Pattaya Sports Club website www.pattayasports.org or contact John at scrabbleking @yahoo.com or call 089-932-5433 2:00 p.m. The Pattaya Backgammon League (PBL) meets every Sunday at B.G. House & Restaurant @ 2 p.m. For further details phone 081 664 9085 or email tournament@ pattayabackgammonleague.com 3:00 p.m. Pattaya Jungle H3 meets every 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month and departure is from the Lek Hotel on 2nd Rd at 3pm. For more info please call Kai on 01 863 5095.

Blue Moose Golf Bunker Boys

people with a running problem meets every Monday at 3:15 p.m. in Pattaya Third Road, in front of the Buffalo Bar close to soi Lengkee, and just down the road from the Boxing Roo. We depart at 3:30 p.m. sharp. More info at: www.pattayah3.com.

Pattaya C.C.

Pattaya C.C.

Plutaluang

TBA Greenwood

PSC Monthly Open

Plutaluang The Emerald

Transportation leaves from Cafe Kronborg on Soi Diana Inn at 8:15 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays (call Dave 083 602 2117). Blue Moose golf plays on various days of the week, call Gay Wilanan 0811441054 for details. The Bunker meet at The Ranch on Pattaya 3rd Road. Please contact Buff on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663. The Haven departs from Soi Thirteen (Soi Pattaya 13) at 8:30 a.m. on its scheduled days (contact Stephen at 038- 710-988/9). The Pattaya Golf Society departs from the Elephant Bar on Soi Buakhao on its scheduled days (contact Len Jones 081 949 1468). Lewiinski’s departs from Soi Pattayaland One (Soi Pattaya 13/3) at 9:00 a.m. on its scheduled days of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday/Wednesday and Friday. Tropical Golf meet at The BJ Holiday Lodge on Pattya Soi 3, Beach Road at 8 a.m. on Tuesday’s and Friday’s for breakfast before leaving via minibus to the course (contact Derek on 089 034 0629 ).

Travellers Rest play Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - please contact Fergus Brennan on 086 056 7019. The Outback Golf Bar is situated 6km from Sukhumvit Rd. along Siam Country Club Road. Telephone Jack on 081 578 1956. Donovan’s Golf Society plays at Green Valley Golf Club on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call Steve at 081 996-3026 for details. Jomtien Golf meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Siam Cats, Soi 5 Jomtien Beach Rd. at 8:30am for 10am Tee-off. Contact Glyn on 086 837 5464 for details. The Siam Country Group (Mabprachan) play golf every Tuesday & Thursday. Call Jeff on 089 094 1841. The Growling Swan (formerley The Bunker Bar in Soi Chaiyapoon) generally plays on Mondays & Thursdays. Please contact Peter on 086 150 3086 or email to petergrey@y7mail.com. The Billabong Golf Bar located at Mabprachan Lake play golf every Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Contact Bob Philp on 082 204 3411. The Tara Court Golf Group play every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday. Call Joe on 089 249 1364 for details. Witherspoons Golf Group, Soi Buakhao, Contact Paul on 092 374 4276. The Beaver Bar & Grill in Ban Chang plays at Emerald Golf Course every Friday with first Tee at 8 a.m. All are welcome. Contact Larry on 087 147 8986. The Players Lounge - call Bob on 080 096 8232.

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Sa sets the course alight PSC Golf from The Billabong Golf Bar Wednesday, Nov. 5, Green Valley Stableford

Wednesday winner Sa with Wayne Cotterell and Chris Dodd.

Playing Green valley today was a day out for some golfers, the course was in good condition even after all the rain they have had on the course, there was no run at all and winter rules were in play. Wherever the ball hit the ground it stayed there or came back a little.

With seven groups playing we got off to an early start and were finished in about 15 minutes short of 4 hours. It was hot out there though with sunshine and no threat of rain.

You would tend to think that with the course being so wet the game would help the lower markers but not the case today. In the winners’ circle were Sel Wegner, taking fourth spot on a count back over Owen Walkley with 37 points each, while third place went to Chris Dodd with 40 points, yes that’s right, with no run at all Chris actually managed to score 12 points in 3 holes from the 11th with a chip-in for 5 points, a par on the next for 3 and a par on the next for 4, not bad at all! Second place went to Wayne Cotterell with 41 points and

the top spot was taken by Nichawan Khiaophuang (Sa) with 42 off her 25 handicap.

Well done Sa, a great round of golf in those conditions.

There were four ‘2’s recorded, coming from Sa, Eric Black, Sel Wegner and William Macey.

Friday, Nov. 7, Burapha Stableford Playing Burapha for the first time in a while the course, as with most, was very wet in places and it was carts on paths only. The course may have been wet but the greens were brutal, as in fast

even with all the rain; you only had to look at the ball and it moved six feet.

We got away to an early start in lovely weather but it didn’t take long for the heat to take its toll, however we all finished in under four hours.

Apart from 2 scores the course was the winner today.

There were no ‘2’s so the prizes went to third place with Willem Lasonder taking that spot with 33 points.

Second place went to Owen Walkley with a great 39 points, being just beaten on count back by Brian Maddox having his best round for a long time.

Rushant remains on top Travellers Rest Golf Group Div.2 (14+) 1st Derek Thorogood (14) 34pts 2nd Arthur Kimo (22) 34pts 3rd Tewin Poopay Lamthong (14) 33pts

Andy Rich The little scamp did it again!

He only went and won twice this past week, the second time by amassing a stupendous 40 points. Mike Rushant ‘the Mighty Atom’ has been repelling all boarders on his pocket battleship and still he hasn’t been cut. Cries of “fix” and “teacher’s pet” and “I don’t believe it” have been re-sounding from the back of the classroom but still the man with the ‘mighty scythe’ keeps a low profile.

Mike has been crying out to be a single figure handicapper but his cries have gone unanswered. “I have won four competitions and finished runners-up three times in the last 22 days.

What more can I do to become a single figure handicapper?” he sobbed uncontrollably wiping away the tears with a big spotted handkerchief.

“Who knows?” I said in a consoling sort of voice.

Monday, Nov. 3, The Emerald Stableford All in all it was a strange week at the TRGG; the first week when golf was arranged for five competitions at five different venues. It didn’t get off to the best of starts on Monday at Emerald where the golfers managed to complete about

Saturday, Nov. 8, Mt. Shadow Stableford

Mike Rushant - the two time winner. sixteen holes before the heavens opened and play had to be abandoned for the day. Everybody got so drenched most were still drying out the following day and only a hardy few, now known as the “Magnificent Six”, turned up to play at Greenwood.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, Greenwood Stableford So with Monday’s event abandoned we move on to Tuesday at Greenwood (A and B courses). Brian Beaupre packed his heavy weather gear and his sou’wester and showed the rest how to play a wet course. He romped home in first place on 37 points but was closely followed by

Brian Beaupre - winner at Greenwood.

Mike Rushant, just tuning up for the rest of his dominant week. Ian Bell was some way back in third place.

1st Brian Beaupre (5) 37pts 2nd Mike Rushant (11) 36pts 3rd Ian Bell (7) 32pts

Thursday, Nov. 6, Green Valley Stableford On Thursday, which also happened to be Loi Krathong, the light festival, in Thailand, Mr. Confusion came to call at the TRGG. One of the big bosses booked everybody in that morning and sent them on their way in all the transport buses to play Green Valley. He then proceeded to drive to Eastern Star. He of course blamed his Satnav but we could see pressure was starting to tell.

His partner, the other big boss, then had to rearrange everything at the course whilst waiting for the errant group to arrive after their jaunt down to Eastern Star.

He then proceeded to “play the worst golf of my life” and come last with seventeen points. These five day working weeks are obviously going to take some getting used to.

Gerry Fernandez - winner at Phoenix.

With the crazy things happening back at base, we arrived at Green Valley to find out that the management had once again altered the course around so that the first hole is once again the toughest hole on the course.

This meant that a good number of the contestants were fishing around in the pond after their very first drive.

Put that together with the weather on the day being one of the hottest and most humid I have ever encountered in Thailand and the majority of the bedraggled incumbents returned to the looking like the French Foreign Legion after a route march across the Sahara.

It was of course no problem for our hero of the week and Mike Rushant skipped back to the club house ready to collect his first prize. He did however only manage to pip another youngster, Ian Bell, on count back. The immaculately turned out Mike Sanders took third spot.

1st Mike Rushant (11) 35pts 2nd Ian Bell (6) 35pts 3rd Mike Sanders (6) 33pts

Friday, Nov. 7, Phoenix - Stableford It was another welcome return to Phoenix on Friday,

this time after about a year’s absence. We played Ocean and Mountain courses and because of the large turnout two divisions were required.

Everybody got lucky because just a few miles away back in Pattaya the mother and father of all thunderstorms fell on the city for a couple of hours in the early afternoon and for a time it looked as though Noah was going to get a call to bring his ark along.

All remained calm at Phoenix and ‘Big’ Gerry Fernandez swatted away the challenge of, you guessed it, Mike Rushant to take top spot in Div 1. Mike just managed to pip dapper Mike Sanders on count back.

In Div.2 Derek Thorogood managed to get his act together and headed the field, but only just as he pushed Arthur Kimo back into second place on count back. Tewin Poopay Lamthong took up the baton for the girls and finished in third place.

Div. 1 (0-13) 1 st Gerry Fernandez (12) 36pts 2nd Mike Rushant (11) 34pts 3rd Mike Sanders (6) 34pts

Lastly, we come to Saturday and a trip over to Mountain Shadow on what turned out to be the most beautiful day of the week. The course was in excellent condition, showing no ill effects from all the rain.

Mike Rushant saved his best for last and rattled up 40 points in Division 1 to decimate the rest of the field, no one could get near the cheeky little blighter. Phil Cummins, who had never played the course before, did very well in finishing second and Fergus Brennan adjusted his grip to expel the nightmares he encountered earlier in the week to take third place.

In Division 2 the handy Andy’s dominated: Andy Driver took first place with your scribe (Andy Rich) in second. Right behind me, after count back, was the magnificently named Demon Wong.

Div.1 (0-13) 1st Mike Rushant (11) 40pts 2nd Phil Cummins (11) 35pts 3rd Fergus Brennan (13) 33pts Div.2 (14+) 1st Andy Driver (16) 34pts 2nd Andy Rich (20) 33pts 3rd Demon Wong (20) 33pts Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Fergus Brennan on 086 056 7019 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.

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Hamilton ends trip on a high note PSC Golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch Monday, Nov. 3, Khao Keow B & A – Stableford The weather didn’t look promising as we assembled at The Ranch, with light drizzle falling and grey clouds looming overhead. Despite the gloomy weather, fifteen golfers eventually turned up and as we travelled up the 7 motorway the weather began to brighten up, and when we arrived at Khao Keow the sun was shining.

We elected to play winter rules again because the fairways were very soft, but generally the course was in good condition. The absence of any roll on the fairways meant the course was playing very long, although the greens were in good condition, if a little grainy.

The outward nine was completed in fine conditions, but then a short, sharp storm blew in and we were forced to shelter for 10 minutes before setting out again to complete the round. Throughout the inward nine we were surrounded by storm clouds with thunder and lightning evident in the distance, but the rain stayed away and everyone completed the round, albeit on very soggy fairways.

The heavy conditions were always going to make scoring difficult, and Tony Robbins produced the best score of the day with 35 points to take first place.

Ross Schiffke scored 19 points on the front nine but faded on the back nine finishing on 32 points, one point clear of Gordon Melia and Gerry Cooney who had to be separated on a count back.

st

1 Tony Robbins (15) 35pts 2nd Ross Schiffke (19) 33pts 3rd Gordon Melia (17) 32pts 4th Gerry Cooney (14) 32pts Near Pins: Geoff Cox, Keith Norman, Mike Johns and Ross Schiffke.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, Green Valley – Medal A bright sunny morning for a change as we drove up route 36 to the Green Valley course, for our first medal competition of the month, once again sponsored by KPK Foods.

When we arrived at the clubhouse the car park was busy but there was no delay on the first tee and we teed off on schedule. The course was generally in good shape, but the fairways had suffered in the recent heavy rains and were still extremely soft in places, although as always here the greens were in good condition.

It was Bonfire Day in the U.K. but there were few fireworks in evidence as most players struggled on the soft ground and only Geoff Parker came close to playing to his handicap, taking first place with a score of net 74.

Mashi Kaneta was one stroke back to take second place ahead of Tony Robbins who took the third spot after beating Terry Hamilton on a count back.

1st Geoff Parker (15) net 74 2nd Mashi Kaneta (15) net 75 3rd Tony Robbins (15) net 77 4th Terry Hamilton (19) net 77 Near Pins: John Graham, Ken Young and Thomas Nyborg.

Master “chipper” Ken Young.

Friday, Nov. 7, Pleasant Valley – Stableford Your regular scribe was taking a rare day off today to play in the Poppy Day tournament at Khao Keow, so reporting duties passed on to his apprentice who has only just returned to Pattaya after a long summer break, partly spent watching England’s dismal performance in Brazil – time and money well spent?

With several other regulars also playing in the Poppy Day tournament it was a reduced field that headed out to Pleasant Valley, on a bright sunny morning, but overcast and extremely humid conditions greeted our band of brothers as we surveyed an almost empty course from the first tee. Generally we tee off from the blue tees here, but due to the absence of the majority of the long

hitters the white tees were employed, some even wanting to use the reds. This decision was fully justified when a few of the blue tees were found to have been relocated to the blacks.

The course was in reasonable condition considering the amount of rain absorbed but several of the fairways were damaged by track marks, presumably from mowers and not buggies. Conditions underfoot were very soft so preferred lies were entertained. The greens were running slow but true, although a few were in need of some tlc, ditto bunkers showing drain-off damage but who nicked all the rakes?

Onto the golf where the first hole, a par four, produced a five-pointer from Ken Young after his chip in for a 3 from off the green; needless to say things had to go downhill for him after that, consigning 2 balls to the water on the third.

Evans & Gabe on top at the Mountain PSC Golf from Café Kronborg points, two up on Dave Addison in second, with Leif Kirkgaard finishing third and Mark West fourth.

Daryl Evans took the B Flight honours with a fine 40 points, while kenny chung was second on a count back over Karl Beter, both on 36 points. Graham Buckingham completed the podium in fourth.

Monday, Nov. 3, Mt. Shadow – Stableford A Flight (0-19) 1st Brian Gabe (17) 38pts 2nd Dave Addison (14) 36pts 3rd Leif Kirkgaard (17) 35pts 4th Mark West (13) 33pts B Flight (20+) 1st Daryl Evans (22) 40pts 2nd Kenny Chung (23) 36pts 3rd Karl Beter (29) 36pts 4th Graham Buckingham (22) 35pts Long Putts: #9 Elias Magnusson, #18 Brian Gabe Near Pins: #5 Leif Kirkgaard, #8 Lotte Boskov, #15 Steen Habersaat, #17 Daryl Evans We were off the first tee at Mountain Shadow30 minutes early under sunny skies and very steamy conditions until we had a brief shower after the 14th hole. The course was in good condition with fastish greens on most holes.

Back in the clubhouse after a round of 4 hours and 15 minutes welcomes went out to Dave Addison and Mick O’Connor from the UK, Brian Gabe

Thursday, Nov. 6, Pattavia – Stableford

Arne Max Pedersen. from the USA and Gunnar Larson and Torben Rasbol from Denmark.

This was the first tee-off of the high season, with enough players for 2 flights and the cut made at handicap 19, plus of course a full bevy of near pins.

Brian Gabe won the A Flight with 38

1st Arne Max Pedersen (16) 39pts 2nd Dave Addison (14) 35pts 3rd Peter Bygballe (14) 29pts 4th Steen Habersaat (25) 29pts Pattavia was the game today and once again we teed off in sunny and very steamy conditions. The course was in fine condition with quick greens.

Back in the clubhouse we welcomed Mogans Jensen from Denmark.

Arne Max Pedersen was the winner today with a fine 39 points, four up on Dave Addison in second, with Peter Bygballe taking third on a count back over Steen Habersaat and Lotte Boskov, all with 29 points.

Without any holdups play was flowing nicely until the last couple of holes on the front nine when a 10 minute burst of rain sent everybody scurrying for their bag covers and brollies. Luckily this was the last we would see off the wet stuff, although black clouds, thunder and a bit of lightening seemed to follow us around on the back nine.

Playing off the whites produced some very good cards, but the standout round definitely came from Terry Hamilton with 42 points. Struggling with his putting during his stay, everything went in on the day and even the few wayward strokes into the rough saw excellent recovery shots. The winnings came in handy for the taxi as he flew out back to the UK at 4am the following morning.

In second place with a very commendable 38 points came Ken Young, any coincidence

that the top two marked each other’s cards? Third place came down to a count back on 35 points where Eddie Kelly (19 points on the back nine) edged out Gerry Keys.

1st Terry Hamilton (19) 42pts 2nd Ken Young (27) 38pts 3rd Eddie Kelly (20) 35pts Near Pins: Les Hall and Tony Scambler (2).

Note: The PSC affiliated Bunker Boys play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us. We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 or check website: www. bunkersociety.com.

9th John Preddy & The Memorial Golf Tournament Monday 24th November 2014 : Emerald G.C. The John Preddy memorial golf tournament has been held for the last 8 years, but this year we are expanding the event to remember those local golfing friends who have passed away recently. A new Memorial Trophy has been purchased which will be inscribed with the names of those departed friends and will be held in the bar of the winning team for one year. The team event is intended to be an inter-society tournament including as many golf societies as possible.

Format : Individual Stableford competition in Four-balls Team Event (Best 3 individual Stableford scores per hole) Teams from all bars and golf societies welcome Entry : Entry Fee 2,200 Baht per player.

All players with valid handicaps welcome.

Entry Fee includes: * Green Fee + Caddy Fee. * Free Memorial Tournament golf shirt. * Technical Prizes on every hole (2 Flights) * Lucky draw * Free Buffet at Lewinski’s. * Trophies for Individual Champion, 2nd and 3rd * Memorial Trophy (plus 4 individual trophies) for winning team Tee times will be allocated on payment of the Entry Fee at: (i) The Ranch Bar, Pattaya 3rd Road, contact “Buff” Tel. 086 0465091. (ii) Rabbi’s Elephant Bar, Soi Buakhow, contact Len Jones. Tel 081 9491468. (iii) Lewinski’s Bar, Soi Pattayaland 1, contact Jim Elphick.

Tel 084 913 9318.

Supported by PSC: All proceeds to local children’s charities

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VOL. XXII No. 46

Lyle has best of the week IPGC Golf from The Haven Monday, Nov. 3, Khao Kheow (yellow tees) - Stableford CSS 72 1st David Ross (10) 41pts 2nd Jens Gunnarsson (16) 38pts 3rd Phil Groves (11) 35pts 4th Mike Hill (20) 34pts 5th Mark Lang (5) 31pts With Hal and Phil still organising the golf operation out of The Haven, everything seems to be running extremely smoothly with hardly a ruffled feather in sight and even the scoring is getting better, with the exception of Friday’s competition that is.

The courses are still not quite back to their best, with heavy rain falling almost every night, so with little run from the tee, golf was generally difficult for the higher handicappers as is usual at this time of year on the Pattaya area courses.

It was therefore a very good result when David Ross playing, his thirtyeighth game in Pattaya, finally broke 80 with a five under handicap card that finished three clear of the chasing pack, and he was well pleased to be at last playing to the level he is used to in the UK. Jens Gunnarsson was the closest challenger at two under handicap and also three clear of third place, so he too was delighted with the day’s outcome.

Phil Groves, apart from now having the longest drive (or

Dave Ross. at least equal) every time out, is still struggling to beat eighty as the cobwebs are proving very difficult to brush away, but at least the signs are somewhere out there as he turned in a one over card to take third place.

Mike Hill was almost there in fourth, with Mark Lang three behind in the last podium placement position.

Before the presentations were made there was a welcome back for Jens Gunnarsson.

There were no 2’s in the first division but Hal Hart had the solo one in the second division to clear out the roll over pool.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, Green Valley Stableford CSS 71 1st Lyle Blaw (12) 42pts 2nd Phil Groves (11) 36pts 3rd Phillip Cass (18) 35pts 4th Vincent Gras (17) 35pts 5th Markku Tynell (23) 34pts

Lyle Blaw.

After David Ross’s out- to 15 as Vincent tired badly standing round during the over the closing holes. previous outing there were Markku Tynell rounded out more fireworks today at the podium in fifth just one Green Valley, and very ap- more behind. propriately as it was also Guy Prior to the presentations Fawkes Day back in being made there were wel‘Mother’ England. come backs for Vincent Gras, Lyle Blaw returned a six Brian Randall and Terry under handicap score that Hodgkiss together with farewas his best round since wells to Mike Hill, Phillip November 2011, when he Cass and Phil Stevenson Lyle Blaw added to his also had a gross 78. Lyle can always be relied upon to day’s takings with the only play consistently as his 2 in the first division, sweephandicap moves within a ing the rollover pot while very narrow band, except for there were none in the secthe odd great round as was ond division. this one, and deservedly he Friday, Nov. 7, took first place some six Pattavia – strokes clear of the field.

Phil Groves did slightly Stableford CSS 74 better on this occasion but 1st Paul Young (15) 37pts still not yet back in the old 2nd Terry Hodgkiss (23) 34pts groove but was good enough 3rd Phil Groves (11) 32pts for second spot.

4th Barry Wellings 32pts Phillip Cass took third place 5th David Ross (10) 31pts after winning a count back over 6th Jon Yarrow (14) 31pts Vincent Gras with a better 17

Paul Young.

This may be the longest drive down the 331 but the trip is well worth the effort.

The quality of the Nick Faldo designed course, together with the recent re-development of the new clubhouse, changing facilities and restaurant, has seen this become one of the more popular venues to visit.

Paul Young returned to Pattaya from his base in Bangkok to spread-eagle the field today, leaving his nearest challenger three shots adrift as he returned a solid 19/18 split. But with the Elephant Bar also playing the course, there were not enough players that made the mark of “within two of handicap” and the CSS therefore moved out two to 74 as the wet conditions had made the course a little long for most of the hopefuls.

Terry Hodgkiss, having had a very restful holiday in Oz, returned in good form and although not quite able

to match his handicap he did enough to lay claim to second spot in a very competitive field.

Phil Groves again did enough to feature on the podium for the third time in the week but had to win a count back, which he did with a better 18 to 14, to take third place.

Losing that count back and finishing fourth was Barry Wellings who had looked good over the front nine but faded after making the turn.

Davis Ross returned to his usual pace as he took fifth place after he also won a count back over Jon Yarrow, returning a better 19 to 16.

Once again there were no 2’s in the second division but Barry Wellings and Kevin Townsend shared the first division pool with one each.

Back at The Haven there were welcome backs for Paul Young, Barry Wellings and Kevin Townsend and Jon Yarrow.

Note. If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact 038 710 988 or call in to The Haven Hotel, at 185 Soi 13, between Beach Road and 2nd Road.

All transportation to the course is arranged and you do not need to sign up prior to the day, but you should be there by 8.15 on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days that you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.

Bangpra and Tropical Golf both winners PSC Golf from Tropical Golf Group Tuesday, Nov. 4, Bangpra – Stableford A-Flight 1st John Hackett (15) 32pts 2nd John Pierrez (13) 32pts 3rd John Davis (14) 32pts B-Fight 1st Derek Brook (22) 34pts 2nd Frank Pilkington (25) 32pts 3rd Daryl Evans (22) 30pts Near Pins: Mick Coghlan, John Davis, John Pierrel, Dave Courner Long Putt: Dick Warberg

This was a very special day for the Tropical Golf (formerly Tropical Bert’s) Group.

This was the inaugural meeting at our new location at BJ’s Holiday Lodge and also the first Tuesday to kick off our Golfer of the Month battle.

Everyone arrived at our new venue for a later than usual tee time, and no one went first to the old place out of habit – at least no one would admit it. Expecting some first day bugs, we were all pleasantly surprised to find the staff well prepared.

The service, food, and help yourself coffee were excellent. We were pleased to see some familiar faces returning after some time away.

With such a great start to the day and with the weather looking to hold back tears of rain, we saddled up and headed to Bangpra Country Club. We don’t play this course as often as we’d like, and it is one of the most scenic and well kept courses in the area. Just keep a close watch on your golf bag lest the monkeys get into it. One year someone had their phone stolen out of a cart.

The weather was about perfect. We expected the entire course to be very mushy after all the recent rains, but only a few spots were soggy, and the greens excellent.

Bangpra is a subtle course and it takes experience and a good eye to score well on what seems to be a straight forward layout. Once into the round however one quickly realizes the smallest deviations from well placed

Winners Derek Brook (left) and John Hackett (right) celebrate with Lek at BJ’s Holiday Lodge. shots leaves instant trouble.

Shaking our heads in defeat we headed back to BJ’s for the damage report.

When all was tallied it was clear Bangpra was the victor today, even though everyone loved the trip. In B-flight (19+) the winner and with the best score of the day

was Derek Brook (22) with 34 points. Congrats to Derek! In the A-flight the best these “real golfers” could manage with their fewer free shots was a win by the returning John Hackett (15) with 32 points on a multi-name count back.

Good effort John and it

shows never give up!

Thanks again to our new friends at the BJ Holiday Lodge on Soi 3 just 100 yards from Beach Road (bjpattaya.com). The Tropical Golf Group plays Tuesday and Friday, and is affiliated with the Pattaya Sports Club.

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Treasure Hill wins, again IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Elephant Bar Division 1 1st Jon Batty (9) 32pts 2nd Yasuo Suzuki (13) 31pts 3rd Richard Bannister (11) 30pts Division 2 1st Larry Gibb (23) 38pts 2nd Murray Edwards (22) 34pts 3rd Len Jones (27) 33pts The start of the high season saw the Pattaya Golf Society take six groups to play what most believe is the toughest course on our schedule, Treasure Hill, on Monday, Nov. 3. Recent rains meant the ball stopped where it landed, making the course play very long. This and threatening weather saw us introduce preferred lies, a decision that was immediately justified when encountering the wet broad-leaf grass that has become dominant on this course’s fairways this year.

The other concern with many was the poor state of several greens, where putting over large tracts of barren sand-covered ground made a mockery of a good

putting stroke. Not a good sign at the start of the high season.

The field was split into two divisions with the cut at 15.

Division one played from the white tees (6726), while division two hit from the yellows (6377). This decision appeared popular with most, as division two players proceeded to completely outplay their more illustrious peers in div one. Sure, there is difference of 350 yards, but in no way does that account for the difference in performance from the winners of the respective groups. While rain didn’t help, it no doubt didn’t differentiate between divisions. The low markers took a pounding; it’s as simple as that.

There was just the one ‘2’, achieved by Yasuo Suzuki on the 6th.

Back in the Elephant Bar we welcomed back Brian Beaupre from Canada, Alan Griffiths and Mark Cooper from the UK, and John O’Sullivan from Trat. Wayne Morrison was the name drawn for the

Treasure Hill – the hazards can be brutal. free beer, whilst the booby bevvy went to just-arrived Englishman, Mike King, in recognition of today being his birthday; well someone has to recognise it!

Congratulations to the podium placers, but special praise to Larry Gibb; two shots better than par on a track playing as tough as this was a great performance.

Batty makes merit at Khao Kheow There were no fireworks at Khao Kheow on Wednesday,

5th November when the Pattaya Golf Society visited to play a stableford merit event on the A and C nines, which were in good order other than the fairways were soft and slow, as were the greens.

The weather held steady and the humidity made the air very “thick” with little flight but the two divisions from the yellow tees made a good fist of things.

With the cut at 15.5 and under the field set off on time and managed to finish the round well. In the

Kae conquers all at Khao Kheow PSC Golf from The Growling Swan The Drut

Monday, Nov. 3, Eastern Star – Stableford A field of Melbourne Cup proportions gathered in anticipation of another day’s golfing enjoyment. Welcomes were handed out to Eric Black, Dave Fletcher, Jim Delves, Peter Coetzee, Colin Stielon and Bernie McCart from Australia.

The weather was warm and the fairways in horse racing parlance, slow, and as a result of a downpour on the eighth they went from slow to heavy to dead whilst the greens, though lacking pace, putted ok.

The starter hit the electric button and sent us on way at 1000 hours from the yellow markers. In A grade Eric (The Judge) Black with 36 points won by a length in the biggest upset since Old Rowley at 100/ 1 won the 1940 Melbourne Cup. Second was Jim Delves on 35 points, John Coetzee handed in 34 whilst Ebrahim got into the frame with one less.

Roy Dayton won B grade by a short nose with a great 38 points. Despite retreating on the flip side like Napolean’s troops out of Moscow, Seesa Phompimon ran second with 36, while Jean Claude Lhoste and Marc Henkel rounded out the podium.

Geri Crilly won the NAGA low points award with a key to the door performance.

From left: Sal Brizzi, Kae and Dave Fletcher.

A Flight (0–19) 1st Eric Black (16) 36pts 2nd Jim Delves (15) 35pts 3rd John Coetzee (16) 34pts 4th Ebrahim (13) 33pts B Flight (20+) 1st Roy Dayton (24) 38pts 2nd Seesa Phompimon (26) 36pts 3rd J.C. Lhoste (24) 34pts 4th Marc Henkel (29) 33pts Near Pins: Graham Rice, Ebrahim, Bob Akapita (2) Long Putts: Bernie McCart, Mike Gosden

Thursday, Nov. 6, Khao Kheow – Stableford A record field of thirty five faced the starter on a day that was hotter than Sharon Stone’s interrogation scene in Basic Instinct. In view of recent rains the course was in good condition and the greens, despite being slow, putted truly.

Welcomes were handed out to a truckload of gents from Geraldton in Western Australia and Bunter Maloney from the settlement on the Yarra, Melbourne.

We played from the white markers and Sal Brizzi, off his seven handicap, handed in 40 points to win A grade. Bill Steinmann and Bill McGarvie each scored 39s whilst Eric Black and Mike Quills had 35 apiece. John Coetzee rounded out the grade with 33.

In the B grade, lady golfer Kae played much like a politician fielding voter’s questions, i.e. with skill and dexterity to post a great 43 points and win easily. In second was Roy Dayton on 35 whilst Scott Baumgarten, Peter Dave Fletcher copped the NAGA with a score lower than a kneeling Danny Devito.

A Flight (0–18) 1st Sal Brizzi (7) 40pts 2nd Bill Steinmann (9) 39pts 3rd Bill McGarvie (11) 39pts 4th Eric Black (16) 35pts 5th Mike Quills (18) 35pts 6th John Coetzee (16) 33pts B Flight (19+) 1st Kae (19) 43pts 2nd Roy Dayton (24) 35pts 3rd Scott Baumgarten (29) 33pts 4th Peter Coetzee (20) 30pts 5th Geri Crilly (24) 29pts 6th J.C. Lhoste (24) 25pts Near Pins: Ebrahim A3, Bill McGarvie A5, Kae C3 and Martin Kempton on C8.

Long Putts: Bill Steinmann A9 and Roy Dayton on C9.

Note: The Growling Swan is a friendly golf outlet and caters for and encourages all golfers male or female to have a hit at any of our weekly outings. We generally play Mondays and Thursdays at one of the many fine golf courses in and around Pattaya. Please contact Peter Grey if you are interested on 0861 503086.

The Growling Swan also caters to bowls enthusiasts. Bus transport departs the GS on Wednesdays at 10 AM to play at Cocos on undercover synthetic greens and on Sundays at the same time for open grass bowling at The Retreat.

Please contact Paul Rennison on 0843 454005 if you wish to partake. The cost including return bus transport, bowling fees and a hot lunch is less than 400 baht so great value for a day out

second flight Brian Shaw and John O’Sullivan shared third place with 28 points and it was especially gratifying to see John’s name on the podium for a very rare appearance. Sharing first place were Murray Edwards and Mr Len with 30 points each.

In the top flight, scores were predictably better with Mark Cooper and Mark Lang sharing second place with 36 points, the latter providing the best gross of the day, 77 shots. The flight winner was the form player Jon Batty with 37 points, rarely a foot out of place, his unique style somehow getting the best out of the ball.

In the second flight Wayne Morrison took the ‘2’s pot after a fine effort on A3 whilst in the top flight Mark Cooper emulated this with a birdie on C8.

Alan Flynn took the non winners draw again whilst Peter Ditz marked his return to Pattaya golf by forgetting his golf clothing and having to play the round in his street clothes - shoes and all. The Austrian’s reward was the inevitable Booby Bevy.

Khao Kheow had been a good venue and currently the value for money aspect is very welcoming. Well done Khao Kheow!

Perfect Pattavia 1st David Thomas (6) 34pts 2nd Mike King (17) 31pts T3rd Brian Beaupre (5) 30pts T3 rd Tony Campbell (7) 30pts A week’s a long time in politics, so we are told. Well, it appears two weeks is a long time in golf, as well. How else does one explain an eight-point swing between winning performances returned on the same track, under the same conditions by the same players?

The course appeared picturesque upon arrival on Friday, Nov. 7, beautiful weather showcasing manicured fairways. Such a contrast to what this course presented about a year back.

Our four groups enjoyed conditions that did not need preferred lies and offered superb putting surfaces. Pin placements – the key to scoring here – were tough. Approach shots that were not left under the hole made good scoring near impossible.

Two weeks ago two players scored in excess of 40 points on this track in similar conditions. Today, those same two players managed 34 and 28 points respectively. Apart from the pin placements, everything else was the same. Strange that.

There were no ‘2’s today, something that would have pleased those making the podium. With just the one flight, the podium consisted of four players, with two sharing third place. Scoring was surprisingly low leading to placegetters expressing amazement that their modest scores were enough to warrant a pay-out.

Back at the Elephant Bar welcome-backs were extended to Englishman Peter Wilson, now living in Glasgow, and Brian Brown from Queensland, Australia.

Mr Len drew the name John Tallett for the free beer, and Dave Plaiter won the booby bevy courtesy of one ‘mare’ of a round.

Pattavia Century Golf Club is 6639 yards of pristine golf that offers a challenging layout with tough but fair putting surfaces. Many holes have secluded fairways where only the hole being played is visible; a luxury these days.

This remains one of Pattaya’s best VFM courses, whatever the season.

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Adam Barton leads the way PSC Golf from Lewiinski’s Golf Society Sunday, Nov. 2, Green Valley Stableford A Flight 1st Adam Barton (13) 41pts 2nd Mike Holmes (11) 38pts 3rd Paul Smith (3) 36pts B Flight 1st Paddy Jordan (19) 37pts 2nd Lou Szigligeti (22) 37pts 3rd Iain Jones (16) 36pts Near Pins: No 5 Mike Holmes, No 8 Freddy Starbeck, No 12 Justin Fowlis, No16 Dave Stockman Adam Barton continues to show steady play as he settles to the pace of Pattaya life. It took a best on the day 41 points effort for Adam to wrest first place from a resurgent Mike Holmes, who was pleased to see his 38 points hold up for second place.

Paul Smith closed A Flight with a steady even par round.

Irishman Paddy Jordan led B Flight onto the rostrum; there are not many plaudits left to bestow on Mr. Jordan as he shot a fine 37 points.

It should be noted that Ausie Lou ‘walk about’ Zigzag matched the point output but fell to a back nine count back. Ian Jones filled the flight with an even par round.

Paul Smith, Vic Hester, Justin Fowlis Lou Zigzag and Pierre Bietry shared the 2’s pot.

Monday, Nov. 3, Greenwood Stableford 1st Leo Horsting (17) 37pts 2nd Andy Byrne (10) 35pts 3rd Lou Szigligeti (22) 35pts We had a small but talented group, due to our back-toback playing days, and the weather also turned out to play at the well presented Greenwood.

Leo Horsting easily led the field home as he was the only player to better his handicap with a fine 37 points; Leo was two clear of Co. Offaly man Andy Byrne and Aussie Lou ‘walk about’ Zigzag. Andy took the silver while Lou was explaining his game to his friend.

Andy Byrne, Tom Gorey and Trevor Gough shared the 2’s pot.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, Bangpra Stableford A Flight 1st Pierre Bietry (16) 35pts 2nd Matt Doyle (14) 32pts 3rd Leo Horsting (17) 31pts B Flight 1st Colin Davis (18) 32pts

Adam Barton (right) with Lewiinski’s golf manager Colin Davis.

2nd Ken Kelly (19) 32pts 3rd Matt Cronin (16) 30pts Pierre Bietry, lethal off a sixteen handicap, was good enough to edge victory in A Flight with 35 points as once again the legendry lightning fast greens took their toll on the field. Irishman Matt Doyle lifted the silver with 32 points while Leo Horsting was handed the bronze as his 31 points counted up better than Ireland’s Tom Gory. Tom was not too concerned as he was the sole heir to a very healthy ‘2’s pot.

Colin ‘the Donkey’ Davis sat atop the B Flight podium

with 32 points, a score he shared with Ken Kelly. Matt Cronin kept his head bent as he accepted the third place for his less than memorable 30 point total.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, St. Andrews Stableford A Flight 1st John Pierrel (13) 40pts 2nd Barry Wellings (5) 39pts 3rd Paul Smith (3) 38pts B Flight 1st Gerry Roche (20) 37pts

2nd Lou Szigligeti (22) 37pts 3rd Colin Davis (18) 34pts John Pierrel has a great deal of upside potential, even though he is currently off a very credible 13 handicap.

His 40 points at the demanding St. Andrews layout is testimony to that.

Barry Wellings thought he did what he had to do, shoot 39 points, but he just did it on the wrong day. Pay window specialist Paul Smith made his regular appearance on the podium with 38 points.

Irishman Gerry Roche, who has yet to hit a consistent stride this visit, is sending out signs that an explosion may be in the offering as his 37 points out-pointed Ausie Lou ‘walk about’ Zigzag for the B Flight gold. The Donkey made it two podium appearances this week in third.

Barry Wellings, Paul Smith, Reg McKay and Martin Allard shared the 2’s pot.

Thursday, Nov. 6, Mt. Shadow Stableford A Flight 1st Justin Fowlis (110 38pts 2nd William Peach (17) 38pts

B Flight 1st Murray Aiden (18) 40pts 2nd Pat Harney (21) 30pts Mountain Shadow is always a stiff test of golf, with its superb greens and tight fairways, but none of that seemed to deter Aiden Murray as he stormed past B Flight, and the entire field for that matter, with a fantastic 40 points. Aiden was an unbelievable 10 strokes clear of Ireland’s Pat Harney.

The laurels in A Flight went to Liverpool’s Justin Fowlis as he got the better of William ‘the conqueror’ Peach on a count back, both locked on very creditable 38 points each. Bill was not too upset as had two ‘2’s to Justin’s one.

Kam Kahn, and Aiden Murray shared the ‘2’s pot with Justin and William.

Note: Lewiinski’s is situated on Pattaya land Soi 1, Beach Rd Soi13/13 near Walking Street. Anyone wishing to play with us just pop in and add your name to the list or call Colin on 089 826 0764. Transport is provided.

No rain sees scores improve PSC Golf from Siam Country Resort Tuesday, Nov. 4, Pattavia - Stableford Pattavia was our chosen venue for Tuesday’s game, with the course in good condition overall. With the rain having eased off over the previous few days there was even some run on the fairways, due to the staff being able to get the mowers out.

Greens were true, but nowhere near their firey pace of days past, which left the course somewhat vulnerable.

Sam Gettinby (H/cap 23) has found some good form of late and today he posted 36 points, but was pipped at the post by a fast finishing Jeff Wylie (8) with 37 points.

Sam and Jeff also shared the near pins between them.

Thursday, Nov. 6, Khao Kheow Stableford Thursday saw us return for our usual monthly game at Khao Kheow, with the B & A combination our allotted test of the day. The course had dried out considerably, but with management declaring carts not to be driven on fairways, we implemented the PSC local rule of ‘lift, clean & place’ on the closely mown surfaces. I am sure this precautionary action will benefit the course in the long run, and it won’t be long before we will be playing the ball down.

Jeff Wylie (8) continued his run of form to again record 37 points, well clear of Daniel

Bob poses on Khao Kheow’s B9 Hole, a good test of golf.

Oshiro (19) with 32 points.

The majority of players broke 30 points for the day, an indication that the course is drying out and better scores are ahead. Near pins went to Jeff, Sam & Dan. Note: Siam Country Resort, Restaurant & Bar is located just off Siam Country Club Rd, after going under the arch past the 7/11, turn right after 50 metres, with the

venue on the left another 200 metres along. Golf from here is generally played on Tuesday & Thursday, with the Resort hosting prompt presentations on both days. As a PSC affiliated venue we welcome ALL golfers, including ladies & seniors (>60s) who have opted for the “Silver” tee option. Call 089 094 1841 for scheduling or enquiries.

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‘The Flapper’ is in the pink PSC Golf from The Golf Club Steve Ellison

Monday 3rd - Rayong Green Valley (white tees) – Stableford 1st Nigel Flanagan (13) 39pts 2nd Sugar Ray Handsford (18) 37pts T3rd Mark Wood (7) 35pts T3rd Ken Aihara (5) 35pts T5th Adrian Deminski (26) 34pts T5th Phil Smedley (7) 34pts It was back to our regular golf schedule again (Mon/ Wed/Fri) and lots of familiar faces (they didn’t like me saying “old faces”) returning back to our sleepy little fishing village this past week, which can only mean it is starting to feel like high season. Let’s hope those heavy rains are coming to an end.

Nine groups of Pattaya’s finest golfers (and 2 slaggers) went out Monday amidst the fine start to the inevitable afternoon rains. It was a good thing we all left town as the weather at the course

‘The Flapper’ in all his glory. was a heck of a lot better than back in Happytown.

Six men took to the podium today but none hit that elusive, magical 40 point mark.

A lot of people were more than a bit surprised to see none other than ‘The Flapper’ sitting on top! A big group of Siam members were slumming it with us today and it was Nigel Flanagan all on his lonesome with a big

Mark Venning, Ken Aihara & Bryan Carroll.

red 39 circled at the top of his card. C’mon man! I guess we have to congratulate his great play in spite of himself. Way to go Flappah!

Wednesday, Nov. 5, Eastern Star (white tees) – Stableford T1st Ken Aihara (5) 39pts T1st Bryan Carroll (18) 39pts 3rd Mark Venning (11) 34pts All was good today at this

Robert Trent Jones, Jr. golf course and our crew was satisfied with the condition of the course. They have a history here of problems with the fairways as it is close to the ocean and airbourne saltwater makes greenskeeping a challenge.

It seems to be under control now so we can recommend playing here again.

Not everyone likes this

course and it does have those hidden fingers of water that sneak into play. A good caddy is essential if you have not played here before. There are some really great holes though and a good test even for the low handicappers.

It looks like our man Kenny Aihara is back in form. He had three podium appearances the previous week out of the four comps we played.

He is building up a head of steam after not having hit a golf ball in 5 months! Our good mate Bryan Carroll also had a fine round and is still playing well after a great trip to Kabinburi a couple of weeks back. This duo shared the win today with 39 points each, so nice going guys!

Friday, Nov. 7, Mt. Shadow (white tees) – Stableford T1st Ken Aihara (5) 35pts T1st Gary Hookey (17) 35pts T3rd Mark Wood (7) 33pts T3rd Ken Grimes (19) 33pts

T3rd Ray Powell (15) 33pts One of the better tests of golf in the Pattaya area, Mountain Shadow has a reputation it certainly deserves. The greens here strike fear in every golfer as they are amongst the fastest around.

We had three for third with a thirty three, so it was an auspicious day, as they say here in Thailand. A notch up the leader board was our buddy Gary Hookey, who we haven’t seen on the podium for awhile. Gary did very well indeed to tie with the man who is proving very hard to beat.

Yes, it was Kenny Aihara again who tied with Gary for the win and our best golfer this week.

Way to go Kenny!

Note: The Golf Club is located on Soi LK Metro. Just call 085 434 3377 or see our website www.golfclubpattaya .com and for more information mail us: pattaya4golf @gmail.com and see updates at www.facebook.com/ golfclubpattaya... all handicaps welcome.

Jordison signs off with a win PSC Golf from the Outback Golf Bar Monday, Nov. 3, Burapha - Stableford We left the Outback bar with light rain falling, hoping for better weather at the course and the wishes of the six groups luckily were granted as it turned out to be fine at Burapha. Back on C & D for a change with the now familiar ‘winter rules’, we were joined once again by Mike Cadona and his mates on their annual visit from Melbourne, although some of their cards never actually reached the scorer’s tent.

The split for the divisions was unusually high with Div

A going up to 21 H’cap, not that it made much difference to Brad, who just assumed himself at the top for the final time with another great display of golf with 39pts.

Second was Burapha regular Pete Stonebridge, losing out to Brad on c/b, with John Cunningham eight shots adrift, back in third.

The Div B scoring was not so good, as visitor Pete Marsh won with 32pts from Tim Knight who beat Les Easton on count back, both with 30pts.

We said goodbye to Brad who in the three months

Impregnable form The Backyard Golf Society Last Friday’s game at Emerald for the Backyard lads showed the fickle nature of the weather around here, with our group seeing nothing but blue clear blue skies while Pattaya apparently had a rip-snorter of a storm.

Taking advantage and winning the main competition again was ‘The Impregnator’, playing his last game as a single man as he heads off to see Irish and Manny Pacquaio next week for the wedding. The same player also won the nearpin money on the 15th.

The skins saw our latest player, ‘Who B.Rought Him?’, win 8, with 5 to ‘Second-hand Bob’, 3 to ‘Diet

Whiskey’ and singles to ‘The Impregnator’ and ‘Irish John’. Irish’s birdie on the 1st hole also won him the 2 rollovers from the previous week.

Mr. Oddie was a notable (it was so quiet on the course today!) absentee today, having decided that the latest dating Asia download from Bangkok was more important than golf, something none of the other players could understand at all.

Our numbers will swell next week – literally – with the return of Delia from Norwich but we will lose ‘Second-hand Bob’ back to Portobello Road.

here managed to lower his handicap from 8 down to 4.7.

The only ‘2’ came from Kevin Curtis.

Div A (0-21) 1st Brad Jordison (5) 39pts 2nd Pete Stonebridge (19) 39pts 3rd John Cunningham (6) 31pts Div B (22+) 1st Peter Marsh (22) 32pts 2nd Tim Knight (25) 30pts 3rd Les Easton (22) 30pts

From left: Bob Mattes, Wayne Cotterell, Scott Baumgarten and Sel Wegner.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, Khao Kheow Stableford Khao Kheow was busy but very wet in places, so much so that the ground staff had the big squeegees out on the B9 green. However, we teed off on time on A with our back nine being the C loop and the course was very playable provided one didn’t miss the fairways.

The Khao Kheow queen, Suzi Lawton, ruled again with a fine 37pts to win from General Jack, who felt quietly heartened about his effort, on 34. Third was Eddy Beilby (32), who together with his playing partner Kim, lost the match against Jack and John Lawton with the return match being set for Bangpra in a week’s time.

Welcome to Garry Appleby from Newcastle on his first trip to Thailand who duly celebrated with the only ‘2’ on C3.

1st Suzi Lawton (25) 37pts 2nd Jack Moseley (22) 34pts 3rd Eddy Beilby (17) 32pts

Friday, Nov. 7, Green Valley Stableford With a full complement of eight groups on the start sheet, Jack was given a headache when Kari asked if he could join us as he had been let down by his planned playing partners. Without a ‘no-show’ it looked impossible until Rick Evans also showed looking for a game, which meant that without too much disruption, they were able to join in, giving us a field of 34 players.

As the Monthly Medal sponsor was not available due to workload and the course not at its best and with a lot of rain still around, Jack decided to postpone the Medal until 21st November.

The scoring was slightly

below par as Wayne Cotterell returned the best score of the day, 38pts to win Div A from Tom Gorey (35) and Sel Wegner (34). Div B went to Sugar Ray with 37pts, ahead of Kim Danboise (36) and Pete Stonebridge (35). Bob Mattes found his game again at last to record 37pts to take Div C, from Geraldton visitor, Scott Baumgarten on 36, nudging Tim Knight back to third on count back.

Welcome back to Scottie Golden, here was some R & R and also welcome to all the lads from Geraldton.

Mark (Sprockett) was somewhat dubiously awarded the NAGA trophy by the rest of lads, which the Outback were more than happy to provide the prop for, as Mark sunk another beer from the resident mug!

There were four ‘2’s from Murray Hart (8th), Sugar Ray (12th) and Rick Evans & Sel Wegner (16th).

Div A (0-12) 1 st Wayne Cotterell (12) 38pts 2nd Tom Gorey (11) 35pts 3rd Sel Wegner (11) 34pts Div B (13-18) 1st Sugar Ray Handford (18) 37pts 2nd Kim Danboise (15) 36pts 3rd Pete Stonebridge (18) 35pts Div C (20+) 1st Bob Mattes (23) 37pts 2nd Scott Baumgarten (29) 36pts 3rd Tim Knight (25) 36pts Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. Call Jack on 081 578 1956.

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Kaepernick, 49ers beat Saints in OT thriller 27-24 New Orleans (AP) - Colin Kaepernick completed a 51yard pass on the fourth down to sustain a tying drive, Ahmad Brooks sacked and stripped Drew Brees in overtime, and Phil Dawson kicked a 35-yard field goal to cap the San Francisco 49ers’ stirring 27-24 victory over New Orleans last Sunday.

The victory ended a twogame losing streak for the Niners (5-4) and marked the first home loss for the Saints (4-5) in more than a season.

Brooks’ decisive blow on a sack of Brees had to feel like poetic justice to the Niners linebacker. His unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a vicious sack and strip in the Superdome a year ago allowed the Saints to pull out a late comeback victory in these teams’ previous meeting.

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning threw five touchdown passes in less than 17 minutes as the Broncos handed the Oakland Raiders their 15th straight loss, 41-17.

Manning threw a pair of early interceptions that put Denver (7-2) in a hole against the NFL’s only winless team.

That all changed with a short pass that C.J. Anderson turned into a spectacular 51yard catch and run. The

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) during their NFL football game at the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 9.

(AP Photo/NOLA.com The Times-Picayune, David Grunfeld) touchdowns didn’t stop until Manning’s day was done after three quarters.

Manning added two TD passes to Julius Thomas and two more to Emmanuel Sanders as the Broncos rebounded from the previous week’s loss at New England by beating up on the Raiders (0-9).

The Arizona Cardinals put together another dominant

fourth quarter, but the 31-14 victory over the St. Louis Rams was dampened by an injury to quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer went down in the final period, then backup Drew Stanton and the Arizona defense rallied the Cardinals with three touchdowns over a span of 4 minutes.

At Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers threw six touchdown

Tickets available at Pattaya Mail Office (Free)

passes to equal the club record and match the NFL record for a half as the Packers trounced the Chicago Bears 55-14.

Rodgers was 18 of 27 for 315 yards, throwing scoring passes of 73 and 40 yards to Jordy Nelson.

Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch rushed for a season-high 140 yards and career-best four touchdowns as the Seahawks downed the New York Giants 38-17, while Michael Vick threw two touchdown passes as the New York Jets forced four turnovers while shutting down Ben Roethlisberger to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-13 and end an eight-game

losing streak.

Across the Atlantic in London, Tony Romo threw three touchdown passes to lead the Dallas Cowboys (7-3) over the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-17 in the last of three regular-season NFL games at Wembley Stadium.

Romo completed 20 of 27 passes for 246 yards and finished with a seasonhigh passer rating of 138.8.

He threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten in the first quarter and then hit Dez Bryant for a pair of TDs in the second, the first from 35 yards and the second from 68.

The Jaguars (1-9) are 0-2 in

London, and they will return to Wembley Stadium next season and in 2016.

In other games, Matthew Stafford led Detroit to another thrilling victory in the final minutes, throwing an 11yard touchdown pass to Theo Riddick with 29 seconds remaining as the Detroit Lions edged the Miami Dolphins 20-16, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills 17-13, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Tennessee Titans 21-7, the Atlanta Falcons were 27-17 winners over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles downed the Carolina Panthers 45-21.

Watson wins his 1st World Golf Championship Doug Ferguson Shanghai (AP) - Even in the midst of a meltdown, Bubba Watson never lost hope last Sunday in the HSBC Champions.

He stood on the 16th tee with a two-shot lead. He trudged off the 17th green facing a one-shot deficit behind five players suddenly tied for the lead. And right when it looked as though Watson had blown it, he delivered a finish that not even the creator of “Bubba golf” could have imagined.

From some 60 yards away in a bunker left of the green on the par-5 18th hole, Watson blasted out of the sand and watched his ball roll 25 feet before it dropped for eagle. Watson was so stunned that his eyes widened and he screamed. He didn’t know what else to do.

Moments later, he rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th in a playoff to beat Tim Clark and capture his first World Golf Championship.

Watson closed with a 2-under 70, a score that doesn’t even begin to describe his wild ride — an eagle, birdie, par, bogey and double bogey filled his scorecard over the last five holes.

The two-time Masters champion looked like a lost cause when he stood in the bunker on the 18th in regulation, waiting his turn to play. That’s when he turned to his caddie and told him, “It’s been a miserable couple holes here, but this will change everything if it goes in.”

Talk about a Shanghai surprise.

Bubba Watson celebrates after making an eagle from a bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Nov. 9. (AP Photo) “You always joke about holing it,” Watson said. “And then it actually went in. I didn’t know how to react and so I just kind of screamed, and I lost my voice a little bit. It was one of those shots, a one-in-a-lifetime kind of shot.”

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All Blacks beat England 24-21 at Twickenham London (AP) - New Zealand defeated England 24-21 last Saturday, bossing a home side that’s desperate to make Twickenham a fortress heading toward the Rugby World Cup it will host in 10 months.

Instead, the All Blacks added to their aura with a news flash of their own: It was their seventh win in eight matches on England’s turf in the last decade, and they will feel right at home when they come back to defend the Cup. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, however, insisted the result would have no bearing on the World Cup, where New Zealand and England could meet only as early as the semifinals.

“The All Blacks have shown many times you can be top dog and not get there,” Hansen said. “There’s no psychological advantage because World Cups have shown time and again that prior history goes out the door.”

The All Blacks were set back by an unexpectedly strong start by England, playing their first test in five months, but the visitors gradually took charge, took the lead for good in the 46th minute, and squeezed the life out of England in the second half, despite a yellow card and heavy rain.

Putting away their customary flash and dash, New Zealand played smart, patient, textbook rugby in

straight losses to the Wallabies — and 20 in a row to the three southern hemisphere powers — when they were awarded a penalty try in the 65th minute, with the conversion making it 28-27.

But Foley landed a drop goal from in front of the posts in the 74th minute after 20 phases of possession and then booted a penalty in the 79th, finishing with 18 points including a perfect six-from-six place kicks.

“Every time we play the Welsh, they give us a battle and it goes down to the wire,” Foley said. “Tonight was no different and they

really tested us.”

The last five Welsh defeats to Australia have come by a combined margin of 14 points and the Wallabies will take a crucial psychological edge into their next meeting — in the group stage of next year’s World Cup. Over in Dublin, Ireland gave northern hemisphere rugby a huge lift by picking apart South Africa in a 29-15 win at Lansdowne Road, with flyhalf Jonny Sexton leading the way with 16 points.

The Springboks’ optimism from a breakthrough victory over New Zealand last

month was punctured by the Six Nations champions, whose 6-3 halftime lead was buttressed by flanker Rhys Ruddock’s 42nd-minute try before winger Tommy Bowe dived over to clinch victory late on.

“It’s a massive win,” Ireland captain Paul O’Connell said. “To get it against one of the big southern hemisphere teams is massive for us.”

Other results from last weekend saw Scotland beat Argentina 41-31 in Edinburgh, France defeat Fiji 40-15 in Marseilles and Italy beat Samoa 24-13.

New Zealand’s Israel Dagg (right) is tackled by England’s Semesa Rokoduguni during their international rugby union match at Twickenham stadium, London, Saturday, Nov. 8. (AP Photo/ Alastair Grant) scoring three tries, and overcame making only three goalkicks out of eight shots.

Not until reserve prop Charlie Faumuina burrowed over from a ruck after 22 phases to make it 24-14 with nine minutes to go were the All Blacks safe on the scoreboard, but the match was already in the palm of their hands.

“I’m proud of the way the guys, after a slightly dodgy start, held our nerves, and

got the points we needed in the second half,” captain Richie McCaw said. “I’m especially happy, when it was really bucketing down, that we held the ball to get across the line.”

At the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Australia edged yet another tight test match against Wales, winning 3328 thanks to two late kicks from flyhalf Bernard Foley.

Wales had a great opportunity to end a run of nine

Australia’s Bernard Foley kicks a conversion against Wales during their rugby international match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Saturday, Nov. 8.

(AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Rosberg holds off Hamilton to win Brazilian GP Tales Azzoni Sao Paulo (AP) - This time, Nico Rosberg wasn’t going to let victory slip away.

A week after seeing Lewis Hamilton overtake him to win the United States Grand Prix, Rosberg fended off another strong challenge by his Mercedes teammate to secure the victory at the Brazilian GP last Sunday and close in on his rival in the Formula One title race.

“It was a great weekend all in all,” Rosberg said. “Just didn’t do a good enough job in the race in Austin, today I managed to do that. I learned from Austin and did better, so that’s a big step in the right direction. One race too late, (but) there’s still all to play for.”

The German cut his pointsdeficit to 17 but Hamilton will keep the upper hand going into the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi, where the Briton can clinch his second title with another secondplace finish. If Rosberg misses out on a podium spot, Hamilton can finish eighth or better and still lift the trophy.

Hamilton has 334 points to 317 for Rosberg. The championship could not be decided

at Interlagos because the race in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 23 will be worth double points.

“Now I’m just hoping for (Abu Dhabi) and need to try and keep this going now,” he said.

Hamilton also started behind Rosberg in Texas but outpaced him during the race. Rosberg said it took too long for him to find his rhythm at the Circuit of Americas. It wasn’t going to happen again this time.

“I always needed to make sure that the gap was always such that there was no chance of him to go for the overtake, unlike Austin, and managed to do that, so that was good.”

It was Rosberg’s fifth win of the season and his first since the German GP in July.

Hamilton was trying to win his sixth race in a row.

Felipe Massa of Williams finished third in front of his home crowd, ahead of Jenson Button of McLaren and Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull.

Vettel, the winner last year in Brazil, was fifth, while Fernando Alonso of Ferrari finished sixth, ahead of teammate Kimi Raikkonen, the only front driver to use a two-stop

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, of Germany, celebrates after winning the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 9. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) strategy instead of a threestop one.

It was the 11th 1-2 finish for Mercedes, one more than the previous record set by McLaren in 1988. The team’s 15th victory of the season also allowed it to match the record held by McLaren and Ferrari.

“We used to be always hunting and now we’re the hunted, and that’s a big change,” Rosberg said. “It’s great to see how the team has adapted and not slackened off, because that is always difficult, when you get to the front to then stay there. It

seems that we’re really going strong and that’s fantastic.”

Hamilton was quickly making up ground to Rosberg near the mid-point of the race but his chances of getting close enough to attempt a pass were hurt when he went off the track and nearly spun at the end of the back straight — a mistake that put him more than seven seconds behind Rosberg.

“I was much quicker at the point,” Hamilton said. “I locked the rears and it just spun me around. No one’s fault but mine.”

Hamilton kept charging and got within a second in the final laps but was never able to make a move on Rosberg, who crossed the line 1.4 seconds in front.

“In the first stint I could see that I could control the gap and could just make sure that Lewis didn’t come into the region where he could launch an attack,” Rosberg said. “Once I saw that, I was very confident that I could keep controlling the gap for the whole race.”

Massa, who started third and ran close to Mercedes all weekend, almost threw away his chance to finish on the podium at home after a five-second stop-and-go penalty for speeding on the pit lane during his first pit stop. He also lost some time by entering the wrong pit stall in his final stop.

“I’m happy with the race, not happy with my mistakes,” he said. “I thought I could lose the podium.”

There were huge cheers from the crowd as Massa crossed the finish line in third place. The fans loudly chanted his name at the podium ceremony.

“It’s really exciting to be here after everything that happened to me in this race,” the Brazilian said. “This crowd really deserved it. The whole energy that I had this weekend, it’s difficult to explain.”

There were only 18 cars on the grid for the second race in a row. Marussia was shut down last week, while Caterham has a crowdfunding project underway to try to return to the grid in Abu Dhabi.

Note: For more on the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix, turn to Automania on page 38.

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VOL. XXII No. 46

Eurasia Cup heroes eyeing Thailand Golf Championship crown The in-form duo of Arniban Lahiri and Koumei Oda have set their sights on victory at the fourth edition of the Thailand Golf Championship, which will be played December 11-14 at Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi.

Lahiri, who captured the recent Venetian Macau Open in dramatic fashion, has climbed to number 69 in the Official World Golf Ranking and currently lies in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, a shade under US$155,000 behind David Lipsky of the United States.

A strong performance at the Thailand Golf Championship, the Asian Tour’s US$1 million flagship event, would aid the 27-year-old Indian ace, who starred for Asia at the inaugural EurAsia Cup early in the year, in achieving two of his season’s goals – namely, win the money list and break into the world’s top 50 players for the first time.

“The Thailand Golf Championship is such a big event, there’s so much at stake,” said Lahiri, who has now racked up five Asian Tour wins. “The world ranking points on offer at Amata

at the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia, the 36-year-old, who boosted his world ranking to 55 after that Bridgestone win, is bullish about his chances.

“I don’t get to play that often in Southeast Asia but I’m excited about the challenge of playing in Thailand, said Oda, who will line up alongside fellow Japan Golf

Tour highflier and EurAsia Cup partner Kim Hyung-sun of Korea at Amata Spring.

“I’ve been swinging the club really of late and I love the look of the course. There are a great many stars to beat, but I’m feeling very good about my chances.”

Thailand will be well represented in the elite field by

Arniban Lahiri.

Spring are crucial, so to have a big week there would be great for my career and would definitely help me achieve my goals for the year.”

Lahiri finished in a tie for fourth behind winner Sergio Garcia at the 2013 installment of the event but will face strong opposition in his quest to finish three spots higher this time around.

Garcia has confirmed he will return to defend his title and will be joined by Ryder Cup teammates Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood and Victor Dubuisson. Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, South African legend Ernie Els and 2011 Open

champion Darren Clarke are also included in the starstudded field.

“The Thailand Golf Championship was one of my best events last year,” added Lahiri. “I played with Sergio [Garcia] and Henrik Stenson in the final round and it was a really great week. It’s one of those weeks I really look forward to each year.”

Oda, who held off the challenge of Hiroyuki Fujita to win the Japan Golf Tour’s Bridgestone Open last month, will be making his debut at the Thailand Golf Championship. But after two wins this season, as well as a confidence-boosting performance

Prom Meesawat.

local heroes Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, but it is the form of their compatriot Prom Meesawat that has many Thai golf fans dreaming of a first home winner.

Meesawat, nicknamed the ‘Big Dolphin’ due to his burly physique, finished in a tie for second behind Lahiri in Macau to lift the 30-year-old into fourth in the Order of Merit race.

“The Thailand Golf Championship is my home event, so it’s one of my most important of the year,” said Meesawat, who secured his first win on the Asian Tour in eight years when he emerged victorious at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in September. “To win it at Amata Spring would be the best moment of my career to date.”

Khao Maikaew school sends 2 teams to Euro Cake finals Urasin Khantaraphan Two teams from Wat Khao Maikaew Community School will be among 24 eastern-region squads that will compete later this month in the Euro Cake Thailand Beach Volleyball 2014 finals after winning qualifying matches in Pattaya.

The school’s team of 12year-old boys placed first in their bracket at the Oct. 28Nov. 3 tournament on Jomtien Beach while the girls 14year-old team placed third in its division.

Praiwan Arromchuen, chairman of the Pattaya City Council’s Sports and Recreation committee, and Jinda Jaruwadeerattana, senior product manager at Bangkok Distributor Co’s European

The female youth 14 years team from Wat Khao Mai Kaew Community School, Chonburi will be training hard for the tournament finals in Srisaket later this month.

Food Group opened the qualification tournament.

The top three team in each

of the age and gender divided brackets go on to the Nov. 27-Dec. 4 finals in Srisaket.

Youth beach volleyball players in action at the Euro Cake Thailand Beach Volleyball 2014 finals on Jomtien Beach, Monday, November 3.

VOL. XXII No. 46

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St. Andrews tops ESAC cross-country championship

St Andrews student Ben Harcourt-Harrison (centreright) leads the pack from start to finish in the boys under 11 race.

Eve Greener toughs it out and claims a 2nd place finish in the girls under 11 event.

ESAC cross-country running event, with ESAC schools sending their best young athletes to compete in the 1km course for under

9 year olds and the 3km course for under 11, under 13, under 15 and over 15 year olds.

About 300 runners competed for individual honours

Dave Martin St Andrews International School, Green Valley recently hosted the annual

Kovalev dominates Hopkins in 12-round title bout

Ginevra and Madee stand tall with a 1st and 3rd finish in the under 9 girls race. and the overall Primary and Secondary School titles.

Again, this year, St Andrews dominated the Primary division and claimed 1 st places in the under 9 (Nikolas Martin & Ginevra Bisi) and under 11 (Ben Harcourt-Harrison & Sammy Gillen) categories for the girls and boys. There were also podium finishes for

Keisharna Lucas (centre) dominated the under 13 girls event and took the gold medal.

Madee Tangtanapaiboon and Eve Greener.

The Secondary competition was a lot tougher and St Andrews collected just one 1 st place and seve r a l n o t a b l e finishes.

Keisharna Lucas took first in the under 13 girls race while there were silver and bronze medals for Wesley, Jade Harcourt-Harrison,

Mike Beck, Lisa Peake and Simone Marchetti.

Many of the other St Andrews runners finished highly in their categories allowing the school to claim the overall Primary and Secondary School titles for 2014.

Congratulations to all of the athletes from all ESAC schools for their contribution to a wonderful event.

FC Planet start Cup defence with emphatic win Bangkok Casuals Football League

Bernard Hopkins of the U.S.A. (right) and Sergey Kovalev of Russia exchange punches during the sixth round of their IBF, WBA and WBO Light Heavyweight title bout in Atlantic City, N.J. on Saturday, Nov. 8. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen)

Dan Gelston Atlantic City, N.J. (AP) Sergey Kovalev of Russia dominated Bernard Hopkins from the opening bell, winning a unanimous decision last Sunday to stake his claim as the world’s best light heavyweight.

Kovalev has three versions of the 175-pound belt after taking two from the 49-yearold Hopkins in the decisive victory. Kovalev is 26-0-1 with 23 knockouts.

Kovalev received winning scores of 120-107 from two judges and 120-106 from the third. The 31-year-old Russian won the IBF and WBA light heavyweight belts to go with his own WBO title.

Two months shy of 50, Hopkins (55-7-2) could face retirement after a rare title bout where he was never a factor. Kovalev knocked down Hopkins in the first round and never backed off his punishing pace.

Kovalev hadn’t fought past the eighth, but was at his best against Hopkins in the 12th.

He wanted the KO and battered Hopkins against the ropes, making the Philadelphia fighter at last look his age.

“I wanted to show fans that I know how to box and I did,” Kovalev said. “I tried to go for the knockout in the 12th round.

He has great defense. He’s the best boxer in my division.”

Hopkins felt every single one of Kovalev’s blows in the 12th. And there were plenty of them in that final round.

Kovalev landed 38 punches in the final round, the most ever against Hopkins in 41 fights tracked by CompuBox. The pro-Hopkins crowd chanted “B-Hop!” and “US-A!” to rally the aging fighter. It didn’t work.

Kovalev dropped Hopkins with a solid right early in the first round, but the veteran hopped right up. Kovalev smelled blood and became focused on finishing off

Hopkins with a knockout.

He pummeled Hopkins in the final 45 seconds of the third round. Kovalev was at his best when he backed Hopkins into a corner and unloaded body shots that left him reeling.

Hopkins just wouldn’t go down for good. He had his best round in the seventh, landing a couple of rights that had little meaning in the long run.

Kovalev answered in the eighth with a hard right that wobbled Hopkins. Kovalev kept it up until the 12th. Respect for Hopkins’ Hall of Fame resume was about the only thing that kept the referee from stopping the fight.

“I give him a lot of respect, we both would fight anyone,” Hopkins said. “That’s how we ended up here tonight. That’s what brought us together.”

But did it bring Hopkins to his professional end?

“I really don’t want to say anything,” Hopkins said.

“It’s been 50-50 for the last nine years.”

Last season’s Cup winners FC Planet traveled to Arsenal Soccer Schools in Bangkok to face Hanuman Boys FC in their first group match of the new campaign.

Hanuman Boys were looking to cause an upset against the Cup holders who went into this match operating with three at the back in a 3-5-2 formation.

In the early stages Hanuman played a very deep line with every player behind the ball inviting Planet to press high up the pitch. It was the Division 2 rookies though who took the lead as their forward player got on the end of a tidy ball across the face of Planet’s goal to finish from close range. This was a dream start for Hanuman and a kick up the behind for the champions who restarted quickly and remained patient for an equalizer, knowing that they’d sooner or later find a way through Hanumans back line.

The inevitable happened as veteran striker Darbyshire got on the end of a loose ball to finish low past the keeper to claim his first goal of the season and Planet’s equalizer. This was a sucker punch for Hanuman who remained to play deep in their own half as Planet were looking to take the lead.

Planet kept the ball well while looking to go in front and they soon did so on the

stroke of half time as Maurice picked out the oncoming Gibbons with neat set up to finish from close range to give Planet the advantage. Planet went into the break 2-1 up knowing that more hard graft was required if they were to come away with three points.

Hanuman rallied themselves as they started the second period, using long balls in a desperate attempt to find a way back into the game, but Planet’s back three comfortably retained the ball well. The belief of Hanuman was soon shattered after some good work

by Maurice down the right flank who sent the ball in the box for Gibbons to fire low to the keeper’s right for 3-1 and take him into double figures for the season.

Planet began to run riot from then on with Daouda and McKeown controlling the center of the field and picking out passes from all angles. It was the hard working McKeown who got on

the scoresheet next with a right footed finish from twenty yards as he has done on numerous occasions already this season to make it 4-1.

The points were in the bag for the champions who were constantly looking for more goals to take home as Hanuman’s back line was now running on empty. Robinson, who was getting forward more in the second period, made one of the passes of the game as he drilled one high into the box for Gibbons to meet the ball to finish well with a header past the Hanuman keeper to claim his hat-trick and Planet’s fifth of the game.

Moments before the final whistle, Planet saved the best till last as keeper for the day Ainscough ran the full length of the pitch to join in the attack and find himself past the last man and clean through on goal. Within a flash Ainscough placed his shot past the keeper to his delight in such an outrageous moment to make the score 6-1 to the holders.

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VOL. XXII No. 46

Vanuatu crowned beach volleyball champions in Pattaya

Elwin and Matauatu of Vanuatu (centre) celebrate on the podium after winning the Pattaya Thailand Challenger, FIVB Beach Volleyball tournament on Sunday, November 9.

Both the final and 3rd/4th play play-off match went to 3 sets at the Pattaya Thailand Challenger, FIVB Beach Volleyball tournament which concluded on

Sunday, November 9.

The 5-day tournament, held at a purpose built arena just off Pattaya Beach Road, saw 24 teams from around the world enter the

main draw, all vying for a share of the US$50,000 in prize money.

The final match on Sunday saw the Vanuatu pair of Elwin and Matauatu take on

Japan’s Take and Mizoe. In the opening set the agility and powerful attacking play of the team from Vanuatu saw them romp to an easy 21-11 win. The Japanese duo upped their game in the second set, forcing the Vanuatu team into making errors at the net and as a result they leveled the match at 1-1 with a comfortable 21-14 score.

In the deciding set the Vanuatu team came back strongly and took the set 15 - 9 to win the tournament and get 320 FIVB world ranking points as well as US$8,000 in prize money.

In the 3rd/4th place playoff match between the Thai team of Radarong a n d U d o m c h a v e e and Azerbaijan’s Vivian and Zinaida, a vociferous crowd got behind the local Thai team from the start. The match proved to be the longest in the tournament, lasting one hour and four minutes, which Radarong and Udomchavee finally won 24-26, 25-23, 15-7 to clinch their best finish of the season.

In the opening set the Azerbaijan team stormed into a 5-point lead before a foot injury to Zinaida curtailed their progress. Despite Zinaida’s impaired mobility the Azerbaijan team did enough to shade the first set 26-24. The second set was equally evenly matched before the Thai team evened the tie, winning the set 2523. The third set was more one-sided as a visibly tired Azerbaijan team went down 15–9, giving the Thai team 3rd place on the podium.

Radarong and Udomchavee picked up 256 FIVB world ranking points to lift them up into the top 35 in the world rankings.

Japanese duo Take and Mizoe attempt a slam shot against Vanuatu in the final of the 5-day championship.

Thailand pairing Radarong and Udomchavee took third place after defeating Azerbaijan in a close playoff match.

Rosberg holds off Hamilton to win Brazilian GP Turn to page 49

Eurasia Cup heroes eyeing Thailand Golf Championship crown Turn to page 50

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