26th Year
Established in 1993
VOL.XXVII No. 1
Pattaya’s First English Language Newspaper
FRIDAY JANUARY 4 - JANUARY 10, 2019
30 BAHT
HM the King conveys best wishes to his Thai subjects Coronation of His Majesty the King set for May 4-6 Story on page 3
His Majesty the King issues New Year greetings and good wishes Story on page 3
Pattaya sings in New Year with music, prayers Tens of thousands of party people sang in the New Year as the Pattaya Countdown returned bigger and louder. The “Universe of Entertainment” event show co-sponsored by the city and Mono Music label at Bali Hai featured music from top name acts and Thai boxing. Revelers filled Pattaya Beach looking toward the heavens as the city and major hotels lit up the
night sky with bright colored pyrotechnics for a good fifteen minutes. The annual fireworks didn’t disappoint and elicited oohs and awes and more than a few Happy New Year kisses as the tide rolled in. In the morning on the first day of 2019, devout Buddhists presented morning alms to monks, then visited temples to worship. (Full story and photos on page 32.)
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun conveys his best wishes to his Thai subjects on the occasion of New Year celebrations.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun conveyed his best wishes to his Thai subjects on the occasion of New Year celebrations. Addressing the nation on New Year’s Eve, His Majesty the King said he wished Thai people good luck, happiness, prosperity, a strong mentality, wisdom, and
good health throughout 2019. He said love, good intentions, knowledge, reasonableness, self-sufficiency, and perseverance would bring Thai families success and joy. (NNT) His Majesty has also issued a New Year greetings card (page 3).
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Pheu Thai offshoot Thai Raksa Chart opens election campaign in East Patcharapol Panrak Red-shirt offshoot party Thai Raksa Chart launched its election campaign in the east during Christmas week, promising that it can help Thailand catch up to the rest of the world. Party leader Preechapol Pongpanich and strategy chairman Chaturon Chaisaeng met farmers, small-scale fishermen and other supporters in Sattahip and Rayong Dec. 25-26. Preechapol, a former Pheu Thai Party MP who, with other red shirt-affiliated legislators, left the party to start Thai Raksa Chart, joined other party executives at the 700-Rai Market to listen to public concerns about agriculture, industry, fisheries and tourism. The party has nominated Nichanan Wangkaard, a former Red Shirt leader in Laem Chabang, to be its Chonburi candidate for the
Red-shirt offshoot party Thai Raksa Chart launched its election campaign in the east during Christmas week, announcing Nichanan Wangkaard as their Chonburi candidate for the lower house.
lower house. She introduced herself to the crowd and vowed to fight against the militarybacked establishment, its State Power People’s Party and the bureaucracy that has suppressed the wishes of the rural poor. Formed out of fear that the junta will find a way to disallow Pheu Thai from participating in February election, Thai Raksa Chart crafted its platform on “bold changes”.
It proposed policies guided by experienced politicians, but ones who have a new vision to help Thailand “catch up” to the rest of world, which party bosses claim has surged ahead while Thailand languished under military rule. High on the party’s to-do list is the restoration of democracy, job creation and raising the standard of living for all people, not just the rich.
Planning begins for Jan. 12 Children’s Day
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Walking Street signs, wires raised Pattaya began moving and rewiring Walking Street signs found to be hanging too low to allow firetrucks to pass underneath. City officials said all the affected bars, shops and restaurants cooperated with requests to remove low-hanging electrical and utility lines attached to their buildings by Dec. 21. Work crews also began relocating signs to provide five meters clearance to emergency vehicles. City hall requests that sois 14, 15 and 17 remain free of parked vehicles and motorbikes through Jan. 2 to allow emergency vehicles to access Walking Street during
Pattaya began moving and rewiring Walking Street signs found to be hanging too low to allow firetrucks to pass underneath.
the busy New Year’s period. All emergency services will be coordinated through a
temporary command center at Bali Hai Pier during the holiday. (PCPR)
300 Nongprue poor haven’t claimed welfare smart cards Warapun Jaikusol Nearly half of those eligible for government welfare benefits in Nongprue have not collected their cash-loaded smart cards. Pattama Chiewchan, head of the subdistrict’s Social Welfare Department, said 692 people were eligible for the new high-tech cards, but about 300 have not picked them up from the municipal office. Officials are trying to get the word out that benefits will expire if the cards are not retrieved. The central government is pressing Nongprue to get everyone their cards. To determine if your card is waiting, call 038-933-119. The smart cards offer 200-300 baht in credit for consumer goods at “blue flag” shops enrolled in the government welfare scheme. If the credit is not spent, it expires at month end.
Pattama Chiewchan, head of the subdistrict’s Social Welfare Department, said 692 people were eligible for the new high-tech cards, but about 300 have not picked them up.
Other benefits include free electricity up to 230 baht a month, free water up to 100 baht and annual 500-baht New Year’s gifts. Seniors also will receive 400 baht stipends.
Pattaya woos Chinese construction firm
Pattaya began planning for Children’s Day festivities Jan. 12 in front of Pattaya City Hall.
Pattaya began planning for January’s Children’s Day festivities, which will include music, magic and dance. Educational Promotion chief Noppasitcha Na Nakhon met Dec. 25 with the head of the Pattaya officers of formal and non-formal education, and youth activities.
Scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 12 in front of Pattaya City Hall, the Children’s Day event will feature a ukulele show, “pong lang” musical band, magic show, folk dancing, a lucky draw, games and booths featuring student projects from Pattaya’s 11 public schools. (PCPR) Pattaya officials welcomed executives from a stateowned Chinese construction company looking to invest in a beach-maintenance project.
Pattaya officials welcomed executives from a stateowned Chinese construction company looking to invest in a beach-maintenance project. Deputy Mayor Poramet Ngampichet and mayoral advisors welcomed Liu Yuyang, manager from China National Complete Engineering Corp. to city all Dec. 24 to discuss investment in
construction projects under the government’s Eastern Economic Corridor plan. He stressed that tourist safety was a priority and said Chinese people need not fear coming to Pattaya. He urged the company to consider investing in a project to keep Pattaya Beach clear of garbage and other projects to improve the shoreline landscaping. (PCPR)
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Coronation of HM the King set for May 4-6 Bangkok (AP) — His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn will have his official coronation on May 4, the palace announced Tuesday. The coronation will be more than two years after His Majesty succeeded his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who
died at age 88 after reigning for seven decades. The palace said the coronation ceremonies will be held on May 4-6, with the monarch making a public appearance on the last day. Major royal ceremonies in Thailand are usually very ornate,
but Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said in June last year that His Majesty the King had expressed the desire that his coronation be held in a relatively modest manner, though in keeping with elaborate royal tradition. His Majesty gave a New
Year’s Eve address televised Monday night, wishing the Thai people good health, happiness and prosperity, and urging them to act virtuously for the sake of the nation. His New Year’s greeting card, another tradition, expressed similar sentiments.
HM the King issues New Year greetings and good wishes His Majesty has issued a New Year greetings card which features the Chakri Dynasty symbol, with his initials and those of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Inside the card, there is a picture of HM the late King Bhumibol on the left, and the portraits of His Majesty, and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the right. The background features blue sky and the field of Dusita flowers - the flowers named by Her Majesty. The New Year message reads, “Greetings for 2019. With love and a pure heart, may this year be filled with liveliness, health, happiness, and wisdom. May you have the encouragement
Sukhumvit flooding fix remains years off A permanent solution to flooding along Sukhumvit Road remains years away. Pattaya deputy mayors Pattana Boonsawat and Banlue Kullavanijaya and city engineers surveyed the area along Sukhumvit opposite Nongyai Temple and Nongyai pump station. Pumps currently shuttle storm runoff into the Suapaew Canal which flows into the Naklua Canal and into the sea. But the pumps are not enough to prevent the busy highway from critically flooding during large storms. Pattaya has designed a new drainage system for the western side of Sukhumvit, but even if it is approved, the budget isn’t expected to be
Pattaya deputy mayors Pattana Boonsawat and Banlue Kullavanijaya and city engineers survey the area along Sukhumvit opposite Nongyai Temple and Nongyai pump station.
allocated until the 2020 fiscal year, the deputy mayors said.
Until then, the city plans to install more pumps. (PCPR)
Police ‘Santa’ visits Walking Street Boonlua Chatree
A police officer dressed as Santa Claus handed out lollipops as authorities made a public-relations visit to Walking Street.
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A police officer dressed as Santa Claus handed out lollipops as authorities made a public-relations visit to Walking Street. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Poramet Ngampichet and the head of local Tourist and Immigration police stations toured the nightlife strip with officers Dec. 24 to reassure tourists as to their safety. Poramet said it was important to reinforce safety precautions during the high season, so officers checked various venues and side-streets to ensure everything was in order.
and the will to bring happiness to yourself and others throughout the year and ever after.” Below the message are His Majesty’s drawings which feature a family watering flowers and washing a car on one side and a family joining a “Do Good Deeds with Hearts” program on the other. The background features illustrations of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and the replicas of Suphannahong and Narai Song Suban HM King Rama IX royal barges which are on display at Un Ai Rak Khlai Khwam Nao winter festival at the Royal Plaza. The card is signed by His Majesty and dated Jan 1, 2019.
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Bad wiring blamed for barber shop fire
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Motorcycle taxi driver arrested for stealing phone
Boonlua Chatree Bad circuitry is being blamed for a fire that damaged a barber shop at South Pattaya’s Sophon Market. No one was hurt in the Dec. 17 blaze that started in the breaker box at the Isan Barber Shop in a four-story commercial building at the back of the market. It took about 10 minutes for firefighters to extinguish the flames. Owner Nongluk Charoenwong, 49, said the lights had been flickering before sparks and smoke started coming out of the circuit breakers.
Bad circuitry is being blamed for a fire that damaged a barber shop at South Pattaya’s Sophon Market.
Small bombs hit popular southern Thai beach, damaging statue Songkhla, Thailand (AP) - Two small bombs exploded at a popular beach in southern Thailand, one of them damaging an iconic statue beloved by tourists, police said. Police in Songkhla province said they’re looking into whether the bombs on December 26 were related to a Muslim separatist insurgency that has wracked nearby provinces since 2004, taking almost 7,000 lives. One of the explosions damaged the Golden Mermaid statue, which is an unofficial symbol of the province, said police Lt. Gen. Ronnasilp Phusara. The other took place about 300 meters (yards) away, near the beach’s Cat and Mouse sculpture. Police said a bomb disposal squad discovered and destroyed three other explosive devices found near a trash area and under rocks near the Golden Mermaid statue. The insurgency has mostly affected the three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, which have Muslim majorities in predominantly Buddhist Thailand. Songkhla, with a substantial Muslim population,
Niyom Sukcharoen reenacts finding the phone on the road.
Boonlua Chatree A Pattaya motorcycle taxi driver was arrested for scooping up a mobile phone dropped by a Russian tourist. Niyom Sukcharoen, 64, was taken into custody Dec. 19
and charged with theft at night for nicking the Xiaomibrand smartphone he found on Soi Kasetsin 7. Mikhail Sizov, 29, reported to police that he dropped the phone in front of a restaurant. Witnesses told police
Niyom stopped his bike, picked up the phone and drove away. However, Niyom admitted that someone called the phone and he intentionally didn’t answer it, then hid the phone at his house.
Sailor dies after crashing Harley into truck Patcharapol Panrak
The Golden Mermaid statue before it was damaged by a small bomb on Wednesday, Dec. 26.
has generally been spared the violence, though its biggest city, Hat Yai, has suffered several bombings. Although terrorism is not considered a major problem in Thailand, tourist spots have been sporadically targeted since 2006, when a series of bombs were set off in Bangkok at New Year’s Eve gatherings, killing three people and wounding more than three dozen. In 2016, bomb explosions in five beach towns popular with tourists killed four
people and wounded dozens. In both cases, southern separatists were suspected but responsibility was never definitively established. Thailand’s most spectacular attack in recent years occurred at the Erawan Shrine in the center of Bangkok’s tourist district in August 2015. Twenty people, mostly foreign tourists, were killed and more than 100 hurt. Thai authorities blamed human traffickers angry at a crackdown, but another theory holds that it was carried out by militants from China’s Muslim Uighur minority in retaliation for Thailand sending back to China a group of Uighurs who had fled repression here. Two Uighur men are currently on trial for the bombing.
A navy petty officer died after he crashed his HarleyDavidson into the side of a pickup truck. Petty Officer 3rd Class Saman Jithan, 42, died Dec. 20 at Queen Sirikit Naval Medical Center from injuries sustained in the collision with an Isuzu pickup at the U-turn in front of the Air and Coastal Defense Command on Sukhumvit Road. The pickup’s driver, Petty Officer 3rd Class Taksin Phangut, 49, said he was following traffic laws and making a legal U-turn when Saman, moving at high speed, hit the left side of his truck at full speed. The motorcyclist
A navy petty officer died after he crashed his HarleyDavidson into the side of a pickup truck.
was thrown 20 meters. Police are checking his
story against CCTV footage and witness accounts.
Telegraphed Pattaya prison raid finds no drug use, contraband Boonlua Chatree Chonburi officials inspected Pattaya Remand Prison looking for drugs, weapons and other contraband, but found none. Deputy Gov. Thawatchai Rodngam led the much-publicized Dec. 26 raid with 223 soldiers, police, public health officers and Banglamung District officials tossing 4,000 cells. Inmates also were randomly tested for drugs. In 349 tests, none were positive. Chonburi officials inspected Pattaya Remand Prison looking for drugs, weapons and other contraband, but found none.
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Royal Thai Fleet marks 95 years Nong Plalai cleans up for New Year
From the deck of the HTMS Angthong, RTF commander Adm. Noppadol Supakorn gave the word to naval battle forces to perfectly conduct missions by being ready to respond to all threats to marine resources and national sovereignty.
Patcharapol Panrak The Royal Thai Fleet marked its 95th anniversary at a ceremony in Sattahip. RTF commander Adm. Noppadol Supakorn opened the Dec. 19 worship ceremony at the Prince Chumphon shrine. A 19-gun salute was sounded before sailors joined to sing navy songs at the Sattahip Naval Base. A Buddhist merit-making ceremony later was
performed at fleet headquarters, honoring all those that died in service of their country. Former navy commander-in-chief Adm. Naris Pratumsuwan congratulated Noppadol on the occasion. Finally, from the deck of the HTMS Angthong, Noppadol gave the word to naval battle forces to perfectly conduct missions by being ready to respond to all threats to marine resources and national sovereignty.
Thailand’s deputy PM found innocent in luxury watch scandal Bangkok (AP) - Investigators have found Thailand’s deputy prime minister innocent of failing to declare his assets a year after he was discovered to have a number of luxury watches that would have been out of reach of his government salary. Prawit Wongsuwan is the defense minister and a top member of the country’s ruling junta. A group photo last December showed Prawit wearing a Richard Mille timepiece that he had not declared on his list of assets. Prawit’s explanation that he had borrowed that watch and more than 20 others from a dead friend was met with public skepticism. The head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission said last Thursday it determined Prawit’s explanation to be true.
In this Dec. 4, 2017, file photo, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan raises his hand to shade his eyes from the sun while wearing a luxury watch and diamond ring during an official ceremony at the Government House. (AP Photo/Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn)
7 ‘dangerous days’ began with National Accident Prevention Day Even as the annual parade of holiday road fatalities began, Chonburi officials showed off their efforts to prevent wrecks on National Accident Prevention Day. Deputy Gov. Wisit Puangpetch presided over the Nov. 27 exhibition at the Robinson’s department store in Muang District. Since 2005, Thailand has named Dec. 26 National Accident Prevention Day to raise awareness about road and marine disasters. Since then, Thailand has soared to the top of the list of countries with the world’s deadliest roads. In 2018, Thailand ranked eighth in the world, behind third-world and war-torn African nations and remains the worst in Asia. Disaster Prevention and Mitigation officers were given orders and deployed
Students from Wat Don Hua Lau School learned how to aid car-accident victims as part of National Accident Prevention Day.
to highway checkpoints to reassure travelers that safety is being considered. Meanwhile, 70 students from Wat Don Hua Lau
school toured exhibits on disaster-rescue techniques, how to aid car-accident victims, chemical-spill response and more.
Nong Plalai residents clean Santicam Circle, one of the sub-district’s mosttraveled streets, to give visitors a good impression.
Warapun Jaikusol Nong Plalai residents cleaned off one of the sub-district’s most-traveled streets to give visitors a good impression. Mayor Pinyo Homklin led
the large crowd of public servants and residents in sprucing up Santicam Circle Dec. 27. The road, which leads to Santikam Temple, is frequented by both locals and tourists and
was to be crowded during New Year celebrations. The cleanup was organized to be sure that those visiting Nong Plalai see it as a clean and organized community, Pinyo said.
Non-paying loan shark victim runs to police Boonlua Chatree Police are hunting for a loan shark who broke into a non-paying customer’s home to steal her car. Thamon Suksom, 53, went to police Dec. 25 saying she was scared for her safety after the unidentified loan shark invaded her house to seize her vehicle for non-payment. The victim told police she had borrowed 70,000 baht from the shark at monthly interest
of 60 percent. She was told she had to pay 1,400 baht per day for two years, meaning she had to pay back more than 1 million baht. She quickly fell behind on payments and the loan shark took her motorbike. She tried to negotiate, but, instead, her lender increased the interest due by 300,000 baht. She said she lives alone and the gangster breaking into her house to steal her car frightened her. Police are investigating.
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Growing like a weed: A look at marijuana milestones in 2018 (AP) - It took less than a week for the Trump administration to kill the considerable buzz created Jan. 1 when California’s broad marijuana legalization law took effect, creating the largest legal U.S. cannabis marketplace. Then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded a policy shielding state-licensed medical marijuana operators from federal drug prosecutions. The move sent a chill through the nascent legal industry. But ultimately it had little impact because federal prosecutors around the country showed little interest in going after legal operators. Sessions, a staunch marijuana opponent, later lost his job and the cannabis industry thrived in a hugely significant year for the legal pot
movement, in the United States and beyond. Here are some highlights: - Jan. 1: California’s law takes effect, allowing people 21 and older to use marijuana. - Jan. 4: Sessions rescinds policy. - Jan. 22: Vermont’s Legislature legalizes recreational marijuana. It’s the first time a state legislature, rather than voters, approved such a law. - June 25: U.S. health regulators approve the first prescription drug made from marijuana. The medication, Epidiolex, is used to treat two rare forms of epilepsy in young children. - June 28: Oklahoma becomes the 30th state to legalize medical marijuana use. - July 19: A Canadian company, Tilray Inc., is the first marijuana business to com-
In this Nov. 1, 2012 file photo, an Israeli woman works at Tikkun Olam medical cannabis farm, near the northern Israeli city of Safed, Israel. Late Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018, Israel’s parliament unanimously approved a law to permit exports of medical marijuana, allowing Israel to tap the lucrative global market. Israel will become the third country, after the Netherlands and Canada, to take its medical cannabis global. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
plete an initial public offering on a major U.S. stock exchange, raising $153 million
as it began trading on the Nasdaq exchange. - Aug. 15: Constellation Brands Inc., the parent company of Corona beer and other alcoholic drinks,
makes a $4 billion investment in Canopy Growth Corp., a major Canadian pot producer. - Oct. 17: Canada legalizes marijuana use for people 19 or older in most provinces. It’s the second country after Uruguay to legalize marijuana, and its First-World nation status adds greater credibility to the global marijuana marketplace. - Oct. 31: Mexico’s Supreme Court rules individuals can use marijuana under their right to decide their own recreational activities. The decision puts the country a major step closer to broad legalization. - Nov. 7: Voters make Michigan the first Midwestern state and 10th overall to legalize recreational marijuana use. Missouri and Utah approve medicinal marijuana. - Nov. 20: Massachusetts’ first commercial pot shops
open, more than two years after voters in the state approved of recreational marijuana for adults. The stores are the first to operate on the U.S. East Coast. - Dec. 7: U.S. cigarette maker Altria invests $2.4 billion in Canada marijuana company Cronos Group. - Dec. 10: New Zealand passes a law making medical marijuana widely available. A nationwide referendum on recreational pot is planned within two years. - Dec. 20: President Donald Trump signs into law a farm bill that removes hemp, the cannabis plant cousin to marijuana, from the list of federally controlled substances. - Dec. 25 - Thailand’s legislature amends the country’s drug law to allow the licensed medical use of marijuana. - Dec. 25 - Israel’s Parliament approves a law to permit exports of medical marijuana.
Pattaya sets free vocational training courses for 2019 BGRIM’s solar energy projects Pattaya will offer free vocational training courses in massage, cooking, handicrafts and more throughout 2019. Applications are now open for the first classes, which run during February and March. The deadline is Jan. 10. A 150-hour massage course, complete with certification from the Public Health Ministry, runs Feb. 26-March 14. A 60-hour foot-massage course runs March 15-21. In the Thai cooking program, a class to learn how to prepare seafood omelets and fish cakes will be run for 35 people Feb. 26-27. Applications for four more cooking classes are being accepted through March 30. They teach how to make macaroons, crapes, cakes and tarts (Feb. 28-March 1); kanhon tian kaew and palms in syrup (March 4-5), koo chai, Chinese steamed
proceed without a hitch
Pattaya will offer free vocational training courses in massage, cooking, handicrafts and more throughout 2019.
dumplings and buns (March 6-7), and smoothies and beverages (March 11-12). Beauty courses are scheduled from Feb. 26-27 (makeup), Feb. 28-March 1 (skin scrubs and face masks), and March 4-5 (manicure and nails). Only one handicrafts course
is planned: Garland making on March 11-12. Those with green thumbs can learn how to grow bean sprouts and flowers in a condominium environment March 13-14. For more information, call 038-253-262. (PCPR)
Raw sewage dumped in Pong tapioca field Boonlua Chatree Pong authorities are hunting for the driver of a sewercleaning truck that dumped its load of raw sewage in a tapioca field. Mayor Suntorn Ketthong and his deputies went to the field off Soi Ponglang 4 Dec. 21 to inspect the damage. The sewage was dumped on a sloping tapioca field and ran downhill, spreading the stinking offal over a 500-meter area. Pong water trucks washed down the area, but the damage to crops and noses lingered. Suntorn issued a warning to all area pump trucks against illegal dumping.
Pong authorities are hunting for the driver of a sewer-cleaning truck that dumped its load of raw sewage in a tapioca field.
Sub-district Clerk Kittisak Monkaew vowed to track
down and prosecute the polluter.
B.Grimm Yanhee solar power.
Bangkok, 28 December 2018 - B.Grimm Power Plc (BGRIM)’s solar power development projects have made headway according to plans to consolidate its capacity build-up. Three out of the seven ground-mounted solar farms sponsored by BGRIM for government agencies and agricultural cooperatives in Thailand, with a total installed capacity of 10.8 megawatts, were brought on line commercially and synchronized with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)’s grid during December 3 and 25.The remaining four solar farms, with a combined capacity of 20 MWs, were successfully synchronised with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA)’s system and due for commercial delivery on December 28. With the latest addition from those seven solar farms, the SET-listed firm closed 2018 with combined capacity equity to 2,076 MWs, up by 26% from the
previous year, and strengthening BGRIM’s position as one of Thailand’s leading private power producers, BGRIM President Preeyanart Soontornwata pointed out. Meanwhile, BGRIM’s ongoing solar energy projects in Vietnam, with a total installed capacity of 677 MWs, have progressed satisfactorily in construction. The Dau Tieng 1 and Dau Tieng 2 Solar Plants in Tay Ninh, southwest of Vietnam, and whose combined capacity of 420 MWs will make them the largest facility of its kind in Southeast Asia, has advanced by 42%.The 257-MW solar photovoltaic power project in Phu Yen province, south central coast of Vietnam, has completed by 36% with commercial start-up in mid-2019 has been confirmed. In view of the start-up of various new power generation projects in 2019 including the solar farms in Vietnam, the Nam Che hydropower scheme in Laos and the waste-to-energy
scheme, BGRIM’s capacity portfolio will become more notable with 2,737 MW, a 34% jump from 2018. That will also enable BGRIM to achieve the targeted revenue of 42 billion baht in 2019. Mrs Preeyanart noted. With the various power sale agreements in hand which will push BGRIM’s installed capacity to surpass the 3,000-MW mark in 2021, the Company is exploring new investment opportunities in South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. The quest constitutes BGRIM’s aim to grow its total installed capacity to 5,000 MW in 2022. BGRIM currently operates an aggregate of 36 power stations comprising 15 co-generation plants, 18 solar farms, two hydropower plants, and one diesel generator in Thailand and abroad, altogether capable of producing over 2,056 MWs. More than 1,070 MWs in incremental capacity are slated for development during 2019 and 2022. (NNT)
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Breaking up (with Facebook) is hard to do: Here’s how Barbara Ortutay New York (AP) - Every relationship has a breaking point. Even yours with Facebook. There’s a way out, though the social network will try to win you back with promises to do better. Maybe even flowers. For some users, though, the past two years of privacy scandals, election manipulation by Russian trolls, executive apologies and even the political disagreements with friends and relatives have become too much. The latest: an alarming New York Times report detailing the massive trove of user data that the company has shared with such companies as Apple, Netflix and Amazon. A growing number of people say they are deleting Facebook, or at least considering it. While Facebook has tried to address some of these problems, it’s not enough for some users. Hard as it might seem to quit, especially for those entwined with it for years, it can be done. Mostly.
Goodbye Forever Before deleting your account, rescue your posts and photos. Facebook lets you download the data you’ve shared with Facebook since you joined. This includes your posts and photos, as
well as the “activity log” the history of everything you’ve done on Facebook, such as likes and comments on posts, use of apps and searches. The download also includes your profile, messages, list of friends and ads you’ve clicked on. This process should give you a good - perhaps scary - idea of what Facebook has on you. What you won’t get are photos other people shared with you, even if you’ve been tagged. You need to save those individually. And some stuff will remain, including what others have posted about you, your chats with others and your posts in Facebook groups (though your name will be grayed out). To delete all this, you’ll need to sift through your “activity log,” accessible through your profile page, and delete each item individually. Once you’ve saved everything and gone through your activity log, sign in one last time. Go to http://bit.ly/ 198wIoI and click on the blue button. Facebook says the process could take a few days. Your delete request will be cancelled if you log back in during this time. Facebook says it may take up to 90 days for all the data associated with your account to be
Indian opposition slams order on intercepting computer data New Delhi (AP) - An Indian government order authorizing some federal investigating agencies to intercept any information stored on computers triggered a strong protest last Friday in Parliament, with opposition lawmakers describing it as an assault on privacy rights. The opposition parties demanded an immediate withdrawal of the Home Ministry order issued a day earlier. They fear it would give unlimited powers to 10 government agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored on any computer. Ravi Shankar Prasad, India’s minister for law and justice and information technology, rejected the allegation and said there are adequate safeguards to prevent its misuse. Prasad said using the order would require authorization from the ministry’s top bureaucrat. Congress party chief Rahul
Gandhi said on Twitter: “The order would convert India into a police state.” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the law already provides the power to intercept data in the interest of national security and public order. The new order just identifies investigating agencies authorized to do so, Jaitley said. “How else will terrorists who use technology extensively be traced? Otherwise, the terrorists will use IT (information technology), but the intelligence and investigative agencies will be crippled,” Jaitley said. Pawan Duggal, a cyber expert and a Supreme Court lawyer, said the opposition concerns appeared to be genuine and the government needed to have stringent checks and balances to prevent misuse of the new order. Duggal also said India’s Supreme Court recognized last year that privacy is a fundamental right and it could not be tampered with.
website for the news. The difference is there’s no single other place to do all these things, and your friends might not be there. If you find your mind wandering back to Facebook as you go through your day, thinking how you might craft a post about a thought you’ve just had or an article you came across, it’s OK. Let it go. It’s all part of the breakup process. And while you may not see updates about near-forgotten schoolmates or that random person you met six years ago, the people who matter most will stick around. For them, there’s email, the phone, and meeting in person for coffee. In this Aug. 21, 2018 file photo, a Facebook start page is shown on a smartphone in Surfside, Fla. A growing number of people say they are deleting Facebook, or at least considering it. Before you take the plunge, remember to download your data, then, you can deactivate temporarily, or delete everything in a few steps. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
wiped, but you can’t change your mind after the first few days are up. If you used your Facebook account for third-party apps and sites, you’ll need new usernames and passwords for each.
Trial Separation If you’re not quite ready for a divorce, deactivating your account is an option. To do this, go to your account settings. Deactivating means other people won’t be able to see your profile, but if you log back in, the whole thing is canceled and you are “active”
again. Ditto if you log into an outside app or site using your Facebook account.
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) Depending on whether you were a full-time Facebook addict or an occasional lurker, the psychological separation could prove harder or easier than the physical one. Facebook has become a one-stop shop for so many things. You can keep up with friends and family, find out about or create local events, buy and sell stuff, keep up with the news, raise money for a cause or
join groups of like-minded people such as parents, porch gardeners and people with a rare disease. There are other places to do many of these things. There’s Eventbrite for events, Letgo for buying and selling stuff, Peanut for moms to connect, Meetup to find and meet like-minded people, GoFundMe for raising money and Twitter, or, gasp, your local newspaper’s
About those other APPS If your boycott of Facebook has more to do with your view of the company than with tiring of the Facebook service, you might consider deleting Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger as well - they are all owned by Facebook. Deleting your Facebook account won’t affect your Instagram or WhatsApp account. If you want to keep using Messenger, you can create an account using your phone number instead of your Facebook profile.
Mars lander sets quake monitor on planet’s red surface Marcia Dunn
This photo provided by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory shows the new Mars lander placing a quake monitor on the planet’s dusty red surface. (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory via AP)
Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP) - NASA’s new Mars lander has placed a quake monitor on the planet’s dusty red surface, just a few weeks after its arrival. Mars InSight’s robotic arm removed the seismometer from the spacecraft deck and set it on the ground in December to monitor Mars quakes. Project manager Tom Hoffman called the milestone “an awesome Christmas present.” It’s the first time a robotic arm has lowered an experiment onto the Martian surface. The ground is slightly tilted, and so flight controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, still need to make the seismometer level.
The French dome-shaped seismometer is a little over 5 feet (1.6 meters) in front of the stationary lander, about as far as the arm can reach. This month, InSight’s arm will put a wind cover over the seismometer and set down another experiment. The heat probe, dubbed the mole, will burrow up to 16 feet (5 meters) into Mars to measure internal temperatures. “Seismometer deployment is as important as landing InSight on Mars,” JPL’s Bruce Banerdt, lead scientist, said in a statement. It’s needed to “complete about three-quarters of our science objectives.” Banerdt plans to open a bottle of Champagne once seismic measurements start rolling in. InSight landed on Mars on Nov. 26.
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“Natural” remedies? Are they good for you? Unfortunately, despite all the advances in medicine, I have to admit that it is still somewhat of an inexact ‘science’. We do not have the cures for all ailments, in fact far from it. But we have not given up. We continue to try, to experiment and, most importantly, to test. Regular readers of this column will know that I have mentioned the acronym EBM many times. This stands for “Evidence Based Medicine” and is a key factor in modern medicine. It just means we test until we have the evidence that any drug or treatment really does work. This all takes time, as the evidence cannot just hang on one person who got better. It requires huge series, across the globe. However, as patients, or sufferers of any complaint, we want that “cure” right now! Consequently, with all medical conditions where we cannot give the patient the “wonder drug” there is then a tendency for them to try something else, anything else, hoping for the relief that conventional medicine has not promised or delivered. For the musculo-skeletal conditions, for example, the “alternatives” are multiple, from magnets to mussels from New Zealand. But do they really work? The problem with the non-pharmaceutical mainline pills and potions industry is in unbiased scientific testing. The tablets that Roche, Parke-Davis, Bayer and all that lot produce are rigorously and vigorously (viagorously?)
tested. Not only do the drug companies have to show that their pills actually work, but they also have to show what side effects they can produce and whether or not they interact with other pills and potions to make explosive mixtures. The “alternative” pill and potion manufacturers have not had the same degree of scientific scrutiny. There are those who will claim that because the remedies come from plants, that the ingredients are then “natural” and therefore OK for us humans. This is pseudo-scientific nonsense. Extracts of plants and herbs are chemicals - and some chemicals can kill, that is why wild animals can die after eating the wrong plants. So can you! So let us look at a few of the alternative treatments and analyse just whether they are indeed efficacious. Willow Bark is one that is used for arthritis, because it was imagined that since the tree grew in damp environments, and arthritis was thought to be caused by “damp” then treatment with the bark was “logical”. The herbalists got the right answer, however, no matter how wrong the reasons! Willow Bark does have an effect because it contains salicylates - more commonly known these days as aspirin! Other “natural” sources of aspirin include poplar tree bark, black cohosh (a North American plant), pansies, violets and meadowsweet. Aspirin works! Have you heard of Devil’s Claw? This South African plant has been studied to see if it has any anti-inflammatory
action in arthritis. The small studies that have been done show no effect, but it is an analgesic (pain killer), so those people with arthritis do feel better when they take it. In fact, demand is now outstripping supply - but they would do just as well with a strip of paracetamol tablets. And cheaper too! Another of the well touted treatments for arthritis is the green lipped mussel. According to the pundits, this form of treatment has had numerous clinical trials, and unfortunately, the same number of clinical failures! However, I believe they are quite nice steamed with garlic, ginger and shallots! One other niggling problem with the “natural” therapies is that for musculo-skeletal problems, most of which are of a long standing chronic nature, even less scientific work has been done to see what happens when you take these medications for a protracted period of time. Until long term safety has been ascertained, I would counsel caution, and beware mixing pharmaceutical drugs and over the counter “alternatives”! Reactions to pharmaceutical items are still reasonably rare and well documented. I cannot say the same for the “natural” remedies. Finally, I was very amused to read of a health food shop being offered for sale. The reason the owner was prepared to sell? Ill health!
Record count reported for mysterious paralyzing illness Mike Stobbe New York (AP) - This year has seen a record number of cases of a mysterious paralyzing illness in children, U.S. health officials said Monday. It’s still not clear what’s causing the kids to lose the ability to move their face, neck, back, arms or legs. The symptoms tend to occur about a week after the children had a fever and respiratory illness. No one has died from the rare disease this year, but it was blamed for one death last year and it may have caused others in the past. What’s more, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
officials say many children have lasting paralysis. And close to half the kids diagnosed with it this year were admitted to hospital intensive care units and hooked up to machines to help them breathe. The condition has been likened to polio, a dreaded paralyzing illness that once struck tens of thousands of U.S. children a year. Those outbreaks ended after a polio vaccine became available in the 1950s. Investigators of the current outbreak have ruled out polio, finding no evidence of that virus in recent cases. The current mystery can be traced to 2012, when
three cases of limb weakness were seen in California. The first real wave of confirmed illnesses was seen in 2014, when 120 were reported. Another, larger wave occurred in 2016, when there were 149 confirmed cases. So far this year, there have been 158 confirmed cases. In 2015 and 2017, the counts were far lower, and it’s not clear why. The condition is called acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. Investigators have suspected it is caused by a virus called EV-D68. The 2014 wave coincided with a lot of EV-D68 infections and the virus “remains the
leading hypothesis,” said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, a member of a 16-person AFM Task Force that the CDC established last month to offer advice to disease detectives. But there is disagreement about how strong a suspect EV-D68 is. Waves of AFM and that virus haven’t coincided in other years, and testing is not finding the virus in every case. CDC officials have been increasingly cautious about saying the virus triggered the illnesses in this outbreak. Indeed, EV-D68 infections are not new in kids, and many Americans carry antibodies against it.
Stem cell shots linked to bacterial infection outbreak Mike Stobbe New York (AP) - Health officials on Thursday, Dec. 20, reported an outbreak of bacterial infections in people who got injections of stems cells derived from umbilical cord blood. At least 12 patients in three states - Florida, Texas and Arizona - became infected after getting injections for problems like joint and back pain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. All 12 were hospitalized, three of them for a month or longer. None died. Investigators don’t think the contamination occurred at the clinics where the shots were given, because they found bacteria in unopened vials provided by the distributor, Yorba Linda, California-based Liveyon. Liveyon voluntarily recalled the stem cells in October. Last month, the Food and
A researcher examines human embryonic stem cells with a microscope in Michigan. On Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that at least 12 patients in three states became infected after getting embryonic stem cell injections for problems like joint and back pain. (AP Photo/ Paul Sancya)
Drug Administration sent a warning to Genetech Inc., the small San Diego company that processed the stem cells. The FDA said the company should not be
marketing the stem cells without regulators’ approval and has deviated from manufacturing requirements in ways that could have led to bacterial contamination. Stem cells are very young cells than can develop into specialized cells, like blood cells, bone cells and brain cells. The cells are being studied as a potential way to treat many diseases and are currently approved for a handful of medical procedures. In recent years, hundreds of private clinics have opened promoting their use for diseases in which there is little evidence they are safe or effective. Stem cells can be harvested from adults, but another source is umbilical cord blood, which can be collected at the time of birth, stored and later used as a treatment for the child or family members who develop conditions like blood
or immune disorders. Officials say stems cells from cord blood also are being sold to doctors to treat patients for conditions like pain in their joints, shoulders or back. Last year, the FDA announced plans to crack down in doctors and businesses promoting stem cell injections for diseases ranging from arthritis to Alzheimer’s disease. The CDC reported that stem cells from cord blood were the source of bacterial infections in seven in Texas, four in Florida and one in Arizona. The average age of the patients was 74. Five different germs were seen in the patients, including one type of E. coli. “These are not organisms you want in your bloodstream or joint space,” said Dr. Kiran Perkins, the CDC medical officer leading the agency’s investigation.
This 2014 file electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows numerous, spheroid-shaped Enterovirus-D68 (EV-D68) virions. Doctors have suspected a mysterious paralyzing illness, acute flaccid myelitis, might be tied to the virus. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Yiting Zhang/CDC via AP)
Why would the virus suddenly be causing these paralyzing illnesses? “This is a key question that has confounded us,” said the CDC’s Dr. Nancy Messonnier, who is overseeing the agency’s outbreak investigation. Experts also said it’s not clear why cases are surging in two-year cycles. Another mystery: More than 17 countries have reported scattered AFM cases, but none have seen cyclical surges like the U.S. has. When there has been a wave in the U.S., cases spiked in September and tailed off significantly by November. Last week, CDC officials said the problem had peaked, but they warned that the number of cases would go up as investigators evaluated and decided whether to
count - illnesses that occurred earlier. As of Monday, there were 311 illness reports still being evaluated. This year ’s confirmed cases are spread among 36 states. The states with the most are Texas, with 21, and Colorado, 15. But it’s not clear if the state tallies truly represent where illnesses have been happening. For example, the numbers in Colorado may be high at least partly because it was in the scene of an attentiongrabbing 2014 outbreak, and so doctors there may be doing a better job doing things that can lead to a diagnosis. For an illness to be counted, the diagnosis must include an MRI scan that shows lesions in the part of the spinal cord that controls muscles.
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Odds and Ends The Associated Press
Bakers upset with missing tips on Hershey’s Kisses candy Hershey, Pa. (AP) - Bakers are complaining that something is amiss with Hershey’s Kisses. The chocolate candy’s trademark tips have been mysteriously missing from batches around the country. Bakers have taken to social media to complain that the lopped-off tops are ruining the look of their holiday treats. Without their points, the chocolate candies are left with flat tops. The Hershey Company responded to the disgruntled bakers after hearing of a Facebook post by the Wedding Cookie Table Community group that detailed the problem. Company spokesman Jeff Beckman tells the Lebanon Daily News they’re reviewing the issue. Beckman says Hershey has donated baking items to the group as a thank you for pointing out the issue. The candy company has yet to explain what’s causing the missing tips.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Car thief in Norway gets trapped and calls police to get out Copenhagen, Denmark (AP) - A car thief had to call the police to ask for help after he was trapped inside the car he was trying to steal. Police in Trondheim said the young man, who wasn’t identified, called law enforcement from a car dealership in Norway’s third-largest city to say he was “stuck” inside the car. Norwegian broadcaster NRK said the man was aged 17 and was known to the police for petty crimes, and that it was unclear why the doors of the car, parked outside the shop, had locked. Police said on Twitter that officers hurried to the scene Monday “to get him out and into detention.” No further details were available.
Mom pins down man trying to steal her SUV New York (AP) - A mother taking her child to school says she stopped a man from stealing her car and held him down until New York City police arrived. Tihisha Jones says she started her car with an automatic car starter before leaving her Bronx apartment Tuesday when her son saw a man in the SUV that she calls “Black Beauty.” Jones tells WNBC-TV she pulled the man out and dragged him to the ground. Jones says “he’s lucky I didn’t kill him.” She says she was running on adrenaline and all she was worried about was her vehicle, which had been broken into twice before. Police say the man has been charged with attempted grand larceny auto, attempted petit larceny and criminal possession of a weapon.
Crossword No 1327
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Massic Travel
Across 1. Forsake (7) 5. Misgiving (5) 8. Robber (5) 9. Competence (7) 10. Hide (7) 11. Climb (5) 12. Housing area (6) 14. Groups of twelve (6) 18. Archer’s missile (5) 20. Great pleasure (7) 22. Strain (7) 23. Flinch (5) 24. Majestic (5) 25. Gracefully slim (7)
Down 1. Thing (7) 2. Strange (5) 3. Turn aside (7) 4. Almost (6) 5. Even (5) 6. Stir up (7) 7. Perhaps (5) 13. Despotism (7) 15. Slanting (7) 16. Colonist (7) 17. Handsome youth (6) 18. Stage-player (5) 19. Turn rapidly (5) 21. Stately, splendid (5)
Answer to 981 Across: 1. Depict, 4. Higher, 8. Crawl, 9. Later on, 10. Outlook, 11. Nohow, 12. Coriander, 17. Tulip, 19. However, 21. Rivulet, 22. Fence, 23. Hornet, 24. Breeze. Down: 1. Doctor, 2. Plastic, 3. Cello, 5. Intoned, 6. Harsh, 7. Renown, 9. Likeashot, 13. Repulse, 14. Revenge, 15. Starch, 16. Freeze, 18. Lever, 20. Wafer.
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. 230
Poker player turns $5 bet into $1M at casino Atlantic City, N.J. (AP) - A man playing poker at an Atlantic City casino has won $1 million on a $5 bet. The man, identified only as a Lakewood resident, made the threecard poker “6 Card Bonus” bet Saturday afternoon at the Borgata Hotel Casino. He then hit a royal straight flush of diamonds, a hand that overcame 1-to-20 million odds. The man was dealt the 10, queen and ace of diamonds. The dealer’s hand was the nine, jack and king of diamonds. Casino officials say it’s the first time this bet has been hit at the Borgata.
Russian guards not in a Christmas mood on Estonian border Helsinki (AP) - Travelers beware: Russian border guards are not in a Christmas mood. They demanded that a cameraman from a pro-Kremlin broadcaster explain in writing why he was filming a meeting of Jouluvana, the Estonian version of Santa Claus, and Russia’s alter ego, Father Frost, on the Estonian-Russian border. The Baltic News Service says Igor Abramson of Russian state-owned broadcaster Channel One Russia apparently “seemed suspicious.” BNS said Abramson was “filming the entire surroundings, including Russian border officials” on Monday on the bridge linking Estonia’s third-largest city of Narva to the Russian town of Ivangorod. Since 1997, the jovial characters have met there and handed out presents to nurseries and hospitals. Relations between Tallinn and Moscow are notoriously icy. Estonia, a former Soviet republic, still has no valid border treaty with Russia.
VOL. XXVII No. 1
Answers next week.
VOL. XXVII No. 1
PATTAYA MAIL
FRIDAY JANUARY 4, 2019
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Dodging, Burning and Patching Gustave Le Gray is not such a well known name as Daguerre, Nadar and CartierBresson (mentioned a few weeks back). Some might even say he is forgotten, but not so. His work and what he accomplished and how he did it has definitely lived on after him. One of my favorite tomes is entitled “Techniques of the World’s Great Photographers” and Gustave Le Gray is awarded six times the space in the book compared to that given to Daguerre. He was not forgotten by that book publisher in 1981. Le Gray is remembered, amongst many reasons, for the technique of “patching”. This is a way of ending up with a very pleasing photograph, by introducing new
elements. This is similar to the still current techniques of dodging and burning, so a brief word on these first will not go astray; however, Le Gray’s technique is actually the forerunner of today’s ‘photoshopping’. Back to dodging and burning. When a “hand” print was made, the technician controlled the intensity of light falling on the sensitized photographic paper after it came through the negative. In any negative, there will be areas that the photographer would like to see made a little darker, or lighter. Very often the sky lacks a little detail, so the technician will be told to “burn in” the sky and “dodge” the foreground. So while making the exposure of the photographic paper, the technician will give the sky area more exposure time (burning in), while holding back the foreground (dodging). The end result of this technique is a scene with an “interesting” cloudy sky, rather than just a pale washed out
Dear Hillary, I sympathize with you, Petal, as I too have had a lifelong battle with my addiction to chocolate. I first knew I was addicted when I was about five years old and used to bite off some of my Mum’s cooking chocolate. Then I went through hell as a teenager with pimples every day, but I had to keep nibbling the chocolates. I didn’t care. These days I need a Mars bar every day or I can get the withdrawals. What do you do about the cravings? Charlie Chocolate Dear Charlie Chocolate, You have me all wrong, Petal. I am not addicted to chocolate, I just like chocolate. I don’t need chocolate every day, and the chocolates (and champagne) have been pretty sparse recently anyway. If I was feeding your addiction, I’d be in very bad withdrawals by now. Seriously though, I think you should talk to your doctor about this. You might have sugar or something. And by the way, you are my Petal, I am not your Petal. OK? Dear Hillary, You might think this is a trivial problem, but it isn’t for me. About a year ago I set up home with a Thai girl, who is many years my junior. This does not seem to bother her, though it bothers me at times. Her family comes from the northeast and I have been up there and met them, and they seemed nice enough farming folks. They accepted me quite readily, but I always felt a little left out at the family gatherings as they can only speak Thai and my girl had to translate all the time. (They also drink that awful Lao khao stuff!) For this reason, and because I am busy at work, I have not been back up there, though my girl does go up frequently.
one. So it is “enhancing” the print a little, but this is not photo fudging - the interesting sky was there to begin with, it is just that with the standard printing process you lose the clouds if you keep the foreground shadow details. The problem is the
sensitivity of the film and paper, but the selective technique does get over this. This is not photoshopping. Now pity poor old Gustave Le Gray. In the early 1850’s the negatives themselves were so insensitive that to get a negative which would
Is this the usual way families behave in this country? If it is, I will say nothing, but she will often go back for two or three days, the last being the end of Buddhist Lent. Have I anything to worry about? The Worrier Dear Worrier, You may have lots to worry about, or nothing at all. Are you worrying because you think she is not going back to the family rice paddy? I am having to try and read between the lines too much here. It is very usual for daughters to go home and pay respects to their family, and often contribute financially as well. Does your lady have children there that are being looked after by her Mama? Honestly, Petal, it sounds very normal to me. Talk to your friends who have been married to a Thai girl for some time. You’ll find it is the norm in this country. Caring and following the family principles will carry over to you as well, if you allow her to follow her traditions. In the meantime you can always see your doctor for some anti-worrying pills! Dear Hillary, My problem is with bad breath. In the mornings it would peel the paint from the walls, but my girlfriend wants an early morning snog. I have tried holding my breath, but that doesn’t work as I have to come up for air after thirty seconds. Have you any ideas that might help? Hal Dear Hal, Is that short for “Halitosis”, but do not despair, help is at hand. Try first by jumping out of bed and throwing the
show any details in the foreground subject(s), the skies were totally overexposed, so there was absolutely no cloud detail at all. You could dodge and burn as much as you liked - if it wasn’t on the negative to begin with, it would never appear on the final print. (This is why you should err on the side of overexposure, rather than underexposure. This was one of my early lessons in photography. If it is on the negative, you can reproduce it.) However, Gustave Le Gray produced prints like the one with this week’s article, (which was exhibited in London in 1856). Superb seascape with details in the foreground and ominous skies with plenty of detail. How did he do this? The answer was a technique that Le Gray developed called “patching”. With his insensitive negative there was no sky detail, so what Gustave Le Gray did was to make exposures of “interesting” skies alone, and then doubly expose the print.
One exposure was for the foreground, using its own negative, and the second exposure was for the sky, using the special “sky” negative. This worked very well, as you can see with this week’s photograph, and you can see why Gustave Le Gray chose seascapes to do this with. Confused? Don’t be. The horizon line with seascapes is flat and well defined, so he could easily blank off the top and expose the sea foreground, then blank off the bottom of the print and expose for the second negative producing the clouds and sky. It is still possible to “marry’ two sections together, but the more convoluted the join, the harder it gets, that is why the seascape concept worked so well. On course, today we can get computer programs to do this for us such as the ubiquitous Photoshop, but do not forget Gustave Le Gray - he did it first! And the Photoshop principle is exactly the same.
toothbrush over the gums before the morning snog. If there still is a problem, make flossing and teeth cleaning the family fashion before retiring at night. And look for a dentist. Dear Hillary, I asked my Thai girlfriend to marry me, but she said that she could not because her family did not agree. I found this amazing as the girl, a woman really, is 28 years old and surely old enough to make up her own mind. We have been dating for the last three months, and I thought everything was sweet with her parents. I have been married before and have grown up children, but she does not. Do you think it is because I am a foreigner? Or is there something else I am missing here? I had intended taking her back to my home country after we were married. Confused Dear Confused, I think there is lots that I am missing in this equation too. Where do her parents live? What are their occupations, including that of the daughter? Where in the family hierarchy does the daughter come? All these can have an enormous bearing on the response by the family, as well as the woman’s adherence to family traditions. You also have to remember that you are probably more than twice her age, and again, as you have realized, you are a foreigner. You have not been dating very long either, Petal. You may think you know this woman after three months, but I doubt it. Understanding Thai society and Thai minds can be a very difficult process for foreigners. Finally, it could really just mean that she didn’t want to disappoint you, so used the usual excuse. Sounds like a lost cause. Better start looking somewhere else.
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VOL. XXVII No. 1
Camillian Center Children treated to Big C Christmas shopping trip
Children from the Camillian Social Center Rayong were treated to a Christmas shopping trip at Big C Rayong.
Paul Baird
Woody and Bernie from the Jesters were on hand to oversee the proceedings.
Two very nice young ladies were on hand giving away snacks and balloons on sticks to keep the young ones entertained.
The trip was rounded off with a rendition of campanology in the form of Jingle Bells & Away in a Manger by the children.
On Sunday the 16th of December 2018 children from the Camillian Social Center Rayong were treated to a Christmas shopping trip at Big C Rayong. As always, the annual fun day out for the kids was sponsored by the Canadian Jackalope Open and Jesters Care for Kids. Thirty one children were given the equivalent of 1000 baht to fulfil their Christmas wish lists within approximately 90 minutes to shop. Of the 31,000 baht donated: Canadian Jackalope Open gave 8000 baht, Jesters Care for Kids 20,000 baht and 3000 baht came in from others. We set off on our shopping trip directly after lunch giving plenty of time for picking and choosing over a very wide selection of goods. The Big C Bear was absent this year but two very nice young ladies were on hand giving away snacks and balloons on sticks to keep the young ones entertained while wait-
Pattaya schools 1, 3 set for major renovations
The group set off directly after lunch giving plenty of time for picking and choosing over a wide selection of goods.
ing after the checkout. Woody and Bernie from the Jesters were joined this year by Rob and his son from the Jackalope overseeing the proceedings. All the younger children were helped by our teachers and older children. The trip was rounded off with a rendition of campanology in the form of Jingle Bells &Away in a Manger by the children.
From all of us here at the Camillian Social Center Rayong we wish all the members of the Jesters & Jackalope Groups a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We all hope to see you again next year. For more information on how you can help, please visit http://www.hiv-aidskids.org/
Shoes, shoes and more shoes.
Maryvit hosts Christmas Eve party
Maryvit School welcomed Santa Claus to Thailand with a Christmas Eve party.
Warapun Jaikusol Maryvit School welcomed Santa Claus to Thailand with a Christmas Eve party. School licensee Chuan Kitikiatisak opened the Dec. 24 event with school group CEO Stephen Chana Kitikiatisak and teachers. The kids were excited not only for Christmas, but as it was the last day
before the winter holiday. The event included shows and booths offering free snacks and beverages. Everyone got a chance to win prizes in the lucky draw. Prizes included a refrigerator, bicycles, fans, teddy bears, a TV and more. Kindergarten children sang Christmas carols and other booths offered games with money going to charity.
Deputy mayors Pattana Boonsawat and Banlue Kullavanijaya toured Pattaya schools 1 and 3 where restrooms and landscaping will be upgraded under a city renovation project.
Pattaya schools 1 and 3 will see restrooms and landscaping upgraded under a city renovation project. Deputy mayors Pattana Boonsawat and Banlue Kullavanijaya toured the two schools Dec. 19, part of their ongoing survey of all of Pattaya’s public schools.
They earlier ordered upgraded playgrounds and landscaping for schools 5 and 8. The restrooms at School No. 1 and No. 3 were found to be decrepit and in need of repairs. Engineers assessed the damage to determine budgets. Also added to the fix-up
list were sidewalks and the road outside School No. 1, which must be resurfaced and new drains installed. The deputy mayors said the domed play area they suggested for School No. 5 should be built here as well. Repairs at School No. 3 will include a new roof. (PCPR)
Booths offered games with money collected going to charity.
VOL. XXVII No. 1
TAT launches ‘Tourism for All 2019’
Beauty pageants raise money for AIDS hospice Warapun Jaikusol The Pattaya Elephant Village organized its first-ever beauty pageants to raise money for AIDS patients at the Glory Hut Foundation. Lukphat Purimprut Chaiyakam of the “Thailand’s Got Talent” television show hosted the Miss Elephant Village Thailand 2018 pageant Dec 24 at the Singha D’Luck Cinematic Theatre. Jiji Thanyapat Chakan won the crown with runners-up, in order, Intita Atsawajindakul and Tongta Yatopama. Honorable mentions went to Meree Nichanan Aow and Fah Yodchat. Theater owners Pirat and Nittaya Chaiyakam opened the festivities before a performance of The Kaan Show. The pageant started with a parade of contestants. They were judged by a panel of actors, net idols and contestants of other Jiji Thanyapat Chakan won the first beauty pageants. ever Pattaya Elephant Village beauty The day also saw the transgender pageant pageant to raise money for AIDS Miss Beauty People Thailand. The winner patients at the Glory Hut Foundation. was Isaree Mungman with runners-up, in order, Wanarot Pinmanee and Apatsara Muennoi. Honorable mentions went to Yadawadee Nutchpramoon and Sasinatda Meechai. Proceeds from the pageants will go to the Glory Hut Foundation in Nongprue, where HIV-positive and AIDS-stricken patients are given care.
Destination LONDON
FRIDAY JANUARY 4, 2019 13
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ECONOMY PRICE FROM VALID .
EVA HEATHROW EVA AIR ELITE ECONOMY ETIHAD AIRWAYS BRITISH LON EDI MAN NCL GLA BRITISH LON EDI MAN NCL GLA FINN AIR VIETNAM AIRLINES
20000 39500 12000 13500 14000 10500 12000
++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
3M 3M 2M 12M
SWISSAIR (GVA) FINNAIR (DUB) SWISSAIR (FRA)
12000 ++ 12000 ++ 12000 ++
1M 1M 3M
THAI GARUDA AIRLINES
18000 ++ 17500 ++
21D 12M
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a tourism campaign for state welfare cardholders to entice low-income earners to travel.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a tourism campaign for state welfare cardholders to entice lowincome earners to travel. According to TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn, the campaign “Tourism for All 2019” is made possible by his agency, state units and the private sector. He explained that the program aims at giving opportunities to all Thais, saying it is a New Year gift to the Thai citizens, especially low-income earners and state welfare
BUSINESS PRICE FROM VALID .
TILL 31 DEC
1M 3M
86000 ++
3M
79000 ++ 28000 ++ 60500 ++
12M
87500 ++ 60000 ++ 88000 ++
12M 12M 3M
91200 ++ 22700 ++
6M 12M
19500 ++
1M
12000 ++ 14000 ++
1M 1M
25500 ++
1M
88000 ++
3M
1M
ECO PREMIUM
DUBLIN/GENEVA /FRANKFURT SYDNEY MELBOURE BRISBANE SINGAPORE/HONGKONG CATHAY (SINGAPORE) ROYAL JORDANIAN (HKG) HONGKONG AIRLINES (HONGKONG) SINGAPORE AIRLINES (SINGAPORE)
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7D 14D 4M 14D
HONGKONG AIRLINES (NRT) JEJU AIR(ICN) THAI AIRWAYS (NRT/HND/OSA)
9200 ++ 6000 ++ 16000 ++
1M 12M 14D
EVA AIR (LAX) CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES (LAX) PHILIPPINES AIRLINES (LAX)
19500 ++ 17500 ++ 16000 ++
3M 6M 3M
SHANGHAI AIRLINES (SHA) CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES (CAN)
5000 ++ 5000 ++
12M 12M
27900 ++
12M
KENYA AIRWAYS (LOS)
16500 ++
12M
62000 ++
3M
THAI AIRWAYS (AKL)
21000 ++
21D
112000 ++
6M
JAPAN/KOREA USA
CHINA
AFRICA
NEW ZEALAND
5200 6400 6000 5800
TRAVEL FROM 5 JAN
TRAVEL FROM 5 JAN
FARES SHOWN ARE INFORMATIONAL AND SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. " ++ " DENOTES TAXES & SURCHARGES AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE FARES. VISIT US FORLATEST ALL INCLUSIVE OPTIONS. FARES AND CONDITIONS MAY CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTOCE
cardholders. The Tourism for All 2019 provides for free entry to tourism attractions in military zones nationwide and gives discounts to state welfare cardholders on admission fees at more than 100 tourist spots. The campaign will also hold a lucky draw event for various volunteers. Rewards include free trips for the entire families of
lucky winners. The eligible volunteers include the Village Health volunteers, the Bangkok Health volunteers, the Civil Defense volunteers and the Village Social Development and Human Security volunteers. Furthermore, the year-long program will feature several merit making and almsgiving activities. (NNT)
www.massictravel.net CHINA VISA ASSISTANCE SERVICE THAI PASSPORT HOLDERS 5 WORKING DAYS 3,600.EUROPEAN PASSPORT HOLDERS 5 WORKING DAYS 6,400.Need: Passport, 2”x2” photos Permanent residence permit/Work Permit/Retirement visa ALSO. Assist with Vietnam. Myanmar,India visas. Application assistance for US, UK, Schengan visa
ALLFARES ROUND TRIP UNLESS STATED WE OPEN : MON-FRI 09:30 - 18:00 | SAT 09:30 - 16:00 | SUNDAY CLOSED. |
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VOL. XXVII No. 1
Heavenly angels sing for PCEC Christmas
Toy Radchada from the Pattaya Orphanage thanks the PCEC for inviting children from the Orphanage Choir to entertain again this year.
Marcus Tristan and Ben Rudolf compare notes prior to providing the musical accompaniment for the second half of the PCEC Christmas program.
Heavenly angels sang at PCEC meeting on Sunday, December 23. The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) continued its tradition of inviting the Children’s Choir from the Pattaya Orphanage (all little angels) to bring the spirit of Christmas to its weekly meeting. As usual for the Christmas program, the house was full and the audience filled with Christmas cheer. Five female dancers, resplendent in traditional multi-color Thai costumes, started the festivities with a traditional dance from Eastern Thailand. Then the rest of the approximately 40 children filed in and entertained everyone by singing several Christmas carols, including “Jingle Bells”, “Joy to the World”, “Oh Come All ye Faithful”, “Long Time Ago in Bethlehem”, and “Feliz Navidad”. The choir finished their set with a rousing rendition of “We wish you a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year,” during which Santa Claus made his grand entrance, much to the delight of both the audience and the choir. Santa greeted the children and with the aid of his “helpers,” each were presented with a bag full of goodies. The children filed out after receiving their goodie bag. Toy also received other goodies to take back for the other children at the orphanage so none would be left out. The program then continued with the musical accompaniment of Composer Marcus Tristan and young protégé Ben Rudolph as the audience sang several well-known Christmas Carols. To view a video of the program, visit https:// www.youtube.com/channel/ UCJ2hH8irBpX_v7Qb7spANABen. For more information about their programs and activities visit their website at www.pcec.club.
Ben Rudolf stands ready at the keyboard as Marcus Tristan (with microphone) prepares everyone to join in with the singing of Christmas Carols.
Several members of the younger Pattaya Orphanage Choir happily welcome Father Christmas to the PCEC festivities.
One of the highlights of the Christmas program was the PCEC audience joining in on the “Twelve days of Christmas” with each table acting out gestures for the each of the twelve days.
The little angels from the Pattaya Orphanage Choir were warmly welcomed by all as they performed during the PCEC’s annual Christmas program.
Father Christmas greeted the children from the choir and with the aid of his helpers, each child was presented with a bag full of goodies.
These five charming young ladies in costume began the program by performing a traditional Thai dance for their PCEC audience
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As Spanish as… It’s ironic that some of the most evocative Spanishsounding music was written by composers who were not even Spanish. Until the end of the nineteenth century Spain was rather short on composers, apart from a handful of notable names during the Renaissance. In the late Baroque and Classical periods folk music thrived, though virtually no Spanish composers achieved European recognition. It wasn’t until towards the end of the nineteenth century that Spanish music came into vogue but surprisingly, not because of Spanish composers. For the sudden popularity in Spanish-sounding music, we have to thank the French. In 1875, the French composer Georges Bizet wrote his Spanish opera Carmen and another Frenchman, Emmanuel Chabrier wrote the popular orchestral piece España in 1883. The main theme of España was later transformed into a ludicrous pop song in the 1950s entitled Hot Diggity and became a number one hit for the American singer Perry Como. In later years, the French composer Maurice Ravel (whose mother was Basque) also contributed to the Spanish genre, most notably with his well-known orchestral works Rhapsodie Espagnole, the opera L’heure espagnole and the ever-popular Bolero. Ibéria is the most often
Georges Bizet photographed in about 1860.
performed of the three orchestral works by Debussy kn o w n a s I m a g e s f o r Orchestra. In 1887 the Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov wrote his colourful Capriccio Espangnol which was based on Spanish folk melodies. You may recognise some of them.
Nikolai RimskyKorsakov (18441908): Capriccio Espagnol Op. 34. Denmark Radio Symphony Orchestra cond. Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (Duration: 16:51; Video: 720p HD) This exciting rhythmic work was originally conceived for solo violin and orchestra but the composer changed his mind, though some violin
solo sections remain. It’s often hailed for its colourful orchestration, which features a large percussion section and many special techniques such as guitar imitations from the string section. Despite the critical praise of the orchestration, Rimsky-Korsakov was evidently annoyed that the other aspects of the piece were being ignored. “The opinion … that the Capriccio is a magnificently orchestrated piece is wrong. The Capriccio is a brilliant composition for orchestra,” he wrote with touching modesty. He went on to explain that the orchestration is an integral part of the work. It’s often forgotten that Rimsky-Korsakov combined his composing and teaching with a busy career in the Russian military, first as an officer in the Imperial Russian Navy then later as the civilian Inspector of Naval Bands. Through his service as an inspector he developed his knowledge of woodwind and brass playing, which enhanced his abilities in orchestration. Just listen to the confident writing for the woodwind and brass and how he combines unlikely instruments to great effect. Although the music was written by a Russian, it sounds as Spanish as you can get.
Georges Bizet (1838-1875): Carmen Suite No. 1. Singapore National Youth Orchestra cond. Tan Wee Hsin (Duration: 12:47; Video: 720p HD) One of my first musical disappointments in childhood was discovering that the opera Carmen was not about cars. Carmen of course is a person, a fictitious gipsy girl who works in a cigarette factory in Seville. This in itself is richly ironic because Bizet himself was a heavy smoker who died at the age of thirtyseven from a smoking-related disease. In 1868 he informed a friend that he had been very ill with abscesses in the windpipe. “I suffered like a dog”, he wrote. While completing Carmen, he had been disabled by severe bouts of throat pain which was not helped by long periods of over-work. Bizet was a brilliant student at the Conservatoire de Paris and an outstanding pianist. As a composer he was not particularly successful until he wrote Carmen which eventually became a huge success, though it was slow to catch on. Bizet died suddenly after the 33rd performance and the musical elite of Paris were stunned. Bizet was completely unaware that Carmen would achieve
‘Hearts of the Missing’ is a baffling mystery Bruce Desilva Nicky Matthews, a Pueblo, New Mexico, police sergeant assigned as liaison to the Tsiba’ashi D’yini reservation’s police department, has a few things going for her. She’s smart and tenacious. She respects, and has gained the respect of, the native people. And she has so internalized their culture that she’s visited by ghosts who provide warnings and premonitions. But she also has some things going against her. The reservation’s police chief, who thinks a woman’s place doesn’t include police work, undermines her at every turn. And her long-ago affair with an influential married man, is a constant source of trouble. When Nicky suspects that an apparent suicide could be murder — and might be linked to a series of violent deaths and missing persons — her investigation is obstructed by her bosses and the elders who run the reservation. “Hearts of the Missing,” Carol Potenza’s debut novel, is a yarn wrapped in Pueblo Indian mythology, forensic evidence, ancient rituals, DNA tests, evil spirits, greed and
violence. The story involves so many characters and such a plethora of twists and turns that readers may find it difficult to keep track unless they pay close attention — and maybe even take notes along the way. The author, a biochemistry professor at New Mexico State University, is the prepublication winner of the annual Hillerman Prize for the best novel set in the Southwest. However, her prose, while better than workmanlike, falls short of the simple elegance of the late Tony Hillerman’s 18 novels about the exploits of a pair of Navajo police officers. Potenza does a decent job of evoking the reservation’s stark natural landscape, but she peppers her narrative with granular, often irrelevant, physical descriptions of her characters, including many minor ones. And when they speak, nearly all of her characters sound alike regardless of age, gender and ethnicity. Still, the baffling mystery and the frequent surprises along the way will reward readers who stick with this story to the end. All in all, “Hearts of the Missing” demonstrates enough promise to justify Potenza’s plan for a series of Nicky Matthews novels. (AP)
international acclaim within the following ten years. It’s a sad story but one that could so easily be avoided if the young man had realised that all those cigarettes would not be good for him. We have no idea what other masterpieces he might have achieved. Carmen contains some gorgeous music, mostly contained in the two suites that were compiled posthumously by Bizet’s friend Ernest Guiraud using Bizet’s original superb orchestration. The Toreador Song
from Act Two is among the best known of all operatic arias. It appears in the Suite during the fifth and final movement entitled Les Toreadors (at 10:25). In the late 1950s the song was used in an advertising campaign promoting Esso petrol with the lyrics “The Esso sign means happy motoring”. Oh, and by the way, the name Esso comes from the pronunciation of the initials “S” and “O” in the initials of the parent company, Standard Oil. Not many people know that.
To watch these YouTube videos, 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. If you have a laptop, sound quality can be improved significantly by using headphones or external speakers.
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Spit spot! Blunt’s a practically perfect Poppins Jocelyn Noveck Los Angeles (AP) - In the half-century since the original “Mary Poppins” debuted, we’ve learned a lot about refined sugar, frankly none of it good. Doctors tell us it can lead to obesity, heart disease and all sorts of other detriments to our health. But let’s face it, there are times when a little sugar — oh what the heck, let’s say a spoonful — is just what we need, if not for health then for happiness. So it’s sweet news indeed that “Mary Poppins Returns,” a sequel 54 years in coming, provides just that spoonful of happiness in the form of Emily Blunt, practically perfect in every way as the heir to Julie Andrews. “Spit spot!” ‘’Pish Posh!” ‘’Jigetty Jog!” (Did we spell that right?) These Poppinsisms slip effortlessly off Blunt’s tongue. It’s also no simple feat to gaze at one’s reflection and say “practically perfect in every way” and not seem egotistical, but Blunt’s easy warmth and charm shine through. Of course she can also sing, and dance, with partners both live and animated. And she’s funny — witness her priceless indignation when a child asks how much she weighs. But then she can spin on a dime and convey that steely Poppins nerve, that sense that in a
crisis, she knows exactly what must be done, and everybody else had better stand aside. There’s further happy news here: It’s not just Blunt that’s at the top of her game in this thoroughly delightful enterprise by director Rob Marshall and a crack team of artists devoted to both honoring a time-worn classic and finding something new to say. The visuals are lovely, from the oil paintings in the opening credits to the balloonfilled spring fair at the end. And Sandy Powell’s costumes are fabulous, especially the reds and blues and stripes and polka dots that adorn Mary, from her strawhatted head to her turnedout feet (What we wouldn’t give for one of those slender-waisted, caped overcoats, or polka-dot bow ties). And those candy-hued clothes that Mary, Jack and the Banks kids wear in the centerpiece scene mixing live action and animation? They’re literally handpainted, to delectable effect. Blunt’s star power is complemented here by appealing turns from Lin-Manuel Miranda as the afore-mentioned Jack, a kind-hearted lamplighter who once worked for Bert the chimney sweep (aka Dick Van Dyke); Ben Whisham and Emily Mortimer as the elder Banks children, a slimy Colin Firth as the bank chief, and, for icing on the cake, a flame-haired Meryl Streep as Mary’s vaguely Eastern European cousin Topsy (“Vat do you VANT?”). Then there’s the icing on the icing: a cameo by Van
“Can You Imagine That?” Mary sings, one of the catchy original songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. There’s also the mournful “The Place Where Lost Things Go,” about loss, and Streep’s tour de force, “Turning Turtle,” and the brassy performance number “A Cover is Not the Book.” Each song has its spiritual antecedent in the original film, including the lamplighters’ dance number “Trip a Little Light Fantastic,” a nod to “Step in Time.” As for Miranda, though the role he’s given could have used more of a backstory, his presence injects a warm and sunny vibe into gray Depression-era London, and it’s totally infectious. His Cockney accent is better than his predecessor’s, too, and it’s nice that he gets to This image shows Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins Returns.” (Disney via AP)
Dyke himself, still spry at 92, that is hands-down the emotional peak of the film — even before he starts to twinkle those toes. The setting is Depressionera London, where widowed Michael lives with his three young children at 17 Cherry Tree Lane, struggling to stay afloat. Sister Jane, a labor organizer, lives in a flat across town. As we begin, Michael learns he’s behind on loan payments, and the bank wants to take his house. He’s given five days to find proof that his father owned shares there, which could save the home. Searching desperately, he comes
across an old kite but tosses it in the trash. Luckily it’s a windy day, and who flies in with that kite? Yep, Mary, emerging from the sky with her bottomless bag and umbrella (If you’re crying already here, and you might be, you’re in trouble). “It’s wonderful to see you,” exclaim a shocked Michael and Jane. “Yes it is, isn’t it,” Mary replies. Just like that, Mary’s sliding up the banister again. First order of business: the children’s bath, which turns into a wild adventure down the drain and into the colorful sea, flying dolphins and all.
Music on the Beach free concerts entertain tourists Legendary rocker Lam Morrison headlined the first Pattaya Music on the Beach festival, a free concert to drive high-season tourism. Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh opened the Dec. 21 event on Pattaya Beach at Central Road sponsored by the Pattaya Music Association. Popular Thai singers and bands entertained tourists and locals from Dec. 21-23 from 4-10 p.m. Youth bands also were invited to play. The concerts were organized to boost tourism and entertain the city’s high-season guests. Pattaya Music on the Beach festival proved a popular hit with tourists and locals.
rap a bit in the animated fantasy sequence, as did Van Dyke (sort of) in the original. Mortimer and especially Whisham are both touching in roles that could have felt perfunctory. Perhaps no more explanation is necessary — after all, as Jack says, “Mary Poppins never explains anything.” Will we meeting her yet again? Who knows. But it was wonderful to see her, especially in Blunt’s loving hands. “Yes it was, wasn’t it,” she’d surely reply. “Mary Poppins Returns,” a Walt Disney Studios release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America “for some mild thematic elements and brief action.” Running time: 130 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
Winter Festival highlights include Lego sculptures and VR screening
Royal barges made from Lego are on show at the Winter Festival in Bangkok.
A feature attracting considerable attention, at this year’s Un Ai Rak Klai Khwam Nao Streams of Rattanakosin Winter Festival in Bangkok, is a collection of statues made completely out of Lego. Hundreds of thousands of Lego pieces have been used to create one of the festival’s most interesting exhibitions. The blocks have been used to recreate the Suphannahong Royal Barge, the Narai Song Suban HM King Rama IX Royal Barge, Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall and images of Chakri dynasty monarchs.
Another attractive showcase is the “Streams of Love” film being screened for audiences to learn about Thailand during the reign of King Rama VII, a period in which major bridges, such as Phra Buddha Yod Fah, were opened. The screening area includes a Virtual Reality studio where visitors can immerse themselves in the five minute film. The festival, which is taking place in front of Dusit Palace and Sanam Sua Pa. continues daily until January 19, 2019.
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Motorhead: ‘1916’ mott@pattayamail.com After achieving great success in the late Seventies it all started to go wrong for British rockers Motorhead in the following decade. First, Fast Eddie Clarke left and Robbie Robertson from Thin Lizzy also came and went. Then the unthinkable happened when the man who after Lemmy epitomized Motorhead most, Phil ‘Philthy’ Animal Taylor, left too (but he came back at the end of the Eighties.) Court cases with record companies also became commonplace, making it difficult to get any new product out. The concerts were still moderately well attended, but not like before.
Worst of all, the albums during the Eighties were just not up to the early recordings and sales suffered. There was still the odd track to suggest that the old magic might be lurking somewhere below the surface, but not enough to make people actually shell out their hard earned cash for the latest Motorhead platter. After the quite frankly abysmal “Rock’n’Roll” album in 1987 (which achieved Motorhead’s worst ever chart position in Britain) the plug was nearly pulled. Lemmy, fed up with England in general, relocated to Los Angeles, near to his favorite Rainbow Bar & Grill. But Lemmy was nothing if not a trooper and the musical lust soon came back, and after all, he still had a band and a fine one at that. Phil Taylor, now back in harness, was perhaps coming to the end of his best period, but there
were two hot guitarists in Phil Campbell and Wurzel. Recording sessions took place and this hard core diamond of an album was unearthed. Motorhead badly needed an album like “1916”, but no one could have believed they would have done it in such style and panache. The release went in at No 24 in the British album charts and also broke the American Billboard Charts, reestablishing Motorhead as a major force. Album opener “The One to Sing The Blues” is the perfect introduction with that classic Motorhead full-ahead
blast to it. There are plenty of other great rockers on here too, like “Going to Brazil” and a tribute to American punk legends the Ramones, one of Lemmy’s favorite bands. There is also the threatening “Nightmare/The Dreamtime” with its almost Gothic feel, plus the nearest the band go to a power ballad in “Love Me Forever”. The most emotional track on the album is the last and title track where Lemmy sings almost unaccompanied about a young boy going off to fight in the First World War, feeling it was his patriotic duty to do so, but not really understanding why either - until the bullets started to fly. It’s certainly the most moving track Lemmy ever put out. Motorhead never paid any attention to passing phases or trends, but this album fitted in perfectly with the times and still sounds great today.
Symphonic touches give new spin to old Carpenters records Andrew Dalton Westlake Village, Calif. (AP) — Karen Carpenter has now been gone longer than she was alive. Yet her best work may have just been released, at least according to her brother, arranger and performing partner, Richard, who has made it his mission to keep her singing voice resonant and relevant since her death 35 years ago. In the new collection, “Carpenters with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,” Richard Carpenter gave new string arrangements to many of the duo’s classic recordings from the late 1960s through the early 1980s, including “Close to You” and “Superstar,” and pushed his sister’s unmistakable voice even more to the fore than it already was. “I think it’s the best album we’ve ever made,” Carpenter, 72, told The Associated Press in an interview at his Southern California home. Longtime fans are enthused by the collection, which includes the holiday touch of “Merry Christmas Darling,” the December staple that Carpenter says was “one of our best records” regardless of season. The album debuted at No. 52 on the Billboard charts in the U.S. after its Dec. 7 release by A&M/UMe and shot straight to the Top 10 in the United Kingdom and Japan, both Carpenters’ strongholds from the start. A vinyl release will follow in February.
He also got to fix old quirks, the result of having to rush out albums at the height of the group’s popularity. “Some things were done in a bigger hurry than I would have preferred. There are certain little oddball things that made their way through. It’s small, but if you have the ear to hear it, you hear it. Like the air-conditioning rumble in the opening lines of ‘Yesterday Once More,’” Carpenter said. “All that’s gone now.” He also took away some of the noise and reverb around his sister’s voice, and made her louder and clearer. “I pushed her up even In this March 17, 1971 file photo, Richard and Karen more in the mix than in the Carpenters of The Carpenters pose with their original,” he said. “And it Grammy during the 13th annual 1970 Grammy was already pretty up there Awards in Los Angeles. (AP Photo) in the original. She sounds, Carpenter conducted the of course, better than she Carpenter wasn’t immediately gung-ho when Univer- 80-piece London-based ever did.” The overall result is much sal Music asked if he wanted symphony himself at Abbey more than a mere collection to create an album for the Road Studios, and he overof singles, it’s a legitimate “Royal Philharmonic” series, saw the mixing, giving him whose previous editions another chance to play his studio album, with newly have included Elvis Presley natural background role in composed overture, intersupport of the unforgettable ludes and introductions, a and Aretha Franklin. But as he considered it, he alto voice of his sister, who carefully chosen sequence realized he could make small died of complications from and songs that flow together. “That’s how it’s meant to changes to the duo’s al- anorexia in 1983 at age 32. “I feel Karen and I were born be listened to,” Carpenter ready largely orchestral recordings that would make a with talents to complement said. “If a person has 66 minutes to set aside.” the other,” Carpenter said. big difference. The new versions are meant In some cases — like an “It gave me a chance to change a couple of arrange- angelic new piccolo trumpet to be works in their own right, ments a certain way that I pretty solo on “Goodbye To Love” not to displace the old ones. much wanted to do for many a — his changes leap out to “I realize there are people year,” he said. “They’re just the listener. But most of them who aren’t going to want either augmentations to al- might even go unnoticed, anything, purists, and I unready existing parts — just and that was a deliberate derstand,” Carpenter said, more players playing the choice. “but I thought about it, and “The last thing I wanted I thought, ‘Well, if they don’t parts — or different little things that I heard to an ex- to do was overdo it,” Car- care for this, the originals are penter said. isting arrangement.” still out there.’”
Motorhead’s iconic frontman - Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister.
Phil Taylor and Wurzel were soon to leave the band under different circumstances and varying stories, depending on who you talk to, but Motorhead brought in Mickie Dee and carried on as a trio, producing many more great albums and setting alight every concert hall they visited. Sadly, Lemmy passed away in 2015 and it’s unlikely we will ever see his like again. He is joined in the great gig in the sky by bandmates Wurzel (2011), Philthy Animal (2015) and Fast Eddie (2018). Album Rating: 5 Stars
Track List: One To Sing The Blues I’m So Bad ( Baby I Don’t Care) No Voices In The Sky Going To Brazil Nightmare/ The Dreamtime Love Me Forever Angel City Make My Dat R.A.M.O.N.E.S. Shut You Down 1916 Motorhead: Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister – bass and vocals Phil “Wizzo” Campbell - guitar Michael “Wurzell’’ Burston - guitar Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor – drums
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Pattaya Orphanage hosts Christmas fundraiser
Orphanage Director Rev. Weera Pangrak wishes a Merry Christmas to one and all.
Urasin Khantaraphan
Radchada Chomjinda, director of the Human Help Network Thailand, thanks Heinrich & Eva Schmidinger for their 43,000 baht donation to the foundation.
Radchada Chomjinda, director of the Human Help Network Thailand, and Peter Malhotra, MD of Pattaya Mail, exchange gifts.
A big hug from a little guy for his favorite jolly fellow in a red suit.
The Pattaya Orphanage celebrated their annual Christmas party with Santa bringing gifts to both the children and foundation. Director Rev. Weera Pangrak and Radchada Chomjinda, director of the Human Help Network Thailand, welcomed 500 people to the Dec. 27 celebration, with private organizations putting on a spread of more than 10 different food dishes for the occasion. The young orphans were decked out in their Christmas red and took to the stage to entertain the benevolent crowd with Christmas carols. Santa Claus also made an appearance with gifts for the kids. The highlight of the party was the raffle. More than 4,500 tickets were sold at prices of 20-100 baht, with proceeds going to the orphanage’s operating fund for the coming year. Heinrich & Eva Schmidinger also donated 43,000 baht to the foundation and gave small cash gifts to the children. Prizes were numerous in the lucky draw, with winners taking home 15 gold necklaces, appliances, televisions, dolls and more. Radchada said the event was truly enjoyable and added, “We are truly thankful for all sponsors, guests and benefactors for joining the children at this special and happy occasion. It’s a great privilege and honor that Howard Osborne, Past President of Rotary Club Eaglehawk in Bendigo, Australia, his wife Vivienne and Michael & Nora, their children paid visit to Pattaya Elfi Seitz gets reacquainted with Santa - which list were you on this year, naughty or nice? We have inside information indicating there is no doubt she was on the nice list.
Youngsters sing with joy on this most memorable day.
Little Santa’s helpers line up to meet the big guy. “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, two front teeth, two front teeth.”
after the last visit to Fr. Ray Brennan over two decades ago. Mr. & Mrs. Osborne together with Rotary members under the R.O.S.E. Program have accepted many orphaned children from the Pattaya Orphanage and Fr. Ray Foundation to study ESL and stay with foster families in Bendigo under this program. All children return with good English speaking skills and can get good jobs. We are truly thankful and very happy that they pay visits to the Orphanage and Child Protection and Development Center (CPDC) during this holiday seasons. We look forward to seeing you again next Christmas. May God Bless You All.”
Just clowning around with balloons.
There is nothing quite like spending a warm Christmas in tropical Pattaya helping the little ones who need it most.
Some 500 people turned up for the annual Pattaya Orphanage Christmas fundraiser.
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Warm Christmas cheer all around town
Santa arrived on the back of an elephant to hand out gifts to deserving children who appeared on the “nice” list at the Thai Garden Resort.
Denis Thouvard, General Manager of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, led hotel guests and other participants in the Christmas Eve Dinner at the Mirage Grand Ballroom.
Santa paid a visit to Dicey Reilly’s where he dished out gifts for one and all.
Lil’ rockers at the Hard Rock enjoyed loads of fun and a lot of Christmas giveaways from Santa Claus.
Who needs a white Christmas when a balmy tropical setting like Pattaya is available? Once again Christmas this year was celebrated with tradition and gusto throughout the area, as only Pattaya can provide. From beaches to bars, from eateries to entertainment venues, there are always plenty of ways to celebrate Yuletide fun. Christmas carolers were prominent and Santa was busy keeping up with demand, with both the aforementioned seen almost everywhere in town, often simultaneously. Santa made an appearance at the Thai Garden Resort where he traded in his sleigh for an elephant loaded with holiday gifts. The sight of old St. Nick on a pachyderm attracted plenty of photos and guests. Area children were rewarded with toys, sporting goods and other presents. At the Dusit Thani Pattaya Resort, Christmas Eve was filled with joy, happiness and smiles as many guests spent time there with loved ones and dear friends. The night featured a buffet dinner full of Christmas favorites, while entertainment was provided by the Dusit Jazz Band from the Faculty of Music, Silpakorn University, featuring lead vocalist Natt from Skykick Ranger. Santa Claus made a special visit to the Dusit to hand out gifts to the young’uns, and Christmas Carols were sung by the Pattaya Orphanage Choir. The evening climaxed when Dusit Thani Pattaya’s General Manager Neoh Kean Boon and Executive Assistant Manager My Larry Choi presented gifts to lucky winners. This year, around 320 people joined the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya’s Christmas buffet dinner at Starz Diner. The evening also featured Christmas Carols from Father Ray Foundation children, and, in addition, lil’ rockers received Christmas giveaways from Santa Claus. About 300 Rotarians and community activists celebrated Christmas together at the Rotary Club of the Eastern Seaboard’s annual holiday party at the Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa
Centara Pattaya Hotel and Centara Nova Hotel & Spa Pattaya made it a December to remember and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2019.
Christmas carolers from the Father Ray Foundation brought joy to guests at the Pullman Pattaya Hotel G.
Anselma Niehaus receives a Christmas kiss from a beautiful little angel at the Thai Garden Resort.
Dec. 20. Club President Brian Songhurst welcomed members and friends from the Pattaya International Ladies clubs and the Pattaya and Jomtien Rotary Clubs. The party was a purely social event, with a chance for the hard-working community leaders and advocates to share stories and good times. Children from the Human Help Network sang Christmas carols, Santa Claus made an appearance and Dutch swing band B2F entertained for three hours. At Pullman Pattaya Hotel G, guests, family and friends were invited to celebrate a beachside Christmas eve buffet dinner on 24th December 2018 and Beach & Beats Christmas Day Brunch on 25th December 2018. The buffet was accompanied by live music from Marina Perfileva during dinner time and the beat of music by DJ DAN during brunch time. Activities and games were held around the pool on the Christmas Day. Guests also enjoyed a surprise visit by Santa Claus carrying gifts for all kids and Carol singers from the Father Ray foundation for the charity on both days. At city hall, Pattaya officials sang Christmas carols with AIDS patients and caretakers to raise funds for the Glory Hut Foundation. Deputy Mayors Poramet Ngampichet and Banlue Kullavanijaya led the chorus of civil servants who joined with Glory Hut co-founder Pornsawan, hospice staff and patients on Christmas Day. The event was aimed at raising funds for the charity which helps people who suffer from HIV and AIDS. Wherever you celebrated Christmas, there’s little doubt it was memorable one, as there is no place like Pattaya for the holidays.
Dusit Thani Pattaya General Manager Neoh Kean Boon (center) creates a Christmas card with members of the Dusit Jazz Band featuring lead vocalist Natt (2nd left) from Skykick Ranger.
The Pattaya Orphanage Choir sang beautiful melodies at the Royal Cliff Christmas celebrations.
Deputy Mayors Poramet Ngampichet and Banlue Kullavanijaya led a chorus of civil servants who joined with Glory Hut co-founder Pornsawan, hospice staff and patients in singing Christmas carols at city hall on Christmas Day to raise funds for the Glory Hut Foundation.
Rotarians and community activists dance to the sounds of B2F during the Rotary Club of the Eastern Seaboard’s annual holiday party.
Santa Claus brought happiness to customers on Christmas Eve at Holiday Inn Pattaya.
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VOL. XXVII No. 1
E-mail: socialscene@pattayamail.com
D Varee Jomtien welcomes Privy Councilor
PIC-PIH engage in charity work for the needy
Dr. Sunya Viravaidya, CEO of Pattaya International Hospital and Sugar Hut Resort & Restaurant led his management team and staff to Baan Banglamung Almhouse recently where they donated amenities, food, drinking water, walkers and wheel chairs to the elderly residents of the home.
Kudu Goes Green contest held at Cape Kudu Hotel Cape & Kantary Hotels under the management of Tirawan Taechaubol (5th left), Project Development Manager of Cape & Kantary Hotels, recently organised the “Kudu Goes Green” contest at Cape Kudu Hotel. Tourists and visitors to Koh Yao Noi, Phang-Nga province were encouraged to collect recyclable waste in exchange for a free drink or ice cream at Café Kantary, Koh Yao Noi. The recyclable waste was then sent to 5 local schools for the competition, whereby students turned waste into Recycled-Materials Art. 21 prizes were presented to the winners.
Schöni Wiehnachte at Amari Phuket
Chertchai Kamolnetr (left), GM of the D Varee Jomtien Beach Hotel, welcomes Privy Councilor Gen. Surayud Chulanont, President of the Jet Ski Association of Thailand, who was in town to preside over the official opening of the ‘Thai Airways International Jet Ski World Cup 2018’ recently.
Christmas cheer at Thai Garden Resort
Rene Pisters GM of the Thai Garden Resort together with his charming wife Ploy and Hannah Robson are all set for the Christmas Eve festivities.
Friendship and affection commemorated at Yupins Restaurant
Pierre-Andre Pelletier (left), Amari Regional Vice-President Operations - Southern Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives, is all smiles as he greets the board and members of the Swiss Society Phuket during their Christmas party held at the Amari Phuket recently. ‘Fondu isch guet und git e gueti Lune.’
Ray Whitely and Rose celebrated the anniversary of their long and intimate friendship recently. At Yupins Restaurant friends are cherished and honoured for a lifetime.
Elements reopens at InterContinental Pattaya
Jacqui Cuthbertson greets Colin Hastings, MD of The Big Chilli Magazine and his lovely family.
Anaé Fournier, Area Sales Manager from Independent Wine & Spirit, extolls the qualities of the fine wines served at the dinner.
Jacqui Cuthbertson is flanked by Uwe Quaas, Managing Director of BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand and Nathalie.
Jacqui Cuthbertson, General Manager of InterContinental Pattaya Resort hosted an exclusive wine dinner recently to celebrate the relaunch of the Elements
Onvara Karpin, director of the Tourism Promotion Bureau, Pattaya City. Many local business entrepreneurs, the media and wine suppliers were also in attendance.
The Elements radiates a contemporary touch of elegance where one can dine indoors or on the patio offering breath-taking views of the sea.
Restaurant at the resort. Amongst the distinguished guests at the elaborate affair were Autthapon Taweesoonthorn, deputy director of TAT Pattaya, and
Executive Chef Smit Potiket created an extraordinary menu pairing each course with the finest wines from Southern Australia, California and New Zealand.
For those who missed that extraordinary evening of fine dining, Elements is open from 6:00 am-10:30 am for breakfast, 11:00 am-6:00 pm for lunch and 6:00 am-11:00 am for dinner.
VOL. XXVII No. 1
Articles For Sale/Rent As611/01-52/ Pattaya Mail Cartoonist Michael Baird (M.J.B.) has 3 brand new cartoon E-Books out. These and his other 10 cartoon EBooks can be bought from www.amazon.co.uk or www. booksmango.com. You will now be able to see all of Mike’s cartoons in FULL COLOUR. His 3 new Kindle
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E-Books are “Pattaya Cartoon Memories”, “Ladyboy Book 3” and “Pattaya Unforgettable Memories”. These cartoons are for grown-ups and would be unique gifts. You never know - You might see yourself in them!
Articles/Services Wanted Aw01/01-52/ 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) 0875 381 586
Businesses for Sale or Rent Bop03/01-52/ Spacious Double Shophouse, Thepprasit Road, Soi 5; very good business location; land 240sqm; business
30 years; 11,950,000 THB o.n.o.; Go Property Thailand; 093 161 5995, info@ gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com space 150sqm; 6 rooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 kitchenettes; 24 locked parking spaces; partly furnished; 4,900,000 THB or near offer; Joe: 092753 9309, info@ gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Bop02/01-52/ Guesthouse in the heart of Pattaya, Thappraya Road; Land: 210Twah (840sqm) and approx. 800sqm business space on 2 floors; 14 rooms; tropical garden; family owned since
Bop01/01-52/ Big Shophouse; located close Sukhumvit Road / Central Road; commercial space 200sqm; 19,950,000 THB o.n.o.; Go Property Thailand; 093 161 5995, info@ gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Notices No01/01-10/ Looking for a game of snooker with a retired ex-professional UK snooker player? Tel. Mike on 089 152 3202
Read more news at pattayamail.com
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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VOL. XXVII No. 1
Pets Pets03/01-52/ 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. Pets02/01-52/ **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
Property for Rent Houses, Villas
Read more news at pattayamail.com
Prb07/52-11/ For Rent: Bt.10,900 Per Month, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3 A/C, Furnished, Pool, Clean, Beautiful, Soi 53 Nern Plabwan at Soi 45. Tel: 084-351-8254 Prb06/52-03/ TOWNHOUSE, Off Soi Khaotalo, Like new, quiet, safe, two bedroom, one bathroom, patio, carport, Thai kitchen, air-conditioned, FULLY FURNUSHED, Guarded Subdivision, Communal Pool, One Year Lease Minimum, Bt.9,5000. Monthly, Bt.19,000. Security Deposit. English, 087-805-5276
Condos, Apartments Prc218/42-09/ Royal Park Luxury Service Apartments and penthouse suite, Jomtien: starting at 15,000 baht/ month. 56-70sqm, 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, Contact 086 111 7414 or check on our website www. royalparkjomtien.com to see why we are number 1 in Jomtien Prc/217/01-05/ Markland studio, 48sqm, Pattaya Beach Road sea front, sea view balcony, refurbished, furnished, internet, 15000 month, min 12 months. Contact owner ian.thailand@hotmail.com, Tel. 087 137 1529 Prc216/52-04/ Pattaya Beach Rd. Soi 13, Studio, Terrace, Kitchenette, Safe box. Penthouse style, pool. Bt. 13,500. - Tel: 091 504 1806
Property for Sale Houses, Villas Psb32/52-04/ Bargain Pool Villa needs to be viewed. Refurbished very specious, 3 bed 3 baths, huge living room. Separate Euro kitchen and Thai kitchen Luxurious salt water pool with Jacuzzi and remote gate parking for 2 cars. Land 125TW, House 300m2. SP3 village Siam Country Club with excellent security 5.7 M Tel: 083 102 9293, also available for rent 38,000 baht per month. Psb31/46-08/ House for sale: 1,850,000 Baht. Location in Soi Nernblabwan. Tel: 096 397 9541, Line ID: domicil24, Email: duangpee.domicil @gmail.com
Psb28/01-52/ 5-storey Townhouse in Pratumnak; lobby, 9 rooms and 8 bathrooms; total area 320sqm; big garage; the property was completely restored in 2015; new bathrooms, new rooms, new air-conditioners; new electric wiring; must see! Great Opportunity! Only 6,200,000 THB; 092- 753 9309, info @gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Psb27/01-52/ City Villa in the heart of Pattaya; completely renovated; close to 3rd Road / LK Hotel; in walking distance to Soi Buakhao; 120sqm living space; land approx. 150sqm; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchenette; fully furnished; 2 new Flat TVs; 3 air-cons; big storeroom; garden, carport & parking; NO THROUGH ROAD- very quite; 3,950,000 THB; 092753 9309, info@goproperty thailand.com, www. gopropertythailand.com
Psb26/01-52/ 3-storey Townhouse located in Pratumnak Hills close to “Royal Cliff Hotel”; living space 200sqm; fully furnished with high quality furniture; living room with dining area, 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, guest toilet; 1 European kitchen; terrace; 2 balconies; Jacuzzi bath; 3 air-cons; ceiling fan; WiFi access; storage room; carport; very nice and clean place to live; 4,950,000 THB; Go Property Thailand; 093 161 5995, info @gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Psb25/01-52/ Villa located on Pattaya East Side, only 5 min. from Sukhumvit/Thepprasit Road; Land size 760sqm, living space 350sqm; partly furnished; living room, dining room, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, guest toilet; Jacuzzi; European kitchen, security 24/7; private pool; tropical garden; garage; parking; 15,500,000 THB; 092- 753 9309, info@ gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Psb24/01-52/ Big Villa with 5,200sqm park similar land; located close to Huay Yai Road; living space 650sqm; fully furnished; 1 living/dining room; 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, full European kitchen; terraces; WiFi; private pool 10m x 5m; outdoor shower and toilet; small lake with sala; air-con in all rooms; fitness gym; many storerooms; 85sqm office in separate building; alarm; own well; pantry & laundry room; double garage; automatic gate; 3 BBQ’s; the property is completely walled in: 24,950,000 THB; Go Property Thailand; 093 161 5995, info@gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Psb23/01-52/ 3-storey modern “BAUHAUS-Style Villa” and a wooden “Traditional
VOL. XXVII No. 1
Thai Style house” on 1 Rai of land located in Pratumnak, Pattaya; 360sqm living space on 3 floors with gallery; Thai house has 100sqm living space; short distance to the beach; both properties are partly furnished; open living room over 2 floors; dining room; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 kitchen; terraces; WiFi; storage rooms; private parking; 75,000,000 THB; Go Property Thailand; 093 161 5995, info@gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Psb22/01-52/ Big Villa located in a clean & well maintained Resort in East Pattaya, 12 min drive to Sukhumvit Road; quite & peaceful; 1,632sqm land; living space approx. 500sqm; fully furnished with custom made quality furniture; 1 living room; 1 dining room; 3 bedrooms, 3 ensuite bathrooms, guest toilet, 1 kitchen, maid’s house; pool 10m x 5m (salt water); many terraces; security 7/24h; double garage; fully air-conditioned; laundry, pantry, many storerooms; office; SOLAR hot water; double wall and roof insulation; emergency power generator; double glazed insulation windows; 25.000 liter water
PATTAYA MAIL
storage; 35,000,000 THB or best offer; 092- 753 9309, info@gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Condominiums Psc/98/01-06/ Markland studio, 48sqm, Pattaya Beach Road sea-front, sea-view balcony, refurbished, furnished, internet, 3 Mio Baht. Foreign ownership, contact owner: ian.thailand@hotmail.com, Tel. 0871371529 Psc97/01-05/ Jomtien Plaza, 126sqm, Corner unit, high floor, beach views, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies, foreigner owner, 5.95 million (Negotiable) Tel: 094 461 2395 Psc96/01/ The Grass Pattaya Tai, New Condo, 1 bedroom, fully furnished, kitchen, living room, balcony, garden view, 2nd floor, 1.65 million (Negotiable). Tel: 080-776 0602 Psc95/51-02/ Beachfront Condo at Bangsaray Condominium: 150sqm, 2-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, 300m from beach, only 137units in 20 rai of green landscaped surroundings in an exclusive residence. Excellent decoration, fully furnished, TVLCD 50". Hot Sale 7.9 mil. 4x,xxx baht/sqm. 0813358102 (owner), for photos: pitipity@hotmail.com, Line: piti.t Psc93/50-02/ Urban Downtown Luxury Residence: for Sale/Rent. Pool view, 2 bedroom, 87-sqm, 2 Balconies, 4th Floor Corner unit behind
FRIDAY JANUARY 4, 2019 23
Avenue Mall, Soi 15, near Walking Street, Royal Garden, Central Mall, Sale price: 6,500,000 baht, Rent: 35,000 baht a month. Phone: 084 820 3979 Email: JLKBEACH@MAC.COM Psc90/46-08/ Condo for sale: 750,000 Baht. Location in Soi Nernblabwan. Tel: 0963979541, Line ID: domicil24, Email: duangpee. domicil@gmail.com Psc88/45-02/ PRATAMNAK, 2-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, Brand New! Sale: 3 Million Baht. High Floor, Includes furniture and appliances. Foreign name. Tel. 064 723-9972
Psc80/01-52/ City-Studio Jomtien VIEW TALAY 1; 6th floor; living space 32sqm; 500m to the beach; fully furnished; 1 living-bedroom; 1 bathroom; kitchen; balcony; WiFi; security 7/24h; community pool; parking; restaurants, bars, supermarket 24h, laundry in the building; directly located at the 10Baht-Taxi route and Shuttle Bus to Airport BKK; 1,250,000 THB; (or rent 7,900 THB) 092- 753 9309,. info @gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Psc79/01-52/ Studio on the beach in Pratumnak, 50sqm, totally quite & peaceful, fully furnished; private access to the beach; big sea view terrace; 1 living-bedroom, 1 bathroom, full kitchen;
washing machine; security 7/24h; community pool on beachfront; restaurant on pool side, parking; supermarket and laundry; 2,450,000 THB; (or rent 12,500 THB) 092 7539309, info@gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Jomtien 2nd road, living space 47sqm, fully furnished, 1 living/bedroom, 1 bathroom, kitchenette, terrace, WiFi, Security 7/24h, fitness gym, community pool, garage, “10 Baht Taxi Route”, supermarket, laundry close by: 1,600,000 THB; GO PROPERTY THAILAND 093 -161 5995, info @gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Land for Sale Psc76/01-52/ Seaview Apartment in Pattaya, Pratumnak Hills with 2 bedrooms, 11th floor; 3 balconies; living space 101sqm; fully furnished; living room; 2 bathrooms, 1 European kitchen; 2 new air-conditioners, ceiling fans; double security door, security 7/24h; fitness gym; sauna; steam room; community pool; parking; restaurants, bars, supermarket, laundry; 7,495,000 THB; Go Property Thailand; 093 161 5995, info@gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com Psc74/01-52/ Studio located close to Pattaya Beach and “Rhompo Night Market”,
P03/01-05/ Land - House Condo – Commercial for sale & rent in Bang Saray. Tel. 092-472-5743 (Adam), www.bangsarayarea.com
P02/01-52/ Land is located close to Chaiyaprueck Road 2, 629sqm (17m x 37m); completely walled inn with a 3m high wall; 13,000 liter water deposit;
own well; 2,950,000 THB or best offer; 092- 753 9309, info@gopropertythailand.com, www.gopropertythailand.com
Services Provided Sp02/01/ PLANS DRAWN: Design & Construction, Condo Remodeling 085-0834221 Sp01/01-05/ House and pool builders - renovations - 092472-5743 - www.handyman.in.th
Staff Wanted Sw01/51-03/ Experienced Freelance Internet Sales Person required: Must speak English, to market solar systems and industrial products from stock held in Rayong warehouse. This position is available on a 10% commission basis only. Contact Mr. Lee 08-61548605 Sw/52-01/ Pool man wanted in Naklua area. Mon-WedFri. Must be able to clean pool at 6:00am. Call 094-4344163
Read Pattaya Mail Online Updated Daily www.pattayamail.com | Facebook/pattayamail Email: ptymail@pattayamail.com
24 FRIDAY JANUARY 4, 2019
PATTAYA MAIL
VOL. XXVII No. 1
Peter and May get the medals PSC Golf from The Billabong Bar
There were three ‘2’s, coming from Peter Thomas, Bob Newell and our Haven Consultants sponsor Brian Chapman.
Monday, Dec. 24, Phoenix Gold Stableford Christmas Eve and Phoenix was the venue for 4 groups, playing the Lakes and Ocean loops which were in fantastic condition and a pleasure to play. The course was packed to the rafters but the day went smoothly thanks to the staff and management. The scoring today was very good with a countback required for the minor places between Helmut Hebstriet and John Locke, with Helmut being relegated to the bronze and John taking the silver, both with 35 points. But it was the Captain’s day today, posting his best round for a long time and scoring 39 points.
Friday, Dec. 28, Phoenix Gold Scramble
Miss May receives her medal from Brian Chapman.
There were three ‘2’s, coming from Capt Bob, Sandy Chapo and Dave Bramley.
Wednesday, Dec. 26, Green Valley - Medal The Haven Consultants
medal day was up for grabs today at Green Valley and near perfect conditions for golf greeted us on the first tee. The course was in marvelous shape with great greens to putt on and lush
Peter Thomas (left) with Brian Chapman.
fairways to compliment them. We had just 5 groups of men and only 2 groups of ladies but everything went smoothly and the round just flowed along. In the ladies competition it was a hard
Norman on song at Pattana PSC Golf from The Bunker Boys Newly arrived from Japan, Akira Sekiya jumped straight into the groove with a solid round of thirty-seven to take second place. Jimmy Carrs is continuing on his good run of form and took third with thirty-five. Geoff Parker rounded out the top order with a round of thirty-four. Despite being on three of the near pins, Dave Ashman managed to snare only one, the others going to Phil Mashiter, Neil Jones, and Keith Norman.
Monday, Dec. 24, The Emerald – Stableford 1st Jimmy Carr (15) 37pts 2nd Daryl Vernon (24) 36pts 3rd Les Humphrey (28) 36pts 4th Geoff Parker (15) 36pts 5th Neil Jones (22) 32pts The Bunker Boys Christmas Eve game was played on very hot conditions at the Emerald Club. The course was unusually clear so a very speedy round was had by all twenty-one golfers. Emerald is a typical Faldo course with barely a flat piece of ground anywhere; the fairways were like moguls with every conceivable type of lie to be had, uphill and downhill lies and the ball above and below the feet, so one had to play every type of shot in the book. The greens were also a test with some of the toughest pin placements ever the greenkeeper must have a wicked sense of humor. In the race for golfer of the month, Jimmy Carr made his intentions clear with his second win in a row, taking first place with thirty-seven. Daryl Vernon again appeared in the winners’ circle, this time in second place with thirty-six points. Les Humphrey returned to form, also with a thirty-six, taking third place on countback, while Geoff Parker also with thirty-six placed fourth. Rounding out the winners wasNeil Jones who had a chalk and cheese round (nine on the front and twenty-three on the back) for thirtytwo overall. Near pins went to Kob Glover, Gary Smith, Phil Mashiter, and Keith Norman.
fought battle with two of them on net 73, which had to be decided on a countback and Miss Nu was edged into second 2nd place by Miss May who took home the Haven trophy. In the men’s division it was down to the wire also with Mikael Andersson being relegated to third on a countback by Bob Newell, both with a net 69 but Bob having a 2 over the card on the back-nine. They were narrowly beaten by Peter Thomas with a net 68.
Phoenix Ocean and Mountain nines were the choice for the monthly scramble and what great condition they were in. With 12 teams competing, the battle was intense, and with the odd birdie missed here and there it made for a day of not so low scores. The Courtyard Cavaliers of Geoff Couch, Jeff North, Chris Brendle and Phil McCafferty returned to the podium with a score of 61.5 for third place. In second was the quartet of Arch Armstrong, Gary Ritchie, Paul Hack and Bill Colliss, with 61.4, but the Billabong team of Sandy Chapo, Bob Scott, Sasicha Duangkham and May Suriya ruled the roost on this day, coming in first with 61.3.
Brown beats the greens PSC Golf from Café Kronborg
Friday, Dec. 28, Pattana B & C – Stableford
Keith Norman.
Wednesday, Dec. 26, King Naga – Stableford 1st Tony Scambler (17) 38pts 2nd Akira Sekiya (12) 37pts 3rd JimmyCarr (15) 35pts 4th Geoff Parker (15) 34pts A small field of fourteen for today’s round at King Naga, it just seems some people will not play this course despite an improvement in its condition. Today the course was not at its best due to overzealous ground staff who it seems left the watering system on overnight so casual water could be found in many areas. Nevertheless, it was well grassed and green on the fairways. The round was played at a good pace as the course was deserted. Tony Scambler continues to play excellent golf and took the honors today with a fine thirty-eight points.
1st Keith Norman (14) 37pts 2nd Jimmy Carr (15) 35pts 3rd Mark Stanley (9) 24pts 4th Gary Smith (7) 33pts 5th Phil Mashiter (6) 32pts The curse of Pattana’s B1 struck straight away with all three in the first group putting their drives in the water on the right, one actually put two in having dropped at the point of entry, no names or pack drill. The pace of play was good with the round finished in three and a half hours, only on the sixteenth par-three was there any delay. Keith Norman put himself right in the frame for golfer of the month with a solid thirty-seven points. Jimmy Carr continues in sparkling form with thirtyfive points and is now leading the field. Reigning Club Champion Mark Stanley took third place with thirty-four, while Gary Smith and Phil Mashiter took fourth and fifth respectively with thirty-three and thirty-two. Near pins went to Keith Norman, Stuart Browne, Daryl Vernon, and of course Neil Carter.
Rob Brown (from left) poses with Dave Richardson and Daryl Evans.
Thursday, Dec. 27, Pattavia (yellow tees) – Stableford A Flight (0-22) 1st Rob Brown (7) 34pts 2nd Peter Bygballe (19) 33pts 3rd Jan Ulriksen (17) 31pts B Flight (23+) 1st Daryl Evans (23) 35pts 2nd Odd Holm-Hansen (25) 34pts 3rd Peter Hammond (30) 27pts Cafe Kronborg golfers travelled to Pattavia today to test their putting skills We had a
small group today due to the aftermath of Christmas festivities. As usual the course was in fine condition with fast greens on the sides of mountains but the caddies today were a bit choosey as to which bunkers they raked. Rob Brown, our lowest handicapper, fortunately kept out of the bunkers and mastered the fast greens, albeit that some three-putt holes prevented him from justifiably playing below his handicap.
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Doyle by a distance PSC Golf from the Pattaya Links Golf Society Monday, Dec. 24, Royal Lakeside – Stableford A Flight 1st John Doyle (9) 42pts 2nd John Collias (12) 35pts 3rd Phil Davies (11) 35pts 4th Stan Stewart (16) 35pts B Flight 1st Ralph McConnell (18) 37pts 2nd Derek Phillips (18) 36pts 3rd Ross Luchterhand (19) 34pts 4th Will Brown (17) 31pts On Christmas Eve the society golfers took to their sleighs and paid a festive visit to Royal Lakeside to play a stableford competition. Thirty-three golfers were divided into two flights at seventeen and under and scores were generally below the average for the course. In the second flight Wales’ Will Brown managed 31 points for fourth place with visitor Ross Luchterhand taking third on 34. The top two had a closer contest with Derek Phillips recording a level par 36 points for second whilst the returning Ralph McConnell took the win with 37. The top flight saw a countback for the minor places with Stan Stewart taking fourth behind Phil Davies and runner-up John Collias, all with 35 points. Ahead of them, almost out of sight, was John Doyle who finally played to his handicap of nine with a gross 75 giving him a points total of 42. His becomes the 172nd name on
Colin Smith. Donal McGuigan (center) with Tip Briney (left) and Mickey Tighe.
the annual PLGS “Sixties Club” roster, a group of golfers recording 69 or less in tournaments during the year. Near pins went to Ian Craigen (3), Wayne Peppernell (6) and Phil Davies (12 and 15). The best front nine award went to Vincent Smyth with 21 points and the best back nine score was Michael Wright’s 19.
Tuesday, Dec. 25, Treasure Hill Stableford A Flight 1st Colin Smith (14) 38 pts 2nd Stan Stewart (16) 34pts 3rd George Mueller (13) 32pts B Flight 1st Stuart Mann (25) 34pts 2nd Panda Aree (28) 34pts 3rd Ross Lucherhand (19) 31pts Links Bar decided to make a big Christmas Day by playing our regular Wednesday game on Tuesday. We played the Xmas Day game
at Treasure Hill last year and returned again for this year to find this course in even better condition than last time. With 32 players we had two flights today with the cut at 017 and 18+, The “A” flight saw a great return to form from Colin Smith who recorded the best score of the day of 38 points. Second spot went to the very consistent Stan Stewart on 34, followed by George Mueller, also a regular on the podium, with 32. In the “B” flight, sometime visitor to Links, Stuart Mann, won a tight countback to beat first timer with us, Panda Aree, both scoring 34 points. Ross Lucherhand had a placing a day earlier and placed again for third on 31 points. Near pins went to Andy Cowan (2), Dane O’Brien (6), Colin Smith (13), Phil Davies (17) Consolation nines were posted by Wayne Pepperenell (16pts) and Graham Pratt (18pts).
Lasonder edges a close one PSC Golf from Siam Country Resort Pattaya Monday, Dec. 24, Pleasant Valley Stableford We went to Pleasant Valley on Monday with only 2 groups. The course was as in good condition, but the bunkers were not so great. It was a nice sunny day, sometimes cloudy and with cooling breeze. The scores were not extreme today, Willem Lasonder and Stephen Ford stayed close together and the decision was made on the last hole. Willem was the lucky one and won with 33 stableford points, one ahead of Stephen in second on 32. We had problems with the par 3’s and only one near pin was claimed, that by Stephen Ford.
Willem Lasonder (left) and Stephen Ford.
Thursday, Dec. 27, Crystal Bay Stableford Thursday and Crystal Bay was our venue, where the B & C course was played. It
was a beautiful day and the course was in very good condition. We scored better than Monday and both Neil Harvey and Bob Edwards played very consistently. At the end was it Neil, who just scored better on the last two holes and won with 36 points to Bob’s 35. The near pins went to Bob Edwards and Paddy Devereux.
For something different we played Mystery Partner. All the scorecards were jumbled into a bag. Phil drew a card, then John drew one, and the two scores added together. The final result of this was a winning pair of George Mueller and Stan Stewart with 66 points
Friday, Dec. 28, Eastern Star – Stableford A-Flight (0–17) 1st Stan Stewart (16) 39pts 2nd Colin Smith (14) 36pts 3rd Michael Wright (10) 33pts 4th Maurice Roberts (13) 32pts B-Flight (18+) 1st Donal McGuigan (19) 36pts
2nd Niall Caven (18) 34pts 3rd Mike Tottenham (19) 33pts 4th Andy Cosway (22) 32pts For its penultimate golf day of the year the society visited Eastern Star on Friday to find a full course - but one in fine order with excellent greens running with pace and fairways affording a lot of run. Thirty-four golfers were divided into two flights at seventeen and under and play got underway on time from the first and tenth tees. As always Eastern Star provided plenty of challenges and scores were predictably tight and generally lower than elsewhere. In the second flight fourth place was taken by Andy Cosway with 32 points, beating Gabriel Enright on countback and one point behind third placed Mike Tottenham. Second place went to Niall Caven who played bogey
golf almost throughout, his handicap giving him 34 points. The flight winner was Irish golfer Donal McGuigan with a fine 36 points. In the top flight Maurice Roberts’ fourth placed finish of 32 points included a near ace on the testing par three 6th hole. In third was Michael Wright with 33 points and he had the pleasure of the boasting rights over his regular jousters Phil Davies and John Doyle. In form Colin Smith recorded 36 points for second but the surprise package was Stan Stewart who again came good with 39 points and the win. The consolation awards went to John Harrison (best front nine, 17 points) and Len Jones (best back nine, 17 points) Near pins were claimed by Michael Wright (3), Maurice Roberts (6), Tip Briney (13) Stan Stewart (17).
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Van de Laan lights up Chee Chan The Jomtien Golf Society Monday, Dec. 24, Khao Kheow Stableford It was the B and C courses yet again here and an unusual cut today in the two divisions of 5-15 and 17+. There were two 36-pointers in the top flight and Martin Grimoldby, who scored 20 points on the front nine, just lost out to Bob Poole on a 19/16 countback. Ian Speirs came in third on 35 and Brian Keating beat Ron Miller on a 19/16 back-nine countback for fourth after they both came in with 32 points. In division 2 there were three 36’s fighting for pole position and a countback of 20/16/14 put Paul Butler in first, Harry Vincenzi second and Andres Vande Laan third. John Carlin was fourth with 34 points. Near pins went to (Div 1) Bob Poole, Dennis Scougall (x2) and Ian Speirs, and (Div 2) Paul Butler (x2). Martin Grimoldby birdied B8 for the only ‘2’ of the day.
Wednesday, Dec. 26, Chee Chan Stableford
Harry Vincenzi (from left), with Rudi Schaefer, Andres Van de Laan and Pete Sumner.
2. Ten points behind in second place was Louis Wong, beating Rudi Schaefer on a 19/14 countback. Harry Vincenzi topped division 1 with 38 points, Pete Sumner took second with 33 and Simon Kendall was third with 30. Near pins were claimed by (Div 1) Simon Kendall, Ian Speirs and Dennis Scougall, and (Div 2) Rudi Schaefer (2), Harry Vincenzi and Louis Wong. No ‘2’s in either division today.
Friday, Dec. 28, Eastern Star This was our last game here Stableford
before the high season prices kick in. Thirty-nine points was the highest score of the day, coming from Andres Van de Laan to win division
We had seven groups out today with the cut at 9-18 and 19+ and 36 points was the highest score of the day, coming from Ron Lavette to
win division 2. John Carlin was second on 34 points and in third place Leo Adam beat Max Wilson on a 19/14 countback after they both came in with 30 points. In fifth was John Seton with 29. There were three 33’s in division 1 and a 21/19/16 countback saw Jerry McCarthy take first ahead of Ian Speirs in second and Dennis Scougall third. Frank Kelly placed fourth on 32 and Dave Edwards finished fifth after beating Paul Butler and Harry Vincenzi on a 18/17/15 countback, all on 31points. Near pins went (Div 1) Dave Edwards (x2) and Chris Slota (x2), and (Div 2) Frank Kelly and Harry Vincenzi. Dave Edwards birdied the 17th and Chris Slota the 3rd for the only ‘2’s of the day.
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Poussier pouches another monthly mug PSC Golf from The Growling Swan Monday, Dec. 24, King Naga Stableford 1st Keith Buchanan (15) 32pts 2nd Dave Maw (17) 32pts 3rd Colin Stielow (25) 31pts Near Pins: Mark Stapleton, Mashi Kaneta, Colin Stielow, Keith Buchanan. Long Putts: Don Richardson, Colin Stielow. We had fourteen turning out today for the challenge of King Naga. This course has a cult following - either you love it or you hate it. We attacked from the white tees (app 6,700m) and the course was in not to bad a condition, a little dry in places but overall the fairways were fine. The bunkers were also tidy and had been raked but the greens were a bit on the slow side. Keith Buchanan fought off a challenge from Dave Maw, both returning with 32 points so it was off to
Patrick Poussier and Mashi Kaneta.
the countback and Kissy got the nod with the better back-nine. Taking third spot and the final place on the podium was Colin Stielow, just a solitary point off the pace.
Thursday, Dec. 18, Pattavia – Stroke/ Monthly Mug A-Flight (0-23) 1st Mashi Kaneta (14) net 69
2nd Don Richardson (18) net 69 3rd Martin Kempton (11) net 70 B-Flight (24+) 1st Patrick Poussier (29) net 67 2nd JC Lhoste (27) net 73 3rd Shane Young (24) net 74 Near Pins: Paul Greenaway, Dick Braimbridge, Mashi Kaneta, Mashi Kaneta. Long Putts: Paul Greenaway, Shane Young.
Colin Steilow, Dave Maw and Keith Buchanan.
Two buses and a couple of cars were required to deliver us for today’s challenge, the December Monthly Mug at Pattavia, a strokeplay event. Playing on this course was a pleasure and there was not a lot to find fault with. Greens were normal for this course (that means if you are not pin high on certain holes you can end up in trouble), the bunkers
McNamara makes winning return The Tara Court Golf Society Sunday, Dec. 23, Green Valley Stableford We had our penultimate round of golf here at Green Valley for 2018 today. It was another warm day for the time of year and although the course was busier than lately we still got around in around four hours. Good scoring in the A flight, which was up to sixteen handicap, and you needed to at least play to your handicap to come in the prizes. We had two players with thirty seven points and Craig Hitchens (H/cap 12) won the countback to claim first place ahead of Jerry Sweetnam (10) who had the consolation of taking a share of the ‘2’s pot. We then had two players with thirty six points and here Shaun Merriman (14), who has come back in to form lately, won the countback to get the third place and Joe McArdle (16), who had a very good score on the front none but let it slip a bit on the back, had to settle for fourth. With one notable exception the scoring wasn’t as good in the B flight where we had three players with thirty one points and on the countback Jerry McCarthy (17) came second ahead of Joe Peters (23) in third and Pat Carty (23) fourth. The exception was Peter Henshaw (29) who was six points clear of the rest and he came out the winner
Peter Henshaw.
with thirty seven points. We had four ‘2’s today, coming from David Edwards, Nick Caulfield, Donal Lyne and Jerry Sweetnam.
Tuesday, Dec. 25, Chee Chan G.C. – Team Stableford On a fine and not to hot day, 27 players assembled at the new Chee Chan Golf Resort on Tuesday. The course was in immaculate condition with fairways and first cut rough as good as it gets in Thailand. The greens were true and not overly fast. As it was Christmas Day we decided to play a team event along with the single stableford. Each team of 4 recorded their best 2 scores for each hole on 1-17 and then all scores counted on the 18th. Team 5, consisting of Nick Caulfield, Shaun Merriman, Jerry Sweetnam and Bob St Aubin came out
on top with a combined 85 points. Second and third places were decided on countback with Team 1 of Joe McArdle, Donal Lyne, Michael Healy and Jerry McCarthy pipping team 7 of John Kelly, Richie Martin, Jean Fok Chak and Alex Graham, both teams signing for 81 points. We also had a prize for the best single card and with a very good 37 points Shaun Merriman (14) took the plaudits. We had two ‘2’s today, from Nick Caulfield and Michael Healy.
Thursday, Dec. 27, Leam Chabang Stableford Maybe it was the effects of all the Xmas celebrations or the fact that we had been playing two expensive courses this week, but we had a small group out today for our annual visit here to this
Sean McNamara.
magnificent course at Leam Chabang. We played the C and A nines in that order and they have completely renovated the A nine where they have changed all the grass on both the fairways and the rough and also put in some new bunkers.to make it even better than before. This course is and always has been something special from the moment you enter the driveway and see the beautiful manicured shrubs etc. It is a pleasure to be here no matter what kind of golf you play. Sean McNamara (H/cap 16) just arrived last weekend and he took the honors today with an excellent thirty-nine points. In second place was Nick Caulfield (6) with thirtyfour and Shaun Merriman (14) took the third and last place for today with thirty-three. We had no ‘2’s today.
were clean and raked and it appeared that a lot of work had been done, all for the better. We attacked this fine
course from the yellow tees and twenty-four golfers gave us the opportunity to play two flights will all novelties in play. A flight saw Mashi Kaneta take first place from Don Richardson via the countback system and both golfers returned with 69 net, a great effort. In third was Martin Kempton a solitary stroke behind the leaders. B Flight was not as close as Patrick Poussier posted the score of the day and too k the Monthly Mug with a net 67. Second home was JC Lhoste making it a French Quinella. To complete the trio it was Shane Young.
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Fraser shines bright at Emerald Traveller’s Rest Golf Group It’s been a fantastic year for the Traveller’s Rest Golf Group with close to seven thousand players participating in the daily competitions. One person however deserves a special mention for his achievements throughout 2018 and that person is Colin Smith. Colin was crowned the King of the Mountain in September for winning the Hua Hin tournament. He was also awarded the honour of Best Player of the Year with an incredible accumulative record score of 780 points and to top it off, he holds the record for the most amount of games played in a single year.
Monday, Dec. 24, Greenwood Stableford 1st Stew Grant (23) 39pts 2nd Guy Fraser (13) 35pts 3rd Alan Thomas (07) 34pts
Tuesday, Dec. 25, Silky Oak – Stableford Division 1 1st Arnold Jones (15) 41pts 2nd Kim Roy (16) 40pts 3rd Roger Wilkinson (15) 40pts Division 2 1st Alun Webber (24) 40pts 2nd Ho Jun-Yoon (20) 36pts 3rd Dave Osbourne (18) 36pts
Wednesday, Dec. 26, The Emerald – Medal Division 1 1st Guy Fraser (13) net 67 2nd Colin Smith (12) net 72 3rd Alan Thomas (7) net 72
Guy Fraser.
Division 2 1st Lawrence Lee (18) net 68 2nd Kim Seung-Hwan (15) net 72 3rd John Baxter (16) net 76
Thursday, Dec.27, Phoenix Gold Stableford Division 1 1st Derek Thorogood (15) 35pts 2nd Gerry Fernandez (12) 34pts 3rd Greg Bates (14) 33pts Division 2 1st Andrew Rich (19) 40pts 2nd Mick Folan (21) 38pts 3rd Hung Jae-Lee (16) 32pts
Friday 28th at Burapha Division 1 1st Mike Rushant (11) 38pts 2nd Seil Peter (5) 36pts 3rd Barry Wood (12) 35pts Division 2 1st Lawrence Lee (18) 40pts 2nd Ho Jun-Yoon (20) 37pts 3rd Jim Best (15) 35pts
Saturday, Dec. 29, Pattavia - Stableford 1st Gabriel Enright (20) 41pts 2nd KimSeung-Hwan(15)39pts 3rd Guy Fraser (12) 38pts
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Sparwirth signs of 2018 in style PSC Golf from the Tropical Golf Group
Tom, Brian Gabe took third with 35 and Walter Baechli fourth on 33. C-Flight (26-29) saw Joe Sparwirth post the best score of the day, a superb 41 points, Graham B was second on 39, and some way back in third and fourth respectively on 30 points came Frank Xin and
Daryl Evans. Don Carmody was winner in D-Flight (30-36) with 35 points, Gordon Clegg came second on 34, Kurt E took third place with 33 and Karen Brown fourth on 31. The best nines by nonwinners came from Landis Brooks and Barry Elphick.
Torsten Bischoff.
Joe Sparwirth with Don Carmody, Tom Herrington and Brian Parish.
Monday, Dec. 24, Bangpakong Riverside – Stableford Twas the day before Christmas and at BJ’s Holiday Lodge, the Tropical Golfers finished up breakfast and loaded golf bags into the vehicles. There was zero chance of a white Christmas, and hardly a cloud in the sky, as we motored up Route 7 to Bangpakong Riverside Country Club. This course is usually in great condition, and today was no exception. The “closely mown” areas were a
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pleasure to hit from, and the greens ran true as always. With a field of 19 players, there were ten winners, spread over two flights. The A flight (0–23) had the score of the day, with Brian Gabe’s 41 stableford points, playing from his course handicap of 19 taking the top billing. Second went to Rob Brown (8) with 38 points, Mick Coghlan (37) was third with 33, and Steve Truelove (8) rolled in fourth with 33. In the B flight (24+), Torsten Bischoff, well known German tennis player (25) claimed
FRI 04
Apple’s Irish
Pattana
Bunker Boys
Crystal Bay
SAT 05
first place with 37 points ahead of Don Carmody (29) in second on 36, Dave Cooper (29) in third with 34, and Joe Sparwirth (25) placing fourth with 33. The best front-nine (not placing) went to Brian Parish’s 18, while, Gordon Clegg had the best back-nine score with 17 points.
Friday, Dec. 28, Greenwood A & C – Stableford The end of another golf year and what a great one it’s been! The Tropical Golfers went out in style with a trip to the
SUN 06
TUE 08
Plutaluang
Colin’s Golf
WED 09
THU 10
FRI 11 Pleasant Valley
Treasure Hill
The Emerald
Khao Kheow
Crystal Bay
Mt.Shadow
King Naga
Green Valley
Growling Swan Le Katai
MON 07
Crystal Bay
Cafe Kronborg
Billabong Golf
ever-excellent Greenwood, and after that came the annual Tropical Golf celebration. How perfect can a day get? Greenwood was in perfect form, and so were many of the 25 golfers, and with eighteen prizes spread across four flights, the odds were in the players’ favor. So how did it all finish? In the A-Flight (0-16), Brian Parish took the honours on countback over Rob Brown, both with 37 points. Mashi Kaneta was a point back in third and Steve Truelove completed the flight podium with 34. Tom Herrington topped the B-Flight (17-25) with a fine 39 points, Dick Warberg was second on point adrift of
Burapha
Phoenix
Pleasant Valley
Greenwood
Lewinski’s
Siam Old Course
The Links
The Emerald
Green Valley Plutaluang
King Naga
Burapha Pattavia
Pleasant Valley Siam Old Course
Bangpakong
Pattavia
Pleasant Valley
I Rovers Retox Game On
K.Kheow/Bangpra
Mt.Shadow
Pattavia/B’pakong
Siam Country
G’wood/Pattana P.Valley/Plutaluang C.Bay/Wangjuntr K.Kheow/Pattaya CC Greenwood
Sugar Shack
Crystal Bay
Pattavia
Harry’s Golf
Pattaya C.C.
Pattavia
Royal Lakeside
Green Valley
Lhao Kheow
The Golf Club
Pattana
Valley View Hackers
Royal Lakeside Mt. Shadow
Khao Kheow Greenwood
Pattaya C.C.
Pattana
Pattavia
Green Valley
The Players Lounge Tropical Golf
Mt. Shadow
Pleasant Valley Green Valley
Pattavia Green Valley
Crystal Bay Green Valley
Green Valley
Outback Golf Bar
The Bunker Boys meet at the M-Club off Pattaya 3rd Road for golf outings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (www.bunkersociety.com). Transportation leaves from Cafe Kronborg on Soi Diana Inn at 8:15 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, (contact Dave on tel. 038 602 2117). Colin’s Bar plays golf Sun/Mon/Wed & Fri (www.colinsbar.com). The Growling Swan plays golf on Monday & Thursday (www.thegrowlingswan.com). Lewinski’s in Soi Pattayaland 1 (Soi 13/3), now have a new schedule, 5 days per week Monday thru Friday. Transport is available everyday, call Jack on 0815781956 for further information and booking. The Pattaya Links Hotel Golf Society departs from Soi Buakhao on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call Phil on 0625 933 380 or visit www.thelinkshotelpattaya.com. The Golf Club is located on Soij LK Metro. Call Phil on 090 769 3778. Tropical Golf meets at BJ’s Holiday Lodge at 8am on Tuesday’ & Friday. Call Derek on 089 034 0629
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NFL head coaching positions a slippery ride Barry Wilner New York (AP) - Sean Payton despises the term “Black Monday.” And he’s one of the coaches who always survives it. Six head coaches were fired as the NFL season concluded, four of them on Monday. Two, Mike McCarthy in Green Bay and Hue Jackson in Cleveland, didn’t even make it that far. Saints coach Payton, finishing his 13th season in New Orleans and now owning the second-longest tenure with a team after Cincinnati fired Marvin Lewis , had some strong words about how the coaching carousel gets derailed every year. “Our owners’ network that they own have created this,” Payton said, referring to NFL Network that is owned by the league, “marketed this and sold this ‘Black Monday,’ and that’s just disappointing.” In reference to Lewis, who was with the Bengals since 2003, but went an all-time worst 0-7 in the playoffs, Payton added: “He’s been a fabulous coach, but I don’t want to comment on anyone or all of them (who were fired).” He added that the whole Black Monday scene, which
Former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis speaks at a press conference at Paul Brown Stadium Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in Cincinnati. (Cara Owsley/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP)
some media outlets promote the way they do actual competition, is “ridiculous.” Payton and every other coach in pro sports recognize that change is understandable and at times necessary. As long as it is thought out and includes a plan for the future, revision can make sense. When it’s more on an owner’s whim or due to some serious impatience, that’s another story. Steve Wilks , fired after a 313 record in his first — and only — season in Arizona, might be a case in point. Had Bruce Arians not retired, he
still would have been with the Cardinals, but Wilks was a hot candidate for several openings last offseason following his work as Carolina’s defensive coordinator. Barring a full-out revolt by the players, as happened with Ben McAdoo and the Giants in 2017, how is one year enough to judge a head coach’s capabilities? Also fired on Monday were Vance Joseph in Denver and Adam Gase in Miami. On Sunday night, Todd Bowles with the Jets and Dirk Koetter with the Bucs were let go. A year ago, Indianapolis,
Tennessee, Oakland, Detroit, Chicago, Arizona and the New York Giants made changes. That’s 14 franchises out of 32 with different head coaches since 2016. The Cardinals and Giants will have had three coaches from 2016-19. Impatience by owners can’t be blamed for the moves by the Bengals or Jets, both clearly on a downward spiral. Otherwise, well, it normally takes at the very least three years for a coach’s program to take root. Joseph got two, Gase got three injury-ravaged years, and Koetter also got three. Jackson simply lost too often, particularly with a vastly improved roster early this
season, to remain on the job. McCarthy, a Super Bowl winner, had seen things go stale in Green Bay, and he often has been blamed for the Packers getting to just the one Super Bowl with a generational quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Still, the word stability seems to have been dropped from owners’ dictionaries. They give lip service to wanting to be like the Patriots, Saints or Seahawks. Then, if things turn sour for one season, they begin wondering if the right people are in place. Imagine if John Mara had done that with Tom Coughlin before the 2007 or 2011 seasons, when
fans and media were calling for the coach’s removal. Yet, we hear things like this from Broncos boss John Elway: — “Vance made a lot of strides and deserves credit for how hard and competitively the team played this season. There’s always going to be a high standard here. The bottom line is we need to win more football games. We’re excited about the foundation that’s being built and look forward to putting in the work to get the Broncos back on the winning track.” In most places, that winning track has lots of potholes. Not many coaches get the opportunity to navigate around them.
Wild Oats XI wins Sydney to Hobart line honors
Mayweather stops Nasukawa in 1st round, flooring him 3 times Yuri Kageyama Saitama, Japan (AP) — It took less than three minutes for Floyd Mayweather to knock down his Japanese kickboxer opponent Tenshin Nasukawa three times in a totally one-sided bout of exhibition boxing on New Year’s Eve. Nasukawa’s father threw in the towel after 140 seconds of the first round on Monday as his 20-year-old son bravely teetered around the ring trying to get up. It was a quick and definitive victory for the 41-yearold American. Mayweather was gracious in victory, hugging the weeping Nasukawa and calling him “still a great champion.” Nasukawa, however, barely landed a clean punch against the vastly more experienced Mayweather. The rules for the threeround contest — organized by The Rizin Fighting Federation and held at Saitama Super Arena on the northern outskirts of Tokyo — were no kicking allowed and no official record of the match. Mayweather said: “Tenshin is still undefeated. I’m still undefeated.” Mayweather has won all 50
Supermaxi Wild Oats XI gets close to Hobart, Australia, on the way to winning line honors in the Sydney Hobart yacht race, Friday, Dec. 28. (Carlo Borlenghi/ Rolex/Studio Borlenghi via AP)
Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa lies on the mat after being knocked down by Floyd Mayweather Jr. during the first round of their three-round exhibition match at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Monday, Dec. 31. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
of his pro fights, while Nasukawa has an undefeated record in kickboxing and mixed martial arts. “It’s all about having fun,” Mayweather told reporters after the fight, praising Nasukawa as a “young hungry lion.” The Mayweather-Nasukawa bout culminated an evening of more than a dozen fights, streamed by FITE for a fee, but not in the U.S. Fuji TV was the broadcaster in Japan. Mayweather, who hadn’t fought since beating UFC star Conor McGregor more than a
year ago, said he was retired and came to Tokyo to give an opportunity to a younger fighter like Nasukawa. “I told Tenshin to ‘hold your head up high,’” Mayweather said. Nasukawa said after the bout that he was grateful for the experience and that he had learned a lot. Fans — and possibly Nasukawa himself — appeared taken aback that Mayweather showed little mercy in the exhibition. “He is first class,” Nasukawa said.
Hobart, Australia (AP) — Wild Oats XI won the 74th Sydney to Hobart yacht race last week, claiming line honors for the ninth time. The Mark Richards-skippered super maxi kept its victory honors after a protest against the yacht was dismissed by a five-person international jury last Saturday. Runner-up Black Jack claimed after the race ended that Wild Oats XI did not have its Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched on and that they were disadvantaged because they did not know where the yacht was sailing. The protest, brought against Wild Oats XI by the race committee, was dismissed as invalid because it had to be filed by a competitor. Black Jack crew decided not to file a protest, but asked the race committee to look into the situation. Russell Green, the chairman of the international jury,
said the race committee’s investigation and protest had arisen from a competitor in the race, and therefore a person with a conflict of interest within the meaning of the racing rules of sailing. “For the protest to be valid under racing rules of sailing, a competitor with the information about a potential rule breach must lodge a protest,” Green said. “The sport of sailing is a selfpolicing sport. These guys are out there, out of sight, out of land, we don’t have referees. If there’s a possible breach, then it’s up to the competitors to bring a protest.” Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards said he was pleased with the decision. “I think common sense has prevailed,” Richards said. “This is a family and team of integrity and we go to the utmost lengths to do everything by the rules, sail by the rules and we go to the extra effort in many areas.”
“It’s just a shame that this came about, but it’s one of those things — everyone has their view, and we totally respect the decision.” Wild Oats XI won by just 28 minutes ahead of Black Jack on Friday morning. Wild Oats XI could have been hit by a time penalty or even disqualification if the protest was upheld. Wild Oats XI won in a time of 1 day, 19 hours, 7 minutes, 21 seconds, with Richards labeling the win “redemption.” It’s the second time in two years a protest has been lodged against Wild Oats XI. The yacht was also first to the finish line in 2017 but lost line honors to Comanche, who finished third this year, after receiving a time penalty for an illegal tack at the start of the race in Sydney Harbour. This year’s fleet in the 628nautical mile race was reduced to 79 yachts from the starting 85 due to race retirements.
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India close out 137-run win over Australia in 3rd test Greg Buckle Melbourne, Australia (AP) — Captain Virat Kohli said his side had a “great opportunity” to make history by becoming the first Indian team to win a test series in Australia. India’s bowlers needed only 4.3 overs last Sunday to claim a 137-run victory over Australia on the fifth day of the third cricket test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. World No. 1-ranked India have taken a 2-1 lead in the four-match series and retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy. The fourth and final test is due to start in Sydney on Jan. 3. “If you want to win a series away from home, it has to be an obsession,” Kohli said. “Hats off to the whole team for sticking together, believing in themselves and being obsessed about getting results. “It’s a great opportunity. There are definitely factors and incentives attached to this particular series.”
Kohli praised his side for fighting back after losing the second test in Perth. “We always believed this is very possible because of the talent that we have in the side,” Kohli said. “The best thing about this win would be to bounce back again. That’s why this victory is more special for the bowlers because they have been so tired. They’ve bowled so many overs.” Kohli said the team’s No. 1 spinner Ravi Ashwin, who missed the Melbourne test with an abdominal injury, was close to regaining full fitness. Australia had resumed Sunday in a hopeless position at 258-8, requiring 141 runs to win. Tailenders Pat Cummins (63) and Nathan Lyon (seven) fell in successive overs after adding 46 for the ninth wicket. Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah (6-33 and 3-53) completed a memorable debut year in test cricket with 48 wickets in nine matches including nine wickets in the Melbourne test.
India’s Virat Kohli (left) reacts after getting the wicket of Australia’s Pat Cummins during play on day five of the third cricket test between India and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 30. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
One shining light for fifthranked Australia in this match has been the allround contributions of 25year-old seamer Cummins, who claimed a career-best 6-27 in India’s second innings before scoring a career-best 63. Top-ranked India set up
victory with an imposing firstinnings tally of 443-7, which was scored in almost two days of batting on a slowpaced pitch. Cheteshwar Pujara’s patient 106 included a 170-run stand with Kohli (82) for the third wicket. In reply, Australia crumbled for 151 as Bumrah claimed 6-33.
India’s second innings of 106-8 declared gave the touring team a 398-run advantage. Australian captain Tim Paine said he expected the Sydney pitch to take turn, as the home side consider including Queensland’s Marnus Labuschagne to partner offspinner Nathan Lyon.
“It’s probably going to be pretty dry and will spin quite a bit I’d imagine,” Paine said. Cricket Australia’s decision to ban Steve Smith and David Warner for a year over their roles in the ball-tampering affair in Cape Town in March has left the team’s batting ranks severely weakened. It’s the first time since 199192 that an Australian player has not scored a test century during the home summer before the January test in Sydney. “We were just outplayed and India deserved to win this test,” Paine said. Paine said Australia’s inexperienced batting lineup was “learning on the job”. The only Australian player to score a half-century in the Melbourne test was No. 8 Cummins. “At the moment it’s challenging and everyone’s frustrated,” Paine said. Opener Aaron Finch (eight and three) and No.6 Mitch Marsh (nine and 10) were particularly poor in the Melbourne test and could face the axe.
Shiffrin set to rush into new year after record-setting 2018 BYLINE: Pat Graham Oslo, Norway (AP) - Each day, there’s a new ski racing record Mikaela Shiffrin hears about that she’s either broken or close to breaking or on pace to eventually break. “I mean how many records are there in the sport?” joked the two-time World Cup overall champion. Her name is certainly getting attached to plenty of them.
Shiffrin wrapped up 2018 with 15 World Cup wins — most ever for an Alpine skier in a calendar year — an Olympic giant slalom gold medal from the Pyeongchang Games and by becoming the most successful female slalom racer in the circuit’s history. Her resolution for ’19 remains straightforward: Keep doing what she’s doing as she strives for that perfect performance.
Lydia Ko receives New Zealand honor
Lydia Ko. (AP Photo/File)
Wellington, New Zealand (AP) — Former top-ranked golfer Lydia Ko has received one of New Zealand’s highest civil honors. The 21-year-old Koreanborn golfer was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the country’s New Year’s honors list. Ko was the top-ranked women’s golfer from February 2015 to June 2017. She
was also the youngest player to win a professional tournament and the youngest tournament winner on the LPGA tour. Ko said the award was “a huge honor for me. I am grateful to be recognized alongside many talented, inspiring New Zealanders and those who make New Zealand a better country for all of us Kiwis.”
“The perfect race is the finish line I will never cross,” said the 23-year-old from Avon, Colorado. “If I ever have the perfect race, what’s left out there to accomplish except for trying to achieve it again? But part of the brilliance of the sport is that it’s always progressing. I might be out of my mind one day but then I go back and look at the video and think, ‘You know I could’ve skied that a little bit better’ or ‘I still messed up this turn or that turn.’ “I do think the finish line is always moving.” Yet, she always seems to get there first. Last week in Semmering, Austria, Shiffrin set all sorts of marks. It was her 15th World Cup win in a calendar year, moving one victory past men’s overall champion Marcel Hirscher of Austria, who won 14 times in ’18. In addition, Shiffrin picked up her 36th slalom victory to eclipse the mark of her childhood idol Marlies Raich, who competed as Marlies Schild before retiring in 2014. Only Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark has won more World Cup slalom races with 40. The lead-up to passing Raich’s record was an emotional experience for her. Shiffrin grew up studying and analyzing her races. “There’s actually a pretty large part of me that never wanted to pass Marlies,” said Shiffrin. “I owe her a lot as far as my slalom skiing goes.”
Mikaela Shiffrin, of the United States, competes during an Alpine ski women’s World Cup slalom in Semmering, Austria, Saturday, Dec. 29. (AP Photo/Marco Tacca)
After crossing the finish line and breaking the mark last weekend, Shiffrin remained expressionless. Make no mistake, though, there were many thoughts running through her mind. “I wish there could be captions above my head as I’m skiing down the course and as I come to the finish so that people could read my thoughts,” Shiffrin said. “Because actually I think it would be sort of comical.” First thought: Did she miss a gate? Second thought: Where’s the scoreboard? “Then I saw that I had won the race and it was just sort of a moment of silence in my head like I was trying to bring on the thoughts,” Shiffrin said. “I couldn’t come up with anything. It was just blank.” This is how dominant she’s been in the slalom: The only
World Cup race in the discipline Shiffrin didn’t win in ’18 was when she failed to finish in Switzerland last January, the final event before the Pyeongchang Games. In South Korea, she was the defending Olympic slalom champion but missed out on a medal after placing fourth. But Shiffrin has quickly resumed her dominance, capturing six straight slalom events. She will be aiming for her fourth straight slalom crown at the world championships in February in Sweden.
This season has also included a super-G victory in Lake Louise, Alberta, for Shiffrin as she became the first athlete to win in all six individual disciplines currently contested on the World Cup circuit. The super-G remains a work in progress for her, but she sits atop the standings. “I don’t expect to win the super-G globe this year. But it is a really cool feeling to know that I have the leader bib of the super-G even for any amount of time,” Shiffrin said. “But it doesn’t change my goal.” Her mind remains on securing another overall crown. And should Shiffrin break a few more records along the way, she’s all for it even if she can’t fully comprehend all the history she’s making these days. “Maybe I’ll have perspective 10 years from now, 15 years from now, when I’m retired,” Shiffrin said. “But right now, the perspective I have is I’m sitting in my hotel room in Oslo and it’s pitch-black outside and I’m going to go to the gym in a few minutes and do some core mobility. That’s my perspective.”
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Supermaxi Wild Oats XI gets close to Hobart, Australia, during the SydneyHobart yacht race, Friday, Dec. 28. (Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex/Studio Borlenghi via AP)
Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova celebrates in the finish area after winning an Alpine ski, women’s World Cup giant slalom in Semmering, Austria, Friday, Dec. 28. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (left) grabs a rebound above Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 27, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
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Newcastle’s Mohamed Diame (left) and Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri vie for the ball during their team’s English Premier League match at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, Wednesday, Dec. 26. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson in a semi final match of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Friday, Dec. 28. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
First placed Dominik Paris celebrates on the podium at the end of a ski World Cup Men’s Downhill in Bormio, Italy, Friday, Dec. 28. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Australia’s Mitchell Starc batting gets bowled out during day four of the third cricket test between India and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 29. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
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Connected cars accelerate down data-collection highway Michael Liedtke San Francisco (AP) — That holiday trip over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house could turn into nice little gift for automakers as they increasingly collect oodles and oodles of data about the driver. Automakers are collecting valuable pieces of information thanks to the internet connections, cameras and sensors built into most vehicles in recent years. The online access makes it possible for cars to be unlocked remotely if the keys are lost. It’s how safety features can be upgraded wirelessly and maintenance schedules adjusted based on performance. But these digital peepholes are also offering a windshield-size view of people’s lives. That’s creating the potential for intrusive marketing pitches and government surveillance. No serious incidents have occurred in the United States, Europe and Japan, but a red flag has already been raised in China, where automakers have been sharing location details of connected cars with the government. “We are not that far away from when 100 percent of all new cars will come equipped with data modems,” Navigant Research analyst Sam Abuelsamid
predicted. “Having the potential to collect more data about people in their cars means there is going to be potential for abuses, too.” Here are some key questions about the auto industry’s acceleration down the datacollection highway: Q: What kind of cars collect data? A: In 2016, about one in every five cars sold globally could be plugged into the internet, according to BI Intelligence. By 2020, about three out of every four cars sold will be online. So if you are driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla, you probably only have to worry about the tracking and data collection being done by the smartphone resting on the cup holder. But as those older models go to the scrapyard, it will become difficult to avoid a vehicle set up for gathering data that will be sent to automakers. Q: Which automakers are leading the way in this trend? A: General Motors accounted for 46 percent of connected-car shipments last year, according to the market research firm Counterpoint. They’re followed by BMW (20 percent), Audi (14 percent) and Mercedes Benz (13 percent). In addition, Tesla’s Model S sold since 2012 all come with connectivity. The firm said the
In this April 22, 2014, file photo, a worker cleans a Tesla Model S sedan before an event to deliver the first set of cars to customers in Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
biggest markets for connected car sales last year were China (32 percent), the United States (13 percent), Germany (11 percent) and the United Kingdom (9 percent). Q: Do I own data that’s collected? A: Under U.S. law, it’s unclear. Drivers own the data stored in the “black boxes” that monitor vehicles in a crash. Police and insurers need a driver’s consent — or a court order — to get that data. But there are no laws addressing data collected by automakers through vehicle internet connections. So far, few automakers will share their data in the United States without the owners’ consent, Abuelsamid said.
Twenty companies — including GM, Toyota, Ford, Hyundai and MercedesBenz — signed a voluntary agreement in 2014 to get permission before sharing a driver’s location, health or behavior with third parties. The agreement doesn’t require approval from drivers for data to be shared with emergency workers or for internal research. One of the most notable exceptions is electric car maker Tesla Motors, which has released data publicly to reveal — sometimes within hours of a crash — how fast a driver was traveling and whether the company’s semi-autonomous Autopilot system was engaged after a collision.
Q: In what ways are automakers passing along data when drivers allow it to be shared? A: They’re giving the data to insurers to determine the premiums that should be charged, if a driver consents. This could be good if data indicates drivers are cautious, adhere to speed limits and seldom log lots of miles. But insurance premiums could jump for drivers who are prone to speeding or frequent hard braking — all of which could be interpreted as raising the risks for accidents. Insurers would also know whether your seat belt is fastened. Q: Can I stop an automaker from collecting my data? A: Most automakers let owners decline, or opt out of, data collection, but that’s usually buried in the fine print. Otherwise, permission is assumed. Also, unlike smartphones, some data collection may be required to ensure that cars operate safely and can receive essential software updates. That’s especially true as more vehicles come with features such as semi-autonomous driving. And it could be necessary in order to have self-driving vehicles.
Q: Should I be worried about automakers using my data in ways that are annoying or compromise my privacy? A: Probably, if what has happened with smartphones is a reliable gauge. As automakers collect more data about drivers, they’re more likely to look for ways to profit. The built-in display screens and mapping software would seem to be ideal spots for posting advertisements, similar to what Google, Facebook, Amazon and many other internet companies already do. The business consultancy McKinsey has estimated automotive data could be worth US$450 billion to $750 billion worldwide by 2030. Ford Motor CEO Jim Hackett may have foreshadowed what’s coming as he boasted in a recent interview about how much the automaker already knows about its customers who get their loans through its financial services division. All the lending information has allowed Ford to learn how much money people have, where they live and whether they are married. “We’ve never ever been challenged on how we use that,” Hackett told a Freakonomics podcast last month.
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Report says 16.7M faulty Takata air bags still on US roads Tom Krisher Detroit (AP) — More than three years after the United States government took over management of recalls involving dangerous Takata air bag inflators, one third of the recalled inflators still have not been replaced. That’s according to an annual report on the recalls released by the government and a court-appointed recall monitor. The report touts progress made by 19 automakers involved in the recalls, with recall repair rates across all companies increasing 30 percent during 2018. But the report by monitor John Buretta says 16.7 million faulty inflators out of 50 million under recall have yet to be replaced. And 10 million more inflators are scheduled to be recalled in January. Safety advocates said the completion rate should be far higher given the danger associated with the inflators. The Takata devices use the chemical ammonium nitrate
to create a small explosion that inflates air bags. But inflators can explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and hurling shrapnel at drivers and passengers. At least 23 people have been killed worldwide and hundreds injured due to the problem. The recalls forced Takata to seek bankruptcy protection and sell most of its assets to pay for the fixes. The inflators grow more dangerous as they get older because ammonium nitrate deteriorates due to high humidity and cycles from hot temperatures to cold. “More exposure over more time to high heat and humidity further degrades the Takata inflator’s phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate compound, making it more porous, more volatile and more prone to transform from a life-saving device to a lifethreatening,” the report says. Jason Levine, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said it’s
This June 25, 2017, file photo shows TK Holdings Inc. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
taking too long to replace all of the inflators. “The numbers speak for themselves: In a matter of weeks there will be over 25 million unrepaired recalled Takata air bag inflators remaining on the roads, 10 years after this process
started and three years after NHTSA was put in charge of the recall,” he said. Three years ago, NHTSA started to get consent orders from Takata and automakers to speed up repairs and hold them accountable, “except NHTSA refuses to actually
enforce the orders, thus stuffing another gift in the stockings of the auto industry,” Levine said. In a statement, NHTSA said it is concerned about the number of unrepaired inflators “and mindful of the progress being made by many manufacturers to track down vehicle owners and spur repairs, especially for older vehicles that pose the highest safety risk yet are most difficult to locate.” The 54-page report said that automakers are making
strides with sophisticated techniques to reach consumers such as home visits and post cards in different languages. Some even will send repair teams to the owners’ homes to replace the inflators. The report also says that more than 7.2 million defective inflators have been fixed during the past year. Among the most dangerous inflators in the highest-risk areas, the number of unrepaired inflators was cut in half in the past year, according to the report.
Dr. Iain is currently on leave. The weekly car quizzes are postponed until he returns.
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Pattaya sings in New Year with music, prayers
Three ... Two ... One! Happy New Year!
Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome accompanied by the city administrators take to the stage to welcome the masses and conduct the countdown to 2019.
Room 39 entertains the crowd with their music hits. Devotees pray for blessings from the revered Luan Por Toh.
Staff Reporters
The annual fireworks didn’t disappoint and elicited oohs and awes and more than a few Happy New Year kisses under the night sky.
Tens of thousands of party people sang in the New Year as the Pattaya Countdown returned bigger and louder. Locals, tourists and music fans from Bangkok and beyond began streaming into Bali Hai Pier Dec. 30 for the “Universe of Entertainment” show co-sponsored by the Mono Music label. Day 1 featured such big names as Ben Chalathip, Room 39, Stap Apiwat and Singto Numcho, while the festival’s headliners took the stage New Year’s Eve after a bit of boxing. Once a week-long festival that progressively shrank to a mere six hours last year, the Countdown for the first time hosted competitive Muay Thai boxing, Mono 29’s Top King World Series.
Rose Sirinthip, Panatda Reungwuth, Pete Pera, King Pichet, and Ploy ChompuYaneen followed with tunes until 11:45 p.m. when Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome counted down the final minutes of 2018 and welcomed in the New Year with 15 minutes of fireworks. The party continued until 1 a.m. with prize giveaways and more music. For the more-pious (and less hungover), 2019 started at dawn with the offering of alms to monks at Lan Po Public Park in Naklua, Beach Road in Jomtien and at Sutthawat Temple in East Pattaya. The morning began with monks chanting prayers and ended with people lining up to donate rice and dried food. At the temple, believers lit candles and incense for worship and asked for blessings
A mother helps her child to strike the gong as an omen to gain fame and fortune in their lives.
Devotees donate funds for the purchase of candles and incense sticks.
from the Luang Por Toh Buddha sculpture. They offered robes, made merit according to their birthday, bought coffins for the poor, contributed to the purchase of roofing materials,
funds for the electric and water bills of the temple, made merit with gold and silver Bo leaves, poured oil to keep the eternal flame burning, and released captive birds and fish.
Releasing birds from cages is a symbol of making merit for oneself and for loved ones.
Super Heroes from Mono 29 prepare to do their thing at Bali Hai on New Year’s Eve.
Devotees give alms to Buddhist monks in the early hours of the new year.
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E-mail: comhaps@pattayamail.com
Events The next meeting of Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) will be held on Sunday, January 6. Scheduled is Darren McGarry from Key Visa to be here to answer any and all question you have about the state of play with visas in Thailand. The program starts at 10:30 am with a buffet breakfast available from 9:00 to 11:00 am on the 4th floor of the Holiday Inn’s Executive Tower located behind the Holiday Inn’s Bay Tower on Beach Road. A Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard networking evening will be held at the Holiday Inn Pattaya on Friday, January 18 from 6.00 p.m. – 9 p.m. (last drinks at 8.30 p.m.). Entrance cost is THB 600 on the door for members and THB 1,200 for non-members. Admission includes freeflow drinks and finger food. The Eastern Seaboard Businessmen’s Dinner is a monthly event taking place at the Mantra Restaurant at the Amari Pattaya Resort on the last Thursday of the month. It brings together business leaders from various backgrounds including Automotive, Aerospace, Real Estate, Architecture, FMCG, Electronics, White Goods, Logistics, Recruitment, Legal, Consulting, and others in a relaxed atmosphere. If you are interested
in attending please contact Anuttra.Sukruen@tinfish.co.th. A Farmers’ Market takes place every 2nd Saturday of the month at the Holiday Inn hotel on Pattaya Beach Road from 10.30 am - 3.30 p.m. Products range from wellness items, jewelry, freshly prepared food, organic vegetables and fruits. The next market will be held Jan. 12. A stamp market is held every Sunday from 10.00 a.m. till 3.00 p.m.at Rahnpintang Moe Kata Restaurant, Panji Place, on Soi Ponphraphanimit 7 (200m from the Bangkok Highway underpass). Here can you exchange stamps from the whole world. Call 089 091 3418 for more information and directions.
Dining The Bay Grill & Buffet at Dusit Thani Pattaya: Dine with a sea view and enjoy seafood and meat barbecue accompanied by Thai and international items from soup, appetizers and main courses to dessert for only THB 1200++ per person. Free flowing beverage for additional THB 599++ per person. The Bay is open daily from 18:30 - 22:00. Call 038 425 611-7 ext. 2149 0r 2150 for more information and reservations. Saturday Night Buffet is back at AVANI Pattaya Resort & Spa. Experience
Larb Gai Larb originates from North Eastern Thailand (Isaan). It can tend to be a very fiery dish, as most Isaan dishes are, but this recipe is “mai pet” (not hot). Larb may be prepared as beef, chicken or fish. The recipe presented here is for chicken and is noteworthy in the fact that the “crunchiness” and tartness of traditional Larb were still present despite the lack of fire.
Ingredients Serves 2-3 Minced Chicken (chopped fine) 200 gm Onion diced small 1 Shallots chopped 1 tbspn Dry-fried rice 2 tbspns Lemongrass 1 tbspn Fish sauce 1 tbspn Lemon juice 1 tspn Chilli powder 1 pinch Coriander finely chopped 1 tbspn Mint leaves chopped 4 tbspns Water 3 tbspns
Cooking Method Dry-fry rice in a pan or roast in oven till golden brown. Grind it or pound it coarsely with mortar and pestle. Cook the chopped chicken in a non-stick pan over a low heat with the fish sauce and lemon grass and water, stirring to separate the chicken meat. Add lemon juice, onion, shallots, coriander and mint leaves and toss gently. Sprinkle in ground rice and toss again. Check the seasoning, adding more fish sauce or lemon juice to suit and serve. Garnish with coriander and dill on the top. Serve with steamed jasmine rice.
Fax: 038-427596
regional favourites galore, street dishes an artisan desserts, as you relax with classical Thai dance and live music. Every Saturday night at Sala Rim Nam Restaurant from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Priced at THB 599++ per person. Kids under 5 eat free. For more information and reservations, call 038 412 120 Big Fish restaurant at Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya enhances its seafood buffet with more premium catches and live music entertainment. The restaurant offers a nightly Seafood BBQ Buffet at only THB 777 net or THB 1,099 net with free-flow wine. Enjoy highquality, premium seafood cuisine as you listen to acoustic guitar and piano music from prominent local artists. Seafood BBQ Buffet at Big Fish is available every night from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations call 038 930 600 or email fbsec@siamatpattaya.com. Kids eat for free on Children’s Day at Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya. Order a main course and get a free kids meal. Available on Saturday, 12 January from Noon – 10pm. For reservations, call 038-428755 ext. 8323 or e-mail: secfb.pty@hardrockhotels.net. Centara Pattaya Hotel and Centara Nova Hotel & Spa Pattaya are currently offering festive hampers priced from THB 359 net – THB 2,299 net while stocks last. To order, call 038 295 999 ext 2 or Email: restaurantmgrcpy@chr.co.th. After 14 years as the Landlord of an Irish Pub, the name Kim Fletcher has not disappeared. Kim may have gone from Jamesons, but his wife Goy has ensured that the name Fletcher has not died by opening Fletchers’ Folly, a boutique pub on the Dark Side. Kim is trying to get used to being retired, but the new ‘pensioner’ loves regaling the drinkers with stories from his lifetime in pubs, punctuated with his characteristic laugh. Fletchers’ Folly is on Siam Country Club Road, opposite Maxxis tyres and 300 meters before the “Chicken Crossroads”. Food and drinks at very reasonable prices. Pizza and Pasta All You Can Eat at Mövenpick Siam Hotel Na Jomtien: Twist Restaurant features Italian classics like creamy Carbonara or meaty Bolognese with a
choice of pasta, or the delicious Prosciutto Pizza with your choice of regular or whole wheat dough. The menu also includes original Thai-fusion pizzas and pasta such as the Tom Yam pizza with chili paste, prawn, squid and Thai herbs or the tasty Green Curry Pasta. Available all day from Sunday – Thursday at only THB 500 per person, with a glass of soft drink. For more information or reservation, call 033 078 888. Special culinary nights at Persimmon restaurant, Pattana Golf Club & Resort: Pizza Pasta Night on Tuesday at only 299 Baht or 399 Baht including sangria or wine, customers can choose ingredients for their pasta and pizza. Seafood Night on Wednesday at only 399 Baht, customers can choose varieties of fresh seafood cooked to order in the open kitchen. Carnivore Night on Friday at only 499 Baht offers a free flow chicken, lamb, beef or pork BBQ direct from the charcoal grill. In addition, for only 100 Baht customers can choose or combine lots of ingredients and level of spiciness to create your own Som Tam, all day, every day. Call for reservation at 038 318 999 ext. 11212/11230 or email restaurant@pattana.co.th.
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. Yupin’s Restaurant in Jomtien Complex offers some fabulous culinary options including Fines De Claires Oysters arriving fresh ‘Par Avion’ from Normandy in France. Served on ice with lemon and on request a spicy Thai sauce for dipping. An amazing experience. Only 595 baht per six oysters. Yupins is also taking bookings for Christmas dinner at 995 baht per person. For more information or reservations, call 038 250394 or visit website: www.yupins.com.
Fines De Claires Oysters at Yupins.
Linda’s Restaurant is large with seating for 200 people, with a covered al fresco verandah outside for those who wish to smoke. Inside, in air-conditioned comfort, there are comfortable chairs and decent sized The happy BBQ chef at Thai Garden.
The Thai Garden Terrace Restaurant offers nightly dining presentations with different themed “all you can eat” buffets at the resort poolside: Monday – Italian buffet; Tuesday – BBQ buffet; Wednesday – multi-cuisine buffet; Thursday – German buffet with roasted pig; Friday – Thai buffet; Saturday – international buffet; Sunday – steak & skewers buffet. The buffet starts from 6 p.m., runs until 9 p.m. All this for just 399 baht net per adult. What you see is what you pay, no additional
BBQ Pork Spare Ribs & Jasmine Rice for only 195 baht
tables, with white starched napery. Linda’s Restaurant, 315/177-180 Moo 12, opposite the Jomtien Complex. Thappraya Road, Jomtien. Open seven days from 7.30 a.m. until late. Tel: Reservations: 038 252 726, www. lindasrestaurant.com, streetside parking. Email linda @lindasrestaurant.com . GPS 12.901655 N 100.869.
Yamato’s mixed sashimi plate which had octopus, salmon, tuna, crab sticks, sea bass, squid and mackerel.
Yamato Restaurant located on Soi Yamato has been around for more than 39 years and the soi was named after its oldest tenant. This is a restaurant to take a few people with you. The prices are certainly not over the top, and the quality is superb. Continued on page 35
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Surprising Aromas aroma of pear, peach and melon. There’s a delicate hint of boiled sweets and a touch of grassiness too. But the aroma alone is worth the money. There’s also a faint mineral character in the aroma which is not altogether surprising, because this smell is fairly typical of a Sauvignon Blanc. The wine was matured in stainless steel tanks which retain the freshness.
Rare Vineyards Grenache, Vieilles Vignes 2017 (red), IGP Pays d’Oc, France. Bt. 649 @ Wine Connection The expression Vieilles Vignes simply means “old vines” which are considered to produce finer quality grapes than younger ones. This wine comes from vines with an
Carcassonne town.
My first glimpse of the medieval French town of Carcassonne was on a grey and dismal December day when I was driving, rather aimlessly I admit, from Northern Spain towards the French town of Narbonne. Even in the bleak mid-winter, the fortress of Carcassonne is an impressive sight with its castle-like double walls, majestic turrets and its jumble of stone buildings. This ancient town sits among a vast ocean of vines, for it lies near the middle of the Languedoc wine-growing region. It’s the single biggest wine-producing region in the world. But in December, nothing much happens in the vineyards. You see, the vines are virtually hibernating. For years, this area of France produced ordinary undistinguished wines many of which were simply used for blending. But during the last few decades there has been a renaissance there in the entire area and some superb wines are being produced. The town of Carcassonne is the home to the wine company LGI which has dedicated itself to the export market
and has developed expertise in sourcing wines from both Gascony and the Languedoc. It produces some exciting wines too, including the Rare Vineyards collection that brings together unconventional wines from familiar regions. Both these wines should be available at local branches of Wine Connection, which also offers a convenient buy-online service.
Rare Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Cotes de Gascogne (white) France. Bt 690 @ Wine Connection You’ve heard about Sauvignon Blanc often enough. But the Côtes de Gascogne? Well, it’s a winegrowing district in the old French region of Gascony which lies on the Atlantic side of France and stretches from Bordeaux down to the Spanish frontier and the Pyrenees. Although most of its neighbours produce red wines, the Côtes de Gascogne produces mostly whites. This Sauvignon Blanc (SOH-vihn-yohn BLAHN) is a pale straw colour with an extraordinary rich, fruity
Grenache (gruh-NAHSH) incidentally is one of the most widely-planted red wine grape varieties in the world and it’s especially popular in France and Spain. This black-skinned grape likes hot, dry conditions and it’s the dominant variety in most of the wines from the Southern Rhône, especially those from the Châteauneufdu-Pape region. The words Pays d’Oc on the label mean that it’s a country wine made from grapes grown in Languedoc-Roussillon and the letters IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée) are a quality category that places it above ordinary Vin de Table. At 13% ABV, this is a wine with firm structure and richness, beautifully balanced with plenty of black fruit on the palate. It’s smooth and very dry with a tiny dash of
acidity. There’s a very long, satisfying finish and typical of Grenache, it’s also very low in tannin. This wine is exceptional and Wine Connection has certainly scored a few Brownie Points for bringing it here. It seems to me rather a food wine and I am sure it would be perfect with most red meat dishes, game, casseroles, or rich cheeses. It will probably be at its best slightly on the cool side. Normally, Grenache is used as a blending grape and a wine made of 100% Grenache is rather unusual. And talking of grapes, I read some time ago that 30 percent of British wine consumers cannot name a single grape variety. How many can you name, I wonder? Well, Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache are two for starters.
Grenache grapes.
The taste comes as quite a surprise. It’s much fuller and richer than I expected, with loads of citrusy fruit on the palate and a lovely dry tang of acidity. The taste fairly fills the mouth and there’s an exceptionally long, clean and lemony dry finish. This would make a terrific apéritif because the sprightly touch of grapefruit-like acidity would kick the taste buds into anticipation. At just 12% ABV it has plenty of Sauvignon Blanc character but much more intense than most Sauvignons I have come across recently. I’d guess it would make a great partner for roast chicken or rich and fullyflavoured cheese quiche.
average age of forty years. The aroma of this wine will probably hit your snout the moment you open the elegantly tapered bottle. It’s rather spicy, with hints of bramble, pepper and dark fruit. But if you want to smell this wine at full volume, you’ll need to let the air get to it. Ideally, tip it into a wine jug or decanter and leave it to rest for about ten minutes. After that time, you might pick up the earthy aromas that are typical of wines made from this grape. Being a dog in a previous life, I tend to spend quite a lot of time over the aroma of a wine, unlike some people for whom a cursory sniff is enough.
Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
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E-mail: comhaps@pattayamail.com
Fax: 038-427596
Community Services
From page 33 Yamato Japanese restaurant, 219/51 Soi Yamato (13/1), close to Beach Road end, telephone 038 429 685 or 038 421 618. Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. The legendary Somsakdi Restaurant has been in operation in Pattaya for more than 40 years. Proprietor and Chef Somsakdi is still cooking and running his amazing restaurant at 78 years of age. The menu is probably the largest in Pattaya, with 374 individual items. Each dish is in Thai with an English explanation underneath. Rather than be swamped by choices, let Somsakdi guide you. After all, who knows his dishes better than he? Somsakdi Restaurant, Pattaya Soi 1, tel. 038 428 987, 038 423 284, 038 429 869, limited parking plus on-street parking in the soi. Hours 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., seven days.
Spa & Hotel Promotions Aromatherapy Massage promotion at Ayatana Spa, Pattana Golf Club & Resort: 90 min massage only 1,800
baht, get free 30 min body scrub worth 500 baht or 100 baht discount. This promotion is valid from Jan 1, 2019 till the end of Feb 2019. For bookings, call 038 318 999 ext. 11143 Eforea spa at Hilton Pattaya introduces a 120-minute spa package ‘Total Bliss’ for your ultimate relaxation and facial skin nourishment: Priced at THB 4,300 net per person and THB 8,000 per couple and available until January 31, 2019. For more information and reservations, call 038-253-000. AVANI Spa offers a spa buffet package: 90-minute AVANI signature touch massage and International Buffet Dinner at Garden Cafe for one at only THB 2,700 net. Advance reservations required, contact AVANI Spa at Tel. 038 412 120.
Entertainment Enjoy great music from Thomas Reimer, one of the most famous European Jazz guitarists, playing live every evening (except Tuesday) from 6.00 p.m. - 10 p.m. at the Sugar Hut restaurant on Thappraya Road, call 038 364 186 for details.
The North Star Library on Sukhumvit Road, north Pattaya holds regular Thai language classes Mon - Fri from 10.30 a.m. 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
Groups & Associations Rotary Club of JomtienPattaya (English) meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at Royal Cliff Grand Hotel, Pattaya City. Fellowship begins at 18.30 hrs and Dinner meeting at 19.00 hrs. President Vutikorn Kamolchote Email: <vutikornk@hotmail.com> Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard (English) meets at the Siam Bayshore Hotel, 17.30 hrs for 18.00 hrs on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month, followed by dinner (Fellowship) President Brian Songhurst Email: <bjs2904 @yahoo.com> Rotary Club Phönix Pattaya (German) meets every Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Pattaya at 19.00 hrs. President Peter
Schlegel Email: info@rotaryphoenix-pattaya.org. Le Rotary Pattaya Marina, seul Rotary Francophone d’Asie, vous accueille les premier et troisième vendredis de chaque mois, début des réunions 19h, à l’hôtel Pullman G Pattaya Wongamat 445/3 Moo 5 – Soi 16 – Pattaya Naklua Road. Venez agir avec le Rotary pour changer des vies. Pierre Yves Eraud Président 2018-2019 Email: < info@rotarypattaya marina.org. Rotary Club of Pattaya (Thai-English) meets at the First Pacific Hotel, Central Road on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Meetings begin at 19.00 hrs. President Stephen Devereux Email: < stevecarlow@gmail.com> The Thai Stamp Alliance is a new internet and social media group created to share information, including posts of events like Exhibitions and Auctions. If you live on the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand and have an interest, email thaistampalliance @gmail.com. or find us on Facebook. Post 12146 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America (Ban Chang – U-Tapao, Thailand) meets the second Saturday of each month at 13:00 at Sinthavee Park Condo, 2/ 1 Moo 5, in Ban Chang. If you are interested, please contact Membership Chairman Dan Morgan at <ban changvfw12146membership@ gmail.com> or visit website: www.banchangvfwpost12146.org.
Jerry ‘Lee’ Carlson coming back to Linda’s In her ongoing quest to seek out world-class performers to entertain her guests, Linda, owner of Linda’s Restaurant, signed up Jerry “Lee’ Carlson for limited performances this month. The first performance was held last week to a packed audience, some of whom flew in from Sweden just to see him in person again. Jerry Carlson, who hails from Sweden, started playing the piano when he was 10 years old. Since then, he has developed into one of the most sought after rock n’ roll performers, not only in Sweden but in many parts of the world. Jerry is a maestro on the piano and his performance reminds you of the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis. As a matter of fact it all started when he won a talent competition impersonating “rock & roll’s first great wild man.” Jerry is multitalented and is at his best singing country,
Jerry ‘Lee’ Carlson’s ‘killer’ performance at Linda’s.
rock ‘n roll, Latin, boogiewoogie and the blues. He has made many CDs and albums and his live performances are lively and electrifying.
A show not to be missed, Jerry ‘Lee’ Carlson will perform again at Linda’s Restaurant on Saturday 5 January, Saturday 12 January and Sunday 20 January 2019.
As the shows will definitely be sell-outs, book your tables early. Call Linda at: 087 813 0115 & 038 252 726. Email: linda@lindasrestaurant.com
The Royal British Legion Thailand meets the last Saturday of every month from 2 p.m. at the Tropical Bar on Soi Khao Noi (Watboonsampan near the Temple entrance) in East Pattaya. You do not need to have served in the Armed Forces to become a member and can join in the many social events arranged throughout the year. The Legion’s primary aim is the care and welfare of those who have served and/or their dependents. For general enquiries send email to <secretary@rblthailand .org, www.rblthailand.org>. Alcoholics Anonymous: The Pattaya Group meets Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. All meetings are closed (alcoholics only) and are held at Soi Skaw Beach (off Pattaya 2nd Rd). Contact Carl 08-456-31-671. 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, Andrew 086 107 6631. 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. The Samaritans of Thailand English Help Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support to the expatriate community. English-speaking 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. (02) 713-6791. Overeaters Anonymous The ‘Up to You’ group meets Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the housing area just behind Pan Pan Restaurant in Jomtien on Thappraya Road. Call Steve at 038-364-207(h) or 089-250-1359 (cell) for directions or more information. Narcotics Anonymous Hotline: 082 811 2686. 3 English speaking meetings in Pattaya near Central Festival and 2 in Jomtien each week. Also regular Thai speaking meetings at 12 noon every Sunday, and Persian Farsi speaking meetings at 5.30 pm on Thursdays. Please call the Hotline for details.
36 FRIDAY JANUARY 4, 2019
PATTAYA MAIL
VOL. XXVII No. 1
Real Madrid comes to Thailand
Each player at the football camp received a certificate of attendance.
Youngsters from the Father Ray Children’s Home pose with former Real Madrid and Liverpool footballer Alvaro Arbeloa at the SCG Stadium in Muang Thong Thani.
BYLINE: Derek Franklin Twelve soccer obsessed, and very lucky boys from the Father Ray Children’s Home in Pattaya recently took a day off from school to travel up to Bangkok to claim a prize after winning a competition - a day of football training with coaches from the Real Madrid Football Academy.
Ar r i v i n g a t t h e S C G Stadium, home to Muang Thong United, the boys were greeted by former Spanish international, Real Madrid, Liverpool and West Ham United footballer Alvaro Arbeloa. The Children’s Home was one of three charities that were chosen to train for the day, and each boy received
a Real Madrid kit, shirt, shorts and socks as well as a pair of brand new soccer boots. For more than six hours the boys were put through their paces by the Spanish coaches. They played in small and large groups, learned new skills such as passing and heading the ball, and teamwork, and by the end they were so exhausted that they
slept all the way home to Pattaya. The training must have done some good as two days
New kit and boots for all the boys.
later the boys played in a local match and won 5-2, their first victory of the year. Imagine playing more than
ten months without a win, it is hard to put in to words just how excited they were when the ref blew the final whistle.
Ocean Marina Yacht Club to set up world’s first sailing fleet for disabled Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya has invested in Thailand’s burgeoning disabled sailing scene with the purchase of eight SV14 boats from Fareast Yachts. With limited sailing opportunities for disabled people in the kingdom, Ocean Marina has taken the lead with the purchase of what will be the world’s first SV14 fleet, and expects to take delivery January, 2019. “Ocean Marina Yacht Club have been promoting sailing opportunities in Thailand and an avid supporter of grassroots sailing for many years, and now we have taken this one step further with the purchase of the eight SV14s which we will use to offer safe sailing opportunities to people with disabilities,” said Scott Finsten, Harbour Master of Ocean Marina Yacht Club. A two-person modern dinghy, the SV14 is designed for people with disabilities and is the result of a global collaborative design and build effort initiated by Peter Jacops, founder of Disabled Sailing Thailand, led by Simonis Voogd Design and built by Fareast Yachts in China. “This is an exciting development by Ocean Marina Yacht Club and I commend them and Kirati Assakul, Director of Ocean Property Co., Ltd. who initiated the idea, on their vision and desire to make sailing more accessible. I will be working
The world’s first fleet of SV14 boats is set to be based at Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya in 2019.
with the Ocean Marina Yacht Club team as well as Disabled Sailing Thailand (the official para sailing body in Thailand) to kick start the class in Thailand with a view to host the “Thailand Open Parasailing Championship” at the 2019 Top of the Gulf Regatta,” commented William Gasson, Co-Chairman of the Top of the Gulf Regatta Organising Committee. Representing the Thai Paralympic Committee, Narumon Subsri was present at the official announcement of the SV14 purchase during the recent Ocean Marina
Pattaya Boat Show, and together with Ocean Marina Yacht Club and Top of the Gulf Regatta will look to grow the sport in Thailand. “While we look to the future and possibility of Thailand having an official Para Sailing Team, our immediate goals are to install the fleet at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, establish the class in Thailand and offer sailing opportunities for people with disabilities,” added Finsten. The 2019 Top of the Gulf Regatta presented by Ocean Marina will take place from 30th April to 5th May.
Wild Oats XI wins Sydney to Hobart line honors Turn to page 28.
India close out 137-run win over Australia in 3rd test Turn to page 29.
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