Quinton Quayle, British Ambassador has written to PEC this week to " draw your attention to our Travel Advice for Thailand which has just been revised. It can be found on the British Embassy Bangkok website http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/travel-advice. He quotes: " British citizens should exercise great caution throughout Thailand and avoid demonstrations or large gatherings of people that might turn violent. Anti-government protesters are planning to hold large gatherings throughout Thailand during early March, culminating in a very large demonstration planned for 14 March at Ratchadamnoen Avenue in central Bangkok.. If, anti-government protests turn violent, British citizens should stay indoors...If you wish to contact our consular section, please use the following address: ConsularEnquiries.Bangkok@fco.gov.uk "
Pattaya Expats Club. Est.2001. Expats helping Expats
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THE Pattaya Expats Club – the original foreigner’s advice forum, with members e-newsletter’s continuously since 2001.
PEC Meeting Programme for 7 March 2010
Club News & Notices this week is presented by Club Vice President, Richard Ravensdale with a look at the news affecting our club and its members living in Pattaya, including a new board member election, next members tropical islands cruise, February accounts, shopping for Muay, the new stock of Terence Doyle's Thailand Love talk and more.
NEWS...next Free Members tropical islands cruise will be on Tuesday 23 March, 0930 from Bali Hai pier. Please come to the club and register, it's a great day out snorkeling coral gardens, fishing, swimming or lazing on board.
NEWS...we are looking for a club e-newsletter writer, please come in the club 7 March to learn more about helping us. (Richard Ravensdale has to be away for several months in Nepal refugee camps where the electric power outages and poor Internet connections make the task difficult).
Quinton Quayle, British Ambassador has written to PEC this week about upcoming Thai political action and Travel Advice for Thailand which has just been revised on the Bangkok embassy site http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/travel-advice. He quotes: " British citizens should exercise great caution throughout Thailand and avoid demonstrations or large gatherings of people that might turn violent. Anti-government protesters are planning to hold large gatherings throughout Thailand during early March, culminating in a very large demonstration planned for 14 March at Ratchadamnoen Avenue in central Bangkok.. If, anti-government protests turn violent, British citizens should stay indoors...If you wish to contact our consular section, please use the following address: ConsularEnquiries.Bangkok@fco.gov.uk "
PECs Meeting Manager's are Jahir Khan, Richard Ravensdale & Dave Wilson who plan the meetings and link the programme announcements - give them any programme content you'd like to include on the day and as they are the representatives of our Board of Trustee's, bring to their attention any club policy matters.
Our Main Feature on 7 March is an author talk by Tony Crossley, interviewed by Richard Ravensdale in Pattaya People Weekly's Lifestyle magazine issue of Feb 20-26. He has written diverse books from The Farang Wife, exploring the sexual psychology of male and female expats in Bangkok, to a popular guide to partner seeking in Thailand, The Butterfly Circus, to a practical guide for condo owners to combat corrupt supervisory boards, Condos in Thailand, Your Rights, which is available in our club shop for only 240 THB instead of 395 THB usual retail cost. He will do a book signing and make all his titles available to members at the meeting for a great discount price. He writes, "My talk on Sunday will be about western attitude to Pattaya's reputation, the male drive, the bar scene and the difference between bargirls and ‘proper' Thai women. Notably for me, I will be throwing out the question as to whether there is a difference and how wide it is. I want to give the audience chance to have their say or ask questions." Tony Crossley has been concerned to re-balance the literary scene here away from cliche's surrounding bar girls and the farang with their negative western society hang up's over sexual attitudes.
Open Mic Forum - As moderator this week, Spencer Allgood will ‘referee' and encourage discussion in our famous Open Microphone Forum. The questions are from and answered by our live audience. It's a lively mutual exchange of information, with a little humour and advice from Asia hands and expats in the meeting room. Its not a knowledgeable stage presentation, it's the PEC Members programme segment, for all those practical questions on life in Thailand in general, and in Fun-Town in particular.
Party TV feature on website & DVD... the 40 min. television feature of our club members party held 16 September is on our club website. (See Homepage link). It features our City Mayor Khun Ittipol Khunplume promoting the values of PEC, entertainment from Blues factory stars Mary, Snowman, guest star Gil, Zico's samba dancers Cynara & Luana, our Beauty Contest and much more. Our media sponsor Pattaya People Media Group also offer DVD copies of the tv film for sale at the club shop for only 100 THB. Every Baht from those sales of DVDs go to our charity project for Baby Nong Non.
Club TV Reports. Our PEC weekly meeting content has a generous segment on Pattaya People Television, (both Sophon cable, Channel 12 & BTV Channel 4). If you live outside Sophon & BTV area's view this club resource via your PEC too. Go to www.pattayapeople.com and scroll down to bottom left of homepage past the print new to 'Pattaya expats Club - TV' display and view current meeting report or any of an archive of past meeting report video clips. PATTAYA PEOPLE TELEVISION is now in Naklua on Banglamung Cable TV (channel 4). Also BTV channel, 5, has radio station "Yes2day - Pattaya People Radio - 96FM").
Please suggest Main Feature Speakers for our weekly Meetings and contact Richard Ravensdale, PEC's Programme Manager. Give your suggested ‘lead', with contact info but please do not fix dates in advance. Your help will ensure you get the speakers/subjects you want. Email: pecrichard@yahoo.co.uk. (Next available date is : May 2nd 2010).
In the Foyer Area is our 'Expat Expo', tables with information and staff from expert contributors in their field -
The Pattaya International Hospital table usually includes regular FREE testing of blood group and pressure, and on the first Sunday of each month blood-sugar level tests. (A blood sugar test requires fasting for 8 hours prior to the test). We wish your life-membership to be long & happy!
Nutrition Club Co Ltd representative Khun Wan is always on hand to assist you to a healthier and stress-free lifestyle, with weight loss suggestions, diets, Nutrition questionnaire and tests on the spot or call 038-427747.
At AA Insurance desk - has the PEC's own ‘low cost group health policy', now in its fifth year - please show your member's card to apply. A wide range of policies include over 60s medical, property, house contents, vehicle cover. See Khun Wana, or call 038-415795. PEC Group Medical Insurance. ‘Plan A' Option 17,225 B for 2009, with 790,000 Baht benefits. The 1.1 million Baht benefits Plan 1 option renewal premium for 2009 is 21,753 Baht.
Suthipong Law Center Co. Ltd, attends on a weekly basis. If you are a member and have a legal query, then this is your chance to get advice free in the club-house from lawyer Khun Suthipong Trakulsak. 038-373757, or 081-914 8193. Suthipong Law Centre is on 3rd Road between soi 21 & 23. (www.suthiponglaw.com).
Key Visa Co Ltd, represented by Darren Mcgarry, offer free advice on expats' Immigration queries - please show your members card. Key Visa has a monthly update email service for members. Sign up at: (www.keyvisathailand.com).
Aqua Water Purification Systems have a demonstration table for their models of the latest systems to install to your mains supply - never buy bottled water again !
Life Membership is just 600 Baht and only by personal application at any Meeting of the Club. This one-time joining fee provides a Photo-ID Card - no renewals needed, secures a reduced Meeting Entrance Fee (20 baht discount), as well as many member services, entry to our Lucky Draw prize's etc. Bring two very small photos and your card is prepared and laminated right away by our club staff. Our memberships process is open from 1030 am until 1200 noon. Have you Lost your PEC Life Member Card ? We can trace records in our database and via paper application forms, to re-issue a card, for a trace service fee of 100 baht. (It is not refundable if we are unable to confirm a previous life membership.)
PEC has 4 different Emergency Help Lines. Call our expat rota of volunteers on 084 3489 501 for general & crisis enquiries. For Christian spiritual comfort call Father Theo Lewis 087 133 1601. For Legal emergencies, please call Lawyer Khun Katrena Wannasakda 089 244 9709 (thai_int_law@yahoo.co.th), or Khun Suthipong Trakulsak, 081 914 8193, (www.suthiponglaw.com).
The British Embassy's Pattaya Office representative Barry Kenyon (British Honorary Consul, cell-phone 081-782 7363) or his assistant, Khun Sasamon Khempookeau (cell-phone 089-203 1646) can be found at their office near the Immigration Office car park (Jomtien Beach, Soi 5), between 0900 and 1130 am each Immigration working day. They can provide many services including document authentication. US Embassy has 2 local Pattaya representatives for help. Gary Hacker call 089-803 0388, Bobby Brooks call 084-158 0785.
PEC Special Interest Groups - these are for those holding a club membership .Two - fishing and golf incur costs.
Yoga & Relaxation group. With Donaat Vernieuwe, a satisfying series of 10 free workshop sessions of about one hour, each Friday. A creative mix of basic yoga, deep relaxation exercises and preventing back problems, with video and music imputs to lessons. Yoga mats, supplied. Participants wear loose clothing. Location is his home, Soi 69, off Sukhumvit. NEW course started Friday 16th October, see Donaat in club meetings, give name, e-mail address and phone number, show membership card - printed location map given.
Golf trips. Mon, Wed, Fri. 0900. Meet PEC Finnish section co-ordinator Ossi at JP House, Jomtien soi 4. 081 851 9620. Show member card.
The Club's fishing trips are organised twice monthly now by James Duffy, call 084-8717649 for dates, or see him in the club. Trips leave 4am and return 6pm, usually from Sattahip. Show member card please.
Join our Badminton group - currently played by our members at Diamond Badminton Centre on Pattaya Third Road, near Soi 17 traffic lights, at 6.30 pm two evenings per week. Ask Meeting Manager Jahir, show member cards.
Free ‘Computer for Beginners' class day Wednesday 0900. Tutor John Coughtrie. Latest Course of ten sessions began on Wed 28 October. All PEC Members are eligible at no cost. Classes are at a reserved Internet Café, off Soi Arunothai central Pattaya, not far from Carrefour. Please show membership cards. Register with the tutor at Sunday Club meetings only.
Please offer to help us at Club meetings, or in the background during the week. Successful meetings take a lot of preparation and we welcome new production team members. You may determine your own level of input.
Pattaya radio station, 'Yes2Day', on 96.0 MHz-FM, features community news sponsored by PEC - read by club production team member Loran Davidson, plus a great play list of classic 70s & 80s rock music. With Local information - International news - and upcoming PEC programme information, listen live either in Pattaya, on 96.0 FM, or from anywhere in the world via the Internet and your PC - www.pattayapeopleradio.com.
At our Sunday Club Meetings:
Our ‘Club Shop' (next to the entry ticket sales point) - has low cost polo-shirts with the club handshake logo and tropical blue silk shirts with our club palm tree motif. Light and mid-blue shirts, cotton silk mix at 379 B with club badge in stock. NEW...a low cost practical guide booklet full of well researched information essential to expats, on the subject of Thai Wills, death and funeral arrangements written by PEC's Open Forum moderator and computer tutor John Coughtrie. A stock purchased by PEC is available from our Club Shop for only 40 THB. All sale proceeds (as the print run was sponsored) will go to John's nominated charity project Thais4life. John created this guide after getting questions on the topic as Open Forum moderator.
The PEC's free 'DVD and Book Swap' table, on the left as you enter the meeting room, is a 'member to member' service. Donate stock and take 1:1. Please bring books, magazines and DVD's you've already enjoyed, and swap them. Our DVD stock is shrinking. Please be fair - This is a swap (not swipe) initiative! Plus, our take-away Information Centre leaflets, publications and business cards from hundreds of 'member to member services' in Pattaya, is in the foyer display until the end of each meeting.
Pattaya International Hospital Health Desk has a medical team in our foyer. If unwell, make your way to the Health desk or alert staff immediately. Hospital admission is just a few minutes away - at Memorial or PIH.
Another great reason to be a member and attend Pattaya Expats Club Meetings is that Lucky Draw Prizes are drawn each Sunday. Euro-Optic - designer sunglasses value b 1500. Globetrotter dinner for 2, value b1200 - The Nutrition Club health assessment and treatment plan, value b1500 - NanoTrax (two computerised model sports car racing circuits, 3 months membership and free racing), Little India Restaurant , Café de Jomtien and Boxing Roo Bar.
We meet at the Grand Solé Hotel, 2nd Rd. Entry Tickets are sold from 10:30AM - 12.30PM. Speakers from 11:30 am, with Brunch, from 10:30 am till 12.30pm. Entry just 80 Baht members,100 Baht public, (brunch included), which also pays for our excellent technical presentation facilities of the Grand Solé Hotel function room. The table plan is usually in friendly format tables for eight or ten - so please allow the 'gaps' to be filled by new arrivals at your table. We are a friendly Expats helping Expats advice forum.
Please dress appropriately for a hotel setting. Thai culture is governed by respect, so the way you dress reflects how you respect yourself and others. Notices banning beachwear and vests from our club function room are displayed outside the meeting hall and at the ground floor lobby. But we are informal, so open shirts (covering shoulders and chest) and shorts are fine.
Why not come along next Sunday morning (10:30am Brunch, 11:30 Programme start) to the Grand Solé Hotel (in the Theppraya Room, above the lobby), 370 Pattaya 2nd Road (north), near Tropicana Hotel, between the TOPS & BIG-C supermarkets. Bring a friend.
For location, website & email see: (www.grandsolehotel.com).
(www.pattayaexpatsclub.info). (contact@pattayaexpatsclub.info)
Register for our weekly e-newsletter, via PEC website home page where you can scroll down to boxes for your name and e-mail address. When you receive a confirming e-mail, click on the link to start receiving the e-newsletter. (Visit www.pattayaexpatsclub.info).
As ‘mother club' in Thailand for live foreigners advice forums we assisted through the ‘Association of Thailand Expats Club's' similar clubs to be founded, with Constitution's, in Pattaya city and from Chiangmai to Koh Samui.
Deutschsprachiger Pattaya Expats Club - Jeden ersten Samstag im Monat 10:00 Uhr morgens im Konferenzsaal des Wat Chaimongkon an der South Pattaya Road. An jedem dritten Samstag treffen wir uns an verschiedenen Örtlichkeiten in Pattaya. Jeder ist eingeladen. Fur Info: *Andy* 08 5095 7077. Alle Treffen und Termine sind auf unserer Internetseite: <http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.de.tl>)
Finnish Language PEC - PEC Suomen Kokous. Jokatoinen lauantai JP housessa, klo 11, Jomtien Beach Road, Soi 4. Lisätietoja Saat. (ossiviljanen@hotmail.com), puh. 081 851 9620.