October at the Rotary Club of Patong Beach was not exactly Oktoberfest, but it was certainly as busy as Germany's favourite festival.
Rather than swilling steins of beer, though, our members were out in the community building goodwill and friendship of benefit to all concerned (to paraphrase two Rotary's four truths).
And there's a lot of it. We managed a quorum of 16 members plus three guests (Erik, Hank and Harald) so President Walter got the show on the road with an excellent power-point presentation, followed by various chairs doing their thing.
Here are the highlights:
Membership. It's increasing. We should hit our target of 40 by year's end with four potential new members in the pipeline(female membership almost 30%, up considerably from 10 years ago) Note: See story about our newest sign up below.
New name tags. Here's what they look like. Apparently they stick on to anything. No more nasty pins. Finance. PP Sam gave a detailed update on our finances, which looked pretty positive. He has a voluminous booklet to show anyone interested in the detail. Overall we have, in round figures, Baht1.1 for charities; Baht2.4 for scholarships and Baht396,000 for administration. Service Projects: Rtn Bill said a number of requests were rejected because they don't fit our criteria, but in each case the committee referred the requests to other Rotary clubs to help. Approvals were given, however, for Baht25,000 to support a primary care clinic; the Save a Child swim programme cost Baht300,000; the Lenses for Learning programme Global Grant has reached US$40,000. Scholarships: Rtn JP reported Baht420,000 was allocated in scholarships for associations and that one recipient had been forced to drop out. JP's goal is to create primary learning centres, to help children through the secondary school phase and with post secondary education. Administration: Rtn Joe reported speakers are set until the end of 2023. He asked members to help suggest future speakers. An informal survey to assess if members' are happy to take regular presentations from members of the medical community was supported by all but two who replied. Publicity: Rtn Frank urged members to use Facebook to encourage friends and FB friends to join Rotary. His aim is to create more awareness of Rotary. Our club already outperforms others for the number of FB "likes" it gets. Fund Raising: PP OB is still recovering from dengue fever so could not make it. VP: Cabbie was also ill and unable to attend.
Dinner Anyone? It Will Cost You a Little Bit More
And then the not so good news but should not be a deterrent: the cost of dinner is going up from January 1 next years from Baht500:
wait for it---to Baht650.
NowHold On! Before everyone starts throwing plates and bowls of delicious ice cream around, remember this: 1. That was negotiated down from a higher proposed sum 2. We have been loyal customers at the hotel for three years. 3. We get the big room for free (don't ask how much it would cost if we had to pay. We would be meeting on the streets of Patong!!). 4. The menu will stay the same at the same high quality it always has. Thank you to Rtn Joe for your work on this.
Happy Hundreds Controversy! A note of controversy crept into the meeting when President Walter called for a vote on whether the Happy Hundreds should go to charity (Rtn Bill for) or stay so we can spend it on booze and having a good time to pat ourselves on the back (Rtn Frank).
Pays For Guests
Frank won by an overwhelming vote. So bring on the Christmas Party. It was pointed out that in the overall scheme of our finances the money raised is not much, but it does help pay for guest speakers each week and for events like Dr Rohan's successful bowls bash in Kamala recently.
Caption: PP Karen collecting the loot while recently doing the honours as SAA.
Welcome back PP Hans who is still in Bangkok but will be at our 14 November meeting.
A Plea From Joe
Rtn Joe takes time every week to invite us to our meetings.
He invites us to click on a link in his email to either register or decline.
Here’s the wee problem.
Many people ignore the invite and don’t attend. Make Joe Happy
Fair enough.
Sign Up
But others also ignore the invite and then turn up without registration.
This little bit of bureaucracy may not sound too important.
But it is, to be fair to the hotel with its catering and for the Sergeant at Arms to help with knowing numbers.
Sincere Request
So, here’s a sincere request: if you intend coming to events, please take a minute to register.
It’s easy. Anyone can do it. Follow Up
We may have to follow up with those who have not registered to remind you, but the easiest way is to click and fill in a couple of bits of information and Bob’s Your Uncle, as my father used to say (that means it’s easy to do).
Footnote: President Walter and PP Karen specifically thanked Joe for his work as administration chair. It's not an easy gig, but Joe goes about it with quiet efficiency and a sense of humour. The thanks were carried with loud and deserved acclamation.
Speaking of Meetings
Rotarians and guests turning up to pay for their evening out will probably have met Khun Kook Kai, one of the smiling and efficient Four Points Sheraton Hotel team who help out throughout the evening.
Khun Kook may be taking a little bit more money off you for the nice buffet meal, but you can be assured of a typical Thai smile. She is photographed at the 18 October meeting.
More Four Points Sheraton staff will be recognised in the December edition of the Bulletin.
Love that ice cream!
Dinner Out and All That Jazz
Dinner out on 3 October was at the iconic Siam Supper Club in Cherng Talay, famous for its jazz evenings.
The Supper Club (established in 1991) and famous for its jazz nights, lived up to its reputation for American style and sophistication with a full house of Rotarians and guests enjoying meals from a choice of roasted pasta, Norwegian salmon and roasted chicken.
Michelin 2-Star
Under new ownership and with chef David Hands, who started work in a Michelin 2-Star hotel in England, the club’s subdued atmosphere allowed for much discussion and enjoyment of the moment. Rotary exchange student Leah Brown celebrated her birthday.
Dr Johan and fans--Leah celebrates her birthday--Alex welcomes all.
PP Karen and Sergeant at Arms for the night graciously presided over a meeting of twelve Rotarians and four guests at a busy meeting on Tuesday, 17 October 2023.
Visitor Jake, from the USA, commented on his second visit that he enjoyed attending our meetings because “I always feel welcome.” Other guests were Tom and Katherine from California, friends of the guest speaker Palmer Owyoung; and Uwe from Germany.
Club Business
President Walter talked about Rotarians from Phuket’s ten Rotary Clubs giving out plates at four shrines around the island for the Vegetarian Festival, meeting Steve Bender from Newport Beach, who initiated an excellent dental programme involving our club a few years ago and urged all members to attend the club assembly on 24 October (12 needed for a quorum so get along there folks!)
Global Grant on Course
Rtn Bill reported the Lenses for Learning global grant process was proceeding well; Rtn Joe urged members to please respond to his weekly invites to register for events; PP David reported several new candidates are “in the pipeline” and more may emerge from a membership seminar in November. He also advised PP OB has dengue fever.
At the NH Boat Lagoon Resort Hotel, Karen said an information session on alleged/proposed new tax laws affecting foreigners will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, 27 October. Karen also advised of a golf tournament on 26 October at the Aquella Golf and Country Club, Phang Na (B650)
Christmas Party
The Christmas Party is at the Holiday Inn Hotel on Saturday, 16 December.
PP David introduced guest speaker Palmer Owyoung, a Phuket resident and author of “Saving the Climate Crisis,” who gave a fact-filled address about all matter of issues relating to the climate.
Hottest Month Ever
These included:
July 2023 was the hottest month on record; more local government participation is needed (people should vote for climate-friendly candidates); we need more wetlands, ponds, parks and other water catchments; we need to stay cool (paint rooftops white to reflect the sun) and we need controlled burn-offs of fires.
Rich Emitters
The statistics tell a story: the top 10 per cent of people emit nearly half the world’s greenhouse gases.
Palmer suggested one solution: taxing the rich more because they cause much of the emissions and replacing fossil fuels with solar, wind and hydropower. Everyone should try and reduce their carbon footprint (electric cars, fewer flights, taking public transport, using heat pumps, improving cooking equipment). Palmer said his biggest cause for alarm is the continued loss of biodiversity.
Joe’s Joke
Joe told a joke that wasn’t bad, Walter gave out gifts from a Rotary event he attended, Karen collected the loot from the Happy Hundred, and everyone went into the night after another excellent meeting.
Doors open 6.15pm with a welcome drink. Christmas Party at 7.00pm
Price (until 1 December, 2023)
B2000 per adult for Rotary Club members and immediate family.
B2500 per adult for non-Rotary members.
B750 for children aged 6-12 years.
Price AFTER 1 December you pay B3000 whether a Rotary member or not.
Registration
Registration is mandatory. Anyone interested to register please follow this link. Registration for the public is open from 15 November onwards.
The Burning Question: Who will be Father Christmas? We know, but it's for you to find out on the night!
Weekly Meeting, 10 October 2023
Chair: VP Cabbie
SAA: Rtn Alastair
Sixteen Rotarians, 14 guests.
Guest Speaker: Dr Banjerd Praditsuktavorn.
Topic: Watch Those Varicose Veins!
VP Cabbie stepped up to admirably in President Walter’s absence to run our October 10, 2023, meeting with a full house of thirty Rotarians and guests to hear an excellent presentation by Dr Banjerd Praditsuktavorn on the subject of “Calf Fitness and Varicose Veins.”
Khun Uma was inducted by Cabbie, who read the pledge and was then presented with her Rotary pin and certificate by PP David, who had a busy night. In a surprise, he was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship (his third) as the club’s expression of appreciation for his stellar work, particularly in fund raising, since becoming a charter member in 2001. A handshake and a hug from Cabbie sealed the deal.
Down to Business
In a busy night, Cabbie got down to business with a brief PowerPoint presentation covering Rtn Johan’s wildly successful Kamala lawn bowls gig, a terrific dinner out at the Siam Supper Club, mention of a team of Rotarians cooking 500 meals on World Food Day (“I’ve never chopped so many carrots”—Cabbie. Thanks to PP OB and the club for funding this event.), reports that a Board meeting was held despite the floods and, get this: a date and venue for the Christmas Party.
Saturday, 16 December, at the Holiday Inn in Patong. Prepare the kids for a blast. Who will be Father Christmas this year? Will everyone beat the traffic to make it on time? Some burning questions remain.
Dinner Costs
Cabbie also asked guests to please put their names on the mailing list. Also, in a sign that Rotary is not immune to the dreaded inflation, signalled the cost of the scrummy dinners at the hotel will go up. It has not been raised for four years, so we have been lucky.
Guest Speaker
Sergeant at Arms for the evening, Rtn Alastair, introduced Dr Praditsuktavorn (hereafter known as Dr Banjerd for brevity’s sake) in a vain attempt to pronounce his name correctly. Dr Banjerd, who confessed to being nervous, proceeded to prove he was not nervous with a fascinating presentation on the issue of vascular afflictions, which can strike anyone, particularly if you are aged thirty and over (two Rotarians professed to their wives being treated by Dr Banjerd at Bangkok Phuket Hospital.
The key takeaways from his speech were:
Vascular disease need not be fatal but can affect your quality of life;
Signs are leg heaviness, spider veins in the legs, swollen legs in the morning, and the skin around the ankle changes colour. The risks are standing for long periods, pregnancy, being overweight, smoking, leg trauma, being female and being over thirty (that means pretty well all of our members are at risk). Treatment: exercise, elevated legs, weight control, use compression socks.
Vascular Problems
Dr Panjerd said the vascular problems can be reversed with treatment (medicines, surgery, wearing compression socks), but early detection is essential. This includes cramping at night, swelling of the leg, itchiness and dryness around both ankles, a tingling sensation in the leg, numbness, and a restless leg.
Rtn Joe thanked Dr Panjerd for his informative speech, presented a certificate of appreciation and posed for a photograph.
Guests
Guests were Luke (Rotarian) Caroline and their cheeky daughter Perri from Manningham City Rotary Club near Melbourne, Australia; Podge (Australia) and Jake (USA); Uwe (Germany), Rousser (Austria), Myrna Reyes-Muyana, (Chiang Mai), Radi Jones (Phuket/Bulgaria) and Leah Brown (Rotary Exchange Study). Accompanying Dr Panjerd from Bangkok Phuket hospital were Khun Poo, Khun Thai and Khun Nae.
Many one-hundred-baht notes were collected in the Happy Hundred, including from several guests. Cabbie declared the meeting closed at 8.58 p.m.
There is no such thing as a grouchy old person. The truth is that once you get old, you stop being polite and start being honest.
Trees for Polio
On Tuesday, 24 October members turned out to plant a tree for polio in Rawai.
Some were wearing these t-shirts, organised by the District to raise funds for Polio Plus.
Each T-shirt costs B60 and will support the Polio Plus Fund. Funds will be recorded under the club name as a Polio Plus donation. Additional charges will be applied for 3X1-8XL.
Rotary launched PolioPlus in 1985 and was a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
Through decades of commitment and work by Rotary and our partners, more than 2.5 billion children have received the oral polio vaccine.
A Happy Rotarian Tale
Here is a tale of one of our members upholding two of the four pledges of Rotary.
A tremendous pat on the back to Secretary Anand, in particular. “Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Rtn Anand tells the story of a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Pune Gandhi Bhavan in District 3131 whose daughter fell and twisted her ankle and could not move when she was about to undertake a city tour in Phuket. Rotarian Ratnakar Bagul was in India and unable to help his daughter, Tejashjree. He thought he might have to go to Phuket.
RCPB to the Rescue
But wait, our club came to the rescue through President Walter and Rotarians Joe and Anand.
Rtn Ratnakar's Family.
Rtn Ratnakar contacted our club through email and Facebook. Joe took the message and handed it to President Walter, who passed it on to Anand.
Anand called the Rotarian to get Tejashree’s contact details, then went to the hotel where she was staying and took her for an X-ray at a nearby clinic.
Strength and Power of Rotary
So, this message from the Rtn Ratnakar: “So, all my Rotarian friends, please note if you are a Rotarian, you are never alone anywhere in the world. That’s the strength and power of Rotary.
“Thank you, Rtn Anand, for your fast support while we enjoyed our fellowship dinner and for the great spirit you showed!”
Rtn Ratnakar's Thanks.
Rtn Ratnakar Bagul sent this reply in response to a Facebook query about how his daughter is recovering.
Dear Rtn. Alastair Carthew,
"I am delighted to interact with you on the subject.
Thank you for all the help given to my daughter during her stay in Phuket. Rtn Pankaj Anand was quick enough to respond to my request. He took her to a nearby clinic and ensured that there was no fracture by getting an X-ray done.
No Major Damage
"She is back home in Pune and going through local orthopedic surgeon treatment. No major damage as such.
"We, as a personal family and Rotary family, are thankful to Rotary Club of Patong and Rtn. Pankaj Anand, for all the care. Thank you all.
"Convey our regards to all members of RC of Patong
Finally, I would like to say that “God cannot reach everywhere, so he created…ROTARIANS" Regards
Ratnakar Bagul, Rotary Club of Pune Gandhi Bhavan.
Well done, Anand, Joe, and Walter, for embracing the Rotary spirit of benefitting someone else and building goodwill for all.
We Have 36 Paul Harris Fellows
President Walter has provided some interesting information about the Rotary Club Recognition Index for Club 56414 in District 3330—our club.
As of 3 October 2023, we had 36 Paul Harris Fellows (since the club charter in 2001, one Arch Klumph Society Members - PP Arnaud, two Major Donor (PP Arnaud &Rtn Stewart), and one Benefactor (PP Arnaud).
Our PHFs of active members
Here are the PHFs: David Arell, Andy Becker, Denis Carpenter, Alastair Carthew, Pascal
De Corte, Karen Eidsvik-Moody, Sam Fauma, Andrew Molnar, Stewart Petersen, Jonathan Russel, Dr Johan Storck, Arnaud Verstraete, Best Wanamakok, O.B. Wetzell, Walter Wyler.
Here is an explanation of just what being a PHF involves.
Multiple Paul Harris Fellow: When you give additional gifts of $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant.
Paul Harris Society member: When you elect to contribute $1,000 or more annually to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant.
Foundation Sustaining Member: When you give $100 or more per year to the Annual Fund.
Benefactor: When you include the Endowment Fund beneficiary of $1,000 or more in your estate plans or when you donate $1,000 or more to the fund outright.
Bequest Society: When you make a commitment for future gifts of $10,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation, you’ll be invited to join the Bequest Society.
Major Donor: When your cumulative donations reach $10,000. Major Donors can choose to receive a crystal recognition piece and a Major Donor lapel pin or pendant. Above: Paul Harris at an early Rotary dinner in Chicago.
Arch Klumph Society: (PP Arnaud was a recipient) When your cumulative donations reach $250,000. Recognition includes an induction ceremony and your picture and biography in the Arch Klumph Society interactive gallery at the Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, USA. You also receive invitations to society events, along with membership pins and crystals that commemorate giving at the following levels.
Hard to believe I once had a phone attached to a wall, and when it rang, I picked it up without knowing who was calling.
Leah's Keeping Busy
Our Rotary exchange student Leah Brown has kept busy during her first few weeks here, including a trip to the Similan Islands and Phi Phi.
Leah's Report
Here is Leah’s report in her own words.
“This past week I was lucky enough to go on a trip with the rest of the exchange students from District 3330. There were 16 of us in total (seven countries represented).
“Between Sunday and Thursday, we traveled around and off the island to explore some of Phuket has gems. Then we went to Phi Phi Island, where we snorkelled, swam, and boated.
It was by far my favourite destination of the week.
Zip Lining
The next day was an adventure- we saw elephants, zip-lined, and white water rafted. On our last full day, we went to the Similan Islands, where we snorkelled with sea turtles!! We ended each night by going to a market.
Vegetarian Festival
We went to the Vegetarian Festival, which was a blast- my favourite thing ever is the iced fruit on a stick.
This trip was an amazing way to get closer to the students in the district and compare our experiences so far in Thailand.
Thanks Vanessa
A big thank you to Rtn Vanessa for sponsoring this trip for me- I wouldn’t have been able to go without your support.
We have four more trips coming up and I hopefully will be able to attend a few of them! I can’t wait to see more of Thailand! "
Welcome Back OB
Foundation member and PP OB got the dreaded dengue fever and ended up in hospital for seven days in October. Not a nice thing for a gentleman who plays a mean game of tennis several times a week. We can report that OB has recovered. Here's OB with family and friends about to make his escape from hospital. As he said: " Seven Intense days and I made it out ready for a new attitude. On the mend now."
A big thankyou to those who contributed to this Bulletin.
Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Sompong Kongdoung
December 19
Gordon R. McInally
RI President
Scotland
Chatchawal Telavanich
District Governor 3330
RC Samut Sakhon
Walter Wyler
President
RC Patong Beach
The Rotary Club of Patong Beach is a multicultural organization with members from 19 different nations
New name tags. Here's what they look like. Apparently they stick on to anything. No more nasty pins. Finance. PP Sam gave a detailed update on our finances, which looked pretty positive. He has a voluminous booklet to show anyone interested in the detail. Overall we have, in round figures, Baht1.1 for charities; Baht2.4 for scholarships and Baht396,000 for administration. Service Projects: Rtn Bill said a number of requests were rejected because they don't fit our criteria, but in each case the committee referred the requests to other Rotary clubs to help. Approvals were given, however, for Baht25,000 to support a primary care clinic; the Save a Child swim programme cost Baht300,000; the Lenses for Learning programme Global Grant has reached US$40,000. Scholarships: Rtn JP reported Baht420,000 was allocated in scholarships for associations and that one recipient had been forced to drop out. JP's goal is to create primary learning centres, to help children through the secondary school phase and with post secondary education. Administration: Rtn Joe reported speakers are set until the end of 2023. He asked members to help suggest future speakers. An informal survey to assess if members' are happy to take regular presentations from members of the medical community was supported by all but two who replied. Publicity: Rtn Frank urged members to use Facebook to encourage friends and FB friends to join Rotary. His aim is to create more awareness of Rotary. Our club already outperforms others for the number of FB "likes" it gets. Fund Raising: PP OB is still recovering from dengue fever so could not make it. VP: Cabbie was also ill and unable to attend.
And then the not so good news but should not be a deterrent: the cost of dinner is going up from January 1 next years from Baht500:
go to charity (Rtn Bill for) or stay so we can spend it on booze and having a good time to pat ourselves on the back (Rtn Frank).
Rtn Joe takes time every week to invite us to our meetings.
Fair enough.
Hottest Month Ever
We have the low down on the Christmas Party.
PP David, who had a busy night. In a surprise, he was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship (his third) as the club’s expression of appreciation for his stellar work, particularly in fund raising, since becoming a charter member in 2001. A handshake and a hug from Cabbie sealed the deal.
despite the floods and, get this: a date and venue for the Christmas Party.
a fascinating presentation on the issue of vascular afflictions, which can strike anyone, particularly if you are aged thirty and over (two Rotarians professed to their wives being treated by Dr Banjerd at Bangkok Phuket Hospital.
Funds will be recorded under the club name as a Polio Plus donation. Additional charges will be applied for 3X1-8XL.
PolioPlus in 1985 and was a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
No Major Damage 
36 Paul Harris Fellows (since the club charter in 2001, one Arch Klumph Society Members - PP Arnaud, two Major Donor (PP Arnaud &Rtn Stewart), and one Benefactor (PP Arnaud).
donate $1,000 or more to the fund outright.
a mean game of tennis several times a week. We can report that OB has recovered. Here's OB with family and friends about to make his escape from hospital. As he said: " Seven Intense days and I made it out ready for a new attitude. On the mend now."
