As I have just begun my assignment as the new Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Thailand, it is indeed my great pleasure to be given the opportunity to share my thoughts in Kelab Malaysia’s latest edition of its newsletter. I wish to congratulate Mr Bobby Tai, President of Kelab Malaysia and the committee members for the past initiatives and efforts to foster greater bond of friendship among Malaysians in Thailand. Certainly, I look forward to my new assignment towards enhancing the existing close relations between Malaysia and Thailand. Relations between the two countries have grown substantially especially in the areas of political, trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people. I am confident that the relations among Malaysians in Thailand could be further strengthened by maximising the mechanisms that are available to us including the important role played by Kelab Malaysia of Thailand. The Embassy of Malaysia attaches great importance to the well-being of all Malaysians in Thailand including members of Kelab Malaysia. In this regard, I call Kelab Malaysia to continue the excellent work. On the part of the Embassy, we will continue to support the activities of Kelab Malaysia in line with the aspiration of the Government of Malaysia to engage and work closely with Malaysians abroad. Finally, I wish to sincerely thank Kelab Malaysia and all Malaysians in Bangkok for the warm welcome extended to me and my family upon our arrival in Bangkok. I hope that the arrival of the new year 2009 would bring greater success to Kelab Malaysia. Dato’ Husni Zai Yaacob Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Thailand
Season greetings to all members and friends during this festival period of the year. It seems like we have reached the end of another calendar year…. rather quickly. For some of us, this is another year of experience gained. Others may have accumulated more wealth. Whatever it is, I am sure everyone has learnt something from all that has happened during this rather turbulent Year of the Rat in 2008. Many changes were witnessed and the staffing at our Malaysian Embassy was not spared. During the year, we bid our farewells to Dato’ Sharaani Ibrahim (Ambassador), Datin Fauziah, Tuan Umardin (Counsellor), En Roslan, En Bakar (now Dato’), Major Khairuddin, En Ali Syahbana and a host of other diplomatic staff and in turn, we also welcomed Tuan Syed Bakri (Counsellor), En Iqbal, Mr Jai Shankar and several replacements sent from Malaysia. Now we are here to warmly welcome Dato’ Husni Zai Yaacob and Datin Norshiha Hasbullah to Thailand and into our Kelab. We are very happy to inform that Dato’ Husni has graciously accepted to be the Patron for our Kelab and especially pleased to note that Dato’ Husni has pledged to continue to support our Kelab’s activities strongly! For those who have supported our events (Lunch Get-together, Golf Kaki, Feng Shui Session, Merdeka Games, Cancer Drive, Farewell Golf, ASEAN Nite Gala Dinner & Dance), thank you for your participation. We hope you will continue to give your active support to next year’s committee as well. My sincerely appreciation also goes to my committee members who sacrificed much of their personal time to take up the challenge to work for our Kelab. Special thanks to Mr Victor Yuen who played host for many of our Kelab’s committee meetings and Mr Nick for taking up the abandoned Treasurer post and providing excellent support to me in our hosting of ASEAN Nite. My sincere THANK YOU to all who have helped in one way or another to make all these possible. Here’s wishing members (& family) and friends a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2009 and a great year ahead. See you all in our Annual General Meeting in Jan/Feb 2009! Bobby Tai President
Organised By Sports And Welfare Club, Embassy Of Malaysia August 30, 2008
F
or the second year running, the Countdown to Merdeka was held in the Multipurpose Hall at the Malaysian Embassy on August 30, 2008. A Hawker-style (pay and eat) was also arranged, prior to
the actual countdown at 11.00 pm (Bangkok time). As usual, this attracted many loyal Malaysians to join this special historical occasion.
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s in the past years, a series of sporting events were held in celebration of Merdeka. Participants from the Malaysian Embassy and Kelab Malaysia competed in the Sports Carnival in the month of August for the following sports: Badminton, Table Tennis, Bowling and Children’s Games.
Merdeka Games: Bowling Merdeka Tournament 2008 3
CANCER November 1, 2008
T
he Perwakilan Bangkok (The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ladies Association – Bangkok Branch) held a reception to welcome the cyclist, Mr Max Chong Kam Kok (Malaysian male, 39 years old) to the Malaysian Embassy. On October 18, 2008 Mr Chong started his cycling journey from Ipoh where the flag off for Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA) or National Cancer Council’s latest project “CancerCycle” took place. His trip will take him across five countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) covering a distance of almost 4,320km. The purpose is to raise funds and create awareness about healthy living habits. MAKNA is a non-profit organisation working in the field of cancer treatment. Its main objective is to pool and utilize all efforts, expertise and finance from all sectors of society to fight cancer and reduce related pain, morbidity and the suffering that cancer patients undergo. Mr Chong was emotional when he told how his wife suffered from cancer four years ago. Today, we are glad to know that she is recovering. Mr Chong also informed that it took him nine days to reach Bangkok from Ipoh.
Along the way, he had to change the inner tubes for his bicycle nine times! Fortunately, he was able to do some of the mechanical repair works by himself. Mr Vemanna Appannah, Manager and Project Manager for CancerCycle informed that Mr Chong is expected to reach Hanoi, Vietnam sometime
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in January 2009. Mr Vemanna also expressed appreciation to Encik Roslan from the Embassy for housing them at his residence. On this occasion, our Club made a cash donation of 5,000 baht towards Mr Chong’s commendable effort. The contribution was topped up by our Club President, Mr Bobby Tai for
5,000 baht and Club member, Mr Billy Chua for 2,000 baht, making a total contribution of 12,000 baht. Special commendation also goes to Perwakilan Bangkok for hosting the reception and all those who attended the event, especially Siti, Liza, Shirley and family, Mei Ling and family and Brenda from the Club.
Malaysian Cyc l i s On Charity Dr t i Left Bangkok ve F o r Cambodia
By D. Arul Rajo o
BANGKOK, N ov 2 - Max Chong, who is on a fivecountry cyclin to me,” said Ch g expedition ong, who was to create awar hosted by eness and ra th e Perwakilan ise funds for Bangkok, an cancer patient association s, has complet comprising em ed ba of his four-m ssy staff and 1,660km their family onth journey, members. with strong encouragemen t from the Ch on g sa id local folk and support he was now for joint efforts on a solo journey as pl anned as Ch with other countries. uah Yew Lay, 50, a former national cyclist Chong, 39, sa his right leg who lost id he was gl in a car acci there were less ad that dent some 20 years ago, problems and challenges had left for throughout hi s journey from home after accompanying Ipoh, where him up to Lang he was flagg ed-off on Oct Suan. Fr om Bangkok, he 18, until his arrival in the will cycle to Thai capital ye Prachin Buri st er an da d Aranyaprat y. “It was easier het before crossing into than expected Cambodia. expecting som as I was e dangerous sit Ch on g sa ua id tion along the way...but there was a there were so enthusiasm fro lot of me problems m the Thai vo like tyre punc lunteers who ture. But the ar e he lp in g pe ca ople whom ncer patients I met along to link with the way have their Malaysia n counterparts been very helpful and ge . nerous,” he “T he Th ais also ha said before continuing on ve cancer his journey to awareness prog Cambodia, rammes and as Laos and Viet sociations. nam from th Th ey ar e ke e Malaysian en to work embassy here together with today. Makna and sh are their expe Chong said riences with us,” said Chon he hoped to g, who himse his 82-day ex complete lf pedition, cove had painful ex pe riences of ring 4,320km, in Hanoi on seeing relativ Jan 4 next ye friends dying es and ar, with the of cancer. proceeds goin g to the Natio Ch on g sa id na Council (Makna l Cancer Makna presid ent Datuk ). Mohd Farid Ariffin would “I wrote in Th wait for him in Hanoi wh ai about my ex er e Makna wa on a donation pedition s planning box and this joint research attracted car projects on drivers, motor cancer with cyclists and th e Na tio na l lo Ca cal people. ncer Institute Many donate d while hote of Vietnam besides expa ls and guest nsion of its houses along services to the route gave Vietnam, Cam bodia and La discounts os. Source: BERN AMA
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ur beloved Patron, H.E. Dato’ Shaarani Ibrahim, was retiring and leaving the services on August 18, 2008. As a token of appreciation to His Excellency’s patronage and friendship, our Club organised a farewell golf session in His Excellency’s honour on August 2, 2008 (Saturday) at Cascata Golf Club in Lumlukka Klong 15.
Farewell Golf for outgoing Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand on August 2, 2008 at Cascata Golf Club, Bangkok, Thailand 6
The event attracted seven flights. As this was a special event where H.E. Dato’ Shaarani competes against all other players, no Champion was declared for that day. Besides the prizes awarded for Longest Prize and Nearest-to-Pin, all participants were given a memento from Kelab Malaysia for the occassion.
The inauguration event took place at Bangkok Golf Club in Pathumthani and attracted a participation of 74 golfers. Tuan Syed Bakri Syed Abd Rahman, Charge d’Affaires, explained that this event is not to replace the Merdeka Golf. Since the departing Ambassador, H.E. Dato Shaarani Ibrahim, was not able to organise the Merdeka Golf as he was leaving his services in mid-August 2008 and the puasa period was round the corner, it was decided that the annual Golf event would take place after Hari Raya. Prizes were awarded for Overall Champion and Runners-Up for both Men and Ladies categories. Longest Drive and Nearest-to-Pin prizes were also awarded. For those who did not make it for the main prizes, there were always the lucky draw prizes to hope for!
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Reported By Dr Cheah Phaik Yeong
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s a newbie in Thailand and relatively new in Kelab Malaysia, I was very curious about ASEAN Nite. What was it for? Who will attend? What will it be like? I had been told by Bobby Tai, our President, that it was one of the highlights of the year and this was the 16th year since the first one held in year 1991. What more when our very own Kelab Malaysia was playing host for the function this year. The organising committee (comprising representatives from nine other ASEAN countries) had put in a lot of effort into organising the event, getting sponsors, soliciting prizes and the work started as far back as in March this year. It is meant to be a fun and social event, but maintaining a certain degree of formality and glamour. In view of the current state of affairs in the region, a most appropriate theme was selected for this year: “Towards Continuing Unity�. ASEAN Nite was indeed a night of glamour and glitter. We were told to dress in traditional costumes or formal. The men wore suits and some women not only dressed in traditional costumes but they dressed to kill! I had expected to see only Asians (or rather people from
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October 25, 2008
ASEAN countries) but pleasantly surprised to see people of Western nationalities as well. The turnout was very good (but Bobby insisted that it could have been more). Many members bought tickets for their friends, colleagues and families in support of the event. ASEAN Nite was what it was supposed to be – a fun and social night, regardless of political beliefs, ethnic origin or religion. I was given to understand that it is the first time that the ASEAN Nite was held at the Centara Grand Convention Centre @ Central World. The choice was good indeed. The hotel is conveniently located. Late comers could actually catch a BTS train to get there. The function facilities boosted a grand reception area and the “pillarless” hall was even grander. Before the start of the dinner, a cocktail session was also organised and each member country put up a little booth and served traditional snacks. The Malaysian booth was especially crowded. Of course, the kueh prepared by our Puan Zarina of the Malaysian Embassy was the main draw. (The raffle draw-drop box strategically placed at the Malaysia booth may have contributed to some of the crowd drawing impact too!)
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Some booths also had tourism information on their countries which helped to add some colour to the event. Guests sampled food from various countries, exchanged recipes and mingled among themselves while enjoying the free flow of Singha beer, Bacardi cocktails and 12-year Dewar whisky served by the pretties. And Bobby made some of us sell Raffle Draw tickets. Further down the hallway, there were also some stalls selling clothes, bags and souvenir items, just as one would expect in any place in Bangkok! The night started out with a bang, or rather a ghong. Bobby Tai as the Organising Committee Chairman officiated the ceremony followed by a speech from the Guest-of-Honour, Mom Rachawongse
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Sukhumbhand Paribatra, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Masters of Ceremony Mr Moe Alkalf, (a veteran entertainer specially flown in from Singapore) entertained guests throughout the night with jokes and games. It was refreshing and wildly amusing to see grown men in suits and elegantly dressed women getting all fired up over the games, myself included!) Many shed tears of laughter. There were many raffle prizes, with the grand prizes being golf lessons, several air tickets (wished I have won that return air passage to KL for two by our very own Malaysian Airline System), resort stays, medical checkups and more, on top of tables prizes and lucky draw prizes. Nobody went home empty handed as everyone was given a goody bag. I also overheard some guests commenting that this was one of the best ASEAN Nites that they have attended! Cheers to all those who attended and congratulations to the Organising Committee 2008 for a job well done! All the hard work for eight months in preparation came to fruition. Malaysia Boleh! For those who missed it this year, sorry, just have to wait till next year. 11
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2008 Hari Raya Qurban Open House was held at the Malaysia Embassy on December 8, 2008. This marked the first function hosted by our new Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Dato’ Husni Zai Yaacob and Datin Norshiha Hasbullah. All Malaysians were invited to the evening function where local Malaysian delicacies were served. The event was well attended by more than 200 guests.
Position
Name
President
Mr Bobby Tai
taichongyih@yahoo.com
Vice President
Mr Khew Ham Hoe
khew@mbf.co.th
Secretary
Mrs Georgette Williams
geogem@bkk.loxinfo.co.th
Treasurer
Mr Niraj Khiyani (Nick)
murkh@hotmail.com
Activities
Mr Victor Yuen
vtcyuen@hotmail.com
Membership
Mr Tan Sun
tansun@mckey.co.th
Membership
Dr Cheah Phaik Yeong
phaikyeong@tropmedres.ac
Sports
Mr Lalit Dharmseri
lalit.dha@thanachart.co.th
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