C NTACT THE MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP BANGKOK
April 2021
BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP The aim of the Group is to enable its members to meet socially, to welcome its new members and associate members to Bangkok and to establish a programme of social, welfare and cultural activities.
Contents
Directory Page 2
Diary Page 3
Chairman’s message Page 4
March Coffee Pages 6-9
Chiang Mai Trip Part 2 Pages 12-14
Rachawadee Boys Home Pages 20-21
April Coffee Page 22
Book Club Page 24
Welfare News Page 25-27
Editor contact@bwgbangkok.org Advertising advertising@bwgbangkok.org Please note that the deadline for advertisements is the 5th of the month prior to issue. Please contact advertising@bwgbangkok for more information. PLEASE NOTE : Contact is published as a service to our members to keep them informed of news and events within BWG. The accuracy of other information cannot be guaranteed and is not an endorsement by the group. This also applies to advertisements that are included in Contact in order to cover some of the production costs. Every effort is made to produce Contact in good time to reach members before the first scheduled meeting, but the editor cannot be held responsible for unavoidable delays caused by circumstance beyond their control. It is the members’ own responsibility to know when meetings are scheduled and to contact someone to check if any changes have been made. Members are also asked to bear in mind when booking actives that most venues are not deemed suitable for children over six months of age and to make appropriate child minding arrangements.
April Diary SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4 Yoga in the park
5 Mah-jong
6 Bridge Golf
7 Mah-jong Art Group
8 April coffee
9
10
11
12 Mah-jong
13 Bridge Golf
14 Mah-jong Art Group
15
16
17
18
19 Mah-jong
20 Bridge Golf
21 Bridge Art Group
22 April Lunch
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Weekly/Monthly Activities You are invited to join these groups, but final approval is at the discretion of individual group leaders
Monday Mah-jong - (beginners welcome) (10am - 1pm) Tuesday Bridge - Audrie Sill Golf - (morning) Sheona Jackson Bookworms - 1st Tuesday (10am) Jane Upperton Scottish Dancing - 1st Tuesday (7:30pm) Karen Burr Wednesday Mah-jong - (beginners welcome) (10am - 1pm) Art Group - Bistro 33 Sukhumvit Soi 33 (10am -12:30pm) Karin Worthington
Chairman’s Message A new year, and a huge welcome to our new Committee. What a strange year it has been. Who could have anticipated a year ago, where the world would be now? Putting that aside, I would like to thank Ailsa and the previous committee for their hard work and dedication during these very trying times. I have said it once, if not twice, that Ailsa will be a very hard act to follow. 10 years ago, I attended my first welcome back drinks, since that night, I have (almost continuously) been on the Committee, firstly Special Events followed by Membership, Activities, Secretary and now Chair, the moral of this story is do not agree to anything when even (slightly) under the influence! You may end up like me! On that note, we are still looking for some more lovely ladies to join our team, even if you have had no experience, the following positions are still available; Coffees, Special Events, Raffles and a General Member. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me on Sue270698@hotmail.com Seriously though, The British Women’s Group was a lifeline to me when I first arrived and to so many others arriving in this strange, albeit fabulous and exotic land. Long may we prosper. On a completely different note, next month we have coffee at the Sheraton Grande on 8th followed by a wonderful lunch on 22nd at a new Lebanese restaurant called Zahle in Soi Ruam Rudee organised by Jane Upperton (thank you Jane for stepping in while Laura is away), full details will follow via Facebook and MAILERLITE I look forward to seeing so many of you soon and wishing you all a very happy Songkran Best wishes Sue www.bwgbangkok.org
info@bwgbangkok.org
British Women’s Group Bangkok
Contact April 2021
nspiring ndividuals At KIS International School all students can shine. The midsize, caring community allows KIS students to be confident and to be appreciated as an individual, with unique dreams and strengths. The school is a full IB school, offering the International Baccalaureate Programmes for all age groups (IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma), ensuring an academically rigorous curriculum that not only prepares students to be successful at university, but also teaches important life skills. KIS, it’s all about Knowledge, Inspiration and Spirit. Check out the students’ videos to learn more about their passion www.kis.ac.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2274 3444 Email: admissions@kis.ac.th
“With the power of imagination, characters can actually fly off the page” Jun, Grade 11.
BWG March Coffee Morning
You know the BWG British Women are back for Morning Tea because of the excited chatter that fills the entire Commons shopping centre and by the red porcelain ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ salt and pepper pots which are on offer for the BWG raffle!
It felt like old times as our chosen venue of the newly opened Steps community cafe at The Commons was packed. We were virtually at standing room only which was much appreciated by Max and the newly opened cafe staff.
The Commons, Thonglor Soi 17 if you did not make it to coffee, or are not in the know, is always worth a visit. This contemporary shopping mall has lovely artful outdoor spaces, artisanal products, eateries and a market. It is a perfect choice for Steps to open their fourth Bangkok cafe.
It was also perfect for a BWG coffee morning and great to support Steps a long term BWG welfare partner, offering a vocational training centre for young adults with learning differences. Some of us were clever and arrived hungry for breakfast. Their omelettes looked amazing. They have a good menu and specialise in healthy dishes, cozy favourites and plant based options. With fab coffee on offer, I am sure many of us will return again and again, and I can see Steps Thonglor becoming a much loved place to meet for BWG coffee.
The cafe promotes inclusive employment and equal opportunity for all as Max explained. We were happy to be their largest group yet! Congratulations Steps and many thanks to Gale Bailey for organising for us.
Steps by Theera
Open Daily 8-17.30
29/8 Ekamai 10, Sukhumvit 63, Bangkok
Fast
t
n Convenie
behind a e d i Clinic. t e n h t a t s s i t n I a Th PD d’s new O a r g n u r Bum It is perfect for minor illnesses, prescription refills, preventive care including vaccinations, or a doctor’s note. Instead of waiting for hours on end you can see a doctor, settle the bill, receive your prescription and be on your way in under an hour. Simply scan the QR code to learn more about the new OPD Instant Clinic.
www.bumrungrad.com Contact Center: 0 2066 8888
nsive
e Compreh
CHIANG MAI – CHIANG DAO - LAMPANG – LAMPHUN – CHIANG MAI 23rd December 2020 – 3rd January 2021 PART 2 - by Jackie Reynolds Old Chiang Mai and Royal Park Rajapruek Floral Festival. I spent a day in and around Chiang Mai. Firstly I went to check out the floral festival that is on from December - February. The Royal Park Rajapruek (400 rai) is 10 km outside Chiang Mai and well worth visiting even at other times of the year. During this time it was gorgeous, the orchid area was particularly beautiful and due to no international tourists not at all crowded so I was able to experience it uniquely quiet. I think having been confined for so long in the concrete jungle of Bangkok over the past year I have an even greater appreciation for nature and being amongst it. This really is an amazing time to see the natural beauty of Thailand without the crowds and help the economy at the same time. Having said that the day we went it was free, even for expats!! After strolling around the whole park we headed off to an old section of Chiang Mai where Clare's friend lives. I had no idea such an area still existed even though I have been quite a few times to Chiang Mai. It was like stepping back in time, to come across a quiet road running alongside a klong with horse drawn carriages travelling down it and coming across ancient temples, quite magical. All told a lovely day.
Part 3 will be LAMPANG.
Celebrating 60 Years A proud tradition of learning excellence
We offer a British-style education for an international community, from Nursery through to Graduation. Find out how our approach to learning and outstanding teaching staff develop global citizens who shape their world through independence, empathy, creativity and critical thinking. Contact us at admissions@patana.ac.th www.patana.ac.th | +66 (0) 2785 2200 | 643 Lasalle Road, Bangkok 10260
Bangkok Patana is a not-for-profit, IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC
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Rachawadee Boys Home (Sailom) by Dorothy Klynstra
After a slow start we ended up have an amazing time with many moms and grandmothers bringing younger children as well as a few fellows with disabilities coming to the event held in a low-income housing complex. Thanks to BWG we were able to hand out snacks, drinks and end the day with ice cream. We had games, music, the Christmas story told through a puzzle book and a Magic Show put on by our friends from Thanksgiving Home. Thank you for being a part of our year end event (held literally hours before another shut down due to COVID) Nice to have a time of joy in the midst of the pandemic.
Rachawadee Boys home by Dorothy Klynstra
We just received a special donation so we bought some more herbs (basil, chillies and lemon grass) to plant in those new long white planters. If you have any one who enjoys gardening they could come give us some tips for our vegetable gardening attempts in small spaces. Our SaiLom member responsible for the front yard decided to rearrange the other day. British Women's Group covered the cost of setting up our green shade frames. It has given us hours of natural joy to see things growing as we continue to add to the number of different plants we have. Thank BWG for a gift that "keeps on growing and giving". Dorothy and the SaiLom group. Facebook: PLF SaiLom
APRIL’S COFFEE MORNING THE LIVING ROOM, SHERATON GRANDE, ASOKE. Thursday April 8th 10.00 – 12.00 Come and join us for our April coffee morning. 240 BHT for your choice of tea and hot coffee & a slice of cake There is a discount of 30% on any additional drinks Please RSVP to sue270698@hotmail.com by Tuesday 6th so we can advise the hotel of numbers We will be collecting tinned and dried goods (for example rice, noddles and tuna) for the Place of Grace. We look forward to seeing you there
Bookworms - April The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Eight of us turned up to discuss the book and two members sent in scores. The book is Richard Osman’s first and is due to be followed by another quite soon. This is a story of residents of Coopers Chase Retirement Village in Kent -who set up a murder club in the jigsaw room of the village and set about solving old murder cases. This turns into a new murder case when the developer of the village is murdered and they turn their attention to this new murder and liaise a great deal with the police officers on the case - Chris and Donna. This book was well received by some of the bookclub members - ‘I loved it , a delightful romp‘ ‘I loved it ,loved the humour’ ‘I liked the style, the characters and the short chapters’, ’It wasn’t politically correct.’ But not by others- ‘Not for me. I had it on audio and kept falling asleep listening to it’. ‘Too many characters, don’t recommend audible‘ ‘ Bit long, humour bits I enjoyed ‘ ‘Not really a page turner’ ‘I struggled with it-it felt like Enid Blyton. Julian, Dick, Anne and Georgie had been reinvented sans Timmy the dog. There were pages of giving out lemon drizzle cake and eating it but the most ludicrous was a picture of elderly people digging up a corpse in the cemetery’.
Scores 9/10 - 1, 8/10 - 3, 7/10 - 4, 5/10 - 1 Next pick -The Diary of a young girl - by Anne Frank
Venue -28/06 Urbana, Lang Suan .
The Fatima Centre Visit - by Lynne Smith Good Shepherd Sisters visit - ‘One person is of greater value than the whole world.’ Last week, a large group of BWG members had the privilege of visiting Sister Louise at The Fatima Centre, Din Daeng, and, if you haven’t been before, you really should go; you will feel humbled but inspired at the same time. At Din Daeng they provide: Residential care for 60-70 girls aged 8-18, mainly from broken homes and are ‘at risk’. A Mother and Baby home for 15-20 young ‘at risk’ mums, providing medical and emotional support. Adult Education for the students from the surrounding slums area and community. A Training centre for girls and women to learn basic skills in vocational areas. Fatima Self Help Centre, where women earn a just wage while working with handicrafts. A Day Care Centre for 140 children of the women who work at The Fatima Centre, and ‘at risk’ local slum community. An Education for refugees and asylum seekers. I haven’t been to the centre for over 10 years and perhaps the
biggest change was the move to help meet the needs of refugees and asylum seekers in the community. Upon entering one of the classes being taught by a volunteer, there was a mixed group of young people from Syria, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Iran, The Congo, Palestine and more; some Muslim, some Christian, some Buddhist, all striving to better equip themselves. Their status means they are not allowed to go to local schools and they are learning Thai and English as well as other government subjects. While it is clear why these young people have left troubled places, what is less clear is how did they wash up in Bangkok? What is their back story? Where would they be without the Sisters support? It’s just mind boggling. We also visited the Day Care Centre where the children are delightful, joyful and happy, grateful for what they have, with songs and smiles for us all. Yes, they have the cute factor still but are also brimming with hope for the future. The Fatima Self Help Centre was just amazing. The skill and dexterity of the seamstresses and designers and their dedication to detail is wonderful as they work in a safe and secure environment of respect, dignity and pride.
While all the above is remarkable and humbling to see in action, Covid has impacted heavily too with a reduction in volunteers and donations. Along with other schools in Thailand they have been shut, but then embarked on a programme of delivering meals and providing food banks for the local community. Sister Louise herself is an inspiration in herself. At the age of 87 she has dedicated over 60 years of her life to working in the slums of Thailand and developing the centre, which she still runs, while juggling visits from people like us, fund raising, dealing with Thai authorities and more. It is almost overwhelming to think of the impact she and her team will have had on so many lives. If you get the opportunity to visit – go. If you get the opportunity to volunteer – do. If you can provide any sort of donation – do – but firstly check out what your money will be doing and where it will be going - you will be impressed.