BWG Bangkok Contact Magazine September 2019

C

NTACT

THE MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP BANGKOK

September 2019

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

Chairman and Editor’s message Page 3

Diary Page 4

September Coffee Page 6

September Lunch Page 8

Book Club Report Page 10

Nikhil Mohan Page 11

Melbourne Cup Pages 20-22

Cracker Orders Page 23

Triple Whammy coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Support Pages 24-25

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.

Chairman’s Message

Greetings from a wonderful sunny Bank Holiday weekend in the UK. Bangkok seems a very long way away as I sit under the trees, basking in the sun on a glorious Nottinghill carnival day.

By now I am sure most of our travelling ladies are back in the land of smiles, refreshed, although I am sad to say that Barbara Thompson is about to leave us for good. We wish her well and every happiness back in the UK and thank her for all her support during her BKK time.

It has been a quiet few months but I am sure we are all ready to get geared up for more fun and frolics. Please check the magazine for all our September events and save the the dates of future events, as many things are in the pipeline. We hope to see as many of you as possible at our Wine and Cheese on 20th September so we can all catch up with each other. Make sure you sign up sooner rather than later as places are limited.

Please note the date of the Ploen Chit Fair, and if you are able to spare the time to help organise or offer a time slot to help on the stall on the day, let us know.

With your continued support BWG is looking forward to a great time ahead, thank you.

Ailsa Kneath

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

Welcome to the September issue of Contact magazine. Many of you will have returned to Bangkok after the summer vacation and spending time with family and friends. I hope you bring back many happy memories of good times and have had lots of fun.

The weather has been lovely in the UK but I’m looking forward to being back in Bangkok at the beginning of September to brave the rain.

The magazine this month is packed with many exciting events that are coming up, not least the Melbourne Cup and the Triple Whammy Coffee raising important funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Happy reading! www.bwgbangkok.org

info@bwgbangkok.org

British Women’s Group Bangkok

Contact August 2019

September Diary SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2 Mah-jong

3 Bridge Golf

4

5

6

7

Mah-jong Art Group

8

9 Mah-jong

10 Bridge Golf

11 Mah-jong Art Group

12 BWG Coffee BarSu

13

14

15

16 Mah-jong

17 Bridge Golf

18 Mah-jong Art Group

19 September lunch Wine Depot

20

21

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23 Mah-jong

24 Bridge Golf

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26

27

28

29

Triple Whammy Macmillan Coffee FCCT Club

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 Beginners/Intermediate Golf - (morning) Ann McKinnon Golf - (morning) Sheona Jackson Bookworms - 1st Tuesday (10am) Jane Upperton Scottish Dancing - 1st Tuesday (7:30pm) Karen Burr Wednesday Mah-jong - (beginners welcome) (1pm - 4pm) Art Group - Bistro 33 Sukhumvit Soi 33 (10am -12:30pm) Karin Worthington

September Coffee Date : Thursday 12th September Time : 10am - 12 noon Venue :BarSu, Sheraton Grande Hotel, 250 Sukhumvit Road Cost : 200 Baht Members, 250 Baht Non Members

FREE FOR NEWCOMERS RSVP : to coffee@bwgbangkok.org by Monday 9th September

BarSu is a lovely restaurant/coffee shop and is accessed from the street on the ground floor of the Sheraton Grande Hotel, 250 Sukhumvit Road (nearest BTS Asoke) There will be a selection of coffee and tea as well as a cake buffet included in the price plus free entry into a prize draw.

For those wishing to stay for lunch, there is a large and varied menu with many prices under 200 Baht!

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.

September Lunch Drop in lunch at - Wine Depot (not Wine Connection) Date - Thursday 19th September

Time - 12 noon

Location - 28 Soi Sukhumvit 22. Use Phrom Phong BTS

RSVP to lunch@bwgbangkok.org by Monday 16th September

Food and prices - they are offering a 3 course menu (different choices and vegetarian) for 422 TB

Don’t forget to let Laura or Ann(membership@bwgbangkok.org) know if any of your details change, or you leave us, so that they can keep the database and, of course members up to date with the latest information.

If you use Facebook you can join the group : BWG Bangkok Women’s Group MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Please note Membership renewals are due by the 30th September. The renewal fee is 1000 baht.

Thank you everyone for all being such fantastic supporters of the BWG. Your membership is very much appreciated.

Laura (membership@bwgbangkok.org)

Celebrating 60 Years A proud tradition of learning excellence

We oer a British-style education for an international community, from Nursery through to Graduation.

Find out how our approach to learning and outstanding teaching sta 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

Bookworms - September

If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura

Despite it seeming like holiday time in Bangkok six of us met to talk about the book.

Comments from the readers - ‘interesting’, ‘different’, `’not too bad’, ‘I did finish it so not bad’, ‘it was predictable’, 'it didn’t stay with me’, ‘I gave it a mark because of the cat’, I don’t understand the Japanese psyche’, ‘no emotion’, ‘a book that shows progress -clocks, movies, phones’.

This is a book beautifully translated into English. It tells the story of a young Japanese man who goes to the Dr and is given the news that he has few days to live. He runs away and screams but then the devil (dressed colourfully in a Hawaiian shirt) appears and offers a way the young man could bargain to extend his days of life.

For each extra day he would have to choose something to disappear from the world. His first thought was that he wouldn’t like his designer trainers to go but is told in no uncertain terms that sort of thing wasn’t what was on the devil's mind. Something big -like a phone - and this is agreed with just one last call being allowed. The book then explores what this actually means- no phones in a world where many today seem to use them as the only way of communicating with other people. The man recalls how he talked sometimes all day to his girlfriend yet when they were together they hardly spoke to each other at all.

The other choices bargained were clocks and movies and then the possibility of cats disappearing came up.!!??

This is a book which explores the question of what life is all about, it’s meaning and the value you place on how you spend time. Of course the idea of time as a human construct is interestingly explored.

I liked this book and the way it explores how we live our lives.

Scores: 6/10 x 3, 7/10 x 2, 8/10 x1

Future picks:

September 3rd—— How to be Human: The Manual by Ruby Wax October 1st———-The Girl from Aleppo by Christine Lamb November 3rd——My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.

For those ladies who would like to join the book club:

Meetings are 10-12 am on first Tuesday of the month Normally at 28/06, Urbana, 55 LangSuan, Pathumwan , bkk 10330 Ask the guys on the door or reception to assist you into security lift.

BTS Chitlom is closest sky train. Follow signs to Mercury Ville and go down to ground floor and out of the door onto LangSuan. ( the door is just along from Taco Bell). Urbana is just a bit further towards Lumphini after Hotel Muse .

Jane’s phone number is 08 1946 7364

BWG is sad to report that Nikhil Mohan, son of Sema and Ritu Mohan passed away on 22 July 2019 aged 23. Sema and Ritu and family were residents of Bangkok for a few years and worked hard within the British community (BWG and BCCT). We extend our deepest sympathy to them at this sad time for the loss of Nikhil.

Letter from Sema (Nikhil’s mum)

Thank you for both the card and the donation to the Britsh Heart Foundation from the BWG. Today we are heartbroken but also thankful for the time we had with him. We are also overwhelmed by the love and support we’ve had from all friends and family. For this we are truly grateful. Love Sema

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BCTFN British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy (Under the auspices of the British Embassy, Bangkok)

SAVE THE DATE

PLOENCHIT FAIR 2019 Saturday 30th November 2019 At

Bangkok Patana School

643 La Salle Road (Sukhumvit 105), Bangna, Bangkok 10260

We hope to see you at the Fair to help us raise funds for Thai Charities Raffle, Rides, Games, Shopping, International Food & Drink Plus Live Bands and Entertainment

591/17 Sukhumvit Road Soi Villa Bangkok 10110 Tel: 02 2041587 bctfn@loxinfo.co.th www.ploenchitfair.org

www.facebook.com/ploenchitfairbkk

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Festival of Lights

Pink Park Hawaiian Nite

“The ANZWG Melbourne Cup Charity Luncheon” is being held at the Amari Watergate Hotel, with the event's theme being Frivolity, Fun, Fashion and Flair.

Each year, The Flemington racetrack hosts ‘The Melbourne Cup’, which is the most prestigious horse-race in Australia and the highlight of the Spring Racing Carnival. Known as the “race that stops the nation” and viewed by millions of people worldwide.

ANZWG has hosted the Bangkok Melbourne Cup luncheon for over 30 years.

Our guest attendance is in excess of 400 people varying from the Australian and New Zealand communities as well as government, corporate, expatriate and local attendees. The event is renowned for its fashion and entertainment offering guests a 4-course banquet meal, live-streaming of the Melbourne Cup events, Fashion on the Fields competition, live music, after-party celebrations and most importantly photo opportunities creating lasting memories.

The focus for 2019 will be to support our education projects which help children in advancing their education to invest back into their home community enabling them to become self-sufficient and valued members of their community.

Cracker orders

MESSAGE FROM THE CRACKER LADIES Yes – it really is time to start thinking about ordering your Christmas crackers! With so much happening in Bangkok over the next few months, Christmas will be upon us in no time at all.

Early orders will have the opportunity to choose their own special colour.

ORDER NOW and you can then relax knowing the crackers of your choice will be waiting for you when you need them.

Remember, our crackers are handmade and ALL proceeds made go to charity!

Contact any Cracker Lady or email us at crackers@bwgbangkok.org with your name and order.

Cheers, Shirley and the girls

TRIPLE WHAMMY COFFEE MORNING – 26th September 2019 The BWG Welfare Team are hosting a ‘Triple Whammy’ coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer. This will be in conjunction with the world’s biggest coffee morning and people all over the UK will be raising funds for those facing cancer.

The first ever Macmillan Coffee Morning happened way back in 1990. It was a rather small affair with a simple idea, guests would gather over coffee and donate the cost of their cuppa to Macmillan. It was so effective that it was done year after year, with the nation getting involved.

Since then coffee mornings have raised over £150 million for Macmillan.

So come along and get involved! Catch up with friends over a cuppa, enjoy some gorgeous treats and the money you raise will help Macmillan make sure that no one has to face cancer alone.

Whammy #1 VOLUNTEERING – Come along and find out for yourself what volunteering opportunities there are in Thailand, which can be so rewarding. It is not easy for us ladies to get a paid job here and a lot can be done to help the needy, whilst we are living in their country.

Whammy #2 KNITTING & CROCHET SQUARES – keep on clicking and making those squares which are made into blankets by Sister Louise’s ladies at the Fatima Centre and sent up country where it is extremely cold during the cooler weather. If you want to knit, crochet or just donate wool, then come along and join the fun!

Whammy #3 MACMILLAN – we will be joining in with the World’s biggest coffee morning and raising funds for this worthy cause. To find out more: https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk Date: Time: Venue: Cost: RSVP:

Thursday 26th September 10.00 am – 12.00 noon The FCCT Club, Ploenchit 200 Baht donation By 5.00 pm, Monday 23rd September to welfare@bwgbangkok.org

Directions: Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, Penthouse, Maneeya Centre, 518/5 Phloenchit Rd. BTS: Chidlom exit to Maneeya Centre. On the ground floor follow the sign for the Renaissance Hotel and take the lift to FCCT Penthouse.

Please remember that no bookings will be accepted after the RSVP date and that any cancellations or no shows after this date must be paid for in full.

Gale Bailey MBE will be asking representatives of different charities to attend to give information on what kind of volunteering they require.

Joan Bartlett will be bringing some knitted squares as a sample of what is required.

Saturday 30 November 2019 at 19:00 hrs Ballroom, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Gourmet Dinner, Raffle, Live Music Donation THB 2,500 per person Funds raised for UNWC Charities Dress Semi-Formal Info & tickets - unwctha@gmail.com

Dear Clubs Colleagues and Friends, The United Nations Women’s Club (UNWC) of Thailand is proud to announce its major charity event of this year. Co-celebrating with us at this prestigious event to coincide with our 60th Anniversary are our fellow UN family agencies: the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in their Centennial Year (100th Anniversary) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in their 75th Anniversary.

Please read the event flyer for further information.

Kindly support us by participating in the event and sharing our promotional flyer to friends and contacts and putting it up in your club Facebook Pages or Line account.

Table reservations for 10 persons per table is now open for booking.

Looking forward to seeing you at our UNWC Anniversary Gala Dinner!

For enquiries, contact us at UNWCTHA@gmail.com.

Marife Vreedenburgh (President)

UNWC Executive Committee