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LOY KRATHONG FESTIVAL AT WAT CHA-AM A Balmy Candle lit Evening
December 2013
EVERYDAY PEOPLE
‘KHWAN’ AT BIG C CHA-AM
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ingkhwan Wangchitrueng has two nicknames, Khwan (an abbreviation of her first name) and Lek (or small in Thai). We’ve known her for a number of years and the impression is that ‘Khwan’ is now become the name of choice.
Khwan is not very tall and it’s easy to understand how her family may have used Lek as a family favourite, being the youngest of 4 girls in the family, however now she has probably (at last) outgrown that image. Khwan is Cha-Am born and bred and most of the family remain in town. She grew up on a family farming property behind where Santorini is now located and two of her sisters continue to take care of the farm. Another sister is the ‘Toon’ of the Tom and Toon Restaurant on the corner of the beach Road and Soi Bus Station; a popular spot for Thai or western food, especially ay breakfast time. Khwan was educated locally and says her parents were unwilling to let her loose on the wider world as a student and the youngest in the family. She attended the Phetchaburi Rajabhat University to study Human Resources but then drifted into a combination of working in local restaurants and at the family property. She also managed to ‘escape’ for a while travelling to Europe and particularly Germany.
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ocal people in Cha-Am were very excited to be able to enjoy Loy Krathong especially at the Cha- Am Wat with busy beach roads thronged with family groups. There had been some local concerns about weather forecasts predicting storms, however a fine and balmy evening made for a great family night out and about. The full moon was clearly visible and many candle lit lanterns could be seen drifting into the night.
this location is very close to the inlet where water flows out to the ocean; a perfect place to ensure that the floating candle lit decorations progress out to sea. One young guy named Rak (22 years old) commented that this is his second festival in Cha-Am and with the many others there, hoped that the festival will be preserved and go on and go on.
Loy krathong started in Cha-Am at 9.00 AM with Apart from Festival activities around the temple, Khun Nukul, the mayor, opening the celebrations.
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Santorini Concert Carnival 2013
happy disposition and really a favourite personality for many expats around town. Her position at Big C seems made for her. She’s there 6 days a week but commented that on the day off she gets to enjoy her hobby …………….. cleaning the house!
We asked Khwan about some of the more quirky requests from her customers. First there is the ‘where is the KFC?’ question, perhaps some confusion with Big C? Second are requests for Khwan is now in more of a career mode and was flour for those wishing to bake their own cakes; recently appointed at the Big C Market in Cha-Am coming soon! as the Foreign Language Consultant. Her badge at work proudly displays the message “I can speak We would recommend that anyone seeking English” and we know that’s true. She can also assistance with their shopping needs seek her understand German a little. Big C at a number out. of tourist oriented locations (including Hua Hin), If you feel like the service was good (almost employ staff in such a position so that customers guaranteed) feedback on the Big C website will can ask about any particular requirement if also make her (and her boss) smile even more! communication problems are an issue. Visit http://www.bigc.co.th/en/contact/ and go to Khwan is gifted with an almost constant smile and the bottom of the page to add your thoughts.
antorini Park Cha-Am is organising the Santorini Concert Carnival 2013, an unmissable and inspiring music festival for music lovers, on 21st December 2013 from 5.30 p.m. to 2 a.m. This event boasts a host of musical entertainment with performances by many famous Thai singers. To name but very few are J. Jetrin, Lipta, Ben Chalathis, Toh Saksit, Q Flur, Tu Pobthon, Joey Boy, Sing Nua Sua Tai and B. Peerapat. There will also be many fun activities to entertain tourists. A ticket for this event is 1,200 Baht.
Further information of the Santorini Concert Carnival 2013 can be obtained directly at http://www. santoriniwaterfantasy.com/
“Fund Chang helped Chang” Y
ou are invited to the ‘Fund Chang Help Chang” concert with Carabao performing on 1st December at the Rama VI Army Camp at Cha-Am. This concert is to raise money to help elephants at the Kaeng Krachan National Park. Tickets are vailable at the Cha -Am municipality for 200 THB.
Night market open now in Venezia. Friday and Saturday from 18.00 pm. – 23.00 pm. Sunday 18.00 pm – 21.00 pm. More information call: 083-8422301
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin
congratulates new Deputy Governor of Petchaburi
Jacques Mury, General Manager of Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin and Kanokros Sakdanares, Corporate Director of marketing communications of Centara Hotels & Resorts, congratulates Pol Lt Col ML Kittibodee Prawit, who has just been appointed Deputy Governor of Petchaburi.
December 2013
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Black Mountain Golf Resort
he latest news is that Black Mountain has opened the doors to their Black Mountain Golf Resort with accomadation being in the form of exclusive luxury pool villas. So of course we wanted to be the first to check it out!
December 2013
your own private pool!.
I stayed in a 2 bedroom pool villa that is brand brand new. I think I was the first one to stay in this room. The villa a the main building and a guesthouse, which is great for a family with The check in at Black Mountain Golf Resort is kids. In the main building is the master bedroom currently at the reception of the Wakeboarding with an en-suite bathroom and the living room Centre, we heard the new reception is almost is a really family orientated place with kitchen, dining table and TV corner with an L shaped completed. sofa; really quite spacious. Although I arrived late the staff knew I was coming and waited for me with my key and From the living room you have great views of the a big smile. After a stress free check in the terrace and the swimming pool where the kids receptionist guided me to my villa that is only can playing under parents’ watchful eyes. And few minutes away. There are 40 houses in the if that was not enough the kids can have their resort village, the houses are beautiful buildings private guesthouse letting them have a great in grey colors and big windows in a European time with pillow fights etc without disturbing style. The gardens very well maintained with the parents.
The Villas have being built with a high quality and with a modern design in minds, spacious rooms and a very functional lay out. At the end of the day Black Mountain Golf Resort is great place for the whole family,. Parents can golf during the day, the kids can go to the waterpark and then you can eat at the club house or relax with a nice home cooked meal in your own villa and a movie for all to enjoy. Black Mountain Golf Resort Tel: 032 618 666
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35,000 Baht per month once placed and the placement can be anywhere in Thailand and as well Korea or Myanmar.
he Hua Hin Today team was invited to a graduation ceremony for about 60 new teachers that graduated with a certificate showing they have completed 120 hour in class TESOL from XploreAsia . The graduation ceremony was held at Tessaban Ban Hua Hin School where the teachers had spent hours teaching the students English and at the same time getting together teaching experience hours towards there in-class TESOL. As we toured the school we saw a lot of excited new teachers getting hands-on experience in classrooms and happy Tessaban Ban Thai Students enjoying communication in English. For those of you don’t know what a TESOL certificate is, or maybe wonder what kind of business Xplore Asia conducts here is some information. A TESOL certificate stands for a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a certificate that most countries expect from native English speakers when they come to Thailand to teach. The certificate gives the new teachers the skills to teach English to speakers of other languages. The TESOL qualification is accepted all over the world and therefore is a vital requirement for anyone wanting to teach English in Thailand or elsewhere. Xplore Asia run both online and in-class Tesol courses all through year for people that want to teach. For in class TESOL courses they have two locations in Hua Hin and Yangon, Myanmar.
The TESOL In-class a 120 hour course is provided by expert trainers with years of industry experience. The four week course provides is comprehensive. The In-class TESOL also provides over 20 hours of real teaching experience through participation in a non-profit English camp providing community service. Items taught include theory and lesson planning, teaching grammar, reading, listening, speaking, classroom management and language & culture.
Languages (TESOL) and international recruiting. Additional to training, Xplore Asia arrange for job placement assistance and Visa support. To take part in their in class TESOL Course & placement services the requirement are simple:
H Must be native English speakers (for placment program) H Must be in good physical and mental health H Must be between 19 and 50 years old H Must be passport holders of any of the Xplore Asia was started by a group of dedicated following countries: United States, Canada, Thai nationals and expatriates in Hua Hin who South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, the possess extensive experience working in the United Kingdom, and Ireland. fields of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Applicants will get paid between 25,000 and
Additionally to Tesol courses Xplore Asia offers volunter programs in Thailand of different lengths for teaching English. This could be at a local school, a monastery, an orphanage or even at community centres teaching elderly members of the community . All volunteers get a 60 hour TESOL cetification. Additional they do a Homestay Program. This is a cultural exchange where a local individual or family hosts a native English speaker. The Homestay Program offers clients the unique opportunity to completely immerse themselves within the Thai culture and lifestyle while simultaneously changing the host’s life forever. Recently Xplore Asia has started TEYL on-line Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL) course. The purpose of the TEYL course is to meet the growing need for teachers with specific expertise in teaching young learners (kindergarten and primary school children). I managed to chat to two young gentlemen on graduation day about to get their TESOL certification. I could almost feel the excitement brimming as I caught them after one of their last teaching days before being placed in various locations in Thailand:
Chris from Boston answered my query “Why teach in Thailand? “ I want to try something new. I love the culture and people of Thailand and teaching here is exiting and different”.
He gave his best trick to capture the kid’s attention in class “to use pantomime combined with English words to put through the meaning of what you are trying to say, thus letting them connect the action with the words yet making it fun for the students”. For older children with better English standards “using some Thai phrases if they get restless or frustrated, as that always gets their attention and a guaranteed laugh. Austin from USA described his feeling on the last day before heading to his placement job in Lopburi: “Scarry, exiting, yet fun. The course has given me better confidence and I am ready put in action what I have learned”. Good luck to all our new English teachers! For more information on Explore Asia call: 083 645 3807