pattaya living No 23 • november 2012 • the mid-month edition of real estaTe magazine
wIN ALL THE BOND FILMS*
*eXCEPT sKYFALL
bond @
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IN A GREAT ON-LINE PATTAYA LIVING COMPETITION – NOBODY DOES IT
events & promotions • quiz • health matters • attractions & golf • bars & restaurants
The switch to mid-month A warm welcome to the new mid-month version of Pattaya Living. Yes from now on and for the rest of high season this magazine will be appearing on or close to the 15th of the month. We hope that readers will get even more out of this lifestyle publication. Like most things in Pattaya life we realise there is an element of risk in putting this magazine out totally separately but we are firm believers in the “nothing ventured, nothing gained” approach to publishing. We are committed to producing this as a stand-alone for the duration of high season. And after that? Well, let’s see but, perhaps obviously, we hope to be able to continue in perpetuity – wherever that is! No one hands out guarantees in business life and I think this is especially true in Pattaya. We believe we have the content mix correct and that Pattaya LivinG attracts genuine reader interest. The proof of the pudding will be seen over the next few months, but the signs are encouraging. For Pattaya LivinG to be truly successful we need broad appeal and wide distribution. Currently the plan is to put the magazine in the same places as parent publication Real Estate magazine but we are always interested to hear from outlets willing to stock, say, 3-5 copies (or more). Also please let us know if there is an aspect of life here that you feel should be covered. We are genuinely open to ideas that have broad appeal.
Dave Buckley
Managing Director, Pattaya Property Consultants, publishers of REm
All photos courtesy of mydestination.com/pattaya
pattaya LIVING
mid-month edition of
REALESTATE ine magaz
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
Drop me a line with your ideas to ... dave@remthai.com
e v e n t s / p r o m o t i o n s
Dan Cheeseman is co-founder and director of Choice Group Asia and Inspire-eMagazine.com. Previously he has worked in other forms of media in the city. Before coming to Thailand he spent 10 years with Coca-Cola Enterprises in various sales and marketing positions before going on to work in a consultancy capacity, developing business propositions essentially with the Post Office Ltd in the UK during its transition from being Government owned to becoming a more commercial proposition.
Keep entertained as an expat
‘‘
By dan cheeseman
I left the UK
to escape the humdrum life of
predictability in search of better, more exciting
’’ things to
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
experience.
It may seem ludicrous to outsiders but day-to-day living for many expats in Pattaya can become fairly mundane. After all, we cannot run at 100 miles an hour every day and it’s easy to slip back into routine and predictability. I’m not against having routines as such but the challenge I would like to pose in this article is not to look at finding something new from the various events in town but to first get into the right paradigm for having fun and excitement. What do I mean by this? Let’s start with a very charitable cause that real estate broker Mark Bowling from Colliers International and four of his friends have embarked on this month, the month of ‘Movember’. Movember is a global initiative where men grow their mustaches during the month of November to raise money for charities. For me, this is the perfect example of creating your own fun and excitement. If we can get this
the events & promotions section of pattaya living is produced in association with
right, just think how wonderful things become when you start incorporating the huge number of events always on in this town. With that in mind, what could you create or do in order to keep entertained? Set yourself a challenge, what would you like to achieve – could it be that book you always promised to write or maybe you need to lose some weight and could do with getting to the local gym? Global initiative When I came to Pattaya it was with a view to doing very little but have fun. However, as the days passed the fun seemed to diminish in direct proportion. I reached the conclusion
One last shave before he starts – Arsenal footballer Theo Walcott gets ready for Movember.
that without goals wherever you are in this world, fun cannot be sustained for 365 days of the year! Entertainment often starts with getting your home in check, and no where better to start than with your television. Have you got the right set up and regular content to hand to watch from satellite channels to videos? Would a surround-sound system make the experience better? Simple things make a big difference. As an expat in Pattaya, we are living the dream, aren’t we? The sun may beat down on us all every day, but that’s no fun when you are bored. So keep yourself occupied, have your goals and surround yourself with the right people. I am continually amazed at how many great people exist in this town, all generally sharing the same goal, everyone wants to be happy. Often, however, we can forget this and let things slip. A message to us all – take stock of where you are and start living a great life! I don’t know about others, but I left the UK to escape the humdrum life of predictability in search of better, more exciting things to experience. As it stands now, working here in Pattaya is giving me so much enjoyment, goals and a real sense of achievement. Now when the sun beams into my window every morning, it feels better than before, and that – besides the money – keeps me entertained. When we consider what we have within arms reach it’s staggering the amount of leisure activities that are at our disposal. I guess it just gets better when we sport mustaches in November.
e v e n t s / p r o m o t i o n s
Loy Krathong - time to push the boat out
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
L
ater this month Thailand push the boat out – literally if you regard a krathong as a boat – during the second most important festival of the year. The preferred local spots for the launching of krathongs and lanterns are Pattaya and Jomtien beaches, the Floating Market on Sukhumvit and Mabprachan Reservoir. Expect those locations to be busy on the night of Loy Krathong, November 28, with plenty of side-stalls to keep revellers amused. But there’s plenty more going on in November and early December besides Loy Krathong. The Thai polo season gets under way at the Thai Polo Club, Horseshoe Point, on Saturday, November 17, with the Queen’s Cup St Regis Pink Polo event in aid of the Bangkok Breast Cancer Support Group. The organisation supports breast cancer sufferers all over the country with an outreach programme that visits the provinces to promote breast cancer awareness. The fourth annual tournament features an all-women cast with players turning up for matches dressed in pink and with the venue adorned in matching colours. Proceeds from the event go to the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer at Chulalonghorn Hospital and the Thai Red Cross Society. Players from all over the world regularly visit the Thai Polo Club to play in various tournaments. The Queen’s Cup St Regis Pink Polo tournament will be followed by the Princess Cup Thai Polo tournament in January which raises funds for foundations operating under the
patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. To gain more information please call 02-650-3055-7 or email thaipoloclub@lbg.co.th or publicrelation@lbg.co.th. The world’s biggest prize money in jet skiing’s Pro Ski and Pro Runabout competitions will be on offer in Jomtien between December 5-9 when the cream of world jet skiing takes to the water to compete in the annual King’s Cup World Cup Grand Prix. The 17th staging of the competition will see record cash prizes of US$25,000 on offer for champions in Pro Ski and Pro Runabout with total cash prizes exceeding US$170,000. ESPN broadcast Organised jointly by the International Jet Sports Boating Association and the Thailand Jet Sports Boating Association, the event will be televised to millions around the world by ESPN. The World Cup Grand Prix system is for the top five professional categories with each nation allowed to enter no more than four racers in each. Free practice gets under way from 10am on December 5 and 6 with competitive racing starting at 8am on December 7-9. The full schedule is available on www.jetski-worldcup.com. Thailand’s top long-boat racers will compete against their counterparts from Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Myanmar and Taiwan for cash and prizes at the 12th Pattaya Traditional Long Boat Tournament on the weekend of November 17-18 at Mabprachan Reservoir. The event features long boats with deep roots in Thai culture and
the events & promotions section of pattaya living is produced in association with
Staff of the Sun, Sea and Sand Resort, Na Jomtien, get ready to launch their krathongs.
Lanterns light up the Thailand sky at Loy Krathong which takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar. Record prize money is on offer for jet skiiers in the King's Cup World Cup Grand Prix. Pink Polo heralds the start of the new season.
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e v e n t s / p r o m o t i o n s
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
Elton John will be in concert for one night only in Bangkok. is supported by Chonburi Province and the Thailand Rowing and Canoeing Association. Trophies will be awarded in six categories: Large boats (55 paddlers), long-tail boats (30 paddlers), large boats types A and B, small boats type B and international boats (12 paddlers). The event will be accompanied by nearby buffalo racing to keep spectators entertained during any lull in the action. Several of the world’s top golfers, including two former Open champions and two Masters winners, will compete in the US$1 million Thailand Open Golf Championship at Amata Spring Country Club, Chonburi, between December 6-9. Former Open champions Louis Oosthuizen (2010) and Darren Clarke, the defending Thailand Open champion, and masters winners Charl Schwartzel (2011) and Bubba Watson (2012) will be among the favourites to lift the title. They will face stiff competition from former world number one Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Hunter Mahan, John Daly, Ryo Ishikawa, Simon Dyson and local favourite Thongchai Jaidee. The main event will be preceded by a pro-am tournament on Wednesday, December 5. Thailand Open admission prices are Bt300 a day on December 6-7; Bt400 on December 8 and Bt500 on December 9. Four-day season tickets are available at Bt800 each. For more information visit www.amagaspring.co.th or phone 038 468 888 or 038 468 808.
the events & promotions section of pattaya living is produced in association with
Musical event of the month is undoubtedly the return of Elton John to Bangkok for a one-night gig on December 13. Sir Elton has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriter partner since 1967. They have collaborated on more than 30 albums to date. Best-selling single In his four-decade career, Elton has sold more than 250 million records, making him one of the most successful recording artists of all time. His single Candle in the Wind 1997 has sold more than 33 million copies worldwide and is the best selling single in the history of the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits, including seven consecutive No 1 US albums, 56 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, four No 2 hits, and nine No 1 hits. He has won six Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Tony Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him Number 49 on its list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. Elton John and His Band Live in Bangkok 2012 – 40th Anniversary of
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
e v e n t s / p r o m o t i o n s
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
the Rocket Man will be at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, starting at 8.30pm. Ticket prices are Bt2,000, Bt3,000, Bt4,000, Bt5,000 and the gold package Bt6,000. For more information phone 022 623 838 or log on to www.thaiticketmajor. com; www.bectero.com or www. facebook.com/bectero. Outdoor dance music Culture ONE, Bangkok’s first International outdoor dance music festival, returns for the fifth year with a line-up of more than 30 performers of house to trance, electro to dupstep, indie pop to rock at Lakeside, Bitec Bangna, Bangkok on November 17. Five stages feature Godskitchen Boombox Stage; FAC 51 the Hacienda Stage; the Culture BASS Stage; the Popscene Stage and Psyhead Community Stage By DJ Center, The Gathering. The elaborately-themed festival incorporates dance performances from world-renowned artists with a world-class sound system. VIP tickets at Bt3,000, including two free drinks, and regular tickets at Bt2,000, including one free drink, are available until November 16 from www.thaiticketmajor.com.
Three of the leading contenders for next month’s Thailand Open Championship - Bubba Watson (left), Darren Clarke (centre) and Lee Westwood. Two days of action in the 12th Pattaya Traditional Long Boat Tournament will pit Thai paddlers against their international counterparts. More than 3,000 runners are expected on the streets of Bangkok for the second staging of the Thailand International Half Marathon.
the events & promotions section of pattaya living is produced in association with
VIP tickets at the venue will cost Bt4,000 and regular tickets Bt2,500. Thousands of runners are expected on the streets of Bangkok on December 16 for the second Thailand International Half Marathon. The start and finish will be at the Rama 8 Bridge. Half-marathoners will begin their 21.1km trek along a traffic-free route parallel to Boromratchonni Road at 5.15am with the field limited to 1,000 competitors. The inaugural event in February 2012 was dominated by Kenyan runners who filled the first 11 places. It was won by Muindi Onesmus in a time of 1:06:40. There were a total of 704 finishers. Next month’s event includes men’s categories for 29 and under; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59 and 60 and over. Women’s categories are for 29 and under; 30-39; 40-49; 50 and over. Both the men’s and women’s
overall winners will receive cash prizes of Bt50,000 with Bt40,000 going to the runner-up, Bt30,000 baht to third and Bt20,000 to fourth. First in each age group will receive Bt10,000; second Bt8,000; third Bt6,000 and fourth Bt4,000. There will also be a minimarathon of 10.5km starting at 6am with cash prizes of Bt5,000 going to the first, Bt4,000 to the second, Bt3,000 to the third and Bt2,000 to the fourth in each of five age categories for both men and women. The field will be limited to 1,500 runners. Plus there will be a 4 km fun run, also starting at 6am for men and women with the field restricted to 1,000. World champions Three former Formula One world champions will be among the competitors in the 25th Race Of Champions which this year will be hosted by Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on December 15-16. Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and two-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will team up in a bid to extend their five-year winning streak for Germany in the ROC Nations Cup on
315/37 Theppasit Road Near Grandcodotel TEL. (038) 303119, 303131, 303311 www.jomtiengas.com
BBQ
E/GAS DEEP WITH OVEN
BUILT IN HOBS
E/GAS DEEP FRYER
KEBUB MACHINE
GAS GRILL
(H) STANLESS
E/GAS HOT PLATE
GAS BLOW TORCH
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
e v e n t s / p r o m o t i o n s
Sebastian Vettel (left) and Michael Schumacher are in celebratory mood after another victory in the end-of-season Race of Champions.
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
Saturday, December 15 in advance of the individual Race of Champions on Sunday, December 16. Held every year since 1988, the end-of-season contest brings together the world’s greatest drivers from motor sport’s main disciplines – including Formula 1, world rally, touring cars, Le Mans and the X-Games – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery. After recent visits to London’s Wembley Stadium (2007-2008), Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ Olympic Stadium (2009) and Dusseldorf’s ESPRIT arena (2010-2011), ROC 2012 will take place on a specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes winding their way round Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium. Built for the 1998 Asian Games, the 50,000-capacity stadium has since hosted football matches, athletics and pop concerts. Other Formula One drivers signed up for the event are 2009 world champion Jenson Button, David Coulthard, Romain Grosjean, Vitaly Petrov and Timo Glock. Gangnam Style afternoon Back in Pattaya, the Pullman Pattaya Hotel G will stage a Gangnam Style Sunday Fun Afternoon at the Beach Club with DJ Eddie on November 25 from 2.30-5.30pm
the events & promotions section of pattaya living is produced in association with
The Movers & Shakers Annual Gala will be held at the Mantra Restaurant and Bar, Amari Orchid, on Friday, November 30 from 6pm to midnight. It will be an evening of spectacular shows and entertainment, sound, light and special stage-effects, fireworks, fashion shows and live music. Tickets cost Bt1,900 from events@ moversshakerscharity com. Those with the stamina, can go on to the Dada Dottech v Ferris B Sessions at the -5 Ice Bar at the Amari Nova Suites the following day, December 1. It follows the successful first appearance of the duo in Pattaya a year ago. The event will feature world class house music from 9pm to 2am. Finally, the highly popular Northern Soul Night is back on November 24 at Boomerang@ Wombat Bar from 7.30pm until 10pm. The admission fee of Bt400 includes free flow wine and San Miguel. Robert Collins
Details of published events are correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change without notice. Readers are advised to check with event organisers.
w i n i n g
&
d i n i n g
the chow hound Hunting down meals and deals ... The Hound discovers instant ambience and a fine sense of décor-um!
Coco’s Bistro and Coffee Lounge on Chaiyapreuk 1
In London’s Cockney rhyming slang the phrase “I should coco” means “I should say so”. In this column The Hound explains why maybe you, too, should
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
Coco!
On a daily basis, The Hound travels what used to be a convenient shortcut; Jomtien Second Road to Chaiyapruek to Sukhumvit. Since that route now includes a long wait at the last light, The Hound took time to note the cluster of restaurants forming out on the southern edge of town. The newest neighbourhood eatery is Coco’s Bistro and Coffee Lounge, located in the spot that formerly housed Yorkie’s. The Hound was drawn to this new joint because of the well-executed design and décor. The place just looks comfortable and clean. Upon wandering inside the ambience continued to impress and The Hound came to understand why. The owner is Tom Coglan, an Englishman who is also MD of Pattaya’s CSP Construction. Coco’s is managed by Tom’s son Peter and daughter-in-law Jade. After an expertly constructed cappuccino, The Hound wangled an invitation to the Grand Opening. (The Hound is a sucker for a buffet and a live band). What a great way to sample some of their menu! The turnout included a who’s who of Pattaya expats. The mellow
tunes and lusty aroma of the big buffet had The Hound drooling. (The Hound is also a sucker for beautiful girls playing violin). The cuisine on offer was pretty much a trip around the world. Thai, Italian, Greek, American, Indian and a host of other regions were represented. The Hound strategically stacked his plate and let the gluttony commence. Of particular note were the pork spare ribs in a sweet and savoury sauce. The curry was also something The Hound noted to come back for. And the Thai food was well done and not dumbed down. The Hound marvelled at the skill of Coco’s culinary staff: “So that’s what International Cuisine really means.” But, what wins The Hound’s “best item on the menu” award are the desserts. The little individual bread pudding pastries with cream sauce were positively addictive. And the apple pie is what The Hound calls “hand-built”. An apple pie made by a guy who likes apple pie; worth coming in for by itself. The Hound returned a few days later for breakfast and to solve a riddle. How had this place managed to create “instant ambience”? Was it the convenient location? Was it the eager-to-please staff? Was it the thoughtfully designed dining room? Was it the cornucopia of menu choices? Even though it is brand new, Coco’s is one of those comfortable, destined to be “go-to” restaurants. The Hound couldn’t quite put his paw on the secret ingredient, so he just pulled a Graeme Greene novel out of Coco’s eclectic library and ordered another cappuccino. The Hound eats where he gets his belly rubbed.
P ATTAYA
NIG H T L I F E
the nite owl Swooping on the best venues three venues on second road make for a full night’s entertainment
Date night in a tourist town Let’s remember the premise of this column; what is there to do in this town that doesn’t include the more tawdry aspects of Pattaya nightlife? In my previous two Nite Owl columns, we explored some little known and obscure venues featuring raucous live music and free-flowing spirits. This month we’ll kill two birds with one stone by venturing into the very heart of Pattaya’s tourist district and attempting to execute a perfect date night. Just because we live in a tourist town, doesn’t mean we should shy away from the multitude of entertainment offerings here in fun city. Pattaya is quickly transforming itself into a place with a spectacular variety of things to do and a town that truly has something for everyone. My night-time wing-woman and I set out to prove this theory on a frenetic Friday night.
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
Parking at a premium Since parking is at a premium in Downtown Pattaya, we solved that problem by securing our steed in the car park at The Avenue on 2nd Road. (It helps that I have a VIP card so I can park free). Those of you who frequent this part of town, will notice a transformation going on at the indoor/outdoor multi-purpose mall. All the anchor tenants like Villa Market, Wine Connection, Starbucks, McDonalds, Pizza Pizza and Au Bon Pain are alive and well. Some of the others weren’t so fortunate. So now it appears that new tenants will build out more of
16
This month the Owl gets parked up nice and central and finds a trio of entertainment possibilities within metres of stepping out of his car door. First stop ... the newly opened Avenue Break.
the mall with an entertainmentoriented direction like live music bars, restaurants and a new billiards bar called Avenue Break. We met at the just opened Avenue Break to have a few cocktails and formulate our plan for the evening. Avenue Break is a cavernous place with dozens of tables. The atmosphere isn’t the standard blues music and cigarette smoke normally found in pool joints. The ultra-high ceiling and pulsing dance music give this place a feeling somewhere between a street carnival and a bowling alley. Whether this is your cup of tea or not, one must admit … the place has energy. I predict Avenue Break will be a big success for three reasons. First is the staff. There weren’t any sour-faced snooker hall harpies; just smiling and eagerto-please young Thai people. The manager came over to engage
us right away, explaining the concept and letting us know they were busier than they had even hoped. Drinks were delivered and balls racked in an efficient and charming manner. The second reason this place will work is the mix of customers. If the United Nations has a pool hall, this is what it looks like. People of all ages, colors, sizes and nationality were enjoying the frosty air conditioning and flawless roll of brand new state-of-the-art tournament billiards tables. Good enough for TV And, the tables are reason number three for coming to Avenue Break. I see this place hosting some televised tournaments in the future as the equipment is first rate. Shooting pool on tables like this just makes me play better. Unfortunately it has the same effect on my sweetheart’s game and she whipped me good. Feeling
‘‘ Besides
being very authentic, I like the
fact they
(Ruen Thai)
don’t dumb down the aggressive flavours in Thai cuisine.
Thai spicy, that’s what you’ll get. And, one cannot discount the entertainment value of the show. Even if you don’t watch, the music is enchanting and exactly what you want to hear in this setting. But, I’ve been in this country for more than a decade and I never get tired of the smooth and graceful moves of traditional Thai dance. The elaborate costumes and serene facial expression of the performers freezes me in time. Having a grand time Ruen Thai also offers a cornucopia of humanity to observe. Nine tables pulled together in a straight line facilitated a party of some elderly Scandinavian tourists having a grand time. I also spotted several other tables of couples sipping wine, munching on shrimp and having a night out just like us; watching the show, watching the people and enjoying the food.
Opting for a nightcap rather than dessert, we moved on to a place we’d walked by and heard smooth jazz emanating from, Dusit D2 Baraquda. D2 is what people are talking about when they say “boutique” hotel. Many Pattayans have driven or walked by this place many times and never took notice. The building is non-descript, yet chic. It looks like something that belongs in South Beach Miami rather than Second Road in Pattaya Beach. Upon entering the lobby, we were asked if we were “there for the jazz”, to which we reflexively responded: “Sure”. Flashing my Pattaya Living credentials, we were whisked upstairs for a press party featuring a new entertainment concept being launched by D2. I’d been dying to see this new rooftop bar and I wasn’t disappointed. Perched above the neon and din of Pattaya City, D2 have created a little jazz enclave. On
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
the need to feed, we narrowed our choices down to Thai seafood. We decided on an old favourite from years gone by, Ruen Thai not more than 100 metres away. Ruen Thai is the classic tourist Thai restaurant, complete with elaborate old Siam décor and traditional music and dancing show. The owners of Ruen Thai have managed to somehow shield it from the traffic and hubbub and create a garden atmosphere just a few metres off Second Road. Even though we were dining in the very heart of the tourist district, this place satisfied us for a few reasons. To begin with, the food and service is excellent. We were craving raw oysters and we got them served up Thai style … fresh and spicy. Besides being very authentic, I like the fact they don’t dumb down the aggressive flavours in Thai cuisine (unless you ask them to). If you want it
P ATTAYA
NIG H T L I F E
the nite owl
this night, the featured performer is K. Aht, a Thailand’s Got Talent winner and saxophone aficionado. K. Aht is affectionately known as “The Thai Kenny G”. Not being a big Kenny G fan, I wondered if we’d made a mistake. What’s my problem with Kenny G you ask? His music is sappy without passion and puts me to sleep. Not to mention, the times I’ve seen him interviewed, he comes off as a weird music geek that can’t finish a sentence without picking up his horn and playing something. But now I’ve digressed. K. Aht took the stage to an eruption of applause, spoke a few words and began to play. Now my tilac and I were both happy we came.
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
Passion and heart K. Aht plays the same smooth jazz style as Kenny G, but that is where the comparison should end. He plays with passion and heart and even a little mischief. The core of enjoying live music is seeing someone do what they love, and doing it well. That’s what you get with K. Aht. We listened in silence, mesmerized by his talent. During the break, I took some time to evaluate the rooftop bar. It was rather surreal and evoked my “this is Pattaya?” response. Smartly dressed patrons being served by charming and attentive
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staff … artistically presented cuisine … incredible sound system … spectacular view of downtown all the way to the sea … “this is Pattaya?” indeed. We spoke briefly with Nick Bauer the manager at D2. He explained that this was the first in a series of jazz evenings that will begin on the weekends in December. “Imagine,” Nick said excitedly, “a cool breeze from the sea, clear skies above and smooth jazz floating above the chaos.” Nick’s business card lists his duty title as “Guru”, and I could see why. A bar that is based on a concept … imagine that? Walking away from D2, we could hear K. Aht starting up his second set, melody wafting down Second Road. We’ll definitely be back in December. On the way home my intrepid date and I recapped the evening. She had humiliated me in pool on a professional grade table; we ate our fill of really tasty Thai seafood, enjoyed live music of two separate genres in two different places, and discovered a new upscale enclave of culture and style. And all this is in the pulsing heart of the tourist district within 100 metres of our secured parking spot. Sometimes finding a good time in a tourist town is all about escaping it. On Friday night, it was all about embracing it.
Construction Started E.I.A. Approved
Coffee break
Did you know...
At 146.5 metres, the Great Pyramid of Giza was the world’s tallest man-made structure for more than 3,800 years before being overtaken by Lincoln Cathedral in 1300. The pyramid is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the World and the only one to remain largely intact. A total of 118 pyramids were built over the course of 3,500 years by between 20,000 and 30,000 Egyptian workers in the service of the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.
O N N O _____ _____ __ ___ _____ _ _____ ___ _____ O _______ N O N ______ O _____ __ ____ __ SUDOKU CRYPTOGRAM 24 26 18
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Decode this WC Fields quote by deciphering the missing letters. We’ve given you two to start.
Answers to all the puzzles appear on Page 47
Six of the best The International Movie Database (IMDB.com) greatest movie actors of all time. Agree or disagree?
1 Paul Newman (19252008). 2 James Stewart (19081997). 3 Dustin Hoffman (1937-). 4 Tom Hanks (1956-). Paul Newman – the greatest? 5 Robert De Niro (1943-). 6 Charlie Chaplin (18891977).
NUMBER CRUNCHER Fill in the missing numbers using 1-9 to complete the equation. Each number is used once. Multiplication and division are peformed
before
addition and subtraction.
+
× +
× +
× +
× ÷
18
17
18 -
21
2 31
Two-minute trivia 1. Which Irish city is closest to Shannon Airport? A) Cork B) Dublin C) Limerick
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
2. Where is the Rowley Mile? A) Henley
B) Newmarket
C) Aintree
3. Who has the most FA Cup winners medals? A) Ashley Cole B) Ryan Giggs
C) Ian Rush
4. Which is the world’s oldest university? A) Paris
B) Oxford
C) Bologna
8 4 2 1 5 3 2 9
5
8
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A T Y S B F C B X Q R R E H Y O
V H S K A U F F B W E I P L J L I U S Y Y O O O M G D Y N Z I W E N U F C V N F N T R O N C J N W D P A G I E I E E S M E J C A T E O L F P F L K E Y N A F A L O R T L U D D A Y L C N I A S K A B C U L N R E I E B J C D I U K A O O A N R B T N Q G B P N E I L G E O U G O M K V L X M O X L L V O O O K O J W C X D M R S L I M Y C I M E Y E N E D L O G L W R Q L F P J T G U G A R Y Y V O M L B O R C E V I Z A Y A D F Y A D R E H T O N A E I D L C J Z E X L M T J Y U V G B K E B Find the names of these 12 James Bond movies:
5. Which horse prevented Red Rum from winning three Grand Nationals in a row?
A View To A Kill For Your Eyes Only Licence To Kill Octopussy
A) L’Escargot
Die Another Day Goldfinger Moonraker Thunderball
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B) Desert Orchid C) Rag Trade
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5 9 8
6 8
2 3 6 7
Casino Royale GoldenEye Live And Let Die Skyfall
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Dr Iain Corness (right) is a medical doctor who has worked in the UK, Europe and Australia, before coming to Thailand in 1997 to become a consultant at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (email: inquiry@bph.co.th). He has been writing for newspapers and magazines since 1967 and is currently a special correspondent for the Pattaya Mail, technical editor for Asean Autobiz, and contributor to many coffee table magazines in Thailand.
Don’t get angry – get even (more out of life)
D
o you really want to live longer? You can begin by humming: “If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife.” This was sung by Jimmy Soul way back in 1963. Was he correct? If you are happy, will you really live longer? After much research, the researchers have the answers. Be happy and stay well. Be aggressive and get heart attacks and cancer, and shorten your life correspondingly. There is now enough evidence to show that your personality type influences the kinds of diseases you will get later in life, and some of these can be very conclusive. And not just a ‘coronary conclusion’ (see last month’s article)! However, this research is really nothing new, it is more of a reinforcement of previous knowledge. In the times of Hippocrates, the healers were interested in the personality of the patient, because even then they felt that this had a bearing on the disease process.
modify
your anger response (and this can be done) and you become
’’ less ‘at risk’.
are unable to deal with stress. Type 2 people, on the other hand, are also unable to deal with personal stress, but react to life with anger and aggression. Type 3 is less clear-cut with a mixture of all these personality traits. Type 4 covers the optimistic and relaxed who deal much better with inter-personal stress. Amazing facts Using these broad categories and looking at disease profiles that each type gets, returned some amazing facts. Type 1 was the cancer prone group, Type 2 got heart disease, Type 3 got both while Type 4 people were not prone to either cancer or heart disease. Can you see what’s coming next? Eysenck did not stop there. He went on to show that when people modified their personality they also modified their disease profile. When you think about it, this is staggering stuff! By attention to your personality profile you can modify your disease profile! The most significant personality trait was “anger”. Learn to modify your anger response (and this can be done) and you become less “at risk”. This is approaching Buddhist philosophy and “jai yen yen” – but you can modify your personality. That last sentence can make you live 10 years longer, happier and disease free. Forget all the wonder cures, just look at yourself first! Hippocrates did more than just utter oaths!
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Deviations from the norm This conclusion was reached after observation of the patients. Observation was the great trait of the great medical minds. We would not have developed many ‘cures’ if it were not for the physicians who noted the deviations from the normal patterns in the first place.
‘‘ Learn to
The combination of mind and body and disease is the basis for holistic healing, and even though Hippocrates and his healers did not have all our pharmaceutical treatments, wonderful tests and MRIs, they did treat the person, not just the disease. So why do we fall ill in the first place? What factors seem to be involved in bringing about illness? Genetics are one, and do play an important part. If your parents are diabetic then you will most likely have the problem too, but it is not absolutely inescapable. The modern scientific studies with large numbers of people have come up with interesting statistics. One famous researcher, Eysenck, lumped us all into four main personality categories. Type 1 have a strong tendency to suppress their emotions and tend towards “hopelessness” and
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Fifty years of 007 5 and the fantasy lives on
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duality of the Bond character keeps us guessing whether he’s a coldblooded killer or a lovable cad. Everybody loves an anti-hero. Go to a public place and start a conversation about who is the best James Bond. Those of us who militantly believe Sean Connery is the only James Bond are always shocked to find out there are a whole nation of Roger Moore lovers out there, and more than a few who think Pierce Brosnan should still be playing Bond. Own flavour No matter who you like, it is clear that each and every actor who has played the playboy spy brought their own flavour to the role.
I spies ... the changing face of James Bond over the past 50 years (back row from left) Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton; (front row) Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan.
Sean Connery had the role in the 1960s and early 1970s. He was the hairy-chested, womanslapping ultra-macho Bond. He liked to drink, smoke and gamble and he’d snatch your woman away faster than you could say Pussy Galore. He was cool, tough, unpredictable and kind of an *&%$hole. In short, he reflected the desired male image of the day. Roger Moore took over the role in the mid-1970s through most of the 1980s. Moore’s 007 was a decided change of pace. He was a glib, nonchalant and smart-ass version of Bond. He wasn’t nearly as tough; in fact watching Roger Moore attempt karate moves borders on comedy. And rather
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PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
very time I hear about some couple who have endured life together long enough to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary I scratch my head and wonder, “how did they do it”? I am similarly perplexed by the James Bond phenomenon. For five decades, Ian Fleming’s ladykiller, gadget-toting super spy has managed to drive us to the theatre. Men still want to be him … ladies still want to be with him. How on earth is that possible? Fleming’s books immerse the reader into a slick, chic and futuristic netherworld of voluptuous damsels, power-hungry villains and twisted international intrigue. The brooding
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than taking the other guy’s girl, Bond women threw themselves at him. For many, he was “Bond Lite”. Audiences wanted boat chases and funny villains, and that’s what they got. Then there was Timothy Dalton. He tried to play Bond closer to the original book hero to mixed reviews. Skip to Pierce Brosnan and Bond was back! Brosnan was brought in as a veteran actor to save the franchise from falling into obscurity, and it worked. The Irishman’s version of Bond was toughened up for the ‘90s, and the wry wit was back. It helped that he had some spectacular leading ladies like Halley Berry to help him out. Violent outbursts And now we’ve got Daniel Craig … James Blonde. An actor with real chops is once again trying to play the role a little closer to what Ian Fleming intended. A brooding, conflicted soul; confident, irreverent and prone to incredibly violent outbursts. Watch him drown a guy in a men’s room sink during the opening minutes of Casino Royale and you’ll see what I mean. This is the post 9/11 Bond. It’s a nasty old world out there and the new James Bond is up to the task. All are great actors in their own right, bringing to life the fantasy world of the ultimate secret agent for us mere mortals. It warms my heart to know that even after 50 years, driving the cool car, getting the hot chick and kicking the crap out of the bad guys is still relevant. And, if Daniel Craig is what 007 looks like at 50 … we can surely look forward to a few more decades. Bart Walters
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s Bart Walters says in his introduction to this 12page* special ... opinions are heavily divided about who was the best Bond, writes Dave Buckley. For me there is only one real Bond – Sean Connery. But, perhaps perversely, my preference is for the films that starred Roger Moore. Explain that one if you can! Moore, himself, recently said that he rated Daniel Craig as the best Bond actor so factor that into your own debates with friends. There have been six different actors playing 007. For years fans found it difficult to adjust to someone other than Connery as their hero. I have a vague recollection that PR people explained away the change of actor by saying that 007 was just a code name that passed from top agent to top agent a bit like M is just the title of the head of MI6 so there can be different Ms. I can’t support this from research. Each actor came to the role via very different paths. Connery’s first job was as a milkman before he joined the
Royal Navy. After leaving the Navy on health grounds Connery came close to choosing an entirely different career when the then Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby offered him a contract to see if he could make it as a professional footballer. Man U’s loss was the film world’s gain. Right man for the job Connery’s acting career started in the late ‘50s and he had already appeared on the big screen in several films before he got the Bond part. His selection as Bond owed a lot to Dana Broccoli, wife of producer Cubby, who is reputed to have been instrumental in persuading her husband that Sean Connery was the right man. Connery appeared in the first five films – Dr No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice before giving up the role and being replaced by George Lazenby, an Australian actor whose dubious claim to fame was playing “Big Fry” in TV adverts for Fry’s chocolate bars. Lazenby appeared in just
12-PAGE SPECIAL ON JAMES BOND
and the best film?
Roger) has played the role more than anyone else. After Moore the role was taken in two films – The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill – by Timothy Dalton. Similar to Lazenby, Dalton struggled to find acceptance. Dalton insisted on playing Bond like the book character. While this approach was welcomed in some quarters it meant Bond lacked the humour of Moore’s presentation. Smug and humorous The character needed to return to being slick, smug and humorous. Enter Pierce Brosnan, the Irishborn actor who had been lined up for The Living Daylights but his contracts to appear as Remington Steele got in the way. Brosnan appeared in GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day. Daniel Craig’s portrayal is mean and moody and with the humour turned down. He has appeared in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace with Skyfall just released. * It’s 12 pages when you include the book review and quiz answers.
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top 10 definitive Bond movies All Top 10s featured on these pages are according to a website www.007james.com: 1 Goldfinger (with Sean Connery as Bond) 2 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Lazenby) 3 From Russia With Love (Connery) 4 Dr No (Connery) 5 You Only Live Twice (Connery) 6 The Spy Who Loved Me (Roger Moore) 7 Live and Let Die (Moore) 8 The Living Daylights (Timothy Dalton) 9 Thunderball (Connery) 10 For Your EyesOnly (Moore) So no Brosnan or Craig movies get a look in,but a very high ranking for the one starring Lazenby – all of which is a bit of a surprise. Another website eonline.com ranked Octopussy as the worst ever Bond film. I wouldn’t argue with that.
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PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
the one film – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – but the clamour for Connery saw the Scottish actor return for the next Bond film, Diamonds Are Forever, which, along with Goldfinger, is one of my favourite Connery Bonds. Connery is reputed to have said “never again” to the idea of appearing as Bond. But , of course, several years later he played the character one more time in Never Say Never Again which was not an Eon Productions Bond film. After Diamonds the role passed to Roger Moore, who made his name in TV series such as Ivanhoe, Maverick, The Saint and The Persuaders. His first Bond film was Live and Let Die. He went on to appear in six more – The Man with the Golden Gun (one of my favourites with many scenes shot in Thailand), The Spy Who Loved Me (my personal No 1); Moonraker (poor compared to the previous two), For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy and A View to a Kill. If you discount Connery’s Never Say Never Again film as being a true Bond then Moore (now Sir
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The dullest name author ever heard As the central figure for his writing, Ian Fleming (above) created the fictional character of James Bond, an intelligence officer in the Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6. Bond was also known by his code number, 007, and was a Royal Naval Reserve Commander. Fleming took the name for his character from that of the American ornithologist James Bond, a Caribbean bird expert and author of the definitive field guide Birds of the West Indies. Fleming, a keen birdwatcher himself, had a copy of Bond’s guide and he later explained to the ornithologist’s wife that: “It struck me that this brief, unromantic, Anglo-Saxon and yet very masculine name was just what I needed, and so a second James Bond was born.” He further explained that: “When I wrote the first one, I wanted Bond to be an extremely dull, uninteresting man to whom things happened; I wanted him to be a blunt instrument ... when I was casting around for a name for my protagonist I thought by God, (James Bond) is the dullest name I ever heard.” On another occasion Fleming said: “I wanted the simplest, dullest, plainest-sounding name I could find, James Bond was much better than something more interesting, like ‘Peregrine Carruthers’.”
F
rom the time that Ursula Andress emerged from the waves in Dr No right up to date the career of many an actress and model has been enhanced thanks to being able to put “Bond Girl” on their CV, writes Dave Buckley. There may be only one real Bond for me but, when it comes to an appreciation of the ladies who have graced the films the decision on who was the best gets a whole lot tougher. Almost impossible, I would say. And, anyway, what constitutes the best? It is about looks, personality, acting ability or a combination of all and more? If looks alone were the criteria that would pose a real problem. How could you think beyond a former Miss World – Mary Stavin? But she only had a bit part as an Octopussy girl and a slightly bigger role as agent Kimberley Jones in A View to a Kill. Bit parts and small roles don’t count, do they? Just look at the ladies on this spread? Shirley Eaton was painted gold all over (pictured) which, in the
Goldfinger plot, caused her death. But, again, only a bit part for Shirley. Then there was Honor Blackman in the same film. Honor (alongside) had already made her name on British TV as Cathy Gale in The Avengers when she took the role of Pussy Galore. To my recall Pussy was the first in a line of saucily or oddly named Bond Girls. For example, we had Plenty O’Toole (played by Natalie Wood’s sister, Lana, in Diamonds Are Forever – see picture on P22). Unusual names Other off-beat character names include Kissy Suzuki (Mie Hama in You Only Live Twice); Solitaire (Jane Seymour in Live and Let Die, pictured on facing page); Chew Mee (Francoise Terry in The Man With the Golden Gun); Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles in Moonraker); May Day (Grace Jones in A View to a Kill pictured on facing page – middle); and Dr Molly Warmflash (Serena Scott Thomas in The World is Not Enough). Actresses such as Halle Berry (middle of the column alongside) were already well established in
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such lovely ladies!
For a large part of The World is Not Enough the character of Elekra King played by Sophie Marceau (bottom of page) appears to be more sinned against than sinning. But she turns sour towards the end of the film and meets a sticky end when she was convinced Bond would not shoot her, but was wrong. Little surprised I found a website 007James.com (see alongside) that had a decent stab at naming the top Bond Girls. But there are many Top 10s you can find. I was a little surprised to see Diana Rigg’s name in there. Her character, Teresa Di Vicenzo, managed to get Bond to the altar. So she had to go at the end of the film, didn’t she? Can’t have lovable cad James in love with only one woman, can we? No surprises to see Andress and Blackman mentioned and all 10 of them are “lookers” but with differing degrees of acting ability. If we have failed to mention your personal favourite Bond lady put us straight by visiting our web site (below) and registering your vote.
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top 10 definitive Bond girls 1 Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress in Dr No) 2 Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi in From Russia With Love) 3 Jill Masterson (Shirley Eaton in Goldfinger) 4 Teresa Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) 5 Vesper Lynd ( a pun on West Berlin – Eva Green in Casino Royale) 6 Major Anya ‘Triple X’ Amasova (Barbara Bach in The Spy Who Loved Me ... my personal favourite) 7 Mary Goodnight (Britt Ekland in The Man With the Golden Gun) 8 Melina Havelock (Carole Bouquet in For Your Eyes Only) 9 Natalya Simonova (Izabella Scorupco in Goldeneye) 10 Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman in Goldfinger)
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movies by the time they became Bond Girls. Berry actually received her Oscar for Monster’s Ball while filming Die Another Day. Several Bond Girls took up acting after starting as models. Olga Kurylenko (top right with Daniel Craig) had appeared in many top magazines and in several films before she landed the role of Camille in Quantum of Solace, but that’s the one that really got her noticed. It’s true that, for many, their appearance in Bond really announced them to a wider audience. Another example? Take Barbara Bach (bottom of facing page) who appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me. She later went on to become Mrs Ringo Starr. I’ll leave to the reader to decide if being a Bond Girl helped her. Of course not all Bond Girls are ‘goodies”. Swedish-born actress Maud Adams has appeared in three Bond movies which I think it the record. She was the lead-role villain in Octopussy and also appeared in The Man With the Golden Gun as Scaramanga’s girlfriend and was in a crowd scene in A View to a Kill.
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Film 007 and travel the world The lucky so-and-so’s who are regulars on filming the Bond series have seen some of the world’s best-known sights. Here are just some of them... Dr No: Crab Key (Jamaica). From Russia With Love: Istanbul (Turkey) and Venice. Goldfinger: Miami, Florida and Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA. Thunderball: Paradise Island, Bahamas. You Only Live Twice: Hong Kong and Tokyo. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: Piz Gloria (Swiss Alps). Diamonds Are Forever: Cairo, Amsterdam, and Las Vegas. Live and Let Die: New Orleans and New York. The Man With the Golden Gun: Beirut, Macau, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Phang Ngo Bay (Thailand). The Spy Who Loved Me: Austrian Alps, Cairo, Giza and Luxor (Egypt). Moonraker: Venice and Rio. For Your Eyes Only: Madrid and Corfu (Greece). Octopussy: Jag Mandir (India) and West Berlin. A View to a Kill: Siberia, Paris and San Francisco. The Living Daylights: Gibraltar; Tangier, Vienna and Baluchistan (Pakistan). Licence to Kill: Key West (Florida) and Bimini Islands (Bahamas). GoldenEye: St Petersburg and Cuba. Tomorrow Never Dies: Khyber Pass and Ho Chi Minh City. The World is Not Enough: Bilbao and Baku (Azerbaijan). Die Another Day: Havana (Cuba) and Iceland. Casino Royale: Prague, Mbale (Uganda), Nassau (Bahamas). Quantum of Solace: Siena (Italy), Port-au-Prince (Haiti), La Paz (Bolivia) and Kazan (Russia).
Where would he
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hile with some degree of difficulty – and not a little lameness – I can try to explain away the changing face of James Bond it is not so easy to work the same trick about why four different actors have played Blofeld, the dastardly head of SPECTRE, writes Dave Buckley. As you will read in the panel (far right) Blofeld has been depicted by Savalas, Dawson, Gray and Pleasence. The scariest one in my book was Donald Pleasence (bottom of column alongside). Somehow his acting name just does not sit okay alongside the Blofeld with the big scar around his eye. According to the website I researched, Blofeld is the top Bond villain and I think that makes sense given that he has featured most often in the films. But, as I have said about the Bond Girls, it is difficult to arrive at a criteria for evaluating the villains. Should it be based on how threatening they look? If that were the case the Le Chiffre character from Casino Royale (top right of
facing page) would have probably ranked higher than 10. Or maybe Robert Carlyle (Renard in The World is Not Enough left). It’s a scar thing! And then there was Rick Yune as Zao (middle) in Die Another Day who looked very ominous with those diamonds embedded in his face. Should it be based on how good they are at the horrible deeds they perform? Christopher Lee as Scaramanga, The Man With the Golden Gun (top left of facing page) might get the nod. Or what about Oddjob with his “take your hat off to him” razor-sharp bowler in Goldfinger? Fort Knox raid Or should it be the sheer scale of the villainy they plan? Goldfinger’s aim to take a large number of bars out of Fort Knox might qualify (see Gert Frobe above). World domination, often involving the mis-use of nuclear weapons or deadly chemicals, is a recurring Bond villain theme. As is the use of some deadly animal or another to bump off Bond. We’ve seen scorpions, snakes, spiders, piranhas and sharks among others
12-PAGE SPECIAL ON JAMES BOND
be without villains?
character of few words, Jaws only delivers one line in Moonraker. Kananga in Live and Let Die features on the list of top villains but the image of Baron Samedi (Geoffrey Holder) perched on the locomotive and laughing in a very evil way at the end of the film after he was supposedly killed when Bond tipped him into a coffin full of snakes still gives me the shivers. Scariest villain For that “back from the dead” reason, although not a main foe, Samedi (alongside) gets my vote as the scariest Bond villain. No 8 on the list alongside – Nick Nack – should not be on the list in my evaluation. Somehow a poison dwarf does not qualify as a fully fledged villain. No article on Bond villainy would be complete without mention of Rosa Klebb (left) in From Russia With Love. Klebb – as ugly as Bond Girls are beautiful – certainly knew how to put the boot in and the poisontipped spike that emerged from her right toe cap was as sinister a weapon as I’ve seen in any movie.
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top 10 definitive Bond villains 1 Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Anthony Dawson in From Russia with Love, Charles Gray in Diamonds Are Forever, and Donald Pleasence in You Only Live Twice) 2 Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) 3 Oddjob (Harold Sakata in Goldfinger) 4 Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya in From Russia With Love) 5 Red Grant (Robert Shaw in From Russia With Love) 6 Jaws (Richard Keel in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker) 7 Mr Big/Kananga (Yaphet Kotto in Live and Let Die) 8 Nick Nack (Herve Villechaize in The Man With the Golden Gun) 9 Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee in The Man With the Golden Gun) 10 Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen in Casino Royale).
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try to dispose of Bond, but our hero always get the better of them. Some of the methods used by villains to get Bond out of their hair bear further examination. “I expect you to die, Mr Bond,” says Goldfinger as a laser beam gets ready to split Connery’s difference. Although not a hot beam in the groin, the kick delivered by the Thumper character to that sensitive area in Diamonds are Forever gained a lot of publicity at the time of the film’s release. Bond almost draws his last breath in GoldenEye when the character Xenia Onatopp (missed that name off my list of Bond Girl odd names) tries to crush him between her thighs. I could imagine worse ways to go! And 007 almost meets his match when Richard Kiel (as Jaws – top, alongside) tries to sink his gnashers into Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me only for a handily-placed broken electric lamp to be used to give him a shock in the mouth. Jaws reemerges in Moonraker and becomes a reformed character, helping Bond to defeat the villain Hugo Drax. A
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Gadgets to Bond’s rescue
Gadgets help or hinder Bond in every movie. Here are just a few of them .... Dr No: Self-destructor bag. From Russia With Love: Tear gas cartridge disguised as talcum powder, discharges when the briefcase is opened incorrectly. Goldfinger: Fully loaded Aston Martin with ejector seats and machine guns behind headlights. The latter would have their uses in Pattaya traffic! Thunderball: Homing pill. You Only Live Twice: Mini-rocket cigarette – capable of shooting a jet-powered projectile. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: Radioactive lint. Diamonds Are Forever: Water sphere used by Bond to “walk on water” near Blofeld’s platform. Live and Let Die: Magnetic Rolex allows Bond to unzip lady’s dress. The Man With the Golden Gun: The gun made from a pen, cigarette lighter, cigarette case and a cuff link. The Spy Who Loved Me: Ski pole that turns into a gun. Moonraker: Wrist dart gun. For Your Eyes Only: Grappling trouser braces used to scale the cliff to the monastery. Octopussy: Yo-yo buzzsaw. A View to a Kill: Razor-sharp butterflies used by May Day to kill. The Living Daylights: Miniature bionoculars on eye-glass frames. Licence to Kill: Plastic explosive disguised as toothpaste. GoldenEye: Triple click ballpoint pen containing grenade. Tomorrow Never Dies: Versatile mobile phone which, among other things, acts as a remote for BMW. The World is Not Enough: Multifunction lock pick in credit card. Die Another Day: The vanishing Aston Martin. Casino Royale: Explosive keychain. Quantum of Solace: Quantum earpiece listening device.
So how much do
A thorough read of these 12 pages on Bond will give you some – but not all – of the answers to this month’s quiz. See how you get on. Answers are on Page 32.
7. Where was the fictional James Bond born? What was the nationality of his parents and do you know on which day he was said to be born?
1. Who was the first actor to play James Bond on screen?
8. Which British TV game show presenter (left) was the voice of James Bond in a radio version of Moonraker in 1956?
2. Ian Fleming named 007 after which real-life James Bond? 3. James Bond married Countess Teresa di Vicenzo, known as Tracy. Who played her (right) and in what film?
9. The James Bond franchise is the second highest grossing film series in history. Which is first?
4. What prompted Fleming to start writing his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, on February 17, 1952?
10. James Bond’s weapon of choice is a Walther PPK semiautomatic pistol, replacing the Beretta 418 he used in the early novels. Why did Fleming make the change?
5. What was the first 007 film to feature the most iconic Bond car of all, the Aston Martin DB5 (seen above)?
11. Which actor was Ian Fleming’s preferred choice for the part of James Bond before the role was given to Sean Connery?
6. Fleming wrote a Bond novel between January and March every year for 12 years. Where did he write them?
12. How did iconic Bond henchman Oddjob, played by Japanese American Harold Sakata (left), meet his fate in Goldfinger?
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13. Played by Desmond Llewelyn in 17 Bond movies, 007’s armourer Q (above) was introduced as Major Boothroyd in Fleming’s novels as a tribute to whom? 14. What was discovered on 5 October 1983 by Antonin Mrkos and subsequently named James Bond? 15. Who is the only actress to appear in three different films? Actually the third appearance is open to debate as the lady in question (right, top) is said to be an extra in one of the scenes of A View to a Kill. In a DVD documentary, she explains that she was visiting her friend Moore on location and ended up in the crowd, but admits she is unable to actually see herself.
17. What do Timothy Dalton and Maryam D’Abo (right) use to sledge down a snow-covered mountain in The Living Daylights?
top 10 definitive Bond cars
19. Who is the only Bond girl to have won an Oscar for Best Actress? A clue, it wasn’t awarded for her Bond role. 20. A Bond one-liner introduced in the 1962 movie Dr No was voted “the best-loved one-liner in cinema” by British cinema goers in 2001. What is it? 21. Why was Ursula Andress offered her role in Dr No? 22. How was Vic Flick (left) involved in the Bond movies? 23. Who or what was Little Nellie in You Only Live Twice? 24. In an interview with Life magazine which Bond novel did President John F Kennedy list among his favourite books in 1961? A clue ... he saw a film version of the book the day before he travelled to Dallas.
1 Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger) 2 Lotus Esprit (The Spy Who Loved Me) 3 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (Diamonds Are Forever – shown above) 4 Aston Martin DBS V12 (Casino Royale) 5 Aston Martin V8 Vantage (The Living Daylights) 6 Toyota 2000 GT (You Only Live Twice) 7 Citroen 2CV (For Your Eyes Only) 8 Aston Martin DBS (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) 9 Lotus Esprit Turbo (For Your Eyes Only) 10 Sunbeam Alpine Series II (Dr No).
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16. James Bond and Ian Fleming both had what golf handicap?
18. Two actors have appeared both as a Bond villain and a Bond ally. Who are they?
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PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
Themes are right on song
The CD shown contains 50 tracks but here are the main Bond themes from the first 22 films. All songs have same name as the film except where shown... Dr No: The James Bond theme – performed by John Barry Orchestra From Russia With Love: Matt Monro Goldfinger: Shirley Bassey Thunderball: Tom Jones You Only Live Twice: Nancy Sinatra On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: We Have All the Time in the World – Louis Armstrong Diamonds Are Forever: Shirley Bassey Live and Let Die: Paul McCartney & Wings The Man With the Golden Gun: Lulu The Spy Who Loved Me: Nobody Does it Better – Carly Simon Moonraker: Shirley Bassey For Your Eyes Only: Sheena Easton Octopussy: Al Time High – Rita Coolidge A View to a Kill: Duran Duran The Living Daylights: A-ha Licence to Kill: Gladys Knight GoldenEye: Tina Turner Tomorrow Never Dies: Sheryl Crow The World is Not Enough: Garbage Die Another Day: Madonna Casino Royale: You Know My Name – Chris Cornell Quantum of Solace: Another Way to Die – Jack White and Alicia Keys
Win 22 movies bond @
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f you are a Bond buff this is the prize for you – the first 22 Bond films, each on Blu-Ray disc and all you have to do is go online (www.remthai.com) and tell us your preferences about Bond to be included in a free prize draw. Sorry, but the film out now and doing very well by all accounts – Skyfall – is not included. However, thoughtfully, the producers of the disc set have kindly included a blank case to allow you to add it later. Craig to do two more What happens when they produce Bond Nos 24 and 25 you may wonder. Will they produce 24 and 25? Well it seems Daniel Craig has signed to do two more so that must be the plan. That will bring Craig up to five, just behind Connery and Moore in the Bond appearances pecking order. Each film disk comes packed with hours of background material. Be ready to spend a long time going through them all. In addition to all the first 22 films on Blu-Ray and, yes, we hope you have a player that allows you to view
the high definition quality that BluRay gives, we are offering a runnersup prize of a double CD containing 50 tracks – one for every year of Bond. All the songs shown in the black panel alongside are included. Bonus tracks Plus on the second CD the John Barry Orchestra provides a dozen tracks. The other bonus tracks include one from “Queen of the Bond Themes”, Shirley Bassey (left, top). It’s called Mr Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang which was originally intended to be the main theme for Thunderball – that would have brought Bassey’s Bond tally to four. Without wishing to influence your choices, my favourite Bond song is Nobody Does it Better. The hit by Carly Simon (left, middle) was one of the few not to have the movie’s name in the title though The Spy Who Loved Me is included in the lyrics. It just edges out Live and Let Die. Song for the film on current release is performed by Adele (left). I rate it highly – in my top five. Dave Buckley
12-PAGE SPECIAL ON JAMES BOND
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q u i z
a n s w e r s
concluding our 12-page special on james bond
1. American actor Barry Nelson (1917-2007) was the first onscreen Bond appearing in a 1954 CBS adaptation of Casino Royale in the TV anthology series Climax! 2. Ian Fleming, a keen bird watcher, named 007 after American ornithologist James Bond, a Caribbean bird expert and author of the definitive field guide Birds of the West Indies. 3. Diana Rigg was Bond’s wife for 90 minutes before being killed at the end of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. 4. He wanted to take his mind off his forthcoming marriage to his pregnant girlfriend, Ann Charteris.
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
5. Goldfinger! 6. At his holiday home, Goldeneye, in Jamaica. 7. Zurich on 11 November (either 1920 or 1921 – opinions differ). His mother was Swiss, his father Scottish. 8. Bob Holness of Blockbusters.
Barry Nelson, first on-screen Bond. OO7 owes his name to ornithologist James Bond. Goldeneye, Fleming’s Jamaican holiday home. Halle Berry – Bond girl and Best Actress Oscar winner. Ken Wallis with Little Nellie, the autogyro he created.
9. Harry Potter. 10. Small arms expert and Bond fan Geoffrey Boothroyd wrote to Fleming criticising his choice of a Beretta 418, calling it “a lady’s gun – and not a very nice lady at that!” Fleming took Boothroyd’s advice and swapped it for a Walther PPK. 11. David Niven. 12. He was electrocuted retrieving his bowler hat from iron bars. 13. Geoffrey Boothroyd (see answer 10). 14. Asteroid 9007. 15. Swedish actress Maud Adams played Andrea Anders in The Man with the Golden Gun
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(1974) and the title character in Octopussy (1983). Plus she is said to be in A View to a Kill (1985). 16. Nine. 17. A cello case. 18. Charles Gray and Joe Don Baker. Gray was Australian intelligence officer Henderson in You Only Live Twice before returning as Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever. Baker played villain Brad Whitaker in The Living Daylights and CIA agent Jack Wade in GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies. 19. Halle Berry played Jinx in Die Another Day in 2002, the same year she won an Oscar for Monster’s Ball. 20. “Bond…James Bond”. 21. Producers saw a picture of her in a wet T-shirt competition. 22. Vic Flick played the guitar riff for the famous theme tune. 23. Little Nellie was an autogyro created by Ken Wallis. 24. From Russia With Love.
ENTER OUR ON-LINE SURVEY AND WIN TOP BOND PRIZES ... WWW.REMTHAI.COM 34
b a r s / r e s t a u r a n t s
Bars
Bamboo Bar: live music nightly in this busy bar and streetside lounge. Close to Walking Street entrance. Tel: 038 232 315, Fax: 038 232 315, email: bamboopattaya@ hotmail.com Caddy Shack: as the name suggests, it’s a haven for golfers. Airconditioned with outdoor terrace and swimming pool and rooms to rent upstairs. 388/385 M10, Soi 17. Tel: 038 300 683, Fax: 038 300 682, email: enquiries@caddyshackpattaya.com Green Bottle: cosy, well-run pub with a good reputation and central location. 216/3 M10, 2nd Road. Tel: 038 429 870, email: dianagrp@ loxinfo.co.th Jameson’s: Irish pub with strong food offering. Popular with locals and tourists alike. Good place to unwind. 80/164 Moo 9, Soi Sukrudee (Soi AR) right next to Nova Park. Tel: 038 361 873-4 Fax: 038 361 873, email: info@jamesonspattaya.com Metro: an air-conditioned sports bar boasting free pool tables and numerous screens on which to watch top sports events. Soi LK Metro, 33/85-36, Moo 10 close to Soi Buakhow. Tel: 038 425 874, email: info@metro-apartmentspattaya.com Punch & Judy: this is a Londonstyle pub with good food and competitive prices. Frequent promotions. Almost opposite the Caddy Shack in Soi 17. Tel: 038 413255
Witherspoons: A typical Britishstyle pub with inexpensive meals available while you watch the football on one of its numerous screens. Rooms also available. Soi Buakhow near Soi Diana Inn. Tel: 038 721 121
Restaurants
Ali Baba: Good quality Indian restaurant with a fine selection of authentic dishes. 1/13-14, Pattaya Central Road close to the beach. Tel: 038 361 620 Alt Heidelberg: German sausages and imported sauerkraut dominate the menu, good location. 273 M10, Pattaya Beach Road, South Pattaya. Tel: 038 421 258 Bruno’s: Renowned for serving classy reasonably expensive French cuisine, more than 150 wines available. A place to impress. 306/63 Chateau Dale Plaza, Thappraya Road, Pattaya. Tel: 038 364 600-1, Mobile: 081 861 5612, Fax: 038 364 602, email: reservations@brunos-pattaya.com Cherrys: You get a lot for your money here. European and Thai food. Be careful not to fill up on the salad bar which is free when ordering a main course. Their buffet nights get crowded. In Third Road opposite the former X-Zyte Disco. Tel: 086 3145819 Ciao: Decent pizza and pasta in this established Italian restaurant in town centre. 4 Pattaya Klang Road. 038 710 614 Hard Rock Café: International restaurant cum bar with large cocktail menu and mainly American influenced cuisine. DJs spin discs and house band performs cover versions. 429 Moo 9, Pattaya Beach Road. Tel: 038 428 755, Fax: 038 421 673. Open: Mon-Sun 11.00 to 02.00 JJ Pizza Bar: authentic pizza cooked in wood fire ovens, reasonably priced. 325/85 M.10, Soi Pattaya-land 2, Pattaya Beach Road. 038 424 128 Lobster Pot: huge restaurant serving all seafood, specialising in lobster and tiger prawns. Walking Street opposite Pattaya Soi 14, South Pattaya. Tel: 038 426 083 PIC Kitchen: classy Thai food in a traditional atmosphere. Soi 5, Pattaya 2 Road. Tel: 038 428 374, 428 387, Fax: 038 422 773, email: picpih@loxinfo.co.th
Pig and Whistle: British pub grub in ample portions served by welltrained staff. 217/34 Moo 10, Pattaya City. Tel: 038 361 315, Fax: 038 361 272, email: info@ pigandwhistlepattaya.com Queen Victoria Inn: traditional English pub with excellent menu and a good selection of imported beers on tap. 437/137-8 Soi Yodsak (Soi 6), Pattaya.038 425 418, 362 523, Mobile: 086 060 6210, Fax: 038 424 941, email: mail@ queenvicpattaya.com Rice Mill: Cantonese restaurant offers dim sun and all-you-caneat buffet on weekends. Royal Garden Plaza, 218 Beach Road, Pattaya. Tel: 038 421 120 Royal Cliff Beach Hotel: huge complex containing 10 restaurants, including the delicious Maharani Indian restaurant. 353 Pratumnak Road. Tel: 038 250 421, Fax: 038 250 511, 250 513, email: info@ royalcliff.com Shenanigans: bars and restaurants serving traditional Irish pub-style fayre and drinks with daily food specials. Two venues. First is up one level at The Avenue Pattaya. Tel: 038 723 939-40, Fax: 038 723 941, email: info@shenanigans-pattaya.com. Second is in Jomtien Complex which also has daily promotions such as “Toss the Boss”. Tel: 038 303 490. The Sportsman: traditional pub fayre with Thai food. Top Sunday carvery, extensive wine list and many imported beers. Soi 13, Beach Road. Tel: 038 710 609 Sugar Hut Restaurant: in hotel of the same name, expensive, but worth it. Thai cuisine. 391/18 Moo 10, Thappraya Road. Tel: 038 364 186,251 686, Fax: 038 251 689, email: sugar-hut@cnet.net.th, opening: 07.00-24.00 Tips Restaurant: more than 12 set breakfasts served in this popular, yet inexpensive, restaurant. 22 Pattaya Beach Road, South Pattaya. Tel: 038 423 418. Open Hours: 07.00-24.00
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Shamrock: fun and lively British-run ‘family’ bar, an oasis of sanity among the bars of Pattayaland, South Pattaya. Tel: 038 425 417 email: pattayashamrock@yahoo.com
Need to be fed and watered? You’ll find a warm welcome at any of the following ...
P ATTAYA
GRA F fITI
you feel t a h w y a are and s u o y o h w e B matter ’t n o d d n i ose who m because th n’t mind. o d r e t t a mas) who m nch Stole Christ and those and How the Gri or of The Cat in - Dr Seuss (auth
the Hat
Harry Burns: No man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.
The fewer rules a coach has, the fewer rules there are for players to break.
– John Madden, TV commentator on NFL
Sally Albright: So, you’re saying that a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive?
– When Harry Met Sally : Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
But you can s ay baby; Baby can I hold yo u tonight? Maybe if I told you the right words; A t the right time; You’d be mine – Baby Can I H
old You? Tracy
Chapman
A committee is a group that keeps minutes s. and loses hiltoonurBerle –M
Mantovani? They feed Mantovani to insomniacs who don't respond to strong drugs!
PATTAYA LIVING• 11/2012 • Issue 23
– Good Morning Vietnam : Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams)
I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited; But I could n't stay away, I couldn't fight it; I hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminde d That for me, it isn't over –
Someone Like You : Adele
Re-examine all that you have been told ... dismiss that which insults your so ul. –W alt Whitman
No one here is alone, satellites in every home; Yes the universal,s here, here for everyone; Every paper that you read; Says tomorrow is your lucky day; Well, here,s your lucky day – The Universal : Blur
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
You can lay yo ur head back on the ground; And let your ha ir fall all around me; Offer up your best defence; But this is the end; This is the en d of the innoce nce – End of the Innoce nce : Don Henley
– Mark Twain
now one k u yo , g in rn o m e th in palm “I love the smell of na all over I as w it n e h W . rs u o h 12 , d time we had a hill bombe ing dink nk ti s ne o t no , m e th f o one walked up, we didn’t find ... Victory.” e k li s ll e m s , ll e m s ne li Duval) body. Smell, that gaso ll Kilgore (Robert eutenant Colonel
: Li – Apocalypse Now
Bi
I was dumbfounded by truth You cut through lies I saw the rain dirty valley You saw Brigadoon I saw the crescent You saw the whole of the moon
– The Whole of the Moon : Waterboys
ham Bell
– Alexander Gra
Kaffee: Excuse me, sorry I’m la te. Capt. Whitaker: That’s alright,
Danny, I know yo u don’t have a good excuse, so I won’t force you to come up with a bad one. – A Few Good Men : Tom Cruise and Xander Berkel ey
From an idea by Bart Walters
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
oor closes, When one d ns; but we another ope o long and often look s lly upon the so regretfu that we do closed door one that not see the for us. has opened
s o c i a l
n e t w o r k i n g
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
Photos: Top and bottom rows by Chaianan Moontreephakdee and Peter Kraemer; middle row (backdrop) pictures by Star Photo Asia.
Mantra the venue for annual Movers & Shakers in Pattaya
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s part of the organisers’ desire to keep the annual Movers & Shakers vibrant and fresh the event has moved to a new venue this year – the Mantra Restaurant & Bar in front of the Amari Orchid Pattaya Hotel at the start of Beach Road. Mover & Shaker “in chief”, Cees Cuijpers, the MD of Town & Country Property, explained: “The Centara Grand Mirage Hotel has done us proud over the past two years and I certainly would not discount the possibility of making a return there in future. “But this time I felt it was
right to make a change to freshen things up a bit. The Mantra is a popular venue with many and I’m sure they will look after our guests brilliantly.” Free flow of drink The event will be staged on Friday, 30 November, and will run from 6pm until midnight. The intention is that there will be a free flow of wine, beer and cocktails throughout the six hours. Plus, of course, there will be the excellent buffet food that has played a part in Mantra gaining its top reputation. M&S will offer a mixture
of indoor and outdoor entertainment all night long involving sound-, light- and special MFX-Asia stage-effects; fireworks and much more. Tickets priced at Bt1,900 allin are now on sale at Mantra, the Amari and Town & Country Property’s office in Pattaya Tai. The main sponsors of the event are the Heights Holdings developers who have made a considerable financial commitment to the big night. Co-sponsors are Heineken Beer Thailand, Town & Country Property, RSM Advisory, Ducati Thailand, Global Solidor
Insurance and this publication, Real Estate Magazine. M&S in Bangkok Pictures on this page show guests who attended the M&S event sponsored by Onyx Pattaya Residences which was held in October at the Anantara Baan Rajprasong Serviced Suites’ Tetto Lounge in Bangkok. The next scheduled M&S event will be held in the Bai Yun restaurant on the 60th floor of the Banyan Tree Bangkok hotel on November 23 with awardwinning developers Matrix sponsoring once again.
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Finding the right stuff
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
S
o, you’ve got this nice new living space. The floors are perfect, the lighting just right, the walls and window treatments are in harmonious colours and the furniture is meticulously placed. What’s missing? Why doesn’t it feel like “home”? Now it’s time to find all that other “stuff”. Pictures, mirrors, lamps, rugs, vases, dodads, knick-knacks and bric-abrac… all the “stuff” that gives a place its character and puts your personal signature on it. The motivation to own property here in Thailand covers a wide spectrum. It doesn’t matter if you own-to-let, weekend holiday or live full-time … you’ve got to finish off your décor properly or all other design efforts are diminished somehow. But, where do you find the right stuff? And more importantly, how do you do it without taking out a bank loan? This month in Insider Report we’ll discuss how to utilise the resources at hand here in Pattaya
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An overview of what you can expect to see when you visit MD Furniture.
to do just that. Keep in mind; this is easily the part of the design and décor process that is the most personal and dictated by individual taste. Embrace the concepts and apply them in your own way.
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Pictures, mirrors and stuff that hangs on the wall Hanging a picture on the wall that evokes no emotion makes no sense to me. Just because the picture is the right size or its colours match your motif is no reason to buy it. This rationale makes it very difficult to just go into a shop and pluck a picture off the wall. And most décor shops have the same old tired offerings as the next one. Boring! One creative solution is to take pictures or images that mean something to you and have them framed suitable for wall hanging. There are lots of goods and services available here in Thailand that are miles cheaper than in our home countries, and framing is one of them. Last week I visited a friend’s
I realised that my friend had simply put some old postcards in frames and displayed them. It fooled me ...
home and noticed some really cool framed pictures in the guest bathroom of three different temples in Thailand. It was then I realised that my friend had simply put some old postcards in frames and displayed them. It fooled me … they looked like well-considered designer flair. Another money-conscious solution I’ve seen takes this idea a little further. An owner of three big rental condos wanted them all to have a tropical modern feel. So, he went on-line to Allposters.com and ordered high quality prints of his favourite artist, Paul Gaugin. The prints cost about US$20 each. He then trotted down to his local frame shop and mounted them in different, but harmonious, styles. The result was exactly what he wanted, each classic image of Gaugin’s vision of life in the tropics tying the rooms together. In the end, he had spent less than Bt2,000 on each one. If you question your own artistic ability, there are some shops in town that have some
made from tropical materials like bamboo, coconut and cinnamon. With mirrors, the frame is what makes them special. If you don’t see any you like, head back down to your local frame shop. You’ll be shocked at how easily you can customise a mirror to the preferred size and style you need. In the end you’ll end up with a perfect solution much cheaper than buying it out of a décor shop. In Pattaya, the key to shopping for wall-mounted décor is patience and the willingness to drive around looking. There is no “go to” place. Any time I see some obscure little décor or furniture shop, I pop in and commit the images that move me to memory. If you choose to buy higher end original artwork, I would recommend heading up the road to our big sister, Bangkok. Rugs Tropical living means floors made of stone, tile or wood. The use of strategically placed carpets and rugs is a technique employed by just about everyone. And, nothing
The well laid out displays in Home Port give you a chance to visualise which is the “right stuff” for your home.
‘‘ Under no circumstances should you just buy a wall hanging because it goes with your other stuff and offends no one.
ties a room together like the perfect rug. I’ve dragged the same old Persian carpet I paid too much for around the world to accomplish this task. But, when it comes to finding stylish and functional rugs for other places here in Pattaya, the choices can be slim. Some of the bigger home supply stores like HomeWorks carry a generous supply of acceptable rugs. I’ve used the shaggy chic look from the Thai designer Pasaya in several places. They are modern and washable with a rubber backing that keeps them in place on your floor. The Jim Thompson Outlet on Sukhumvit near Pattaya Tai also has a big selection of colourful rugs in a variety of sizes. I even picked up a couple of really nice Greek flokatis at one of Collingbourne’s big auctions held every Saturday at their facility on Chaiapruek 2. Again, the key is patience. Keep looking. I found several inexpensive oriental rugs that would add class to any room at Home
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
very creative works that you won’t see just everywhere. And I’m not talking about those same old tired acrylic Buddha images or Vietnamese lacquer pieces showing monks in saffron robes. Check out MD Furniture on Thepprasit Road. They have quite a stunning collection of multimedia pieces from Indonesia that combine modern images, bright colours and textures to warm up a room. Look for wall-hung art that gives you a particular feeling. I don’t mean to wax philosophical here, but art is mostly about emotion. If it’s an old master’s painting that makes you feel like a king in your castle, go for it. If it’s a big black and white photograph of a guy walking his dog down the beach that helps you find your centre, by all means pay and display. But, under no circumstances should you just buy a wall hanging because it goes with your other stuff and offends no one. MD Furniture is also a great place to find decorative mirrors. I especially like those with frames
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Port on Pattaya Klang. I walked right by them three times before it occurred to me, “hey, this place has rugs”. Keep your eyes open. Lamps Hopefully, you’ve got adequate overhead lighting to illuminate your space. Lamps are generally added for accents and mood. The good news is there are several places to find unique and affordable lighted décor for this purpose. Again, MD Furniture has all kinds of cool lamps that look like sculpture. Euro Design on Sukhumvit Road offer a line of mosaic glass pieces created by German designer, PP Design. And Home Port features a whole line of lamps that channel an old Asian feel. Don’t “over lamp” your place. Instead of choosing four small lights to go on every surface you think looks naked, find one nice lamp you can feature. Put it in the middle of the room and just let it glow. Don’t rule out candleoriented lamps. Here in Thailand,
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More from MD Furniture where there is no shortage of ideas that will allow you to personalise your home.
‘‘ Even if you are decorating a rental, chances are if a piece makes you feel at home, a renter will feel a similar attachment.
there are a multitude of artists that create incredible sculptures designed to light your fire. Again, keep your eyes open as these kinds of pieces are everywhere. I found a striking standing candelabrum in one of those little shops downstairs at Central Festival. I matched it with a stand I found marked down 70 per cent in Central Department Store. The whole thing cost me less than Bt3,000 and it is now a centrepiece in my living room. Fabrics Strategically placed throw pillows, table runners and the like are great for putting a finished look on any place. My favourite place is the Jim Thompson Outlets. The Pasaya Outlet on Sukhumvit Road also offers a bountiful array of colours and styles. Both these places also offer great selections of bed coverings, place mats and table runners. For the more budget conscious, check out the place in the bottom of the Outlet Mall on Sukhumvit at Thepprasit Road. And, don’t shy
away from the big department stores like Central. One constant is they always have sales on these kinds of items. They have to move inventory and you could get the perfect piece for 50 per cent off. Other stuff Statues, sculptures, vases, etc, etc … all styles and budgets are represented here in Pattaya. Glossy, modern lacquer pieces sit right alongside ancient Buddha images. My advice is to keep it simple, don’t overdo it and only choose pieces that evoke emotion or incite conversation. Don’t just grab something because it fills a space. Even if you are decorating a rental, chances are if a piece makes you feel at home, a renter will feel similar attachment. It doesn’t matter what level your budget is, the principles are the same. Have some patience and pick things that move you to think, reminisce, relax or interact. Everything else is just “stuff”. Happy hunting. Bart Walters
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Big plans for festive season at the Amari Great vantage points to see the fireworks Hilton Pattaya have announced packages aimed at making the upcoming Pattaya International Fireworks Festival (November 30 and December 1) nights to remember. At the Edge restaurant on level 14 a seafood buffet dinner will be served during the displays from 6pm onwards priced at Bt1,600 nett per person (including a Siam Sunray welcome cocktail). At the Drift, which the hotel describes as “the ultimate vantage point” there will be elevated platforms priced at Bt40,000 nett for four people. That price includes a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne. Also at the Drift for Bt1,200 nett per person there will be free flow wine, beer and soft drinks while you watch between 7-9pm.
There’s a busy six weeks coming up at the Amari Orchid Pattaya with many special events planned to mark the Christmas and New Year festive season. Here is just a sample of them... Thursday 6 December: There will be a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in the Ocean Tower lobby with free admission. Friday 21 December: Sparkling Wine Experience with a Christmas theme. A selection of sparkling wines plus eggnog and mulled wine accompanied by chef’s delicacies in the Garden Area. Price: Bt850 per person. Monday 24 December: Again in the Garden Area you will have the opportunity to celebrate a Traditional Christmas staring at 7.30pm. A buffet extravaganza, carol singers, a live band and Santa and his helpers should make it a night to
remember. Prices: Bt2,500 for adults and children* aged 6-12 Bt1,300. Tuesday 25 December: Poolside near Essence Restaurant from 6-10pm there will be a Seafood BBQ available. Prices: Bt1,050; children* 6-12 Bt650. Saturday 29 December: In the Tavern by the Sea (also from 6-10pm) there will be a Brazilian Churrasco BBQ. Prices: Bt790 per adult (includes a free cocktail); children* 6-12 Bt550. There is also a wide range of events being staged at the Mantra Restaurant & Bar including Festive Treats Dinners, a Christmas Day Brunch, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinners plus a New Year’s Eve Glitz & Glamour Celebration. Details from email@ mantra-pattaya.com. * Note that there is no charge for children aged under 6.
Make Loy Krathong special
Looking for something special to do to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival on November 28? You could consider going to the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort where they are putting on a special event. A spokesman said: “Join us on the beach where we will supply a krathong for you to float plus a welcome drink. There will be seafood and Thai barbeque-style food.” Price for the above is Bt1,299++ and for children under 12 that drops to Bt650++. Hotel guests will be invited to attend a ceremony of offering food to the monks earlier in the day at 9.09am.
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G Session
To mark the fastapproaching end of the year the Pullman Pattaya Hotel G will host a BiG BanG G Session on Saturday 1 December at their Beach Club starting at 7pm through to 1am. The theme is: “If it’s the end of the world, we have to party harder”. There will be three DJs and dress code is Robots - Futuristic (silver) or Aliens.
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Dragon fruit is flavour of the month Cocktail of the month for November at the Havana Bar & Terrazzo at the Holiday Inn is “Dragon Fruit Mojito”. The bar runs a Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free) daily from 7-9pm, which is extended until midnight every Wednesday. A live band plays weekly from Wednesday to Saturday and there is a live acoustic set, by guitarist Adam, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. A Hi Club membership card for Havana Bar & Terrazzo is available to buy, offering great privileges, discounts and special offers.
a t t r a c t i o n s / g o lf
Attractions
Underwater World: on Sukhumvit Road 200 metres south of Tesco Lotus at Pattaya South has a collection of marine species from the Gulf of Thailand. Walk through the 100-metre long pedestrian tunnel and witness more than 200 species of fish swimming by. Open daily from 9.00-18.00 (last tickets 17.30). Tel: 038 756 879. Pattaya Elephant Village: 7km from Central Pattaya on Phonpraphanimit Road. Shows daily at 14.30 and last an hour. A one-hour elephant ride is available from 8.00-17.30 and rafting, trekking (three hours including a meal) is available at 9.00, 10.30, 12.30 and 16.30. Tel: 038 249 818. Khao Kheow Open Zoo: 35 km north of Pattaya. A huge zoo with many animals that are on the endangered species list including six rare white tigers exchanged by the Memphis Zoo in the USA. Open daily 08:00-18:00. Tel: 038 298 188. Sriracha Tiger Zoo: a zoo with various shows at 341 Moo 3, Nongkham, Sri Racha (30 minutes away). It claims a population of 200 tigers and around 10,000 crocodiles, the largest of such in the world. Tel: 03829 6556.
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Nong Nooch Tropical Garden: 163 Sukhumvit Road (15 minutes east of city towards Bang Saray). Beautiful gardens with waterfalls, “Cultural Extravaganza” performances four times a day. Tourists experience religious ceremonies, martial arts demonstrations, massages and elephant shows. Various restaurants are available. Tel: 03842 9321 Khao Chi Chan: etched and filled with gold leaf, this Buddha is more than 100 metres high and is thought to be the largest such image in the world. Next to Silver Lakes Vineyard which is also worth a visit. Sanctuary of Truth: this wooden giant can be found in North Pattaya. The entrance is at Soi 12, Naklua Road. Every inch of the building is covered with wooden carvings
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to reflect Ancient Vision of Earth, Ancient Knowledge, and Eastern Philosophy. It is open daily from 9.00-18.00 Admission is 500 baht. 038 225 407/038 367 229 www. sanctuaryoftruth.com The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm: lies a 15 minute drive from central Pattaya. It features an exotic zoo, and crocodile, fire-swallowing and magic shows, as well as the garden and stone park. Open 8.0018:30. Tel: 03824 9347-9 or www. thaistonepark.org for information. Mini Siam: is on Sukhumvit Road, surrounded by Soi 33. This model village celebrates the heritage of Thailand with miniature replicas of the most famous monuments and historical sites. Replicas of Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed. There is a small go-kart track. Open daily from 7.00-22.00. Tel: 038 421 628 for information. Koh Larn: is reached by ferry from Bali Hai pier or by speedboat. It has several beaches boasting white sand and clear blue water. The many activities include para sailing, snorkeling, jet ski, banana boat, swimming in tropical waters, and there is even a shooting range there. Koh Larn is also suited for bicycling and hiking. www.kohlarn.com Pattaya Park and Tower: at Pratumnak features a large whirlpool with giant sliders and a tower with a revolving restaurant. Visitors can also enjoy several games and rides on the tower and in its playground. Open daily from 10.00-19.00 (20.00 on Saturday). Tel: 03836 4110-20 or 02579 9612-4 or www.pattayapark.com for more information. Bira International Circuit: is the only internationally certified racetrack in Thailand. Its extensive facilities include a full-service karting track, an off-road test track, and the FIA certified 2.41km racetrack. It can be found about 15 km away on the Pattaya-Rayong Road (Highway 36). Tel: 022 803 547/025 221 731/8
Here we list just a few of the things tourists and expats can do to make their time here more enjoyable ...
Golf
Many local bars organise golf days, often at better prices than casual golfers can negotiate with the course direct. If you plan to play regularly, consider membership of the Pattaya Sports Club as production of its membership card can help secure worthwhile discounts. The one-off registration fee is Bt400 plus Bt500 a year membership. Most golfers find they can save these sums within just a few rounds. Bangpra International: is one of several five-star courses in the area. This is an 18-hole, par 72 course with plenty of water on the front nine. Clubhouse recently renovated – even the toilets are automated! Tel: 038 341 149-50 Burapha Golf Club: is a fourstar, 36-hole, par 72 course. The Eastern course suits up-andcoming golfers, while the Western challenges the more experienced. Reserving a tee-off time is advised. Tel: 038 372 700-1 Century Chonburi: Designed by Nick Faldo, this is an inexpensive 18-hole, par 72 course, usually not too busy during the week. Clubhouse has little to commend it, but this is reflected in low green fees. Tel: 081 304 1545 The Emerald: Close to Bang Chang, Emerald is another course where Nick Faldo has left his mark. He designed this in conjunction with the late Desmond Muirhead. Many holes test accuracy, not length, of drive. Tel: 038 941 111 Greenwood (formerly Noble Place): is well designed 27-hole, par 72 course. A well-kept course with few water hazards allows good scoring for high handicappers. Tel: 081 484 9066, 081 484 9069 Laem Chabang International: this Jack Nicklaus-designed, 27-hole, par 72 course is one of the top ones. Set in spectacular surroundings on mountain, valley and lake nines. Carts are compulsory here. Tel: 038 372 273
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Back on track – and what a blast
F
or new readers, our Securitas Ford Escort Mk 1 Retro race car was severely damaged in a triple roll-over at the Kaeng Krachan circuit in July, eventually coming out of the panel shop in mid-September. It was then the ‘real’ work began! We gave ourselves the target of entering the Pro Series meeting at the end of September, a different series from the one we usually run in, but experience has taught me that if you don’t set a target date, it never does get finished! September 29, the Saturday of the two-day meeting, saw Ken and Pat in the workshop trying to get the electrics worked out from the spaghetti curled up under the dashboard, while John was replacing side windows and Simon was putting in the back screen. Somehow it was all back together again, but we were too late for the Saturday practice at the local Bira Circuit. Safety features Sunday morning and we were ready to go, with the Escort loaded up with fuel drums and tools, as we drive the car to the circuit, it being road registered. Straight into scrutineering, where the officials make sure the safety features are in place, race helmet is of high standard, and the race car has lights and other small important items such as an engine. After successfully getting over the scrutineering hurdle it was out on to the track for the car’s first
shake-down since the crash. Four laps of listening for any strange noises, including any suspicious clunks in the suspension. Before going out ‘in anger’ there was a drivers’ briefing for the Retro class cars, and I was very touched with the other drivers all coming up and welcoming me (and the Securitas Escort) to the meeting. That spirit of ‘camaraderie’ is all but lost in the professional formulae today. However, we had a drama in Qualifying, with the car dropping down to three plugs, so I came back in and had to accept a rear grid position. We had no spare plugs (that will be remedied for the next meeting) so one of my mates rushed down to Pattaya and bought a set. On four cylinders again we lined up for the first race. I was
‘‘ Before going
out ‘in anger’ there was a drivers’
briefing and I was very touched
with the other drivers coming up and
to the meeting.
so far away I almost needed binoculars to see the starting lights! A great start and we were overhauling cars left, right and centre, at one stage blasting past four on the straight at once. But once again the Bira bum biter struck and the turbo blew. Limped home We limped across the line for a sixth place outright but, more importantly, a first in class. So the first race back had highs and lows. The turbo is being rebuilt at AVO Turboworld, a full race check of all nuts and bolts is being done, and some new tyres have been ordered from B-Quik. We are determined to make the top step of the podium in the restored 40-year-old Securitas Mk1 Escort – the only team with a retro car and a retro driver!
Proud sponsors of the Securitas Retro Escort +66 38 354 019 47
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
’’ welcoming me
Before and after: Above is how the front of the Escort looked after its tumbling dice impersonation. Left it looks all spruced up again and raring to go but Murphy’s Law dictated that the turbo would blow and bring us back down to earth.
b a r s t o o l
d e b a t e
Where did our fashion sense disappear to?
PATTAYA LIVING• 11/2012 • Issue 23
A very polite young business acquaintance apologised to me the other day for welcoming me to his office in attire that he did not consider appropriate. It was his day off, he said, explaining his lack of suit and tie. The sad thing is that, had he not spoken, I wouldn’t have noticed anything was amiss. That’s how things are here in Pattaya – provided certain organs are covered – pretty much anything goes in terms of what people wear. To a degree this saddens me for reasons I’ll explain shortly. But, before I attempt to go any further with this I feel obliged to acknowledge that this article should be filed under the heading of “Pot Calling the Kettle Black”. My personal fashion sense sucks ... it’s just that I notice the failing in others more. Okay that’s the Catholic urge to confess sorted. So what about local clothing trends? What would TV’s Joan Rivers and her Fashion Police make of it if they were to arrive in Thailand to film a programme? Not too many arrests Well, if they showed up in one of Bangkok’s trendy night clubs or maybe a Movers & Shakers event in the capital they would probably think the “police” need not make too many arrests. But if they were to venture out onto the streets of Pattaya or visit our beer and go-go bars I think they might issue some violation tickets. Why? Well the words colour and co-ordination simply do not seem to go together here. Matching shoes and handbags for the ladies? What’s that all about? Guys who (wrongly) think that brown shoes go with any colour? No shortage here. But let’s cut to the chase. What’s my pet peeve? Without any shadow of a doubt it’s ladies who
wear backless dresses or off-theshoulder blouses with conventional bras so the straps are showing. And usually the bra is in a completely different and uncomplemetary colour compared to the dress or top. A turn-off Frankly, for many local ladies I would put a question mark over their need to wear a bra at all. But girls letting their underwear be seen is a fashion foul-up and something of a turn-off. It’s almost as bad as a guy tucking his shirt into his pants and bending down so you can see four inches of the back of his Y-fronts plus waist elastic. Almost ... I was celebrating a friend’s birthday in a Soi LK Metro go-go bar the other day, a rare visit for me (yeah, like you are going to believe that) when I noticed a young lady clinging to a pole as if stranded on the dance floor of the Titantic. She wore an not-too-revealing orange bikini which was fine and acceptable in the context of where we were. However, underneath the bikini – and clearly visible – she wore a black bra and white underpants. Oh, what a style disaster. White pants sticking out from orange bikini bottoms? Where are the Fashion Police when you need them? Now I don’t want to get too far into the murky area of what ladies working in go-go bars should wear. But let’s agree on one point ... whatever they have on – and given the trade they are in – it should look attractive to the eye of the beholder. Shouldn’t it? I often chide my wife about her colour choices. Black bra under a semi-see-through white top? I might understand if she were the type who simply doesn’t care how she looks. But she does, big time! It’s a mystery to me why women
How a backless dress should look – not a bra strap in sight! Pity that singer Katy Perry (below) allowed a bra strap to spoil the look of her outfit. But at least the colours matched!
Do hoops make you look fatter? Look at this Celtic player and judge. Below, me in ‘slimming’ black – nuff said!
here in Pattaya (like those all over the world) are forever swapping around elements of their clothing in front of a mirror before an evening out ... and still get it wrong! Or am I guilty of being too harsh here? No, don’t think so! Okay I’ll conclude the rant about undergarments that should be worn but not seen. What of my own fashion foibles, likes and dislikes? I’m forever wearing dark blue socks with black trousers. I know they don’t “go” but none of my blue trousers fit me any more and I’m too mean to bin the matching socks. I have far too many black tops in the wardrobe because I read once that black can have a “slimming” effect. Who am I kidding? Fattening hoops I also read that hoops can make you look fatter. I think there is something in this as I often think that the footballers of Glasgow Celtic look too fat to be professional sportsmen. It’s got to be those green and white hoops. No hoops in my wardrobe, they’re banned! I also don’t have a single pair of jeans to my name. Back in the UK it was a ritual for me to wear jeans every weekend. When not at work it was on with the jeans. So the absence of them in my Thai wardrobe has nothing to do with perceptions about fashion-worthiness (or lack of). I simply look at pair of jeans and think, “I’m going to be too hot in them,” and can’t wear them. By the way if there’s anyone out there who can display good fashion sense – and be able to write about it – please come and chat. I’m the guy with the stomach hanging over his waistband with the cheek to suggest how others should look! Dave Buckley
Coffee break answers two-minute trivia
1 C) Limerick; 2 B) Newmarket; 3 A) Ashley Cole (6); 4 C) Bologna (1088); 5 A) L’Escargot. NUMBER CRUNCHER AND SUDOKU 7
-
+ 2
18
×
+ ×
+ 9
6
5
3 21
17
× +
× ÷
4
8
18
-
1 31
2
6 8 1 3 9 4 2 7 5
7 4 3 5 1 2 6 9 8
9 2 5 8 6 7 1 3 4
8 1 9 2 4 6 3 5 7
5 7 4 1 3 9 8 2 6
2 3 6 7 8 5 4 1 9
1 5 7 4 2 8 9 6 3
4 6 2 9 7 3 5 8 1
3 9 8 6 5 1 7 4 2
Multiply and divide before adding or subtracting. The top row across is therefore 6 x 4 = 24, - 7 = 17.
‘Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people’ – WC Fields
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PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
Find us at The Avenue shopping centre
A V I E W T O A K I L L L V F J
ph o t o
f i n i s h
PATTAYA LIVING • 11/2012 • Issue 23
A sticky end? This photo was taken at the temple at Phanom Rung in Burinram province. The photographer, Peter Kraemer, can be be contacted on +66 (0)84 864 9370 or at mail@kraemerphotoart.com www.kraemerphoto art.com We are pleased to report that Peter is now out of hospital and available for commissions once again.
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sports FOR MID-NOVEMBER TO MID-DECEMBER 2012
Soccer – Chelsea V Man City • Sunday 25 November • 11pm
Formula 1 – Brazilian Grand Prix • Sunday 25 November • 11pm
The Lion Pub is the newest Sports Bar in Pattaya where sports fans get together to watch live games on 8 big-screen TVs. Our state-of-the-art satellite system ensures you can watch any sport from around the world. We have ice cold beer and a complete range of spirits.
Cricket – India V England • Thursday 15 November • 11am
Our kitchen serves a large selection of your favourite bar snacks and Thai food, all served in a relaxed, fun and air-conditioned bar environment by our friendly hostesses. 380/81-84 Moo 10, Soi 17, Suksabai Villa, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20260
Rugby Union – England V Australia • Saturday 17 November • 9.30pm
T: 038 301 030-3 E: info@lionpubpattaya.com W: www.lionpubpattaya.com Bar and kitchen open 10am until late
Boxing – Pacquiao V Marquez • Saturday 8 December • tba
check out our 18-room guesthouse above the bar