September 2018
SILC NEWS
A publication by the Samutprakarn International Ladies’ Club
! k c a b e r ’ e W
IN THIS ISSUE
4. September dates
5. Newcomers welcome!
6. ‘60 seconds’ with Irene!
7. SILC go cruisin’
11. Knitting time!!
17. How you can help
A WORD FROM OUR CHAIR Welcome back to your favourite international ladies’ club and a special hello to all our new members! I hope each of you enjoyed some relaxation and adventure with friends and family over the last two months and are now ready to settle (back) into Bangkok life. Welcome ‘home’… SILC aims to offer you exactly what you need to feel at home – the opportunity to make friends, have fun, explore Bangkok, learn something new and contribute your time to worthy causes. If you haven’t already made plans for this Friday 31st August, please do come along to our Welcome (back) Coffee Morning. Our Community Projects team will be on hand to show you some of the projects you could help with, plus our Activities team will be there to take you through our upcoming social events. Your diary will be as full as you need!
x Tracey x
Tracey never passes up an opportunity to sch -moo-ze potential new members!
Psychotherapist (gestalt) student looking for training clients I am training to become a psychotherapist and graduate next year from the Copenhagen Gestalt Institute in Denmark. As part of the course, I have training clients in therapy. Please contact me (Marie-Louise) for any further information: 080 90 50 925 or marielouisesauerberg@gmail. com
COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER
Monday
Tuesday
3
4
English @ Prakasamai
Natural hair care workshop
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
31 Welcome (back) coffee
1
2
6 Zumba English @ Mahawong
7
8
9
Craft @ Mahawong
Evening cruise
12 Aqua Aerobics Craft @ Prakkasam. Mahjong
13 Zumba English @ Mahawong
14
15
16
20 Zumba English @ Mahawong
21
22
23
27 Spirit House talk Zumba English @ Mahawong
28
29
30
5 Aqua Aerobics Mahjong
10
11
English @ Prakasamai
Silk weaving tour
17 Aqua-biking English @ Prakasamai Knitting morning
18
19
Brunch @ Steps
Aqua Aerobics
24 English @ Prakasamai
25 Thai cooking with Jimmy
Bag making workshop
Mahjong 26 Aqua Aerobics Mahjong
We try to schedule activities well ahead of time to allow you to plan your diaries, however please note these may change. Keep an eye on the SILC Facebook page and the next newsletter for updates! Contact silc.activities@gmail.com with any questions.
60 seconds with… Khun Irene! This month we’d like to introduce you to one of SILC’s longer standing members (14 years and still going strong)! Irene is Scottish and moved to Thailand with her husband and young baby in 1997. They have raised 2 beautiful girls here, one of whom is just about to graduate from UCL and start training to be a physics teacher. When Irene isn’t helping in Year 6 she can be found on the golf course or playing Mahjong! ●
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I wish I had known .. Where do I begin? I arrived with a 4.5 month baby girl and no idea about all the things I wouldn’t be able to find here, not to mention how long we’d end up staying :) My favorite SILC memories… I joined SILC (and the Committee) when pregnant with my second, Sophia.. Then when she was born I joined the play group which was huge!! So many babies, toddlers and preschoolers that we had to break into 4 age groups. So many laughs and life long friendships made. Helen High and Matt’s leaving party at Admakers was a highlight, and I still love SILC mahjong sessions.
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My favorite Thai dish… Without a doubt chicken fried rice with a soft fried egg on top at the Marriott Hua Hin - delish!
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Favourite place to eat… That depends who I’m with! With Sam it’s got to be the Oriental hotel for afternoon tea or the Rasayana raw food cafe. With Sophia it’s Roast and Paul’s. And with Robert, anything Japanese!
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Favorite family brunch… The Shangri La - always!
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My streetfood tip… Not exactly street food, but I can’t get enough of the noodles at Bangkok Patana School on Mondays and Fridays!
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But I can’t go without... 21.5 years ago you had to bring all those special treats back with you and still be under 25 kg. Now I can get nearly everything I need locally or in Villa. I still bring back tins of haggis though!
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Best invention since coming here… Can you believe that when we first arrived there were no mobile phones! Imagine trying to find your driver without one! And how about having to get around without Google maps? Thanks to my ‘baptism of fire’ I can now confidently drive anywhere in Thailand! Fortunately, the road and public transport networks have changed beyond recognition. I still shudder when I recall our first trip to Hua Hin - on an orange shail road that took hours and hours!
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Best Thai break...Krabi, Phi Phi, swimming with dolphins in Chanchanburi, horse riding camps when the kids were small, the North of Thailand... Too many to mention!
SILC OUT & ABOUT Make your own shampoo and conditioner with 100% natural ingredients. Fee: 1200 Baht (includes all materials) To sign-up: silc.activities@gmail.com
Tuesday 4th September, 10am - 1pm
EVENING RIVER CrUISE Enjoy the Chao Phraya by night - from 7pm on Saturday September 8th. Husbands/partners/friends welcome! Tickets: 800 THB/person RSVP please by Sept 1st: silc.activities@gmail.com
SILC OUT & ABOUT
American spy turned Thai silk tycoon, Jim Thompson, left behind an impressive legacy that can be experienced at his historic house. Yet most visitors are unaware that a handful of his original suppliers still weave silk a stone’s throw away in the Baan Krua Nua silk-weaving community.
Baan Krua Nua silk-weaving community
Join us on Tuesday 11th September, from 09.30 am, to learn about this missing part of the story. To sign-up, please email silc.activities@gmail.com
CHARITY KNITTING MORNING
The ladies groups in Bangkok are getting together for a project called ‘Knit our Hearts together’. We’ll be knitting hats and scarves for babies, children and adults in ICU at hospital and for hill tribes in Northern Thailand. We’re planning to hold a SILC session on Monday September 17th - open to pros as well as complete beginners (don’t worry - we will have teachers on hand!) RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
SILC OUT & ABOUT
BRUNCH INVITATION Come and enjoy a delicious brunch at Steps with Theera on September 18th, 11am - 1 pm in Ekamai. We’ll be able to admire the herb garden SILC sponsored and learn all about their inspirational training centre. Set menu: 500 THB per person RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
Have you always fancied trying your hand at making your own bag but not had anyone to go with? If so, then this workshop is for you! Join us 9:00-12:00 on Friday September 21st when we visit the lovely ladies of Atelier 49 (near Thonglor BTS). Price: 1,300 THB. RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
BAG MAKING WORKSHOP
SILC OUT & ABOUT
THAI COOKING MADE EASY Whilst for many of us, Thailand’s cuisine was a big draw, not everybody has the confidence to give it a try themselves. If you’d like to learn from a pro, sign-up for Jimmy’s masterclass in Bangna from 09:00-13:00 on September 25th You’ll learn all about Thai ingredients, cooking techniques, not to mention prepare (and eat!) a 3-course feast. Price: 900 THB/person. To book: silc.activities@gmail.com
SPIRiT housE WALKING TOUR
On Thursday September 27th SILC will arrange a walking tour themed around the beliefs and traditions behind spirit houses. We will begin at 10am at Chit Lom BTS, and finish about 12:00. To join contact: silc.activities@gmail.com
SILC OUT & ABOUT
BOOK CLUB Will be back in September! We will update you soon on days and times, meanwhile please contact Andi with any questions and/or book recommendations: amccolough@gmail.com
MYSTIFIED BY MAHJONG? Whether you are seasoned in the art of Mahjong or a complete beginner, the ladies of SILC would love you to join! We meet on Wednesdays. Contact: Sally mikeandsally@bluewin.ch
SAVE THE DATE
SAVE THE DATE
SILC SPORTS
AQUA BIKING Back by popular demand, we will be doing another trial at Aqua-Biking Bangkok, Soi 16, on September 17th at 9:30 and 10:30am. Fee: 200 THB. Contact: silc.activities@gmail.com
aqua aerobics is back! If you would like to join our weekly sessions at Ekamai Gardens on Wednesdays 10-11:00 (400 THB), please contact silc.activities@gmail.com
Do you zumba?
Or play tennis?
In September, sessions for Patana parents will take place on Thursday mornings at school. If you would like to join another session please contact silcmagazine@gmail.com
If you’re a keen tennis player but need a partner, we can put you in touch! Please contact: silc.activities@gmail.com
Is there another social or sporting activity you’d like to try with SILC? Email silc.activities@gmail.com with any ideas.
SILC OUT & ABOUT LAST MONTH Some of our ladies (and one very chivalrous gent!) made the most of the unusually cool weather to join Tracey for a leisurely bike ride around Ancient Siam. Thanks to everyone for making it such a lovely morning! If you haven’t yet been, we can’t recommend it highly enough.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
COMMUNITY CRAFT IS BACK! ‌ scissors and glue sticks at the ready!! We will be spending the morning with the kids at Mahawong daycare on Friday September 7th, and Prakkasamai on Wednesday 12th. It’s a really lovely way to volunteer your time, so please do come along (and feel free to bring friends!). For details, email: silc.community@gmail.com
AND SO IS THE ENGLISH PROGRAMME! English lessons resume at both pre-schools this month. We are looking for volunteers for both class teachers and teaching assistants (one morning a week). Please do get in touch if you are interested! Contact: alexrogan4@gmail.com
Would you like to volunteer or do you have an idea for a charity that needs support?PLease contact silc.community@gmail.com
SILC NEEDS YOU! COMMUNITY: REFUGEE OUTREACH Do you have any mornings to spare? Are you looking to do something that will make a real difference to people who have nobody? Laura, our Community Team lead, visits detainees at the IDC (Immigration Detention Centre) in Sathorn most mornings to give those in most need some valuable human interaction and a few essentials. Please get in touch if you are interested in contributing your time: silc.community@gmail.com
COMMUNITY: ONSITE CRAFT COORDINATOR Do you love spending time with kids? Are you creative, organised and happy to get your hands a little dirty (and occasionally covered with glitter!)? Are you available to attend one or two of our monthly pre-school craft sessions? If so, our craft coordinators would really appreciate your help. Please contact Laura to find out more: silc.community@gmail.com
SILC NEEDS YOU!
MARKETING: DESIGN
MARKETING: SOCIAL MEDIA / PR
Are you creative? Do you know your way around Google Slides and/or any basic design or publishing packages?
Do you know Facebook inside-out?
As our group becomes increasingly active, SILC needs more and more help with the creation of compelling promotional materials - printed and online.
As we seek to grow our membership and enhance our communications activities, we need support to promote ourselves and our events both on SILC channels and beyond.
Please drop us a line if you can get involved long-term: silcchair@gmail.com
Please contact me if this is a role you would be interested in: silcchair@gmail.com
Have you got experience in community management or PR?
SILC OUT & ABOUT
SILC MEMBERS: Aims & policies Organisation of the Club SILC creates an opportunity for women of all nationalities living in Samutprakarn and Bangkok to meet and participate in a variety of activities. We invite members to join monthly events and interest groups. Members pay an annual fee of 1000 Baht. Privacy The membership list is for the sole use of SILC members in a social setting and may not be used for commercial purposes. E-Newsletter The e-newsletter is published ten times a year with articles and information on club activities. Contributions are welcome and can be sent to the newsletter editor. Committee Meetings These are held monthly and are open to all members. Please inform the SILC Chair if you wish to attend. All SILC events are subject to change. Please confirm your attendance with the relevant contact, and advise of any cancellation asap so another member may take your place.
Committee Contacts Chair Secretary Treasury Team Membership Team Community Projects E-newsletter & Ads
Tracey Hewison Sandra Crane Liliya Andreeva & Janna van Duyn Aakriti Sultania & Amelia Deely Laura Troncoso Charlotte Wawrzyniak
silcchair@gmail.com silcsecretary@gmail.com silctreasurer@gmail.com silcthai@gmail.com silc.community@gmail.com silcmagazine@gmail.com
SILC teams Activities
Online/Digital Community Projects
Jimmy James, Barbara Clarke, silc.activities@gmail.com Trijnie Geuzinge, Kala Khanna & Malin Nauska Emily Mathews & Gowri Kumaran silc.websites@gmail.com Lek Burrell, Manprit Kaur, Renee Lua, silc.community@gmail.com Hanneke Langschmidt, Saskia Leeuwangh, Alex Rogan, Herma Vos, Shirley Tan, Helen Hardwick-Jones
Advertise here!
SILC News goes every month to over 160 SILC members throughout Bangkok. Advertisements for non-profit community events are welcome and free of charge. Personal advertisements for SILC members are free of charge. Email reminders for SILC and non-profit community events will be sent out free of charge; other events must be advertised in our magazine.
RATES
DISCOUNTS
Full Page Half Page Quarter Page
1500 Baht 800 Baht 400 Baht
Member - 25%
Website
3000 Baht per year
Only one discount may be applied.
Annual contract (10 ads/year) - 10%
Advertising requests and payment must be received prior to the published deadline. To advertise in the Newsletter, please contact: Charlotte - silcmagazine@gmail.com To advertise on the SILC Website, please contact: silc.websites@gmail.com To arrange payment, please contact: Liliya - silctreasurer@gmail.com
SILC News Copy Deadline for October e-Newsletter: 20th September If you have any activities, events, book reviews, recommendations for holidays or items for our bulletin board please forward them to the Newsletter Editor: silcmagazine@gmail.com