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Historic win for Chiang Mai Junior Cricket
Kurt Penny from Prem Tinsulanonda earns man of the match
Text: Linda Buck
Photos: Eric Little
Members of the Chiang Mai Schools Cricket Alliance,
families, friends and spectators witnessed a nail biting finale to the first
Under 13 National Cricket Tournament here in Chiang Mai. What a weekend! The
first game commenced on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., between Bangkok and
Petchaboon. This was watched with trepidation and expectation as most of the
boys had never played in a national tournament. Bangkok showed their prowess
against a keen but less experienced side. Bangkok won comfortably with a
score of 127 for Bangkok and 81 for Petchaboon.
 Man
of the match is Kurt Penny who goes to school at Prem Center.
The next game was Khonkaen against Chiang Mai.
Khonkaen’s excellent fielding and good bowling restricted Chiang Mai to 63
with Khonkaen, whose adventurous batting and good running between wickets
made 94.
 Khonkaen’s
Wonchana is Man of the match and everybody helps him celebrate.
The last game of the day was Chiang Mai against
Petchaboon. Petchaboon batted first but were restricted by very tight
bowling from Bank who took five wickets and Dan who also bowled sharply and
kept Petchaboon down to 35. Chiang Mai came out blazing, Poom scored 30 and
Gun was 31 not out at the close, with Chiang Mai scoring 150.
 The
Chiang Mai team with coaches and supporters.
Sunday started with Khonkaen v. Bangkok. Bangkok won the
toss and batted first. They put a respectful score up of 85, with Pown Pom
making 21. Khonkaen batted extremely well but faded in the closing stages,
but in the second to last over, they passed Bangkok’s score with a loss of
eight wickets.
 The
boys from Petchaboon arrived full of energy and anticipation.
Khonkaen v. Petchaboon were up next. Khonkaen won the
toss and batted, after losing three quick wickets they registered a
respectful score of 119. Petchaboon batted but had a problem because of the
very tight bowling from Khonkaen. Petchaboon lost six wickets and
accumulated 61 runs, making it an easy win for Khonkaen.
 Mr.
Ravi from Bangkok Sports Club, Toy and chairman of C.M.S.C.A., Puttivat
‘Parn’ Poshyanonda.
The last game of the tournament was Bangkok v. Chiang
Mai. Chiang Mai won the toss and send Bangkok into bat. Chiang Mai bowled
very straight and assertively and was on top of their game right from the
first ball to the last, where they took the whole ten wickets allotted. Kurt
Penny took the last wicket in the last ball, restricting Bangkok to 57 runs.
Chiang Mai boys were playing to win, although they lost five wickets they
obtained 126 runs, which was two runs between being champions and being
second!
 David
Walker, volunteer coach-C.M.S.C.A. in Chiang Mai watches Toy (right) and one
of the juniors from Bangkok.
The level of cricket played was outstanding; this proves
the point that cricket can be enjoyed by Thai children living in small
villages as well as big cities.
It was the most wonderful weekend with new friendships
being made between children and adults from all areas of Thailand.
Man of the match:
Khonkaen: Wonchana
Bangkok: Khraipop
Petchaboon: Sontoin
Chiang Mai: Kurt Penny
Player of the Series:
Khonkaen player: Wonchana
Chiang Mai Pool league
Inter Minigolf Chiangmai -A new family venue
Text: Marion Vogt
Photos: Michael Vogt
A new family entertainment place opened its doors last
week. After four months of building “a perfect course”, employing
architects and workers, planting 130 trees, plus a number of extra palm
trees, the opening could finally take place.
 Cutting
the ribbon: Vice Governor Kwanchai Wongnitikorn, Andre and Uthaivan Savare
and Seksom Wongthong. On the very left the manager of Inter Minigolf
Chiangmai, Kh. Som.
What was actually thought of as a small miniature golf
course became more like a park, including a clubhouse, a restaurant and a
snack bar with ice cream for the kids. It is 3,500 square meters,
outstandingly beautiful, and creative - with lots of mounding and varying
elevations accented by rippling streams, a lake and colorful landscaping.
Managing director Andre Savare and his wife Uthaivan have
put their whole heart and dedication into building their dream course on 5
rai of land on the way to San Kamphaeng.
 Andre
Savare was checking with the guests during his opening address.
The beauty of mini-golf is that anyone can play it, it is
an inexpensive recreation the whole family can enjoy. Young kids love to
play with Mom and Dad. The putting challenge enjoyed by older players
doesn’t affect the kid’s fun one bit. They still whoop and holler and
have a great time.
Swiss national Andre Savare gave a ten minute speech in
almost fluent Thai, explaining the attractiveness of this
‘family-sport’, which anyone can play and which is recognized as a sport
in its own right, distinct from golf, with international championships
around the world.
Andre said he hopes to attract a lot of families, schools
and of course young people who might find in this sport a challenge. He said
he put 110% into construction and creating this golf course. The extra ten
percent was the little things that make a difference between a “good”
job done and a job done from the heart.
For smaller children, children clubs are provided and
trainers are on standby. School excursions with championships, lunch,
outings and miniature golf parties can be booked and provided.
The next speaker was Vice Governor Kwanchai Wongnitikorn,
who not only thanked Andre and Uthaivan for the experience of this first
mini-golf course in the Chiang Mai region but mostly Andre for the
dedication of even delivering the opening words in Thai. After that, the new
course was officially opened and young and old just loved it, whether
playing for score or just for laughs.
Inter Minigolf Chiangmai is situated near San Kamphaeng. For directions
or information, just call 053 390 619, the manager is Som.
Chiang Mai
HHH Corner - “On On!”
CH3, the oldest hash club (males) in Chiang Mai is picked
up from the “ONON” pub (Moon Mueng Soi 1) at 16.00 once every 2 weeks.
Pick up can be arranged from Fish and Chips shop as well.
CSH3 is a mixed Saturday hash which is picked up from the
H3 Pub on Moon Mueng Road every Saturday at 15.30. Pick up can be arranged
from Fish and Chips shop as well.
CUMH3 is a male hash which runs from the “ONON” Pub
every consecutive (from CH3) Tuesday. Pick up is at 16.00.
BH3 is a female hash (Harriettes) that runs once a month
on the last Sunday of the month.
All information either from Fish and Chips, H3 or
“ONON” Pub. Or look at the websites at:
http://www.thai-american.com/hhh/
It’s great fun and you surely get value for your money plus you get to
meet all the long-time expats here!
Farangs rob the Cops
Flee the scene with 1-0 victory
Text by Colin Hinshelwood
Photos by Nopnivat Krailerg
This was the game we had all been waiting for. As soon as
we became registered into the Chiang Mai Senior League, there was one
impending fixture which was sure to be the glamour game of the tournament -
the Farangutans against the Police.
 After
a closely fought battle, the Farangutans came away with a 1-0 win.
Going into Sunday’s match, Farangutans FC was lying lowly
in the 16 team league after only one win, one draw and two losses. The Police
Team, on the other hand, was top of the league with four wins and a maximum 12
points.
It was a 4 p.m. kick off at Chiang Mai University and quite
a crowd had gathered. Some of the other teams in the league who had played
earlier stuck around to see what would happen. They gave us the “thumbs
up” and wished us “chok dee”, obviously hoping that the dreaded Police
team would finally be stopped.
 The
Farangutans FC in all their glory.
Farangutans started the game vigorously in their usual
4-4-2 formation. At the heart of the midfield - the team’s engine room - CMU
teacher, Bryan and magazine editor Shawn, fought and hustled for everything.
The defensive line up of Irish Pub manager Warren, 6’5" Lee, and
Americans Sean and Kevin looked solid and confident and kept the nifty police
attacks stifled.
 Nifty
passing helped the Farangutans keep the police in check.
The Farangutans had several goalmouth efforts before the
inevitable happened. A vicious free kick was curled in by environmental
activist Masao, and Adam Van Nistelroy was through on goal. Like a tourist on
a Honda obliviously skipping through a police checkpoint, Adam ghosted past
the police defence, refused to pay the fine and happily slammed the ball into
the net for the only goal of the game. The 60 plus crowd went berserk!
Wayne came on to strengthen the defence in the second half
and English teacher, Mick Davis came close to adding a second goal after a
dizzying solo run which left the police back line as static as traffic cones.
The Farangutans’ youthful, athletic and dashingly
handsome player-manager also came on in the second half, to a chorus of
hysterical teenage screams. Alas it was to be no more than a cameo appearance
by the coaching idol as he was stretchered off after 10 minutes with a broken
fingernail.
The second half seemed to go on forever as the police
pushed closer and closer to the Farangutans’ goal. As the game grew tougher,
one of the policemen became involved in a scuffle with Yorkshire lad, James.
The man in brown lifted his foot and kicked James squarely in the groin.
Showing splendid sportsmanship and discipline, James refused to retaliate or
fall around like an Italian drama queen. Instead, he simply smiled and wai’d
in return. (Come to think of it, he looked quite tickled by the experience).
The traffic policeman was soon seeing red lights again as the referee sent him
packing back to the changing room. It was a defining moment in a tough match,
but one which exemplified the Farangutans’ team spirit and sportsmanship.
After the final whistle, both teams left the field to a
standing ovation. A great victory for foreign diplomacy and a blow to the
pride of the police. Complimentary jugs of beer were served up by club
sponsor, Sandy of the U.N. Irish Pub and golden moments were relived again and
again by the exuberant immigrants.
Farangutans FC was formed informally over two years ago and
has grown to become a fixture of Chiang Mai’s sporting landscape. Now
fighting contenders in the Chiang Mai Senior League, you can check out all
details of the upcoming fixtures on our website: www.geocities.com/farangutans
Although we already have a full squad of players we are always grateful for
any supporters or masseuses who would like to come along to games. Farangutans
FC is not sponsored by Nike, but by the Irish Pub where players are usually
available for autographs before, after or even sometimes during matches.
Faculty of the Medicine CMU arranges charity golf
HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana trophy to be won
Assoc Prof Dr Pramoj Vanitthanakhom, deputy dean of the
Medical Faculty, has announced a charity golf tournament to be held to raise
funds for Moh Chao Fah Fund projects. This year’s gold competition will be
held on March 7, beginning at 6.30 a.m. at Lanna Golf Course on Chotana Road.
There will be two rounds, with shotgun starts at 6.30 a.m.
and 12 noon, and the winner of the tournament will receive the Princess’s
trophy, and other awards.
There will also be team entries from accepted - VIP’s
(teams of 5 persons, with an entry fee of 20,000 baht per team) and general
teams, (5 persons with a registration fee of 10,000 baht). Individual entries
are 2,000 baht per person.
For more information, please contact the director of Maharaj Nakhon Chiang
Mai Hospital 053 946 155, or the PR offices on 053 945671-2.
Chiang Mai Press Club repeats victory
Tourism
Authority of Thailand, Northern Office, Region 1 director Chalermsak Suranant
(seated 4th from right), watched the annual friendly football match between
TAT staff and the Tourist Police team and Chiang Mai Press Club members at the
700 year anniversary stadium. The Chiang Mai Press Club repeated their success
of last year, winning 5-3. (Phitsanu Thepthong)
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