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The 4th Junior IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for Thailand
“If we could change the world”
Earlier this month at the City Life Garden, the winners
of the Northern Chapter of the IMPAC Literary awards were announced. This
contest is the fourth of its kind, and is open to Thai students aged between
14 and 18 years old who live in the northern provinces of Thailand. It is
aimed at encouraging young minds to think and write in English. The winner
of the competition will compete again at national level for a prize
consisting of two air tickets to Dublin, Ireland,(one to be used by an
accompanying parent) to attend the Dublin Literary Awards.
 Chatriya
Lertwicha and her mother, Pornpilai Lertwicha, at the Dublin Literary Awards
ceremony at Citylife.
The criterion for the contest was an essay with the topic ‘If we could
change the world’. Students were judged on their command of the English
language and their creativity and insight into the subject matter. Judges
for the competition were Jon Glendinning, Director of the British Council,
John Gunther, Director of AUA, and Pim Kemasingki, Director of City Life
Magazine.
The first prize was awarded to Chatriya Lertwicha, 17, from Lanna
International School, whilst the second prize went to Nathagan Seiermann,
15, also from Lanna International School. The third prize was taken by
Tipsuda Chaichana, 17, from Samakkhi Witthayakhom School in Chiang Rai.
There were two additional prizes given this year as Judges’ Special Awards;
these were won by Anawat Wongupanun, 15, also from Lanna International
School, and Dharit Tantiviramanond, 17, from Chiang Mai International
School.
A rare treat for Aussies
on Australia Day at CEC
“The Convict Experiment” - a talk by famous novelist and expert on Australia’s founding culture
All expat Aussies, (and quite a few whingeing Poms, Yanks and
Eurocitizens), should enjoy a talk by a very special guest speaker at
the next Chiang Mai Expats’ Club meeting, which will be held on
Australia Day, the 26th January. The topic will be “The founding of
White Australia”, (or, if you will, “The Convict Experiment”, or even,
“A Civilisation spawned in Chains”)! The speaker is the famous Ric
Richardson, historian, novelist and broadcaster, who has presented this
subject on many occasions in diverse media in Australia. He is well
qualified to do so, as he is a past President of the “First Fleet
Fellowship”, a past Secretary of the “Descendants of Convicts, Inc.”,
and was created Honorary Life Member of the “Regiment of Redcoat
Descendents” for his work during Australia’s 1988 Bi-Centenary
celebrations. He would love to see all you Aussies there on Australia’s
special day, and won’t mind if the rest of us turn up as well!
The CEC meeting will be held in the Grand Ballroom on the third floor of
the Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel, adjacent to Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall on
Huey Kaew Road, beginning at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday 26th January. The
entrance charge for members is 80 baht - 100 baht for visitors - which
includes coffee and cakes, comfortable chairs at table, and great
camaraderie! If you want to find out more about Ric, please visit
www.kev-richardson.com.
American Democrats in Chiang Mai get to vote in the Primaries!
Is this a Ripley’s believe or not? Could Americans be voting in a
primary in Chiang Mai at a recognized polling booth set up at Payap
University? Yes, believe it or not. On the 5th of February there will be
a polling booth set up at the entrance of the International Building at
Payap University in Chiang Mai for Americans to cast ballots between
8:30 and 11 a.m.
To participate in the global primary and vote by internet, mail or fax,
the voter must be a registered member of Democrats Abroad by January 31,
2008. A voter may walk in with a passport, join Democrats Abroad on the
spot and vote immediately at the polling booth set up at Payap
University. Voters can register to vote and join Democrats Abroad at
www. VoteFromAbroad.org. In February 2008, millions of U.S. citizens
from Toronto to Timbuktu will have the chance to vote in the first-ever
overseas polling booths or online in a global primary to choose the
Democratic nominee for President. This fact, the Democrats Abroad
members in Chiang Mai say, “should qualify for an entry into the
Guinness Book of Records.”
“This Democratic Global Presidential Primary will make it very easy for
Democrats who register to cast their primary vote. And that is as it
should be” said Peter J. Foley, Chair of Democrats Abroad, Chiang Mai.
Just as the primary season back home gets into full swing on Super
Tuesday, Democrats living overseas will be choosing their candidate,
too. The February 5-12 Democratic global primary allows for balloting by
internet, fax and post. Traditional drop-in Voting Centers will also be
open in 34 countries around the globe, including the one at Payap
University.
“Overseas voting has skyrocketed in recent years,” says Democrats Abroad
International Chair Christine Marques in Geneva. “With the Internet, we
can reach voters at their convenience in every corner of the world, not
just in the big cities.” Any American citizen over the age of 18 by
November 4, 2008 who lives temporarily or permanently outside the United
States is eligible to vote in the Democratic Global Presidential
Primary. There is no membership fee. Based on the election results,
Democrats Abroad worldwide will elect a 22-person voting delegation
representing them as the “51st State” at the Democratic National
Convention in Denver next August.
For further questions contact peterfoley@hotmail.com.
Launching of Panviman Resort & Spa Chiang Mai
Following 2 projects launched earlier in Koh Chang and Koh
Phangan, the Panviman Resort & Spa Group decided to launch its third
project in Chiang Mai on November 29, 2007. The location was chosen by
Chakarin Chantaravisoot and his wife Sujira Chantaravisoot, Directors of
The Panviman Resort & Spa Group, (right), who both appraise the unique
culture and characteristic of Chiang Mai. Pictured with them are
Chunnapong Saranak, Director of TAT Northern Region 1, (left), and
Pornthip Onnum, Director of TAT Business Investment Office.
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