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A bitter sweet evening at the UN Irish Pub raises 100,000 baht
Benefit held for Mark Schulz
CMM Reporters
On June 18, the UN Irish Pub on Rajwithi Road hosted a fund-raising
benefit sponsored by the ‘New City Gurus Band’ for Mark Schulz, the former
librarian at Nakornpayap International School. More than 100 friends,
colleagues, hospital staff and well wishers attended the packed-out event,
listening to some great jazz, and watching a video showing students and
staff at Nakornpayap remembering Mark and sending best wishes and love. The
UN Irish Pub was chosen as the venue for the benefit, as Mark used to spend
time there enjoying the music, according to New City Guru’s Mark de la
Fleur, also a teacher at Nakornpayap. A close friend of Mark Schulz, Andrew
McRady, extended thanks to Dr. Manode Laowong and all the physiotherapists
and nurses who were looking after Mark and who were attending the benefit.
This was a bitter sweet evening, with many people remembering Mark’s
positive influence on students, colleagues and friends during his short time
at the school.
 Pictured
is Mark Schulz at Suvarnabhumi Airport, taken before the accident.
Mark Schulz was involved in a motorcycle accident March 3; there are no
details known of the accident since there were no witnesses, no other
involved parties, nor were the police able to provide any additional
information. As a result he sustained severe head injuries and has been in a
semi-coma since, in spite of two operations, the first of which relieved
swelling of the brain, the second of which was a tracheotomy. Two fractures,
one of the clavicle, the other of the patella, have since healed; Mark is
now breathing on his own and is stable, although he remains in a semi-coma.
The 100,000 baht insurance cover from the school soon ran out; donations
from international school communities have raised 200,000 baht, but at
present an amount of 300,000 baht is outstanding. Doctors expect that Mark
will spend at least another two months in hospital before he is able to be
repatriated to Ireland, at a cost for himself and his caregivers of upwards
of 600,000 baht.
Whilst this is a medical and financial tragedy, it is also an emotional
tragedy. Mark had become engaged to his girlfriend Saranya, a teacher at
Grace International School, two days before the accident; they were due to
marry on May 3. She has been constantly at his side in the hospital since
the accident, and hopes to be able to travel with him to Ireland. She is an
active member of Chiang Mai Baptist Church, where her father is a leader in
the church community. Mark’s mother, a 75 year old widow living in
Waterville, County Kerry, is unable to help financially, although the local
community is working hard to raise donations. Mark’s sister, married to a
teacher and living in Kentucky, USA, is also unable to offer any financial
assistance.
Mark is in the Mahidol Building at McCormick Hospital and is able to receive
visitors. For anyone who would like to contribute to the Mark Schulz Fund,
please note the following information: Siam Commercial Bank, McCormick
Hospital [Chiangmai] Branch, 133/1 Kaewnawarat Rd, Watkate Muang Chiangmai
50000 Thailand, tel. 6653.300250, SWIFT CODE: SICOTHBK, account name: Andrew
McRady, account number: 731-219392-3. There is also a donation box at
Nakornpayap International School.
Gayle, Any, Jan, Kosharah, Karena and Rachel
(l/r) at the benefit.
Yu, Alasdair, Sandy the landlord, Jung, Andrew
McRady, Amy and Min (l/r). Amy’s parents made the video and helped organize
the event.
The “New City Gurus” band performing at the
benefit.
Friends, colleagues, hospital staff
and well wishers watching the video showing Mark.
Official opening of new Convention Centre at Empress Hotel
State-of-the-art facilities in an impressive and flexible setting
CMM Reporters
The Empress Hotel’s recently completed Convention Centre was
officially opened on June 19 by Privy Councillor H. E. Palakorn
Suwannarath, in the presence of honoured guests included Dr. Chao
Duangduen na Chiengmai, Chiang Mai Governor Viboon Sa-nguanphong, Mom
Luang Preeyapun, and the honorary Consuls from Germany and France.
Ongkarn (Jojo) Chai-ongkarn, the president of Public Relations and
Marketing’s Association of the North, organized the whole event, with
the opening ceremony itself taking place outside the building located on
the opposite side of the Empress’s car park. On arrival, guests were
entertained by a 40 piece band.
 Governor
of Chiang Mai Viboon Sa-nguanphong, Privy Councillor H. E. Palakorn
Suwannarat and Kanog Suvannavisutr, General Manager of the Empress
Hotels Group, perform the opening ceremony.
For the opening event, the ground floor lobby of the specifically
designed building featured display booths set up by various companies,
including Thai Air and Nissan. On this level there are four separate
boardrooms of 64 square metres each, which can seat up to 40 people, as
well as an extensive lobby area. On the second floor, the entire space,
laid out for inspection on this occasion, can be divided, by the use of
soundproofed partitions, into either 5 separate meeting rooms, or any
variant as required. Banqueting facilities can seat from 100 to 500
guests, theatre facilities between 120 to 600 persons and reception
facilities can accommodate from 130 up to 660 people. All rooms can be
equipped with comprehensive world-class audio-visual equipment,
including a digital wall display and high speed wireless internet.
After the official opening, over 200 people ascended by escalator to the
stunning Empress Grand Hall on the third floor, which boasts 6 metre
high ceilings and 925 square metres of floor space. The hall is able to
cater a banquet for up to 840 people, a theatre for 1,200 people and a
reception for 1,020. Especially for the opening event, several companies
providing wedding services had set up displays outside the entrance.
Prior to going in to the reception itself, guests were entertained by 6
elegant young couples dancing a very energetic waltz! As an introduction
to the reception itself, a further dance display took place, followed by
a welcome address by Kanok Suwannavisutr, general manager of the Empress
Hotels Group. After a few words of congratulations and best wishes, His
Excellency Palakorn Suwannarat presented awards to outstanding employees
of the Empress Hotel. After the formalities were completed, guests were
free to enjoy the sumptuous buffet and live music provided by the hotel.
If you are planning an event, why not invite the
[email protected] to help make it that little more special.
Chamaiphan Baude, Dr Chao Duangduan na
Chiengmai, Khun Ying Chao Raveephun na Chiengmai and Achara
Sa-nguanphong (l/r).
The group of beautiful young dancers who
entertained guests at
the entrance to the Convention Hall.
Vichit Buranupakorn, the owner of the
Empress Hotel’s Group,
with Achara Sa-nguanphong and Associate Professor Dr. Pradit
Thakuangrangsarit, Dean of Payap University, and his wife.
Shangri-La’s new monthly themed “Pool Parties” make a splash!
“Aloha” party delights guests in and out of the water
The dancers, after entertaining the
guests in the pool!
The first of a series of monthly “Pool Events”, the Aloha Party,
was held Saturday, June 21 in the Shangri-La Hotel’s beautiful
gardens, attracting more than 140 of Chiang Mai’s young and hip
party people, expats, and newcomers to the city’s party scene.
For those who haven’t visited as yet, the Shangri-La’s is one of
the largest pools in the city, surrounded by lush gardens - the
perfect venue for a party or celebration. Two bars were set up
on this occasion with one, a floating bar, serving unique
signature cocktails such as Passion Fruit Tanquery Collins and
Star Anis Tanquery Martinis, mixed with style by Shangri-La’s
trendy bar staff! Guests were delighted with a selection of WoW
Bar and Grill’s signature dishes served “Tapas Style”, including
delicious grilled prawn skewers and mini burgers with WoW’s
trademark sauces.
For this fun-filled evening, guest DJ Love Actually was
specially flown in from Bangkok to keep the crowd entertained
with the latest House and R&B sounds. Dancers mingled with the
guests performing outside and inside the pool - all
enthusiastically applauded! Keep your eyes open for the
Shangri-La’s upcoming themed July Pool Party - not to be missed
if you love a good time in a lovely setting!
Elaine Yue, GM Shangri-La, (centre),
with some of her beautiful guests.
Joe, Beam, Julian, (F&B), Ning and
Taam enjoying the pool party.
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