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Chiang Mai Fest kicks off at 3 Kings Monument
Mr. Nikolaus Prachensky; Advisor of Earth, Wind
and Fire Company Limited,
and Event Promoter, Mr. Yut Wanichanond join one of the artists who is
joining the event.
By Shana Kongmun
The Chiang Mai Fest kicked off at the 3 Kings Monument on Friday evening
with a grand opening ceremony attended by Dr. Chao Duang Duan Na Chiang Mai,
President of Chiang Mai Provincial Culture Council, Deputy Governor of
Chiang Mai Naruemol Plawat, Pensuda Priaram, Deputy Governor of Tourism
Products and Business for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chalermsak
Suranont of the Chiang Mai TAT and many other distinguished guests and
artists.
A tour of the art in the upstairs rooms of the Art and Culture Museum was
one of the highlights of the opening, and the art there will be on display
until April 30. A dance by dancers from Playhouse Entertainment Complex and
the Chiang Mai Russian Ballet started the opening ceremony and event
organizer Yut Wanichanond of Earth, Wind and Fire Co. Ltd joined Deputy
Governor Naruemol and Deputy TAT Governor Pensuda in painting umbrellas to
open the ceremony in a unique touch.
A bagpiper from the popular band the Itinerants opened the show as Governor
ML Panadda Diskul joined the other distinguished guests. Later performances
included Frans Bloem, the Jigger Bigger Band, Viva Pop Opera Voice Band and
Nanthida Khaewbuasai.
Food and drink are provided at the event with delicious food on offer from
the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi, Holiday Inn Chiang Mai, Rimping
Supermarket, Amari Rincome, Centara Duangtawan, the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel,
Le Meridien and Kantary Hills. Don’t forget to try the unique rice wine on
offer.
The Chiang Mai Fest runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until April 10. Be sure to
go to the 3 Kings Monument and enjoy the music, dance and art in this first
event of its kind, and one promoters hope to repeat yearly.
The Ballet performance opened the afternoon’s
grand opening ceremony.
Deputy Governor Naruemol Plawat, Deputy TAT
Governor Pensuda Priaram
and event organizer Yut Wanichanond open the event by painting on umbrellas.
Dr Sarawut Srisagon, CEO of the Chiang Mai Night
Safari (2nd left) and his staff join one of the artists displaying his
unique handmade papers.
Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda Diskul (center)
arrived in time for the music and was joined by Dr. Chao Duang Duan Na
Chiang Mai (2nd left) event organizers and Chalermsak Suranont of the TAT
(far right).
A bagpiper from the band the Itinerants
opened the Chiang Mai Fest.
Frans Bloem and his accompanist was one of the
acts that performed Friday evening.
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BCCT Networking at Mokador
Graham MacDonald (center) was joined by Colin
Jarvis (left)
and a friend at the networking evening.
By Shana Kongmun
The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) and Networking One were
joined by sponsor Manpower in hosting the BCCT Networking One evening at
Mokador Coffee Shop opposite Wat Phra Singh on Friday, April 8, 2011.
Graham MacDonald of the BCCT and Peter Smith of AA Insurance and the head of
the BCCT North were in town for the event and discussed the need for a
British Chamber in Chiang Mai. As Peter Smith pointed out, “It’s the British
Chamber of Thailand, not Bangkok.”
Simon Matthews, Country Manager for the International company Manpower, was
happy to come to Chiang Mai to sponsor the event, noting that Manpower has a
large force in Lamphun. He added that Lamphun has more than just the usual
industry but also a large electronics presence there.
Christina Dodd, a corporate and personal coach, chatted with Anja De Jongh
of Import-Export Oriental Art tended to discuss more personal issues,
including the idea that too many Westerners think achieving things is the
means to happiness. While Tony and Carole Archer chatted with Mokador
hostess Susan Voss about the less ephemeral and the more down to earth topic
of her delicious canapés!
Peer Andersen was there with his lovely wife and mentioned the black clouds
on the horizon when they left their home. Rain held off in the city until
late night, so the event concluded successfully at around 8:30. Many
networkers considered stopping by 3 Kings Monument to listen to the music
while others were looking forward to the Chiang Mai International Cricket
Sixes Finals the next day.
Host Jerry Voss of Mokador shared a drink with
Christina Dodd and Simon Matthews of Manpower, one of the evening’s
sponsors.
Peer and Benjarattana Andersen join Mrs. Jarvis
and were discussing
the Festival at the 3 Kings Monument.
Peter Smith of AA Insurance and Christina Dodd
join Manpower country
Manager Simon Matthews in front of the sponsor banner.
Tony and Carole Archer enjoy the networking
evenings at Mokador.
Peer Andersen and Arjan of the We Women NGO talk
about his latest work there.
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Unite for Japan raises 380,000 Baht
By Shana Kongmun
Citylife Gardens were the scene of a huge fundraising charity concert for
Japan, Unite for Japan, on Saturday, April 2, 2011. The event started in the
afternoon and ran through the evening featuring fantastic performances from
Chiang Mai’s many talented musicians.
 The
silent auction saw people bidding on donated hotel stays, furniture, art,
clothing and more.
Several Thai ajarns played music, with Ajarn Wasunchai on the keyboard
starting the show, followed by Irish ballads and then Ajarn Pipatpong and
his group playing some beautiful traditional music. Ajarn Plem played the
trumpet accompanied by Rungson who also accompanied Ajarn Pond on the
violin. Chai Blues and Boy Blues Band got together and played some
outstanding blues that knocked everyone’s socks off.
A message from the Japan Consul General in Chiang Mai Kazuo Shibata left
everyone touched. Then Book Kittavadhana and Ong-ard Kanchaisak wowed the
crowd with their fabulous voices and beautiful harmonies. Harmonica Sunrise
got the crowd moving and the evening closed out with Por, Hirogi and Art
trio.
With a silent auction with a huge number of donated items from area
businesses including the Le Crystal, Art Space, the Elephant Life
Experience, Onyx furniture, dusit D2, Four Season, Mandarin Oriental Dhara
Devi, Fashion King as well as raffle tickets offering another huge number of
prizes from Tamarind Village and more as well as ticket sales, the event
raised more than 340,000 Baht. The funds are going to Second Harvest Japan
which provides food resources to those in need and has been working hard
delivering aid to those in the hardest hit regions of Japan.
Some of the beautiful water hyacinth furniture
donated by Onyx.
Ajarn Pipatpong and students played traditional
Thai music for the event.
Po Garden of Sangdee Gallery and his friend
enjoyed the charity concert.
Chai Blues and Boy Blues Band rocked the event
with their outstanding blues performances.
Chairat Kamonoratep of Tita Gallery, Mark
Stevenson, U.S. Consul General Susan Stevenson, Duenpen “Boong” Chaladlam
and her friend chatted during the party.
Pim Kemasingki praised her staff for the
excellent job they did organizing the raffle, silent auction and concert in
such a short period of time.
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Cricket Sixes opens in Chiang Mai
Frank Sethi of Fashion King joins Puttivat
(Parn) Poshyanondo, Chairman of the Chiang Mai Cricket Foundation and of the
Chiang Mai Schools Cricket Alliance, and Paul Dawson at the opening party.
Teams came from all over the world, including
this one from neighboring Vietnam.
Another one of the many visiting teams that
makes up
the International Chiang Mai Cricket Sixes.
Miguel’s of Nong Hoi is just one of the many
vendors
offering food at the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club grounds.
Local favorites the Stuffed Beavers features
well known Chiang Mai resident Chas Begley and friends.
The welcome party for the visiting teams for the 24th Annual International
Chiang Mai Cricket Sixes was held Saturday night, April 2, 2011 at the
Pornping Hotel and saw many of the 32 visiting teams from 13 different
countries at the party.
Welcome returnees were the Awali Taverners, Yorkshire Puddings as well as
teams from Vietnam, Australia and India. The International Cricket Sixes is
a popular stop for both the serious and “gentleman’s” teams as the
hospitality of Chiang Mai and the beauty of the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club
grounds are most welcoming.
Play continues through Saturday when the finals take place with the
Children’s tournament on Wednesday and Thursday and worth a visit if only to
see the enthusiasm and fun the youngsters have playing cricket.
Admission is free to all and play begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.
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Mokador hosts Embassy Club launch
Networking One and AA Insurance were joined by sponsors Complete Web Asia,
Tropical Nuclear Cider, the Olde Bell, Oelmaier Technology and Mokador in
welcoming the launch of the new Embassy Club and its magazine Embassy
LifeStyle in Chiang Mai.
 Jerry
and Susan Voss were delightful hosts that kept the crowd well fed and
watered.
The evening was well attended by local business people who enjoyed the
trendy and modern atmosphere of Mokador. Everyone commented on the delicious
appetizers and service and commended owners Jerry and Susan Voss for the
impressive venue.
The new magazine, Embassy LifeStyle will be distributed locally and feature
reviews and articles of interest to local expats. The services the Embassy
Club offers to its members can be found online at
http://www.embassyclub.asia/ and includes discounts and assistance with
bookings, travel plans, and free to everyone they offer assistance in
dealing with hospitals and communication with doctors, and Thai authorities.
The evening saw Pedr Fawkes of the Olde Bell drop in before returning to his
pub to celebrate his birthday, everyone joined in to wish him a very happy
birthday. Linda Pfotenhauer reported back that her daughter Jessica’s
petition drive to get lions listed on the CITES protected species list
delivered to the National Geographic in Washington DC and that they hoped it
had made a difference.
Additional visitors included Ralph Van den Berg who noted that Horeca is
having an open house sale this weekend, from 5-9 p.m. at their offices on
the Superhighway. Rob Kelly of Kelly’s Fish and Chips shop at Meechoke Plaza
dropped in to sample some Tropical Nuclear Cider at its first introduction
to Chiang Mai. Tropical Nuclear Cider is the first Thailand produced cider
available on the market and a must for cider lovers to try. Honorary Dutch
Consul Peter van Loo also stopped by to meet people and learn more about the
services the Embassy Club had on offer, noting that it was a good idea
especially for people who don’t speak much Thai.
The evening wound to an end and Jerry and Susan Voss have a week to prepare
the café for the next networking event hosted there by the British Chamber
of Commerce on April 8.
Pedr and Beer of the Olde Bell join Boonyarat
Buripia in sampling the new Tropical Nuclear Cider.
Gary Newitt explains the Embassy Club concept to
Dutch Honorary Consul Peter van Loo.
Rob Kelly enjoys the cider at the networking evening.
Carl Galea of Complete Web Asia was one of the evening’s sponsors.
Linda and Jessica Ptofenhauer reported on Jessica’s petition drive to place
lions on the CITES protected species list.
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Shaken not stirred
007 night at the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi
Mark Stevenson, recently back from his amazing
run through the Atacama desert in Chile, shows off his style at the shooting
gallery.
The man with the golden gun was one of many
great costumes at the event.
By Shana Kongmun
Elegance and flair abounded at the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi on Friday,
April 1, 2011 when the hotel threw a 007 party with Citylife Magazine. From
the giant gun over the doorway to the Bond themed cocktails like Cosmo
Royale, the evening saw the men dressed to kill and the ladies likewise!
A fun evening was had by all with the shooting gallery and the
nitrogen-frozen drinks mixed by the Akaligo’s chef to the delight of all.
The frozen margarita was a must try.
Bond music and theme songs from all the movies played during the evening and
guests had fun trying to pick out which movie belonged to which song. Toby
Allen of Oasis Spa dropped by after just returning from a visit to the U.S.
and Japan. Martin Venzky-Stalling impressed with his prowess at the shooting
gallery while Mark Stevenson cut a dashing figure in his tux with his lovely
wife U.S. Consul General Susan Stevenson wearing a striking green sequined
dress.
The evening ended with dancing and drinks and many stopped out front to take
their photo with the owner’s fabulous new Bentley.
Jerri Matthayamphan is joined by her friend
Howard and a sexy mannequin!
Tuxedoes were the order of the day for most of
the men.
Pim Kemasingki of Citylife is joined by the
owners and the general manager of the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi for the
lucky draws.
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