Money Channel Thailand interviewed senior managers of property developers Tulip Group at Centara Grand Residence Pattaya. Parichat Phromyothi sat down with Kobi Elbaz, CEO, and Jason Payne, vice president, to discuss their mixed-use development Centara Grand Residence Pattaya, real estate in Pattaya, potential over supply in the market, and Tulip Group plans. For more information go to http://www.tulipgroup.co.th.

Throughout the year, members of the Royal British Legion Thailand visit the River Kwai, but there is an occasion every year when members from all over Thailand make a point of being there: Anzac Day April 25. So two days before the event, an advance party, consisting of Bert Elson BEM, secretary, and Richard Holmes, standard bearer, went to the location to set up accommodations and rehearse the remembrance service.
The main party departed April 24. It included 9 Riders of The Royal British Legion Thailand Bikers who left at 9:30 a.m. and arrived relieved at 4 p.m. after a long, dicey road trip on bikes. We also had members arriving from all points of Thailand, including Korat.

The night before is usually a get together of all the Legion members, but not too much as early the next morning for many it is off to Hellfire Pass, about 3 a.m. leave as the ceremony starts at 5:30 a.m. and it is a long walk down. Well worth a visit the bikers made the trip and returned with an additional 30 or so Australian bikers for the main ceremony.
The majority after a bite to eat got into transport for the short trip to Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery. The first thing one notices on entry is how immaculate the cemetery is. The second is members of the Royal British Legion Thailand, with Ron, Greg and the ladies ensuring people have a poppy. Then into position for the ceremony.
The poignant ceremony involves the march led by The British Club Bangkok Pipe Bang, followed by the standard bearer, Richard Holmes, of the Royal British Legion Thailand, and the honour guard. As the ceremony begins, we are reminded why we are there and made to listen with sadness as survivors tell of those hell years. The one-hour ceremony is suitably hot. Following which guests are invited for a sausage sizzle and a few cold uns’.
The day for us was not over until we made our annual visit to Chungkai, the lesser-known War Cemetery at The River Kwai. This, in fact, was the first war cemetery, built by the prisoners of war for those who died in the camp hospital. It is also the resting place of many of the British who died on the Death Railway.
Chungkai is situated on the River about ten minutes outside the city. We found it many years ago and vowed to lay a wreath there every year. For the last few years we have been privileged to have the British ambassador join us for a small heartfelt ceremony. This essentially closed the Anzac day, apart from cementing our ties with our Aussie and Kiwi friends at the bar.
The next day we were up bright and breezy to get into the busses and do the special trip organised by Bert. I leave it for the photos to explain more about our fine day and our visit to the Hellfire Pass Museum.

Primary students staged three performances of The Grunch at Garden International School (GIS) for an audience of hundreds, including children from REPS summer school and other nearby international schools. The evening performance was accompanied by a successful auction of memorabilia and a post-production party.

I married my husband three years ago and at first everything seemed fine.  Then I began to see signs that he might not be as faithful as he claimed to be.  On one occasion I found part of a woman’s underwear in his jacket pocket but he assured me that he had found it in the street and brought it home in case the undergarments were my size.  In fact they were far too small.  Last week I returned home suddenly from shopping and heard grunting noises coming from the bedroom.  I flung open the door and found my husband and a young woman completely naked and engaged flat-out in an intimate act which can hardly be described in a family newspaper.  However, it can be abbreviated to two numbers.  Obviously I confronted them and his explanation was that he is a Mormon whilst she claimed to be looking for some lost underwear.  I am now completely confused and am hoping you can sort me out.

Naïve Nora

Agony Ivy writes: Well, I suppose anything is possible in Pattaya.  It must have struck you as an amazing coincidence that the woman who lost her knickers came to your house for a search.  If you believe that, you presumably believe that the Zombies Are Real website is designed for fully rational people.  Mormons are men who believe that they can have several wives at the same timer and they will quote the Scriptures to justify their shocking behavior.  There is nothing you can do other than accepting a poor marriage or suing for divorce.  Thank you for sending me the photo you took of your husband and the other woman.  I still can’t work out which two numbers they represent.

Dear Agony Ivy,

Floor polish query

As a retired farang, I retired to Pattaya several months ago and immediately fell in love with a young woman I met on a stone seat at a building site.  She said that her cruel husband had thrown her out of the house and she survived only by hanging around construction sites and begging food from the workers there.  After a whirlwind romance we decided to get married and, after a short honeymoon in a hotel near Naklua market, we moved into a condo which I paid for out of my retirement lump sum.   My wife said she insisted on living on the top floor whereas I would have preferred a ground floor apartment as I get very breathless and the lift is often out of order.  I returned the other day and noticed that my wife had removed the safety rail on the balcony even though she knows I have no head for heights.  Another strange thing is that she has started polishing the floor every day in the area of the balcony, though she never cleans any other area.   Is she trying to tell me something?

Breathless Bert

Agony Ivy writes:  There are a number of solutions.  She might be suggesting you employ a morning cleaner to do a more professional job or she could simply prefer living above the level where mosquitoes congregate.  It is also possible that she is planning your downfall, literally and figuratively, by polishing an area where you could tumble in a very dramatic fashion.  You must accept you have only yourself to blame.  No guidebook or internet chat line has ever recommended building sites as the ideal venue to meet your bride-to-be.  I suggest you take the next available plane to Manchester.

Dear Agony Ivy,

Sexless marriage

I am a 51 year old woman trapped in a loveless and sexless marriage with a man several years my junior.  I have to be frank and confess that the very idea of sex these days disgusts me.  Actually I was never particularly fond of it in the first place.  I do not think that Dan (his name) loves me but he often demands sex when he comes home drunk from the pub.  I usually get out of the problem by pouring him a double whiskey so that he will, hopefully, fall asleep.  It usually works, as a matter of fact.  But there must be a better solution.

Miserable Myra

Agony Ivy writes:  I am sending you under plain cover a copy of my pamphlet Sexual Satisfaction Without Touching which is full of surprises.  I particularly bring to your attention the third paragraph on page 5, although you then would need to go to the expense of purchasing a new pair of oven gloves.

Email questions to: AndyPattayaToday@gmail.com

QUICK TIP
Soak a kitchen sponge in a bowl of water. When it’s fully saturated, put the sponge in a plastic baggie and freeze it. When you have need for an ice pack—to relieve strains, sprains, muscle pain and soft tissue injuries, or to help keep food and beverages cool on trips–your frozen sponge will be waiting for you. And it won’t drip as it melts.

Your Flapper’s Leaking

Water is constantly running in my toilet, Andy, which is annoying because of the constant drone and because I fear it’s going to push my water bill out of sight. Any idea what’s causing it?

Raymond

It’s a common problem, Raymond. It usually occurs when water leaks from the tank into the bowl because the flapper is worn or doesn’t rest properly over the hole at the bottom of the tank. Before replacing the flapper, however, check the linkage between the flush handle and the flapper. If it’s a chain, ensure that it hasn’t become twisted or snagged and therefore too short to allow the flapper to fall into place. If the chain or other device is corroded or broken, it can easily be replaced (take it to the hardware or home improvement store to ensure the new gear is a match). If it isn’t the mechanism, check the rubber flapper; has it been eaten away? Have the rubber loops disintegrated? Has a hinge eroded? To test the flapper, push it down firmly. If the water stops running, the flapper needs to be replaced. If no problems with any of the above, water may be flowing over the top of the overflow tube in the tank, indicating that the float assembly’s adjustable float is not working properly. Adjust the float by increasing the length of the rod connecting the float to its arm. If water continues to flow over the top, install a new float assembly.

Mildew Won’t Do

My wife’s grandmother in Chainat gave us a beautiful wooden trunk that had been in the family for years. It’s in great condition but it has a musty smell and I am allergic to mildew. I would like to use the trunk for storing things like towels and bedding and maybe use it as a coffee table in the parlor, but the odor puts me off. How do I get rid of the mildew smell and spores?

Victor

Things that sit around closed for long periods tend to develop a musty smell, Victor, but that is not necessarily the same as mildew. Mildew needs moisture to grow.  If it’s just a musty smell, then vacuum thoroughly and mask remaining odor with potpourri. As an option, set the trunk out in the sun with the lid open for a few days. If the odor lingers, spray the interior with a mixture of one part clear vinegar, three parts warm water, and juice from half a lime. As a last resort, you may need to coat the interior surface with lacquer or shellac to seal in the odor.

Looking Good on Paper

We just moved into a house that has two bedrooms that have been wallpapered. I don’t mind wallpaper, but I am seriously offended by the colors and pattern of this particular wallpaper. Anyway, Andy, I would just like to know if I need to remove the old paper (ugh!) or can I just slap on a couple coats of paint over it?

Gary

I understand your reluctance to peel and scrape off the existing wall coverings, Gary; it’s a time-consuming, messy and tedious job. The short answer to your question is yes, you can paint over wallpaper. but it’s not just a matter of slapping on a couple coats of paint. If you want it to look good, start by removing any loose ends or torn paper, as well as any nails and switch plates. Now apply primer–either shellac or oil-based (not water-based). The dried primer will show all defects in the wall which you need to fix using drywall compound. Put a thin coat of compound over the seams as well. Let it dry, and then sand it down. Apply primer over the compound, then caulk around trim and the ceiling line. When dry, vacuum the dust.  Now you can paint, using a washable flat paint. Begin by brushing around the edges and the trim, painting in long vertical strokes (horizontal where necessary). For the rest of the wall, you can use a brush with long, even strokes or a roller. Allow the first coat to dry, then apply a second for better coverage.

Sage Brush

Do you have any sage advice on what I can do to preserve my paintbrushes after I finish using them?

Bart

After painting, soak the brushes in the appropriate solvent–either water or thinner. Work the bristles through all the way up to the handle, and shake them out. Then dry the bristles with a rag and wrap them tightly in butcher paper to help them retain their shape. For longer storage, wrap the brushes in plastic wrap, put them in baggies and freeze them until you’re ready to paint again.

Switching Switches

Hi, Andy, can you tell me if it would it be very difficult or dangerous to replace a light switch in my home? Or should I just find an electrician to do the job?

Angie

Some people get cold feet at the thought of working on electrical circuits, Angie, but installing a light switch is fairly easy and safe if done right. That always means that you begin by turning off the power supply. Then you can remove the switch plate and use a voltage tester to ensure the electrical wires aren’t powered. Test each wire; there should be no voltage registration. Now, remove the two screws that hold the switch to the box and gently pull out the switch and disconnect all wires. Strip away about 2 cm of the insulation at the end of the wires and connect them to the new switch–the black one (hot or live wires) to the terminal screws, the white or grey (neutral) wire in the outlet to the white or grey wire from the service panel. If there is a third wire (it may be green and it is unlikely in Thailand), it is a ground wire that should be secured to the earth or ground switch screw. Then fold the wires at the back of the switch back into the box and carefully press the switch in. If it doesn’t fit, rearrange the wires as flat as possible. Line up the switch by readjusting the screws in the slots, making certain that the switch is flat to the wall. Attach and tighten the switch, then the switch plate.

Closing Line

Hospitality is making your guests feel like they’re at home–even if you wish they were.

–Handy Andy

Crystal Bay, C  and  A – Stableford

There were 18 starters for the day’s competition at the ever popular Crystal Bay Golf Course and they assembled at The Growling Swan eager to hit the road. There was a very good contingent of Growling Swan Delinquents and in fact they had one of the two minivans reserved specifically for themselves. (It’s always better to keep them separate from our non-delinquent golfers!) Departing the GS 5 minutes early on a warm sunny morning, there was only light traffic which made the journey just 45 minutes. The first four ball got away 15 minutes ahead of schedule and, as usual, the course was in tip- top condition with the greens quite fast and tricky for some. There were some pretty good scores posted but just four golfers managed to play better than their handicap. It was a humid day with a drop of rain before the start and later on thunder could be heard but no more rain eventuated.

As a result of the small field we had just the one grade with six podium places and four nearest the pins and longest first putts on the 9th and 18th greens.

Continuing his winning form was Paul Hack who won the day with a fine 42 points, 2 points ahead of Ebrahim in second place. There was a count back for third and fourth with 2 golfers on 37 points resulting in Sandy (Leiperfrog) Leiper just pipping Fred Dineley. Sal Brizzi finished in fifth spot with 35 points, 1 point ahead of 6th place getter Alain (Inspector Clouseau) Taddei.

Results for Crystal Bay:

1st – Paul Hack (13) – 42 points        2nd – Ebrahim (15) – 40 points

3rd – Sandy Leiper (34) – 37 points

4th – Fred Dineley (27) – 37 points

5th – Sal Brizzi (7) – 35 points

6th – Alain Taddei (17) – 34

NTP’s

C4 – Paul Hack

C7 – Alain Taddei

A5 – No-one good enough

A8 – Fred Dineley

LFP’s

C9 – Shane Young

A9 – Shane Young

The Growling Swan NAGA Award, (awarded to the golfer who has the worst score on the day and discreetly their score is not made public) was once again won by Growling Swan mine host Peter Grey who naturally wore the NAGA Cap with distinction in the bar afterwards where the Aussie cold, low-priced beers went down a treat and a good “crack” was had by all.

Growling Swan Golf, the home of friendly golf in Pattaya, welcomes golfers of any persuasion – low  and high handicappers alike, female golfers and beginners. We generally play Mondays and Thursdays, meeting at The Growling Swan (formerly The Bunker Bar) in Soi Chaiyapoon at 8 a.m. with transport departing at 8.30. For bookings or more information please contact Peter on 0806 351 386 or email to petermalcolmblackburn@gmail.com

Netnapada Kanlayanon (Neck) was crowned Miss Tiffany Universe 2013 in the world’s most famous ladyboy beauty pageant at the Tiffany Show Theater in North Pattaya.  The 22-year- old beauty queen was awarded a 500,000-baht diamond tiara, a Honda Jazz, and 1.5 million baht in prize money. Runners up were Chanunchida (Blossom) Roungpechrat and Sopida (Ning) Rachanon. A special prize went to Yada (First) Kongsrijarean, who was named most popular amongst the press.