Introduction to the Cha Am Darts Fun League

Darts has been played in the bars of Cha- Am for a number of years and interest has been steadily increasing, so we decided it was about time we got ourselves organised!
We run a league of 8 teams of 3 people from 5 venues around Cha-Am on a Wednesday evening at 8p.m. Team members are a good mix of Thai and Ex-pat, male and female, young(ish) and old(ish).

The purpose of the league is to provide a fun night out, and introduce new players to darts. At the moment only 2 players in the league had ever played darts before coming to Thailand. It’s cheap and easy to learn, and we offer a quick lesson or 2 and a helping hand along the way.
Catch us at any of these bars:- Scandic Bar Soi Long Beach, Paradise Corner Bar, Beach Rd, Cha-Am Soi 10N, Pink Flamingo and Blue Lagoon Naratip Rd and Buddy Bar KhlongThian Rd.

If you fancy giving it a try or just having look, why not check out one of the very informal fun nights held in Scandic Bar on Sunday evenings and Paradise Corner Bar on Monday evenings

Fires Likely to Break Out in Cold/Dry Season. Warning from Cha-Am and Hua Hin AuthoritiesFires Likely to Break Out in Cold/Dry Season. Warning from Cha-Am and Hua Hin Authorities

The Cha-Am and Hua Hin Municipality have given advice to local people on fire prevention during the current cold season as fires can quickly spread but are hard to extinguish, particularly if they occurs in shop-houses or wooden houses or on open grass land due to dry weather and strong winds.

To protect their house and property, authorities suggest that people should keep their house well-ordered and not put anything that block the doorway, windows and stairs. More than one fire exit has to be prepared in the house and at least one window of each room should be left unlocked so that family members can leave the house in case a fire breaks out. All keys have to be kept in a place where they are easily found in case of emergency.

Any inflammable things, such as papers, matches and wood chunks, should be gotten rid of. Chemical substances have to be kept in dry and ventilated place away from heat. Incense pots, candlesticks and ashtrays should be non-flammable.

Electrical appliances, especially those exposed to sunlight, rain and heat most of the time, should be frequently checked. Urgent repair or replacement must be done for electrical appliances that have damaged wires. More importantly, it is not recommendable to plug many electrical appliances in one socket or leave them unused for a long time as this can easily cause short circuit.

Fire extinguishers have to be placed where family members can use them quickly and conveniently. Fire alarms should be installed in rooms prone to fire, such as a kitchen or a praying room where incense and candles are usually lit.

Other than that, the Municipalities asks people to be careful if they have to do any activities with fire, such as blowing candles and incense out before leaving the house, unplugging or turning off all electrical appliances and cooking gas as well as avoiding burning garbage and pampas grass when the wind is strong because other materials can catch even small fire fragments and start to burn uncontrollably fast.
Keeping their house well-organized, getting rid of inflammable things, frequently checking electrical appliances, installing fire alarms and paying special attention to activities with fire will help minimize the risk that fire easily breaks out during this dry and cold season.
In case of emergency, please contact the Cha- Am Municipality’s Public Works and Disaster Relief at tel. 199, 032 471 001, 032 471 222 and 032 471 419.

Baan Laad Organizes Cart-Yoking Cow Race

A cart-yoking cow race will take place between 4 -12 February 2012 at a 60-Rai area by the Phetchakasem road opposite the Chit Chanok Thai sweets shop in Baan Laad District of Phetchaburi.
According to Mr. Wirat Chaiyasit, the district chief of Baan Leed, the District Office of Baan Laad, with cooperation of the District Chief and Community Leader Group, the Baan Laad Local

Administration Office and local people launch this event to revive and foster local tradition and culture, particularly activities relates to Thai farming and agriculture. Besides, it helps promote tourism in Phetchaburi, the gateway to the south of Thailand.

This year’s cart-yoking cow race will be more exciting and bigger than last years’ because of various activities. Visitors can attend cart-yoking cow races for which winners will be awarded a trophy conferred by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as well as cow running, cow catching with bare hands and wild boar catching. Since Phetchaburi is well-known among tourists for palmyra palm, races on palm climbing, palm chopping, palm eating, palm curry making and palm crushing will be held, too. In the evening, there will be stage performances, the display of local and community products, a contest of youth string combo bands, retro Thai dance and the cowboy night show on the last day of the event.
Further information on the Baan Laad’s cart-yoking race can be obtained at the Baan Laad District Office (tel. 032 491 316) during office hours.

Crab Pulling Festival Attracting more Tourists to Cha Am. The 2nd Crab Pulling Festival @ Cha-Am is coming back this month after its great success last year.

To be organized from the 11th to the 19th February 2012 at the lookout point on Cha-Am beach, the crab pulling festival is one of 3 the Unseen Thailand campaigns that promotes tourism in the country and encourages visitors to admire and foster local culture.

This event was originated from the municipal policy to promote blue crab fishing in which different breeds of the sea creatures are given to local fishers by the Phetchaburi Fishery Office and the Phetchaburi Fisheries Test and research Center and were regularly released in the artificial reef. Moreover, 2 blue crab banks were established in Cha-Am to propagate the species so that the animal does not face extinction and local fishers earn more income.

Cha-Am has 3 fishing communities that mainly do crab fishing: Baan Khlong Thien, Baan Boh Khaem and Bang Sai Yoi. The Baan Khlong Thien fishers, in particular, use the area by a canal of Saphan Hin to sell the fresh blue crab they caught.

To keep the crab fresh, they put it in a big handmade mesh bag. The bag, hung on to the iron bars of a bridge, is soaked in canal water. Once customers come to buy the crabs, the sellers will pull up the water soaked bag. That is how the name, Pu Chak (literally, crab pulling), was born.
Since this event, when local fishers catch more crab than any other time of the year, visitors will see how local fishers actually work. In addition, there will be concerts of famous Thai artists and a lively walking street for tourists every night. So, the 2nd Crab Pulling Festival @ Cha-Am will surely be as enterta.

Phetchaburi’s 3rd Eagle Watching and OTOP Products Selling

The 3rd Eagle Watching and Products Selling of Phetchaburi will take place from January to February, 2012, at the multi-purposed ground by the highway No. 1023 in Baan Nong Plalai Community, Khao Yoi district in Phetchaburi.

This event is aimed at raising awareness on eagle protection and eco-tourism promotion. Moreover, it serves as a forum that encourages youths to learn more on natural habitats in Thailand and enables local people to understand local economic development and how important it is, said Mr. Prasopchai Areewong, the chief of the Nong Plalai Sub- District Administration Office.
Since its highlight concerns eagles, the event has an exhibit on the so-called king of all winged creatures, a display about local lifestyle at Baan Nong Plalai, selling of OTOP goods, eagle watching, a photo contest on eagles, hawks and local lifestyle as well as a contest of colored drawing made by primary and secondary students entitled, “Eagles: the King of the Sky and the Great Hunter”. Also, there will be a cultural performance of Lao Phuan, Lao Wieng, Lao Song and Thai Song Dam.

On the occasion, professional photographers from discoverythai.com will display their photos of many eagles as well.
Besides the stage performances at night, visitors can enjoy beautiful landscape and natural eco-system at the nearby Baan Khao Samoh Rabang as it has a lot of glittering fireflies at the Baan Khao Samoh Rabang.

“Nong Plalai is one of the best places for eagle watching in Thailand. Besides eagles, hawks and other rare birds can be easily seen as they migrate from the cold weather in other countries to stay here every year. Currently, many photographers are coming and staying here to take pictures of the birds, thus enabling local people to earn more income,” added Mr. Prasopchai.
For more information, please contact the Nong Plalai Sub-District Administration Office at tel. 032 796 681-2 daily at office hours.

2012 Year of The Dragon

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone.
In Sung Dynasty (a Chinese imperial dynasty lasting from AD 960 – 1279) texts, the dragon is described as having the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales, and feet of a phoenix. The dragon usually clutches a pearl symbolic of its super-natural powers. Invariably accompanied by thunder and rain, dragons move like lightning and whirlwinds – - all powerful yet totally unpredictable.

The Sign of the Dragon
People born in the Year of the Dragon share certain characteristics: Innovative, enterprising, self-assured, brave, passionate, conceited, and quick-tempered. The Dragons are the free spirits of the Chinese Zodiac. Restrictions blow out their creative spark that is ready to flame into life. So, they must be free and uninhibited. The Dragon is a beautiful creature, colorful and flamboyant. An extroverted bundle of energy, gifted and irrepressible, everything Dragons do is on a grand scale – big ideas and extreme ambitions. However, this behavior is natural and isn’t meant for show. Because they are confident, fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful.

People born in the Year of the Dragon usually make it to the top. But, they must be aware of that too much enthusiasm can leave them tired and unfulfilled. They find pleasure in helping others, and you can always count on their help. Even though they are willing to assist when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others. Their generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart. Their self-sufficiency can mean that they have no need for close bonds with other people.
Dragon people tend to take thrilling risks, and burn the candle at both ends so they are fortunate to be blessed with good health. However, they can suffer bad health as a result of excess stress. Symtoms of their personalities often stem from emotional outbursts and can range from tension headaches to depression to hypertension. They can remedy these problems by maintaining their cool, implementing a routine in their daily lives, and practice meditation, Tai Chi or Yoga that soothe the mind and spirit as well as tone the body.

The Dragon is not the most domesticated of the Animal signs. So, people born in the Year of the Dragon prefer enjoying outdoor activities rather than staying at home. They are extroverts who have a deep love for nature. Their homes should be as large and majestic as their personalities, providing space for the fiery temperament or emotional eruptions that accompany their character. They have true and sincere love, which comes from the depths of their hearts.

Dragon people are quite imaginative, always able to see new paths and will take a radical approach. They have innate explorative spirit and try to succeed at one stroke. They are very adaptable and are fit for various occupations, especially if those occupations allow them to take the limelight. They work hard, but would rather give orders than receive them. They should avoid jobs that encompass too much routine, and should move toward jobs in which their self-reliance can be an asset.
People born in the Year of the Dragon like to spend money and are charitable themselves as well as with others. Many Dragon people will take big chances with their finances. It is very rare that they remain poor for long. They will always be straightforward in financial dealings and can always be trusted.

Dragon Years: 02/19/1904 to 02/03/1905 (Wood), 02/03/1916 to 01/22/1917 (Fire), 01/23/1928 to 02/09/1929 (Earth), 02/08/1940 to 01/26/1941 (Metal), 01/27/1952 to 02/13/1953 (Water), 02/13/1964 to 02/01/1965 (Wood), 01/31/1976 to 02/17/1977 (Fire), 02/17/1988 to 02/05/1989 (Earth), 02/05/2000 to 01/23/2001 (Metal), 01/23/2012 to 02/09/2013 (Water).

Famous Dragon People: Calista Flockhart, Colin Farrell, Courtney Cox, Courtney Love, Dinah Shore, Isabella Rossellini, Julia Ormond, Juliette Binoche, Reese Witherspoon, Roseanne Barr, Sandra Bullock, and Wynonna Judd.

Khonthai-Hua-Jai–Singha Concert with Asanee & Wasan

The concert, “Khonthai-Hua-Jai –Singha Concert with Asanee & Wasan”, will take place on 25 February 2012 at the open air stadium of the Military Unit 15 (Somdet Phra Suriyothai Military Camp). Following a meeting of the organizers at the Hua Hin Municipality, sponsored by the Singha Corporation, which included the Hua Hin Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, the Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Hua Hin Office) Mrs. Pinnat Charoenphol, the Chairman of the Cha-Am/Hua Hin Tourim Business Association, the Commander of the Military Unit 15 and the Manager of Marketing Promotion Department of the Singha Corporation Mr. Wichai Phrailaharn. This event, will feature Asanee and Wasan Chotikul, the highly favored brother singers whose many pop and rock styled songs have been well known among Thai people since the 80s. Boasting its world-class light and sound effects, the concert will also feature the Bangkok Marathon, a famous Thai band as well.

As over 40,000 people love their music and huge fans flocked at their concert in Central and Northeastern Thailand, the upcoming performance of the two brothers will undoubtedly welcome up to 100,000 spectators. it is expected to make 300 to 500 million Baht income for 3 days of the event.

All proceedings will be given to the Hua Hin Municipality for work on beach protection as well as to family members of the dedicated soldiers from the Somdet Phra Suriyothai Military Camp who are now working in the southern part of Thailand. According to the Manager of Marketing Promotion Department of the Singha Corporation Mr. Wichai Phrailaharn, the “Khonthai-Hua-Jai –Singha Concert with Asanee & Wasan” is the first entertainment after the current flooding that affected almost all parts of the country.

It will help boost an image of Hua Hin as a famous holiday getaway for Thais and foreigners. Since a lot of people, especially the fans of the singers, will attend the concert in the city, the organizers already coordinated with Hua Hin police to solve traffic problems in the city center and ensure more safety. Tickets for the concert, priced at 200 Baht, are currently available at the Hua Hin Municipality. For more information, please contact 032 511 047 ext. 100.

Tennis Champs in Hua Hin

Once again, the Intercontinental
presented Hua Hin with
exhibition matches from
top world players with the return
of Paradorn Srichapan to the
international Tennis scene.

Viktoria
Azarenka outperformed Caroline
Wozniacky in an entertaining two set
match. Paradorn, our national hero,
slammed all hope for ATP number
9 by beating him in two straight sets.
Paradorn´s game was powerful and
precise. Welcome back !

Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin Undergoes an Inspection from Accrediting Commision

Last week the surveyors from the US based joint Commission on International Accreditation (JCI) were in Hua Hin, visiting the Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin. This organization was established several years ago to inspect hospitals to establish that they complied with the latest international standards for patient care and patient safety. The visit was very successful and confirmed that we are practicing the high standards that are a hallmark of the Bangkok Hospitals network.

The U.S., Australia and the U.K. are among the many countries that have very successful accreditation systems and this concept continues to grow worldwide. As one would assume, the standards of international assessment are not the same as standards for facilities within the United States. In an interview the President and CEO of Joint Commission International, said “We determined that the existing American Joint Commission standards should not be used and we developed a set of international standards that could be applied to various health care systems and that would be sensitive to unique cultural issues. We feel that our standards are comparable, but different.” In other words, JCI does not expect that Thai hospitals be the same as American hospitals but that certain essential standards are the same.

The benefits of accreditation are countless for the organization involved. As a voluntary process, accreditation shows that a healthcare organization has a visible commitment towards improving the safety and quality of patient care by continually working to reduce risks. Accreditation is therefore an effective quality assurance tool for a healthcare organization.
Several hospitals in Thailand have already received their seal of approval and Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin (BHN) was the latest to undergo inspection. It is the hospital with the shortest record to be inspected. BNH Hospital in Bangkok was over 100 years old when it went through this process while BHN is only just over a year old.
Although hospitals such as BHN are private, non-government institutions, they are under constant observation to be sure that they are safe and are performing well. A periodical inspection of hospitals in Thailand is performed by the Health authorities and they have increasingly raised the standards that hospitals must achieve to be licensed
JCI is first interested in the governance and structure of the hospital, the process by which staff members are given credentials to work at the hospital and the methods used to monitor the quality of their work.

Every procedure that is performed in the hospital, an operation, an investigation or a medical treatment, has a policy and procedure to govern the way that it is performed and documentation is needed to show that these P and Ps are being followed.
JCI is very interested in patient safety and a great deal of time was spent looking at the building and facilities. There are very tight building codes to be followed in building a hospital. The tiles on the floor, the electrical and plumbing are all inspected, even the store rooms are visited to be sure that there is no fire hazards there. Methods to reduce the risks of falls and any personal injuries are a concern to the surveyors. The Bangkok Hospital Huahin was planned to incorporate all the measures needed to provide a safe environment and in this area the surveyors were very impressed with our thoughtful expertise.

The surveyors gave the hospital a rigorous onsite evaluation. The surveyors spent four days interviewing hospital leaders and staff on policies and procedures, looking in detail at hospital care for individual patients. In addition, they surveyed each department individually. The physical plant of the hospital, equipment, services, was subjected to evaluation. Focus was also placed on aspects such as patient safety, patient rights, medication management, bedsides policies and procedures, surgical infection and the ongoing assessment of medical staff and nurses, leadership of the organization and many others. Quite at random, they stopped staff members and asked them about their work and the training that they had been given.

The surveyors were very impressed with our activities in all these areas and were generous with their praise
Every hospital performs studies in areas where it is felt that improvement can be made and the results of these studies were presented to the surveyors.
In addition to being an inspection process it was a learning experience for the hospital. The Surveyors have seen so many good hospitals and were able to offer suggestions on how we could improve.
The surveyors gave a glowing report when they had finished and there is no doubt that we will be accredited from the remarks that they made.

Fringe Festival 2012 at Vic Hua Hin

The new year starts with the second part of the HuaHinFringe Festival 2012. After three successful events last year there are six more performances coming up in January and February at Vic HuaHin. Artists from Israel, England, France and of course Thailand will visit this festival.

The Fringe Festival 2012 will be held at the amazing venue, Vic HuaHin, under the guidance of artistic director KhunPatravadiMejudhon. It is supported by the Office of Contemporary Arts and Culture at the Thai Ministry of Culture.
Returning to the Fringe Festival is Yael Rasooly and the Golden Delicious Theatre from Jerusalem, Israel. The show will feature three object theatre pieces in one evening, January 21st 2012, 7.30 pm.
This performance is supported by the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
KhunPatravadi’s own production, “PhraLor” will be performed again on Sunday, 29th January 2012 at 6 pm. It is an epic love story, written in poetic verse by one of the kings during Thailand’s Ayudhya period. Over the centuries there have been many songs composed using the poetry from this book as lyrics. We would like to present some of these in this production, with a new interpretation, featuring a modern generation of artists playing both Thai and Western musical instruments. Written, directed and performed by KhunPatravadi herself.

Another Thai production will be presented on February 4th, 7.30 pm, with B-Floor from Bangkok. “Taste of Curry” combines live music and a story about cooking with a shattering look at life in all kinds of languages: Thai, English, French, Gibberish; and of course physical movement and live music to present the full taste of life!

On February 5th, 2 pm, the Fringe Festival 2012 and the Japan Foundation are proud to present AUN, two outstanding Japanese artists playing traditional instruments and mix them with modern sounds: Taikos (drums), Samisen (string instrument) and Fue (flute).

Our next guest travels from the UK to Thailand to perform his one-man piece “SPACE” on Saturday, February 11th, 7.30 pm. Timothy Mann is an actor, writer, musician and video editor who joined the theatre company Nose2Nose in 2006. He will ask the infinite question, “What is SPACE?”… and maybe also find an answer.

A co-production with the Festival La Fête, Bangkok, will be the final event of the Fringe Festival: “PichetKlunchun and Myself”, performed by the French artist JérômeBel and the Thai dancer PichetKlunchun. We will see a combination of traditional Khon and modern Dance, to close the festival on February 25th 2012, 7.30 pm.
For more information please check www. vichuahin.com. Tickets for the events are available at Vic HuaHin or call for reservations now: 032 827 814-5.