thani talk 2014 october
DESCRIPTION
Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach news magazine serving expatriates near Bangkok, Thailand.TRANSCRIPT
Thani Talk
NONTHABURI NEIGHBORHOOD REACH
Serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local charities since 1994 OCTOBER 2014
Thani Talk is generously sponsored by
Now online at: www.issuu.com/nnrthanitalk
An Interview with Bill Reinsch
Page 12
Travel: Koh Samui Pages 38-39
Cancer Support Group, Pages 8-9
Page 36
Volunteer Opps, pages 44-47
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About NNR & Thani Talk Thani Talk ~October 2014
1 page 26.5 x 19 cm. 3000 baht
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Rates per issue, discount for annual ad.
Based on space availability.
Deadline for all ads is the 10th of each month.
Contact [email protected] for more information
Thani Talk
Ad Rates
DISCLAIMER: The placement of adver tisements and ar ticles in this newsletter does not constitute or imply
endorsement by the NNR of any product or service. The NNR accepts no responsibility for any claims made in any
advertisement and the opinions expressed in any articles are not necessarily the views of the NNR committee
NNR BOARD 2014-2015
Chairperson Mare Harvey [email protected]
Vice Chairperson Charlotte Sanders 084-875-7655
Treasurer Val Mowat [email protected]
Activity/Tour
Coordinator
Jesmin Tarana
Susanne Rodrigues
084-388-4457
NNR Socials Sarah Glaze 081-793-0806
Charity Socials and
Volunteer Coordinator
Linda Feltham 091-095-0457 [email protected]
Advertisements Laura Sadowski
089-924-5306
Thani Talk Editors Liz Lu (Co-editor)
Monique Langer (Co-editor)
Jennifer Bradley (Proofreader)
086-784-7171
Distribution
Coordinator
Heather Powell
083-293-2169
Bazaar Committee: Jo McGregor (Coordinator), Charlotte Sanders (Raffle Prizes), Mare Harvey (Sponsors), Tipwan
Smagpong and Kris Smuts (Vendors), Linda Feltham (Volunteers)
NNR (Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach) is a not-for-profit organization of
volunteers dedicated to serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local
charities since 1994. We achieve this by publishing Thani Talk, a free monthly
magazine that has a distribution of 1,400 copies, as well as hosting an annual charity
bazaar. We host monthly socials and organize monthly tours. There are no
membership dues, and anyone living in Nonthaburi is already a member.
Facebook.com/nnrthailand
Issuu.com/nnrthanitalk
https://sites.google.com/a/
isb.ac.th/nnr
Connect with NNR
NNR Guide
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NNR’s 20th Anniversary Thani Talk ~October 2014
NNR @ 20
A Look Back in Time
As we celebrate NNR’s 20th anniversary this year, Thani Talk will feature archive
photos of our Nonthaburi community to show you what our neighborhood looked like
in days gone by. Above is a 1992 photograph of Nichada Lake being dug and built on
former rice fields.
NNR and
Community Events
Inside This Issue
October Social: Fashion Show 4
October Tour: Discovering Ayutthaya 5
Feature: Breast Cancer Support Group 8
Feature: Interview with Bill Reinsch 12
September Social Recap 15
Feature: Rex Pharmaplus 17
September Tour Recap 19
Community Fitness and Activities 20
Feature: NNR Bazaar in November 22
Grapevine 26
Feature: Staying Healthy in Thailand 30
Halloween in Nichada 34
Feature: Koh Samui Travel 38
Feature: Charity & Volunteer Info 44
Feature: Restaurant Review 49
October 3 BWG Combined Women’s
Lunch Ad p. 43
October 4 Nichada Secret Garden
October 6 Bring the Pink Zumbathon
See p. 9
October 8 NNR October Tour: Ayutthaya
See p. 5
October 9 NNR Charity Fashion Show
See p. 4
October 17 “Share the Pain” BBCS
Fundraiser (See p. 9)
October 23 Chulalongkorn Day
(National Holiday)
October 31 Halloween Secret Garden
Night Market
November 6 NNR Charity Bazaar
See pp. 4 and 22
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NNR Social Thani Talk ~October 2014
For more information please call Sarah Glaze on 081-793-0806.
October 9 Social: Fashion Show!
Date: Thursday, October 9
Place: 39/228 Nichada Park, Soi 6
Time: 5pm Doors Open
6pm Fashion Show
7:30pm Charity Raffle
Suggested Donation: Baht 300
Refreshments will be served
Come enjoy a charity fashion show featuring
some of your neighbors as runway models. They will
be presenting fashions by SAG, bags and accessories
by Rusi, and fine jewelry by SJ International.
All proceeds to benefit Sparrow Home.
It’ll be a fun evening of fashion and fun. Come
join us!
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NNR Tour Thani Talk ~October 2014
October Tour: Discovering Ayutthaya
Susanne Rodrigues and Jesmin Tarana,
NNR Tour Coordinators
On October 8th, please join us for an amazing tour of the ancient ruins of
Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Siamese Kingdom. In addition to
visiting the ruins of the Buddhist monasteries and reliquary towers, we will
also visit the large reclining Buddha. We are going to have lunch at an
authentic riverside floating Thai restaurant and visit a stone art and craft
sandstone workshop.
When: Wednesday, October 8, 7:50 am
Where: Meet in front of Chevron Theater, the bus will leave at 8 am sharp.
We aim to be back at 2 pm, depending on traffic.
Cost: Entrance fee 50 Baht, Audio Guide 50 Baht, Lunch (at your own cost)
and transportation (cost will be divided by the number of participants; ap-
prox 250 Baht).
What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, water , comfor table shoes, camera and
good mood!
To Sign Up: Please Email: [email protected]
The tour is limited to 10 participants.
Greetings from your travel team, Jesmin and Susanne.
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Cover Story: Breast Cancer Awareness Thani Talk ~October 2014
Our Mission “Create awareness about breast cancer. Educate, support and provide compassionate care to patients
diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Who We Are Bangkok Breast Cancer Support Group, or BBCS is an international group of sincere and caring
volunteers formed in 1999 to deal with the incidence and treatment of breast cancer. Dr. Kris Chatamra
recognized the need for a support group like BBCS, and we were formed.
BBCS is a non-profit organization under the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer and Thai Red
Cross. Proceeds and funds raised are used for educational and outreach materials, administrative
operations and donations to a "worthy" cause related to underprivileged breast cancer patients. Over the
years we have donated chemo infusion pumps and chemo chairs for the underprivileged. This year we
are donating port-a-caths for individual cancer patients.
What We Do BBCS activities, conducted by volunteers, are focused on two parameters: (i) empower survivors to car-
ry on their lives as normally as they possibly can in the course of treatment and recovery from breast
cancer, and (ii) spread awareness for early detection and control of breast cancer. For breast cancer
patients, the Support Group provides, active models of recovery and hope to the patient, and emotional
support to the family.
Activities at BBCS Breast cancer support groups across the world have designed initiatives that address these various
issues. We, at BBCS Thailand, tie in with the International initiatives and localize our activities. We
divide our activities into six main sections.
Outreach Programs Clinic at the Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital (BNH)
Educational Program for breast cancer awareness
Website with support resources for patients and their families
Support group for survivors
Breast cancer awareness & wellness events
BANGKOK BREAST CANCER
SUPPORT GROUP
OCTOBER
Breast Cancer Awareness
Daljeet Saluja,
Chairperson - Bangkok Breast Cancer Support Group
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Cover Story: Breast Cancer Awareness Thani Talk ~October 2014
*BANGKOK BREAST CANCER Support Group* Queen Sirikit Center for Breast Cancer,
Basement Level, ChulalongkornHospital.
1873 Rama IV Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330,
Tel: 02-256-4991 (ext.1026) | Mobile: 085-908-8002 | Fax: 02-256-4991
(ext.1025)
Email: [email protected] |
Website: www.bangkokbreastcancer.org | Join us on Facebook! <http://www.facebook.com/
BangkokBreastCancer
Community Education & Outreach
Fundraising for a Great Cause: Oct. 6 and Oct. 17
The Bangkok Breast Cancer Support Group
has two upcoming fundraisers to raise funds
for cancer patients:
Oct. 17: Share the Pain
BBCS’s Annual Fundraiser
This year’s Oct. 17 event at the Holiday
Inn, Sukhumvit 12, will raise funds to buy
port-a-caths, a device embedded under the
skin and attached directly to a vein to
deliver chemotherapy with less pain.
Oct. 6: Bring the Pink Zumbathon
Proceeds from the Zumbathon Fitness Party
at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit will ben-
efit the Bangkok Breast Cancer Support
Group.
For more information about the above
events, please contact:
Rt: Port-a-caths eases
chemotherapy
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Interview with Bill Reinsch Thani Talk ~October 2014
As the NNR marks its 20th Anniversary in the
community, we could think of no better person to
talk to than Bill Reinsch. You have likely seen
Reinsch Field, the ISB baseball field that is Bill’s
family’s namesake, but it doesn’t come close to
conveying the warmth and personality that is Bill.
Bill and his wife Deb have lived in Thailand for
43 years, and Bill is one of the founders of
Transpo International Ltd./Asian Tigers. He has
seen Nichada Thani grow from the very
beginning, raising three children here and now
happily watching their grandchildren being raised here as well. We were excited to sit down with
Bill and hear how the community has changed over the years into the town it is now.
Bill invited us to his Nichada Park home for the interview – his being the third home in Nichada
Thani. He tells us that, in the early years, there were a fraction of
the houses available now – Nichada Park, Natakorn, Villa, Casa
and Maison were the first housing developments.
As Bill tells us, ISB was formerly located downtown where
NIST school is now. In 1992 Bill and Transpo International
were integral in moving the school to its current location, the
first choice out of three possible locations. We had to laugh
hearing Bill talk about all the challenges at the time – 2 hour
rides from town over Vibhavadee-Rangsit (the Bangkok
Expressway didn’t exist) and a bumpy ride down unpaved roads
like Samakee. The ISB land was a rice paddy, and the surrounding area was home to fish farms and
a long established Muslim community. The lake was just a big hole with no water (and no gigantic
fish), and there were no roads in Nichada.
We also got to hear Bill talk about the Changrew family – Nichada’s founders and visionaries. Khun
Vinita and her husband Air Chief Marshal Auychai bought numerous small plots of land around the
school and put them together to create a housing estate. They named their future community
Nichada after their daughter. Nichada Thani (Thai for “town”) continued to grow. During the 1997
financial crisis in Thailand, many real estate projects didn’t weather the storm. However, the
Changrew family maintained their holdings, and the result is the Nichada Thani we see today, many
years in the making.
Bill also highlighted the crucial role that the Bangkok Baseball-Softball Association (BBSA) played
NNR Talks to Asian Tigers Founder Bill Reinsch
A Trip Down Soi Memory
Transpo International has been
in business since 1973, and
Asian Tigers since 1999. They
are currently in 34 cities in 15
Asian countries. Bill Reinsch
is currently Chairman of
Transpo International Ltd. and
a Director of Asian Tigers Ltd.
Bill and Deb Reinsch, pictured at their Nichada Park
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Interview with Bill Reinsch Thani Talk ~October 2014
in the early stages of ISB’s and Nichada’s growth. On weekends, families would come from the city to
practice and play ball. Because of the community baseball spirit, the BBSA was one of the early
donors to ISB’s development program, at a time when many partnerships were being forged. We asked
Bill about how Reinsch Field came to be, and he insists it was due to the hard work of all stakeholders
at that time. He won’t take credit for the field, but we have a feeling there’s more to the story.
The 1997 financial crisis also brought about another important
change at ISB and Nichada. As Bill explains, because so many
expats were suddenly relocated from a changing economy, more
Thai children were enrolling at ISB, and more Thai families
relocated to Nichada. This has changed the dynamics from a
solely expat town. Over the years, Nichada has been home to
famous Thai entertainers, businessmen and –women, politicians
and military officials.
We came away from our interview with Bill understanding that
Nichada was founded on partnerships and friendships and
vision, much like the community that resides here. We live in a
very unique community, one that is home to a renowned
international school representing 61 nationalities. We have the
comforts of “home” – wherever that may be – in one of the most
exciting, vibrant cities on Earth. There are challenges, of course, but we realized that we are fortunate
to be part of such a great community.
We also realized that Bill is likely, to borrow from the oft-quoted commercial, “the most interesting
man in Nichada!” He could also be the smartest. When we asked what has guided his success in
navigating Thailand, he said without missing a beat, “Mrs. Reinsch.”
The NNR was created in 1994. At that time, the growing community saw the need for its own
community association as a way of bringing its diverse population together for social activities and to
support local charities. Transpo International/Asian Tigers has been NNR’s biggest supporter from the
very beginning.
Mare Harvey
and Monique Langer
Nichada Thani just celebrated its
28th Anniversary. It is currently
home to approximately 5,500
people with more than 1200
housing units. In the next year,
Nichada will see more growth
with 115 additional homes and
159 additional apartments (the
Prestige and lake condo
developments you see in various
stages of construction now.)
Including domestic staff,
Nichada’s population is 7200.
Nichada in the early 1990s: ISB is on the left.
To the right is what is now Nichada Club (you
can see the pool but just concrete where the club
now stands). The green park behind the NICC
pool is now Veranda, across the street from that
is Nichada Park. To the left of Nichada Park is a
green space with pine trees which is now Pine
View Place. Next to that is Nichakorn and in the
distance is Danicha Gardens Condominium.
(Photo courtesy Scott Roman, Nichada Thani)
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Social Recap Thani Talk ~October 2014
The September Welcome Back coffee morning was held on Friday, September 12, at Mare's beautiful
lakeside home. It was buzzing. We had a fantastic turnout and it was great to meet so many 'oldies' and
'newbies' in such a fun atmosphere with great a exchange of useful information and top tips.
A big “Thank You” to Segafredo Zanetti Expresso Coffee and Tops who sponsored our coffee
morning. Segafredo served us with lattes and
cappuccinos whilst demonstrating their coffee
machine, they were a marked improvement on our
usual filtered coffee! Tops also kindly donated
a wonderful spread of croissants and pastries.
We’d also like to thank the representatives from the
many groups who came out, including ISB’s
Welcome Wai, American Women’s Club,
Bumrungrad International Hospital, and many more.
Sarah Glaze
NNR’s September “Welcome Back” Social
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Thani Talk ~October 2014 Community Spotlight: Rex Pharmaplus
One of the most important presences in the Nichada community has long been
Rex Pharmacy, now located above Villa at Nichada Plaza. And ever since
owner Uraiwan Janviriyasopak added party items, swimming gear, and helium
balloons to her well-stocked health store, it is of course also the prime place for
picking up a princess costume or toys or shiny banners for many an occasion.
It was in 1995 that Khun Uraiwan (or Khun Lek, as she is known to most) first
arrived in Nichada, an employee of Indochina Healthcare Ltd., (IHL) the small pharmacy situated on the
corner just across from the old location of Villa. Nichada was growing larger by the day, its population of
mainly expats increasing with every new housing development. Within two years, Khun Uraiwan had
bought over the shop. It was an excellent match.
Raised in Bangkok, Khun Uraiwan is the daughter of an industrial
family with its primary business a paper mill. Realizing that this was
not the future for her, Khun Uraiwan got her Bachelor of Science in
Pharmacy at Mahidol, Thailand's top university. Then she decided to
study abroad. For a couple of years she too was an expat, at the
University of Connecticut, where she received her Master of Science in
Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Soon after her return to Thailand she was offered the job at IHL. Since
taking over the pharmacy, Khun Uraiwan has done her best to both
anticipate the needs of her customers, and cater to them. The larger
space of the new location at Nichada Plaza allows her to have a wide
variety of health products on hand. If the necessary product is not already in-house, Khun Uraiwan will
order it from the proper pharmaceutical company. Usually it is just a day or two before the order arrives in
Nichada.
For those who aren't in need of health products, Khun Uraiwan has
increased the offerings for good times with an impressive array of
costumes, toys, gadgets, and party favors. And of course there are those
balloons that are filled from a tank right on the premises. The pleasant
and attentive staff at Rex Pharmacy is helpful, and in good
communication with the quiet-natured, calm and caring Khun Uraiwan.
While the extra surface space is appreciated, the move to
Nichada Plaza has made the pharmacy, a vital community
resource, less visible. Once located in the hub of Nichada
comings-and-goings, a trip to the drugstore now requires
conscious thought. So here is a thought: remember Rex
Pharmacy--now Rex Pharmaplus!
Karen Schur-Narula
Lifeline in Nichada Plaza
Rex Pharmaplus
Rex Pharmaplus
Nichada Plaza, Second Floor
Hours: 8:30am to 8pm
Phone: 081-834-1306
Rex Pharmaplus offers free
delivery for purchases of 500
baht and above. For purchases
under 500 baht, a small fee will
apply for locations (which goes
directly to the hardworking
staff delivering on bikes).
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Tour Tales Thani Talk ~October 2014
The weather was great. New friends assembled in Nichada and the merry team of 14 were off in a van to
the Thailand National Museum located on 4 Na Phrathai Rd, near the National Palace. It was truly a
short trip downtown as the new friends were busy generally getting to know each other. The merry team
was from Bangladesh, Germany, Latin America and the United States.
If you’re looking for a cultural tour of the history of Thailand, a visit to the National Museum is a must
see on everyone’s bucket list.
The National Museum is easy to reach, well organized and culturally inspiring. Some of us have been in
Thailand for some time, and we all believe we understand the Thai culture, however we all quickly
learned via the guided tour that Thailand has deep culture spanning centuries that truly comes alive at the
museum.
We learned a great deal about the Buddhist religion in Thailand, Buddha and his travels across Asia and
the significance that Buddhism has had on the cultural development of Thailand over the centuries. We
also got to see and learn about the Thai Royal burial process, Buddhaisswawan Chapel, Thai history prior
the 13th Century and Thai Art history from the 13th century to today. What you quickly come to
understand is that Thailand is a country rich in art history, from Lanna art, Sukhothai-Ayutthaya art to
Thai fine art. The tour was wonderful and culturally inspiring.
The merry team of 14 declared the day a success and we departed for our journey back to Nichada. A
few details regarding the Thailand National Museum:
Open: Wednesday – Sunday and national holidays – except New Year’s and Songkran.
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Guided tours are available in: English, French, German and Japanese every Wednesday and
Thursday at 9:30 am.
Cost: 200 Baht
Dress: Light - the museum has no A/C, but knees and shoulders need to be covered out of respect for
Thai culture.
NNR’s September Trip to the Thailand National Museum
Tracy Alto
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Thani Talk ~October 2014 Community Fitness and Activities
The Community Fitness and Activities page lists local classes/groups that meet regularly.
Some have fees associated with them, while others are free. Please contact each group leader
for more information.
If you would like to list your group here, please submit your announcement by the 15th of each
month to [email protected].
VINYASA YOGA Develop strength, flexibility, balance, focus, and awareness coordinating movement and breath. Thursdays
8.15-9.45 am in my home studio at 39/184 Natakorn Park. Space is limited so please call for availability.
Private classes available for physical alignment, breath work, Vedic chanting, yoga philosophy, and meditation.
Contact: Ellie Edelhoff at 087-000-2464 or 02-967-9677. Email:[email protected]
MEDITATION COURSES -Individual or Group Learn TM (Transcendental Meditation). Relieves stress and anxiety. Improves health, academic, athletic, and
professional performance. Anyone can learn. Expert instruction by a 35-year teacher of meditation. Contact Ellie
Edelhoff for more information www.TM.org, www.tmeducation.org,www.DavidLynchFoundation.org
BOLLYWOOD DANCE CLASSES – (Beginners/Advanced) Bollywood dance is a fusion of Western, Eastern and Latin Dance with traditional classical Indian dance styles.
It’s funky, it’s sexy, it’s fun... and it’s a great workout! If you love to dance – this is for you!
Bollywood Dance for Beginners
Tuesdays 9-10 am or Thursdays 10-11 am, Regent Dance Studio, Nichada
Bollywood Dance, Advanced:
Tuesday 10-11 am or Wednesday 9 -10 am, Regent Dance studio, Nichada
For further information, Irit: 0860044840, [email protected]
NIA DANCE Nia Dance is a holistic fitness form, for the body, mind and spirit. It emphasizes various dance arts and movement,
while combining healing and martial arts. This will be a playful dance workout to increase your body’s fitness,
flexibility, toning, strengthening, and mobility, delight your mind and boost your spirit – in a really fun way!
Morning Classes: Fridays at 9-10am, Regent Dance Studio, Nichada
Evening Classes: Tuesdays at 6-7 pm, Regent Dance Studio, Nichada
For further information, Irit: 0860044840, [email protected]
YOGA WITH NAPISA
Monday, 8:45-10:15 am: All Levels, Wednesday 8:45-10:15 am: Level 2, Wednesday 5:30-6:45 pm: Level 1-2,
Friday 8:45-10:15 am: Level 1- 2 Prestige 1 Club House, Nichada.
Contact Napisa C. Pant, 086-975-7187, [email protected], facebook.com/yogawithnapisa
KUNDALINI YOGA-CHAKRA YOGA
Beginners welcome! Tuesdays 9:00-10:30am. Starting Oct 7: 8 classes for 3200 THB. Danicha 39/289. Contact
Kerstin Wild [email protected] 086-372-9750
PAKKRED PING PONG PLAYERS meets Tuesday evenings beginning October 8 at Mansions in the
Park, 2nd floor
Children's session from 6:30pm - 7:30pm (height requirement: child's waist needs to be table height)
Adult session: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Contact: [email protected]
VINYASA YOGA
Beginners to advanced, everyday Mon-Fri 8:00-9:30am; alignments and techniques of Iyengar Yoga; ProClub
(200 meters from front gate). Juan Bodan, visit www.kripa-yoga.com for more information.
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RANGER BOOTCAMP: Come have fun and get fit at Ranger Bootcamp! All fitness levels are welcome!
Contact: Jack ([email protected] + 087-552-6007)
Class Times: 7:30am, Monday - Friday + additional day/night classes per demand
Class Times: 5:00pm, Sunday = Family Bootcamp
Location: Varies depending on class and time; Fees: varies
MARIE’S ULTIMATE FITNESS BOOTCAMP
Multiple classes, all fitness levels. Contact Marie 083 302 1876, [email protected]
Intro to Yoga for children aged 10-16 years old. Fridays at 5 pm. In English and Thai with foreign instructor. 200 baht per
class. Contact Gade at 081-824-4896
Train like the US navy seals and do a TRX Class. 6 or 8pm Mon-Fri Contact Bally at 08-3892-9146
A Combination of mixed martial arts and calorie burning exercise with our Body Combat class Thursday at 10pm, Tues, Wed
at 6pm. Contact Tum at 08-5302-4688
Workout like J.Lo and Beyoncé with your feet moving and your body grooving to the fabulous beats in this dance class. It's a
combination of Latin, pop and hip hop. Wed at 10am, Tues, Thurs, Friday at 7pm. Contact Note at 08-2640-6451
Tennis lessons in English or Thai with ATP ranked Thai national player Contact Skinny at 081-042-5752
Muay Thai personal fitness classes. Contact Popeye at 08-5804-8201
Improve your flexibility and reduce stress with Hatha, Vinyasa, Hot or Fitness Yoga. Monday-Saturday at 11am, 6pm and 7pm.
Contact Reindeer at 08-9239-1817
Take tennis lessons in English with an Australian coach of six different junior grand slam finalists and a top 20 ATP player.
Contact Steve at 09-0660-3945
DHT stands for I Don't Have Time. Based on the T25 system, 25 minutes gets you the benefits of a 1hour workout.
Tuesday at 5:15pm, Thursday at 11am, Monday, Thursday, Friday at 6pm Contact Gade at 08-1824-4896
BIKING
Weekend bike rides, leaving from back gate at 7am, 50+km on mtn bikes. Contact Chris Oglesby:
Weekday rides leave the back gate at 7:30am on Mon and Wed. Distance and terrain varies with groups for
both road bikes and mountain/hybrid bikes. Contact Meg Sine: [email protected] 084-908-9388
The following classes are all offered at Impact Sports Club in Muangthongthani:
Community Fitness and Activities Thani Talk ~October 2014
SOCIAL SQUASH NETWORK
Great year-round sport for fitness and fun. If you play; have played and want to get back into it; want to
play and never got around to it; and need someone to play with join this network. Males and females of
all levels welcome.Contact Geoff and Rosemary Lindsay email: [email protected] or phone:
092464 9205
DOUBLES TENNIS Join us for night tennis! All tennis levels are
welcome! No partners needed.
Contact: Garima Joshi
[email protected] + 085-218-8904 Monday: 7pm-9pm
Wednesday: 7pm-9pm
Location: ISB Old Courts, Fees: Free to play!
MIXED DOUBLES TENNIS Enjoy the game of tennis with friends. All tennis levels
are welcome! No partners needed.
Contact: Jack
[email protected] + 087-552-6007 Friday: 7pm-9pm Sunday: 8am-10am
Location: ISB Old Courts, Fees: Free to play!
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Thani Talk ~October 2014 Charity Bazaar
Whether it’s your first year attending, your last, or somewhere in between, the annual NNR Charity
Bazaar has something for everyone.
The NNR’s annual Charity Bazaar is our organization’s biggest fundraiser for local charities. We
receive generous corporate sponsorships to host the bazaar, which allows us to donate a huge sum to
local charities. The Bazaar also offers a convenient way for residents of Nichada to have access to
some of the greatest shopping experiences Thailand has to offer.
The Bazaar has something for everybody and every budget. Vendor booths this year will include
home decor, stainless steel, jewelry, Christmas and holiday items, clothing, and much more. This
year will feature a farmers market downstairs, with plenty of
shopping for all the foodies of Nonthaburi.
Be sure to pick up some raffle tickets as well for the chance to win
world-class vacations, fine jewelry, custom clothing, offers from
local merchants - the list goes on and on!
There is a small 100 baht fee for entry, which is donated back to
charity. See you there!
See ad page 4
Proceeds from NNR’s November 2013 Charity Bazaar were donated to NNR’s eight local charities
on an ongoing basis, as well as many special projects. The NNR Board approved the following
donations in addition to regularly sponsored charities to ensure that our community’s generous
support of the NNR Charity Bazaar is put to good use immediately to help people in need:
Haiyan Typhoon Survivors Support - Donation made to ISB’s Filipino community
Baan Ratchawadee Girls Home - Feeding chairs, accessories, feeding tables, diapers, long-sleeved
shirts, nutritional powdered milk
Baan Ratchawadee Boys Home - Musical instruments, sports equipment for badminton athletes
competing in Special Olympics, special walkers for the disabled
Baan Poomwaet Home for Boys - Sports equipment
Women's Vocational Training Center - Library renovation and books
Mae Sot Refugee Camp - Supplies
Nonthaburi Reception Home for the Destitute - Medical supplies for general care and care of
pressure sores
YWCA of Pakkred - Holiday party for 500 local children
Koh Kret Girls’ Home - Toiletries and feminine hygiene supplies
Thanksgiving Home - Craft supplies
Baan Feung Fa - Nebulizers used in lung care
Get Ready for NNR’s Annual Charity Bazaar
November 6 at Chaengwattana Church in Nichada
NNR Funds at Work
2013 Bazaar Proceeds Donated to Local and Global Causes
Shopping opportunities abound!
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Heard It Through the GRAPEVINE This column offers a chance to share all those good finds and tips so that others can benefit. If you have
tips to share, please send them to the editor at [email protected].
Heard It Through The Grapevine Thani Talk ~October 2014
Did you know that every Sunday Khun
Nut is outside Nichada’s front gate near
Seven Eleven, from about 11-5pm
selling beautiful and cheap cut orchids?
She can be contacted if you have any
special requests. Her number is 0900
197 425. So, go and support a hard
working lady and get yourself a room
full of flowers at the same time!
Sunday Orchids
Cathy Sackett
Asiatique: Riverside Night Market for Dining & Shopping
For a break from Bangkok’s generic, indoor
mega shopping malls, hop on a free shuttle
boat at the pier near the BTS Thaksin station.
With a towering ferris wheel, the riverfront
destination is hard to miss. It’s an upscale
version of the Suan Lum Night Bazaar
formerly located off Wireless Road. The
famous Joe Louis puppet theatre at Suan Lum,
as well as many of the vendors from that pop-
ular night market, have relocated to
Asiatique. A Calypso cabaret show is also
popular with tourists.
Asiatique is packed with restaurants and
boutiques and with its amusement park-like
setting, offers plenty of photo opps. Its
outdoor walkways are ideal for after-dinner
strolls, especially during the cool season.
Liz Lu
27
Heard It Through The Grapevine Thani Talk ~October 2014
Monique Langer
Playtime for Kids is an indoor playground located
in Ekamai. I like to think of it as the smaller, quieter
sister among Bangkok indoor playgrounds.
Toddlers and preschoolers are the perfect age for
Playtime. There is an enclosed play area for little
ones, with plenty of activities to keep them busy for
awhile. The larger structure is great for kids up to
about 8 years old. Older children can take advantage
of the new arcade upstairs with video games and
bumper cars.
There’s also a climbing wall and a sand pit, and
friendly staff who like pickup games of soccer, as
my 6 year old recently discovered.
There is a café onsite, offering kid favorites.
For pricing and location, visit: www.playtime.co.th
Many of you will already know me as Ian, the computer guy, or the Apple Man. For those of you who
don't know me, allow me to tell you a little about what I do.
I repair Apple products from iPod touch to iMac and all the devices in between. The most common
repairs I undertake are due to water damage. I also repair the newer style Samsung phones and tablets.
I do quite a bit of repair work for ISB, mainly iPads and MacBooks, so if your son or daughter spills
Pepsi on their MacBook it will more than likely end up on my workbench.
I also offer a 'Media Conversion' service. VHS to DVD, DV camera tapes to mpeg files, 8mm to
DVD, and cassette tapes to MP3. Also, 35mm slides and negatives can be scanned and put on CD or
external hard drive.
I usually pick up your devices from your home and deliver them back to you (normally within 1-2
days).
You can contact me on: 0809 399 544, e-mail me at [email protected], or visit my Facebook
page at www.facebook.com/NichadaElectronics.
Ian Younie
Apple Product and Electronics Repair Services in Nichada
Playtime for Kids: Fun for Young Children
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29 ADVERTISEMENT
30
A warm welcome to our newest expatriates to Thailand! Fortunately, you are at a post
with access to great health care facilities. The health care system is so good that others
posted in the region are medically evacuated here for all kinds of emergencies.
Nonetheless, you must remain vigilant about your health and make a conscious effort
to keep you and your family healthy. This article will highlight diseases of concern,
main causes of deaths and some precautions you should take while living in Thailand
and vacationing in the region. For more information, please seek professional
consultation from your physician.
Diseases Prevalent in Thailand
To start, it is helpful to know what the major infectious diseases of concern are in
Thailand. They include but are not limited to:
Food and waterborne diseases, e.g., Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Bacterial Diarrhea
Vector borne diseases (transmitted by insects), e.g., Malaria, Dengue Fever, and Japanese Encephalitis
Respiratory infections, e.g., Influenza and Tuberculosis
Top Causes of Death in Thailand
To put things into perspective, you may be surprised to hear that the most common causes of deaths in
Thailand are not from infectious diseases. On the contrary, the most common causes of deaths are
primarily non-communicable diseases, with stroke, coronary heart disease, and diabetes being the top
three causes. (http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/country-health-profile/thailand)
Immunizations
Vaccinations are an effective way to prevent diseases. The United States Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommends the Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations for Thailand.
Additionally, depending on where in Thailand you will be visiting, your planned activities and risk to
exposure, you may also want to consider Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies vaccinations.
For more information, visit: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
destinations/traveler/none/thailand
Safety Precautions
There are many things you can do to reduce your chances of getting
ill:
Consume sanitary food and drinks: Wash fruits and vegetables. I
use hand soap and water if eating the peel, but there are organic
fruit and vegetable washes as well. Several of us buy fruits and
vegetables at the local market on Seechaitong. You may have noticed that they use the same scale to
weigh raw meats (pork) and all vegetables, some of which will not be cooked later (which would kill
the bacteria). Moreover, they are not wearing gloves or washing their hands. Not only should we
worry about germs, but also pesticides, which are used in higher quantities here than in the US. Also
use caution with fruit stands that have already cut fruits, because it is likely you'll do a better job
washing and use a clean knife to prepare it yourself. This doesn’t mean they’re all unsanitary, as each
vendor has different methods.
Health and Safety Spotlight Thani Talk ~October 2014
Staying Healthy in Thailand
Douan Kirivong, MPH
31
Thani Talk ~October 2014 Health and Safety Spotlight
Eat food that is well cooked and served hot, and drink clean water (sealed bottle).
Also, be cautious of ice, as it may not be made from clean water.
Prevent bug bites: Cover exposed skin, use insect repellant, stay in screened rooms,
and use your air conditioner and bed nets.
Protect yourself from direct sun exposure: Wear protective clothing, use sunscreen
and avoid being outside during peak sun hours (10am – 4pm).
Stay away from animals: Worldwide, about 60-70% of emerging diseases originate
from animals. Some examples include Avian Influenza, Flavivirus, Anthrax, Rabies and the current
Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Some animals to be cautious about here include dogs, bats, monkeys,
jellyfish, and especially in Nichada, SNAKES!
Wear a helmet when bicycling and riding a motorcycle. Better yet, it’s best to avoid motorcycles
altogether. Motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of injury to tourists in Thailand.
Air pollution may be a significant health problem in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. People with
respiratory or cardiac conditions and the elderly or extremely young are at greatest risk for
complications. Your risk may be minimized by staying indoors, avoiding outdoor exercise, and
drinking plenty of fluids.
Finally, the best tips are the ones moms have always preached. Practice good hygiene and infection
control – wash hands often, especially prior to eating; do not touch eyes, nose and mouth; cough into a
tissue, sleeve or your elbow, not your hands; and practice social distancing from those who are sick.
Fortunately, there are no current health travel notices for Thailand. However, as many of us vacation in
the Asia region you should be aware of the following health issues in these respective countries:
Japan – Dengue
Malaysia – Sarcocystosis
Vietnam and Philippines – Measles
Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam – Influenza H5N1
China – Influenza H7N9
For more information please visit: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
Medications and First Aid Kit
Just in case you may run into some health snags, here are some medications and items you may want to
keep handy in your first aid kit: antimalarial, antiseptic, antihistamines, diarrhea medicine, antacid, hand
sanitizer, insect repellant, sunscreen, bandages, hydrocortisone cream, oral rehydration salts, and pain
and fever reducer. For more acute events, contact your physician for immediate care.
Use caution, but enjoy
Certainly there are health risks with being posted here; however, health risks exist everywhere. They are
simply different risks and levels of risks. Besides, the world is now so connected that any disease in one
country is a potential threat to all. As a public health professional, I would stress that prevention is key. If
all this information seems daunting and actually left you feeling horrified,
don’t worry. Many of us get by just fine. This is not scientific, but from my
experience alone, my family suffered frequently from illnesses (common
colds and influenza) while living in the United States. We have now lived
in Thailand for four years and have only experienced a few colds and
diarrhea. I personally feel the family hasn’t been healthier. Our expatriate
lifestyle limits our exposures and risks when compared to the majority of
Thais living in more rural settings. In conclusion, practice common sense
healthy habits and set out to enjoy Thailand’s rich culture, delectable
cuisine and breathtaking sites.
32
Around Nonthaburi and Beyond
Chaengwattana Community Church
Adult Sunday School—8:30am
Sunday Service—9:30am
Encouraging Women—Wed., 9am
Men’s Meeting—Thurs., 5am
Community Prayer—Tuesdays 7:30-8:30am
Youth Alpha Group (high school) Sunday 6pm
Youth Group (middle school) Thursdays 6:30pm
http://www.cccthailand.org (02-911-6700)
Catholic Mass in Nonthaburi
Our Lady of Mercy Church
69/13 Moo 1, Tiwanon Rd. Ban Mai, Pakkred.
English Mass: Sundays at 5:15pm
Faith Formation Religious Ed/CCD) Classes
CCT - Club Canada Thailand Open to all nationalities. Monthly tours, book
group, Lunch Bunch, and other social events.
www.clubcanadathailand.com
BWG - British Women's Group Monthly Luncheon, Activities, Coffee Mornings.
Open to all nationalities.
Contact: Sarah Glaze 081-793 0806
www.bwgbangkok.com; in-
ANZWG -Australia/New Zealand Women’s
Group
Monthly Coffee Mornings, Tours, Newsletter &
Activities
www.anzwg-bangkok.org
AWC—American Women’s Club of Thailand
Monthly Luncheon, Activities and Coffee
Morning. Contact: 02-712-3380/1
[email protected]; www.awcthailand.org
Events: Shopping
Clubs: International
Nichada Tennis Leagues
Tuesday-Intermediate League
Mary McCarty: [email protected]
Friday 7:30-9:30- Intermediate/Advanced League
Ann McVey: [email protected]
Synagogue
Beth Elisheva Synagogue, Mikveh & Jewish Center 121 Soi SaiNamThip 2, Sukhumvit Road, Soi 22
Tel: 02-663-0244; Fax: 663-0245
Mosque
Soi Prasert Issaram Mosque
8 Moo 3 Soi Prasert Issaram, Pakkred, Nonthaburi
Neighborhood mosque just outside of Nichada Thani.
Buddhist Temple
Wat Bua Khwan (วดับวัขวญั)
1 Moo 9 Ngamwongwan Road, Muang, Nonthaburi
02-952-8062; Watbuakhwan.com Popular local
temple offering merit-making, prayer, blessings and
funeral services.15 minutes from Nichada. Go via
Samakkee Road, on shortcut soi just before the
expressway on-ramp near Ngamwongwan.
Worship Venues
Thani Talk ~October 2014
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 50/33 Moo 4 Chaengwattana Road, Pakkret,
Nonthaburi. Church service in English begins at
1 p.m. All are welcome!
Clubs: Sports
Adult Volleyball League:
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM (and some Mondays) playing
friendly matches in ISB’s Rajendra Hall.
Contact Pat Sethbhakdi: [email protected]
Men’s Softball League:
Slo-pitch men’s softball. League runs from No-
vember to May. Contact: Troy Regis at:
Bangkok International Gift Fair & Bangkok
International Houseware Fair 2014
October 22-23
BITEC Bangna
BIG+BIH, one of ASEAN’s leading international
trade fairs for trendy gifts and lifestyle products.
“Monster Halloween”
October 25, 10am - 6pm
Benjasiri Park
Join Disney's Monster
University mascots and
superheroes for kids games,
pony rides, live music, and food! All proceeds will
benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation Thailand.
Mariah Carey: The Elusive
Chanteuse Show
October 30
Impact Arena
33 ADVERTISEMENT
34
Halloween in Nichada Thani Talk ~October 2014
If you live in Regent or Nichada Park, brace yourself to be
swamped by hundreds of trick-or-treaters. Regent residents are
known for giving out hard-to-get American candies. Nichada Park
is known for hosting some of the best haunted houses. Apartment
buildings see fewer trick-or-treaters.
Typical rule-of-thumb is that if a house has Halloween decorations
and has its lights on, it welcomes trick-or-treaters. If lights are out, residents are either not home, or are out
of candies. Here in Thailand, children from local Thai neighborhoods join in the festivities, as do most
teenagers. Streets will be very crowded, so if you are on foot, keep an eye out for speedy golf carts and
cars. If you are driving, please slow down and be extra vigilant for kids.
Nichada Thani will be preparing their annual
Halloween Trick or Treat map.
Keep an eye out for the map via email and on their
Facebook page. Homes welcoming trick-or-treaters
will be featured on the map.
If you want to skip the crowds or don’t have trick-
or-treaters at home, this year will be the first-ever
Secret Garden on the evening of Halloween.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the
October 4 Secret Garden night market.
Nichada Trick or Treat Map
Trick or Treating in Nichada
Halloween Secret Garden
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Travel Thani Talk ~October 2014
Koh Samui: Perfect Beach Getaway
When I was at ISB, the wait for October break during the first quarter of school was dreadful. School had
been in session just long enough to become a grind, and we all eagerly awaited the first respite since
summer. For those of you still wondering what you’ll do during those delightful seven days off this year,
look no further than Koh Samui.
There’s a reason that this lovely island of the south, whose name derives from the Malay word saboey
(“safe haven”), is a popular destination for graduating seniors from ISB and other IASAS schools.
Located 765 kilometers south of Bangkok, Koh Samui is far enough away from the capital to escape
Pattaya-like pollution, but still close enough that a short flight makes a weekend escape possible. I myself
revisited the island as a last Thai beach trip before college, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Transit to the island ultimately involves a plane, bus, and ferry. Cheap flights run from Suvarnabhumi to
Surat Thani Airport, and the flight itself is just over an hour long. Once you land, it’s a short half-hour
bus ride to the ferry that takes you to the island. For those who traveled by car to enjoy Thailand up close,
the ferry can also take cars across the channel to Samui. There are many services at the airport that sell
bus and ferry packages, some for as cheap as 300 baht. In fact, Air Asia offers a package deal called
“Island Transfer” that includes the flight, bus, and ferry all in one. From Suvarnabhumi to the white sands
of Samui, your travel time is a little over 4 hours. Painless and cheap!
Once you’re at the island, there is a slew of hotels and resorts to choose
from. The most popular beach is Chaweng Beach, but my family found
great deals at Lamai Beach resorts such as the Centara Villas. The hotel
offered that pristine, tranquil Thai resort atmosphere, and the beach lined
a secluded cove that guests got all to themselves.
There was much offered beyond the hotel boundaries as well. My family
decided to take a quick song thaew ride over to the hot spot of Chaweng,
and we took long walks on the never-ending sparkling shores. Although
we didn’t partake, there’s a plethora of exciting water sports along the
beach to choose from, ranging from jet skiing to paragliding. If you
39
Travel Thani Talk ~October 2014
prefer to relax in the sun, cheap massages and henna tattoos
from friendly locals are available to keep you entertained.
For diving enthusiasts, Koh Samui and neighboring islands
such as Koh Pha Ngan are renowned for world class
snorkeling and scuba diving. Diving schools and services are
available both in the town and at select hotels, but due to the
length of their courses and the fact that participants should
not fly for 24 hours after a dive, this activity is recommended
for more prolonged stays on the island. You can always opt
for snorkeling if time is a limiting factor. Which ever you
choose, Samui’s diverse coral reef system offers the
opportunity to see anything from sea turtles to whale sharks!
During my trip, my family also signed up for tourist
attractions like forest zip lining, water sliding, and fishing.
Some were more worth the hefty 2,000 baht price tag than
others. Zip lining is always a thrill, and the water slides were
perched above natural mountain springs, making for some
great fun amidst nature. The fishing was expensive, and we
didn’t catch anything, so keep in mind that you may be
testing your luck when signing up for similar services.
However, even if your luck runs short, you still get to spend
a fun day swimming in the turquoise water and feasting on a
catered lunch prepared by your captain. Also, if you do
happen to catch anything, it’s yours to take home!
After a jam-packed day of activities, wind down by visiting
one of Samui’s many exquisite fresh seafood restaurants. A
surprise I had was that Samui’s local population is
comprised mainly of migrant workers from Burma and
Nepal, so many of them did not understand my food orders
made in Thai. In those cases, English is the way to go. They
got my orders right in the end, and by the end of the meal I
was convinced that Thai dishes fixed with fresh catches from
the sea are unbeatable. It’s lovely to end the meal by
watching a sunset over the beach, sipping from an icy
coconut and marveling at the breathtaking beauty of the
island.
Everyone felt re-invigorated and relaxed on the flight back
home. I was glad to get one last opportunity to appreciate
Thailand’s beautiful natural treasures before moving to the
US for college, and I’m so glad that we chose Koh Samui as
the grand finale. I highly recommend taking advantage of
your time in the delightful Land of Smiles by getting out of
Bangkok during breaks, and Samui is definitely a top place
to go.
Amber Barnett
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For more than 30 years, Carl Janowitz has provided therapy
for adults, couples, adolescents and families. Carl spent
most of his life in the US where he earned his Master’s
Degree in Counseling Psychology and completed his
internship before working in both residential settings and
private practice. In 2003, he was offered a full time position
as the only Western Psychologist at Bumrungrad Hospital
where he spent five years in clinic before going into private
practice. Now with offices in both Bangkok and Pattaya, Carl
specializes in clients dealing with life changes, relationship
conflict, depression, anxiety and stress and also focuses on
both adolescents and adults with self esteem issues.
For a confidential appointment please call
089 680 3503 or [email protected]
www.bangkoktherapy.com
Carl Janowitz
Marriage and Family Therapist First Tower
Sukhumvit 1/1 (Behind Bumrungrad)
When Life Feels
Overwhelming
Reach Out for Help…
42
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Volunteer and Make a Difference
I feel very fortunate to live in a community with so many people willing to donate their time and resources. For those new to Nichada and those thinking about volunteering, there are so many ways to give back to our community. Included on the following pages of Thani Talk is a list of volunteer opportunities available in our area, most are close enough that you could ride your bike to if you are feeling brave!
As a volunteer you get the chance to play with children, teach English, cuddle babies, bring a smile to a disabled child, visit and provide friendship to women in prison. You can feed a disabled child and watch them grow stronger over time or give food and a smile to homeless adults. The opportunities are many and varied but all so rewarding. I was fortunate last week to visit The Home for the Destitute with one of its regular volunteers (yes we did ride our bikes there!). It was touching to witness the connections she has made there with people who have so little; by her smile and touch she was able to give them a sense of dignity and belonging. It was obvious that she got as much out of the visit as they did. A few weeks ago I posted a request on “Expats of Pakkret” asking if anyone had a fridge to donate to one of our local charities. Within an hour I received donations of money for a new fridge plus enough to buy a bike for the children at the home, it was a great example of the giving spirit of Ni-chada. If you are unable to volunteer your time, please consider donating from the lists of needed items, it all makes a difference. Linda Feltham, NNR Charity Chair
Volunteer Opportunities in Nonthaburi
Baan Rachawadee for Girls: A rehabilitation home for mentally and physically handicapped girls ages 7-18. Needs volunteers to provide compassion and help with activities. Also needs volunteers to help feed children a nutritional supplement which has been shown to improve quality of life and prevent pressure sores for girls with cer-ebral palsy. Contact Linda Feltham at [email protected] and 091095045 Thanksgiving Home: Home for adolescent girls; its aim is to provide vocational training to prepare the girls for em-ployment. Works with girls from the government orphanages. Needs volunteers to teach English, computer, sport, cooking or other occupational training. Contact Khun Wanchai at [email protected]
More opportunities on following pages
Thani Talk ~October 2014 Charity
45
Thani Talk ~October 2014 Charity
YWCA: Cares for preschoolers while promoting their development. Need volunteers to teach English, do an activity or just help care for the children. Contact Khun Saisom at 0807709335. Sang Tawan Children’s Home: A home for abandoned children aged 10-14 years. Need volunteers to teach a musical instrument, also for conversational English, the housemother will bring the children to volunteer’s home on a Saturday if needed. Contact Tiffany Hebard at 029603730 or [email protected] or Linda Feltham at [email protected] and 0910950457.
CCD: Christian Care Foundation for Children with Disabilities, this is a care home for children with disabilities. It also has a day care center and encourages development of physical, mental emotional and social skills. It also supports families caring for their disabled children at home by providing day care whilst the parents work. Needs volunteers to play with the children. Contact Tarn at [email protected]. Baan Feung Faa: A government orphanage for mentally and/or physically handicapped children ages birth-10. Need volunteers to play with and stimulate the children. Contact Dana Stehwein at [email protected] or 0820943534. Sparrow Home: A home for children of prisoners and those who need a temporary home .
Needs volunteers to play with and interact with the children. Contact [email protected] or 0910950457. Lad Yai Prison: A women’s correctionalcenter. Needs volunteers to visit and encourage foreign in-mates. Contact Susan Curtis at [email protected] and 0800432735 Nicola Cano at [email protected] and 0865224226.
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less be-cause of that miss-ing drop” -- - Mother Teresa
46
Thani Talk ~October 2014 Charity
Home for the Destitute: Offers shelter, food, medication and training to homeless adults. Needs volunteers to interact with the adults, help provide first-aid care, serve food donated by the NNR. Contact Liz Lu at [email protected] or 0867847171 Marie Lewis at [email protected]
White Elephant Thrift Shop: A second hand store that donates all of its profits to charities in Thailand. Needs volunteers to help in the store. Donated items also needed. Contact Jenn Bradley at [email protected] or 0845403299 for English. Tipwan Smag-pong at [email protected] or 0895250290 for Thai.
Central Welfare and Vocational Training Center for Women: Provides vocational training for disadvantaged poor women who are unable to support themselves. Needs volunteers who can teach English and other vocational skills. Contact Jesmin Tarana at [email protected].
Phayathai Home for Babies: Home for orphaned and abandoned children aged up to 6 years. Also has a unit for 36 HIV positive children who do not have as many volunteers since students are excluded. Needs volunteers to play with the children. Contact Linda Feltham at [email protected] or 0910950457. Brachabadee School for Disabled Children: School serving disabled children from the orphanages and community. Has a small group of children keen to learn English, currently only get one hour a week, would love volunteers to increase this. Would also like volunteers with physical therapy (PT) background to help show the teachers correct use of simple PT aids such as walkers (regular commitment for teaching English but occasional visit for physical therapy help).
Volunteer Opportunities in Our Neighborhood
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
-- Anne Frank
47
Thani Talk ~October 2014 Charity
Many of the above organizations have a great need for donated items. If you can’t volunteer your time please consider donating needed items:
You can drop off any donations at the home of Mare Harvey (0812748012) at 625 Baan Rim Lake, in Nichada. [email protected] If you have any problems getting in touch with the contact person or want further information, please contact Linda Feltham at [email protected] or 0910950457
Rice UHT Milk Baby Powder
Vitamilk Enfapro (Baby Milk) Dettol
Large Baby Blankets Sports Equipment Musical Instruments
Ovaltine Powder Adult Diapers (Large) Toothpaste, Toothbrushes
Art Supplies Toys Fabric
Monetary Donations Toiletries
Electronic Devices such as iPods, iPads, Comput-ers
Clothes, All Sizes and Condition
Short on Time?
In-Kind Donations Welcomed
Every person can make a difference!
Soi Prasert English Class: Teach English to Thai children in our neighbourhood on Sunday afternoons. Meet local Thai kids and help give them the language ability for a brighter future. The Soi Prasert English Class offers FREE English lessons in the open air sala next to Que Pasa restaurant Sundays 3-4pm. Classes resume in October. Interested? Contact Liz Lu at [email protected] American Scholarship foundation: This is not in Nonthaburi but well worth a mention. There are many ways to get involved in granting scholarships to needy Thai children for education. Contact Sunali Mundkur at [email protected] for more
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Thani Talk ~October 2014 Restaurant Review
My family and I are big fans of Rua Duan ka Rua Chill, a new
boat noodle restaurant that has opened up in Central
Chaengwattana. You may be thinking, “what’s so exciting
about boat noodles?” Allow me to explain.
Originally hawked from small boats on the canals of Rangsit
and Pathum Thani, in central Thailand, Boat noodles can be
considered a uniquely Thai comfort food, available in a variety of styles in many different places, but
always pretty tasty.
At Ruan Duan ka Rua Chill, beloved family recipes and sourcing of the best available ingredients result in
some of the best boat noodles available in Bangkok. What’s better is that it is easily accessible to non-Thai
speakers. Using the English menu, one can choose the type of noodle they want, the soup stock, the type
of meat (pork, beef, and French beef), and finally the style of preparation. If you order the French beef you
can even specify how you’d like your beef cooked. Connoisseurs know that the secret to great boat
noodles is the broth and Ruan Duan ka Rua Chill does not disappoint.
Of course there is much more on offer beside boat noodles. There
are a number of typical Thai dishes and hot pot options on offer.
My kids’ favorites are the chicken wings (“The best chicken
ever,” says my satisfied 8 year old) as well as the fried rice with
sun-dried pork.
There are also a variety of appetizers to choose from. A best seller
and my personal favorite is the crispy fried wonton with pad thai
sauce. Think you know pad thai? Think again. This reincarnation
of a Thai classic is reason enough to visit Ruan Duan ka Rua
Chill. The menu provides many other opportunities to sample
typical Thai street food, cooked with style and top-notch
ingredients.
Aside from tea, coffee, soda, and beer, they offer delicious iced
herbal teas including such unusual options such as butterfly pea
and siraitia grosvenorii (native to northern Thailand).
The cool urban décor (with western music), great service,
delicious food, and free Wi-Fi come at very reasonable prices.
There are few dishes above 100 baht and nothing costs more than
200 baht.
The food is great, it’s easy with kids, and it’s close to home. For
these reasons and more, Ruan Duan ka Rua Chill is definitely
worth checking out. It is located on the 6th floor of Central
Chaengwattana, directly above the Fuji Japanese restaurant.
John Marinos
Rua Duan ka Rua Chill
Not “Just” Boat Noodles
50
Providing high quality custom tailoring for more than 45 years,
Raja’s Fashions has been featured in Men's Vogue Magazine,
International Living, Worth Magazine, Esquire, Fortune,
Bangkok Guide, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s Guide,
DRESS SHARP. LOOK SHARP. FEEL SHARP.
Providing high quality custom tailoring for more than 45 years, Raja’s Fashions has been featured in Men's Vogue Magazine, International Living, Worth Magazine, Esquire, Fortune, Bangkok Guide, Lonely
Planet, Frommer’s Guide, Fodor’s Guide, The Washington Post, Vivre A Bangkok, Conde Nast
Magazine and many other travel magazines.
Delivery Restaurant Phone
Baan Kimchi Korean BBQ/Thai
Cuisine 02-952-0031
BBQ Sandwich King 086-773-4140
Bukhara (Afghan/Indian) 082-443-1398
Burger King/Pizza Company 1112
Food Loft 02-831-5588
KFC and Pizza Hut 1150
Le Bouchon Food Delivery 02-962-2850
McDonald’s 1711
Milano’s @ Pro Club 02-582-1555
Mr. Enzo’s 02-960-0412
New York Diner 081-624-2099
NICC Club 02-960-4326
Que Pasa 02-960-3821
Sapna (Indian and Afghan food
delivery) 02-960-3141
Scoozi 02-715-8555
Subway 02-960-3232
Sudhathai 02-583-2694
Slider Shack 086-773-4140
Local Business Phone
Bamboo Spa 02-583-9871
Bank Krungsri 02-582-2669
Blue Sky Café 081-811-8455
Bumrungrad Family Clinic 02-960-4216
Clark Hatch Fitness Center 02-960-4326 / 27
Crystal Holiday Travel 02-960-4469
Hair By Jib 02-960-3783
Happy Teeth Dental Clinic 02-960-3988
Great Massage 02-960-3691
ISB 02-963-5800
Le Studio Hair 084-022-9928
Nichada Customer Relations 02-960-4300
Pandit Carpets 081-828-2562
Panipa 02-960-3934
Pum’s Salon 02-583-7117
Rex Pharmaplus 081 834 1306
Rose Marie Academy 02-960-3663
Shawn Carpets 090-564-8927
Starbucks 02-967-9686
Twist 02-911-6839
Villa Market 02 -584-5444
Wash-N-Dry 085-945-4132
4 Legs Pet Shop Grooming 02-960-4189
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