 | BELGIAN CLUB OF THAILAND |
NEWSLETTER #5 NOVEMBER 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | Dear Belgians, members, friends and anyone interested in BCT-activities,
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 ACTIVITIES & EVENTS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From sporty, to laid-back, from fascinating and entertaining to cosy and family related! Get ready again for a varied selection of activities in and around Bangkok! Of course, we hope to see you, your family, friends and visitors at either one of these activities. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MONTHLY GET TOGETHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The previous Get Together was a very wet one... It seems that not too many people ventured out on Bangkok roads on a rainy Friday evening! A pity, because this quarter's venue has a very nice, covered lounge area outside... So, let's meet at the Urban Bar at Narathiwat Road again on Friday 20 November. Come along and chill out with us! As such everyone is cordially invited: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
When ?Where ? Register ?The Urban Bar & Restaurant No need, just come along with friends, family, visitors, ... The bigger the bunch, the better!  Don't hesitate to also mark down the last get together of this year! It's on 18 December and it will be a special one, because we would like to celebrate Christmas together  ! The tall, red man will stop his sledge at Amontre, 55 South Sathorn Road, Sathorn, Ph. 02-359-9667, www.amontre.com! He will bring in his bag a "3 hours free flow of Belgian Beers for a fee of 750 thb". More details will follow. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| EXCURSION TO KOH SI CHANG | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 On Saturday 14 November 2009 we are day-tripping to Koh Si Chang. We will leave from the bus terminal at Ekamai by mini-bus at 9.00 am and will arrive on the island around 11.30am.For those who like a swim before lunch, we will first head for the beach. Afterwards, we will go for lunch, (please note that food and drinks are not included in the price) or you can pick nick on the beach. After lunch there is a possibility to visit the rest of the island. You could rent one of those strange motorcycle samlors, peculiar to Ko Si Chang. They are three wheeled motorized rickshaws with outrageously powerful automobile or Harley Davidson engines. These rickshaws once roamed the streets of Bangkok, but were banished to Si Racha years ago. They can be hired for about 60 baht an hour to take visitors on a tour of the island. If you prefer to hang out in group, a one-day-around-the-island-transport-package can be arranged at the pier. The charge for the three wheeled motorized rickshaw, which can accommodate 5 persons, is around 250 Baht, and it is around 500 Baht for the pick-up truck, which can accommodate 10 persons. The group can spend its own time at each location, and the pick-up time to the next location has to be agreed upon beforehand (as you get down at the location). Alternatively, the driver can be called on his mobile phone when the visit of a spot is completed.  The highlights of the island? You can explore the remains of a former Royal Palace which was built as a summer retreat for King Chulalongkorn. The Royal Residence was abandoned in 1893 when the French occupied the island during a conflict with Thailand over who should control Laos.Also of interest is the large cave known as Tham Saowapha, which is said to extend over a kilometer into the limestone interior of the island. Another cave, the chimney-like Tham Chaprakong gives access to the view from the top of the hill. Other caves on the island are home to meditating hermits, so visitors should take care not to cause any disturbance. Also to be found on the island is San Jao Phaw Khao Yai, a venerable multi-level Chinese temple high on a cliff with a spectacular view back towards the mainland. We will leave the island around 5.00 pm, in order to be back in Bangkok just after 7.00 pm.. Price for return transportation from Bangkok to the island is 300 THB. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
When ? 14 November Where ? Leaving Bangkok at 9.00 am Expected time to be back 7.00 pm. Meeting point is is the bus terminal at Ekamai What ? Transport to this beautiful little island, where we Price ? will stay for the day. 300 THB Register ? YES, via our website, prior to 7 November 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAINT NICOLAS PATRON DES ECOLIERS - SINTERKLAAS KAPOENTJE...... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 The first steps have been taken!- Saint Nicholas and his helper(s) confirmed that there are many sweet kids in Bangkok that they would like to meet; - the Ambassador and his wife are so generous to host a party in honour of Saint Nicholas at their Residence... ... and so we are happy to invite you to the probably the most typically Belgian, casual and sweet event of the year! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| When ? 29 November from 9.30 till 12.30 am Where ? (on 6 December the Holy man is far too busy with work!) We will start the morning with a "walking breakfast". The buffet will contain some yummy pancakes, typical Belgian waffles and some salty bites as well. Price? We will make sure (or try at least!) that parents can have a relaxed chat over coffee or tea, while their kids are having their face painted, draw some last pieces of art for Saint Nicholas or warm up their voices to cheer and sing for him! We expect the Holy man and his helper to arrive around 10.30 am. He will check his Holy Book, talk to each kid separately and give them their present. We also invite you to use this festive opportunity and behave as a Saint Nicholas yourself too! Please check out your cupboards and wardrobes and collect all toys and all clothes which you no longer need, but which can still make people happy! You can bring these items to the party. We will make sure they arrive safely at the Baan Kru Noi orphanage. Maybe even with your help?? Or, you could also offer to be a sponsor for our January event? Interested? Please, read further on our "Temples and Toys Trip"!  600 baht per family;This includes the breakfast, the entertainment, the fun and sweets from Saint Nicholas. However, it does not include the present that the Holy man will give your child; this should be purchased by the parents. Please consider the size and weight of the gift for the poor helpers. We would also like to ask you not to give presents worth more than 500 baht per child. Thank you. The presents will need to be dropped at the Belgian Embassy beforehand. Details will follow. Register ? YES, urgently! From our website you can download a document to provide us with your details!! Please send us your feedback until November 13 on our usual email address news@belgianclub-th.com!! We cannot extend this deadline because of practical, organisational reasons! Saint Nicholas would like to send a letter to your child too!! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TEMPLES AND TOYS TRIP - A CHARITY EVENT FOR THE CHILDREN OF BAAN KRU NOI | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Baan Kru Noi is the orphanage sponsored by the Erwin and Sabrina foundation. Every year the BCT tries to organize an event for these kids. Though this year the Saint Nicholas Party will be focusing on our Belgian kids, we will in the mean time also be preparing for a special event for the children of Baan Kru Noi! On 29 November we want to collect as many toys and clothes as possible for the less fortunate children. We will also be looking for financial sponsors, so that we can organize a special trip for the orphans and our members!The plan itself? The TTT or the "Temples and Toys Trip" to Ayutthaya! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| When ? Saturday 23 January 2010 Where ?
In the morning, we are going to the Million Toy Museum in Ayutthaya, where craft activities for the children are organised. In the afternoon, we will visit Ayutthaya and its temples. More details will follow. Yes, You can Help! - You can join the trip and help with taking care of one or more children from the orphanage and cover their expenses. - If you like the idea of this trip, but can't join us: we are also looking for financial sponsors. More details will follow. - In planning and organising such an activity, helping hands in the practical organisation are always welcome! If you like to get involved, pleas drop us a line on our email address: news@belgianclub-th.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DON'T FORGET... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 ... to give us your input on the questionnaire! We are looking forward to receiving your feedback! We would like to hear what you think about these newsletters, Kramiek, the events organized so far and what you would like to do, read, see,... in the near future!The questionnaire is to be found in Kramiek or on our website. You can send your feedback to Attn Pierre Swartenbroekx, 97/201 Perfect Place 3, On Nut - Lat krabang road, (Ratchateva - Bangphli), Samutprakrn 10540, THAILAND. As promised, we will organize a lucky draw between those who have taken the time to send us their feedback! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| LOGO CONTEST STILL ON!! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| OTHER ACTIVITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY OTHERS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| BELUTHAI ORGANIZES... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ... some interesting events in the coming months For more information please contact Beluthai. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 17 November: Dinner talk with Jean-Pierre Verbiest, economist at the Asian Development Bank, with an outlook on the Thai and regional economy. Venue to be determined | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14 December: Christmas networking cocktail at the Neilson Hayes Library with an exhibition by a Dutch and a Belgian artist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| WHO WOULD LIKE TO PLAY SOME FOOTBALL? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| For everyone who needs a sporty challenge for 2010, consider the message from the Football Club "les Gaulois Paris Bangkok": | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| CHARITY: FATIMA CENTRE LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sister Louise from the Fatima Centre is looking for assistance in the following areas: Din Daeng Centre: This centre cares for close to 100 pre-school age children in a class room type environment. This ensures the children are not left at home while their mothers work in the Fatima Self Help Centre earning much needed money to support their families. The preschool is looking for persons willing to teach the kids basic English skills through games and activities. No special skills are required. The commitment is one morning each week from 9am until 10:30. Fatima Shop: This shop is located behind Villa in Soi 33 and sells the finished products manufactured in the Fatima Self Help Centre. It operates Monday to Saturday and is in need of volunteers to sell the goods. The commitment can be as little as a few hours once per week. If you are interested in any of these voluntary positions please contact Sister Louise M: 08-1908-2583 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ARTS FESTIVAL AT NEILSON HAYS LIBRARY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Those who - after their trip to Koh Si Chang - would like to discover some more in downtown Bangkok as well, could visit the Arts Festival at Neilson Hays Library! Over the weekend of November 14th and 15th The Neilson Hays Library, one of Bangkok's most historically and culturally rich venues, will organize an exciting Arts Festival in the beautiful garden of the library at 195 Surawong Road. This festival is part of the year round festivities organized to celebrate the Neilson Hays Library's 140th anniversary.The Arts Festival will bring to the Bangkok community a truly interactive art experience appealing to all age groups. The Festival will showcase the work of local and international artists working in a variety of media like painting, ceramic, photography, jewelry and sculpture. These original works will be available for sale over the weekend. The Arts Festival's activities will also include artist demonstrations, live music, drama, poetry and children's art and crafts activities. There will be refreshments and live music throughout the weekend. A complete schedule of events and participating artists will be available on the library website www.neilsonhayslibrary.com in late October. If you would like more information about the Arts Festival, please send an email to neilsonartfestival@yahoo.com or contact the office at 02-233 1731. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| WANTED: PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Brittany Fox is the founder of ‘THAI SONG' which means Emitting Life, Hope and Freedom to bring healing to emotional, social and economic needs of impoverished Thai Women living in the slum. She started the ‘Thai Song Bag Project' recently and she requires all your unwanted plastic carrier bags to be recycled and make into useful bags. She hopes to sell these to generate income for the disadvantaged women. For more information, go to http://brittanyfox.missionsplace.com/ Please pass on your old bags to Sue Smith (087)8254936 who is helping Brittany with her project! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| BCT MEMBERSHIP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The annual membership fee is a mere 500 baht per family. The BCT year runs from 1 September till 31 August. You can register at any BCT activity by completing the membership form available with any of the BCT committee members. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| BCT ACTIVITIES CALENDAR FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| As for 2010, which is approaching very very fast: - 15 January: Get Together - venue to be determined - 23 January: TTT Trip to Ayutthaya: social activity with and for Baan Kru Noi Orphanage - 6 February: BCT Biking Trip - 19 February: Get Together - venue to be determined - 19 March: Get Together - venue to be determined - 28 March (tentative): Easter Egg Hunt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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