The Pattaya City Expat Club is the original Expat club

During the first year some of the original Board members wanted to make money from other members. The Chairman Drew Noyes and Vice Chairman Max Rommel and the majority of the Board would not allow it.
Those who wanted no paid sponsorships, no paid booths and wanted everything to be not-for-profit stayed and the Board members whose objective was to profit financially left.

The ones who left incorporated a Thai company and registered as a business under the name Pattaya Expats Club, Co., Ltd. to make money from their new members.

The original group decided it would be best to add the word "City" to their club name because of this and because Pattaya had just been formed as a municipality called Pattaya City, the legal name of Pattaya.

However, despite the differences, both clubs have grown and provide valuable information to foreigners in Pattaya.

The original club stayed at the Amari and meets every Sunday at Henry J. Bean’s Restaurant (HJB) from 9:30 to 12:30 for a great buffet catered by the Amari and good speakers and an Open Forum where questions are answered by long-time Pattaya Expats.  

Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg welcomed everyone to the Pattaya City Expats Club’s 8th Anniversary celebration and noted that there would be a departure from the usual guest speaker program. For this meeting, there would be a refection on the beginning, the present, and the future of the Club. 

The staff of Henry J. Bean’s (HJB) brought out a huge, complimentary and congratulatory cake. Emcee Richard called on Michel de Goumois, Chairman of the Governing Board, to get things started. Chairman Michel also welcomed everyone to this anniversary event. He then read to the audience two congratulatory letters the club had received; One from the Governor of Chonburi and the other from the Mayor of Pattaya City. Chairman Michel also thanked the Amari management for donating the cake and the staff of HJB for their service at Club meetings over the years. 

Emcee Richard then called on founding member and past Chairman Max Rommel to share the beginnings of the Expats Club in 2001 and the different venues where the Club met. These venues changed as the Club continued to grow as it gained new members until the Club settled first in a room in the Amari Orchard Resort and then moved to Amari’s HJB restaurant.

Following Max Rommel, was three-term past Chairman and long time club MC Drew Noyes.  Drew explained in his role as the chairman of the Club how they members built membership up from under 100 to over 800 in his three years as Chairman. He said the club philosophy began primarily with the goal of Expats helping Expats, but evolved into much more. 

Drew described the Club’s activities and more importantly, its service to the community as mentioned in the Governor’s and Mayor’s letters. Although there were many, such as providing classes for governmental employees and others to improve their ability to converse in English, one of the major efforts came during the Avian Flu scare of 2003. 

During this time travel to Thailand was restricted by some governments and many European countries, the USA, Australia, Korea, China and others warned travelers not to go to Thailand.  This was devastating to Thailand because tourism is the number one source of income for the country.  Pattaya, in particular was suffering. 

Drew explained how Chonburi Governor Piset, who was the CEO Governor of Thailand, came up with the plan to hold an event in Chonburi and organized the event with the club. The Governor invited the international press to watch him and his staff, other government officials, and 85 Pattaya City Expats Club members feast on various delectable Thai chicken dishes to show the world that it was safe to come to Thailand. 

Newspaper and TV reporters from around the world interviewed PCEC members in seven languages.  Within days the travel ban to Thailand was lifted and within a few months inbound tourism numbers were at pre Avian Flu scare numbers.  This showed everyone the power of the Pattaya City Expats Club to help Thailand.

Drew concluded his remarks by noting that the most important people are the Club’s members that keep the Club going through their continued participation. He thanked the club for the privilege to let him lead the club for many years.

Immediate past Chairman and current Governing Board member Richard Smith was then called on by Emcee Richard noting that much of the Club’s success is directly attributable to Richard Smith’s untiring and devoted service to the Club. Richard highlighted the various activities of the Club with particular emphasis on the English conversation classes, with over 250 completing the class and the 9th class nearing completion. 

He mentioned that the success of this program has resulted in its expansion, such as providing three classes in Sattahip for Royal Thai Navy personnel and a current class being provided for Amari Hotel and Restaurant staff.  Richard noted that the Thai participants are most appreciative because increasing their language skill improves their chances for advancement.

Richard concluded by mentioning the Club’s participation in past and future Chonburi Songkran Parades at the invitation of the Nai Amphur (District Chief) to join with others from Banglamung District as further evidence of the Club’s recognition.

Darrel Vaught then gave a brief overview of how he got involved with the Club Newsletter. Darrel said that a little over two years ago he offered some suggestions on how the Newsletter could be better formatted and offered his experience in using desktop publishing techniques to improve it. 

He then said that it was bad timing because at this time the person doing the Newsletter had just quit because he was moving to Bangkok.  So, instead of being a consultant on desktop publishing, he was “roped” into doing the Newsletter. Although the format-ting has improved in eye appeal, Darrel said he wasn’t able to include graphics as he wished because the current software used for emailing the letter does not have this capability.  But, in the future, this may be overcome.

Darrel mentioned that Richard Smith developed the current website. However, since computer technology advances rapidly, the software used is out of date. As a result, the Board has formed a committee that both he and Richard Smith are members of. A web designer has been selected and the committee is in process of working with him in designing a better and more user friendly web site using today’s advanced technology.  

Darrel said that the current plan is to try to have it operational in July of this year. Further, in doing the redesign, it may be possible to use software that will allow some graphics to  “JAZZ” up the Newsletter.

Following Darrel, were Club Secretary David Meador and Club Treasurer Al Serrato. David commented on the Club’s progress since he became Secretary some four years ago and how well the current Board members work together to keep improving the Club. 

Al commented on his efforts to improve the membership process and on how he and Chairman Michel also identify and arrange the venues for the monthly Members’ Dinner, which are a great way for members and guests to get to know one another better. Lawrie McLaughlin, who chairs the program committee, followed with a brief description of the committee’s activity and some upcoming speakers to look forward to hearing.  

Emcee Richard then called on the representative of the Special Interest Groups to give a brief description of their activities, noting that these groups are formed by members with a common interest and take place outside the regular Sunday meeting, some getting together weekly or monthly and others periodically. Their presentations were followed with the cutting and eating of the cake.