Volume 56
March 2005

CLARK HATCH MEMBERS AND STAFF SHOW THEIR GENEROSITY

ïThe good-hearted side of many Clark Hatch members and staff was revealed when the impressive sum of Baht 120,600 was raised to help build and equip a library for young students at the Thammanoon Kong Chang Withaya School in Khao Kor, Petchaboon Province. Members took a few days off to see for themselves what their donations had achieved and made the trip up to the spectacular mountain district to visit the school, the children, and the new library building. Spending the nights in tents, the visit turned into a real adventure with long treks and football with the local team.
Khao Kor is a beautiful part of Thailand and was the last holdout of the Communists who finally gave up the cause in the early 80's. It is now being developed as a tourist destination but, because of the isolated location, isn't being trashed like much of the rest of the country. Clark Hatch will be organizing further trips to Khao Kor in the future to see how the children are doing - everyone is welcome to join and donate books to the library.

A big thank you to all those who made a donation to this very worthwhile cause!
FIRST RECORDED JOG/WALK FROM SAIGON TO PHNOM PENH

ïThrown open to members and non-members alike this fitness challenge attracted a total field of three - long suffering members Stuart Lloyd and David Oshima, and John. The distance from the Clark Hatch center in Saigon (now called Ho Chi Minh City) in southern Vietnam to the center in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is 249 kilometers and took 6.5 days. Stuart Lloyd, spurred on by thoughts of bright lights in Phnom Penh, decided to cover the equivalent of three marathons in two days to reach the finish line in 5 days! Stuart - we salute you!! Besides suffering from dehydration in 40 C heat, excruciating blisters, leg cramps, mosquitoes, flies, pesky dogs, dust, doubtful food and dodgy accommodation, everything was just fine.
Photos show the team before starting out, a Cao Dai temple in Vietnam, and crossing the mighty Mekong river by ferry at Neak Leung.
GOOD NEWS FOR THANIYA MEMBERS AND GUESTS

A walkway and bridges linking Thaniya Plaza directly to the Saladaeng Skytrain station is now being built and will open soon. This means you will be able to walk from the station to Clark Hatch without touching ground thereby avoiding the vendors all over the 'footpath', the pimps, touts, the purveyors of pornography, the beggars and mendicants, the crazy motorcyclists, and that pest with his whistle at the mouth of the soi directing traffic. Oh, how I love this place!
::EVENTS::
ïThe Clark Hatch Christmas and New Year Party held at the beautiful poolside of the Amari Watergate Hotel was a glittering affair attended by a host of attractive, talented people. It's probably just as well John was performing his walk/jog from Saigon to Phnom Penh at the time! Despite this a great time was had by all with great food and entertainment as illustrated in the photos with Hotel General Manager Pierre-Andre Pelletier being ably assisted in cutting the cake.
ïIt was also party time at the Thaniya Plaza Center with the staff going to great lengths ensuring everyone had a fun time with lots of food, prizes and entertainment. Anyone who can guess the true identity of these lovelies in the photo (excluding the bloke on the right) will receive 20 free sit-ups!
ïThe 2nd Health & Beauty Fair was held at the end of January at The Amari Atrium Hotel and featured three days of activities including a sports fashion show, cocktail party, boxercise and chi ball demonstrations, meditation, facial make-up techniques, and 4 hours of the Aerobic Master Class instruction attended by many Clark Hatch instructors. A big well done to Khun Urai the Clark Hatch manager, her staff, and all the hotel personnel, for putting on this very successful event. Photo shows Dr Prakij Vateesakornkit, Secretary of the Anti-Smoking Association, cutting the ribbon during the opening ceremony.
ïChiranatt Thaitrong is the new manager at Thaniya Plaza center. Weow, as she is known, earned her degree in Sports Science from Srinakarin Virot University in Phitsanulok. She has over 18 years experience in the fitness industry and is a qualified Personal Instructor. Please welcome Weow to the team and gain from her extensive knowledge in all aspects of fitness.
::FITNESS PEOPLE::
Whether you've lost fat, gained muscle, improved your strength, run faster and further, or just feel and look a whole lot better, CONGRATULATIONS to our worthy Fitness People this month!
::GRIPE OF THE MONTH::
ïMembers who are incapable of returning towels and items of borrowed clothing to reception or the proper receptacle. In order to keep locker rooms and wet areas clean and tidy, members are requested to return towels, shoes and any other items of borrowed exercise clothing to the reception counter. Over the years John has picked up towels and uniforms probably equivalent in total tonnage to an average naval destroyer - it's great exercise for the back and arms but he really prefers lifting barbells to odorous gym kit. Same for the rest of the staff. Please do your bit and return stuff to its proper place.
Thank you.