NOTE: Details of the Thai Loy Krathong Festival; ADVANCE Reservation required

CHAFF Newsletter Issue 03

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Dear friends,

Chaff Meeting of 22nd was explosive

Was Kerstin a Thai in her previous life?

Loy Krathong Festival - November 4th - Location changed

Cars still on Offer - No brokers

CHAFF Help Fund

Article in 65 Degrees North

CHAFF NEXT MEETING

1. Chaff Meeting of 22nd was explosive

At some Chaff meetings you get the feeling that the meeting is exploding. That was the atmosphere that prevailed last Sunday. It was like being at the Tower of Babel. Thai, English, Russian, German, Australian, Polish, Chinese, Spanish and, of course, Finnish, were in full swing.

Kaija, one of our very senior Chaff participants, had brought two young guests from Arkhangelsk in Russia. One understood English and was translating to the other.

Kerstin, our regular German participant, came with 3 guests, one from Germany, one from Poland and one from Russia.

Three members of the University Student Union, Willie, Laura and Hanne, all involved with International Relations, also attended.

Kannan, our ex-Chaff participant, who has remained a staunch supporter in Rauma, had come up 550 km to attend this meeting.
Andi from Venezula, Benjamin from Australia, Tingting from China, Pentti and Matti (who came hobbling on crutches) from Haukipudas, Pekka and Maritta and their young son from Kempele, Tero from Oulu, June, Pailin, Unnop, Soda and Yut, from Thailand, and me from India - made it over a quarter century of people present.
We had to appropriate the whole restaurant and also bring in the summer garden chairs from outside so that we could all sit down and enjoy one another's company.
The buffet was scrumptious. There was a mass movement to the buffet table the minute the food was announced to get hold of the Glass Noodle Salad and the Thai Chicken Soup. The food vanished so quickly that Pailin also churned out a special Chinese dish to meet the popular demand.
The meeting which started at 13:00 hours had a problem breaking up at 18:00 hours.
I hate long meetings - but not Chaff long long meetings!
2. Was Kerstin a Thai in her previous life?

Although I am not a believer in reincarnatiopn, when I saw Kerstin at the last Chaff meeting modeling some Thai clothes, I almost became converted.

June. Kerstin and Pailin

And then Benjamin also caused a sensation when he showed off a beautiful Thai man's garb.

3. Loy Krathong Festival - November 4th - Location changed

This continues to be HOT NEWS as it has not yet been officially announced.
One of the most beautiful and popular festivals in Thailand is Loy Krathong. This takes place on the full moon in November. During the evening, many people will go down to their local klong (canal) or river to float their krathongs. They believe this will bring them good luck. The krathongs contain a flower, a candle and three incense sticks which are lighted before being placed on the water. The people usually make a wish at the same time. Some people believe that if the candle remains burning until the krathong is out of sight then their wish will come true. By the end of the evening, there are hundreds of flickering lights bobbing up and down on the water.

Location of Seeleri.
The setting for the Loy Krathong Festival on Saturday evening, the 4th of November 2006 will be in the Yatching Harbour, where there is a glorious spot which is called Seeleri. It is the club house of the Yatching Organisation.
Besides having a great restaurant premises, which will be run that evening ffreom 6pm to 11 pm by the Thais,

there is a terrace from which steps descend down to the river so as to perform tha all important Candle/Flower Floating Ceremony.

It is an absolutely heavenly setting for the Loy Krathong Festival.
The programme will include live Thai music, dances, fashion show of Thai dresses, a personality contest for ladies with judges who are not Thai and the Candle/Flower Floating Ceremony where many tens of lighted candles to give thanks for man's most valuable resource, WATER, will be set afloat on the river.
The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies will speak in Thai, Finnish, English and if required, even in German.
Seats are strictly limited. Reservation is absolutely essential.
I have made a preliminary reservation for 50 seats for Chaff participants and their friends. But I can only hold them for a few days.
To make your reservation please read the instructions given below. The price includes the buffet and soft drinks.
1. This is a private party so tickets have to be bought in advance.
2. Single participant - Euro 15.
3. Children above 3 and below 10 - Euro 5.
4. Couple - Euro 25.
5. Light beer or cider coupons also have to purchased in advance:
a. Coupon for 1 light beer (0.33cl)- Euro 3.50
b. Coupon for 2 light beers (0.33cl each) - Euro 7.

6.. To reserve your places you must remit the correct amount to this bank account
249818-69968

The message box can contain the words - Thai Loy Krathong Festival.

7. Those requiring transport FROM the Pailin Restaurant TO Seeleri, should also let me know. We will have free transport facilities to and from the Pailin Restaurant to SEELERI.
8. Any clarifications can be had from me at this telephone number:
041 - 706 77 88

It promises to be a great evening with Chaff and the Thai exuberance joining together to make it especially an event not to be missed.
4. Cars still on Offer - No brokers

I have pleasure in informing you of some really good cars that are still on offer from Chaff participants - in different price groups:
1. 1989 SAAB, 1980 cc, Great condition, a classic - Price Euro 2200
2. 2002 Volvo S40 1.9 Diesel, dark Blue Metallic, only 122 000 km on the clock, with new winter tyres. Price is negotiable around Euro 15 000
3. 2004 Volkswagen with only 25000 km on the clock. Hardly used. Price is negotiable around Euro 21 000

5. CHAFF Help Fund

Almost everyone present agreed with the broad rules and regulations suggested in the last Newsletter for the Chaff Help Fund.
One CHAFF participant, a retired gentlman, contributed Swedish Kroner 100 for the fund at the last meeting.
I would still like feedback, criticism and advice on the Chaff Help Fund. Contact me for how to make your contribution. If someone can help design the application form for borrowing funds, do let me know.
Your help will be greatly appreciated.
6. Article in 65 Degrees North

There will be an article about the CHAFF Movement which will appear in the Oulu Expatriates English magazine called 65 Degrees North.

Hope you enjoy it and if you feel you have further suggestions to develop CHAFF, please do let me know.