The New Expat Club in North-East

there are 3 hospitals in Udon that are listed as approved...AEK Udon, Northeastern Wattana and Paoli...

err isn't paoli(paolo?) the other name for Panyavejinter Hospital ?

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but i read somewhere (maybe this site) that Paolo or Panyavejinter as it is now called is having some financial challenges and is apparently up for sale for a mere 300 million baht.

Not confirmed, just what I read somewhere recently.

Could be just a rumor I do not know. If Panyavejinter is going to offer some type of insurance, I would make sure that all is well with their finances before purchasing any insurance there.

Maybe someone can ask management during the 18th meeting what the story is.

that is all......

Hello Gentlemen,,, Dont forget about next week when we are invited to the PanyavejInter Hospital to guied us around and we meet at 14.00 in the lobby!! Any "expat" are invited and if you want your lady with thats ok too!!
If you want to call me my officetelephone are out of line(broken) but still my mobile is working on:08 3672 5641.

Ok,, welcome to the hospital and dont forget the new meeting at the Irish Clock, Sunday the 22:nd at 14.00!

I may have missed this, but does this club have any aimes or goals??

All i keep reading is people bickering about whether it is right or wrong to drink during the meetings???

Surely, you all understand that none of you are in a superior position from which they and dictate to others.

Am i wrong????

I would just like to know once the petty arguing has stopped, what will the club be aiming to achieve???

If it will be a place where members can come together, talk, share experiences, give advice, and socialise hopefully at a lower cost than any of the other places, as it will not be seeking to make a profit, then i think its a great idea.

But i still dont know for sure what it is mean't to be.?????

Please tell me.....

Kev

Kev, I'll try to give you MY understanding of what the Expat Club is supposed to be about.

We will meet monthly (more often if it's found to be needed) and the meetings will be held to a time limit, now considering 1 to 1.5 hours. The club organizers (elected representatives) as well as other members, will suggest or offer persons of various offices and organizations within the community, to speak to the members and offer insight into the offerings or expectations of these offices & organizations. We have ample opportunity on udonmap.com forum for numerous personal inputs concerning such things as lawyers, immigration, hospital services, insurance, tourist police, etc., but this club will give us the opportunity to get the information directly from the subject organizations without the personal bias of the members. Plus it will provide an opportunity to ask questions and get proper answers.

This is NOT being formed to be a SOCIAL CLUB as such. It will/should be conducted with proper rules being followed as to how the meetings will progress and who will be given the 'floor' for a particular issue. Proper minutes should be recorded and published for the use of the members who may have missed a particular meeting. If dues are collected (or any money for any purpose) then a treasurer should be assigned to keep track of such funds and make a report at each meeting.

I'm sure there are other points that should be addressed but feel this will give you a rough idea as to just what will be offered. If you're looking to sit around with a bunch of friends and have general 'chit chat' about what ever subject that may come up, this is not the intent of the Expat Club. In fact, that sounds like the meetings that are currently being conducted at the udonmap night market meetings and, as enjoyable as these meetings are to attend, we don't really accomplish much other than to have a good time and share a few drinks.

Now, having said all of this, you must realize this is a public forum and only my own personal opinions. I may be completely wrong in regard to the Expat Club's reason for existence but, this is my view of what is to be expected.

Cheers

Lars Erik Brandt wrote:Hello Gentlemen,,, Dont forget about next week when we are invited to the PanyavejInter Hospital to guied us around and we meet at 14.00 in the lobby!! Any "expat" are invited and if you want your lady with thats ok too!!
If you want to call me my officetelephone are out of line(broken) but still my mobile is working on:08 3672 5641.

Ok,, welcome to the hospital and dont forget the new meeting at the Irish Clock, Sunday the 22:nd at 14.00!

Thank you Lars for arranging this. Since I am fairly new to Udon I found it very useful to get this info of one of the better hospitals in town. I am sure that I will make use of their promotions for health check ups now that I have a direct link to one of their managers. Not to mention that I do not think that I ever have seen so many cute nurses.

Well gentlemen today was the arranged visit to the Panyavejinter Hospital & what an entertaining & informative visit it was but, where were the people who said that they would attend & did'nt? Lars & his Swedish pal + their charming ladies & myself turned up & had a great 2 hours of hospitality & information, it was obvious that the Hospital & especially Khun John (Prayoon Thavon)manager of International Services had made a big effort to welcome more people than turned up but in true Thai fashion were very gracious about the lack of numbers...Nuffsaid on that.

If this kind of activity is what the Ex Pats Club is all about then i am in 100% in favour of this type of organization & hope it is a big success, after being a bit sceptical about the whole concept i might add.

Lars appoligized today for a lack of input to Udonmap members due to his PC being in a non opperative condition i.e.fcuked & asked if i would remind everybody who is interested about the meeting at the Irish Clock on Sunday 22nd @ 2 00 pm.

Come along lads im sure this can be good for us if we get the support & enthusiasm i now think this idea deserves.

Cheers Geordie.

Pakawala has given his view as to what the Expat Club should or should not be. Can anyone from the "Organizers", please confirm these thoughts.
I don't know why people did not turn up at the hospital, after saying they would, but personally there is no way I would have gone. I, and I assume most of the expats in Udon will have already visited the hospital at some time or another, and already had the "Khun John Chat" as to what they can do for us farang.
If I want to know something about the tourist police, I will ask one. They are "out and about" most nights in Udon, and are quite a friendly bunch of guys, who can always be approached with a question or two.
As for Immigration matters, that in itself is a "hornets nest". The expats here seem to be on various types of visa, with various rules, that change more often than anyone can keep up with. It is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to know exactly what the current situation is, as the guys in the Immigration office don't know, and change the information they give you from one day to the next.
In short if this is the "sole aim" of the expats club, then I don't think I will be bothering ....... If however Pakawala is mistaken with his view, and it IS to be a social club, with visits to and from the various organisations as an "optional extra" then I might well be interested.

Statto . John i read your post with intrest, what Pakawala has said is really the basis of the concept, dont forget this idea is in its infancy so it is up to everyone interested to contribute & get involved to make or break it .
I do believe this can take off given a chance early days yet.
Come to the meet on Sunday i will buy you a beer afterwards. Howay the Lads.

Also what you say about the " Khun John Chat " what they can do for us Farangs, never forget the saying.
"There is strength in numbers".

Thank,s for the replys after being visiting the Panyavejinter Hospital the 18:th this month. Yes,i was a little disapointed too when i look at all these notes i have who didnt show up!! OK,people can get busy or so but we still living in 2009 and :everybody: has a phone?? No more about this, there will be more chances coming to do new visits. On sunday the 22:nd i will speak a little about what we done the 18:th and let them know who shows up then!
Asmany of us in the club wants to get together at just sudays and at 14.00 o,clock i expect that we will be more fellows this time.Rigth? I have some good info about embassies from US, U.K. and others that you maybe want to know. Also there will be an agenda on tables and i hope we will have a good meeting! Dont you forget now that the day and time is: The Irish Clock, Sunday 22:nd and 14.00 , we be upstairs a before!!
Sitting now in Vientiane , friday the 20:th so you cant call me today but tomorrow i be at home in Ban Dong Ling again!!!

Hello all members and you who want to become a new one! We are as usual having our meeting at The Irish Clock at Sampanamit Rd. , Sunday the 29th of March and we start at 14.00!! This month i hope that i can get material and speakers about INSURANCE and all around this. A lot of you have be asking for this so i will see whay i can do!
Anyway there will be reports and also some of your membershipcards are ready so dont hesitate to come.
See you at the day and time above!!!


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Lars,
There is already a thread on the 'Expat club'

Can you please keep to one thread instead of opening another thread on exactly the same subject

Thanks

Just a reminder to YIOU all members and other "Farangs" who should be interested to see and listen what we are soing in the Expat Club, Udon Thani! Sunday the 29th March we are at the Irish Clock 2:nd floor and the meeting starts at 14.00. You are welcome and dont forget,, Bring a Friend with you!!

Lars Erik Brandt

A bit quiet Lars. Anything to report?

Galee wrote:A bit quiet Lars. Anything to report?

Galee, there was a meeting of the Ex Pats Club last Sunday about 16-18 people showed which is an improvement on previous meetings, Lars told me we have now about 70 members from a few different nationalities who are interested in making the club a success. As i said in an earlier post this idea is still in its infancy and needs time to be successful, the suggestions comming from people at the meetings are very promising as to what the club needs to be a success.
I know that Lars is working very hard and putting in a lot of time to organize talks and information on quite a few issues that affect Ex Pats here [with due respect to Udonmap members, first hand information from the horses mouth without the opinions of people who dont live here and some that do]. The club is also trying to create it's own website but obviously this will take a little time to set up. As i said before Lars is working very hard this is why i've answered this, to save him a bit of time.
Galee, thanks for your interest, and anyone else who needs any info please dont be afraid to ask.