“From Fight to Argument to Debate”

PCEC Member Chris Harman introduces long time friend Doug Campbell, a former speech and debate coach.

Applying some of the principles of debate to common everyday situations can help one understand where the other person is coming from, says Douglas Campbell, who, in addition to being a Club member, is a former speech and debate coach. Doug spoke on the topic “From Fight to Argument to Debate” at the Pattaya City Expats Club meeting on Sunday, March 10.
He began by noting that we all have arguments with other people; we want to win these arguments; and we usually think we win because we tend to think we are always right. Doug said that perception is the way things seem as opposed to the way things are. He provided as an example that when he was a kid, his family visited the Grand Canyon. At a lookout, Doug’s grandmother marveled at what a wonderful thing God had created. Another family arrived; the father took one look and said, “Jesus Christ, what a hole in the ground!” This anecdote relates what took place at a viewpoint; but it also shows how people can have different points of view. One’s point of view, Doug said, has to do with one’s values, upbringing and even brain chemistry; perception, colors, everything we see. He quoted Anais Nin, an American author, who said: “We do not see things as they are; we see things as we are.”

Doug began by noting that we all have arguments with other people; we want to win these arguments; and we usually think we win because we tend to think we are always right.

It is possible to understand another person’s point of view, Doug said, without having to accept it. He mentioned that there are three ways people disagree: (1) fight, (2) argument, and (3) debate. A fight does not usually resolve much, he explained. Often irrelevant issues are raised, and there is usually no winner. A “fight” is an argument with no reasons provided, no rationale, he explained. A proper argument is one where reasons are advanced. A debate is a process where arguments with reasons are presented and there is an opportunity to rebut the other person’s arguments.
Doug said that there are three stages of debate: (1) the resolution (“Be it resolved that…), including a definition of terms; (2) the arguments, including cross examination; and (3) the rebuttals. In informal debates in which he has been involved, sometimes when he gets to the rebuttal stage he realizes that he doesn’t have any rebuttals - i.e. that the other person is right.

Doug responds to one of the many questions from PCEC members wishing to ‘debate’ his theses.

In his talk, Doug described some of the elements of a formal debate. Doug pointed out that a good debater, one who is skilled in active listening, should be able to “switch sides” and argue either the affirmative or the negative. In fact, he said, this is often required in formal debates. Doug concluded his talk with a quote from another American author, Joseph Chilton Pearce: “To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.”
Douglas Campbell got his start in debating when he was in high school in the Alhambra School District in East Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in Speech Communications, a Masters in Education, and a Masters in Student Counseling. Doug retired from teaching in 2008. He has lived in Pattaya since 2010. He still keeps in touch with most of his former students, four of whom have already come to visit him in Thailand.
Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg provided an update on upcoming events and called on Roy Albiston to conduct the Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand; Pattaya in particular.
For more information about the many activities of the Pattaya City Expats Club, visit their website at www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com. 

PCEC Board member Roy (R) and newest member Larry draw the winner of the raffle to provide PCEC with some new sound equipment.

GM Gang dine under the stars at Cape Dara

Chatchawal Supachayanont entertains his gang during cocktails before dinner.

Cape Dara, the newest star on the hotel scene, played host to the GM Gang late last month when general managers and executives of the hospitality businesses in and around Pattaya met for an evening of camaraderie and networking.
Hosted by Philippe Delaloye, the general manager who saw the hotel grow from sand and rocks on the beach into a 26 story structure of immense beauty and grandeur.
“Cape Dara is the brainchild of Khun Surat Mekavarakul,” said Philippe. “Surat is a man of vision and when he found this wonderful piece of land right on the beach, he grabbed it. He had a dream to turn this area into a beautiful paradise.
“He planned to build a hotel that was not too big yet also not too small. He envisioned a hotel that would offer a private haven for its guests, be they tourists looking for a few days of serenity or on a business trip to Pattaya.

Chatchawal, flanked by two charming hoteliers, Alisa Phanthusak (left), Asst. MD of the Woodlands Resort and Pattamon Mekavarakul, Asst. GM of Cape Dara, makes his welcome address.

“The architecture and interior design is stunning,” continued Philippe, “We even have a helipad on top of the building.
“We had a soft opening in August and as we gradually finished the rooms, so did the occupancy rate go up. Today the hotel is full. We have a mixed market, ensuring diversity of our clients.
“Now that my work is done, I am leaving the property. I am very proud of being part of this sensational project. This is the first hotel that I have been involved with from start to finish. I thank everyone for giving me this opportunity and for supporting me throughout.”
Pattamon Mekavarakul, Assistant GM of Cape Dara added, “Our family has been in the hotel business for a very long time. My father started out by building the Mike Shopping Centre with a hotel on the top floors. He then opened Mike Shopping Mall a few years later. Having decided that the hotel business was more to his liking, he built a few more. We now own and operate 7 hotels in Pattaya.

Pattamon Mekavarakul speaks of her family’s brand new 5 star property.

“This is a dream location and there was no choice but to construct our first 5 star hotel. We wanted to build a retreat where one could relive old memories of when you could bring their families and just hideaway for a few days. So we named our little paradise ‘Cape Dara’ … Cape of Stars.
“The exquisite decorations and interior designs are inspired by the stars and the architecture is stupendous. The view from every room is stunning. You have an unobstructed view of Pattaya including the islands.
“We plan to open 7 food and beverage outlets and our chef is none other than the famous ‘Iron Chef’. Our guests are ensured of a variety of the best culinary delights.”
Chatchawal Supachayanont, the leader of the gang who has held this small group of hoteliers together for many generations said, “Everyone should be happy living in Pattaya. Even with its faults and difficulties, we have managed to grow from strength to strength. I predict 2013 will be the best year ever.

Tony Malhotra is congratulated on his appointment as President of Skål International Pattaya & East Thailand.

“Looking at the new generation of general managers and executives of our hotels, I can honestly say that they can compete with the best in the world. They are young, full of knowledge and passion, speeding forward to make a success of their lives. This is a good sign, because it shows that they will work extremely hard to make a success of their properties too.
“The veterans of this business should pass on their knowledge and experience to them and guide and advise them on matters pertaining to the culture and history of Pattaya, so that they can understand their working and living environment better. I am always available to help for the benefit of the hospitality business and for our community as a whole.”

Pattamon Mekavarakul tells the story of her family’s commitment to promoting the hotel business in Pattaya.

Peter Malhotra congratulates his old friend Philippe Delaloye for playing a major part in the construction and opening phase of the Cape Dara.

A group photo of GMs and guests: Nopporn Kanchanamanee (District Sales Manager of Thai Airways, Pattaya), Richard Margo (RM Amari Orchid Pattaya), Jitmanee Siravithayavanich (Way Hotel), Andre Brulhart (GM Centara Grand Mirage Beach), Stephane Bringer (GM Woodlands Resort), Peter Malhotra (MD Pattaya Mail), Brendan Daly (GM Amari Orchid Pattaya), Rene Pisters (GM Thai Garden Resort), Chatchawal Supachayanont (GM Dusit Thani Pattaya), Austin Robinson (GM Nova Hotel & Spa Pattaya), Danilo Becker (Manager Thai Garden Resort), Philippe Delaloye (GM Cape Dara), Pattamon Mekavarakul (Asst. GM Cape Dara), Tony Malhotra (Asst. MD Pattaya Mail), Alisa Phanthusak (Asst. MD Woodlands Resort), Somkhit Tonsaiphet (The Zign), Holger Kroninger (Sukosol Hotels) and Neoh Kean Boon (RM Dusit Thani Pattaya).

New leader for Foreign Tourist Police Assistants

Barry Kenyon
The superintendent of Pattaya’s tourist police, Lieutenant Colonel Aroon Promphan (left), has announced the appointment of Wayne Walton to be the new group leader of Pattaya’s Foreign Tourist Police Assistants (FTPA). Wayne, 45, has many years’ experience of UK policing including UK Royal Protection, and additional experience in the private sector organizing Close Protection for various dignitaries.
Wayne said, “I am honoured to take over leadership of FTPA in Pattaya following the resignation of Rey Dominguez who will be spending more time in the USA. I hope to involve many more people in FTPA in the future to make the team more dynamic and professional.”
He explained that the 45 member-strong FTPA had a priority to recruit more Russian-speaking members in view of the changing visitor profile on Walking Street.
The role of the auxiliary FTPA is to assist the regular tourist police, principally at the mobile unit on Walking Street, dealing with general tourist questions as well as assisting with visitors’ difficulties and helping to keep public order as and when necessary. They also work with Thai tourist police volunteers.
In recent years, FTPA has attempted to become more professional with a lengthy induction programme and regular ongoing training and meetings. Applicants must possess a one year visa in Thailand and have police clearance from their home country. There is a strict disciplinary code and a detailed manual of correct procedures. Most FTPA have police, army or security backgrounds or have other relevant skills such as foreign language fluency or diplomatic experience.
Barry Kenyon, the press officer said, “Most people remember the famous TV series Big Trouble in Thailand, but FTPA has evolved in many ways since then. Wayne has a big task ahead in ensuring the organization is progressive and up-to-date, but he’s surely the right man for the job. Pattaya is now attracting huge numbers of Russian, Indian and Chinese tourists and our structures need to take account of that.”