Jorge Carlos Smith (left) is greeted
by Prayuth Thamdhum on his arrival.
Staff reporters
After a break of many months the GM Gang came together once again
for a dinner meeting at the Montien Hotel, Pattaya, on Tuesday, September
24.
Hosted by Prayuth Thamdhum, the effervescent general manager of the ‘Royal
Residence’ - the ancient interpretation of the name of the hotel - guests
were treated to an evening of conviviality and a fusion of Asian delights
aptly named ‘Pattaya Variety’.
In an exclusive interview with Pattaya Mail, Prayuth spoke of his background
and the beginnings of his career as a hotelier and how he came to take up
his responsibilities as GM of Montien Pattaya seven years ago.
Chatchawal Supachayanont speaks
to his friends.
Prayuth was born in Lopburi, the son of an Air Force
General, and it might have been expected that their son would continue in
the military mold or tradition, but that was not Prayuth in any way. He was
sent to further his education in Bangkok, and he believes the seeds of
independent thought were already sown by then. He walked past a hotel and
peeked inside. “It looked so smart. It had a beautiful ambience,” said
Prayuth. He knew then where he was headed.
His choice of career was not, however, what his parents might have wished
for their son, but Prayuth, the independent thinker, continued on his
self-determining direction. Some of that he ascribes to the Kasetsart
University School which fostered independent thought. “I made my own
decisions from when I was very young, around 15-16 years of age. My school
allowed me to express personal opinions.”
Having made the decision, he joined the hospitality industry where we all
began our careers, at the bottom. It is at this time that young people can
doubt their choice and leave, but not Prayuth. He knew this was the right
choice for him.
Prayuth, despite his youthful looks, has been in the industry for almost 30
years, after starting his career in the Montien in Bangkok.
Prayuth went on to extoll the finer qualities of the Montien saying, “This
hotel is well organized and has grown to become a very popular place,
especially for families. A large number of the guests are regular visitors
who often return to the hotel and have done so for a number of years.
Tony Malhotra vowed the guests
with his emotional rendition of love songs.
“The hotel has also been able to attract many new
international guests. The hotel also manages to provide an old European
style combined with Thai hospitality and this is what many of the guests
seem to be looking for. One of the major attractions of the hotel is not
just the accommodation but also the amazing variety of food and beverages
provided at very reasonable prices. The aim of the hotel is to provide value
for money.”
To get to know Prayuth better, and with Dr Iain Corness’ permission, we
re-print a segment of his interview with Prayuth seven years ago. “Prayuth
understands the concept of emotional quotients (EQ) as well, saying, ‘You
have to build it.’ Those who follow Daniel Goleman’s revelations in
neuroscience and psychology that stressed the importance of emotional
quotient (EQ) will understand his dictum, ‘Our emotional intelligence
determines our potential for learning the practical skills that are based on
its five elements: self-awareness, motivation, self-regulation, empathy, and
adeptness in relationships. Our emotional competence shows how much of that
potential we have translated into on-the-job capabilities. Prayuth Thamdhum
embodies and understands all those elements saying, ‘I am a Buddhist and a
Thai,’ and explained this with the analogy of being tail-gated by another
driver on the highway. His positive thinking takes him past the initial
response of anger. ‘I am still a human being, but I can learn from being a
Buddhist. The person may be running late for an important appointment. They
could be sick and need to go to a hospital. Everyone can have their own
reason for anger.’ His personal philosophy can then distance him from
negative emotions. This philosophy is undoubtedly that which has brought him
up through the corporate ladder, to his current general manager level.”
In his speech to the gathering, Chatchawal Supachayanont, general manager of
Dusit Thani Pattaya and symbolic head of the GM Gang said, “It’s so
wonderful that the GMs have been able to meet for so many years.
“I believe that Pattaya is booming and many new hotels will open soon along
with many upmarket condominiums. This is good as it will attract more people
to the city with a higher spending power. I believe that the tourist
industry in Thailand can do much better than that in the neighboring
countries which will lead to a greater interest in Pattaya. At present the
majority of the foreign tourists appear to be from China and Russia and a
huge number from India and other countries in Europe.
Guests were amazed at Chonlatee
Nakamadee’s singing talents.
“I am confident that in the near future the number of
domestic tourists will increase tremendously and newer projects for
accommodations and entertainment venues in Pattaya and the eastern region
will also have to grow rapidly to support the demand.”
He thanked all the staff of the Montien Hotel for the excellent service they
provided during the course of the evening and announced that the host venue
for the next GM Gang dinner would be at the Long Beach Hotel.
The balcony scene (L to R) Tony
Malhotra (Pattaya Mail), Jorge Carlos Smith (GM Hard Rock Hotel), Peter
Malhotra (Pattaya Mail), Nopporn Kanchanamanee (District Sales Manager of
Thai Airways, Pattaya), Chatchawal Supachayanont (GM Dusit Thani Pattaya),
Philippe Delaloye, Prayuth Thamdhum (GM Montien Pattaya), Chonlatee
Nakamadee, (GM dusitD2 Baraquda Pattaya), Neoh Kean Boon (RM Dusit Thani
Pattaya), Sanpech Supabowornsthian (GM Long Beach Garden Hotel & Spa
Pattaya).
