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THAI holds aircraft anointing
ceremony for Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 777-300ER
Somdej Phra Maha Muneewong (center), Abbot of Wat
Rajabopit Sathitmahasimaram Rajaworavihara, presided over the Aircraft
Anointing Ceremony for Thai Airways International Public Company Limited’s
two aircraft, Airbus A330-300 royally bestowed the name “Samut Prakan” and
Boeing 777-300ER royally bestowed the name “Medininat”.
Chokchai Panyayong (second from left), THAI Senior Executive Vice President,
Strategy and Business Development, and Acting President, along with staff
were present at the anointing ceremony held at THAI’s Technical Department,
Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Both aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art passenger seats and
personal screens with the latest in-flight entertainment system in all
classes of travel. Currently, THAI has 103 aircraft in its fleet.
Plans simmer for ‘Clean Food, Great Taste’ training
Pattaya consumer protection chief Bubpa
Songsakulchai (right) and Clean Food, Great Taste Club President Sampao
Sangthanakorn (left) discuss plans to expand training programs to
cooking and hospitality schools.
Jetsada Homklin
Organizers of the “Clean Food, Great Taste” campaign to bring hygiene
standards at Thai restaurants and hotels to international standard have
are planning to expand training programs to cooking and hospitality
schools.
At the new organization’s first meeting March 4, Pattaya consumer
protection chief Bubpa Songsakulchai met with Clean Food, Great Taste
Club President Sampao Sangthanakorn to discuss approving instructors and
inspectors to provide training in local schools and governments.
The Association of Thai Chefs has for 10 years been training members on
safety and hygiene using the ServSafe standard of United States and
Charted Institute of Environmental Health standards of United Kingdom
through five-hour courses followed by an hour-long written exam.
The training is encouraged for every member, kitchen worker and anyone
who touches food.
In November, the Ministry of Public Health proposed new regulations on
food safety, starting the latest round of the “Clean Food, Great Taste”
program to certify hotels and restaurants. Fifty-one Pattaya
institutions received the first commendations Nov. 20.
All the approved hotels passed inspections carried out by the city
Public Health Department.
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Etihad Airways appoints
Senior Vice President Sales
James Mueller, Senior Vice President Sales.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has
appointed James Mueller to the new position of Senior Vice President
Sales.
With more than 20 years’ experience in the aviation industry, Mueller
joins Etihad Airways from United Airlines, where he worked for five
years in various senior roles, including Vice President Asia Pacific and
Vice President Atlantic and Pacific Sales.
Prior to this, he was employed for more than 15 years at Northwest
Airlines / Delta Airlines, where his final position was Vice President
Cargo Sales.
Mueller’s appointment follows the recent unveiling of the Etihad
Aviation Group, a new structure marking the transition of Etihad Airways
from a single airline to a wider global aviation and travel group. The
structure, headed by James Hogan as Group President and Chief Executive
Officer, includes the core airline and a separate division to coordinate
and manage Etihad’s subsidiaries, joint venture companies and equity
partners.
Another key element in the structure is the establishment of the Hala
Group, which has been formed recognizing the commercial opportunities
that have grown beyond air travel across a variety of travel and
hospitality businesses.
James Hogan said, “The creation of Etihad Aviation Group reflects our
growth as one of the world’s leading airlines, and our continued
diversification outside the core airline business, as we become a
leading aviation and travel group.
“It is important to have focused leadership throughout the new structure
and James Mueller is a great example of someone who has delivered
superior business results in multi-cultural environments across a range
of airline roles, covering sales, revenue management, marketing and
distribution, and general management. He is a welcome addition to our
management team.”
Mueller, a US citizen, will initially report to Etihad Airways Chief
Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner during the group structure’s
transition phase. After the transition, Baumgartner will assume his new
role as Chief Operating Officer of the newly formed Hala Group, while
Mueller will report to the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, a new
position that has been created to oversee the day-to-day running of the
core airline. Recruitment for this role is ongoing.
Commenting on his new appointment, James Mueller said, “My interest in
aviation extends beyond the 20 years I have spent in the industry, and
it’s been hard to ignore the phenomenal growth of Etihad Airways since
its launch. With the recent creation of the Etihad Aviation Group,
there’s no doubt that future developments will be even more ambitious
and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute by leading the
ever-expanding sales functions of Etihad Airways.”
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Pattaya Food & Beverage Club holds 1st meeting
Somkiate Darunaithorn, Resident & Project
Manager for Pinnacle Hotels & Resort & Spas (standing, 5th left) and
committee members pose for a commemorative photo.
Urasin Khantaraphan
Professional chefs from top Pattaya hotels networked and sampled
fine food and beverages at the first meeting of the Pattaya Professional
Food & Beverage Club at the Pinnacle Resort & Spa.
Somkiate Darunaithorn, Resident & Project Manager for Pinnacle Hotels &
Resort & Spas welcomed Pradert Singkaew, an aide to Pattaya Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome, to the March 17 opening lunch with 17 club board
members and hoteliers around the area.
The Pattaya Professional Food & Beverage Club was founded Nov. 11 with
its first election Feb. 13.
A pre-election board conducted numerous events around the area,
including a charity bowling match, donations to charities, sponsoring a
flower tray for HM the King’s December birthday and a youth football
match.
Members include chefs and restaurant executives from the Centara Grand
Mirage Beach Resort, Centara Grand Modus Resort, Eastern Grand Palace,
Sigma Resort Jomtien, Sunshine Residences, Amari Orchid Resort & Tower,
Marriott Resort & Spa, Cholchan Resort, Grand Jomtien Palace, Siam
Bayshore Resort & Spa and more.
The first meeting allowed Thai and European chefs to mingle and sample
Chang Export beer from EFES Beer in the World, samples from the White
Wine Cellar and more.
Meetings will be held monthly.
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