by Dr. Iain
Corness
The senior executive director of the Pacific Leisure
Group is Malai Sakolviphak. A man who has consistently represented
Thailand in the international tourism arena, he is also a man who has been
involved with the local airline industry for almost more years than he
would like to remember.
He was born 70 years ago in Chiang Mai, but his family
had left there by the time he was one year old and he has spent the rest
of his years in Bangkok. His father worked for the French Embassy and as a
young boy Malai spoke French; however, when war broke out in Indo-China
his father quickly said, “Switch to English!”
He was a “fairly good student, but I escaped to the
movies at times!” In fact he says that English language movies were good
for him as they gave him a better understanding of English, and there is
no doubt that he is one of the most fluent of English speaking Thais. It
is also a most plausible excuse for playing hooky!
When he finished school he wanted to be a pilot, but
found that his eyesight was not good enough. With his heart set on
aviation, he did the next best thing by starting work for the PanAm
airline as a messenger, but was then called up for national service.
However, this was delayed as he had enrolled at Thamassat University to
study law on a part-time basis. To support himself he continued to work
for PanAm during the six years it took him to graduate as a lawyer.
After graduation he did not practice law, but joined
the army for the 2-year stint required of him. However, he did not give up
PanAm, getting special dispensation to work at night with PanAm.
After national service he worked full time and found
that it was possible for him to continue with self education through the
PanAm manuals and files. “When a situation occurred that I was unsure
of, I would look through the files to see how these events had been
handled previously.” They say that experience is the greatest teacher
and Malai was able to capitalize on the experiences of those who had gone
before him.
He stayed with PanAm for 30 years, rising through the
ranks until he gained the top post as country director for Thailand, Burma
and Laos. He enjoyed the work. “I enjoyed talking to people, the
constant changes in the industry and the ability to travel to meet friends
in the industry all over the world.”
But like all aspects of life, there were constant
changes and one was PanAm selling off its Pacific routes to United
Airlines. Planes arrived in Thailand badged PanAm, to leave the next day
with UA stickers. However, Malai stayed, becoming director of Thailand for
United.
During this extended period with the airlines he found
he was adept at understanding the different nationalities and their
differing cultures and different ways of thinking. “You learn
negotiating skills. It is very different between the Americans, the
Europeans and the Asians. We Asians understand compromise.”
Malai also realized that when you visit somewhere
overseas it is much better when you have friends there, and one
association which supplied “instant” friends was the international
Skal Club, the world-wide tourism and hospitality group which he joined in
1974. With his ability to travel in his airline position he became
Thailand’s international councillor for Skal in 1986. This was for a
2-year term, but there has never been a replacement!
He retired from UA ten years ago and did some part-time
lecturing to fill in his days and then a friend asked him to assist him in
the Pacific Leisure Group. “I came back part-time till I got bored, so I
became full-time!”
His capacity for work seems almost endless and he was
one of the prime movers behind the World Skal Congress which was held in
Bangkok in 1996, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Skal Club in
Thailand. This was a great success. “The number of visitors to a
destination becomes higher after a world congress,” he said.
To be the “front” person in any group or
organization generally requires an extrovert, but Malai, despite his very
obvious public speaking abilities says, “Actually I’m a shy person,
but being a country manager means that you have an obligation to relate to
people.” He has certainly fulfilled that obligation.
While in Pattaya, a destination that he has enjoyed for
many years, he is becoming involved with the bid to hold the World Skal
Congress here in 2006, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Skal in
Thailand. This is being voted upon at this year’s congress which is
being held in Cairns Australia in November, and Malai will be there,
drumming up support for the local Skal group of Pattaya and the East.
For Malai, success is merely to achieve what you want
to be able to do. Looking back on his life, you can see that he has been
very successful, with his list of achievements being very long and
comprehensive. His advice to the young people is, “Work to the best of
your ability. Read manuals, get involved in self education and make
reasoned decisions.”
He still has enthusiasm for work, but is looking
forward to retirement. “I just want to retire and have a good life with
my wife in a nice place like Pattaya.” However, one sentence later his
is talking about the world 2006 congress, saying, “That will probably be
my last thing.” Since it is 4 years away, I cannot see him in retirement
mode for all that time.
Malai Sakolviphak is an ambassador for Thailand, of which this country
can be very proud. He believes in the great potential that Thailand has,
being an attractive destination for the international tourist. If anyone
can help us get the 2006 world congress here, Malai can!
