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Pattaya Panthers and the community remember lost friends in the wake of Bali
A somber mood swept over Shenanigans Pattaya last
Saturday afternoon as members of the rugby fraternity and the community
gathered to mourn the premature death of one of their brethren, Chris Kays.
At 2 p.m. there was no band playing or heavy revelry, but instead a clear
reminder of the tragedy that has struck so many around the world. This is of
course the barbaric and senseless act in Bali one week before.
Members
of the rugby fraternity and the community gathered to mourn the premature
death of one of their brethren, Chris Kays but everyone who stayed on after
the memorial service proceeded to do exactly what Chris would have done,
order another round of drinks and enjoy the moment.
Not only did they pay a tribute to a lost friend who had
such a zest for life, but also for the loss of so many other innocent
partygoers, including a large number of rugby players who were on tour for
the Bali 10s tournament, many of whom had also played here in Thailand and
indeed Pattaya.
Jim Howard read emails from other clubs in the region who
had lost people in horrific events in Bali, Steve Turner told stories of the
Pattaya Panthers first encounter with Chris - his antics on and off the
rugby pitch - and Shenanigans landlord, Kim Fletcher relayed the strange but
true stories Chris used to tell. Chris was well liked in the rugby circles
and the community for his love of life, infectious friendliness and his big
heart.
The Sisters from the Fountain of Life along with Jesters,
rugby players and workmates came to remember the friend in the spirit in
which Chris would most probably like to be remembered: fun loving and always
ready for adventure. Once the formalities were over, the room broke out into
a chorus of hymns, everyone raised a glass, shed a tear and a smile in honor
of Chris Kays, as well as others who had their lives cut short.
Then everyone who stayed on after the memorial service proceeded to do
exactly what Chris would have done, order another round of drinks and enjoy
the moment; after all, life is not a practice run.
Hard Rock Cafe celebrates 1st anniversary
Last year on October 15, Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya opened it
doors to the famous Hard Rock Hotel on Pattaya Second Road and since then
this lively addition to the city has provided fun and first rate
entertainment to residents and tourists both Thai and foreign.
(Right
to left) MC for the night DJ Russell Jay of FM 95.5, Mark Rummery, executive
assistant manager, James Choong, GM of the Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok and Mayor
Pairat Suttithamrongsawat celebrate Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya’s first
birthday.
The Cafe’s first birthday was an auspicious occasion.
Pattaya City Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, Mark Rummery, the executive
assistant manager, and James Choong, general manager of Hard Rock Bangkok,
hotel employees and a big crowd of Hard Rock fans joined in the cake cutting
ceremony.
Andrew Khoo, general manager of Hard Rock Pattaya proudly
stated that he and his team were confident in the uniqueness of Hard
Rock’s concept. The hotel’s highly trained staff provides quality
service and the food and drinks are superb. More bands from abroad will be
coming in next year with the aim of continuing their efforts to provide
guests with great entertainment.
The Hard Rock formula is based on an American theme with
unique interior design and a vivacious atmosphere. American Rock & Roll
music keeps guests entertained and the Cafe’s special cuisine provides a
variety of unique items on the menu. Customers can even buy collectables
from the hotel’s display.
The current house band ‘Melt’ is in charge of the nightly
entertainment at the Cafe. Visitors get to taste traditional American food
and drinks that are unique to the Hard Rock Cafe. There are almost 100
branches of Hard Rock Cafe in 33 countries around the world.
AIS holds thank you party for clients in ‘A touch of Friendship’
Suchada Tupchai
Last week, Advanced Info Service Co. Ltd. (AIS) threw a
Thank you party at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya for their customers
based in Chonburi Province. Similar parties were held in Chiang Mai and
three other locations in the northeastern and southern regions.
AIS
special customer Patcharaporn Borihan received a special gift from Komsan
Bupnimitr, manager of the AIS administration office in the eastern region.
Quite a bash, the party’s theme was ‘AIS - A touch of
Friendship’. AIS felt it was time to thank their long time customers for
all their trust and confidence in the company through the past 12 years. AIS
invited the first 50 customers who registered with the AIS mobile system 12
years ago and are based in Chonburi to join in the party and tuck into the
food, which was specially cooked by top chef Charlie Amatayakul.
Superstar singer Saisunee Sukhkrit entertained the group
with a number of songs. A stunning fashion show displayed garments styled by
famous Thai designers. Three Thai super models including famous Cindy
Burbridge graced the catwalk.
Special guests including Preecha Kamolbutr, vice governor
of Chonburi, and Banjob Rungruang, Sriracha chief district governor attended
the party.
A unique selection of mobile phones was presented to
customers who have been AIS customers for the past 12 years.
Komsan Bupnimitr, manager of the administration office in
the eastern region said his main job is taking care of over 800,000
customers in 8 provinces in the eastern region including Chonburi,
Chacherngsao, Nakornnayok, Prachinburi, Srakaew, Trat, Rayong, and
Chantaburi.
Komsan added that AIS intends to be more involved with
local traditional and cultural events such as Kong Khau (rice piling
ceremony) in Sriracha and long boat racing in Chaschengsao in order help
Thai society preserve their heritage.
AIS will help in the fight against drug abuse, and plans to donate
computer and sports equipment to needy schools and support local school
activities.
Seaboard Sundowners & Opening of Ban Khao Din School
The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce is delighted to
invite you to attend the Seaboard Sundowners and the Opening of Ban Khao Din
School and Community Library Friday and Saturday 1-2 November 2002.
Accommodation: Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa (Garden
View 2,700 Baht, Sea View 3,100 Baht)
Program: Seaboard Sundowners - 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1st
November 2002 Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa. Opening Ceremony, 9:00 a.m.
Saturday Monks’ blessing, 10.00 a.m. Saturday Library Opening Ceremony,
12:00 p.m. Saturday Lunch, 1.00 p.m. Saturday English Teaching, RSVP:
Wednesday October 30.
Many Chamber members and friends have contributed towards
this project. The opening ceremony will formally recognize these
contributions and generous donations.
Seaboard Sundowners is generously sponsored by Kirwan
Industrial Services and Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa.
Eastern Seaboard Sundowners is an opportunity for members
and guests of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce to meet, network and
exchange views in the social and environment.
For Booking please contact Chamber office or e-mail to:
execdirector@austcham thailand.com
Rotary Club of Bangkok South to host Gala Charity Concert
HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Kromluang Naradhivas
Rajanagarindra will graciously preside over the Rotary Club of Bangkok
South’s Gala Charity Concert with the 40 member Choral Society “Young
Vienna” Choir directed by Manfred Schiebel and featuring Marcus Pelz,
soloist of the “Wiener Staatsoper”, and Sandra Jost, piano.
The gala event will take place at the Grand Hall, the
Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 22, Bangkok on Monday November
4, dinner at 18:30 hrs followed by the concert.
Tickets are available at 3,500 baht per person or 35,000 baht per table
of 10 inclusive of dinner and wine at the Rotary Club of Bangkok South c/o
The Pan Pacific Hotel, 21st Floor, 952 Rama 4 Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500,
phone: 0-26329160, fax: 0-26329161, email: [email protected]
BCCT to hold Property & Infrastructure Committee Luncheon
Arbitration And Conciliation - Pain Or Pleasure
Guest Speaker: Mr. Mark Fraser, Partner Johnson Stokes
& Master & BCCT Vice Chairman at JW Marriott Hotel, Saloon C, 3rd
Floor on Tuesday 29th October 2002 from 11.45 a.m.
The Property and Infrastructure Committee is delighted to
welcome Mr Mark Fraser, vice chairman of the BCCT who has kindly agreed to
be our guest speaker at this luncheon.
There are few guarantees in life, but one guarantee is
that parties to commercial transactions will inevitably have disputes. In
addressing how such disputes might be handled and resolved, Mark will
compare and contrast two modes of dispute resolution, namely arbitration and
conciliation. Mark will illustrate his points with real life war stories.
Mark Fraser is a partner of the law firm Johnson Stokes
& Master, based in its Bangkok office. Mark is a member of the firm’s
regional construction and engineering group having specialised in
contentious and non-contentious construction law for over ten years.
Mark’s practice spans litigation and arbitration work
and project finance. Over the last ten years Mark has acted for contractors,
developers, professionals, founders and insurers on a wide range of
construction matters in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore and
Thailand. Mark has been a panel solicitor for professional indemnity
insurance underwriters defending architects, engineers and surveyors against
claims of professional negligence.
The cost of this luncheon is THB 600 per person including
VAT (BCCT members only) OR THB 800 per person including VAT (Non-BCCT
members and non-member guests of BCCT members).
To book on-line by Monday 28th October 2002, visit
http://members.bccthai.com/asp/eventdetail.asp? EventID=148&SponsorId=1
AmBrit Chamber meeting a great success
The American and British Chambers of Commerce recently
combined their networking evenings at L’Opera Restaurant. It was a very
successful combination according to the participants, who enjoyed chef
Roberto’s food and wines, with sponsorship from Grant Thornton and David
Nardone, the president and CEO of Hemaraj Land and Development, who was, as
always, a very central figure, and with so many of his customers represented
at the chambers meeting, he had good reason to smile.
BCCT
Committee, Sponsors and hosts at the first AmBrit networking night on the
Eastern Seaboard
Another smiling face was that of Neera Sirisampan, the
assistant director of the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital who had met up with noted
lawyer, Boonchoo Yensabai, an old classmate. Neera was also voted onto the
committee of the British Chamber that evening.
Dr. Molly Zhang, the manufacturing director of the SCC-Dow
group at Map-Ta-Phut was another participant who felt that these meetings
were an important way to network. Obviously enjoying himself was Alain
Deurwaerder of Katoen Natie Thailand, who, being in the Eastern Seaboard
Industrial Estate, did not have far to travel
Pimvimol
Vipmaneerrut, Head of Transportation Group for Tilleke & Gibbins and
Graeme Pitty, Assistant Marketing Manager for Allied Pickfords some of
movers and shakers of the transport industry from Bangkok.
Paradee
Vilaisit, Account Director from Milan Crosse and Jinnapat Tongvisekul,
Corporate Marketing manager for Hemaraj discuss PR and marketing strategy.
Some of the leaders of the party people were also in
attendance, with Ian Dickson of BHP Steel, Mary Anne Henderson of the Auto
Alliance and Peter Mewes leaders in this important networking function. Also
making their presence felt were Ginster Votteler and Orville Leverne Clubb
(who just had to be American with a name like that), both from the Asian
University of Science and Technology, a big mover in the tertiary education
stakes on the Eastern Seaboard.
Old
classmates Neera Srisampan and Boonchoo Yensabai catch up on the good ol’
times.
There may not have been too much “serious” business talk on the
evening, but it was very rewarding to see the two chambers networking so
well.
Diana Group holds training seminar for executives to improve management skills
Suchada Tupchai
The Diana Group recently gathered their management teams
and section heads together for a 9-day training session to improve
communication and teamwork skills. Over 40 people participated in the
workshop that included special team building activities designed to
emphasize quality of service.
Neera
Sirisampan, assistant director of the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, conveyed her
knowledge and experience of leadership skills to Diana Group staff.
The training seminar and meeting, led by Diana Group
managing director, Sopin Thappajug, was aimed at providing better customer
service for guests who stay at the various hotels and apartments belonging
to Diana Group. Activities were geared to further develop the quality of all
staff and bring standards up to an international level in time to
accommodate increased tourism within the region during its peak season.
Throughout the training course a number of guest speakers conveyed their
knowledge and experience in leadership skills necessary for the service
industry. Speakers included Wanna Wannasiri, from Pattaya City Hall; Aumpol
Wannakij, deputy director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central
Region 3 office and Neera Sirisampan, assistant director of the Bangkok
Pattaya Hospital. This group of knowledgeable professionals stressed the
importance of communication, creativity and teamwork as a means developing
the workplace.
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