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Pattaya Mail team takes time out for annual staff party

City prepares for Pattaya Music Festival 2004

Happy Valentines Day

Pattaya Mail team takes time out for annual staff party

The Pattaya Mail crew took time out from their busy schedules to partake in the annual staff party at the Diana Garden Resort last Friday evening.

Peter Malhotra, managing director of the Pattaya Mail Publishing Company, along with the management team and staff enjoyed a festive evening after the hard work over the last year.

Special guests from the community attending the event included Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to the ministry of sports and tourism, Alvi Sinthuvanik and Bruno Keller, both past presidents of the Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya, Bruce Hoppe MD of Emerson Electric Thailand and his charming wife Judy. Amongst the many invited guests were local business people and community members.

Sophin Thappajug, managing director of the Diana Group welcomed everyone to the resort and wished them a successful year ahead.

The annual party celebrates not only the end of the previous year but new opportunities in the coming year as the Pattaya Mail now moves into its 11th year.

A spectacular buffet dinner along with music set the scene for the evening as many of the staff endorsed their second love, singing in the luscious poolside surroundings of the resort.

Various awards and prizes were handed out to outstanding members of staff from the layout department, messengers, newsroom, accounts and sales departments.

However, it was Supattra Samleekaew, affectionately known as Pa Taew, head of the accounting that was voted as the staff’s most favored person. Pa Taew is a warm and caring person who listens to her younger colleagues with motherly attendance and offers her views based on many years of experience.

Plenty more fun and games entailed throughout the night as everyone took the chance to relax and collect gifts handed out to each and every staff member.

In return, Peter was presented with flowers by the staff as a thank you gesture for his guidance, wisdom and encouragement to achieve and become better over the past year. Guidance that has helped make Pattaya’s first English language newspaper as successful as it is today and will continue to do so in the years to come.

Peter presents a token of appreciation to Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to the minister of tourism and sports and MD of Sophon Cable TV.

Khun ‘Noi’ Sophin Thappajug our dear friend receives a bouquet from Peter.

Amorn Malhotra (centre) former managing editor of Pattaya Mail came by to wish us well and presented the prize to our favourite employee Khun Supatra Samleekaew (right).

Chanyuth and Alvi Sinthuvanik mesmerized the crowd with their Suntharaporn duet.

Les Nyrges (left) of Capital TV, with Phil Web, Peter Cummins and John Richards.

Neil Maniquiz and Reina Rances from the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital with Dr. Iain and mother to be Mrs. Som Corness pose with Khun Sophin.

Getting cosy are (l-r) Sue, Judy, Alvi Peter and Bruce.

Die Pattaya Blatt Mannschaft: Peter, Paul and Elfi. ‘Wir habe auch Geschenke bekommen.’

The messenger department team won a beautiful camera (l-r) Rith, Big and Thep.

I am the champion claims King (left) with Da and Chon from the Graphics Department.

Lets have some fun! (l-r) Nui, Fon, Poo, Suay, Jaa,Tor and Kue.

Just a few of the beautiful, talented and dedicated Pattaya Mail team.

Our editor Veerachai won a nice portable radio.

One of our hardest workers Pui, who delivers our papers to every corner of the Eastern Seaboard, receives a gift.

The receptionists. Sucharee and Manin receive their presents too.

Peter presents a prize to Nee, watched by Miew and Pa Taew from the Accounting department.

Thep, Op, Suay, and Ek looking cool.

Vikrom Malhotra with Add.

The new generations. Dave and Eddy Malhotra.

Even Korn grabbed the microphone, much to the delight of the audience.

‘First’ says, ‘I will grow up to be a great reporter like my dad.’

Tony Malhotra gives Peter Cummins exactly what he wanted … wine.

I want you back, pleads Nat, from the advertising department.

City prepares for Pattaya Music Festival 2004

Location changes proposed to ease traffic and ensure safety

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

The third annual Pattaya Music Festival is set to take place next month from March 19 to 21. At the first committee meeting, provincial and local administrators along with members of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and various peripheral organizers met at the Dusit Resort Pattaya to define this year’s event.

Niti Kongrut, TAT Central Region 3 director, Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Pattaya deputy mayor, Chatchawal Supachayanont, Dusit Resort Pattaya GM and president of the Thai hotels Association-Eastern Chapter and Ponganant Sumpanich, TAT director of advertising and public relations at the first meeting to discuss details of the Pattaya Music Festival 2004.

Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Pattaya deputy mayor said that the major issue with the music festival is the stage location, and with the stages relatively close, the strain on traffic is horrendous.

Niran proposed that the stage layout be slightly altered this year, not only to ease traffic but to also reduce the risk of potential threats. “Stage 1 should remain in North Pattaya. The second stage, which has previously been located on the corner near the Dusit Resort should be moved to between Sois 4 and 5 (traditionally stage 2) and the third stage be moved to the Bali Hai pier in South Pattaya,” said Niran.

Adding to the agenda, Chootipol Kamolnart, president of Pattaya Music Club said, “This year we also have the youth music competition, something which is different from previous years. Stage 2 would be the best area for this. I would advise that we allow young musicians to aid in the organizing as well.”

On the accommodation front, Chatchawal Supachayanont, Dusit Resort general manager, speaking as the president of the Thai hotels Association-Eastern Chapter, added that in past events a number of hotels had increased their room rates over the music festival. “This year, hotels in Pattaya are prepared to help and will not increase their room rates as it would be more damaging to the city and the event,” Chatchawal said.

The issue of safety is, however, one of the main concerns over the three-day event and, with the increase in juvenile crime, coupled with the large number of youths visiting Pattaya to see their favorite bands; the risk of violent incidents was addressed.

As part of the solution, this year more foreign bands from throughout Asia and Europe are invited to attend the music festival.

More security personnel will be on duty, with all the available police, crime prevention volunteers and navy and army units on hand to further monitor each stage area over the three-day festival. Tighter security measures will include body and bag searches at each stage entrance where they will specifically target the younger members of the crowd to make sure no weapons are brought into the areas.

Skal International