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Hard Rock Hotel hosts biggest
gathering of ‘Hard Rockers’ in Asia
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Andrew Khoo
GM Hard Rock, Pattaya |
Chanyuth Hengtrakul
Former MP of Chonburi |
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Pratheep
Chongsuebtham
Banglamung District Chief |
Pratheep ‘Peter’
Malhotra
MD, Pattaya Mail |
Pattaya Mail reporters
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya rolled out the red carpet on the evening of
August 26 for ‘Rock 101’, the biggest gathering of owners, operators,
general managers and senior executives of Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels in
Asia.
 Michael
Chua, VP,
Sales, HPL Hotels & Resorts
The six-day conference is being held from 26th to 31st of August 2007,
in Pattaya with our local Hard Rock Hotel serving as the main conference
venue.
The international conference brought together 84 owners, operators,
general managers, managers and senior executives of the various Hard
Rock Cafes and Hotels in the Asia Pacific Region and the United States
of America.
Held last year in Hard Rock Hotel Bali, the Asian leg of ‘Rock 101’
features a series of brand-strengthening and corporate
culture-cultivating seminars, talks and practical exercises primarily
aimed at enhancing delivery of Hard Rock’s unique ‘Kick-Ass Service’ and
mission of “spreading the spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll by creating authentic
experiences that Rock.”
Amongst the top management of Hard Rock International were Andrew
Tilley, Sr. director global sales & distribution, Andrea Melotti, Sr.
director of operations, Michael Chua, vice president, sales of HPL
Hotels & Resorts and Jim Knight, Sr. director of training & development.
Andrew Khoo, GM of the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, welcomed the delegates
and dignitaries saying, “We are truly glad you could make it to
tonight’s event. It is always delightful to meet up with old friends and
familiar faces as well as making new acquaintances. Some people say good
managers, or band leaders in our case, are not born but made, and not
made as much by others as by themselves.
“Through Rock 101, we all aspire to be better band leaders and kick-ass
rockers. Looking at the exciting program and the line-up of activities
that are about to take place in the next few days, I’m sure Rock 101
this year will be as cool as ever.
“Recognizing the importance of this summit, I would like to extend my
warm appreciation to Hard Rock International for choosing Hard Rock
Hotel Pattaya to be this year’s Rock 101 venue.
 Andrea
Melotti, Sr. Director of Hotel Operations of Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos
and Andrew Tilley, Sr. Director of Global Sales & Distribution of Hard
Rock Hotels & Casinos basking in the Hard Rock Pattaya sun.
“We are grateful for this opportunity. We consider Rock 101 as the
perfect event for us to showcase our contributions in bringing the brand
to life as well as promoting Pattaya City as an ideal destination for
business and leisure through the plethora of attractions available in
the city.
“I’d also like to welcome some of Pattaya’s notable business and
government personalities whom we’ve invited to personally welcome you to
Pattaya City.”
Local dignitaries included Chanyuth Hengtrakul, former MP of Chonburi,
and his wife Wilawan and Pratheep Chongsuebtham, Banglamung District
chief.
Peter Malhotra MD of Pattaya Mail spoke on behalf of the business
community saying, “You are in one of Asia’s most amazing destinations.
Being a city of great variety, Pattaya offers many tourist attractions
including beaches, hotels, shopping districts, excellent medical
facilities, emerald international-standard golf courses and warm foreign
and local residents.
“While initially recognized for its colourful nightlife, Pattaya City
over the last decade has enjoyed tremendous growth as a complete
destination not only for holiday-makers but for business travellers as
well.
“Pattaya has also seen a large increase in family tourism in recent
years, thanks to efforts to present a more wholesome image. It also has
a large international expatriate population and many services meet
international standards.
“The opening of globally-accepted brands, including that of the Hard
Rock Hotel Pattaya in 2001, has paved the way for this great
development.
“We’re also proud of the fact that we have done our part in preserving
our environment. Through eco-regreening programs and initiatives
spearheaded by the provincial and local government, which have received
tremendous support from civic and business communities, Pattaya’s waters
are cleaner than 20 years ago. The city also enjoys verdant greenery.
“The city government has also been involved in many social-development
projects that benefit the underprivileged members of the community.”
Tony Malhotra introduced Rungratree Thongsai, Pattaya City’s Public
Relations Specialist, who initiated the Pattaya Young PR Ambassador
Project represented by this year’s winner, Arisa Boonsawad. Arisa
impressed the audience with her oration in faultless English about
program.
Entertainment from Alangkarn theatre was a delight to watch and the
in-house Hard Rock style fun and games were thoroughly enjoyed by the
delegates and guests.
The team. (l-r) Matthew Putna, Director of
Franchise Operations and Development of Hard Rock Café Asia/Pacific
Region , Alison McCue, Training Manager of Hard Rock International , Jim
Knight, Sr. Director of Training & Development of Hard Rock
International, Kate Podmore, Director of Human Resources & Training of
Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos and James Cavalaris, Director of Franchise
Operations and Development of Hard Rock Café Asia/Pacific Region.
1,000 gather to pay their respects to memory of Father Ray
Catholic clergy honor Father
Ray’s memory with a solemn ceremony.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
More than 1,000 people attended the fourth anniversary service for the
passing of Father Ray Brennan at St Nikolaus Church on August 16.
The Catholic service commenced with Mass, followed by the singing of hymns.
A video was screened on Father Ray’s life and work, and the final part of
the ceremony saw representatives of the foundations he established in
Pattaya placing flowers in front of his image.
Pattaya Redemptorist
Vocational School director Suporntham Mongkolsawat (center) was co-presenter
of the memorial for Fr. Ray.
Raymond Allen Brennan was an Irish American born on December 7, 1932 in
Chicago, Illinois. He came to Thailand in 1961 as a volunteer to assist
impoverished and disabled people, and stayed from that day until he passed
away on August 16, 2003.
Father Ray devoted almost his entire adult life to the support of the
impoverished, the underprivileged and the disabled in Thailand, establishing
the Father Ray Foundation, Pattaya Orphanage, the Pattaya School for Deaf
Children, the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind, the Pattaya
Redemptorist Vocational School for the Disabled, and the Redemptorist Street
Kids’ Home.
Aurora Sribuapan (front left),
Redemptorist School for the Blind principal, leads her students in
remembering a great man.
These flowers are for you
Father Ray.
Volunteers, benefactors and
friends, both Thai and foreign, commemorate the 4th anniversary of the
passing away of Fr. Ray.
The memorial service attracted
over a thousand people.
Some of the children who are
probably too young to remember Father Ray, nonetheless love the legacy he
left behind for their benefit.
Children sing hymns in memory
of a man who changed their lives.
55,000 baht raised at Rotary Cross Bay
Charity Swim Dutch Fundraising Party
Graham Hunt-Crowley
It was Friday 17th August and all seemed to be quite normal at the top
of Soi Nernplabwan. But around 6.00 p.m. there appeared to be a lot more
cars than usual - apparently all searching for Swiss Paradise Village -
which is well hidden away somewhere near the Elephant Farm. But then,
once they spotted the Rotary signs along the roadside and followed them,
the cars - like in a James Bond movie - one by one disappeared behind
the electric gates into the village.
 Birthday
boy Jan Abbink warmly embraces his 2 daughters Albertina (left) and Nina
(right).
Upon arrival the guests were welcomed by their host, Jan Abbink,
president of the Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya and his wife Ket. But
unlike in a James Bond movie, there was no champagne for the partygoers
but instead an abundance of free flowing San Miguel Light beer. No
string quartet either; just the lively San Miguel Band initially playing
ballads and easy listening music.
“What was the reason for this happy gathering?” you may ask. It was a
combined birthday party for Jan Abbink and Henny Vermey and a
fundraising night for the 4th Cross Bay Charity Swim. The evening
started with some short formalities and after that the buffet was
declared open. As Jan and Henny are Dutch, that was the main theme for
the farang food - thick pea & ham soup and Dutch style sauerkraut. Asian
food provided consisted of fried rice (Dutch-Indonesian style) but of
course supplement by the traditional roast pig, somtam and barbecued
chicken to keep the Thai guests even happier. With about 90 guests
turning up, from other Rotary Clubs, the PILC, YWCA and other
organizations, friends and neighbours, it was a crowded night in the
idyllic garden setting of Jan’s home. The San Miguel Band started to
pump up the volume and soon had all visitors on the floor-dancing and
singing to one hit after the other.
 Good
food, good drink and good company is a common theme at Rotary events.
Jan and Henny had advised their guests in advance not to bring presents,
wine or whisky but to make a donation to the Cross Bay Swim Fund
instead.
A couple of Raffle draws were also held and the total funds that were
raised that evening were well over 55,000 baht - including a generous
donation of 10,000 baht by Kaesorn Soubphom.
Every year, the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya organises a Cross Bay
Swim, this year to be held on Sunday November 11, 2007. The swim is 3.5
km across Pattaya Bay from Bali Hai Sea Rescue Station to the Dusit
Resort Pattaya Beach. This party was part of the many fundraising
activities associated with the swim.
You may ask why we have a Cross Bay Swim. While our need for fundraising
is serious, we want to do it in a fun way. Rotary International’s main
theme this year is clean water, so our main project is to install Clean
Water Filtration Systems in Pattaya countryside schools. For this, we
need to raise money and ask for your help in achieving this. The Lucky
Time Bar, a well-known family pub on Soi Nernplabwan, has given for the
4th year running and this year donated 30,000 baht so far to our Swim
Fund. We are also grateful to the PILC for their contribution.
How much does water filtration cost for one school cost? The cost is
only 80,000 baht to buy and fit the correct filtration equipment,
ensuring safe water for one school (that is about US$2,300, £1,200, or
€1,750). This includes a 5 year maintenance contract.
Help us help your community. We want collectors, corporate sponsors and
swimmers. If you can help, please contact: Graham Hunt-Crowley on +66
(0) 8 1340 8852, or e-mail: swim@ rotary-jomtien-pattaya.org
The exotic singers had many feet tapping to
the rhythm.
(L to R) Rotarians Kees Perkamp, Dennis
Stark, Dr. William and Indri van Ewijk are seen enjoying the evening.
Rotarians from various clubs in the
community came to help raise funds for charity.
Jan Abbink (center) receives birthday gifts
from his close friends, Wirawan, Apple, Judy, Dennis and Bruce.
German club hears of the attractions of foreign investment
in neighboring countries
The members and guests of the DSU-Treff pose
for a group picture.
Peter Nordhues
The latest DSU-Treff, the German-speaking business meeting, took place
on August 18 at its new home, Hans - Fine Dining on Pattaya Third Road.
Chairwoman Elfi Seitz introduced guest speaker Helmut Buchberger to the
club members. Helmut has been living in Thailand for 12 years now and is
managing director of ABC Asian Business Development Co Ltd, ABC Asian
Business Consulting Co Ltd and ABC Asian Legal Service Co Ltd, all of
which are based in Pattaya.
 Helmut
Buchberger gives an interview for PMTV.
Helmut provided a detailed insight into the general conditions,
especially from an economic point of view, of Thailand’s neighboring
countries.
Thailand has long played a leading role in Southeast Asia in matters of
exports and investments, he said, but neighboring countries in recent
years have begun to open their markets to foreign investors.
Malaysia is making efforts to attract European and Asian investors, and
also retired people. Foreigners are allowed to buy designated property,
including land, in their name if they invest 55,000 euros. A foreigner
at 50 years of age, who can verify 33,000 euros on a Malaysian bank, is
granted up to 10 years right of residence. This can even be extended.
However, that doesn’t include a work permit. Some of the negative
aspects in Malaysia include the antiquated banking system, the strong
influential power of the public property department and the small number
of lawyers outside the capital.
Laos tries to make it even easier for foreign investors. No Laotian
partners are needed to set up a business, except for land acquisition. A
100 percent foreign involvement as well as a one-man business is
possible. Labor costs are at around 25 percent of Thai labor costs.
Negative aspects are the poor infrastructure, limited travel
opportunities, antiquated banking, poor communication networks, and no
sea access.
Cambodia is also trying to attract foreign investors. The costs for
setting up a business are around 500 US dollars, including work and
residence permit. All paperwork can be carried out within two weeks.
Widespread corruption, poor infrastructure and the lack of a qualified
workforce present big difficulties.
So, how about Vietnam? Currently, the country is experiencing a real
economic boom. This year, Vietnam is projected to achieve an economic
growth of 9 percent. Over the past 10 years, the investment from Taiwan
alone has exceeded the ten billion US dollar mark. There is a multitude
of large-scale projects being carried out.
On January 11 this year, Vietnam became a member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO). Its new investment laws assure foreign investors the
same rights as Vietnamese investors. There are 38 private and 33 foreign
led financial institutions in the country. Foreign enterprises are not
required to have Vietnamese partners. A work permit is granted upon the
establishment of a financial enterprise, and the wage costs are 50
percent lower than in Thailand.
Helmut has been traveling to Vietnam for many years. He gained the
impression that its people have left the war years far behind them.
Corruption has declined substantially. Foreigners are not allowed to buy
land, but they can lease property and hold the right of use for 50
years. Vietnam has signed a double taxation treaty with several
countries and offers tax benefits for various fields, including exports.
Helmut Buchberger proved to be an expert speaker, and can be contacted
for more information on 038 414 436 or by sending an e-mail to
[email protected].
The DSU-Treff cheerfully anticipates the
lunch at Hans - Fine Dining.
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