(L to R)
Ian Robertson, Markus Wehrhahn, Garry Irvin, and Mike Holloway.
Dr. Iain Corness
The Australian Chamber of Commerce Thailand (AustCham)
held its first Seaboard Sundowners of 2011 at the new Hilton Pattaya in
their spectacular Drift bar. It would be difficult not to have a great time
in this venue, with the “pools” and “plounges” (huge settees in the water)
and a seemingly never-ending supply of Australian red and white wines, as
well as copious beers. It was certainly an evening conducive to networking.
The Hilton GM Harald Feurstein and Director of Business Development Peta
Ruiter were also mingling and welcoming everyone to the newest hotel in
Pattaya.
One of the principal sponsors was Kevin Fisher’s CEA
Projects, a company that carries out business all over SE Asia and
Australia, and has to be one of the most dynamic Pattaya-based enterprises.
With MD Kevin looking after his mother (two broken toes), the public
speaking was left to his Operations Manager Paul Wilkinson, who is also the
Eastern Seaboard Coordinator for AustCham, who welcomed everyone and
reminded the networkers just what opportunities these events represent.
A welcome was given to Sarah Spivey, the MD of Modulift
in the UK, who was over here to form an alliance with CEA Projects and who
found that work on the Eastern Seaboard does involve some play as well.
Another of the sponsors for the evening was Cromwell
Tools, with the Thailand Branch Manager Shaun Burke (now also on the
committee of the Automotive Focus Group) on hand to inform everyone of the
range of tools and equipment he has in stock in Thailand, and the new CEA
Projects outlet in Laem Chabang (next to the Wave Inn) has the full
inventory.
Many of the Automotive Focus Group (AFG) members joined
the networking, with new Chairman Jim Beeson expanding his area of
influence, and the sartorially splendid George Strampp who forgot that
sandals do not go well with a business outfit and tie. Good try George, but
remember for next time, eh? George was seen in deep conflab with Ben Dobbs
from Parker Hannifin, the filter manufacturers.
Other hoteliers were seen taking in the surroundings with
the Dusit Thani Pattaya’s new resident manager, Aloysius Michael, and his
executive chef, Adrian O’Herlihy, chatting with the Dusit D2’s hotel
manager, Michael Ganster, while Rossukone Pavalee, the sales manager from
the Holiday Inn was charming everyone with her smiles.
Richard Prouse, the new business development manager for
the Sutlet Group on the Eastern Seaboard, was letting everyone know that
there was now local representation, while Watermark Capital Management’s
Jeffrey Burrows looked totally at home on a lounge suite, with a red wine in
hand.
Another fun night from AustCham, and the next event will
be mentioned in the Pattaya Mail but should be March 11 at the Amari
Orchid Resort.
L to R)
Leigh Wilmott, Tanyatorn Lekaree and Uli Kaiser.
Kerry
Matisin (left) chats with John Faulds (right).
Armin
Walter (left) and James Beeson (right) continue their AFG discussion.
(L to R)
Thaweesak Rakprakprakobkij, Jean-Jacques Despert and Damien Kerneis.
(L to R)
Stuart McKenzie, Elwin Kemming and Chris Hagerman.
