Another good evening was enjoyed by all. (Front
row) Sascha Kunze (Manager Nova Platinum), Natsathida Thanatulsutanant
(Manager Amari Nova Suites Pattaya), Jan Jeerapat (MD Hotel J, Pattaya),
Chatchawal Supachayanont (GM Dusit Thani Pattaya), Rungthip Suksrikarn (VP
Sunbeam Hotels), Nijjaporn Marprasert (Siam Bayview Hotel, Pattaya),
Jeerasak Jeerapat (Business Development, Hotel J Pattaya), Sanpech
Supabowornsthian (GM of Long Beach Garden Hotel & Spa). (2nd row) Tony
Malhotra (Asst. MD Pattaya Mail), Anuchit Saeng-on (Product Manager,
Italthai), Graham Cranswick (Cranswick Wines), Michael Procher (GM of Nova
Suites, Nova Platinum & Nova Gold). (Back row) Nicholas LeRat, Philippe
Delaloye, Alex Chakrabarti (GM Mercure Pattaya), Elliott Awin (Kintu Wines),
Andre Brulhart (GM Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort), Michael Delargy (GM
Sheraton Pattaya), Peter Malhotra (MD Pattaya Mail) and Aloysius Michael (RM
Dusit Thani Pattaya).
Pratheep S. Malhotra
The Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard hoteliers gang
dinner shifted into high gear last month when at the kind invitation of GM
Michael Procher they gathered for an evening of fellowship in the sprawling
poolside gardens of the Nova Platinum Hotel.
Guests were in for a special treat as two vintners were
also present, each bringing with them a large supply of their exquisite
wines. Graham Cranswick introduced an excellent selection of Barossa wines
from Australia and Elliott Awin proudly presented his Kintu wines from
Chile.
Chatchawal Supachayanont, GM of the Dusit Thani Hotel,
Pattaya and the leader of the pack said, “Tonight is a special night. Our
host Michael Procher has outdone himself. We sincerely thank you for your
support of our GM gang.”
He went on to say, “These monthly dinners help to bond
the friendships of hoteliers in the same line of business. Each one working
very hard in their respective establishments for the benefit of the business
and private communities as a whole. We are like one big happy family. We
meet in friendship, no business discussions, and just spending time getting
to know each other better and strengthening our friendships.”
Aloysius Michael, resident manager of the Dusit Thani
Pattaya said, “I have only been here a short while and I have a lot to
learn. I have been to Pattaya before but now that I live and work here, I
have learned to appreciate and love this city. I am going to do my level
best to help put Pattaya on the world tourist map and bring back as many
visitors to Pattaya as I possibly can.”
Graham Cranswick, owner of Cranswick wines said, “Pattaya
is a wonderful location. One of the challenges is to put Pattaya on the map
and make people in Australia and around the world realize that Pattaya is
already Thailand’s number one holiday destination.
“Pattaya has a fantastic range of hotels, anything from
backpackers’ lodges to an abundance of 5-star properties. I am absolutely
amazed that every time I come here, there is another 5 star hotel opened. I
understand that you are all running at a very high occupancy rate, well
done!
“For us vintners, we think that the biggest hindrance to
our business here is the wine tax… 400 percent! This has got to be the
highest tax country in the world, which restricts the sales of wines.
Foreigners are used to drinking wine and are absolutely shocked by the high
prices here. We want everyone to be able to afford to drink wine.
Everyone enjoys a glass of wine with their food. Remember
when you’re offering house wine, the cheapest wine you offer is the most
important wine you offer, because it’s the first glass that a new wine
drinker will try, and if they don’t like it because the quality is not very
good, they’ll go back to drinking cognac, coke or other brands of their
favorite spirits. So let’s give them a fantastic glass of the cheapest wine
we’ve got and next time they’ll buy a bottle.”
As usual there were the old faces, but at this function
some new faces were also present.
Sanpech Supabowornsthian of the Zign Hotel is no newcomer
to Pattaya. He said, “I was born right here in Pattaya and have been in the
hotel for 22 years. I’m happy that hoteliers get together on a regular
basis, so that we can discuss the hospitality business and explore ways of
cooperating and helping each other for the benefit of our industry as a
whole.”
He said, “The biggest worry that we have is the political
situation in Thailand. We are hoping that after the elections, the situation
will return to normal and that we can again proudly boast Thailand to be the
‘Land of a Thousand Smiles’ which will attract the tourists and businesses
back to our shores.”
Michael Procher thanked his guests for attending, saying,
“I’m very happy to have our friends here today. These past two years the
Nova Platinum has changed so much for the better. It’s all because of
teamwork. Our staff has worked very hard to raise the quality of our
property and services.
“This year we are planning to organize the biggest and
most authentic Oktoberfest right here on our property. We will try to
encompass as much as we can to emulate the world famous festival held in
Munich every year. We will bring in the works, Bavarian music, Frauleins in
traditional Dirndls and men wearing Leder Hosen playing Alpine games of
sawing lumber, driving nails into planks of wood and best of all drinking
umpteen barrels of delicious German beer.”
The next GM dinner will be held at the Dusit Thani Hotel
Pattaya in July.
