Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome addressed an interested group of ex-pats at a special dinner in the Amari Orchid Resort, organized by the Eastern Seaboard section of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT).
To expand on the opportunity, the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham), the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and the Automotive Focus Group (AFG) were also invited, with the AFG group comprising of Uli Kaiser, president and two past presidents, George Strampp and Mike Diamente, plus several rank and file.
David Cumming, general manager of Amari Orchid Pattaya, and Simon Landy, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand.
Itthiphol was assisted by Saksit Potisit, spokesman and advisor to the mayor of Pattaya, who expounded on the forthcoming projects proposed by City Hall. Of particular interest were the 13 strategies, as areas where emphasis would be brought to bear affecting Pattaya and living in Pattaya.
David Cumming, general manager of Amari Orchid Pattaya, chats with Glenn Liddell, chief operating officer of ISS Security Services Co., Ltd.
These included increasing public safety with a new 24 hour watch organization, increased efforts towards stopping drug distribution, more awareness on sanitation and environment, flood mitigation plans, lowering the suburban barriers and good governance including transparency and public participation.
A lively Q&A session at the end of the dinner was handled very well by Itthiphol, deflecting calls for a bypass road from the Pattaya Progress Association and dodging remarks about dolphins up blue poles.
The consensus amongst the farang community present was that Mayor Itthiphol has done a good job in raising awareness of Pattaya as an entity, and although foreigners do not have the right to vote in Thai elections, they would be quite happy to see him in City Hall for another four year term.
Neil Farrell, business development manager for Elastomer Products (Thailand) Ltd. gets friendly with Ampawan Kuhasak, senior sales manager of Amari Orchid Pattaya.
Peter Malhotra (left), managing director of Pattaya Mail, poses for a photo with Saksit Potisit, spokesman for City Hall.
(L to R) Saksit Potisit, spokesman for City Hall; Uli Kaiser, Automotive Manufacturing Solutions; and George T. Strampp, managing partner of Automotive Manufacturing Solutions.
Karan Khanijou (left), vice president in charge of investment sales for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, chats with Saksit Potisit, spokesman for City Hall.
Ampawan Kuhasak, senior sales manager at Amari Orchid Pattaya, and Supisa Williamson, studio manager at Karma Sound Studios brighten the evening.
Amari staff Meha Limlertrat and Piyada Thala provide excellent service.
Uli Kaiser from Automotive Manufacturing Solutions poses a question for Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome.
(L to R) David Cumming, general manager Amari Orchid Pattaya, and Simon Landy, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand, present Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome with a gift of appreciation for taking time to address the chambers.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome receives a question from George T. Strampp, managing partner of Automotive Manufacturing Solutions.
Karan Khanijou, vice president in charge of investment sales for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; sits with Kanokratch and David Bell, managing director of Ra-Kahng Associates Limited.
Dr. Iain Corness tries some of the fruity deserts.
(L to R) Chris Thatcher, a British Chamber of Commerce Thailand director; Anutra Sinchaipanich, director at Caterpillar (Thailand) Co. Ltd.; Alex Tovsen, Ralf Skoropa, and Simon Landy, BCCT chairman prepare for a sumptuous meal.
When the event was done, many of the guests posed for a group photo with the mayor and City Hall spokesman.
