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.
(L to R) Ian Robertson, Markus Wehrhahn, Garry Irvin, and Mike Holloway.
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.
