The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) held its latest networking evening at Shenanigans Jomtien, at the end of the special Paris-Dakar stage from Thappraya Road. The road surface is unbelievable and the pot holes so deep there is Venezuelan music coming out of them. Hopefully none of the members fell in.
Those who made it to Stewart Fraser’s Shenanigans Jomtien pub were rewarded with some rather tasty ‘finger food’, which the staff presented with plates and cutlery! Having been left trying unsuccessfully to balance a beer in one hand and a slice of pizza in the other, at some previous locations, this was wonderfully civilized! Thank you! Thank you!
Graham Macdonald (chairman of the BCCT) and Roger Wilson (GKN Driveline) find a quiet corner to nibble on the delicious ribs.
There were many sponsors of the evening, with Chairman Graham Macdonald (also sponsoring through MBMG) welcoming the guests, along with Executive Director Greg Watkins. Other sponsors were John Hamilton (Waste Management Siam), Cees Cuijpers (Town and Country Property), Peter Smith (AA Insurance Brokers), Kerry Matisin (Allied Pickfords) and Stewart Fraser (Shenanigans).
During the interviews with these sponsors it was interesting to note that they were all quite up-beat, but stating that business has changed and it becomes necessary for the companies to change with it. Cees Cuijpers noting that there is an influx of Bangkok people and that the condominium market is very strong. Peter Smith spoke on changes within the insurance industry, including a new product from Europe offering cover without a medical – but he did say that honesty was necessary before any claims were made. He also noted that more Thais were realizing the advantages of insurance, and not just waiting for the next life for things to be better. There had also been a down-scaling of insurance portfolios with many companies looking for cheaper plans until the economy really picked up.
Which one is the slow drinker? (l-r) Clive Butcher (Transearch), Joe Barker-Bennett (MD JMBB Consulting Co. Ltd.), or Simon Matthews (Country Manager Thailand Manpower Group).
Other regulars included Simon Matthews (Manpower Services and Dept of Awful Shirts), Joe Cox (without the dogs), Nam Smith (“insuring” that Peter was well behaved), Chris Thatcher (Sutlet Group), Shane van Vlerken (Bangkok Video productions, but now in Pattaya), Paul Wilkinson (Operations Manager of Kevin Fisher’s dynamic CEA Projects ([email protected]), and Bruce Hoppe (Emerson Technologies) but Judy was in the USA.
There were also many welcome newcomers, including the wonderfully polished Artitaya Kaewmark (Royal Cliff Hotels Group), and some infrequent visitors such as Som Corness and Peter (the publishing guru) Malhotra.
This was a most successful event for the BCCT members and the date and venue of the next BCCT networking event will be published in the Pattaya Mail.
Someone needs cheering up. (l-r) Peter Smith (AA Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd.), Barry Main (Sausage King) and Greg Watkins (Executive Director of BCCT).
Not enough room at the bar. (l-r) Dr. Ulrich Stork (Compressor Sales & Service), John Hamilton (Waste Management Siam), Okko Sprey (Plus Exploration Co. Ltd) and Gerhard Hein (Compressor Sales & Services).
Luke Cook (Carter International) and Craig Muldoon (PFS International) at their coolest self.
Thumbs up for the BCCT networking events, (l-r) Alan S. Verstein, Boonyarat Main, Naree Peehtakua and Marc Spiegel (President Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce).
Three beautiful girls added glamour to the event. (l-r) Naree Peehtakua (Vistas Development), Chalanda (Hosting Group) and Kanyarat Wedphitak (CEO Carter Jewelry).
Anyone for insurance? AA Insurance girls lined up in a row. (l-r) Moo, Nam, Nui, Da, and Took.
(l-r) Louis J. and Annda (4A Properties) are well protected by Joe Cox (Defence International Security Services).
Somsri Jomtarak and Kerry Matisin (Allied Pickfords) with Joe Barker-Bennett (JMBB Consulting Co. Ltd.).
Cees Cuijpers (Town at Country Property) gets cosy with Sasitorn and Bjorn Hellesylt (MD Hosting-Group Co. Ltd.).
Far from the madding crowd: (l-r) Peter Malhotra (Pattaya Mail), Bruce Hoppe (VP Asia Operations Emerson Electric), Dr. Iain and Som Corness.
