Having taken a break during the festive season when every hotel was packed to the brim, and no GM had any spare time for fellowships, Chatchawal Supachayanont, general manager of the Dusit Thani Pattaya thought it was high time to summon his ‘gang’ for a little celebration, not only to hail in the new year but also to get to know some of the new faces that have now made Pattaya their working home.
During the past few months, hotels in Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand have seen many changes in many aspects, most especially the influx of newer general managers who replaced those who have moved on to greener pastures in Thailand and overseas.
(L to R) Sompat Jantawan (GM of Tsix5 Hotel), Somkhit Tonsaiphet (The Zign), Chatchawal Supachayanont (Dusit Thani Pattaya) and Jitmanee Siravithayavanich (Way Hotel) enjoy the sights of the Hilton Hotel.
Philippe Kronberg, the new general manager of the Hilton Pattaya, took the opportunity to introduce himself by hosting the GM Gang dinner on January 24.
Born and raised in France, Philippe lived for many years in Australia. He proudly claims that he now holds an Australian passport.
He has worked for the Hilton group for over ten years in China, Japan, Australia and various other parts of Europe. “I opened 3 hotels in China before I came here,” said Philippe proudly.
(L to R) Philippe Kronberg (GM Hilton Pattaya) holds court with Sophon Vongchatchainont (GM Pullman Pattaya Hotel G), Andre Brulhart (GM Centara Grand Mirage Beach), and Prayuth Thamdhum (GM Montien Pattaya).
Having taken over the helm of the Hilton since November, Philippe was thrilled to be in Pattaya and spoke very proudly of the Hilton and what the hotel has to offer, especially the newly opened Horizon Sky bar on the 34th floor which “has an amazing view of Pattaya,” not to mention the ever popular Edge restaurant where the GM Gang dinner was held.
Another new addition to the Pattaya hotels scene is Tomo Kuriyama, GM of the Sheraton Pattaya. Born in Tokyo, Tomo immigrated with his parents to Hawaii when he was seven years old. His last position was at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit as hotel manager. “The general manager’s position here in Pattaya will be a very challenging one, and I am up to it.”
Chatchawal Supachayanont (right) welcomes the Amari Orchid Pattaya managers, Resident Manager Richard Margo (left) and General Manager Brendan Daly (center).
Garth Solly, the general manager of the Holiday Inn Pattaya, along with Brendan Daly, general manager of the Amari Orchid, are also two of the newest additions to the Pattaya hotel scene. Having just taken up their respective posts, they were both looking forward to making new friends and at the same time working hard in promoting and maintaining their properties as the preferred addresses for both business people and holiday makers.
Returning back to Pattaya after having worked for 3 years in China is Sophon Vongchatchainont, general manager of Pullman Pattaya Hotel G. He said, “I am thoroughly impressed to see that Pattaya has improved so much. It’s so good to see that our city is more modern and there are so many new first class hotels. Our mayor must be commended for having done a great job.”
(L to R) Tomo Kuriyama (GM Sheraton Pattaya), Dimitri Chernyshev (Exec. Asst. Manager Pullman Pattaya Hotel G) and Peter Malhotra (MD Pattaya Mail Media Group) pause for a moment from admiring the spectacular view.
Chatchawal Supachayanont, the head of the GM Gang, reiterated how he is so happy the way things have developed in Pattaya. “In the old days there was a lot of negative publicity, but with a lot of hard work, business people travelling overseas year after year, at their own costs, we have been able to convince the foreign market that in many aspects Pattaya has improved in leaps and bounds. But of course there is still a lot of work to do.”
“The Pattaya City officials now understand that it is important that they have to work closely with the private sector. Nowadays working with the government sector is a joy,” he continued.
Tony Malhotra (Director Business Development Pattaya Mail Media Group) enjoys a laugh with Richard Margo (Amari Orchid Pattaya Resident Manager).
“Pattaya is expanding and has earned increasing credibility as a lucrative commercial hub. We can proudly say that large multi-national corporations have confidence in investing in many ventures here.
“Pattaya is changing from being just a leisure destination. The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) sector is booming and we have become one of the most preferred destinations for large corporations to meet here,” Chatchawal concluded.
(L to R) Prayuth Thamdhum (GM Montien Pattaya) enjoys a rooftop drink with Chatchawal Supachayanont and Garth Solly (GM Holiday Inn Pattaya).
Philippe Kronberg (GM Hilton Pattaya) extolls the virtues of the Hilton to Peter Malhotra (PMTV).
Yuwathida Jeerapat (MD Hotel J Pattaya) and Chatchawal Supachayanont enjoy the tremendous view of Pattaya Bay.
The beautiful colours of dusk at the Horizon bar on the top of the Hilton Pattaya.
