The local Chambers of Commerce have understood the value of grouping themselves together as opposed to duplicating events, as a cost-saving exercise. This month, the venue was the Centara Grand Mirage Resort, with returnee General Manager Andre Brulhart ready to welcome the chamber members. Andre had business cards at the ready, and it turned out that his secretary had saved some from his previous stint as the GM. Now that’s a good PA.
The principal chamber was the German Thai Chamber of Commerce, picking up the tab for the American Chamber (AmCham), the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT), the Australian Chamber of Commerce Thailand (AustCham) and the South African chamber (SATCC). GTCC President Phongsakdi Chakshuvej welcomed everyone, while displaying a copy of the football world cup (they’re not going to let us forget it for the next four years!).
The main sponsors of the night pose for a group photo. (L to R) Andre Brulhart, General Manager of the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, Greg Watkins, Executive Director of the BCCT, Phongsakdi Chakshuvej, President of the GTCC, Judy Benn, Executive Director of the AmCham, Graham Macdonald, President of the SATCC, Simon Landy, Executive Chairman of Colliers International, and Jorg Buck, Executive Director of the GTCC.
The mood was definitely buoyant amongst the chambers with everyone feeling as though Thailand is turning a corner for the better.
Many of the regulars were present, including a sizeable number from Bangkok, including Judy Benn (AmCham) and David Nardone (Hemaraj), the BCCT’s Mark Butters (RSM) and Executive Director Greg Watkins and Mark (try my pad Thai fagash) Bowling (Colliers).
(L to R) Ken Brookes, Managing Director of the Niedax Thailand, Ltd., Frank Holzer, Director, ASEAN Manufacturing Finance of GM Thailand, and Marcus Magiar, General Manager of the Carl Zeiss Co., Ltd.
As well as the chambers, the other resort teams were extolling their advantages and having a sly look at how the Centara Grand Mirage was handling the onslaught, with Chananchida Wongso-ard, sales manager from the Holiday Inn, impressing Automotive Focus Group (AFG) committee member Armin Walter so much he would have agreed to anything (and probably did).
John Manley, EAM of the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, was there, having defected from the Marriott, while the Marriott’s Director of Operations Matt Fryar was perfectly content with all indicators pointing towards up.
(L to R) Phongsakdi Chakshuvej, President of the GTCC, Jan Lembas, Director of the Czech Trade, Bangkok, Marcus Magiar, General Manager of the Carl Zeiss Co., Ltd. and Markus Wehrhahn, Managing Director of RLC Recruitment Co., Ltd.
Other networkers included Roland Sensch (EuropAsia), Frank Holzer (President AFG) and Graham MacDonald spearheading the SATCC.
One happy attendee was Rosanne Diamente who is raising funds for her Women With a Mission charity, which is providing food and education for children in Mae Sot.
The only person missing from the Zulu bar was Indiana Jones, but I’m sure Andre Brulhart will fix that next time!
(L to R) Greg Watkins, Executive Director of the BCCT, Mark Bowling, Associate Director, Sales & Leasing of C.I.T. Property Consultants Co., Ltd, Terrence Allen Collins, Managing Director of the BravoThai Lifestyle Co., Ltd. and Adrian Stamkiog.
(L to R) Jorg Machill, Manager of the German Ambulance & T.T. Co., Ltd., Waldamar Lutz, Aftermarket Service Manager Service & Repairs of NEAC Compressor Service Ltd. and Sandra Quinn.
(L to R) Mark Butters, Director, RSM Advisory Thailand Ltd., Colin Grant, Executive Chef of the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort and Paul Strachan, PMTV Productions Manager.
(L to R) Ron Grigaras, Engineering and Program Manager of MHG Thailand Co., Ltd., Nathan Tan, Business Development Manager of G4S Secure Solutions Thailand Limited, and Chawachai Thammarattanaporn, Sales Manager of G4S Secure Solutions Thailand Limited.
Rob Scarr, Business Development Manager of the Securitas Thailand Co., Ltd., and Geoffrey Partrat, Asia Pacific Sales Director of Konitz Asia Ltd.
Bob Graviano, Senior Director of Celestica, and Barry Crawford, Supply Chain Director of Triumph Aviation Services Asia Ltd.
Tony Dobbie, IT Director of Autospecs Y.K. and Keith Wilson, Managing Director of Beautiful Villa.
Elfi Seitz (R) interviews Jorg Buck (L), Executive Director of the GTCC.
Dr. Iain Corness and Chris Thatcher, Vice Chairman of the BCCT.
Jock (L) and Doc (R) interview Roseanne Diamente from WWM.
Roland Schellenberger, Managing Director of the Thai-German Supplies Co., Ltd., and Michael Damm, Managing Director of the D3 Consulting Co., Ltd.
