Since its re-launch in March 2013 Skål Pattaya International & East Thailand has garnered a sizable and loyal following, mostly from the hospitality industry and from other businesses that are related to the world of travel & tourism.
The October meeting, held at the Garden Wing at the Amari Pattaya on Thursday the 9th, attracted 64 guests which is the largest at any Skål gathering in Pattaya.
In addition to the large number of guests, the evening was also showered with sponsors namely Massic Travel, Etihad Airways, Paulaner Beer, who provided the ‘Oktoberfest beer’, Wine Dee Dee supplying Prosecco, red & white wines, and the Amari Pattaya as the venue sponsor.
Brendan Daly, GM of Amari Pattaya.
Upon arrival, the Amari served a variety of tapas and this was enhanced by delicious smoked salmon & smoked salmon larb from Scott Tanner from the MJ Smokehouse.
President Tony Malhotra welcomed the guests and made the traditional Skål toast, which was followed with the highly popular ‘Ice Breaker’ session where the microphone was handed round and everybody was able to introduce themselves, their company and mention any promotions or upcoming events.
Tony Malhotra, Skal Pattaya President.
During this there was a brief speech by the President of the Thai Hotels Association Eastern Chapter Sanpech Supabowornsthian and the new director of the Tourist Authority of Thailand Pattaya office, Suladda Sarutilavan.
Although the ‘Ice Breaker session took some time, it added great value for the gusts who were really able to network but in a different way from the norm.
The buffet was then opened with a variety of succulent dishes such as slow braised pork belly with chick peas, basil pesto crusted sea bass fillet and rosemary pumpkin puree, lamb loin roasted in pastry with tomato relish, pan fried chicken breast with massaman curry sauce, and mild red curry with minced shrimp stuffed lychees.
Vikrom Malhotra, GM of Massic Travel.
There then followed a presentation from Vikrom Malhotra manager of Massic Travel who gave an outline of the various services that they provide. He highlighted that they are a member of IATA which effectively means that when people buy tickets from smaller outlets around the city, those businesses then end up buying from Massic Travel to provide their clients with the flights, etc.
This was followed by a brief update from Dave Malhotra about Massic Travel’s new feature for purchasing tickets online.
Max Sukkhasantikul, Business Development Manager of Etihad Airways.
The final presentation was given by the Business Development Manager for Etihad Airways Max Sukkhasanitkul. Max gave a brief history of the company stating that it was founded in 2003 and has a clear vision for the 21st century to be a global airline, challenging and changing the established conventions of airline hospitality and how they had won many awards for their achievements.
Max also acknowledged the strong and vital working relationship between Etihad and agents such as Massic Travel.
The evening finished with a vote of thanks by Kate Gerits, the General Manager of the Holiday Inn Pattaya who thanked Ken Whitty from Paulaner, Wine Dee Dee, Amari Pattaya, Massic Travel, Etihad Airways and all the guest speakers.
Peter Malhotra, MD of Pattaya Mail, Ken and Pitcha Whitty of Paulaner Thailand, and President Tony Malhotra.
The next Skål Pattaya International and East Thailand event will be held on Thursday November 13 at Dusit Thani Pattaya with a special panel discussion on Pattaya tourism: Where are we going? – by 4 leading authorities of the Travel & Tourism industry. The cost is 900 baht for all guests which includes an international buffet dinner, wine and beer. For reservations email: [email protected]. More details will be announced in the Pattaya Mail and can be found on the Skål Pattaya Facebook page: www.facebook.com/skalpattaya.
Wipawan and Scott Tanner from MJ Smokehouse, Amari Pattaya’s Chef Leonard Faust, Mark Bateman of PRTR Recruitment, and Brendan Daly GM of Amari Pattaya.
Patrick Menhorn of Newspaper Direct, Gary Marshall of Travel Daily Media, and Darren Brodie.
Paul Wood of Defence International Security Services, Rene Pisters, GM of the Thai Garden Resort, and Hans Banzinger of Swiss Paradise Resort.
Sanpech Supabowornsthian, President THA Eastern Chapter, President Tony Malhotra, TAT Pattaya Director Suladda Sarutilavan and Asst. Director Auttapon Thaweesuntorn.
The executive team from Massic Travel and Etihad Airways.
Callum and Stuart Mackie of Solar Golf.
Richard Smit and Corolien Hoffman from Recreational Pattaya Biking.
Peter Maholtra, MD of Pattaya Mail, chat with Parag Kshirsagar and Areewan Thammasorn from Compass Hospitality Bangkok.
Koonlapatporn Intarasing, of Siam Winery, Sukhumnanda Sukudom, Asst DOS from Holiday Inn Pattaya and Bantwat Kerkpittaya of Wine Dee Dee Pattaya.
The Holiday Inn Pattaya Team (l-r) Sukhumnanda Sukudom, Sarad Upadyay, Kate Gerits, and Michael Gerits with Svetlana Troubtchaninova.
Paul Wood, Onusanee Saensing, GM, and Manita Santikarn, Coaching GM of Regus, with Sue Kukarja Communications Director of PMTV.
