The Joint Chambers networking evening was held at the Amari, with the South African – Thai Chamber of Commerce (SATCC) being the hosts. The Chambers involved included the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT), the American Chamber (AMCHAM), AustCham, Belu-Thai, German Thai Chamber (GTCC), Netherlands Thai Chamber (NTCC) and with South Africa hosting, it was called a Braai.
This event was the first opportunity for the Chamber members to meet the new (old) GM Robert Rijnders, now General Manager at Amari Pattaya, and overseer of the other Amari properties on the Eastern Seaboard.
Opening speech given by the host, Graham Macdonald, chairman of the SATCC.
Robert was quick to point out to the Jock and Doc Pattaya Mail TV show that last year had been a challenging one, and 2016 looked like being more of the same. However, he kept smiling and charmed everyone he met during the very hot evening. More Amari personnel were also present with Richard Gamlin, resident manager at Amari Pattaya and Max Sieracki, general manager at Nova Platinum Hotel.
The principal sponsor of the event was Bromsgrove International School, represented by Matthew Savage, Deputy Head of School, who was enormously proud of his school and its achievements, including running a free bus service from the Eastern Seaboard on Mondays and return on Fridays for weekly boarders. The school follows the British Curriculum with graduates accepted by all major universities.
Major sponsor Bromsgrove International School was represented by Matthew Savage, the deputy head of school.
Amongst the networkers was the big man in the lifting business, Kevin Fisher, who said that last year had been “challenging” (he denied listening to Robert Rijnders) but said that his CEA company is ready to meet all the attendant problems that doing business in Asia inevitably brings.
A ‘newer’ kid on the block was Pacific Cross, represented by CEO Tom Thomson, with Apiradee Chainutnirat, branch manager at Pacific Cross and Wanarom Hiranprapakul, marketing manager at Macallan Insurance Brokers, and Thipsuda Sriprawithaya, the effervescent office manager at Macallan Insurance Brokers to brighten the evening.
Warm welcoming speech by Robert Rijnders, Amari Pattaya’s GM.
SATCC President Graham Macdonald was as always, seen everywhere, and very proud of the fact that the SATCC has grown exponentially in the last two years.
Other “regulars” included the Executive Director of the BCCT Greg Watkins, and David R. Nardone, President and CEO at Hemaraj, complete with entourage of Siyaphas Chantachairoj, director-corporate marketing and property customer development, Patthaya Mungkorn, assistant manager-corporate marketing and Ong-ard Amatayakul, assistant corporate manager at Hemaraj Land and Development.
Apiradee Chainutnirat, branch manager at Pacific Cross and Wanarom Hiranprapakul, marketing manager at Macallan Insurance Broker Co. Ltd.
Simon Matthews from Manpower amazed with a very subdued shirt for once and was seen discussing business with Alain Deurwaerder, vice president of the Belgian-Luxembourg/Thai Chamber of Commerce and Stuart Daly, managing director at Pattaya Realty.
Doing a little bit of spying on the opposition by the Pattaya Marriot Resort & Spa team were Unchulee Meesri, assistant director of sales, and Thanawan Phureewattana, assistant account sales manager.
With more than 150 registered attendees that evening, this joint networking was most successful and bodes well for the next joint chamber event.
Richard Gamlin, residence manager at Amari, Alain Deurwaerder, vice president of the Belgian-Luxembourg/Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Simon Matthews from Manpower.
(L to R) Howard Wu from Bromsgrove International School, Komsak Promachan, sales manager-tools at Oerlikon Balzers Coating (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Bordin Kongtiamsri, sales manager-logistic services at Gulf Agency (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
(L to R) Graham Macdonald, chairman at SATCC, Dr. Iain Corness from Pattaya Mail, Kseniia Medvedeva, Robert Rijnders, general manager of Amari Pattaya, Joe Grunwell, managing director at Comcon Group, and Peter Malhotra, managing director at Pattaya Mail.
Group photo of the sponsors and hosts (L to R) Graham Macdonald, chairman of the SATCC, Dr. Rolan Wein, executive director of GTCC, Matthew Savage, deputy head of school at Bromsgrove, Panita Vongkuslkit, director of AustCham, Thipsuda Sriprawithaya, office manager at Macallan Insurance Broker Co., Ltd., Nattapat Janthakerd, owner at Jones the Grocer, David R. Nardone, president and CEO at Hemaraj, Robert Rijnders, general manager at Amari Pattaya, Kevin Fisher, managing director at CEA Project Logistics, Alain Deurwaerder, vice president of the Belgian-Luxembourg/Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Stuart Daly, managing director at Pattaya Realty.
Peter Emblin, treasurer at AustCham, Richard Jackson, general manager at RLC and George T. Strampp, managing partner at AMS.
Michael Wagstaff, manager-executive search at PRTR Recruitment and Outsourcing (Eastern Seaboard) Co., Ltd., Robert Rijnders, general manager of Amari Pattaya, Peter Fagan, general manager of Futuris Thailand and Hans Peter Hefner, sales manager at VEM (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Allan Riddell, consultant to the board at SATCC, Brian Songhurst, Pasit Foobunma, director and web master at SATCC and Roy Albiston from the PCEC.
