(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.
Staff reporter
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) 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).
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.
Chatchawal Supachayanont
(right) welcomes the Amari Orchid Pattaya managers, Resident Manager Richard
Margo (left) and General Manager Brendan Daly (center).
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.”
Tony Malhotra (Director
Business Development Pattaya Mail Media Group) enjoys a laugh with Richard
Margo (Amari Orchid Pattaya Resident Manager).
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.
(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.
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.”
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.
Philippe Kronberg (GM Hilton
Pattaya) extolls the virtues of the Hilton to Peter Malhotra (PMTV).
“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).
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.
