Pattaya Mail Media Group recognised for outstanding achievements
Awards recipients take part in a
group photo session with HRH Princess Soamsawalee.
By Shana Kongmun
and Elfi Seitz
HRH Princess Soamsawalee was recognized for her lifetime of work on behalf of
society as the PhueanThai German International Organization and Germany’s
Thailandfreunde e.V celebrated its annual charity gala in Chiang Mai.
The Chiang Mai-based PhueanThai awarded Her Royal Highness its Platinum Lifetime
Award Nov. 5 at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiang Mai during a grand
celebration that drew a crowd of 300, including luminaries from government, the
military, diplomatic corps and social-work sector.
Pratheep Malhotra MD of the
Pattaya Mail Media Group presents two books written by Peter Cummins
commemorating the birthdays of Their Majesties the King and Queen to HRH
Princess Soamwalee.
The gala, held every year to raise funds for PhueanThai-sponsored charities,
this year honored royally backed Princess Pa Foundation, which has worked for
nearly two decades to assist victims of natural disasters, against drug use by
youths and on behalf of HIV and AIDS patients. More than a half-million baht was
raised for the organization this year.
The Princess Pa Foundation was established by HRH Princess Bajarakitiyabha after
major floods in 1995 to help close the gap between victims’ needs and support
from existing charity organizations. The program was such a success it was
continued with donations made tax deductible in 2001.
The princess congratulates Dirk
Weeber-Arayatumsopon and his team for a most outstanding evening.
In addition to receiving her own award, HRH Princess Soamsawalee handed out
honors to other members of society for their work and dedication. She was joined
on stage by Gov. Wichian Phuttiwinyu, HSH Ticomporn Yugala and Senator M.L.
Preeyapun Sridhavat.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was not present, was awarded Diplomat of
the Year award. Man of the Year went to CEO of ECC International Tjeert Kwant
and Woman of the Year was presented to Rattanakorn Sirirat for her tireless
efforts to raise money for the poor.
Wuttipong Arayatumsopon presents a
special gift to HRH Princess Soamsawalee.
The Best Hotel award went to the Imperial Mae Ping and its general manager Peter
Schnyder, who, along with his team, put in many hours of work to ensure the
night turned out to be such a great success.
The Donator of the Year prize was given to 89-year-old Colin Richmond Watson,
while Sisley International General Manager Rujit Suthanaseriporn won CEO of the
Year.
Peter Malhotra (left) and
Suthasinee Maneekul (right) present commemorative books to Chao Pakinai Na
Chiang Mai.
Media awards were presented to Hallo Chiang Mai Magazine for best national
media, while the best international media award was given to Pattaya Mail
Publishing Co., Ltd. and Managing Director Peter Malhotra, Chiang Mai Mail
Managing Editor Shana Kongmun and Pattaya Blatt Editor Elfi Seitz.
Thailandfreunde’s board member Wuttipong Arayatumsopon and Princess Pa Director
Saisom Wongsasulak won special recognition for their social work from HRH
Soamsawalee.
Elfi Seitz interviews Dirk
Weeber-Arayatumsopon, chairman of Thailandfreunde for PMTV.
Before dinner was served, the German and the European anthems were sung by
baritone Book Kitavadhana. During dinner, guests were entertained by the Chiang
Mai ballet under the guidance of Sen. M.L. Preeyapun Sridhavat. The school for
dramatic arts showed traditional flower and Lanna dances, and two young students
from the German Christian School Chiang Mai, Eleonora Nescholta and Hannah
Haeger, both 15, played Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in Gigue on violin.
A fashion show by British designer Lawrence Goldberg, who also won Designer of
the Year, graced the stage afterward and a musical performance from Trinities
Pulse. Local Chiang Mai favorite Book Kitavadhana put on numbers from German
opera, moving many to stand during his rendition of the German national anthem.
Peter and Shana pose with Peter
Schnyder (right), GM of Imperial Mae Ping Hotel.
Dirk Weeber-Arayatumsopon, chairman of Thailandfreunde and founder of
PhueanThai, got the charity fundraising under way with a robe designed by
Lawrence Goldberg in the style of the late Liberace. Emcees Nattanant
Jewrattanawong and Phanitpim Thang auctioned off antique newspapers featuring HM
King Rama V and a coin collection. A silent auction with smaller prizes also was
equally successful.
The grand night saw many socialites and public officials attend, including HSH
Prince Ticomporn Yugala, Sen. M.L. Preeyapun Sridhavat, Gen. Sarayut Rangsri,
Ankarna Putiwinju, president of the Chiang Mai Red Cross, Greek Honorary Consul
George Sirioris, starlet Tipaporn Ajanant and others.
The Pattaya Mail Media Group team
stands at our booth awaiting the arrival of the princess. Nopniwat Krailerg (2nd
left), Shana Kongmun, Peter Malhotra, Elfi Seitz, Suthasinee Maneekul and
Peerasan Wongsri (right) GM Chiang Mai Mail.
The Princess posed for pictures with many in attendance, including
representatives from the Promenada Resort Mall, Thai Freeze Dry Co., Podology
Center Chiang Mai & Bangkok and the Pattaya Mail Media Group. They all presented
HRH with special gifts.
Wrapping up the evening, Dirk Weeber-Arayatumsopon thanked all who attended,
noting the Princess was the first member of the Royal Household to attend a
private event in Chiang Mai.
PhueanThai was established as a German - Thai group to help underprivileged and
handicapped people, especially children in Chiang Mai and the North. It is a
sister organization of Thailandfreunde e.V.
| The prize winners |
| • |
Man of the Year: Tjeert Kwant - CEO of ECC
International, developer of Promenada Resort Shopping Mall. |
| • |
Woman of the Year: Rattanakorn Sirirat for her tireless
efforts to raise money for the poor. |
| • |
Diplomat of the Year: Prime Minister Yingluck
Shinawatra. |
| • |
Manager of the Year: Rujit Suthanaseriporn, manager of
Sisley Thailand. |
| • |
Fashion Designer of the Year: Lawrence Goldberg. |
| • |
Persons for Human Rights: “Lizzy” Michael-Ginsel,
Gerard Mosselmann and Raya Luelai Madeleine. |
| • |
Best Thai Language Publication: Hallo Chiang Mai
magazine, Ms. Nattapimon Chuendong, manager. |
| • |
Pattaya Mail: Best Weekly English Newspaper, Peter
Malhotra, managing director. |
| • |
Pattaya Blatt, Best German Newspaper, Elfi Seitz,
executive editor. |
| • |
Chiang Mai Mail: Best Weekly English Newspaper in the
North, Shana Kongmun, managing editor. |
| • |
Newcomer of the Year: Duo Trinities Pulse, Harry Bates. |
| • |
Sponsor of the Year: Colin Richmond-Watson, 89. |
| • |
Surprise-Prize: Bob Fickes, meditation teacher. |
| • |
Tourist Attraction of the Year: Night Safari Chiang
Mai. |
| • |
Hotel of the Year: Imperial Mae Ping Hotel Chiang Mai,
Peter Schnyder, general manager. |
| • |
Restaurant of the Year: La Gondola Group, Suwanee
Roncoroni. |
| • |
51 other people received a brooch from the princess for
their efforts to help underprivileged people in Thailand. |
The highly successful auction to
raise funds for charity was conducted by Dirk Weeber-Arayatumsopon.
Performances by Book Kitavadhana,
Wijitpailin Sereesak, Trinities Pulse, Hannah Haegar and Eleonora Nescholta from
the German Christian School, Chiang Mai Ballet, and Chiang Mai School for
Dramatic Arts were most enthralling.
The fashion show was wild and
colourful.
