A tribute to Elvis and Suraphon

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in conjunction with the Central Festival Center and the Eastern Thai Hotel Association, put together a Tribute to Elvis and Remembering Suraphon on August 14th at the Pattaya Central Festival Business Center. The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Tourism of the House of Representatives Santsak Ngamphiches opened the event. A number of notable figures were also in attendance.

One of the most popular Elvis impersonators in Thailand is Jirasak Pinsuwan who was a guest performer at the contest.

The tribute was the second in Pattaya. The first took place in August 1996 for the two famous recording artists and both events gave a boost to tourism to Pattaya during its low season. Many vocalists turned out to give a performance honoring the two great singers, especially Suraphon Sombatcharoen, with many giving their interpretation of his songs keeping his memory alive as the King of Thai Country Music. Elvis Presley, known the world over as the King of Rock n Roll, also received a large turn out presenting their renditions of his music.

The show started at 6:00 p.m. and went on until 2:00 a.m. with entertainment throughout the evening. The musical histories of both artists were portrayed for the audience and drawings by students from area schools were judged for the best likeness of the two artists. Local restaurants and hotels made food and beverages available.

During the show there were appearances by Jirasak Binsuwan, Wasu (Jib) Saeng Si Keo and Wisut Dunglarat, who is nicknamed “Elvis Asia”, along with other performers.

Suraphol Yaencharoen, winner of the Elvis Presley sing alike singing contest received the Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s office Paweena Hongsakul Trophy.

Nearing the close of the show the winners of the contest were announced. The best performance Elvis impersonator was by, fitting enough, Suraphon Yaemchareun. Suraphon received a trophy presented by the Minister attached to the Prime Minister office in charge of Tourism - Mrs. Paweena Hongsakul. Surasing Phongsophon, a Naval Lieutenant Commander, was the first runner-up, and Sompho Sae Ngo was second runner-up. Robin Cheng received honorable mention.

The winner of the Suraphon artists was Somphong Inthasima. Singha Suwansri and Sunthorn Kongkhokkruad were the runner-ups, followed by Sophon Dangngam receiving honorable mention.

An Introduction to

“Rattanakosin Island” Royal Square

“The Living Siam”

The Chao Phraya River, the “River Of Kings”, flows through the nation’s capital, Bangkok or “Krungthep Maha Nakhon...” (the official name of the capital in the Thai language). Majestic “Koh Rattanakosin” (Rattanakosin Island) lies on its eastern bank. It is also often referred to as the “Old City”.

Following the fall of Ayutthaya to invading forces in 1767, the old capital was virtually destroyed. Much of the territory originally lost was regained by the former governor of Tak Province, a charismatic military leader who then established his new headquarters at Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, and became King Taksin. Although an attempt was made to recreate the splendor of the former capital of Ayutthaya, apart from Wat Arun and several other Buddhist temples, there was little time to transform Thonburi into a more magnificent capital.

In 1782, King Taksin was succeeded by Chao Phraya Chakri, King Buddha Yodfa, the first ruler of the Chakri dynasty (1782-1809), subsequently referred to as King Rama I. King Buddha Yodfa shifted the nation’s capital from its former location of Thonburi on the west bank of the river to a well-protected settlement on its eastern bank, the location of Bangkok today. At this riverside location, King Rama I proceeded to construct his palace, complete with a Royal Chapel formally known as Wat Phra Sriratana Sasadaram, generally known as Wat Phra Keo, Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

When construction was completed 3 years later in 1785, the King bestowed a new honorific title for the nation’s capital. Consisting of 43 syllables, its name to this very day offers a perfect description of the many awe-inspiring sights one discovers around “Royal Square” ... “A great city of angels, the supreme repository of divine jewels, the great land unconquerable, the grand and prominent realm, the royal and delightful capital city full of nine noble gems, the highest royal dwelling and grand palace, the divine shelter and living place of the reincarnated spirits.”

Since its establishment in the first reign of the Chakri dynasty, the capital established as “Krung Rattanakosin” has remained the seat of divine and administrative power of the Chakri dynasty until the present day.

Rattanakosin Island or the “Royal Square” is home to the capital’s most important landmarks — magnificent palaces and temples, buildings and monuments of architectural splendor and of historical and cultural significance. “Koh Rattanakosin” or Rattanakosin Island has thus been named the “Royal Square”. These historic landmarks have withstood the test of time and are very much a part of present day Bangkok as they are a link to the nation’s glorious past. Hence the Royal Square is “Living Siam”.

Wat Phra Keo - Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang (The Royal Ground), “Wat Pho”, the center of Buddhist learning dating back to the 16th century, and many other highly revered temples are found in this vicinity.

The Kingdom’s center of higher education is also located around the Royal Square - Silpakorn University, Thailand’s premier university for the study of Fine Arts, and Thammasat University known for its faculty of law and political science.

Numerous piers along the entire stretch of the Chao Phraya River facilitate travel by express boats and long-tail “hang yao” ferry boats, hotel shuttle boats and private hire boats. It is easy to explore the sights around the Royal Square simply by hopping on and off various means of river transportation as they stop at any of these piers.

It must be pointed out that in spite of its name, “Koh Rattanakosin” is not an island. Going back to times past when Bangkok was known as the “Venice of the East”, two adjoining canals to the east (known as “Klong Banglamphu” and the “Klong Ong Ang”), which ran parallel to the Chao Phraya for some length, were perhaps so large it left the impression of the Ratttankosin area as being an ‘island’ surrounded by water.

It is also interesting to note that “Bangkok”, the name of the capital as it is known internationally today, is in fact the name of a settlement on the Thonburi side (or west bank of the Chao Phraya River) called Bang Kok or the ‘Village of the Plum Olive’.

Information Of Interest

Silpakorn University

Silpakorn University or (The University of Fine Arts) owes its existence to Corrado Feroci, an Italian sculptor who joined the Royal Fine Arts Department in 1924 at the invitation of King Rama VI. He became a Thai citizen in 1944 and assumed a Thai name, Silpa Bhirasri, and remained in the Kingdom until his death. He founded the School of Fine Arts in 1933. It became a university in 1944.

Tha Phra Chan

What used to be the palace of Prince Prachak Silpakorn, who dedicated the land to the Privy Purse, is the lively neighborhood of Tha Phra Chan today.

During the day, “Tha Phra Chan”, the ferry jetty, is operated by a private company and serves students and staff of the Universities (Siriraj Medical Hospital, Thammasat and Silpakorn) and the immediate community.

Na Phra Lan Road

Across from Silpakorn University are old shophouses on the Na Phra Lan Road. In the first reign (1782 to 1809), the area of Silpakorn University was the site of three palaces. The palaces remained the Royal residence for the relatives of the King until the fifth reign (1868 to 1910). Thereafter, the land was transferred to the government and eventually under the responsibility of Silpakorn University and the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Education.

During the fifth reign, the wall of the palace was demolished and shophouses were constructed with brick and plaster. Columns, pilasters, walls and openings are well-treated and some details resemble those found in the shophouses around “Tha Chang” or Elephant Pier - so called because elephants from the Grand Palace would be herded to this area to bathe during the reign of King Rama I.

BCCT - Millennium Ball - Friday 31st December 1999

The British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (BCCT) in co-operation with the British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy (BCTN - previously United Kingdom Committee for Thai Charities or UKCTC) and the loyal societies in Bangkok (St Andrew’s, St David’s, St George’s and St Patrick’s) is organising a Millennium Ball to take place on Friday 31st December 1999 at the Shangri-La Hotel.

In honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol’s Sixth Cycle Birthday all net proceeds of the Ball will be donated to Thai charities. BCCT is therefore delighted to offer the opportunity of supporting this event, and in turn Thai charities, in the form of corporate sponsorship. The Ball has been budgeted to break even with income from the sale of tickets such that, barring any unforeseen costs, all corporate sponsorship income will be donated to charity. The benefits of each of the three sponsorship levels are detailed below.

The principal entertainers for the Ball are British comedian and Master of Ceremonies Stan Boardman and five-man band The Red Hot Pokers who have worked with many of the music industry’s great names, most recently Van Morrison. Paul Jackson will be providing his excellent disco entertainment and there will be many surprises.

The BCCT will be taking bookings and issuing tickets starting in late September. Tickets will be priced at Bht 12,000 net per person or Bht 100,000 net for a table of ten. A six-course gala dinner will be served. In addition, a full open bar, including champagne at midnight, wine, spirits and beer will be available throughout the evening at no extra charge.

If you would like to sponsor what will undoubtedly be one of the major millennium events in Thailand and what promises to be a major donation to Thai charities, please contact Greg Watkins <[email protected]> at the BCCT by Friday 10th September 1999.

Gold Sponsorship - Bht 400,000 Benefits:

One complimentary table for ten people

Complimentary one-page company profile in souvenir brochure

Option to provide corporate millennium gift (at cost to sponsor)

Full recognition when charity donations are made post-event

Corporate logo on stage backdrop (first level)

Corporate logo on tickets (first level)

Corporate logo on posters, flyers and mailers

Option to display corporate material in the ballroom foyer

Identified as Gold Sponsor in menu

Recognition in organisers’ pre and post-event publications

Verbal thanks by MC during the Ball

Silver Sponsorship - Bht 200,000 Benefits:

Complimentary half-page company profile in souvenir brochure

Full recognition when charity donation made post-event

Corporate logo on stage backdrop (second level)

Corporate logo on tickets (second level)

Corporate logo on posters, flyers and mailers

Option to display corporate material in the ballroom foyer

Identified as Silver Sponsor in menu

Recognition in organisers’ pre and post-event publications

Verbal thanks by MC during the Ball

Change in visa fee payment procedure

From the US Embassy

Effective August 25, 1999, prior to applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa, including K (fianc้e) visa, in Bangkok, visa applicants must pay the nonrefundable application fee at any of the 155 post offices in the Bangkok metropolitan region authorized to accept bill payments. The post office will give the visa applicant a two-part receipt; the top copy of the fee receipt must be presented with the nonimmigrant visa application.

The receipt is valid for one year. Therefore, those who plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa within the next year can pay the application fee at their convenience while at the post office conducting other business. We recommend that applicants not wait until the day they apply for a visa to go to the post office. It is not necessary for visa applicants to personally pay at the post office. Anyone (friends, family members, office messengers, travel agents, etc.) can pay the fee and obtain a receipt for the applicant. The important point is that each applicant must present the top copy of the fee receipt, dated within the past year, to the Embassy at the time of application for a nonimmigrant visa.

This program of off-site fee collections has already been implemented at many visa sections throughout the world and is being instituted here in order to streamline the visa application process and reduce the length of time that visa applicants spend at the Embassy applying for their visa. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok hopes that this program will make the visa application process more convenient for the public.

The following persons are exempt from paying the visa processing fee:

- persons applying for Diplomatic (A) visas and International Organization (G) visas;

- persons who are applying for Exchange Visitor (J) visas for a program sponsored by USIS or USAID;

- persons with diplomatic passports who qualify for diplomatic courtesy visas.

All others MUST pay the fee, which is nonrefundable. The fee is $45.00, which is currently 1,710 baht, and must be paid in Thai baht at the post office.

The Fair gathers momentum!

The community charity drive for the Fountain of Life is certainly taking people’s imagination, both for the public and private enterprises. Following the Platinum sponsorship of the Chonburi Siam Steel Mill Services, others have been putting up their hands to be counted. So far there has already been over 180,000 Baht pledged, with the latest being Foster Wheeler with a 25,000 Baht donation.

With fund raising ventures such as the Fair on the 4th of September at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, the Bike Ride to the Fair from Ban Chang, the Raffle and the Delaney’s night on the 11th it is certain that this year’s drive will be another success.

The Jesters - Chonburi Siam Steel Mills Charity Fair has begun to involve all of Pattaya and there are now over 30 teams ready to compete in the Tug-o-war. The “Big Men” at Northern Thai have fortunately declined to enter to leave the contest wide open at this stage!

Remember that all the food and drink outlets (thank you Carlsberg for the Beer Tent!) are ploughing the profits straight back into the charity drive coffers. The entertainment will be almost non-stop with even a tennis show, a strongman display from the muscle-men from the Mr. Universe Gym and an aerobics work-out from the Royal Garden Fitness Club.

The Jesters MC, in conjunction with the fund raising committees, have again done a great job and are to be congratulated. The Raffle, for example, has such great prizes as two (yes, that’s right TWO) return air tickets to Sydney, Australia with British Airways/Qantas, one year Family Memberships at the Royal Garden Spa and Fitness Club and another with the Dusit Resort Sports Club and even a TV and video to be won. Tickets are only 50 Baht, so you can afford a couple at least!

This is a “Care for Kids” charity and it is so pleasing to see the businesses getting behind the event again this year. Well done, Pattaya. The kids thank you.

If you would like to be involved in any way, or be a sponsor, give anyone in the organising committee a call - Graham Macdonald (MBMG International - 306 245), Kim Fletcher (Delaney’s - 710 641) or Woody Underwood (Jesters - TQ Bar - 710 323). See you on the 4th and again on the 11th of September!

Questions

from Richard Townsend, Corporate Training

TIP 1: Asking permission to ask questions will work 99% of the time. A good start is to say... ‘In order to save you time and to ensure I fully understand your requirements, do you mind if I ask you a few questions’?

TIP 2: As a sales contact cannot be an interrogation, some polite relationship building questions based on what you know about the prospect and his or her company are a wise start. How are you? How many people on your staff? How was your weekend? How long have you worked for XYZ? How’s your...whatever is appropriate....

TIP 3: Effective salespeople do their best (through research) to know what to ask to ensure that their questions will get the answers they want. Example - Don’t ask about the last dealing the prospect had with your company without checking on the success or difficulties that have gone before.

TIP 4: Try to only ask questions that will get yes responses! For example, if you were in the training business and you asked a prospective participant of a training course, ‘have you filled out the nomination form I sent you yet’ (and they were not intending to come), you will evoke a NO response. Then if you follow with, ‘is the reason you’re not coming because you think the price is too expensive” you will most likely get another NO as few people will admit they cannot afford something. Then you might ask ‘if we offer a special discount’...NO, ‘will you change your mind if...NO’ and on it goes.

A more positive line of questioning would be...’Do you see improved effectiveness of your company as a key management responsibility?’ The person you are talking to would have to be a very ‘hard nosed’ individual to say anything but YES (or a total idiot). Then perhaps, ‘do you, like most of us, have a desire to get improved work results?’...YES. ‘Are you as is the case with most successful managers often hampered by a lot to do and limited time?’... YES. ‘Do you think that a four hour time saving per week would benefit to you in your business?’ Obviously... YES. Then... ‘if I could show you how this course can save you four hours a week or one day a fortnight, would you be interested in talking to me?’ Once again you have a better chance for a YES and so it goes. If you start with a YES, you have more chance you have of finishing with a YES.

Global Tourism Code Of Ethics Takes Shape

by Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire

The World Tourism Organisation is crafting the world’s first Code of Ethics that will apply to visitors, the visited and the many businesses that make those visits possible. And it wants to know what you think of it.

The World Tourism Organisation, in cooperation with member countries and interested non-governmental organisations, has been developing a Code of Ethics for Tourism. Aimed at minimizing the negative social and environmental impacts of tourism, the code has undergone close scrutiny over the past three months within the WTO regional commissions and the Executive Council. At the core of the code are the following ten articles originally published in WTO News. The WTO says it would like additional comments before presenting the final draft to the WTO General Assembly in Santiago, Chile in late September.

Over to you, readers... Note carefully Article 6 on Consumer Rights which may have legal implications. Send comments to Deborah Luhrman, WTO Communications Director, at <[email protected]>.

Article 1 - Respect for Host Communities

1. The understanding and respect of the diversity of cultural values, and of religious, philosophical and moral beliefs are both the condition for and the consequence of tourism; the actors in tourism development and tourists themselves are duty-bound to observe the social and cultural traditions and practices of all peoples, including national minorities and indigenous peoples.

2. Tourism activities shall be conducted in harmony with the attributes and traditions of the host regions and countries, and in respect for their laws, habits and customs.

3. The host communities and local professional actors shall acquaint themselves with and respect the tourists who visit them and find out about their lifestyles, tastes and expectations.

4. When visiting other places, tourists shall refrain from any criminal or wrongful act or any conduct which is considered to be shocking or injurious to the local populations.

Article 2 - Tourism and Human Values

1. Tourism, the activity most frequently associated with rest and relaxation, sport and access to culture, should be planned and practised as a factor of individual and collective fulfilment; when practised with a sufficiently open mind, it is an irreplaceable factor of self-education, mutual tolerance and for learning about the legitimate differences between peoples and cultures.

2. Tourism activities shall aim to promote human rights and, more particularly, the individual rights of the more vulnerable groups, notably women, children, the elderly or handicapped.

3. The exploitation of other people in any form, notably sexual, breaches the fundamental rights of tourism; it is not a deviation of tourism, but the negation of tourism and, as such, shall be strictly prohibited and penalised.

Article 3 - Protection of the Natural Environment

1. Following the guidelines set out in Agenda 21, all the actors in tourism development are duty bound to safeguard the natural environment in the perspective of continued and sustainable development geared to satisfying equitably the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.

2. Forms of tourism development which are conducive to saving energy and reducing waste production shall be given priority and financially encouraged.

3. The staggering in time and space of tourist flows, particularly those generated by paid holidays and school holidays, shall be promoted in such a way as to reduce the pressure of tourism activity on the environment.

4. Tourism infrastructures and activities shall be designed in such a way as to protect and ensure the protection of the ecosystem and biodiversity, and to preserve endangered species of wild fauna and flora.

5. Nature tourism and ecotourism are recognised as being particularly conducive to enriching and enhancing the standing of tourism, provided they respect natural environments and the carrying capacity of the sites visited.

Article 4 - Protection of Culture

1. Tourism resources are part of the common heritage of mankind.

2. Tourism policies and activities shall be conducted with respect for the artistic, archaeological, cultural and monumental heritage of countries, which they should contribute to identifying, protecting, enhancing and passing on to future generations; particular care shall be devoted to preserving and enhancing monuments and museums which are a magnet for tourists; public access to privately-owned cultural goods and monuments shall be encouraged.

3. The resources derived from visits to cultural sites and monuments shall, at least partially, be used for the upkeep and embellishment of this heritage.

4. Tourism activity shall be planned in such a way as to allow traditional cultural products, crafts and folklore to survive and flourish, rather than causing them to degenerate and become standardised.

Article 5 - Ensuring Benefits for Local Communities

1. Local communities and populations are associated with tourism activities and shall participate in the economic, social and cultural benefits they generate, and particularly in the creation of direct and indirect jobs resulting from these activities.

2. Tourism policies shall be planned in such a way as to contribute to improving the standard of living of the populations of the regions visited; tourism resorts and accommodation shall be planned and run in such a way as to integrate them, to the extent possible, in the local economic and social fabric; where skills are equal, priority shall be placed on using local labor.

3. Special attention shall be paid to the specific problems of island countries or territories and to fragile rural zones, for which tourism often represents a rare opportunity for development in the face of the decline of traditional economic activities.

Article 6 - Consumer Rights

1. Tourism professionals have an obligation to provide tourists with reliable information on their place of destination and on the conditions of travel, hospitality and sojourns; they shall ensure that the contractual clauses proposed to their clients are readily understandable with regard to their nature, price and quality of the services they commit themselves to providing and their financial compensation in the event of any claims against the contract.

2. Tourism professionals, insofar as it depends on them, shall guarantee security and safety, accident prevention, health protection and the food safety of those who seek their services; they shall develop specific systems of insurance and assistance; they shall accept the obligation to be held liable.

3. The public authorities of the generating countries and the host countries shall ensure that these rules are established and respected by tourism professionals, and shall repatriate tourists in the event of a serious default on their part.

4. The press, particularly the specialised tourism press, shall contribute to supplying the consumers of tourism services with accurate and reliable information; new information technologies shall also be developed and used to this end.

Article 7 - Employee Rights

1. Special attention shall be paid to guaranteeing the fundamental rights of salaried and freelance workers engaged in tourism and connected activities, including their social welfare, bearing in mind the specific constraints they are subject to and the flexibility required of them by virtue of their jobs.

2. Workers engaged in tourism are entitled and bound to acquire appropriate initial and continuous training.

3. Workers engaged in tourism shall be protected against financial or social exploitation under the control of the national and local administrations both in their countries of origin and in the host countries; so far as possible, job insecurity should be kept to a minimum; a specific status should be offered to seasonal workers in the tourism sector.

4. All individuals and legal entities shall be entitled to develop a professional activity in the field of tourism within the framework of existing national laws.

Article 8 - Tourism for All

1. The universal right to tourism is the consequence of the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay, guaranteed by Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 7.d of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights.

2. Social tourism, and notably associative tourism, which facilitates widespread access to leisure and holidays, should be encouraged and developed.

3. Family, youth and student tourism, and tourism for the elderly and the handicapped should be facilitated.

Article 9 - Freedom of Movement

1. Tourists and workers engaged in tourism, salaried or otherwise, shall benefit, in compliance with international and national legislation, from the liberty to move freely within their country and from one state to another, in compliance with Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; they shall have access to places of transit and sojourn and to tourism and cultural sites without being subject to meaningless formalities or discrimination.

2. Tourists and workers engaged in tourism are entitled to have access to all available forms of communication, internal or external; the safety of their persons and the security of their belongings should be guaranteed; they shall benefit from prompt and easy access to local administrative, legal and health services; they may freely contact the consular representatives of their countries of origin in compliance with the diplomatic agreements in force.

3. Administrative procedures relative to border crossings, such as visas, and health and customers formalities shall be designed in such a way as to facilitate to the maximum freedom of travel and widespread access to international tourism.

Article 10 - Implementation and Enforcement

1. The public and private actors in tourism development shall commit themselves to cooperating in the implementation of these principles and to monitoring their proper application.

2. The actors in tourism development shall recognise the role played by international institutions and non-governmental organisations whose activities are related to tourism, human rights and environmental protection.

3. The same actors shall agree to refer any disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Global Code of Ethics for Tourism to an impartial third party in the conditions defined hereinafter.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.