Suchada Tupchai
A Buddhist religious ceremony was held at the Pattaya Mail
offices to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the company.
The
eldest and most revered monk Luangphor Somchai prays for the health and
happiness of Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Blatt, Massic Travel and Classic Tailor.
Nine monks from Wat Huay Yai chanted prayers and bestowed
blessings on the company and all those who attended. It was meant to be a quiet
affair, just for management and staff, but some distinguished guests came by,
including the family’s long-time friend and supporter Sopin Thappajug,
associate judge of the Chonburi Juvenile Court and Diana Group’s managing
director, and Amrik Singh Kalra, head of the Indian community in Pattaya.
The religious ceremonies were also held in conjunction with
the first anniversary of our sister newspaper, the Pattaya Blatt.
Tony
(center) and Prince (left) lead the Pattaya Mail team to receive blessing from
revered monks.
Monks also bestowed blessings on the family businesses of
Massic Travel and Classic Tailors operating in the same building.
Pattaya Mail Publishing Co. Ltd. publishes the Pattaya
Mail, Pattaya’s First English Language Newspaper, the Pattaya Blatt,
the German language newspaper for Thailand and has been producing the Pattaya
Mail News for TV aired on Sophon Cable for the past 4 years. Now we have
established an agreement with Capital TV to co-produce a new TV show called the Pattaya
Mail Plus.
Prince
Malhotra solemnly listens to the monks’ religious chantings.
A lavish lunch was served, much of it prepared and cooked at
home by Sujaree, from Pattaya Mail’s reception and advertising
department. Well done. We all now have our shoulders against the grindstone,
working even harder and will let up only to celebrate again on 11th birthday.
Sopin
Thappajug (foreground), Peter Malhotra and younger sisterJasmeet receive the
monks’ words with reverence.
Pattaya
Mail’s international diversity shows during this Buddhist ceremony.
Les Nyerges
MD of Capital TV receives blessings from the revered monk.
Peter thanks
Khun Noi for her undying love and support for Pattaya Mail. At right is
Veerachai Somchart.
Pattaya Mail
staff listen to Khun Noi’s words of advice.
Two men who
have been instrumental in Pattaya Mail’s success, Brendan Richards and Korn
– we couldn’t have done it without you.
How could we let our 10th birthday party go by without a
celebration? As is customary at the Pattaya Mail, we are always looking
for an excuse to throw a party. But this was a special one. Our tenth
anniversary. Wow!
Dan
leads the crew into the fun part – cutting the cake and digging into the food!
So we all gathered around and had one. Forty odd members of
the Pattaya Mail family gathered for food, drink and laughter after
putting the 521st issue of the paper to bed.
Peter Malhotra, the congenial managing director well known
for his speeches, relayed the beginnings of a humble newspaper up to what it is
today.
Peter
Malhotra, the congenial managing director well known for his speeches, relayed
the beginnings of a humble newspaper up to what it is today.
For some it was a very special day. We can boast that along
with Dan, our fearless executive editor, and Andy our ‘whiz kid’ production
chief, there are others who have been with us for many years. Maleewan Pengpitak
has been with us for nine years. Veerachai Somchart, the editor, 6 years. Our
freelancers for just as long. The majority at least 5 years and newer staff are
hired on a regular basis. Yes, the staff has grown. From a handful when we
started, to a building bustling with almost 50 ‘Mail people’ running up and
down the stairs, going about their jobs. What with Pattaya Blatt our
sister publication in the German language and soon to be launched Pattaya
Mail Plus TV show, we have a lot on our hands.
Tony
Malhotra gives the thumbs up for the next ten years.
Peter thanked everyone for their dedication and commendable
efforts, urging everyone to continue doing so and aiming for the stars.
Peter believes in the principle of giving the youth of today
an opportunity to get started in their careers. On recruitment, his advice to
them is, “Give the company your undivided attention for a period of time. Do
not use us as your transit point to go to other jobs. You will be wasting both
our times. Work hard and you will get an opportunity to progress. If you have to
leave, at least you will go with some good training from the Pattaya Mail.
It would look bad for me if your next boss finds out that you have worked for us
and learned nothing.”
Many staff members had a chance to express their feelings and
tell each other about their experiences with the company.
Veerachai
Somchart gives an animated speech about the past and present of Pattaya Mail.
Dan Dorothy spoke in perfect English, thanking the staff for
their close support making his already difficult task of putting the paper
together, much easier. Marlowe Malhotra, the inconspicuous chairman of the
company was there to see his baby reach this milestone. In the early days he
would just shake his head in disbelief at the crazy idea that Peter had to
launch the paper. He still shakes his head in amazement.
Peter
(right) says a heartfelt thanks to elder brother Marlowe for putting up with all
he had to during the early days, and for his continued support and guidance.
We then gathered around Dan, as he and the big brothers cut
the birthday cake, amidst the rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, followed by
the serious business of eating and drinking, and drinking and eating. Most of us
were in pain the next day, but don’t tell Peter. Cheers.
We would like to once again thank all of you for your
support, enabling us to continue to serve the community. At just 10 years old,
this is only the beginning of greater things to come.
Poramej
Ngamphiches,
Chatchawal
Supachayanont, president of Thai Hotels
Pol.
Col. Rattanachai Srirattanawutthi, Police Chief
Somsak
Yonokphan,
Nittaya
Patimasongkroh,