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Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya celebrates 3rd anniversary with 3-day bash

Local Skal International group looks at health tourism

Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya celebrates 3rd anniversary with 3-day bash

The ‘XXX’ Party (Experience - Excitement - Exquisite)

Suchada Tupchai

The Hard Rock Cafe in Pattaya marked its 3rd anniversary with grand celebrations that lasted three days, October 15-17. Using the chic theme titled “HRCP 3rd Anniversary: The ‘XXX’ Party (Experience - Excitement - Exquisite) the event opened in the Sky Bar in the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya on the evening of October 15.

Congratulations from Mayor Niran

The Sky Bar was crowded with celebrities including Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to the minister of tourism and sports, and Pol. Lt. Col. Jirat Pichitpai, director of the Ban Poonsri Drug Treatment Center.

Andrew Khoo, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya general manager welcomed guests and spoke of The Hard Rock Hotel’s wonderful success over the last 3 years. He then thanked everyone who was a part of this achievement.

Mayor Niran congratulated the Hard Rock on its success, “The Hard Rock Cafe is one of the great restaurants in Pattaya and always cooperates with activities in Pattaya City. We must add one more X to the theme of this party; X for Excellent for which the Hard Rock is known.”

Thank you speech by Andrew Khoo.

Later everyone gathered to cut the cake made into a guitar design, and opened champagne. Then the fabulous shows began including “The Juggling Bartender”, the “Chicago Gals”, “Welcome to HRC”, and a surprise YMCA dance with participation from distinguished guests.

Later in the evening the party moved inside the Hard Rock Pattaya Cafe for the lucky draw contest and people danced to the rhythms of the Elizabeth Band.

On October 16 the “Exciting Party” theme was held with the highlight being over 50 Vespa motorcycle riders and professional DJ’s from Pioneer. The Vespa riders and the teenagers enjoyed dancing to the great music and participating in the lucky draw.

On October 17 the celebration included activities for children with a pool party and games.

The festivities were a grand salute to 3 successful years for the Hard Rock Cafe and a great way to convey appreciation to customers and supporters.

Cake and champagne for all

Vespa Motorcycle fans with staff

Poo, lead singer of the Black Head Band and the Hard Rock staff.

Roland A. Nicolich, director of food & beverages, with Pepe (right) and BR (left) from the “Chicago Gals”.

The Juggling Bartender and his pretty assistant.

GM Andrew Khoo and Sirithorn Kraiwisutsrap, director of Human Resources at the Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya.

Distinguished guests (from left) Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Police Colonel Somnuk Changate, Drew Noyes, Ronakit Ekasing, and Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.

Pratheep Malhotra, Pattaya Mail managing director presents a flower basket to Andrew Khoo and his staff.

Y – M – C – A !

Everyone enjoyed participating in the show.

YMCA dance

Dancing on the DJ stage

DJ mixed music

The “Chicago Gals” wowed the crowd.

Two speakers, Sunday and Oi kept the party going.

Local Skal International group looks at health tourism

The latest monthly meeting of the Skal International tourism professionals group was held in the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, being welcomed by treasurer Deborah Bundityanond, representing the local president, Bob Lee, who was in South Africa to represent Thailand at the international congress. Whilst meeting in a hospital sounds rather strange, the Skal members were there to learn first-hand of the possibilities that are being opened up for health tourism.

Skallegues and guests listen attentively (left & right photo) as Neil Maniquiz (centre photo) speaks about the successes of the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.

The area manager for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Nitti Kongrut, was on hand and outlined the need for everyone to combine to make the most of the emerging opportunities from this branch of tourism.

Members and guests were informed of this new market that was being serviced by the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, by marketing executive Neil Maniquiz who pointed out that 11,000 people from the UK alone were treated at the hospital last year. Many of these had come to Thailand for elective surgery including cosmetic procedures, cardiac catheterization and eye surgery, including Lasik reshaping of the eyeball and replacement of intra-ocular lenses.

With two new buildings to be completed by 2006, the hospital is ready for any influx of health tourists, while Rene Pisters, the GM of the Thai Garden Resort and Stefan Heintze, the resident manager of the Dusit Resort, emphasized that the local hotels are ready to assist in providing tourist accommodation for health tourists.

Nitti Kongrut Director of TAT Region 3 flanked by two charming nurses Reina Rances (left) BPH and Deborah Bundityanond of the Rabbit Resort.

Towards the end of the evening, the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital’s consultant Dr. Iain Corness spoke on the expertise and experience of the medical and surgical staff at the hospital, showing that all aspects of health tourism were being covered by the different groups involved in Pattaya.

To round out the evening, the Skal International members were taken on a tour of the hospital and its facilities, after which the food and refreshments from the Diana Lodge were attacked by all those with ‘healthy’ appetites!