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International tourism association gives Pattaya the green light

Beautiful women and exciting new fashions make waves for Ocean of Hope

Steam Power

International tourism association gives Pattaya the green light

By Dr. Iain Corness

The largest association of tourism professionals in the world is Skål International, with over 22,000 members in 70 countries. These 22,000 people are the movers and shakers in the tourism industry. The people who shape the tourism profile of the world. The people who can give Pattaya tourism an enormous boost.

Each year Skål International has a world congress in different parts of the globe, giving that destination the opportunity to present its tourism and hospitality wares to the rest of the world. Done properly, this can increase tourism to that destination multiple-fold.

The congress city is selected by a vote taken at a world congress four years earlier. Host cities bid for the honour, and three years ago, Pattaya put in its bid, spearheaded by some far-sighted members of the local Skål Club of Pattaya and East Thailand, to host the 2006 world congress. The final two runners were Pattaya and London. In the end it was decided by popular vote that the 2006 Skål International World Congress would go to Pattaya.

Even then, it was not guaranteed, until the world president and secretary-general of Skål International come to personally inspect the facilities of that city and give it official sanction. Last week, Pattaya played host to President Matanyah Hecht and Secretary-General Jim Power, who came for that inspection.

The inspection had to cover not just the capabilities of the congress venue (which will have to be able to handle up to 1,200 delegates), but also to review the standards and facilities of the rooms in the destination, remembering that these are the people who know what the best is like, and what discriminating tourists would expect.

Many resorts were visited, sometimes just to inspect, and in others to attend a function as well. The Royal Cliff Beach Resort, the Dusit Resort, the Pattaya Marriott and Spa and the Hard Rock Hotel all were prepared to show just what the visiting members of Skål International could expect. And for anyone who has visited these establishments, the answer is already known. Pattaya has some of the finest hotels in the world.

At the pre-dinner cocktail party at the Marriott, the visitors were welcomed with speeches by Chanyuth Hengtrakul, the MP for Chonburi Province, who spoke on the importance of tourism to the region, and from Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Pattaya’s mayor, who gave the visitors a brief outline of all the developments that were currently happening in Pattaya, and that would be in place by the time of the world congress next year.

It was obvious that president Matanya Hecht was impressed by the welcome, and by the depth of Pattaya’s VIP’s who were present. These were many, and included Mai Chaiyanit, chairman of the Nongprue District Administration Organization; Apichart Puetphan, Pattaya City deputy mayor; Pol. Col. Itthipol Ithisarnronachai, superintendent Pattaya Immigration Bureau; Sopin Thappajug, managing director of Diana Group and associate judge of the Chonburi Family and Juvenile Court; Panga Vathanakul, managing director of Royal Cliff Beach Resort; Bundarik Kusolvitya, president of THA Eastern Chapter; Prayoon Chaitosa, president of the F&B Club of the East; Sutham Phanthusak, MD Woodlands Resort and international commissioner NSOT, Thanet Supornsaharungsi, President of the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association (PBTA) and Eksith Ngamphiches on behalf of his father Santsak Ngamphiches, former assistant to the minister of public health.

There were also the many representatives from the tourism and hospitality industry who are also members of Skål International of Pattaya and East Thailand, such as Alex Hauesler, the GM of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort; Stefan Heintze, the resident manager of the Dusit Resort, and Andrew Khoo, the GM of the Hard Rock Hotel, Pattaya.

Even before the official inspections were over, it was obvious that Matanyah Hecht and Jim Power were more than satisfied. With the Royal Cliff Beach Resort being the chosen venue for the main congress meetings and the delegates able to stay at the many first class hotels such as the Dusit Resort, the Marriott Pattaya and the Hard Rock Hotel, Pattaya had passed its final test.

Now the work begins in earnest, with the local Skål Club ready to promote Thailand in general, and Pattaya in particular, as the holiday destination for the world. The hard work done now will see an enormous benefit to Pattaya and environs for years to come. As Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn said in his address, “Pattaya thrives on tourism, and we have many outstanding tourism professionals working here, both Thai and expatriates. They are looking forward to your world congress, as does myself and Pattaya City. Please be assured that we will assist you in your endeavours, as far as we are able, and at this stage, with one year to go, we are looking forward to your return with your colleagues for what we hope will be one of the most outstanding Skål International world congresses.”

With Pattaya City having come of age, the local Skål International of Pattaya and East Thailand has come of age too.

President Matanyah presents the Skål International banner to MP Chanyuth Hengtrakul (left) and Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn (right).

Pres. Matanyah greets Sopin Thappajug, MD of Diana Group, as Sutham Phanthusak, MD of Woodlands Resort looks on.

Jim Power and Bob Lee exchange gifts.

Jim Power listens to Peter Malhotra making a point as Mayor Niran looks on.

Paisan Bundityanond and Apichart Puetphan, Pattaya City deputy mayor enjoy fellowship with Khun Panga.

Panga Vathanakul, MD of Royal Cliff Beach Resort greets the visitors on their inspection tour of the resort.

Michael Swart shows off one of the meeting rooms to Jim Power and Vinai Uesrivong, MD Plannova Co., Ltd.

After the reception guests enjoyed a fun dinner at Benihana Restaurant.

The meeting at the Hard Rock Hotel hosted by Andrew Khoo (left) was cordial yet businesslike.

Jim Power greets Suchittra & Chookiat Srivatjanapong, GM of the Asia Pattaya Hotel. At center is Uzi Yalon, honorary president of Skål International.

(l-r) Thanet Supornsaharungsi, president of the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association (PBTA), Mai Chaiyanit, chairman of the Nongprue District Administration Organization, MP Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Pres. Matanyah Hecht, Sutham Phanthusak and Sopin Thappajug.

Stefan Heintze, resident manager of Dusit Resort Pattaya, explains to Jim Power the finer aspects of the hotel.

The inspectors were shown the beautiful gardens of the Dusit Resort.

Skålleagues gather for a group photo at the Dusit Resort Pattaya.

Beautiful women and exciting new fashions make waves for Ocean of Hope

Madame Alexandria Tomasikova and her husband, His Excellency Marian Tomasik, the ambassador of Slovakia, hosted some 20 other ambassadors and their wives, along with 800 of the region’s elite at a recent charity fashion show in Bangkok called “Ocean of Hope.”

H.E. Privy Chancellor Thep Devakul delivers his speech as H.E. the ambassador of Slovakia Marian Tomasik and his wife Alexandra look on.

Leading models from Slovakia and many current and former Miss World and Miss Universe winners representing six different countries donated their time and skills to model the beautiful gowns designed especially for the event.

Guests from Pattaya (l-r) Andre Machielson, David Iggulden, Nittaya Patimasongkroh, Angeliga Nagejamnong and the president of the YWCA Bangkok, Nitda Chanvanich.

The charity fashion show, auction and gala ball and the sale of clothes and jewellery was held at the Emerald Hotel’s Grand Ballroom on May 10, to raise money for those in the South of Thailand still suffering from the effects of the tsunami. Money will also be given to the Ocean of Hope medical project in Cambodia to provide life-sustaining medicine to children born with HIV.

Mr and Mrs. Holger Michael of the German Embassy.

The Kalawin fashion show started the event with Miss Thailand World 2004, Nikalya Dulaya, Miss Slovakia Universe 2005, Ivica Slavikova, and Miss Vietnam Universe 2005, Pharm Tu Hang, modelling beautiful silk designs down the long runway that stretched into the large audience.

Two of the night’s models, Miss Slovakia Universe 2005 and Miss Vietnam Universe 2005, were in the Miss Universe Pageant in Bangkok.

World-renowned designers Natalia Benkova, C@Nina and Varitorn each fielded an exquisite ensemble of designer evening gowns modelled by some of the world’s most beautiful women provided by Elite Model Management and Barbizon USA.

Alexandra Tomasikova with Nooreerat Noparatanaraporn, executive director of the YWCA.

Ambassador Tomasik and his wife Madame Alexandria were joined on the stage by special guest Thep Devakul, Privy Counsellor to His Majesty the King during the presentation of awards to the 22 sponsors.

After the fashion shows, the charity auction raised well over the targeted 500,000 baht thanks in part to a last minute donation of the entire line of Natalia Benkova’s designs.

Three beautiful ladies.

At the invitation of Madame Alexandria and the Thailand president of the YWCA to Chonburi President of the YWCA, Nittaya Patimasongkroh, a dozen Pattaya residents attended the charity fashion show, auction and gala ball.

Pattaya was represented by Nittaya Patimasongkroh, Nittaya and Drew Noyes, Pattaya Blatt Editor Elfi Seitz, Andre Machielsen, Lane Holmes, Jim and Pui Phillips, Richard and Janet Smith, David Iggulden and Somchat Sriboonruang.

Steam Power

by Ian Frame

Are you looking for a method of transportation which will make you stand out from the crowd? If you don’t mind stoking fires, emptying ash pans, and a bit of black smoke - then maybe a traction engine is the vehicle for you.

I suspect that the drivers of 15 ton flame breathing traction engines are not intimidated by large SUVs - so perhaps driving a traction engine would help build your self confidence. And, if you like to be heard, such machines are fitted with steam whistles - the noise from which will curdle blood and cause hair to turn white.

There is no need to stop for fuel at petrol filling stations - all that is required are a few bags of coal and buckets of water. Should you run out of coal, your steam engine will run equally well on wood or other combustible material. Also, by having a fire onboard, you have somewhere to barbeque your prawns and dispose of your potato crisp wrappers.

Anyone living in the industrialised world in the late 19th century, and early part of the 20th century, would have been familiar with steam powered vehicles. Traction engines and steam powered trucks would commonly have been encountered puffing and wheezing their way along country lanes. Their arrival would have been heralded by clouds of black smoke (similar to the Bangkok buses of today). Steam power was the main industrial driving force of the period in factories, on farms, and of course for railway locomotives.

In Europe and America today, many steam enthusiasts spend their spare time and money restoring and preserving such machines. Most of these early steam engines have been rescued from the scrap heap or farm yard.

In Britain, there is a rally almost every weekend throughout the year, where traction engines, steam rollers, and steam driven trucks are put through their paces. Names from a bygone age, such as Fowler, Foden, and Aveling & Porter (who built more than 10,000 steam road rollers) are proudly displayed on their brass nameplates.

Enthusiasts, both men and women, with sleeves rolled up, and beads of sweat on their brows, can be seen clutching oily rags and cheerfully shovelling coal.

Some of these refurbished machines had previously been used to haul fairground caravans, and generate the electrical power to drive round-a-bouts and dodgem cars. Others had been used for agricultural purposes such as threshing, ploughing and sawing.

Traction engines are advertised for sale on the Internet. However, getting your newly purchased traction engine registered for use on Thai roads may pose a problem, since their exhaust emissions may not meet current standards. I also suspect that neighbours would not welcome the arrival of a large smoky steam engine.