(clockwise from top left) Jate
Sopitpongstorn, (Horse Shoe Point) Graham Macdonald (BCCT-MBMG), Bruno
Odermatt (Thai Sri Insurance), Prasertchai Pornprapha (Siam Country Club),
Pratheep Malhotra (Pattaya Mail) and Stefan Burkle (GTCC) speak about the
advantages of business networking on the eastern seaboard.
Andrew Watson
I had just returned to Thailand from far less convivial surroundings, when I
discovered an invitation to a networking evening of truly splendid
proportions, waiting for me in my in-tray. What better way to celebrate
coming home, than by visiting Horseshoe Point for an evening’s unapologetic
indulgence amidst cracking company?
Chainarin
Srifuengfung, director of the Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club
ensured everyone had a good time.
Business is pleasure at networking evenings in general but here was a
function which brought together more than one dynamic chamber of commerce; a
joint function of The British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand,
Belgian-Luxembourg-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Danish-Thai Chamber of
Commerce, German-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Netherlands-Thai Chamber of
Commerce, Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, Thai-Swedish Chamber of
Commerce, joined of course, by the Pattaya Mail. Pattaya Expats Club and the
PILC were also part of the planning of an event co-sponsored by the Siam
Country Club and Thai Sri Insurance.
They could not have chosen a more appropriate setting. Jate Sopitpongstorn,
the outrageously handsome managing director of Horseshoe Point has an eye
for detail I almost envy. There was an industrious sense of teamwork when I
arrived; final touches were being put to The Nam Tok beer garden,
transformed into an island of beauty by the captivating Watcharin and her
team. Thailand must lead the way globally for quality of service and resorts
like Horseshoe Point just keep raising the bar.
Tony
Malhotra, Capt. Steve Ponter and Deborah Lightley promote the Jesters Care 4
Kids fundraising events.
There’s a refreshing acknowledgment at functions like these, that they work.
The good and the great congregated from north and south; as far field as
Chiang Mai and as far south as Phuket. Malcolm Isteed, director, Credenda
Associates had come down from Bangkok. He seemed more interested in what we
did than what he did, remarkably. Or unremarkably, I should say. A
networking functions, there’s no pressure, just people engaged in that old
fashioned art of meeting people, having a good time and if at all possible,
helping somebody out. A sense of mutual benefit, if you will. I had to coax
out of Malcolm the bit about his company’s 50 years worth of financial
services experience. Who knows, perhaps one day I’ll be able to take
advantage of a broad range of offshore taxfree investment, mortgage and
insurance services.
Jate
entertains Jimmy Howard (Katoen Natie) and Nigel Cornick (Raimon Land)
Similarly, it was my pleasure to engage the broad and beautiful smiles of
Wiyada and Pariya from Pacific 2000, international recruiters from Sriracha.
I appreciated one of their ‘slogans’: “Knowledge is power, but it is
passion, vision and attitude which will determine your altitude”. Absolutely
right!
The sweet sound of chilled jazz wafted from the stage. The Jazz Pit, Soi 5,
had come to play. I chatted to Pattaya’s own Graham MacDonald, chairman of
the Eastern Seaboard BCCT who was only too willing to reminisce about the
Jesters fair a year ago and was understandably keen to scupper rumours that
he would once more be seen as “tinkerbell”. Siam Country Club had a booth;
an impressive project is almost completed there; thirty years or more of
golfing expertise and experience passionately embedded.
In truth, the evening could have propelled itself into the small hours, such
was the momentum. But it appears that even when business is pleasure, it all
has to come to an end. In this case, too soon.
Catch PMTV’s extensive coverage of a tremendous evening, on Friday September
15th.
Pastor Fred Doell (right)
gives his blessings to Kavita Lamba and Michael Tolentino (Café New
Orleans).
Stefan Burkle with Mark
Betters (BCCT) and Dr. Christopher Oates (AFR)
Stuart Saunders (EsDesign) is
in a daze as Ken Proudlock talks to a fellow reveler.
A line up of the eastern
seaboards well known personalities.
When the PMTV meets with the
Pacific 2000 team.
Friends and families get
together for a jolly good time
The beer-drinking contest was
a fun event.
Children had a great time with
fun and games provided.
Brendan Richards with his
gorgeous teammates from AA Insurance Brokers.
Sally Jones (HSP), Hans-Dieter
Westphal (Retech), Sue K (PMTV) and Alun Jones (HSP) enjoy the evening.
