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Royal Cliff Beach Resort celebrates induction into the coveted Travel Hall of Fame
A touch of glamour descended on the Siam Ballroom of
the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya, October 12 when 650 high
profile members of the travel and tourism industry converged at the 17th
TTG Travel Awards 2006 Ceremony and Gala Dinner, an event staged
annually to honour the best travel and tourism organisations and
personalities in the Asia-Pacific region.
 TTG
Asia Publisher Mr. Michael Chow (left) presents a Hermes Trophy to the
Royal Cliff Beach Resort Managing Director Mrs. Panga Vathanakul
inducting the Resort into the prestigious “Travel Hall of Fame”.
TTG Asia Media organised the event and unveiled the 62 winning
organisations in the awards presentation that was held for a distinct
purpose – to recognise committed players for being outstanding leaders
in their niche and their significant contributions made in shaping the
region’s industry into what it is today. As such, the awards are highly
coveted by the travel and tourism organisations in the region.
The awards were segmented into four categories – Travel Agents Awards,
Travel Suppliers Awards, Outstanding Achievement Awards and the Travel
Hall of Fame Awards.
 Ujala
Tham (centre) Air India manager for Thailand Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam
and Lao PDR flanked by Sutira Songpitakchai, Area Sales Manager and
Preeyawan Atiroj, Executive Assistant proudly hold their award for Best
South Asian Airline.
One highlight this year was the induction of Royal Cliff Beach Resort
into the coveted Travel Hall of Fame. Only organisations which have won
an award in the TTG Travel Awards at least 10 times can qualify for the
esteemed induction into this elite family.
Singapore Airlines, Singapore Changi Airport (both inducted in 2002) and
Hertz Asia-Pacific (inducted in 2005) are other honoraries in this
exclusive club and the Royal Cliff Beach Resort can now proudly stand
shoulder to shoulder with these organisations that epitomise the highest
standards of excellence and receive consistent recognition as leaders in
their field by fellow trade members.
Amongst other awards presented on the night, The Travel Personality of
the Year title was awarded to Mr. Giovanni Angelini, CEO/managing
director, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, and the Travel Entrepreneur of
the Year went to Dr. K S Lo, chairman of Langham Hotels International.
The awards night brought an exciting climax to TTG’s own travel trade
shows – IT&CMA (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia) 2006 and
CTW (Corporate Travel World) Asia-Pacific 2006 – which were held
simultaneously at the Pattaya Exhibitions and Conventions Hall (PEACH)
from 10 to 12 October 2006
Best Beach Resort award
received by Viranat Silananda GM of the Amari Palm Reef Resort & Spa,
Samui.
Best New Resort Hotel
(Non- Beach) award is received by Jason Friedman Camp Manager of The
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle.
Eleanor Hardy receives the
award for Best New Spa at the The Chedi Chiangmai.
Pandit Chanapai VP
Marketing Development and Support Department of Thai Airways
International cheerfully receives the award for Best South-East Asian
Airline.
Lutzi Matzig, MD of Asian
Trails Thailand and his team are a happy bunch having won the award for
the Best Travel Agency.
Kajit Habanananda,
Chairman of the Executive Committee, Thailand Convention and Exhibition
Bureau (TCEB) and Winners gather on stage to take a bow.
Wow - What a gal - What a night
Cheryl Treeleaven
Singing to a full house is all part of the fun for Kamala Sukosol, the
‘singing hotelier’ and president of Siam City Hotels & Resorts. Hosting
the IT & CMA 2006 conference delegates closing cocktail party,
“Spectacular Siam,” the beautiful newly renovated lobby and Ocean Wing
of the Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa was transformed into a spectacular
jazz sensation. Fabulous cuisine, barbecue and cocktails around the
beachside pool, delegates were given the opportunity to view the
Bayshore’s amazing innovative spa rooms, newly renovated deluxe Ocean
Wing and lobby area.
 Kamala’s
heavenly singing directed at the heavens.
An independent hotelier who is an entertainer at heart, Kamala’s unique
brand of hospitality, magnetic charm and ability to draw in her audience
had guests singing, dancing and jiving wherever space permitted.
“Every concert is a voyage,” says Kamala. Opening the show with “Come
Fly with Me” and setting the pace for a fantastic showbiz frolic into
the world of entertainment, where delighted guests were eager to join
her on a flight of popular international favorites of oldies to goldies.
Daughter, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the hotel group’s vice president and
her young hip swaying back-up-singers, led the audience through a
rousing and sexy rendition of “All That Jazz.” Extra layers of glamour
and vivaciousness were supplied by Kamala’s long-time friends, the
lovely young ladies from Aree School of Dance Arts, and accompanied by
the lively sounds of the Prachin Songpow Big Band Orchestra led by Piti
Kayoonpan kept the momentum of the evening carefree and positively
swinging.
 Dancing
and singing and All That Jazz.
Kamala has an amazing capacity for making guests feel at home and at
ease. Attending one of her many concerts or visiting any one of her
distinctive star properties, those who have met her note that
interacting and making people welcome is her gift. Complimenting her
audience and thanking ‘them’ for a wonderful evening, Kamala told
friends and delegates what an enormous pleasure it has been for her and
her family to host the evening’s events, which is actually the second
concert party within a year for Siam Bayshore Resort and the Siam City
Hotels & Resorts to partner with TTG Asia. The enjoyment of the
evening’s festivities was most certainly shared and will be remembered
for a long time. For the uninitiated delegates, the ‘singing hotelier’
left a remarkable impression with a first-class production, hotel
property and the unique art of Thai hospitality.
Closing her show with an encore “One” from the musical, “A Chorus Line,”
singers, dancers, orchestra and guests paid tribute to this very special
hotelier. There is, without a doubt, only “one” Kamala!
Kamala has an amazing
capacity for making guests feel at home and at ease.
Delighted guests were
eager to go on a flight of popular international favorites of oldies to
goldies.
The show, with its
first-class production, left a remarkable impression on the audience.
Singing superstar hotelier
Kamala Sukosol (center) wows the audience at the recent IT & CMA 2006
Conference Delegates closing cocktail party at the Siam Bayshore Resort
& Spa.
The showstoppers take a
bow to rapturous applause.
Andrew Khoo keeps on rockin’
Miss Terry Diner
The ever-smiling GM of the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya just had a very
busy week. As the president of the local Skål International of Pattaya
and the East he had been very much involved in the Skål International
67th World Congress held here, and last Thursday was the host for the
huge farewell party for the Skål delegates held at the Hard Rock.
 Andrew
makes a Hard Rock wish.
However, the busy week did not finish on the Thursday as there was one
more important function he had to attend. His own birthday on the
Friday! And it certainly was a rockin’ function.
One of the outstanding aspects of the Hard Rock Hotel experience is the
ability of the staff there to have fun, and make the guests join in the
fun at the same time. Andrew Khoo’s birthday was no exception. Even
executive chef Jimmy Tan and marketing and communications manager Ammar,
who is everywhere, could drum up such enthusiasm for the food that had
been prepared, that you just had to try everything, which was a
Herculean task! ‘Everything’ included, amongst many items, some steamed
lobster tails, some Singaporean ‘mee’ dishes and a Hainanese pork chop
which came with a special sauce which was so good (an old family recipe
of chef Khong Pho) that I was caught going up for seconds (twice).
 The
delightful Saratama Chaovanit is chaperoned by two handsome beaus Andrew
(left) and Treethip Chaovanit.
Another of the bouncy and enthusiastic Hard Rockers was “B.R.” from the
Hard Rock Café who works at 100 miles per hour every minute of the day!
Of course ‘everything’ was washed down with the Hard Rock’s own label
wines which were definitely quaffed with enthusiasm (or the waiter was
seen to be pouring them with enthusiasm, which was my excuse for the
following morning)!
Many of the Skål International people came along to wish Andrew all the
best on his birthday, including Ingo Raueber (GM at the Pinnacle Resort)
and Paisan Bundityanond (GM Rabbit Resort) who also explained that both
he and Andrew were born in the year of the rabbit, and Peter Malhotra, a
Skålleague and MD of Pattaya Mail Publishing.
 Andrew
and his bodyguards, Suchart Ruenkamfoo and Sompong Srisunthorn.
An international flavor was also brought to the party with Honorary Skål
International President Uzi Shalon, Past Skål International President
Matanyah Hecht and Cara Stewart Clark, the South African National
Secretary of Skål International obviously enjoying herself as well.
Andrew’s ‘neighbors’ Jessada and Ming from the Gulf Health Massage and
Chinese restaurant on Beach Road were also present as were Lenny and
Gerry (Germenis) from Eastern Security Concepts, to make sure we all
found our cars safely.
The finale of the evening was the cutting of a special chocolate cake by
Andrew, wielding a long ceremonial weapon like a Samurai swordsman,
while we all stood to sing Happy Birthday. And once again, from all at
the Pattaya Mail, Happy Birthday Andrew Khoo!
A special gift for a special friend from ESC
Security Concepts.
Dr. lain and Som Corness are watched over by
a Hard Rock friend.
The Hard Rock team including the band say
‘Love All Serve All’.
Good friends came by to wish Andrew a happy
Birthday.
Remnants from the Skål World congress at
Andrew’s birthday party.
Ticon shows portfolio to BCCT members
A new name in the list of BCCT (British Chamber of
Commerce Thailand) sponsors made its presence felt at the BCCT
networking evening at Shenanigans last Friday. Ticon Industrial with its
head office based in Bangkok, made the journey down to Pattaya to allow
its general manager Ian Hamilton and his crew the opportunity to show
what Ticon was offering, particularly in the area of Logistic Parks.
 Ian
Hamilton
Hamilton, in an exclusive interview with Pattaya Mail TV, said
that the concept of an industrial park set up with logistics in mind was
particularly relevant for the Eastern Seaboard region, with so many
manufacturing businesses centered around this area. Ticon’s concept was
to offer much more than just warehouse buildings, but purpose built
warehousing designed to cope with the type of logistics the company
used, and the size and number of items to be held there. Even the simple
concept of tailgate level loading bays and dock levelers made logistics
quicker, more efficient and less likely for there to be product damage.
(Ian Hamilton can be reached at 02 679 6565 or email [email protected])
It was very apparent that the BCCT members were out to have a good time
that evening, with a capacity crowd in the pub, filled with many of
Pattaya’s best known party people, including Big Kevin Fisher (who can
lift anything), American George Strampp (but the Brits are a forgiving
race and let him think that Detroit is still alive and well), the two
Aussie Ians (Sherratt and Scrivener) who like all Australians can smell
a free beer from 40 paces, Paul Wilkinson, the GM of AGS Four Winds the
international movers (and shakers?), another Aussie in Stuart Saunders
(the credit card flosser), Brendan Richards (ex Pattaya Mail, but
now AA Insurance Brokers) and his boss Malcolm Scorer, Keith and Sam
Wilson (the ‘Water’ babies), always regular Jimmy Howard (Katoen Natie
Sembcorp), Maurice Bromley from Henry Butcher’s and Binny who attended
with his son, and benignly overlooking the disparate lot was the BCCT’s
top man in the East Graham Macdonald.
This was definitely one of the BCCT’s best evenings, and hopefully there
will be another before the Xmas recess sets in. The Pattaya Mail will
carry all the details as usual.
(L to R) BCCT Director
Mark Butters, Simon Matthews, Manpower GM, and Clive N. Butcher,
Highfield Equity MD enjoy a pint.
(L to R) Shenanigans GM
Simon Dutton, Tim Rawlinson of Kilkenny, and Jeffrey Burrows, senior
partner of Watermark Capital Management Ltd. Take pride of place in
Shenanigans.
The Ticon Logistics Park
team (L to R) Tan Jitapuntkul, sales manager, Hataikan Duttadintorn,
sales executive, and Piyanath Sritapanu, marketing executive are all
smiles at the event.
(L to R) Sudarat
Visetbunditiwn, management trainee, and Prissana Chaisrisong, assistant
sales manager of Amari Orchid Resort & Tower, with Stuart Saunders,
Esdesign, and Thitiporn Boonsuk, sales manager for Mantra restaurant &
Bar are obviously enjoying the evening.
It was very apparent that
the BCCT members were out to have a good time that evening, as shown
here by (L to R) Jimmy Howard from Katoen Natie Sembcorp, BCCT’s top man
in the East Graham Macdonald, and BCCT director Mark Butters.
Alain Deurwaerder,
managing director of Katoen Natie (Thailand) Ltd., Select Asset
Management; Junior Shaw, Managing Forestry Into Portfolio, Touchwood
Eurasia; Mike Castlehouse, PetroTech (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; Paul
Wilkinson, general manager Eastern Seaboard of Four Winds International
Movers.
Charity Club of Pattaya’s Charity Gala Dinner raises 469,000 baht
On Saturday September 30, 2006, the Charity Club of
Pattaya held its annual Charity Gala Dinner Grand Prize Draw and Auction
at the Dusit Resort Pattaya. Well over 150 people attended this yearly
event with representatives from the Free Masons, Rotary Clubs and the
Expat Clubs.
 The
Charity Club of Pattaya’s Christina and Malcolm Boden were gracious
hosts for the evening.
The money started to come in early in the year, as the Platinum Sponsors
started to get their money out! John Seymour from Northern Thai Real
Estate was the first to hand over the money quickly, followed by Terry
Schofield from Northshore Real Estate, Bob Clapham at B.S.S. (Business
Support Services), Vic King of the Queen Victoria Inn, Paul Davies &
Staff at K.C.R. Homefinder, John Richardson of UTS (Ultimate Technology
Services), Kevin Fisher from Cranes and Equipment Asia, Martin Chappell
of EFS (Expatriot Financial Services) and Alan Bolton of Alan Bolton
Property Consultants.
 Bertrum
Bear, the club mascot, sat on a chair on the stage loving all the
attention.
The evening started with music from “Hopewell” who donated their
performance for free.
Everyone was looking forward to the fantastic array of the Thai and
international buffet, specially prepared for the Gala Dinner by the
Dusit’s executive chef, Hans Peter Held.
The food as always was excellent, and while everyone enjoyed the food
and drinks from the free bar they were entertained by the ladies from
the world famous Tiffany’s show, who also gave the performance free of
charge.
Bertrum Bear, the club mascot, sat on a chair on the stage loving all
the attention from the Thai ladies and Bernie Pollard of course, who
only comes to the events on the condition that Bertrum is attending!
 David
Gray of East Coast Real Estate won a return flight to Hong Kong donated
by Massic Travel.
As the night drew on the raffle tickets were being drawn with all the
prizes being claimed.
David Gray of East Coast Real Estate won one of the top prizes: a return
flight to Hong Kong donated by Massic Travel with a 2 nights stay on the
Club Floor with breakfast for 2 people at the Langham Hotel Hong Kong
and a 3 Night stay at Lanson Place Hong Kong in a deluxe room with
breakfast for 2 people valued at 83,000 baht.
The winner of the Star Prize was Peter Stapleton, who will be flying off
to Hong Kong with the return flight to Hong Kong donated by G.V.R.
Travel with a weekend for 2 people in a harbour room with breakfast at
the Shangri-La Island Hotel Hong Kong plus a 3 night stay with breakfast
for 2 people at the Le-Meridian Cyber Port Hong Kong, valued at 100,000
baht.
Vic King Owner of the Queen Victoria Inn and home to the Charity Club
not only sold Peter the winning ticket but also presented the prizes to
Peter, who was a lot happier to receive them than Vic was to let them
go! Maybe next year Vic!
A lot of happy prize winners went home from the event with prizes
donated by: Juice Restaurant Pattaya, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Ebon,
Gian’s Restaurant Jomtien, Dusit Thani, Queen’s Restaurant Jomtien
Complex, Amari Rincome, Dusit Resort Gym, Six Senses Evason Hua Hin
Resort, D2 Hotel, Sukhothai Hotel, the Amari Atrium, Amari Trang, Garden
Cliff Beach Resort Pattaya, Pinnacle Resort Na-Jomtien, Pinnacle Resort
Samui, Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, Bay Restaurant at the Dusit Resort
Pattaya, Bel-Aire Princess, Eastin Hotel, Novotel Bangkok on Siam
Square, the Sheraton, Layana Resort, Pimalai Resort, Amari Orchid,
Legend Resort, Baiyoke Sky Hotel, Siri Sathorn, Hyatt Grand Erawan,
Hilton Hua Hin, Springfield Resort Hua Hin, Novotel Lotus, Mike Baird,
Art Cafe, Bourbon Street Bar & Restaurant, Jameson’s the Irish Pub,
Symphony Restaurant, Tata Young Enterprise, BUPA and Six Senses Evason
Phuket Resort.
Auctioneer John Collingbourne bought along his gavel to auction off the
items donated by: Tesco Lotus North Pattaya, who donated a 29” TV which
went for 16,000 baht; DEVA on Thepprasit Road donated 2 Burmese wooden
statues which sold for 3,500 baht; Kalae Art & Decor North Pattaya
donated a 90 year old horseshoe shaped chair that was bought for 14,000
baht; Six Senses Resorts and Spas donated a stay in a pool villa for 2
people at the Evason Hideaway Hua Hin that was bought for 39,000 baht;
Premier Home Decor donated a teak table and 4 stools carved as a herd of
elephants shading under a tree which went under the hammer for 14,500
baht; Lennox Lewis MBE donated a set of Jamaican stamps depicting Lennox
and a signed picture which was bought for 4,000 baht and lastly the
Liverpool Football Club donated a signed picture of Steven Gerrard
lifting the 2005 Champions league cup that was bought for 8,000 baht.
This year 120,000 baht will be allocated to the Free Mason’s West Winds
Lodge and 120,000 baht to the Rotary Club Pattaya to support charities
of their choice.
The Charity Club of Pattaya will spend 120,000 baht for items for the
Camillian Centre Rayong. They will also take 109,000 baht to complete
the classroom at the Wat Wang Wa School in Klaeng Rayong.
The Charity Club of Pattaya would like to thank everyone who donated
prizes, auction items, performances, the Dusit Resort and staff and a
big thanks to the Platinum Sponsors, all making the evening such a
success yet again.
If you would like to know more about the Charity Club of Pattaya you can
Contact Malcolm on 0897441040 or Christina 0895454185 or come along to
the Queen Victoria Inn Soi 6 any Sunday.
[email protected]
Auctioneer John
Collingbourne bought along his gavel to auction off the many items.
Mom Tri’s Boathouse Short Fiction Contest
Killing Plato is a Jack Shepherd international
crime novel set in Phuket. Jack and Anita Shepherd are on a holiday in
Phuket when, in the Boathouse Galley Bar, Jack has a surprise meeting
with Plato Karsarkis, the world’s most famous fugitive.
“It was the third day of our vacation and Anita and I were driving
around in a rented Suzuki jeep exploring parts of Phuket we hadn’t seen
before. Late in the afternoon we decided on an early dinner at one of
our favorite spots on Phuket, a restaurant called the Boathouse that was
right on the sand at Kata Beach….”
“I knew there was no way it could be true. Plato Karsarkis could not
be here of all places, casually leaning on a bar in a tourist resort on
an island of the west coast of Thailand. There was plainly no way in
hell that could be. Yet, just as plainly, there he was…”
“It’s so beautiful,” Karsarkis spoke very softly. “I could stay here
forever.” I looked where his eyes were pointing. The Boathouse sat at
the edge of the beach in the back of a deep cove on Phuket’s west coast.
Through floor-to-ceiling shutters that were propped open to the ocean
breeze, a wide swath of nearly white sand lay nestled in a U-shaped
fringe of spindly palm trees.”
Thus the riveting crime novel by Jake Needham, Asia’s most stylish
and atmospheric writer of crime fiction begins. As you follow Jack in
his quest for the truth, you can smell the roadside food stalls and hear
the long-tail boats roar…
Well known for its gourmet cuisine and superb location directly on Kata
Beach, Mom Tri’s Boathouse invites writers to submit an original piece
of writing in any genre from 1,000 up to 1,500 words in length. The
phrase “Mom Tri’s Boathouse” plus the words “Plato” and “Champagne” must
appear in the story.
Full contest details on www.boathousephuket.com
The competition will be judged by Jake Needham with three winners to be
announced around 18 December.
The winners will be able to experience first-hand why Mom Tri’s
Boathouse is considered one of the favourite spots in Phuket. They will
receive a stay for two at the Boathouse - with a dinner plus a bottle of
wine from its award-winning wine cellar included - a spa treatment at
Mom Tri’s Spa Royale and a copy of Killing Plato.
The winning entry will be published in Phuket Magazine.
Mom Tri’s Boathouse Short Fiction
Contest Details
The contest is open to all.
Following words must appear in the story: “Mom Tri’s Boathouse”, “Plato”
and “Champagne”.
Number of words: between 1,000 and 1,500 words.
Spelling: English (UK).
Writings must be original and should not have been published before.
Entry to be submitted by e-mail pr@boathousephuket .com to include your
name, address and telephone number.
Entries will receive a confirmation upon receipt.
Deadline: Monday 11 December 2006.
Jake Needham, writer of Killing Plato, will judge the entries.
All entries will remain property of Mom Tri’s Boathouse.
Winners will be announced around 18 December in the Boathouse.
First Prize: Stay at Mom Tri’s Boathouse (4D/3N) with ABF. One dinner
for two plus one bottle of wine. One copy of Killing Plato by Jake
Needham. One spa treatment for two at Mom Tri’s Spa Royale at Mom Tri’s
Villa Royale.
Second Prize: Stay at Mom Tri’s Boathouse (3D/2N) with ABF. One dinner
for two plus one bottle of wine. One copy of Killing Plato by
Jake Needham. One spa treatment for two at Mom Tri’s Spa Royale at Mom
Tri’s Villa Royale.
Third Prize: Stay at Mom Tri’s Boathouse (2D/1N) with ABF. One dinner
for two plus one bottle of wine. One copy of Killing Plato by
Jake Needham. One spa treatment for two at Mom Tri’s Spa Royale at Mom
Tri’s Villa Royale.
Winners are required to make room reservations in advance,
accommodation/spa vouchers will be valid until 31 October 2007- peak
season excluded - and pending availability of rooms.
Winning entries will be published in the Phuket Magazine.
Winning entries will be posted on www.boathouse phuket.com
All of Jake Needham’s novels, including Killing Plato, are
available throughout Thailand at all Bookazine and Kinokuniya retail
booksellers.
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