|
City celebrates a spectacular 2008 Countdown
Business reported as being better than last year’s festivities
Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn (center) leads Pattaya’s administrators
in the New Year countdown.
At the stroke of midnight,
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn raises
his hands to welcome the New Year.
Academy Fantasia’s AF 4
attracts a horde of teenagers.
It’s 2008 in Pattaya City!
Making merit on New Year’s
day.
The Black Head band, a
favorite among teenagers, performs at Bali Hai.
The New Years party at the
Sheraton Pattaya Resort features
dance music amongst it’s many attractions.
Alcohol checks are carried
out by the Highway Police to reduce accidents.
Dress up and rock out at
the New Years party at the Hard Rock Pattaya.
Beauty sparkles at the New
Years party at Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa.
Collecting prizes from the
tree using a long stick at the New Years
party at the Montien Hotel in Pattaya.
The “Kinaree” show at the
Dusit Thani Resort in Pattaya is an
exciting way to ring in the New Year.
The New Years party at the
Amari Orchid Resort & Tower
in Pattaya is always fun and exciting.
Even a little one gets
into the act at the New Years party
at Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa.
Boogie down at the New
Years party at the Sheraton Pattaya Resort.
The Montien Hotel Pattaya
packed in the tourists for their New Years party.
Traffic volunteers keep
traffic moving throughout the night.
Tens of thousands of
tourists came to Pattaya City, especially
to Pattaya and Jomtien beaches.
Pattaya Mail Reporting Team
New Year revelers turned out in their thousands on December 31 to see
out 2007 and welcome in 2008.
Most of the action was in South Pattaya, with the events organized by
city hall taking place at Bali Hai Pier and with the entertainment
outlets, shops and vendors doing great business along Walking Street.
Police and volunteers were kept busy sorting out the traffic jams along
Sukhumvit Road, but in general there was little trouble other than the
usual festive high spirits.
The live performances at Bali Hai Pier by acts that included Jakrapan
Abkhonburi, AF 4, JKL, Punch, Black Head, the Du Dokkradon Committee, Ta
Smith, and Angkana Treeratanathip attracted lively crowds of Thais and
foreign visitors.
Booths distributing food and draft beer were kept busy, and the
fireworks that lit up the sky over the bay as the year began were a
spectacular success.
The general opinion is that this year’s celebrations attracted more
people than last year, and estimates are that the 2008 Countdown
generated more than 100 million baht in revenue throughout the city.
The main hotels such as the Marriott Resort and Spa, the Montien Hotel,
the Dusit Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel all reported good business. The
Dusit Resort held a traditional Thai Kinaree dance, while the Amari held
an Eastern theme party. The Hard Rock centered its celebrations around
the swimming pool, and the Montien opened a variety of booths in the
hotel gardens, with games that were enjoyed by everyone. The Marriott
held a show with a music band and piano on stage while people dined, and
the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and the Sheraton Resort also held popular
New Year parties.
January 1 began with a dawn ceremony for placing rice and dry food in
the bowls of monks in three locations, namely Lan Pho Public Park in
Naklua, the Tourist Service Center in South Pattaya, and on Jomtien
Beach. All three locations attracted large numbers of people paying
their spiritual respects to the New Year.
Royal Cliff Beach Resort thanks its business partners
MD Panga Vathanakul (3rd
right) and her husband and Bangkok Life Assurance Co., Ltd. Director Chan
Vathanakul (2nd left) pose for a photograph with Paiboon Eksaengsri of
Vibharam Hospital, Sawat Napol of Marvel Holidays (centre), his wife Somrit
Napol (3rd left), the Resort’s GM Alexander Haeusler and Deputy GM Ranjith
Chandrasiri.
The multi award-winning Royal Cliff Beach Resort recently
hosted a fabulous party to thank its business partners, including travel
agencies and tour operators, in appreciation of their loyalty and continued
support throughout 2007.
Themed Grand Fiesta Night, the well-attended event was held in the Siam
Ballroom, Royal Cliff Beach Hotel. The Royal Cliff Beach Resort managing
director, Panga Vathanakul, with top executives of the resort and members of
its sales & marketing team, welcomed the arriving guests.
The invitees were treated to cocktails and a snacks buffet and entertained
by a jazz band and an exciting dance show by the resort’s Bangkok sales
team.
In his opening remarks, the resort’s general manager, Alexander Haeusler,
briefed the guests about the extensive refurbishment programme carried out
by the resort to give a completely new look to its 1,090 rooms and suites.
He said the scope of works included replacement of carpets with beautiful
wooden parquet or marble flooring, replenishment of upholstery as well as
upgrading of furniture in various rooms and suites.
“In addition, we are now installing LCD and flat-screen televisions in all
our guest rooms. Complementing the redesign of the Mini-Suites and Cliff
Terrace Suites at the Royal Cliff Terrace last year, the current programme
would now allow us to promote a completely new room product,” Alexander
pointed out.
Another significant project taken up under the programme was the extension
of Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), which was nearing
completion and would be operational by the end of March 2008. The extended
facility would feature two separate entrances and a pillar-less main hall of
nearly 7000 square meters allowing for an increased capacity from the
current 5,800 to 7,600 delegates, he explained.
“Our hard work has once again paid off as we earned a total of 8 prestigious
awards and trophies this year raising our total number of awards received to
70. As in previous years, we will continue to strive for service and product
excellence and I am confident that with your assistance, we can achieve new
heights in the years to come. I take this opportunity to thank you for your
continued support and loyalty and I look forward to further strengthening
our relationship in the coming years,” Alexander added.
Later, Alexander introduced the executive team of the resort, while sales &
marketing director, Victor Krivenstov introduced his team members.
Island Dream takes Skålleagues on a Christmas cruise
Island Dream, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s catamaran,
recently took the members of Skål Pattaya and Eastern Thailand on an
excursion as part of their 7th Annual Christmas Cruise.
.jpg) German
tennis celebrity Mr. Nicolas Kiefer (Right) and Skål Pattaya & Eastern
Thailand Treasurer and the Royal Cliff Beach Resort General Manager Mr.
Alexander Haeusler enjoy a sundowner on board the Island Dream Catamaran.
The objective of the event was not only to raise money through an auction
for charity purposes but also to provide industry colleagues and friends
with an opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled sunset cruise. According to Skål
Pattaya & Eastern Thailand treasurer and the Royal Cliff Beach Resort
general manager Alexander Haeusler, the cruise enjoys a steadily increasing
popularity amongst the Skålleagues and residents of Pattaya and Thailand.
The event was attended by over 60 persons, including Nicolas Kiefer, No. 1
tennis celebrity from Germany, who has been using the Royal Cliff Sports &
Fitness Club, a state-of-the-art facility of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort,
as his tennis training centre for several years.
Rotary’s Premprecha throws charity Christmas party
Rotarians and Premprecha Dibbayawan’s close
friends attend
the Charity Christmas Party.
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Past District Governor of District 3340 Rotary International Premprecha
Dibbayawan held a Christmas party on December 26 to raise income for Rotary
to use in its charitable activities.
 Rani
Malhotra (right) is the lucky raffle winner of this framed Buddha image.
Rotary members crowded into Premprecha’s house, creating a festive
atmosphere and with everyone enjoying the free-flowing food and beverages. A
show was performed by students from Pattaya School No 8, many of who were
dressed in Santa attire, and income was raised by a raffle in which the
prizes had been donated.
Premprecha, who has long been well known and respected in Rotary circles,
said he was happy to see so many people enjoying themselves and to see funds
being successfully raised for the various charity concerns with which Rotary
is associated.
Premprecha Dibbayawan (right), Past District
Governor of District 3340
Rotary International, serves drinks to his friends.
Many people enjoy having Christmas dinner
together at the charity party.
The Charity Christmas party at Premprecha’s
house
was crowded with kindhearted people.
Pattaya School #8 students perform a memorable
show.
Giant water fountain the
highlight of art and music event
Pramote Channgam
Art and music came together for a three-day period at the Alangkarn
Theater, with the highlight being a dancing water fountain controlled by
computer.
 Portrait
painting performed by the Art Market artists club.
Pattaya Music and Art Performance 2007 was held over the period December 21
to 23. Visitors entered the theater through a large canvas arch that was
used for free painting. Members of the Art Market artists’ club created
portrait paintings and cartoons, while educational institutes including
Poh-Chang College, Silpakorn University and Burapha University provided fine
paintings, batik, ceramics, sculptures and other artworks.
There were a number of bands playing over the three-day period. Nang-Len
played soft and acoustic music, the Pattaya Band supplied rock, pop and
blues, and Kruang-Nang played a mix of Thai and international style music.
The Nong Bird Band and Pong Lang from Kasem Bundit University also performed
popular turns.
Bringing art and music together was the computer controlled musical water
fountain, measuring 40 meters long and 15.20 meters high. The water moved
along with the musical rhythm, and the water was lit and colored by electric
lights. One of the great set pieces of the fountain was when the water
spread out like the tail feathers of a peacock, with a white arc of water
standing in front like the peacock’s body.
The organizers have promised the event will be back next year with an even
grander and more dazzling show for spectators.
Welcome to Pattaya Music & Art
Performance 2007.
The Pattaya Band playing rock,
pop, blues, and classical music.
The large canvas for free
painting inspired many young artists.
The Pong Lang show performed
by Kasem Bundit University.
The Marvelous Water Fountain
show with a 40 meter long
and 15.20 meter high fountain of water.
Dusit Thani Pattaya visits Garunyawet Home for Disabled
The hotel’s staff and managers
with children of Garunyawet.
Residents receive souvenirs
and snacks from the staff of Dusit Thani Pattaya.
The Garunyawet children are
quite happy to receive this visit from
the hotel’s staff and managers.
A hotel staff prepares food
for the residents.
The management of Dusit Thani
Pattaya, led by Waran Chalermritthichai, director
of administration, and Toy Dulchamnong, executive housekeeper, gives food
and medicine to the representatives of Garunyawet.
The residents of Garunyawet Home for the Disabled
recently received early Holiday wishes from the staff and management of
Dusit Thani Pattaya. The management and staff organized a visit to
Garunyawet as part of the hotel’s social and humanitarian activities.
“This is a very good initiative taken by our management and staff to visit
our less fortunate neighbours in the community during this holiday season.
Our staff contributed from their own pockets to make this visit showing our
management and staff’s solidarity and deep social commitment,” says
Chatchawal Supachayanont, general manager of Dusit Thani Pattaya.
The hotel’s management and staff prepared a meal for the residents, spent
the day talking with them and providing them with gifts, food and medicines.
Garunyawet Home for the Disabled has more than 300 residents with age
starting from 8 years old up.
|
