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BCCT in heaven?
ESC personnel along with
Peter Smith (back right).
The Observer
For this month’s networking event, the British Chamber of
Commerce Thailand (BCCT) found its own piece of heaven, flanked by two
of Jomtien’s finest restaurants, Manhattans and Mata Hari, in a place
called Nirvana, located on the hill on Thappraya Road.
 Nirvana
ladies and GM Arie de Keijzer.
Nirvana means, amongst other things, ‘An ideal condition of rest,
harmony, stability, or joy’. Based on the free flow of wine, beer and
food those who attended would agree with that description. Well, apart
from stability.
The sponsors Nirvana Place and ESC were out in force with what seemed to
be their full management team.
The usual stalwarts were there, Jitra Wongjuan, Peter Smith and Malcolm
Scorer from AA Insurance Brokers … what would a Chamber function be
without them?
Simon Matthews from Manpower, strange name for a company that provides
so many female staff to companies and just to be different he was the
only one to wear his name card on his pants.
John Hamilton and Steve Duckworth from Waste Management were overheard
discussing waste and its movement with Rainer Rosseiler.
Holding court with a bevy of young pretty wenches was the team from
Tudor Court. Mingling amongst the throngs were Paul Whyte, aka Mr.
Tinfish, Benny from Taj, one of Pattaya’s finest Indian eateries, along
with Tira from Sukothai Associates Inter Law, the Homefinder Scott
Malone and Mr Bartercard, Laurie Muir.
Alan Verstein brought along his alternative read, the Walking Street
Journal and Glen Walker from Newspaper Direct was answering questions as
to why every newspaper didn’t have a page 3.
Asian University also had a strong presence, something to do with the
impending school holidays one suspects. On hand were the Nirvana team
including GM Arie de Keijzer whose task was to make sure everyone
enjoyed a piece of this particular heaven.
A splendid location, tropical surroundings, good food, drink and of
course good company, in fact lots of good companies, and thanks go to
the evenings sponsors ESC and Nirvana Place.
Benevolent donation
brings smiles
Arlette Cykman (seated center) surrounded by many of
the children and friends thanking her for her generous gift.
Children line up in an orderly fashion to receive
their meal.
Judy Hoppe
Arlette Cykman, long time Pattaya resident made the 54 children at Baan
Jing Jai smile from ear to ear. As a birthday gift to herself, she arranged for
these underprivileged children to receive a delicious hot lunch. The highlight
of the event was the Wall’s ice cream and the big smiles for Arlette from the
children.
Rather than have a birthday party for herself, Arlette decided to throw a party
for these children who seldom get to have one. What a great idea for the rest of
us to emulate. When your next birthday comes around, why don’t you think about
doing something similar and in some small way help those who have less than you
do?
China bans Tibet travel
The Chinese government has suspended permits for foreigners to travel to the
Tibet Autonomous Region following ongoing riots in the region.
Moreover, many foreigners are being turned away from Tibetan areas of China
surrounding the autonomous region, including western Sichuan and parts of
Qinghai and Yunnan provinces.
Foreigners now in Tibet Autonomous Region have been urged to contact local
police to arrange immediate departure from the area.
Meanwhile, travel agents in Beijing are cautious about commenting on the how
the issue will impact travel to the autonomous region for the rest of the
year.
One travel agent said he was confident the riots and travel warnings would
not hinder the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games and would not stop plans to
have the Olympic torch pass through the region as part of the Olympic torch
relay. (TTG)
TAT targets bigger
India presence
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is mulling over an additional office
in Mumbai within this year or next, in a bid to enhance its Amazing Thailand
presence in one of the world’s fastest growing tourism markets.
The Thai NTO opened its first office in New Delhi in 2003 and a marketing
representative office in Mumbai in November last year.
TAT New Delhi office executive director, Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya,
said: “TAT aims to attract 600,000 Indian visitors to Thailand this year,
representing a 20 per cent increase over last year. We plan to leverage on
the popularity of our Amazing Thailand campaign by promoting Thailand as a
year-round high-quality tourist destination, particularly for families.”
He said Thailand attracted 536,356 Indian visitors last year. “We are the
second most popular tourist destination in South-east Asia after Singapore,
which recorded 749,000 tourists from India in 2007.”
According to PATA, it is estimated Indian travellers will spend more than
US$4 billion on travel by the end of this year.
PATA projects Thailand will receive 667,000 Indian visitors in 2009 and
728,000 in 2010. (TTG)
THAI beefs up
Bangkok-Jakarta link
Thai Airways International (THAI) will launch additional flights from
Bangkok to Jakarta starting March 29. The plan is part of the commercial
developments between THAI and Garuda Indonesia.
The new flight will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, adding to
the existing daily flights from Bangkok to Jakarta.
At THAI’s press conference on March 17, THAI Commercial Department’s
executive vice-president, Mr. Pandit Chanapai, said: “The load factor of the
Bangkok-Jakarta route is up to 80 per cent and there is still increasing
demand on this route. The additional fleet is aimed to serve the European
market by carrying passengers to Jakarta via Bangkok, since Garuda does not
operate long-haul flights between Indonesia and Europe.”
Garuda’s executive vice-president commercial, Mr. Agus Priyanto, said:
“Garuda would like to adjust our schedule of the daily Jakarta-Bangkok
flights, so passengers can transfer directly to THAI flights in Bangkok that
connect to Europe or even mainland China, which is an emerging market for
Indonesia. Garuda’s cabin factor is 60 per cent and I believe this synergy
can help increase the load factors of both national carriers.”
When asked about additional flights from Denpasar to Bangkok by Garuda, Mr.
Agus said the airline did not have enough aircraft, but with the new Boeing
737 coming, new flights would be further discussed. Garuda currently has 50
aircraft and will double its fleet of B737-800s by May 2009. It also has a
contract for 10 more B347s to be delivered in 2010.
Mr. Pandit meanwhile said THAI planned to focus on regional traffic mainly
because of the soaring fuel price. (TTG)
Dusit debuts in Koh Chang
Dusit International has launched its first property on the island of Koh
Chang on the east coast of Thailand. The Dusit Princess Koh Chang, which
soft-opened in November last year, received a grand opening last week.
Developed by Bailann Resort with an investment of 420 million baht, the
resort occupies 2.70 hectares of land with a 150m beachfront on Ao Bai Lan
Beach on the island’s south-west side.
It has 96 guestrooms and suites - some with direct access to the swimming
pool - and private pool villas. Facilities include two restaurants and one
bar, a meeting room for up to 200 people theatre-style, two swimming pools,
a business centre and a spa.
Bailann Resort president, Mr. Voravut Uksonsuwan, said the company planned
to invest another 500 million baht developing a second property on the
4.48-hectare land area adjacent to Dusit Princess Koh Chang. “We also want
Dusit International to manage this new property but under its five-star
Dusit Thani brand,” he said.
Dusit International is the second hotel chain to enter Koh Chang, following
Amari Hotels and Resorts’ 165-room Amari Emerald Cove Resort & Spa in
October 2004. Most of the 170 hotels with around 7,000 rooms on Koh Chang
are managed and operated by local owners. (TTG)
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