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Full house at the GTCC regulars’ table
(R to L) Rene Pisters, Thai
Garden Resort GM, Stefan Bürkle, GTCC executive manager, and Carina
Fährmann, new guest service manager, chat with Ronald Gentsch, managing
director of BMW Group (Thailand), and Thomas von Aesch, managing director of
Southeast Asia Link Co., Ltd.
Peter Nordhues
May 9 saw the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) invite members
and friends to its regulars’ table again, which takes place every second
Friday of every odd month at the Moon River Pub on North Pattaya Road.
Rene Pisters, general manager of the Thai Garden Resort, and Carina
Fährmann, new guest service manager, welcomed some 70 guests. It was the
first real test for Carina as host of the “Stammtisch”.
 Guests
enjoy participating in the Chamber.
In his opening address, GTCC executive manager Stefan Bürkle was in good
spirits. “Thank you for showing up in such great numbers,” he said. “It
shows the Chamber is on the right path. At our last Stammtisch in Bangkok,
we hosted more than 100 guests - the largest crowd in years. I truly hope
we’ll soon have that many in Pattaya as well.
“At our January meeting, I promised to further the promotion of the Chamber
in the Eastern Seaboard region. Unfortunately, the April function had to be
cancelled due to the public holidays. But we have something in the pipeline
for June, which will be announced in good time.”
Bürkle announced that the German Minister of Economics and Technology,
Michael Glos, would be guest speaker at the Chamber gala luncheon, taking
place on May 21 at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. It’s a great honor to
welcome a top-level politician from Germany, he said.
Another highlight will be the German Technology Symposium and Exhibition,
running from November 13 to 16 at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention
Center. It will be the biggest exhibition the Chamber has ever organized.
Bürkle finished his speech by wishing everybody a successful networking
night, followed by the official opening of the buffet, which was then
instantly surrounded.
Despite the ongoing renovation at the Thai Garden Resort, the diligent
kitchen crew managed to dish up a sumptuous buffet that fulfilled any
wishes. Pattaya’s sole wooden dance floor gave guests the opportunity to
shake a leg to the rhythms of the ever-entertaining Power Jam Band.
Morality Fund assists development of Pattaya youngsters
Sittiprap Muangkoom, Itthipol
Khunplome and supporters of the 2nd Morality Rehabilitation Fund for Pattaya
schools.
Saksiri Uraiworn
Scholarships were presented to Pattaya schools on May 14 under the 2nd Morality
Rehabilitation Fund, set up to encourage students to acquire “morality and
knowledge”.
The presentation took place in the Jamjuree Meeting Room at Pattaya School No 7,
with Pattaya City permanent secretary Sittiprap Muangkoom as chairman and
mayor-elect Itthipol Khunplome, chief education supervisor Wannapa Wannasri and
director of the Morality Rehabilitation Fund Thanee Srisai also present.
Sittiprap said that the objectives of the fund conformed entirely to the
strategy of the Department of Local Administration, which emphasizes organizing
education for youngsters to have “morality and academic skills”. Schools under
Pattaya City administration support the World Morality Rehabilitation Project,
under the International Buddhist Light Association, which is supported by Somdej
Phramaharajmangalajarn in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
A total of 78,000 baht was presented to the Morality Rehabilitation Fund for
Pattaya schools, the money being raised in cooperation with governmental and
private organizations. Altogether, 855 people consisting of groups of teachers
and students participated in the project.
Under the fund, Pattaya students went to Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani on
Visakha Bucha Day, May 19.
Dr. Penguin magically appears at PCEC meeting
The series of full programmes continued at the Sunday meeting
of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) on May 11th at Henry J. Bean’s.
The week’s MC Stuart Saunders started the proceedings by announcing the second
significant birthday in two weeks, that of PCEC Secretary Sally Techasopon. It
was also an opportunity to thank Sally for the considerable work she carries out
on behalf of the club.
 Doc
Penguin, the famous magician, shares with PCEC members the trials and
tribulations of life as an entertainer in the wilds of New Guinea.
PCEC Vice Chairman Andre Machielsen then welcomed back the much anticipated Dr
Penguin who has combined a full life in the entertainment field with travel to
some of the world’s least visited places.
Dr. Penguin has performed all over the planet, from major rock shows including
U2, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Annie Lennox, Toto to high society and
royalty such as the Royal Families of the UK, Brunei, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan,
Malaysia, Denmark and even major political events such as APEC.
Dr. Penguin performs his own special brand of Comedy Magic. One of the original
“Bad Boys of Magic”, he developed his style of interactive comedy from a
combination of studies with great theatre icons such as Jacque Le Coq and Marcel
Marceau in Paris to La Mama in New York. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, in
1976 he set off to tour the world for 6 months, which ended up becoming a
lifelong pursuit! He worked at festivals and the streets of Europe getting a
grip on interaction through different languages and cultures. This led him to
creating “The Magic Circus” which toured Europe, North Africa, and overland to
Asia.
Apart from his own TV series, “Dr. Penguin’s Magical World”, which has already
been broadcasted in 25 countries from Singapore to Mexico he also appears
regularly on Star TV’s “Travel Asia and Beyond” which airs weekly in over 100
countries on Star World, Star Plus, Fox Australia, AB SAT Europe, the UK Travel
Channel, PBS USA, UBC as well as on Scandinavian and Dutch TV. He’s appears
extensively on other networks from Discovery Channel, BBC to CNBC.
As part of his extensive travel experience, Dr Penguin described his three month
visit to Papua New Guinea and provided some intriguing accounts of the magic
shows that he put on in that country. He particularly referred to the reaction
of the audience of a totally different culture but commented that there is a
universal enjoyment of visual magic.
Dr Penguin concluded his appearance at the PCEC by performing an impressive card
trick with the help of a volunteer from the audience. Unlike other magicians, Dr
Penguin explained how the trick was performed.
Returning to the normal PCEC agenda, Hans Stroosnyder confirmed that the next
trip to the driving license centre, when both motor bike and car licenses can be
obtained was scheduled for May 22.
In response to a request for club dinners to be organized at venues for those
‘on a budget’, the first such occasion was organized to take place on May 22 at
the Or-Arn-Han-Tai restaurant in Pattaya Tai.
Richard Silverberg then presented his Website of the Week. Ever mindful of the
need to maintain sufficient backup of computer data, the need to backup data
held on mobile phones, such as a phone numbers and calendars, is often
forgotten. This can be achieved at www.zyb.com. It also enables address books
and contacts to be shared if required.
The regular Open Forum was then underway with Bob L’Etoile assisted by Sig
Sigworth leading the proceedings. During this session the PCEC welcomed the
return, be it temporary, of Gary Brown. Gary was previously a regular MC and
contributor to PCEC activities and provided an account of his new life in
Florida. The Open Forum then continued, providing an opportunity for questions
about living in Thailand with an emphasis on Pattaya to be asked. For more
information regarding, not only PCEC Sunday meetings but also the varied mid
week activities, please see the Community Happenings section of Pattaya Mail or,
for more details, visit the Club’s website at pattayacityexpatsclub.com
Finnair updates agents
on new Seoul service
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Finnair held a seminar for its agents on May 13 at the Garden Cliff Resort and
Spa to provide them with information on its new service to South Korea and
changes to its airfare structure.
 Nanriya
Wongrojmontree (left) and Orathai Angwithunwanit announce changes to Finnair’s
airfare structure.
More than 50 agents attended the seminar, which was hosted by Finnair client
manager Nanriya Wongrojmontree and sales coordinator for Southeast Asia and
Australia Orathai Angwithunwanit. Dinner was served after the seminar.
The new routing service to Seoul in South Korea starts in June this year.
Flights, which are direct from Helsinki, operate five times per week using an
Airbus A340-300.
Finnair was established in 1923. Destinations served from Bangkok include
Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, Italy and Australia.
Qatar Airways updates agents on new fare structure
Eastern region agents pose for a
group photo.
Saksiri Uraiworn
Qatar Airways held a seminar for its Eastern region agents at the
Marriott Resort and Spa on May 10 to announce new airfare changes, and changes
for the issuing of tickets according to the new fare sheet.
The agents were also being encouraged to consult passengers about the options
that Qatar Airways provides. Dinner was provided after the seminar at the
Marriott’s Rose Garden Restaurant.
Marriott Resort &
Spa gets the “Thumbs Up”
Thumbs up at Marriott.
Marriott Resort and Spa has launched a new service campaign
appropriately titled “Thumbs Up”. The new campaign is designed to invite hotel
and restaurant guests to nominate and recognize staff who are delivering the
highest level of personal service.
Patrick Martinez, general manager stated, “The campaign is another facet of the
hotel ‘Spirit to Serve our Guests’ program. This time we are inviting our guests
to nominate our associates and write us a card briefly when they come across
exceptional service that creates a “wow” experience for them. Essentially the
guest is giving the staff member their ‘Thumbs Up’!
“The campaign also encourages all the associates to deliver the highest levels
of personal service. Nomination cards are placed in all areas of the hotel
including guest rooms, restaurants, and lobby areas.”
David Wain, Cluster HR director commented, “This is a really exciting and
motivating campaign for our staff. The feedback is so important to our employees
as it is recognizing individual efforts and really highlights how those staff
members are creating “wow” experiences for our guests. Our associates have
completely embraced this program and they are so excited when they see their
name mentioned on the feedback card and highlighted at the monthly celebration
party.”
Motion Picture Association heads meet at Dusit Thani Pattaya
Participants in the annual
country managers’ meeting of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and MPA
International are seen gathered at the Dusit Thani Pattaya.
Over 50 participants recently attended the Motion Picture
Association (MPA) Country Managers’ Meeting at Dusit Thani Pattaya. The event is
held annually and gathers all its managers in the Asia Pacific and their
colleagues from the head office in Los Angeles to discuss the latest
developments in the organization. The meeting was led by the Asia-Pacific head,
Mike Ellis, who is also the MPA President and Managing Director.
The Motion Picture Association and Motion Picture Association - International
(MPA) represent the interests of major motion picture companies in the global
marketplace. On behalf of its member companies, the MPA conducts investigations
around the world, assists with the criminal and civil litigation generated by
such cases, and conducts education outreach programs to teach movie fans around
the world about the harmful effects of piracy.
The MPA directs its worldwide anti-piracy operations from its headquarters based
in Los Angeles, California and has regional offices located in Brussels (Europe,
Middle East and Africa), São Paulo (Latin America), Montreal (Canada) and
Singapore (Asia-Pacific).
The MPA’s anti-piracy activities have helped to transform entire markets from
pirate to legitimate, benefiting video distributors, retailers, and foreign and
local filmmakers alike. The MPA member companies include: Buena Vista
International, Inc.; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Releasing
International Corporation; Twentieth Century Fox International Corporation;
Universal International Films, Inc.; and Warner Bros. Pictures International, a
division of Warner Bros. Pictures Inc.
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