Pattaya hotel bosses look back, plan future at ‘G.M. Gang’ dinner
The gang gathers for a commemorative photograph
on the lush green, well kempt lawn of the Siam Bayview Hotel. (Seated l-r)
Prayuth Thamdhum (GM Montien Hotel Pattaya), Rungthip Suksrikarn (VP Sunbeam
Hotels), Michael Procher (GM of Nova Suites, Nova Platinum & Nova Gold),
Bundarik Kusolvitya (MD The City Hotel Sriracha), Chatchawal Supachayanont
(GM Dusit Thani Pattaya), Morrakot Kuldilok (GM Bella Villas Pattaya),
Philippe Delaloye (GM Pullman Pattaya Aisawan) and Jan Jeerapat (MD Hotel J,
Pattaya). (Standing l-r) Harald Feurstein (GM Hilton Pattaya), Pratheep S.
Malhotra (MD Pattaya Mail Media Group), Rene Pisters (GM Thai Garden
Resort), Nijjaporn Marprasert (Siam Bayview Hotel, Pattaya), Thomas Koh (GM
Furama Jomtien Beach) and Noppon Kanjanamanee (Eastern Region Sales Manager
Thai Airways).
Pratheep ‘Peter’
Malhotra
When it comes to Pattaya’s hospitality industry, the
periodic meetings of the “General Managers Gang” are not unlike attending
the Academy Awards ceremony: Anyone and everyone is there.
Such was the case again April 28 when G.M.s from the
city’s leading hotels met at the Siam Bayview Hotel, a resort when many of
them garnered their earliest experience.
“Coming to the Siam Bayview Hotel brings back a lot of
memories,” said Rene Pisters of the Thai Garden Resort. “This hotel was
built 28 years ago and I was working for both the Siam Bayshore and Siam
Bayview hotels. I remember this as a free-standing hotel with nothing around
it. But today look around you and you’ll see high-rises on both sides. A lot
has changed in 28 years.”
Chatchawal (centre) holds court as Philippe (right) makes a point and Peter
records the proceedings.
The hotel bosses meet every four-to-six weeks, mostly to
discuss business trends and how to jointly promote Pattaya as a tourist
destination. It’s informal, but it does provide an open forum that leads to
good relations and cooperation.
“I’ve worked for the Dusit Group for 30 years and 18
years as G.M. of Dusit Thani Pattaya and I can tell you it’s rare to see the
unity that we have amongst our G.M.s here, compared with other parts of
Thailand,” said Chatchawal Supachayanont. “We are really happy and proud
that we have this opportunity to meet each other on fellowship and unity.”
“Tonight is a great night,” Pisters agreed. “All of us
have been working very hard during the high season and now things are
slowing down a little, which gives us a little time to catch up with each
other and share our experiences and have some fellowship.”
Phillipe Delaloye, general manager for the Pullman
Pattaya Aisawan Hotel, noted the city now boasts 703 hotels - a far cry from
the 11 resorts and smattering of guest houses Pattaya had when he started
work at the Siam Bayview in June 1985.
Friendships are bonded for life. Noppon Kanjanamanee (left) and Bundarik
Kusolvitya (right) introduce themselves to each other as Harald Feurstein
(centre) seems pleased with his newfound friends.
Looking around the resort, which has seen a number of
renovations since, “I must say the hotel is looking much better than it did
back then. It shows there has been a lot of care and maintenance put into
keeping up this fine property.”
“When I first came to Pattaya five years ago, I had my
doubts about the city,” said Prayuth Thamdhum, general manager of the
Montien Hotel. “But now I am quite happy that I made that right decision. I
am here to learn from the long-timers in the travel and hospitality industry
and follow in their footsteps.”
“I have been in Pattaya now for two years. I am quite
fascinated by this slightly crazy city,” concurred Michael Procher, general
manager of Nova Gold, Platinum and Suites hotels. “It is crazy but
fascinating. The business has developed a lot in this city in these past two
years. I am very happy to be here and looking forward to many more years of
working and living here.”
The dinner wasn’t just open to Pattaya old-timers,
however. Jan Jeerapat, managing director of Hotel J, is new to the club and
admits there’s a lot still to be learned.
“I am so humbled to hear that how the veterans have
worked so very hard throughout the years to improve the image of Pattaya. I
can also say that our establishments, the Hotel J and JJ Villas, are also
very much involved in the promotion of Pattaya. We hold many meetings in
support of domestic and international road show marketing organized by the
Tourism Authority of Thailand and other tourism promotional groups.”
Harald Feurstein general manager of the Hilton Pattaya
had a similar reaction.
“It is really humbling to listen to the veterans of this
industry in Pattaya, who have probably been here even before I was born. I
am very honored and proud to be part of this group of friends and colleagues
who are very experienced and strong hoteliers, which goes to testify that
Pattaya carries a very strong tradition of hospitality,” he said.
Another young addition to the group is Morrakot Kuldilok,
general manager of the Bella Villas Pattaya and Best Western group in
Pattaya. Morrakot noted her family has been in Pattaya for three
generations.
“Though I’m still very young, I’m sure that my ancestors
would be very happy to see that Pattaya has developed into what it is today,
a bustling and thriving community of businesses and the favorite place for
foreign tourists. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to
making our home an even better place to live and work in.”
The “G.M. Gang” dinner also drew returnees to Pattaya.
Thomas Koh of the Furama Jomtien Beach Hotel said he was away for four years
and was surprised at how the city has developed during that time.
“I’m sure it will get even better, thanks to the
dedication of the Pattaya administration and the hoteliers who play a
significant role in bringing the visitors from all over the world,” he said.
Bundarik Kusolvitya, managing director of the City Hotel
Sriracha and current president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) Eastern
Chapter spoke of friendship and unity amongst the hoteliers of Pattaya and
the Eastern Seaboard. “We value our friendship and cooperate with each other
whenever possible in environmental and hospitality related projects. Pattaya
City is one of the top destinations in the world in terms of quality, value
and service.”
The evening’s host, Nijjaporn Marprasert of the Siam
Bayview, said it was his third “tour of duty” in Pattaya.
“I first came here in 1987 and I hope this assignment will be a long-term
one,” Nijjaporn said.
