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Malai Sakolviphak

Dr. Iain Corness

Malai Sakolviphak was a man who consistently represented Thailand in the international tourism arena. He was also involved with the local airline industry for almost all of his life.

He was born in Chiang Mai, but his family had left there by the time he was one year old and he spent the rest of his years in Bangkok. His father worked for the French Embassy and as a young boy Malai spoke French; however, when war broke out in Indo-China his very astute father quickly said, “Switch to English!”

Malai Sakolviphak
1932 - 2012

He was one of the most fluent of English speaking Thais, which he would joke came from playing truant as a schoolboy and watching English movies.

When he finished school he wanted to be a pilot, but found that his eyesight was not good enough. With his heart set on aviation, he did the next best thing by starting work for the Pan Am airline as a messenger, but was then called up for national service. However, this was delayed as he had enrolled at Thamassat University to study law on a part-time basis. To support himself he continued to work for Pan Am during the six years it took him to graduate as a lawyer.

After graduation he did not practice law, but joined the army for the 2-year stint required of him. However, he did not give up Pan Am, getting special dispensation to work at night with Pan Am.

After national service he worked full time and found that it was possible for him to continue with self education through the Pan Am manuals and files. “When a situation occurred that I was unsure of, I would look through the files to see how these events had been handled previously.” They say that experience is the greatest teacher and Malai was able to capitalize on the experiences of those who had gone before him.

He stayed with Pan Am for 30 years, rising through the ranks until he gained the top post as country director for Thailand, Burma and Laos. But like all aspects of life, there were constant changes and one was Pan Am selling off its Pacific routes to United Airlines. Planes arrived in Thailand badged Pan Am, to leave the next day with UA stickers. However, Malai stayed, becoming director of Thailand for United.

During this extended period with the airlines he found he was adept at understanding the different nationalities and their differing cultures and different ways of thinking. “You learn negotiating skills. It is very different between the Americans, the Europeans and the Asians. We Asians understand compromise.”

Malai also realized that when you visit somewhere overseas it is much better when you have friends there, and one association which supplied “instant” friends was the international Skๅl Club, the world-wide tourism and hospitality group which he joined in 1974. With his ability to travel in his airline position he became Thailand’s international councillor for Skๅl in 1986. This was for a 2-year term, but there never was a replacement!

He finally retired from UA and did some part-time lecturing to fill in his days and then a friend asked him to assist him in the Pacific Leisure Group. “I came back part-time till I got bored, so I became full-time!”

His capacity for work was almost endless and he was one of the prime movers behind the World Skๅl Congress which was held in Bangkok in 1996, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Skๅl Club in Thailand. This was a great success.

He was deeply involved with the bid to hold the World Skๅl Congress in Pattaya in 2006, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Skๅl in Thailand. Again this was successful, and much of that success was due to the endless enthusiasm of Malai.

For Malai, success was merely to achieve what you want to be able to do. During his life, he was very successful, with his list of achievements being very long and comprehensive. His advice to the young people was, “Work to the best of your ability. Read manuals, get involved in self education and make reasoned decisions.”

Malai Sakolviphak was an ambassador for Thailand, of whom this country can be very proud. He believed in the great potential that Thailand has, being an attractive destination for the international tourist. That the great potential grew to be reality under Malai’s stewardship. He cannot be replaced, nor will he be forgotten.



Malai Sakolviphak - ‘Father’ of Skål Thailand - passes away

Andrew Wood, Bangkok

It was with profound shock that we learnt of the passing of Malai Sakolviphak - a Membre d’Honneur and former Skๅl International (SI) Thailand President, SI Bangkok President and SI Thailand Councillor.

Often referred to as ‘Mr. Skๅl’, Malai frequently travelled around the world to, almost single handed, promote Thailand to 20,000-plus Skๅlleagues and senior tourism executives. Messages have been pouring in from around the world - a true measure of the greatness and respect Malai, our wise Thailand Skๅl father, generated from those he met.

Skๅl International President Enrique Quesada said, “Malai was an outstanding Skๅlleague and represented his country, Thailand, with impeccable dedication and wisdom.”

Comments from past presidents include:

Hulya Aslantas (2009-10): “I am very sorry to hear the most unfortunate news about passing away of Khun Malai. I have known him since many years and worked closely with him also in the council. He was a great ambassador of Skๅl Thailand and will always be remembered as the person and power behind all the congresses you have hosted. His personality, sense of humour and great wisdom will be remembered for many years by all those who knew him well. We all have lost a great friend.”

Litsa Papathanasi (2006-7): “I was shocked when I heard about the loss of my good friend Malai. We first met in 1995 and, from 1996; we served on the board of the ISC for four years, with Peter Huppert, Jan Sunde and later with Lone Ricks. We remained friends in the years to follow. All that you and the other Skๅlleagues said about him is true. He was a good, strong guy with a calm face that only wise people have. Always kind and always there for his friends. Although very introverted as a person, with us on the board he became more open as we trusted each other. The work achieved was always done with humour and very good co-operation between us.”

Jan H. Sunde (2005-6): “This was sad news. A great Skๅlleague has left us. Khun Malai was a great friend. I served not only as councillor together with him but we also were vice presidents of the council for several years together and we met in board meetings. He was a great representative not only for Skๅl Thailand but also for his country. Khun Malai will be missed. RIP Malai.”

Hon. President Uzi Yalon: “I have known Khun Malai at least 35 years. He was a great and humble person and very knowledgeable in all Skๅl matters. More than once we discussed Skๅl issues and always found solutions to matters being discussed. I used to see him a few times each year at different Skๅl events and always he was radiating a good heart. I was shocked to learn of his passing away. He will be missed by his family, Skๅl Asia and Skๅl all over the world.”

Hon. President Max Kingston: “It was with great sorrow I learnt of the passing of my dear friend and dedicated Skๅlleague, Khun Malai Sakolviphak. I share with you and all fellow Skๅlleagues, particularly in Thailand, the loss of such a fine Skๅlleague and dear friend, recognising his dedication and commitment to Skๅl in Thailand. May he rest in peace with the knowledge of ‘well done faithful servant’.”

Richard Hawkins (1999-2000): “Malai’s contributions to Skๅl are very considerable. He worked within the international forum to help keep the good ship Skๅl on a steady course. He did much to help develop and maintain Skๅl in Asia and indeed he was an Honorary President of Skๅl Asia. He also did much in the area of Skๅl Thailand. He never sought the limelight and he was modest about his achievements. His friends will miss him and Skๅl will miss him. As a trustee of the Florimond Volckaert Fund I note the proposal that donations be made in his name and I think that would be a wonderful thing.”

Trygve Soedring (1992-3): “It was a shock for us all to hear that Khun Malai has passed away. Khun Malai was a true gentleman, a fantastic Skๅl man and a very good friend. I knew him for more than 30 years and worked very closely with him during the World Skๅl Congress in Bangkok in 1996 when he was in charge and I had stepped in as congress director only five months before. Khun Malai was very pleasant and co-operative to work with. We will all miss Mr. Skๅl in Asia. May he rest in peace. On behalf of the Florimond Volckaert Fund and the Trustees I would like to thank you all good Skๅlleagues in Thailand for contributing to the Fund in Khun Malai’s name. It is highly appreciated.”

From Gerry Perez, President Skๅl Asia: “I was honoured to have spent time with him in my days as councillor and in the Asia Area Committee. When the Asia Area Committee under President Earl recommended Khun Malai Sakolviphak to be awarded Hon. President of the Area in 2007 in Macau, it was the easiest decision we ever made. A truly great Skๅlleague and we are going to miss his wise council.”

Earl Wieman IPP Asia Area: “I proposed the honorary presidency for Malai because of his dedication to Skๅl, his (always quiet) efforts on behalf of the organisation, his ready willingness to help other Skๅlleagues, his warm friendship, his firm belief in the organisation and the contributions he made to it over so many years in Bangkok, Thailand, Asia, and internationally.”

Robert ‘Bob’ Lee, outgoing President of SI Bangkok, shared the news with Skๅl members at the recent AGM. He said, “It is with a very heavy heart that I have to inform Skๅlleagues around the world of the passing of our ‘Skๅl Thailand Father’ Khun Malai. This really came as a shock to us all. He was my teacher and Skๅl mentor and he was a friend to so many.”

Brian Sinclair-Thompson, SI Thailand President, commented, “Khun Malai’s knowledge and experiences within the Skๅl movement were unmatched. Thailand and Skๅl are poorer places as a result of his passing.”

Ingo Raueber, Past President of Skๅl International Pattaya & East Thailand said, “I came to know Khun Malai 11 years ago, and he was my mentor in all aspects concerning Skๅl. During my 3 years of presidency of the Skๅl International Club of Pattaya & East Thailand, he never hesitated to render any assistance and advice requested. He will be truly missed by all of us.”

Peter Malhotra, a charter member of the Skๅl Club of Pattaya and former Vice President said, “I respected him more than you can imagine, for his lifetime of dedication to the Skๅl movement. He worked harder than anyone I know to promote and boost the travel and tourism industry not only in Thailand, but all over the world. He relentlessly campaigned against all competition in our successful bid to host the Skๅl World Congress in Pattaya in 2006. I am really sorry to hear of Khun Malai’s passing. Skๅl and all his friends and family will dearly miss him.”

About Khun Malai Sakolviphak: Born in 1932, Malai started his career by joining Pan American World Airways in 1949 and was later appointed director for Thailand, Laos and Myanmar from 1982-1985. When Pan Am sold its transpacific route he joined United Airlines and served as general manager from 1986-1992.

He then joined the Pacific Leisure Group head office in Bangkok as senior executive director from 1993-2009. Malai was also a former chairman of PATA Thailand chapter and past president of the Airlines Club of Thailand and World Airlines Club Association as well as executive director of the Association of Thai Travel Agents.


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