What a Friday Night!

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Last Friday was definitely an “Irish Pub” night in Pattaya, which began at the Joint Chambers of Commerce networking evening at the Dicey Reilly’s Pub on Second Road.

The evening was under the auspices of the Australian Chamber of Commerce Thailand (AustCham), so the Australian wine flowed freely.  Local representative for AustCham, Paul Wilkinson (JVK International Movers), was in good form making sure everyone was being catered for.  The other sponsor of the evening was Dicey Reilly himself, in the guise of Dylan Counsel, the 2IC in the Marriott, ably assisted by Luis Zamora, the head of Kitchen Operations – and thanks for the satays Luis, I was starving!  While mentioning the Dicey Reilly venue, I must also give tribute to the hard working Annie, who manages to look after everyone.

(L to R) Judy A. Benn (executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce In Thailand), Simon Landy (chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand), Dylan Counsel (director of operations of the Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa), David Bell (managing director of Ra-Kahng Associates Limited), David R. Nardone (president & chief executive officer of Hemaraj Land and Development Public Co., Ltd.), and Greg Watkins (executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand).(L to R) Judy A. Benn (executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce In Thailand), Simon Landy (chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand), Dylan Counsel (director of operations of the Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa), David Bell (managing director of Ra-Kahng Associates Limited), David R. Nardone (president & chief executive officer of Hemaraj Land and Development Public Co., Ltd.), and Greg Watkins (executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand).

It was a welcome back to Pattaya for Nick Bauer too, the GM (guru) of the dusitD2 baraquda (don’t blame me for the spelling, the whim of some advertising chap somewhere), who ducked across Second Road to join the fun, and “fun” there certainly was.  Dylan Counsel has managed to snaffle the world famous magician Howard Posener to do his table magic amongst the customers every Friday night, and the combined chamber members are still scratching their heads as to how he can manage to find a marked card sealed in an envelope in his wallet.  For everyone, it was worth the trip to Pattaya just to see a truly professional magic show, and incidentally, Howard has baffled everyone from American Presidents, Prime Ministers and even Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Chanakarn Lim (office manager) and Nisarrat Chuchertky (membership and events support officer) for AustCham.Chanakarn Lim (office manager) and Nisarrat Chuchertky (membership and events support officer) for AustCham.

Other hotels were also appraising themselves of the revamped Dicey Reilly’s with David Cumming, GM of the Amari, present with two of his delightful staff Patcharin and Parichart, whilst the Novotel Suvarnabhumi was represented by the sweet-talking Prim Held.

The roll-up was good, with the chamber members joined by many from the dynamic Automotive Focus Group (AFG) including president Uli Kaiser and committee members Armin Walter and Frank Holzer (who won a bottle of wine in the lucky card draw).

(L to R) Scott Fiasten (Ocean Marina Yacht Club), Chris Hagerman (Internet Consulting Asia), and Orawan Arkunken.(L to R) Scott Fiasten (Ocean Marina Yacht Club), Chris Hagerman (Internet Consulting Asia), and Orawan Arkunken.

A new face was Thomas Fernandez from Fair and Easy Logistics and another (and a pretty one too) was Amy Byrum from RSM Advisory, accompanied by Mark Butters from RSM, a regular at Pattaya networking evenings.  Other regulars included Chris Thatcher from the British Chamber, David Nardone and Judy Benn from the American Chamber and Roger Wilson from GKN.

As well as “Magic Howard”, Dicey Reilly’s Pub also had a Filipina trio entertaining with perennial favorites.  It was a great night!

Fair & Easy Co., Ltd.’s Anchalie Roiphet (left) and Thomas E. Fernandez (logistics & consulting).Fair & Easy Co., Ltd.’s Anchalie Roiphet (left) and Thomas E. Fernandez (logistics & consulting).

However, for some of us, the night did not end there.  Kim Fletcher from Jameson’s Irish Pub had arranged, at very short notice, a rock and roll presentation, featuring Pop Pattaya All Stars band and some surprise guests.

Headlining the vocals was Harpic Bryant, who has matured into a very talented singer.  No longer the occasional almost missed note, her performance was completely professional, and Nutbush City Limits was a stormer.

After the first break came the surprise guests, and they were sensational together with Pop.  Dexy D’Angelo on trumpet and Craig W. Smith on saxophone joined world-famous trumpet player Roddy Lorimer for amazing jam sessions that had everyone cheering and wanting more.

(L to R) David Lawrence (Urban Real Estate), and Chris Thatcher (group chairman Anglo-Thai Legal Co., Ltd.).(L to R) David Lawrence (Urban Real Estate), and Chris Thatcher (group chairman Anglo-Thai Legal Co., Ltd.).

(Followers of music will know Roddy Lorimer’s CV which includes playing live shows with Eric Clapton, Robi Draco Rosa, The Waterboys, The Who, Deacon Blue, Westernhagen, Deep Purple, and recording for The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Jamiriquai, Blur, Dr John, Michael McDonald, The Spice Girls, Boyzone, The Beautiful South, Pete Townshend, Baba Maal, The Verve, M People and Chris Rea.  He has appeared at The Royal Albert Hall 75 times and can now add Jameson’s after that!)

What a Friday night!  Thank you to the Combined Chambers, Dylan Counsel and Howard Posener (Dicey Reilly’s), Kim Fletcher (Jameson’s), Pop’s Pattaya All Stars, Craig, Dexy and Roddy.

(L to R) Markus Wehrhahn and Richard Jackson (from Resource Link), and Armin Walter from EFTEC (Thailand).(L to R) Markus Wehrhahn and Richard Jackson (from Resource Link), and Armin Walter from EFTEC (Thailand).

(L to R) Dr. Iain Corness from Pattaya Mail on TV interviews Dylan Counsel, director operations for the Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa.(L to R) Dr. Iain Corness from Pattaya Mail on TV interviews Dylan Counsel, director operations for the Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa.

Laurie Hansen, Karen Hansen, and Rosanne Diamente.Laurie Hansen, Karen Hansen, and Rosanne Diamente.

Eugene Cody, Sakaowfah, and Jeffery Edwards.Eugene Cody, Sakaowfah, and Jeffery Edwards.

(L to R) Cooper Tyo (Asia Pacific sales manager for Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.), Villy Boriraj (MD of Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.), and Amy Byrum (consultant for RSM Advisory (Thailand) Limited). (L to R) Cooper Tyo (Asia Pacific sales manager for Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.), Villy Boriraj (MD of Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.), and Amy Byrum (consultant for RSM Advisory (Thailand) Limited).

Pop’s Pattaya All Stars rock Jameson’s on Friday night.Pop’s Pattaya All Stars rock Jameson’s on Friday night.

(L to R) World-famous trumpet player Roddy Lorimer, Craig W. Smith on saxophone and Dexy D’Angelo on trumpet joined Pop’s Pattaya All Stars for an amazing jam session that had everyone cheering and wanting more.(L to R) World-famous trumpet player Roddy Lorimer, Craig W. Smith on saxophone and Dexy D’Angelo on trumpet joined Pop’s Pattaya All Stars for an amazing jam session that had everyone cheering and wanting more.