The October dinner meeting of Skål International Chiang
Mai and North Thailand was held at the Rydges Amora Tapae Hotel on October
27. 40 members and guests came together to drink to the Skål principles of
happiness, good health, friendship and long life. Is this not what everyone
wishes?
Frans
Betgem (Khiri Travel) shares a light moment with Stephen Yong, eWay
Publishing.
At the meeting, a new company introduced itself and its
services. Wind and Fire Co., based out in Doi Saket, has a tethered balloon
ride, where you can majestically rise above the morning mist as you dance
with the wind in a hot air balloon over the picturesque landscape of Chiang
Mai. Also, there was the announcement of the newly opened Jing Jai Hobby
Market just one km from the Sri Phum Corner outside Old Chiang Mai, where
value for money designed souvenirs and gifts for all in the family are
offered on a regular basis.
Vice-President
David Thomas takes care of the guest speakers Stephen and Tat-Leong.
Host of the meeting, GM Arie de Keijzer then informed
everyone of his resignation from the Rydges Amora Tapae Hotel after four
years in Chiang Mai. At 38 years old, he still feels young for a change in
life, and has already accepted a new assignment with a luxury hotel on the
tropical island of Koh Samet. All members and guests present wished him well
and all the best for his future endeavours, and expressed that it will be a
great loss for the Chiang Mai community.
Vice-President
of Skål International Chiang Mai and North Thailand David Thomas entertains
Mohamad Jesr (standing first left), Harry Woodward (standing first right),
as well as Ian Garrit, Anchalee Kalmapijit, and Vilawan Pantho (all seated).
The highlight of the evening was a presentation by
executives of the eWaypublishing Company based in Singapore. Managing
Director Mrs Tat-Leong Sweeting entertained the audience by advertising the
revolutionary techniques to make destination and hotel directories, name
cards and brochures, which travel agents can use with out falling back on
Internet web sites.
A
fashion-statement was made by these three ladies (from left) Apiradee
Tantivejakul, Project Coordinator Central Group of Companies; Tatsalauy
Osathanond, ComMan Co; and Wanassanan Krainara.
Already published are two small discs with the Singapore
and Malaysia Hotels eDirectories, with the ones about Hong Kong, Bali and
Thailand to follow early next year to be ready for the International Tourism
Bourse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany. Singaporean Stephen Yong, a former
executive of the Pacific Asia Tourism Association (PATA) in Bangkok has
joined the company recently and supported the presentation accordingly. Even
some self-declared dinosaurs in the publishing business, such as British
David Hardcastle from Good Morning Chiang Mai News had to admit that
“electronic publishing” is the future.
The
final photo with the outgoing GM Arie de Keijzer, flanked by Michael Vogt,
Chiangmai Mail; Wim Fagel, Amari Rincome Hotel; and Nick Bauer, Imperial Mae
Ping Hotel.
Regarding the future meetings, the board members of Skål International
Chiang Mai and North Thailand decided that there will be no meeting in
November but there will be a Grand Christmas Skål Dinner Meeting on 18
December this year. GM Nick Bauer from the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel Chiang
Mai extended the invitation and is looking forward for a gathering of up to
120 people for that event. All lights are on green for the future of Skål
International Chiang Mai and North Thailand.
Ian
Garrit, Eleanor Hardy, Sarah Leelaphat and Carl de Cleene enjoy each others
company.
The
obligatory group photo with the two guests of honour, Tat-Leong Sweeting and
Stephen Yong (front row second and third right).
