PHA Reaffirms Commitment to The Island’s Recovery

The Phuket Hotels Association (PHA), a nonprofit organization representing 80 of the island’s top hotels and resorts reaffirmed its deep commitment to the future of Phuket’s hospitality sector by announcing the reappointment of its senior leadership team, including President Bjorn Courage who has been instrumental in the association’s success.

Following a recent election, Bjorn, who also serves as General Manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, was given an overwhelming vote of confidence to continue in the role of President, while Brett Wilson, General Manager of the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, was named as Treasurer and Daniel Meury, General Manager of the Andara Resort & Hotels, was re-elected as Secretary. This positive move comes at a vital time for Phuket’s hospitality industry, which is enjoying a strong rebound from the global pandemic. The continuity of having PHA’s executive team remain in place for another term will enable key projects and policies to be implemented effectively.

The association’s work is built around four strategic pillars – marketing, environment, government, and education – and education has emerged as a critical issue in the post-pandemic era. This is due to the shortage of talent that is currently impacting the hotel sector in Phuket. Bjorn comments: “As tourism and hospitality in Phuket continue to recover, we will make every effort to maintain and build on the important work which helps put people first and provides first-class hospitalitybased education opportunities.”

Aerospace Council

Online Chat with Sia Kheng Yok - Chief Executive of the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) or AAIS – Feb 2

Speakers: Sia Kheng Yok, Chief Executive of the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) or AAIS

Organized by: Aerospace Council

Event Highlights:

In this knowledge-sharing event, Guest speaker Sia, Chief Executive of the AAIS provided an overview of AAIS and the International AAIS Network (IAN). He shared insights on how the Thailand’s Aerospace industry can participate in IAN to derive the benefits of being part of the Aerospace community and enhance its growth in the Asia-Pacific region as well as improve human development.

Joint HR and DEI Committees:

Neurodiversity - Changing Your Thinking about People Who Think

Differently – Feb 9

Speakers: Farida Charania, CEO of Empauwer and Jez Robles, Asia Pacific Marketplace Diversity Leader of IBM

Organized by: HR Committee and DEI Committee

Event Highlights:

AMCHAM welcomed our speakers to share insights and in-depth understanding of neurodiversity and how to strategically and inclusively build and support neurodiversity in the workplace. The presentations were followed by a meaningful question-and-answer session which ranged from how to embrace, promote, and support people who are neurodivergent to how companies can create a psychologically safe workplace for employees.

“Diversity has always been a topic, but inclusion is very recent. Inclusion means the ability to bring everyone in and hear all the voices. It is very important to create a culture of acceptance and understanding.” — Farida

AMCHAM Signature Event

The Governors’ Table @ The St. Regis Bangkok – Feb 9

Host: Ornkanya (Mook) Pibuldham of Bank of America; Arpaporn (Gift) Samabhandhu of Johnson & Johnson; Wiyada Srinaganand of 3M Thailand; Chatit Huayhongtong of Chevron; and Simon Denye of Harmless Harvest.

Event Highlights:

Board Governors were delighted to welcome members to our Governors’ Table, where leading executives were able to connect over a leisurely dinner. AMCHAM members enjoyed face-to-face networking with the premiere business community at The St. Regis Bangkok.

Marketing & Communications Committee

B2B Marketing in 2023 – Feb 23

Speakers: Chris Cracknell of Grant Thornton Thailand; Zac Robinson of Tilleke & Gibbins; and Justin StDenis of Lexicon

Moderator: AMCHAM Marketing & Communications Committee Co-chair David Norcross of Lexicon

Organized by: Marketing and Communications Committee

Event Highlights:

Guest speakers led a presentation on the latest trends in B2B marketing in 2023 and provided case studies on what businesses can do to stand out. They also provided insights on how executives can leverage Executive Branding to showcase their expertise, attract top talent, and expand professional networks.

Virtual Membership Meeting

Eastern Economic Corridor Human Development Center (EEC HDC)Feb 10

Speakers: Asst. Prof. Dr. Nayot Kurukitkoson, Eastern Economic Corridor Human Development Center (EEC HDC)

Moderator: AMCHAM Manufacturing Committee Co-Chair Frank Timmons of Apichet Technologies

Organized by: Manufacturing Committee

Event Highlights:

Guest speaker Assistant Professor Dr. Nayot Kurukitkoson delivered insights about the role of the Eastern Economic Corridor Human Development Center and the new demand-driven initiative education models.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nayot identified the implications and challenges in human capital building in EEC and further detailed EEC’s recent demand-driven approach, which engages the public and private sectors for collaborations and developments. This allows companies and education providers to design an appropriate and suitable curriculum for the anticipated demands as well as receive benefits of tax reduction under these schemes.

Manufacturing Committee

Solar Rooftop Options for Manufacturing and Warehousing – Feb 17

Speakers: Asst. Prof. Dr. Twarath Sutabutr, President of the Office Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD)

Organized by: Manufacturing Committee

Event Highlights: Guest speaker Asst. Prof. Dr. Twarath provided in-depth insights about solar power in

Thailand. He covered various points on rooftop solar power options for manufacturing and warehouse facilities, current practices, challenges, and limitations, and the future vision of solar rooftop technology. The discussion session was followed by an active question-and-answer session which ranged from the benefits of carbon credits in solar power installation to the future possibilities of independent power producers.

“Another strength of Thai power industry is growth. The consumption of electricity is still going up even though there is some stagnation during Covid-19.” — Asst. Prof. Dr. Twarath Sutabutr