32 FRIDAY MAY 18, 2018
PATTAYA MAIL
VOL. XXVI No. 20
Pattaya Pioneers celebrate ‘We Are Family’ Day
Santsak Ngampiches leads the guests in signing their names in the ‘Heart of Pattaya Pioneers’.
Jetsada Homklin Pattaya politicians and hotel executives came together to reminisce and contemplate the future at the fifth “We Are Family” event. Political Advisor to the Prime Minister Sonthaya
Kunplome opened the May 4 revelry at the Hotel J attended by former MPs, Santsak Ngampiches, Poramet Ngampiches, J Group owners Santi, Somjai and Yuwatida Jirapat, Banglamung Ice Factory owner Pramote Pattanasin, Bartender Association eastern
Arthid, Jan and Rugby enjoy the proceedings.
Veteran hoteliers Suwat Paepiromrath, Pitichote Srimetakul, Pranee Pitaktham and Prasut Susiri join in a panel discussion reminiscing about the good old days. regional boss Yupparaj Wongdaowkul, Pitichote Srimethakul and Pattaya Mail MD Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra. Sonthaya said he was impressed to see many familiar faces, including those he considered some of Pattaya’s founders. Things have changed in the years since and Pattaya has morphed into something new, but the founders will continue to drive the city as family, the elder member of the Kunplome political clan said. A panel discussion on the over 50 year-history of the hospitality industry in Pattaya and the drive to achieve international standards followed. Panelists Suwat Paepiromrath, director of sales and marketing at the Eastern Grand Palace; Pranee Pitaktham, advisor to the Room Service Association
Eastern Thailand, Prasut Suksiri and Pitichote Srimethakul spoke about how some of Pattaya’s oldest, finest resorts were serving guests when Pattaya was far less popular and grew with the city due to high standards for customer service and amenities. Next was a presentation on campaigns to conserve the environment and a general talk on the growing population and rubbish issues. The day also featured free bloodpressure checks from the Public Health Department and free food and drinks.
Direk Pongsawat who worked for decades at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group kept in touch with his old friends and together with Santi Jirapat (right) was instrumental in organizing the reunion for the past 5 years.
Pramote Pattanasin, Peter Malhotra and Yupparaj Wongdaowkul join in chanting the Pattaya Pioneers slogan.
(l-r) Poramet Ngampiches, Pranee Pitaktham, Somjai Jirapat, Santsak Ngampiches, Sonthaya Kunplome, Santi Jirapat, Prasut Susiri, Pitichote Srimethakul and the effervescent MC Umaporn Ratchatawattanakul chant in unison, “Pattaya Pioneers Reunion, We are Family”.
Over a hundred Pattaya Pioneers attended the ‘We are Family Day’.