Travel News for October 2015

Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has a new governor: Yuthasak Supasorn, who officially assumed his new post in September. Yuthasak, 49, was appointed by the TAT Board of Directors as the TAT governor, following outgoing governor, Thawatchai Arunyik, who completed his term at the end of March. He was previously the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Thailand’s MCOT Public Company Limited (MCOT).“I’m very honored to have been selected to this very important post,” says Yuthasak. “Thailand has excellent tourism products and services and that TAT itself is staffed by capable people who have done a great job in helping to make tourism one of the main pillars of Thailand’s economy.”

Yuthasak says he plans to introduce three immediate strategies upon taking the TAT post, including reassuring global confidence and stimulating domestic tourism in the wake of the recent tragic incident in Bangkok, as well as creating a better TAT.

In photo above: Kalin Sarasin (back row, fifth from right), chairman of the Board of TAT, and Yuthasak Supasorn (back row, fifth from left) at the recent contract signing ceremony to officially appoint Yuthasak as the new TAT governor. Also presented in this picture are TAT’s deputy governors and senior officials.

Bangkok — Thailand has been selected to stage “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 Award.” The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with William Reed Business Media is preparing to officially announce this collaboration at Paste, Artisanal Thai Cuisine, Gaysorn Shopping Center on Oct. 20.

The lavish event, supported by TAT, is expected to generate extensive publicity for the kingdom’s gastronomic delights, promote Thai cuisine worldwide through various publicity channels, as well as enhance the delight of sampling the huge array of restaurants that have opened in Thailand.

“TAT’s support for this event is consistent with the theme of our marketing plan 2015, which is to promote Thainess, Thai culture and Thai cuisine. “ said Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT governor. “It will also strengthen the country’s strong brand image and differentiate us from other countries. Moreover, this event will promote the high-end side, especially on the fine dining of Thailand that accommodates various upscale Thai and international restaurants underlined with the expertise chefs and unrivalled services.”

This year, Gaggan in Bangkok took first place in the list of “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants” at a ceremony hosted in Singapore. Nahm took seventh place and was joined by other Thai successes including Chef Tim Butler’s Eat Me (25th place), Bo.Lan (37th place) and Ian Kttichai’s Issaya Siamese Club (39th place).

“Thailand will draw tourists as well as gastronomes to visit Thailand not only for indulging themselves with dishes from the awarded restaurants but also for enjoying a trip in Thailand,” Yuthasak added.

“Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards” has been held annually since its founding in 2013. The list is created by the Diners Club® Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia, each selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurant scene.

Kanokros Sakdanares, corporate director of corporate affairs and social responsibilities of Centara Hotels and Resorts, in her role as Hotel Public Relations Association (HPRA) president, recently organized an “Art of Coaching: Know Yourself — Understand Others for a Successful PR Career” seminar with Napas Makduangkaew as guest speaker. All members of the association, including Earth Saiswang, former HPRA president and advisor; and Veeranat Silananda, general manager of Amara Hotel Bangkok; attended the event, held at the Amara Hotel Bangkok on Suriwongse Road.

Pattaya — Hilton Pattaya recently organized a ‘Culinary Cup 2015’ competition to encourage and challenge the hotel’s staff to showcase their talents and skills.

The competition, which is part of the F&B Master APAC 2015, focuses on people development and talent showcase. The finalsts were judged based on culinary skills and cooking techniques, innovation and creativity, dish presentation, hygiene, and safe working practices as well as time management.

Teeranad Pisolyabud, from Horizon, with his amazing lamb dish; and Eakachai U-bol, from Edge Restaurant, with his perfect pastry called ‘Someone Dates,’ were declared top finalists. The winner will represent Hilton Pattaya at the country level round, competing with other Hilton hotels in Thailand.

Andrias Ananta, resident manager of Dusit Thani Hua Hin, presented Lizzy and Andrew Stocks, founders of Power of Love Children’s Home with stocks of the hotel’s surplus pillows.

This new home, located on 105 rai of land in Khao Takiab, will house 40 orphaned and underprivileged children aged 3- to 15-years-old.

This donation is another of the many annual activity of Dusit Thani Hua Hin under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

The “National Barista Championship Thailand 2015 by JDE Professional” was held at the Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok recently. Photo shows David R. Good (3rd from left), vice president – operations of Centara Hotels & Resorts, with Sanon Wilaiwongs (2nd from left), executive assistant manager of Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok, congratulating Praew Kara (center) of Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Center at CentralWorld, who won the event. Also in photo are (left to right): Elliot Andrews, global director export, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) Professional; Wilaiwongs; Good; Preaw Kara; Winfried Hancke, director FB Operations Centara Hotels and Resorts; GiGi, Head Sensatory Judge; Christian Delodder, national business manager JDE Professional; and Atendra Sharma, general manager of JDE Asia.

Bangkok — The Pullman brand continues its strong expansion in Asia-Pacific with the recent signing of the Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit. The former Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok recently rebranded to become the third Pullman in the ‘City of Angels’ and adds 325 spacious and beautifully designed rooms to the region’s most dynamic upscale hotel brand.

The hotel, noted for its highly visible sail-shaped glass façade, offers a range of room styles as well as two restaurants, a deli lounge, a cocktail bar, outdoor pool, well-equipped gym and extensive spa. There are also great facilities for functions and celebrations.

Bangkok – The Ascott Limited has appointed Myla Caceres as director of sales and marketing (DOSM) for its Thailand properties. Caceres, who has well-grounded academic knowledge in a field of hospitality & tourism and public relations, brings more than 20 years of experience with leading international hospitality companies in the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Prior to joining Ascott, Caceres was director of sales & marketing for the flagship hotel of Dusit International, The Dusit Thani Bangkok.

Ascott currently operates 10 properties in Thailand, with over 1,800 units in Bangkok and Sri Racha.

Bangkok – Singapore commercial real estate developer Castlewood Group has announced the launch of their first Dream-branded hotel & spa in Phuket, Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa opening later this year.

This is part of the recently signed strategic partnership agreement with Début Hotel Group for the development and operation of the upscale Dream Hotels lifestyle brand throughout Asia.

The newly named Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa is slated to open in December, and is located at beautiful Bang Tao beach.

This is the first project with Castlewood Group and its subsidiaries, which is looking to develop up to 20 Dream Hotels over the next 10 years to cater to the chic discerning travelers seeking exceptional experiences in a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The hotel has been awarded in the category of “New Hotel Construction and Design” at the Asia Pacific Property Awards, the Asia Pacific Hotel Awards, and the International Hotel Awards; and will showcase two Michelin starred chefs at its signature restaurant Trilogy, a very first for Phuket.

Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa is just minutes from Layan Beach on the northern peninsular of Bang Tao Beach, in an upmarket area favored by international five star hotels and luxury villa communities.

As a triple award-winning eco-friendly hotel design, the Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa breaks new ground with its environmental-friendly features.