Bangkok--Nov 7--eTurboNews
The advanced party had reached Bangkok Don Muang airport early and as I arrived, a sea of smiling faces met me. All around the group of intrepid travellers were heaps of boxes and luggage, an enormous 300kgs of excess baggage. It was the marketing material and brochures that we were taking to Zagreb in Croatia, in our push to ensure that as many Skael members as possible, from around the world, joined the 67th Congress, which is to take place here in Pattaya in 12 months time.
The Pattaya team cheers as Thailand is announced during the spectacular
flag ceremony.
Thankfully, we had received advanced clearance from Austrian Airlines to ship the 17 or so boxes. Our only worry now was how we were going to clear them through customs in Zagreb and how many pack mules would we need?
The first night get-together party was well attended, with over 850 Skael members and approximately 100 dignitaries. The Aussies were out in force with almost 150 Skalleagues attending, adding life and spice to a fun party.
Andrew Wood presents a copy of the Amazing Pattaya VCD to Jan Sunde, the newly elected President of Skๅl International.
Earlier that day the 11-man delegation from Thailand had set up display booths and stands. The whole team worked cohesively together to provide an 'information centre' and a contact point for any information on next year's congress in Pattaya. The toy dolls provided by TAT were an instant hit, as were the 6-year pocket calendars provided by the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. The Pattaya brochure and VCD were also going like hot cakes!
Peter Malhotra addresses the delegates as Malai Sakolviphak, Andrew Khoo and Deputy Mayor Wirawat Khakhay look on.
Strategically positioned outside the main doors of the conference hall, the stands were very well visited. Working hard with the Thailand team were Pattaya's Deputy Mayor Wirawat Khakhay, Apichart Puetpan, Pattaya City deputy permanent secretary, and Andrew Khoo, the chairman of the 67th Sk?l World Congress Organising Committee. Working alongside were Paisan Bundityanond (Mr. Rabbit), and Michael Swart and Marcel Sawyere from the Royal Cliff. Also seen scurrying about was Pattaya congress PR director Peter Malhotra busily making notes and taking pictures. Rosalin Khoo oversaw the operations offering her feminine touch and finesse to the proceedings.
Deputy Mayor Wirawat gets down to the business of setting up the Pattaya stand with the help of Marcel Sawyere.
The Pattaya delegates were joined at the congress by Malai Sakolviphak, Thailand's Skael president and Horst Hornung, director of PR and communications for Skael Asia and Koh Samui.
Also visiting the congress was a strong team from the TAT office in Europe, lead by Junnapiya Jamnong, director for France and Benelux. She brought along a many goodies and giveaways including delicious kanom sweets and a professional display board, promoting Amazing Thailand.
The following day was the official opening ceremony, including the spectacular flag ceremony. The whole Thailand contingent, dressed in dazzling Sk?l turquoise Thai Silk jackets, enthusiastically welcomed the arrival of the Thailand flag, which was met with thunderous applause from the 1000 or so people attending.
In his opening address the outgoing president of Skael International, Matanyah Hecht outlined a year of activities under the theme started by his two predecessors, "Tourism Through Friendship & Peace" and "Doing Business Among Friends". He mentioned a number of examples where Skael had been able to break through political and cultural barriers, for the benefit of tourism, and amicable, a theme that continues today to be very relevant in a very uncertain world. Included in his remarks was also a special mention of the work initiated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in their campaign for the Fight Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), in which he offered support and praise.
The Thailand delegation are welcomed to the congress by two very pretty Croatian girls dressed in their national costumes.
Welcome speeches from the secretary for tourism for the Republic of Croatia, the mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandicand, and the president of the organizing committee, Nik Racic was followed by a highly professional cultural show including a charming rendition of "My Croatia" by the National Children's Choir.
Two days of busy working sessions included the election of the new board of directors under the Norwegian leadership of the new president of Skael International - Jan H. Sunde, former vice president, and a presentation by Pattaya to ensure the delegates that we would be ready to receive a record breaking number of delegates to the congress next year.
Peter was chosen to be our spokesman and in his impassioned speech he said that, "The attendance of Skaelleagues to the congress venues depends not only on how popular the destination is, but more importantly it relied upon Skaelleagues as a whole. To further the ideals of Skael and to make what all that has been discussed during the meetings come true and make a difference, Skaelleagues must 'recommit ourselves' by supporting all world congresses, no matter where they are held. Only with unity and our commitment to expanding friendships through more participation can Skael achieve its objectives." With that he told the captivated audience that we expect to welcome thousands of Skaelleagues and their families to Pattaya next year.
When the vote was taken from the floor to reconfirm Pattaya as the venue for next year's congress the room was filled with cheering as green cards of approval were waved vigorously above the delegates' heads ascertaining that "Yes, we will be there in force."
The next day the whole congress flew 572 km south, to the historic city of Dubrovnik. Some very early departure times by chartered jet meant a number of 3:30 a.m. departures and so everyone was quite literally bright and breezy if not a little sleepy!
Following a fascinating walking tour and a journey back through time to the early 7th Century B.C., all delegates were hosted to a sumptuous farewell party, nautically themed, to match the venue. Pirates and local fayre were in abundance, although many delegates were thinking of their 3:30 a.m. departures again that morning!
After long farewells, it was back to Zagreb and a short transfer via Vienna to Bangkok. All the delegates came away with a feeling that many acquaintances were renewed, new friends were made, with many new contacts that ensure that we can "do business among friends".
The team from Thailand also worked hard, not only to show Skaelleagues from around the world that we meant business, but that we could also be friends and colleagues; yes, sometimes in competition within the business environment, but when needed, we can work together for the benefit of Thailand and Pattaya.
It was evident that Croatia had pulled out all the stops to ensure a memorable congress. On the journey home there was much discussion on what Thailand and Pattaya needed to do and everyone agreed ... the 67th Skael World Congress will be even better!
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