March 2012
Dear Skalleagues,
I am delighted to be serving you once again as the newly-elected President of Skal in Thailand. I am following in the footsteps of Brian Sinclair-Thompson and I know you will wish to join me in expressing our very sincere thanks to Brian for his leadership and commitment to Skal over the past four years.
I believe that there are good times ahead for Thailand's tourism. In fact, we could be heading for a bumper year. I am confident we can bounce back from recent man-made and natural disasters. The signs are looking good, with encouraging numbers of business and leisure travellers opting for destinations in Thailand. Hotel rates in Thailand remain remarkably competitive but hoteliers will be looking to maintain higher levels of occupancy throughout the year.
Our own challenge in 2012 is to retain members and to attract more representatives from the travel and tourism fraternity to join our organisation. Young Skal in Thailand offers tourism and hospitality students to meet with young professionals and we are fortunate to enjoy the support of top universities such as ABAC. Our members work at the heart of the nation's tourism industry. Together we continue to support Thailand's efforts to restore faith and confidence in the leisure and MICE sectors.
I must pay tribute to the work of Khun Malai Sakolviphak - considered by many as the 'father' of Skal Thailand. Khun Malai, who recently passed away, left behind a powerful legacy and a following of dedicated and committed members.
Finally, I am delighted to confirm that the following Skalleagues will serve on the national committee for 2012/14:
Vice President: Robert Lee (Skal Bangkok)
Honorary Vice President and Government/Trade Liaison: Somsak Kiratipanich (Skal Bangkok)
Secretary / Treasurer: Brinley Waddell (Skal Bangkok)
International Skal Councillor & Director for Young Skal: Scott Smith (Skal Bangkok)
PR and Communications: Dale Lawrence (President - Skal Bangkok)
Director: Annette Kunigagon (Skal Chiang Mai)
Director: Richard Mehr (Skal Hua Hin)
Director: Michael Biedermann (Skal Koh Samui)
Director: Claude Sauter (Skal Phuket)
Skal!
Andrew Wood.
