Chaophya Park Hotel, Bangkok Celebrates. First Cycle Spectacular!

Chaophya Park Hotel,
Bangkok, Thailand
www.chaophyapark.com

It was a magnificent entrance. From the main hotel entrance leading all the way to the second floor of the Chaophya Ballroom, there were blossoms and orchids cascading throughout the hotel, along with ice carvings and the most spectacular picturesque landscaping. Interior gardens complete with animals from the magical world of Thai Classical storybooks were cleverly placed to form a natural entrance to the party.

The evening was Thursday 27th October, 2005 and greeting all the guests on arrival were Khun Apinya Loychusak, the charming Managing Director of Park Hotels & Resorts and a beaming Andrew Wood, the hotel's amiable General Manager, with Khun Dheerawat Bhunlapiwat - EAM and the entire hotel executive team and hotel sales managers.

Over 700 guests ensured that this was not just a small cocktail party; it was an evening of celebration, with sumptuous displays of food presented by the 150 or so talented chefs and managers from the hotel's restaurants. From delicious Chinese roasted duck and mouth watering suckling pig , to champagne and oysters, and even a fountain (literally) of chocolate and delicious pastries and desserts from the kitchen brigade, led by Executive Chef Yuthana Harngulwatana.

The occasion was the hotel's Annual Thank You Party, which also coincided with the 12th Anniversary (or 1st Cycle) of the Chaophya Park Hotel .The decoration of the chandeliered ballroom was co-coordinated throughout, in keeping with the theme of the “New Look “ Chaophya Park Hotel, on Bangkok's popular Rachadapisek Road.

Khun Apichart Chayopas, CEO of the Park Hotel Group, was first to address the assembled guests, thanking each and everyone for their past support and for taking time to attend this evening's function. Up next was Khun Andrew who explained that the group now consisted of five hotels in Thailand, two in Bangkok and three in Koh Samui and that the group had been working hard to re-position the flagship property - The Chaophya Park Hotel over the past 18 months.

Following extensive refurbishment of all 402-guest rooms, 12 function rooms and the opening of new restaurants, the Bali Spa and the Golf Driving Range and some Bt 100 million later the hotel was in good shape to face the next 12 years with confidence.

After the formality of the speeches there followed an up-beat AV presentation showing all the guests the new look and how US$2.5 m had been invested. It was impressive and unusually most guests were watching the presentation with keen interest and enthusiasm, it might have also been the perfect choice of music that caught their attention, whatever it was it had just the right affect - an appreciative audience.

After entertainment and live music, including a special musical presentation from the talented Khun Dheerawat, who with PR Director, Khun Catareeya, was doubling as MC, it was time for the “Oscar Awards” of the Top Ten Accounts for 2005. The awards were presented to the grateful recipients by both Khun Apinya and Khun Andrew.

Dancing and more food, this time from the hotel's Japanese Restaurant and famous Kao Tom Buffet. Afterwards there followed an exciting raffle draw prize with tickets incidentally, cleverly fashioned from the hotels electronic key cards with a specially commissioned engraving. It was with a shriek of delight that Khun Yada Leelakajornkit from Sosuco Ceramics, realised that she had won the top prize of a pair of return tickets to London, courtesy of Gulf Air. The grand prize was presented by Mr. John Evans, General Manager of Gulf Air to a very excited Khun Yada.

It really was a special evening, a great deal of planning and effort had gone into ensuring a memorable party and as the evening drew to a close (full cycle almost!) with guests collecting their special anniversary gifts, one could not help but think that a new chapter in the hotel's history had well and truly begun!