Equal passion for cars and golfing

Since his 18-hole golf course in Kanchanaburi opened as the newest facility in Thailand, the man who initiated the Bangkok International Motor Show some three decades ago now talks more about golfing. In his iPad Mini, there are lots of photos of the golf course.
His passion was also echoed during the Isuzu VIP Press Trip last week. During a dinner, he revealed why he decided to develop the course even though he had to borrow money from banks.
Two years ago, he was offered a number of land plots in Kanchanaburi. “Just looking at it, I knew that this land was meant to be a golf course.” And who would be the best designer, but himself and a friend, banking on his vast experience in the sport?
The course required investment of hundreds of millions of baht. Any idea when this venture will break even?
“That’s not the point. It is an asset that is meant to remain for a long time. Imagine my grandchildren playing golf with friends and saying, ‘My Grandpa built this course’ – that means more than anything to me,” he said.
But don’t let him deceive you that he no longer has a passion for cars. Prachin has once again used his wits to bundle the two things. He is selling memberships to auto companies, including Isuzu, Honda and Toyota. In return for the annual fee, their top executives can enjoy the exclusive tee-off experience. The companies’ billboards are located on the holes and the golf course is closed once a year for each sponsoring company.
With this marketing campaign, he has got closer to the companies’ executives. Instead of just meeting them once a year at the motor show, he now gets together with them more often.
Don’t be surprised if his motor show requires more and more space.

SURAPHON’S DEEP CONNECTION WITH PINK
Have you ever wondered why some men love strawberry ice cream?
Suraphon Israngura na Ayuthya, managing director of Thai Airways International’s catering department, does not hide the fact that his favourite ice-cream flavour is strawberry. Ask him about this, and he would say: “Well, it has a pink colour.”
Before this leads to suspicions about his personal life, let us say that he is a 100-per-cent gentleman. Though is single, he is quite popular among women.
If you happen to see him spend a late night on Soi Nana (until 4am), please know that he was there just to observe the traffic in the soi. It was this observation that convinced him that the first THAI on-ground restaurant in that location would be a big success.
Moreover, Suraphon is a former soldier. THAI borrowed him years ago to assist the engineering department. After some years, he quit the military and became a full-time employee of the airline. He still keeps close contact with his friends who graduated from the army cadet school. If you want proof, ask his Class 13 friends, who include Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong.
So what about that pink ice cream?
The executive went on to explain that this preference goes beyond ice cream – some of his personal items are also in that colour. He has a pink tie and pink shirts. “Some of my innerwear is pink.”
No, it’s not what you think. The innerwear he mentioned was just socks.

MOONCAKE FESTIVAL ARRIVES
During the full moon of September or early October of each year, people in China enjoy mooncakes while observing the lunar event. The Lunar Festival is to worship the moon for a good harvest, and mooncakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy.
In Thailand, nearly all Chinese restaurants and hotels pump out the cakes, with an endless list of new assortments. Do you think all special versions have already been introduced?
Central Pattana’s marketing chief Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana shows how creative professional marketers can be. For this year, CPN is importing rose-assorted mooncakes from Kunming, China, for distribution in Thailand for the first time. The rose is regarded as a holy flower, indicating happiness in all seasons.
What assortments will we see next year?

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