Chiang Mai Mail celebrates 7th anniversary at Networking One

By Dr. Iain Corness and Shana Kongmun
The Networking One group held their latest business event promoting local business networking at the Shangri-La Hotel on November 5. The event saw the Chiang Mai Mail Publishing Company celebrate the 7th anniversary of its newspaper in Chiang Mai.

Dr. Iain Corness, Features Editor of the Pattaya Mail and Brian Baxter, CMM journalist join in the fun at the networking event.
The Chiang Mai Mail took the opportunity to introduce its new Managing Editor, Shana Kongmun, to the local business community. Shana spoke of her aims and objectives for the newspaper, asking attendees and residents to help the paper remain relevant to the local community with the goal of publishing local news and events of importance, the spin-off being the assistance and promotion of their businesses by the paper itself. She encouraged participants and residents to contact the newspaper with any news tips, items of interest and articles they wish to contribute.

Zane Crosby-Emery of Zane Gardens Tea & Coffee House joins Barry Main, Marketing Director of ThaiVisa.com and Gary Newitt, director of Mr.Moo Co.Ltd.
The Networking One events continue to grow in attendance with over 60 people attending this month, filling the Shangri-La’s Silapathai Lounge and Bar. The hotel’s captain, Mattana, and her staff were kept busy all evening dispensing beer and red and white wine. Networking appears to be a thirsty business!
The official welcome was made by the principal of AA Insurance Brokers, Peter Smith, who also introduced Dr. Iain Corness, one of the original contributors to the Chiang Mai Mail, Dr. Iain, as he is affectionately known, quickly passed the microphone to Shana and then on to Peter Malhotra, the MD of Chiang Mai Mail Publishing. Peter added that not only did the newspaper need the assistance of the local community but that the community needed a newspaper that represented its needs. He added that he hoped the next 7 years would see the development of a closer relationship between the paper and the community.

Elodie Valery and her husband Wee of the Green Papaya Resort on Koh Phangan, meet fellow resort manager, Louise of The Spa Resort.
Some lucky business cards were drawn, with the lovely Atcharin Chanhom (AIA) winning a mystery prize, and excitedly telling everyone that she was so pleased she had decided to join the event!
Wyndham Hollis, the talented local photographer, was another very happy networker and reminded everyone of the Chiang Mai Photographic Group exhibition (November 14-29 on the 2nd floor of the Northern Village at the Central Airport Plaza).
The best business card was displayed by locals Michael Jacobsen and his wife, with their names in a font size so large it could be read even by the over-40 year olds. They were seen in animated conversation with Dr. Gregory Frazier, whose ‘business card’ was so detailed he needed a printed sheet to go with it. However, for someone who is a Crow Indian and has been around the world four times on a motorcycle, he has done more than the average traveller.

(l-r) The lovely Suphalak Jacobsen and her husband Michael are joined by Dr. Gregory Frazier.
Other networkers included Mary Johnson, a lovely young lady from California who is setting up a socially responsible Italian gelato company called Ice Chic, and Darryl Crist (Movaci Technology) a young man who has been living in Thailand since he was 10 years of age and speaks fluent Thai, so we all are jealous.
Local author, Stu Lloyd discussed his latest release, “The Missing Years” while Zane Crosby-Emery of Zane Gardens encouraged attendees to join his proposed mixed touch rugby league. AA Insurance Brokers’ GM in the north, Richard Prouse, was ensuring everyone did enjoy themselves, in between talking about the Isle of Man and motorcyle racing. Fiercely independent these Manxmen!
The next Networking One event will be on the first Thursday evening of December, and will be advertised in your community newspaper, the Chiang Mai Mail.

(l-r) Roy and Diann Harris fill in Shana Kongmun, the new Managing Editor
for the Chiang Mai Mail on their most recent trip back to Thailand.

(l-r) Richard Prouse , local manager of AA Insurance Brokers regales Eric Lynn of LCT Consultants, Noriko Yabata of Café Pandau, Saowalak Paisantirakom of Na Na Chiva House, local author and travel writer Stu Lloyd and Joe Lynch, General Counsel, with tales of motorbiking on the isle of Man.

(l-r) Noppasit Ariyasuttinant, Amway Owner, listens to Barry Main , Marketing Director of Thaivisa.com talk about the forum and its growth with Phillip Johnson Consultant InFocus 4 You Magazine, Derek Khoo , Business Amway Owner and Monthakan Intharasri ,Manager of InFocus 4 You Magazine

(l-r) Lauren Johnson,joins Maiken Hjulgaard ,
Training Manager of Georg Jensen, Mary Johnson , M.D. of Ice Chic Co.Ltd,
Steve Harris and friends at the Networking One event.

(l-r) Wyndham Hollis discusses the upcoming photography exhibit with Bruce Hoppe, Vice President Asia Operations of Emerson Electric, Peter Malhotra, Kannikar and Ib Ottesen, owners of luxury condominiums and hotels in Pattaya who came up especially for the celebrations.

(l-r) Peter Smith, Director of AA Insurance Brokers, presents the winning gift certificate to Atcharin Chanhom of A.I.A while Dr. Iain Corness, looks on.

(l-r) : Eric Lynn of LCT Consultants joins Peter Smith, Director of AA Insurance Brokers in being regaled by author Dr. Iain Corness.

(l-r) Charles Begley,of Tuskers Bar, David Walker of Asia Property and Sherman Miles, Marketing Director of Walen Education enoy a drink at the event.

Peter Malhotra, M.D. of the Chiang Mai Mail talks about the past 7 years of the newspaper and discusses his hopes for the future.

The Chiang Mai U.S. Consulate General political and economic section chief, Alexander Barrasso, 3rd left, visits the the Chiang Mai Mail office to congratulate the newspaper on its 7th anniversary. Accompanied by Worawan Thanamongkol, Public Diplomacy Assistant, left, he presents a basket of flowers to Chiang Mai Mail staff, led by M.D. Pratheep Malhotra, 2nd right, Editor Phitsanu Thepthong, 2nd left, and Managing Editor Shana Kongmun, 4th right.  Suthasinee Maneekul, MD of Pimtong Accounting, 3rd right, and Barry Main, marketing director for  ThaiVisa is far right.

Phongphan Jongyotying, President of Chiang Mai Broadcasters and Reporters Association and Adviser to Northern Editors Network, presents a basket of flowers to Peter Maholtra, in celebration of Chiang Mai Mail’s 7th anniversary while Phitsanu Thepthong and Shana Kongmun, Managing Editors for the Chiang Mai Mail, look on

Lieutenant Commander Tammanoon Sangkhrim, Director of Navy 11 radio station F.M.88.O MHz presents flowers to Peter Maholtra in honor the the newspapers 7th anniversary. Phitsanu Thepthong and Shana Kongmun, Managing Editors of the Chiang Mai Mail join them.

Pichamon Jitawatanarat, the Amari Rincome Hotel’s assistant sales manager, center, presents a basket of flowers to congratulate Chiang Mai Mail editor Phitsanu Thepthong, left, on the newspaper’s 7th anniversary celebration last week.

Aunkana Kangphrome, right, of the Public Relations team of the Centara Duangtawan Hotel in Chiang Mai presents a basket of flower to the Chiang Mai Mail’s Editor, Phitsanu Thepthong, at the newspaper’s office, in honor of the Chiang Mai Mail’s 7th anniversary celebration.

(l-r) Darryl Crist, Business Manager of Movaci Technology,
Michael and Ralph Van den Berg , IT & Market of Horeca
Supply Co.Ltd. discuss the latest events in Chiang Mai.