Greetings from “THA”- The Thai Hotel Association, South East, East Coast (comprising Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngam, Koh Tao, Suratthani and Nakhonsithammarat).

The THA is a group of responsible hotel managers and owners who care about our environment and want to make it a better place for our guests and our staff. With a headquarters in Koh Samui we currently have a membership of 60 and a serious desire to become an influential voice in tourism affairs. However, to be truly effective we need more members, and that is why we are writing to you. There is no doubt that our region is reaching a critical stage in its fast-paced development with infrastructures unable to keep pace particularly as it relates to garbage disposal and roads. The need for a powerful and united hotel industry has never been more important. Remember, we control the majority of the labour force and bring in most of the revenue. As a result we also are responsible for consuming most of the utilities and creating most of the waste. Therefore it is only right that we should have a “big say” and use our combined expertise to make things happen!

We have identified a number of vitally important projects to which we are committed:-

• To ensure all hotel members are actively involved in “EM” technology as per His Majesty’s The Kings concept. This involves recycling all hotel kitchen and garden waste into fertilizer and liquid EM. The liquid can be used as a fertilizer as well as to clean septic tanks, toilets and floors. The end result is a huge saving in costs as well as taking the pressure of the island’s inadequate incinerators and garbage services.

• To create a training school in Koh Samui to teach students basic skills in a number of hotel departments.

• To introduce effective water saving initiatives and campaigns.

• To distribute food waste to worthy causes such as the Dog Rescue organizations and the pig farms.

• To instigate beach cleaning campaigns.

• To lobby and work with the local authorities to improve the tourist experience in areas relating to safety, noise pollution, cheating taxis, jet-ski’s, time share touts etc. etc.

There are many other benefits to being a member of the THA including involvement in a number of marketing / promotional activities together with a very close association with Bangkok Airways.

So why not come and join us? We would like to hear from any General Manager or owner who is prepared to give a little back to the area where we make our living. We want to share your ideas and work with you. Historically, in this local branch our membership has been mostly made up of Farangs, so we are particularly keen to attract Thai Nationals and we assure you that our meetings will be conducted in Thai and English. Our current President and 3 members of our committee members are Thai nationals. If you would like to know more please contact one of the committee members listed below and we would be delighted to visit with you as well as invite you to one of our monthly meetings on the last Friday of each month - 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. Last but not least, in addition to the “serious side” of our work there is also the opportunity to socialize and exchange ideas with your peers in convivial surroundings at the lunch that follows our meetings when we often invite interesting and influential speakers to address us.