Human focus

Boutique hotels are now seen everywhere, but the former chief policy adviser to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Pansak Vinyaratn, envisioned they would, in future, be differentiated by connecting with the locals, who can home deliver products and services to hotels.

These hotels will have nothing but accommodations. They will, thus, outsource the kitchens, laundry and other services to local villagers.

In a seminar conducted by the Thailand Creative and Design Centre recently, National Economic and Social Development deputy secretary-general Arkhom Termpittayapaisith quoted Pansak as floating these ideas.

New partner

Hunton & Williams (Thailand) said Manida Zinmerman has joined the company as a partner in the corporate department of its Bangkok office. She had been the in-house legal counsel with True, one of the largest telecom conglomerates in Thailand, and was a former international partner at White & Case.

Manida earned her bachelor's  degree in law from Thammasat University and received an MBA from Assumption University. She also holds a master's in law from Columbia University.

ktb chairman appointed

Krung Thai Bank's audit committee appointed Pachara Yutidhammadamrong as the chairman this month. Dusit Nontanakorn now sits on the bank's audit committee.

Bliss-tel finance head

Bliss-Tel said Anupong Chanchiredrasmee has been appointed senior assistant managing director, responsible for finance and accounting, since last Monday. He succeeds Wilawan Chaichumpoo and Pornsiri Lekklai, who previously oversaw the finance and accounting, and the budget departments respectively.

Jetro movement

On Wednesday, Jetro Bangkok president Yoichi Kato will leave Thailand to assume his new assignment at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti) in Japan. Vice president Hiroyuki Nemoto will act as the president until Kato's successor arrives.

MCOT chief

MCOT, the operator of channel 9, has appointed Charupong Ruangsuwan as chairman. Nathi Premrasmi has been appointed the first vice chairman and Tongthong Chandransu, the second vice chairman of the MCOT's board of directors

nai lert pr officer

Nai Lert Park Bangkok, a Raffles International Hotel, announced the appointment of Nattasiri Jianurankul as the assistant public-relations manager.

Nattasiri started her career as public-relations officer at Patumwan Princess Hotel before moving to Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square to work as public-relations officer and assistant public-relations manager for five years before the new appointment.

Sansiri board members

The new board members of Sansiri, a major property company, are Mana Noppun, Jesadavat Priebjrivat and Porntat Amatavivadhana. Mana and Jesadavat also now sit on the company's audit committee.

Koneru for pdi board

Padaeng Industry (PDI) has announced Madhu Koneru as a new member of its board of directors. Koneru, who is also the executive director of TRIMEX International, has been in the mining industry for 13 years and has vast experience in different areas of supply-chain operations. In early April, TRIMEX acquired a 7.24-per-cent stake in PDI through its subsidiary - RAK Minerals & Metals Investments.