Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa H.E. Geoff Doidge and Mrs Carol Doidge hosted a magnificent reception at the Grand Ballroom of the prestigious Conrad Hotel in the heart of Bangkok.
BANGKOK: A highly successful Freedom Day celebration took place at the Conrad Hotel in Bangkok last night. Showcasing the very best that South Africa has to offer, this busy and active Embassy once again put on an outstanding celebration which was widely attended by over 300 guests including many of Thailand’s diplomatic corp.
Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa H.E. Geoff Doidge and Mrs Carol Doidge hosted a magnificent reception at the Grand Ballroom of the prestigious Conrad Hotel in the heart of Bangkok.
H.E. Ambassador Doidge on behalf of South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa paid homage to the long and cordial friendship that has developed over many years between South Africa and Thailand and referred to the legacy of late Nelson Mandela and the wide ranging opportunities for trade and investment that continues to flourish in South Africa. He also paid tribute to the ladies and gentlemen who work tirelessly in the public and private domain who have made this possible.
The Ambassador also thanked all the members of the South African Thai Chamber of Commerce (SATCC) and the numerous sponsors and airlines who continue to support the Embassy’s global trade efforts.
Loyal Toast
Ambassador Doidge led the distinguished guests with the loyal toasts. Both the South African and Thailand Anthems were sang by the extraordinary talented choir of Assumption University students.
Andrew J Wood was born in Yorkshire England, he is a former hotelier, Skalleague and travel writer. Andrew has 48 years of hospitality and travel experience. Educated at Batley Grammar School and a hotel graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh. Andrew started his career in London, working with various hotels. His first posting overseas was with Hilton International, in Paris, and he later arrived in Asia in 1991 on Bangkok with his appointment as Director of Marketing at the Shangri-La Hotel and has remained in Thailand ever since. Andrew has also worked with the Royal Garden Resort Group now Anantara (Vice President) and the Landmark Group of Hotels (Vice President of Sales and Marketing). Latterly he has been the General Manager at the Royal Cliff Group of Hotels in Pattaya and the Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok & Resorts.
A past board member and Director of Skål International (SI), a former National President with SI Thailand and a two time past President of the Bangkok Club. Andrew is the former President of Skål Asia. In 2019, Andrew was awarded SKÅL’s highest award the distinction of Membre D’Honneur.
He is a regular guest lecturer at various Universities in Asia.
