The luxury boutique brand 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts is curating a new edition of its highly successful 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai. 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, comprising 34 luxurious suites and 179 Residences on Sukhumvit Soi 39 is scheduled to open late 2016. A third property comprising 15 luxury villas on the north peninsula of Phuket’s Kata Beach is scheduled to open late 2018.
A talented group of executive team members have been appointed as follows:
Mr Christopher E. Stafford, Chief Operating Officer
With more than 34 years’ experience in hospitality, travel and event management, Swedish national Chris Stafford is a seasoned industry professional. He now takes the helm as Chief Operating Officer, creating and directing the newly launched 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts brand. Most recently Chris was the Vice President of Hotel Operations for South East Asia for SilverNeedle Hospitality. Previously he headed the Anantara Resort Group from 2000-2007 in Thailand and the Maldives, opening 6 properties for the group. He is an avid polo player (both horse and elephant) and was instrumental in the creation of the famous Anantara Elephant Polo event, now in its 14th year. Chris has also worked in senior management roles for Regent International Hotels, Westin Hotels and Bali Hai Hotels Tahiti.
Mr Esmond Wong – Director of Projects
Canadian national Esmond Wong is used to wearing a hard hat on the job as Director of Projects. He moved to Thailand in 1999 as the Managing Director and Consultant for Tribeca Solutions Co Ltd where he provided IT-based business management, consulting and training services to local companies. He then went on to be the Operations and Special Projects Manager on the pre-opening team for the famous Bed Supperclub before being promoted to Project Manager for Bed Management Co Ltd. In 2009 Esmond was appointed General Manager of the boutique SilQ Hotel in Bangkok before taking on the role of Director of Projects/Technical Services for Ativa Hospitality which then became SilverNeedle Hospitality
Ms Orranut Stephens – Group Director of Human Resources
In her capacity as a Human Resources professional, Ms Orranut has worked in the opening of more than 10 hotel and resort properties across multiple brands in Thailand. She has strong professional credentials and holds a Master in Business Administration in International Business from the University of Bristol in England and a Bachelor in Political Science from Ramkamheng University, Bangkok. She has extensive experience in training and as a pre-opening team specialist. In her new role she is responsible for recruitment, training programme design and implementation and leadership development.
Ms Nuengruethai Sa-nguansakpakdee – Group Director of Marketing
A seasoned marketing professional, Neungruethai joins 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts from her most recent role as Director of Sales & Marketing for Starwood Sheraton Koh Samui. She was a founding sales team member at The Metropolitan Bangkok and worked in a marketing capacity at several other 5 star hotels including The Regent Bangkok (a Four Seasons Hotel), Anantara Resort & Spa, Hua Hin and Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa. Neungruethai played a vital role in the establishment of Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin, formulating their business strategy and opening the hotel. She then went on to re-engineer the sales and marketing structure, sales process and booking system at the Kirimaya Golf Resort Spa and MUTHI MAYA Forest Pool Villa Resort in Chiang Mai. She has strong events experience.
Mr Peter Marx – Group Director of Culinary
Peter’s culinary journey began in Stockholm, Sweden and has taken him to over 57 countries across three continents. Through his travels as a gourmet nomad he has accumulated extensive experience in Europe, South East Asia and the South Pacific Islands. Chef Peter is a highly respected industry professional and culinary artiste with more than 30 years’ experience. He has worked with Michelin Star Chefs in Europe and in several Hatted restaurants in Australia (equivalent to a Michelin Star). He has worked in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Indonesia and now returns to Thailand to work his magic on all things culinary for this exciting new brand. Prior to joining 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts, Peter was the pre-opening Executive Chef and Culinary Artiste at The Sanchaya on Bintan Island, Indonesia.
Mr Chakrit Jatupornpisate – Group Director of Food & Beverage
With an extensive background in food and beverage over the last 28 years, Chakrit joins from his most recent position as Director of Food & Beverage at Le Meridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok. Previously, during his 6 years with Marriott International he worked at several of their properties in Bangkok and Phuket. He has also worked for Evason Resort Hua Hin and Anantara Resort & Spa Hua Hin. Chakrit is responsible for creating the restaurant and bar concepts as well as the standard operating procedures, training manuals and marketing programs for his departments. He will work closely with Chef Peter to design an outstanding culinary concept for 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts guests and residents.
Mr Thanongsak Thepawarapreuk – Group Director of Finance
When it comes to all things financial, Mr Thanongsak is the man holding this important responsibility. He holds a Bachelor degree in Accountancy with a Major in Accounting and a Master of Science in Real Estate Business, both from Bangkok’s Thammasat University. He joins 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts from his most recent position as Financial Controller at Courtyard by Marriott, Bangkok. He has solid experience in the hotel industry across several leading brands and a detailed knowledge of systems. During his tenure with the Ascott Group he gained valuable experience in the operations of serviced residences, prior to which he was a Senior Auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers ABAS Ltd in Bangkok. Thanongsak is a member of the Institution of Chartered Accountants in Thailand and also a Certified Public Accountant (Thailand).
Ms Arunothai Suksompong – Administrative Co-ordinator
Making sure everything runs smoothly and keeping order in a buzy pre-opening office, the charming and super-efficient Ms Arunothai keeps her finger on the pulse and is an indispensable member of this vibrant team. She has held several Executive Secretary and Personal Assistant roles in the hospitality industry in Hua Hin and Phuket and was most recently the Corporate Office Manager for Montara Management Co. Ltd in Phuket. Keeping her management skills in tip top condition, she is a graduate of the Cornell Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management in Singapore.
