The Event

Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Grand Hall,

Saturday 01 June 2013

A Wonderful Evening with music
by Dang Fantastic and his Band, also with
generous support from Bangkok Airways
Over 300 people attended

Thanks to the care and compassion of many people, a total of 232,547 Baht was raised in support of The Best Friend Library, Chiang Mai, which is dedicated to assisting Burmese refugees and migrants. This positively ensured the ongoing medical treatment and skin grafts still necessary for Chaa Nay Choo, the heroic young boy who nearly died from the serious burns he suffered attempting to rescue others in the 22 March Mae Surin refugee camp fire. It will also go to help other Burmese migrants and refugees in extreme circumstances.

A few images of the gala evening follow here, and we hope those who joined us at the dinner, or who could not attend, but spontaneously made a donation, will realise the very wonderful support they provided. In doing so, they provided us with intense motivation and great reward, and the pleasure of seeing old friends was only matched by meeting new people who share our simple wish to make a difference to the lives of others in need.

We wish to make special mention of the generosity of Baxter Healthcare and Nestlé in Bangkok, who speedily and efficiently donated life-sustaining products, and these played a major role in Chaa Nay Choo's recovery.

The event could not have even been born without the exceptional co-operation from the management of the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel. This was no better illustrated than the challenge of creating a Burmese Buffet Dinner for 300 people with no more than a Burmese cook book to hand, and we recall with huge pleasure Executive Chef Stefan Frenzel's inevitable "sure, we can do" response, each time we asked if another strange-sounding Burmese dish could be added to the menu! We know Stefan secretly spent many hours in the kitchen trying different recipes, suffered a few sleepless nights worrying, and the final presentation was fitting testament to his dedication and professionalism.

Very special thanks go to General Manager Peter Schnyder, who at all stages gave us a lot of his time, and was still with us at 1am, long after the last guests had gone home. We are also deeply grateful to Director Of Sales & Marketing, Khun Nongluk Chaithep, "Toy" who dealt with our endless barrage of phone calls and emails with equal measures of patience, good humour and charm. We also owe our thanks to scores of other people who advised, supported, delivered, encouraged and helped to make it happen, and they are recorded here

Special thanks go to the Amari Watergate Hotel Bangkok, and Bangkok Airways, who generously provided the combined 'star door prize' of the evening.

Mr. Peter Schnyder, General Manager of the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, welcomed guests.

Mr Garrett Kostin, Director of The Best Friend Library outlined the main objectives

Including help for victims of the terrible Mae Surin Refugee Camp fire

One of these victims was the heroic 14 year old boy Chaa Nay Choo (above) who was horribly burned whilst trying to save others in the blaze. Proceeds from the Gala Dinner ensured his continuing medical treatment,rehabilitation and a successful return to his community

Colourful Burmese performances enhanced the gala evening

And guests tucked in to a delicious Burmese-style buffet dinner, with Dang Fantastic 'serenading' the tables

Many guests wanted to see who cooked the delicious food, so the talented but shy
Executive Chef Stefan Frenzel was finally persuaded to take the stage!

Dang Fantastic soon had people on the dance floor

And 'ace' drummer Geoff Allen gave everybody a percussive treat!

Tin Tin Nyo, General Secretary of Women's League of Burma, delivered the keynote speech

Followed by more colourful performances

Then a surprise! Dang Fantastic approached one of the tables, where a celebrity had been 'hiding' all evening ...none other than famous musician and singer from the "Impossibles" band - Khun Vichai Punyayun, the "Pink Panther"

What a great and fitting finale, as the two talented performers sang for us!

Thanks to the generous support of many companies, we received a total 76 door prizes! To round off the evening, it was time to draw the 'star prize' - two round-trip flight tickets Chiang Mai - Bangkok by Bangkok Airways, coupled with two nights' accommodation on the Executive Floor of the Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok.

The lucky winner was Mr. Guy B. Scandlen, pictured above receiving the prize from Khun Kantima Chaiboon, Bangkok Airways Station Manager, Chiang Mai, flanked by Mr. Garrrett Kostin, Director of the Best Friend Library Chiang Mai, and Ms Ramlah Jafri, event co-organiser.

Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Grand Hall,

Saturday 01 June 2013

A Wonderful Evening with musicby Dang Fantastic and his Band, also withgenerous support from Bangkok AirwaysOver 300 people attended

A Wonderful Evening with music
by Dang Fantastic and his Band, also with
generous support from Bangkok Airways
Over 300 people attended