CELEBRATING 120 YEARS
HSBC gala looks back to founding of banking services in Thailand
The first commercial bank in Thailand, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), led by CEO Thailand Willie Tham and CEO Asia Pacific Sandy Flockhart recently hosted ''HSBC Thailand's 120th Anniversary Gala Dinner: The Founding of Banking Services in Thailand'' to celebrate its 120th anniversary in Thailand and commemorate the establishment of the Thai banking sector, at the Hotel Plaza Athe{aac}ne{aac}e, Bangkok. The large ballroom looked decidedly small with the crowd of distinguished guests from the government and private sectors. Among them were Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, Bank of Thailand Governor Dr Tarisa Watanagase, Khunying Pornthip and Krit Narongdech, President of Kasikornbank Dr Prasarn Trairatvorakul, President of Government Housing Bank Khan Prachuabmoh, Supaluck Umpujh, Yuwadee Bhicharnchitr, Tos Chirathivat and Puwanida Khunpalin.
The evening's programme focused on the Thai financial history with a special light and sound performance followed by a depiction of the Kingdom of Siam over the past 120 years through music to reflect each decade.
The accompanying exhibition was an eye-opener, with ancient ledgers of the personal accounts of members of the royal family including those of King Chulalongkorn and King Vajiravudh. These enormous manuscripts were recorded by hand in pre-computer days, and probably needed a couple of hefty bank guards to carry in and out of the vault for safekeeping every day.
Also on display was a replica of the first Siamese banknote issued locally by HSBC.
The entertainment had been carefully selected to offer the top artists, led by a symphony orchestra conducted by Danu Huntrakul, with renowned singers, notably, Elvis Presley impersonator Vasu Saengsingkaew who captivated the audience with a medley of Elvis songs.
Representing the '60s was Thailand's original pop band and string combo, The Impossibles, with original members Settha Sirachaya and Vinai Phunturak, who brought back the Beatles' music era. Disco and contemporary music were then presented by Radklao Amaratish.
The grand finale of the show was Suthasinee ''Pat'' Buddhinan, who sang a selection of well-known lyrical numbers such as Over the Rainbow, In My Life and The Greatest Love of All, a suitable theme to reflect the bank's commitment and dedication to its customers from the past into the future.
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