Stirring a lot of interest along the streets of Hua Hin last week was a parade of some 40 classic cars.
Fashion Village Development president and CEO Sukkasem Laohongkiat, Bangkok Airways' Napassanun Pisutkul, actress Kamolwan Sriwilai, Phetchaburi governor Montien Thongnit, Centara Hotels & Resorts senior vice-president Supatra Chirathivat, Bangkok South Civic Court chief justice Possawat Kanoknark, Prachuap Khiri Khan deputy governor Nuwanna Anantakitpaisarn and Centara general manager Peter Nilsson.
The eye-catching vehicles were there as part of the annual Hua Hin Automobile Concours, organised by Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin in cooperation with Prachin Eamlumnow, president and CEO of Grand Prix International Co Ltd, and Hua Hin municipality. Prachuap Khiri Khan province and Monsoon Valley also supported the event.
Now in its 12th year, the three-day event was dedicated this year to two auspicious occasions: the 87th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol and the 82nd birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.
The aim this year, as well as displaying the charming classic cars, was to boost destination awareness throughout Thailand and abroad.
Earlier, participants had joined a ceremony to hand over bicycles to disadvantaged children as well as wheelchairs to the handicapped in Hua Hin municipality, Prachuap Khiri Khan province and Phetchaburi province. To mark His Majesty the King's 87th birthday, a total of 87 bicycles were presented this year to students from four different schools who have difficulty commuting to and from school. Also, 87 wheelchairs were presented to two hospitals and a school for the disabled in the area.
The event also featured an exclusive lunch at Banyan Golf Course and the Great Gatsby Gala Dinner at Venezia theme park.
The highlight of the event was a glamorous "Cocktail Hats and Bowties" themed gala dinner, which took place around the Colonial Pool of Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, whose elegance dating back to the 1920s provided a perfect setting for the showcase of vintage cars from collectors.
The evening began early to allow guests to view the classic automobiles. The formalities began when Sayam Sethaputra, classic-car connoisseur and president of Mercedes-Benz Club Thailand, made a welcome speech. He was joined by Supatra Chirathivat, senior vice-president of corporate affairs and social responsibilities at Central Plaza Hotel Public Co Ltd, and Nuwanna Anantakitpaisarn, deputy governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
More than 360 guests enjoyed a fantastic night including fine dining, live jazz music, auctions and a fashion show. Among the items up for auction were a painting by Yuvanant Thonghor, air tickets to the Maldives from Bangkok Airways, and the dress from the finale of the fashion show by Krit Siriphan.
Prizes were also presented to the winning cars: Best of the Show to Dean Gillard's Corvette Stingray, Visitor Choice to Michael Schilling's BMW 635 CSI, Car Participants Choice to Yuthwiwat Wattatham's Mercedes-Benz 280SL W113, Press Choice to Vat Lenbury's Citroen DS, and Popular Vote to Verachai Sriwongthong's Mercedes-Benz 190.
The proceeds from the event will be donated to His Majesty the King's Chaipattana Foundation. n
Press Choice winner Citroen DS.
