The laid-back atmosphere of Karon Beach in Phuket was abuzz with activity as Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket prepared for the arrival of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to grace the resort's grand opening. In a sense it was a party long overdue as the Phuket resort actually began operations in 2010 with 262 rooms under a Sino-Portuguese theme.
On hand to officially welcome the princess were Centara chairman Suthikiati Chirathivat, Khunying Suchitra Mongkolkiti, who presented a donation to the princess, and Supatra and Thirayuth Chirathivat, who both presented the princess with special books to commemorate the event.
The Princess presided over the opening ceremony, after which Her Highness viewed exhibitions displaying the activities and development of the various properties under the Centara umbrella. These included corporate social responsibility projects under the theme "Central spirit ... because of you, we exist". These include projects to beautify Bangkok, various education projects, the Thanpuying Sa-nga Inkhulanont School in Nan province, collecting old calendars to produce braille cards for the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, under the royal patronage of HM the Queen, and collecting aluminium can tabs for prosthetic limbs for the Prosthesis Foundation of Thailand.
The Princess rounded up her visit with a tour of the hotel property in a golf buggy, and after her departure guests joined the cocktail and dinner reception, with Mr Suthikiati giving an address. He noted that the Centara hotel group has been operating for over 30 years, and now has 58 properties with more than 11,000 rooms in seven countries, namely Thailand, the Maldives, Mauritius, China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
During the buffet dinner, guests were entertained by a stage performance, followed by the highlight of the evening, a concert by the Vie Trio, featuring the three Srinarong siblings Paye, Parn and Pui.
To give the trio a breather during their hour-long concert, a Chinese umbrella show filled in at a half-time intermission.
After the concert, the evening concluded with a fireworks display, though the house band continued to perform until guests went their separate ways.
A concert by the Vie Trio.
