2012

The ATS Committee has been exploring co-operation with similar societies.

Through the good offices of Justin Staples, who was British Ambassador in Thailand and Finland and is a member of the ATS and the Anglo-Finnish Society (AFS), members of the ATS Committee met their equivalents from the AFS on 31 October 2012 to discuss issues of mutual interest. Although Finland and Thailand are geographically far apart, there are similarities between the two societies and we shall be exploring the scope for some joint and reciprocal events. Details of the activities of the AFS are at http://www.anglofinnishsociety.org.uk.

In 2011, Robert Gordon, President of the Britain-Burma Society (BBS), was a guest at the ATS Educational Excellence Awards reception. This year, David Fall, Chairman of the ATS, was invited to attend the annual reception of the BBS. ATS Committee member Mike Springate, who is also a member of the BBS, is exploring the scope for co-operation between the two societies.

On Friday 22nd June, 2012 members of the ATS Executive Committee held a small farewell lunch for Dr Rutchabhoom Boonrawd and his wife Kulisara, at Nipa Restaurant, Lancaster Hotel in London.  Dr Rutchabhoom, a First Secretary of the Royal Thai Embassy, has been Hon. Committee Representative from the Royal Thai Embassy for over 4 years.  During his term he has been a very supportive and effective liaison between the ATS and the RTE and has helped strengthen the relationship between both organisations.   Committee members who gathered to say farewell and show appreciation were David Fall (Chair) , Dr Orapin Dawson, Dr Mike Springate and Rongruja Dykers.  It was a very pleasant occasion and David Fall presented a token gift to Dr Rutchabhoom.

Five former British Ambassadors to Thailand including Sir James Hodge, Quinton Quayle, David Fall, Justin Staples and Derek Tonkin attended the recent ATS 50th Anniversary gala dinner on Monday June 11th, 2012.  Also in attendance (and pictured) were Kevin Thorne (former Chair of ATS);  Lord Geddes (Deputy Speaker of House of Lords and Patron of ATS); H.E. Mr. Kitti Wasinondh (Ambassador of Thailand to the UK and Patron of the ATS) and Bernard Coe (Honorary President ATS, former Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand and former Chairman ATS);

Former ATS Committee member Tom Waller, now living in Bangkok, had his recent award winning film 'Mindfulness and Murder' shown in London on April 12th, 2012 at the Apollo in Piccadilly Circus.

Tom is the director, co-producer, and co-writer and the film was part of the International Buddhist Film Festival 2012 world tour. Tom is also President of de Warrenne Pictures, based in London and Bangkok. The producer was Michael Pritchard, also a former ATS member.

Based on a novel by Bangkok resident Nick Wilgis, the film explores the intimate world of a Thai Buddhist monastery while following the lines of a classic whodunnit. The film was made in Bangkok and tackled sensitive subjects such as drugs and corruption amongst the police and monks.  As usual, not everything turned out to be what it at first seemed!

Eight ATS members attended the premier which opened to such a full house that they had to open a second screen in order for everyone to view the film.  After the film there was a Q & A with Tom & Michael and a reception was held at Thai Square in Trafalgar Square.  Tom very much appreciated the attendance by ATS members and sends his regards to members of the society.