Sofitel So Bangkok Appoints Pre-Opening Team

Sofitel So Bangkok has appointed the pre-opening management team that will prepare the hotel for its opening later this year.

Gilles Cretallaz as General Manager: A French national with many years of experience with the Accor hotel group, Gilles began his distinguished career in the early 1990’s at Sofitel properties in French Polynesia, and was later Resident Manager at the Novotel Turquoise in Turkey. His first role as General Manager was in Indonesia, where he spent six years and achieved the position of Regional General Manager based in Bali. Subsequently he has held top executive positions at the Novotel Atlantis Shanghai, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, and Sofitel Bangkok Silom. Immediately prior to moving to Sofitel So Bangkok he was responsible for the rebranding of Sofitel the Grand Amsterdam as a Sofitel Legend hotel.

Sirinate Meenakul as Director of Marketing and Communications: A Thai national with extensive experience in the world of luxury hospitality, Sirinate began her career in 1996 at The Regent Bangkok, now The Four Seasons, rising to the position of Sales Manager. She subsequently held senior management positions in Sales and Marketing at The Sukhothai Hotel, Bangkok, and The Peninsula Bangkok where, prior to joining Sofitel So Bangkok, she was Director of Public Relations and Marketing Communications. In addition to her responsibilities at the hotel level, Sirinate is Regional Director of Marketing and Communication Sofitel South East Asia.

Panadda Pongcharoen as Director of Business Development: A graduate of Thammasat University, with a BA in Liberal Arts, Panadda began her career with the former Le Meridien President Hotel, Bangkok, and subsequently broadened her experience at Bangkok’s Shangri-La Hotel and Westin Grande Sukhumvit, where she was Director of Sales - Corporate and MICE. In 2006, Panadda joined the Accor Group as Key Account Director Accor APAC and was later promoted as Director of Sales and Marketing of Sofitel Bangkok Silom, the position she held until her present appointment.

Suchana Sasivongbhakdi as Marketing Communications Manager: After graduating with a BA from Thammasat University, Suchana took a Master of Science degree in Communication Studies at Indian State University, USA. On returning to Thailand she began her career in the hospitality industry at Banyan Tree Bangkok, rising to the position of Public Relations Manager. Remaining at the deluxe property for five years, Suchana gained experience in all areas of PR, from F&B promotions to sales and marketing, before joining the Sofitel So Bangkok team.

Mike Kingpayom as Social Manager: Born in New York City and living in Thailand for the past 14 years, Mike is well known throughout as a model, actor, MC and Radio DJ. At the age of 12, Mike began his career in the entertainment industry, and after nearly 2 decades, he decided on another career path, Hospitality and Tourism. His first hotel job was at Best Western International – Asia Head Office, as Assistant Communications Manager where his extensive experience in Public Relations and Entertainment was of great use. He now joins Sofitel So Bangkok as Social Manager, where he will be responsible for all Marketing & Communication through Social Networks such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. He will also be responsible for coordinating and driving PR & Marketing Events with in the hotel.

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