Dinner with fellow FIABCI USA delegates & lunch with RE/MAX Thailand
Alex and I arrived early morning in Thailand, after long flights, full of delays from Beijing. Luckily we are staying at the uber-chic W Hotel Bangkok, whose plush beds and friendly service made us feel right at home. After a nice rest, we awoke to mostly cloudy skies, but no rainfall! A surprise considering Thailand is in the middle of their summer monsoon season. We decided to take advantage of the dry, hot weather with a trip down to the pool for lunch and a swim.
Lounging poolside at the W
After a very tasty lunch and hanging poolside, we both agreed a signature treatment at the highly regarded AWAY spa (located conveniently on premise) would rejuvenate us both after the long journey here. After our massage, steam, and sauna, we commented on just how amazing the Thai people know how to pamper their guests. If you’re ever in Bangkok, I highly recommend the W for all the reasons above!
View from our 15th floor corner suite
Traditional Thai dinner with Peter and Nancy Suvarnamani
It was such a treat to meet up with Nancy and Peter again after a wonderful trip with them in Beijing, and even better that it was on their home turf! Both were born in Thailand, before moving to Chicago, so they were more than happy to show us around their city. They also brought along Nancy’s cousin, Sukumal, who is a recently retired Lt. General in the Royal Thai Army—talk about knowing people in high places! After drinks in the lobby, we set out to the local shopping center to check out some great jewelry shops, where our friends knew the owners. Alex had his eye set on a gorgeous Cartier watch, but after reviewing the price tag, we all agreed his fine taste might be a little out of budget for this trip!
Peter, Nancy, Sukumal, Myself, and Alex enjoying drinks in the W lobby
After some window shopping, we left to a traditional Thai dinner at a restaurant specializing in seafood. Our companions were surprised by Alex’s vast knowledge of Thai cuisine, and were extra happy to see us both chow down everything they ordered. We feasted on tom yum koong, larb gai, whole fried seabass, spicy scallops, and stir-fried morning glory, just to name a few. It was a fantastic mixture of flavors, enjoyed with even better company—truly a winning combination for a great evening. We said goodbye at our hotel and got an early night’s rest after the long day.
Traditional Thai dinner with our hosts for the evening
Business lunch and meeting with RE/MAX Thailand
Today was quite exciting, as we had the pleasure of an extended meeting with the Regional Director of RE/MAX Thailand, Eran Milo. I am currently doing as much research as possible here in Thailand, as I have a grand dream of one day opening up a RE/MAX Lifestyle office in Chiang Mai, where my younger brother currently resides for half the year. His Thai wife and family own one of the most successful elephant parks in Chiang Mai, and his entrepreneur brother-in-law recently reached out to me about the possibility of starting a franchise in his hometown.
Eddie, Myself, Eran, and Jaroen out to lunch
Eran brought his VP of Marketing, Jaroen Horathai, as well as his IT guru, Eddie Shiyovits, to a Japanese restaurant near their office, and we all enjoyed a lengthy meal discussing the potential in Northern Thailand. It would be challenging move, no doubt, but I have never shied down from a challenge—it’s what drives me to become a better person and broker everyday!
After our meeting in the RE/MAX Thailand office
After lunch we visited their headquarters nearby, and had further discussion about the finer details a move like this would take. They are all quite intelligent, have a steady business model, and working with them would be a pleasure. I just want to make sure I do my proper due diligence before diving in to a situation that could become something big rather quickly. We all agreed that my and Alex’s three night trip to Chaing Mai tomorrow will help clear up some questions, and left with a passion and excitement to head north!
“Bringing the global market to Thailand!”