By V. Sivaji
A Penangite making “waves” in the hospitality industry in Bangkok, Thailand is Pauline Chua.
Pauline is the general manager of not one hotel but rather three hotels in the Thai capital.
Among the hotels under her charge are the Shama Sukhumvit Bangkok, Ekamai Gardens and the Emmaline Hotel Nan.
Penang Hyperlocal had a chance to sit down with Pauline when she was on her visit to her hometown after the reopening of International borders to explore her work and life in Bangkok.
Question 1 – How did you end up working in the Bangkok hospitality industry?
Answer – I have been in the hotel industry for the past 28 years and this is my 3rd time returning to Bangkok for work.
Q – How do you find working in a foreign environment?
A – It is tough at first but once you get to understand their culture, it gets easier especially when you get along with them. Both sides are willing to understand each other’s cultural differences and that’s where it gets better.
Q – Have you picked up the Thai language?
A – Over the years, I have managed to understand the Thai language but speaking wise is pretty tough. I am learning every time I can, otherwise, I have a daughter who speaks fluently.
Q – What is your management style?
A – Work is work, but when it comes to fun time, we all have fun together. Team work for me is very important or we would not have trust, respect and understanding within ourselves.
Q – How do the local staff get along with you ?
A – Well, I have learnt that for local staff to get along with you, we would need to respect and listen to what they have to say and solve their problems. If there is no respect, it is tough and I have learnt that mutual respect no matter the position is important and that is how we all get along together, even when there is a language barrier.
Q – Do you meet many Malaysians at your hotel?
A – Yes I do mee. We had a lot of Malaysians checking into our hotel, and frankly, we became friends. When you meet people from your own country, it gets easier for them as tourists to travel around in Thailand. With the information we have, we pass it along and it makes their holiday better.
Q – Do other Malaysians work there and do you get to meet up for social activities?
A – We do have Malaysians living in Thailand, many of them have their own businesses here and some are working here. For us Malaysian living in Thailand, we will meet during functions organised by the Malaysia Embassy or Kelab Malaysia. Sometimes we will call up each other to get together over a cup of coffee or tea. We have some running cafes here selling Malaysian food like Nasi Lemak, Nasi kandar, Char koay teow and many more. As you know, I am grateful to know who I can run to when I miss hometown food. Both the Embassy and Kelab Malaysia will do activities in Bangkok to ensure we will be well-connected with each other here which I find that it’s a good thing. Any problem faced, we know people here.
Meanwhile, Pauline also added that Kelab Malaysia and the Malaysia Embassy organises events and get-togethers for every festival, be it luncheons, dinners or other activities like riding bicycles.
Sometimes, they also meet up for roti canai and teh tarik during the morning walk with the ambassador.
And not too long ago, they had the privilege to meet up with our very own Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during his official visit to Thailand which was organised by the Malaysia Embassy.
She also shared that working in Thailand the “Land of Smiles” brings in different cultures, but she would say that Thai Culture and Malaysian culture are almost similar but the differences is, they would greet us with both hands together as they called it, “ Wai “ regardless of the status as it is a form of respect towards one another and we would need to do the same.
“With both hands together, we would say “ Sawadee Kha “ for women and “ Sawadee Krap “ for men as greetings. It always makes me smile whenever one meets another and it’s so welcoming.
“We as Malaysians are always proud to bring our Malaysian culture to a foreign land to promote Malaysia to Thailand and for us to bring back Thai Culture to Malaysia.
“My daughter has been in Thailand for over a year, and she went back recently and the funny thing is, after paying for things, she almost put her hands together as I mentioned called “ Wai “ to say thank you,” concluded Pauline.
Penang Hyperlocal congratulates Pauline Chua on her success in Thailand as she keeps the Malaysian flag flying there.