ONE of Thailand’s long-established tour operators, East West Siam, will be managed by Bali’s Asialink Holidays, a DMC with operations in Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, effective April 1.
In a letter sent to travel agents and business partners last week, Asialink Holidays general manager, Thailand, Sandor Leinwand recte Rein, said: “We will continue the existing operations of East West Siam…we will do our utmost to make sure (any glitches during the transition period) will be solved well and swiftly.”
Rein was appointed general manager of East West Siam shortly before assuming this new role. Formerly in charge of Asialink Holidays’ operations in Indochina, he had joined East West Siam when director Chananya Phataraprasit was restructuring the company.
At press time, both Rein and Phataraprasit could not be reached for comment.
Established in 1968, East West Siam was managed for almost 20 years by one of Thailand’s most respectable tour operators, Vincent Tabuteau, who stepped down in 2008 to set up his own company, Asia Marine.
Tabuteau’s successor Thierry Rodet took the helm for almost two years before leaving to make way for the restructuring under Manfred Ilg, who left after less than a year to join Hansar Bangkok hotel as general manager.
By Sirima Eamtako
