BANGKOK, 25 March 2026: Founded in 1956, Skål International Bangkok has long stood as one of Asia’s most respected hospitality and tourism networking clubs.
As Club No 153 within Skål International, it continues to play a pivotal role in connecting industry leaders while adapting to a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
The club is expanding its reach through social media and digital engagement to attract a new generation of members while maintaining its strong foundation of industry relationships.
A legacy of global connection
Skål International traces its origins back to 1932 in Paris, when a group of travel professionals, including agents, hoteliers, airline representatives, railway executives and cruise operators, came together following a Scandinavian familiarisation trip. This spirit of friendship and collaboration led to the formal establishment of Skål International in 1934, with Paris as Club No 1.
Across Asia, the movement has grown steadily; today, the associations have 12,500+ members in every major city (300+) in the world. Jakarta, Club No 13, remains the oldest in the region, while Bangkok Club No 153 has become one of its most dynamic and influential chapters.
Monthly networking with impact
Skål Bangkok hosts its regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, except in April, when it is closed due to the national Songkran holiday. These gatherings, a mix of lunches and evening cocktail events, provide a platform for meaningful connections, business development and knowledge exchange among tourism professionals.
Hosted at the renowned Spectrum venue on the 29th floor, the event combined exceptional hospitality with panoramic city views, reinforcing its reputation as one of Bangkok’s premier networking experiences.
Hotels frequently use these occasions to showcase new concepts, menus and service innovations. This has created a friendly yet spirited sense of competition among participating properties, ultimately enhancing the experience for members.
Strong sponsor support
A key strength of Skål Bangkok lies in the continued support from its sponsors. Their contributions help reduce event management costs while ensuring members enjoy high-quality food and beverage offerings at each gathering. This collaborative model allows the club to maintain accessibility while delivering consistently high standards.
Looking ahead: Regional and global engagement
While the core unit of Skål remains the individual club, members are also connected through a wider network of regional and international events.
The upcoming Skål Asia Congress will take place in Macau from 11 to 14 June at the Grand Lisboa Palace, bringing together industry leaders from across the region.
Globally, the annual Skål World Congress remains the organisation’s flagship event. The 2026 Skål World Congress will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 5 to 10 October 2026, continuing the tradition of rotating destinations and reinforcing Skål’s commitment to international collaboration.
A club for the future
As the tourism and hospitality sector continues to evolve, Skål International Bangkok is positioning itself at the intersection of tradition and innovation. By leveraging digital platforms, expanding its outreach and maintaining its strong community ethos, the club is ensuring its relevance for decades to come.
For hoteliers, travel professionals and tourism entrepreneurs, Skål Bangkok remains a unique platform for connecting, collaborating and growing within a trusted global network.
About the author
Andrew J Wood is a Bangkok-based travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. With more than four decades in the international hospitality industry, he has held senior leadership roles with leading hotel groups. He is widely recognised for his expertise in tourism and hospitality across Asia.
A long-standing member of Skål International, Andrew has served as a Director and has uniquely held the presidency at most levels of the organisation, including Past President of Skål Asia, National President of Skål Thailand, and twice President of Skål International Bangkok. He is a recipient of Skål’s Order of Merit, the President’s Award and the organisation’s highest honour, Membre d’Honneur.
He writes extensively on tourism trends and is widely published across international travel and hospitality media.
(Source: Your Stories — Skål International Bangkok)
Proud to be part of SKAL Bangkok for 20 years. Wishing you all happiness, good health, friendship and long life.
Thank you Scotty your continued involvement in Skål International is a great benefit in pushing our boundaries ever further my friend.
Warmest
Andrew
Nice to see familiar faces carrying on a fine tradition.
Dear Rusty
À consistance and calming entity in the turbulence that is around us presently.
THANKS for taking the time to comment Rusty‼️
Spectacular event and gathering of top notch professionals of all ages and backgrounds. Great focus on past, present and future movement in the tourism/economy sector. Congratulations to all involved and Khun Andrew for the for the insight during these weird times. Skal!
Veechan M Naruthai
March 25, 2026 At 17:09
Spectacular event and gathering of top notch professionals of all ages and backgrounds. Great focus on past, present and future movement in the tourism/economy sector. Congratulations to all involved and Khun Andrew for the for the insight during these weird times. Skal!
🔺AJW REPLY: Thank you very much Khun Veechan for your kind and thoughtful words.
It was indeed a special event, bringing together such a diverse and experienced group of tourism professionals. As you rightly noted, understanding the past, navigating the present, and preparing for the future is more important than ever in these unusual times.
Your support and engagement are greatly appreciated, and it is this shared spirit within Skål that continues to strengthen our community and industry.
Warm regards and SKÅL!
Andrew
Skal is the perfect networking event in Thailand, especially Skal Bangkok, always attended by interesting influential people. Hyatt Regency has to be an excellent choice of hotel as well!
Dear Will
💯% agree!
“Skal is the perfect networking event in Thailand, especially Skal Bangkok, always attended by interesting influential people. Hyatt Regency has to be an excellent choice of hotel as well!”
Thank you, much appreciated.
Skål Bangkok, as you know certainly prides itself on bringing together a dynamic and influential mix of industry professionals, and it is that energy and openness that makes our networking so valuable.
The Hyatt Regency is a perennial favourite and proved to be an excellent venue once again! Sammy and his team are first class -industry leaders in their field, and the location and setting is 10 out of 10 providing the perfect setting for meaningful connections and lively exchange.
We hope to see you again very soon Will‼️
Warm regards,
Andrew
As a travel professional, I can appreciate the value of a trusted network like Skål. Congratulations to President James Thurlby, Andrew J Wood, and the entire Bangkok chapter on keeping this legacy strong and relevant. Skål!”
Thk you Rodney your kind words are motivating
Best regards my friend
Andrew
Excellent article on an Excellent Club
Peter Morrison MNZM
Skal World President 2020
Thank you President Peter.
Hope NZ is surviving the chaos
Warmest
Andrew
Being a retired Hotelier in Thailand since 1981, I attended the Skål international networking events in my early years a few times. Great to meet colleagues in our Travel and Hospitality industry for some social catch up talks and to stay in touch with the latest news and trends having impact in our Tourism industry. However despite these cosy lunches and meetings, I still do not seem to fully comprehend the agenda of Skål networking and the real relevance or purpose of these monthly networking get-togethers for the greater benefit or progress in the Thai Tourism sector?
Hi Rob,
Great to hear from someone with your depth of experience in Thailand’s hospitality scene, and you raise a fair question.
At first glance, Skål gatherings can feel like informal catch-ups, but that is actually where much of their value lies. In an industry as relationship-driven as tourism, trust and familiarity are often built outside the boardroom, over exactly those kinds of conversations.
These monthly get-togethers serve a few important purposes. They keep professionals connected across sectors, hotels, airlines, DMCs, media and government, which is increasingly important as the industry becomes more interconnected. They provide a space to exchange real-time insights, often ahead of what appears in formal reports, whether that is shifting traveller behaviour, market trends or operational challenges.
Just as importantly, they help maintain visibility. In Thailand’s competitive tourism landscape, staying present and engaged within the network can lead to collaborations, referrals and opportunities that would not otherwise surface.
There is also a wider benefit. While individual meetings may seem modest, collectively they help strengthen the fabric of the industry. Relationships built over time often translate into stronger cooperation during periods of disruption, and better alignment when opportunities arise.
So while the format may feel relaxed, the impact is often more strategic than it appears. It is less about a formal agenda and more about maintaining a living, breathing network that supports both individuals and the wider tourism ecosystem.
Always good to have seasoned voices like yours in the conversation.
Warm regards,
Andrew
Skal International Bangkok always active and most vibrant clubs in Asia engaging members on regular intervals for giving them bonding and networking which ultimately leads to the business among friends. Without you knowing and bonding trust can’t be built which is the key for successful journey of many its members.
Skal Asia works very hard in encouraging all its Asian members from the oldest Jakarta to the newest clubs being formed in India plenty. Skal International Bangkok always inspires many clubs and hearty Congratulations to you all.
Thank you Skalleague Andrew whose Pen is mightier than sword by creating somany articles with wow feel when ever i read them.
Hi Dr Valmiki,
Thank you for your very kind and generous words, they are truly appreciated.
You capture the essence of Skål perfectly, it is indeed about building trust through genuine connection. As you rightly say, without knowing one another, meaningful business relationships rarely take root. The spirit of “doing business among friends” remains as relevant today as ever.
It is also encouraging to see the continued growth and energy across Skål Asia, from long-established clubs like Jakarta to the exciting expansion in India. That momentum reflects the strength and resilience of our regional network.
Skål Bangkok is proud to play its part, but it is the collective commitment of members like yourself across Asia that keeps the organisation vibrant and forward-looking.
Thank you again for your support and encouragement, and I am delighted that the articles resonate with you.
Warm regards,
Andrew
This is such a good gathering. As tourism becomes more fragmented by the day, it is wonderful to see tourism professionals meeting as friends through Skål. Tourism is a community after all, one that fosters exchange at every level. For Thailand, such camaraderie is why the country has emerged from crises and numerous challenges stronger each time.
Dear Chattan,
Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection.
You are absolutely right, tourism today is becoming more fragmented, with shifting markets, new technologies and changing traveller expectations. In that environment, the role of community becomes even more important. Skål provides that rare space where professionals can come together not just as colleagues, but as friends.
Your point about Thailand is especially true. Time and again, the industry here has shown remarkable resilience, and much of that strength comes from the relationships and camaraderie that underpin it. When challenges arise, it is this sense of connection that allows the sector to respond quickly, support one another and move forward with confidence.
It is always encouraging to see this spirit alive and well within our gatherings.
Warm regards,
Andrew
Insightful and encouraging during such troubled times!
Dear Manoj,
Thank you, much appreciated.
These are certainly uncertain times for our industry, which makes it all the more important to stay connected, share perspectives and support one another. If the past has shown us anything, it is that tourism has a remarkable ability to adapt and recover.
Encouragingly, it is through conversations like these and the strength of our network that we continue to move forward with confidence.
Warm regards,
Andrew