Member Success Stories

TM Prarttana (Bright) Sirisuwannakul

TM Anthony (Tony) Wright

TM Thiticom

Where did you first hear about Toastmasters program?

My father CTM Prateeb was the Third President of Thai Airways International Toastmasters Club from January - June 2000.

He always shared the stories with me. I found that it was very interesting.

But, I didn’t have a chance to join the Toastmasters Club myself until last year.

I guess I knew about Toastmasters a long time ago. But, here in Thailand, I heard about the Toastmaster program from my friend Graeme Holmes, a member at Thai Airways International Toastmasters, and He asked me to come along the meeting.

I, as a native English speaker, am also interested in the Toastmasters program. Toastmasters have original intent to help people with their public speaking. I guess in a country like Thailand, it also helps people practicing their English. So, it is doubly useful, I guess, for the country like Thailand.

Around February last year, so I have only been a Toastmaster for about 14 months.

(That's me on the left), with current President Yada, and Past President Thanthip

 I joined the club around October last year, so I have only been a member of Toastmasters for about 8 months.

All the members at Thai Airways International Toastmasters Club are very friendly.

They are all giving me a very warm welcome.

I felt right away that this club is the right one.

I found the Club Meetings were very well structured, well organized and well presented. I looked at it and think it would be something that is beneficial to the members there and for me as well.

I also did make a lot of friends. Almost 20 new friends. They are all friendly and encouraging. And, I think this can make things a lot easier when you have to do public speaking.

Recent contest is very challenging for me. Since I have joined the club just about a year, I was very excited to participate in an international event. But, when I say yes to the opportunity, I really have to try my best.

My obstacles during the contest is when I was a representative for our club Thai Airways International Toastmasters Club to compete in the Area division. I was admitted to the hospital because of diarrhea. But, I knew that the contest is waiting for me. I said to the doctor that I have a commitment to the club as a representative. And, I ask the doctor the permission for a leave. I stayed in the hospital for only 6 hours and leave for the contest.

My secret to prepare for the contest is to practice at least 30 times before the contest. But, I would practice only couple of times in a day everyday otherwise I become tense and is not very productive. When I practice I focus on everything including gesture and vocal variety.

I think the most difficult thing for me is to standing up and speaking in front of the public.

The real thing is that I did not feel comfortable speaking in the public.

So, my challenge is to stand up and make my issue.

Where I first knew than I have to be an MC, I think to myself, why me?. I did not have experience in any conventions before. However, I say yes. And, when I decided to do something, I feel like a have commitment. I have to try my best.

On the night, I was very excited and nervous because there are many people in the convention and I have to be one of the MC for 2 hours.

I also faced a small obstacle at the night. I have to announce a name of people in the award presentation. But, the list of the name just came to me 5 minutes before I have to announce the name. And, all the name is Chinese. So, it was very difficult for me.

Toastmaster Prarttana and I were asked to MC for the night of the Gala Dinner of the Back to Basics Convention.

It was quite a pleasant experience for me.

When Toastmaster Pachongsak first asked me to be a MC, I was very nervous and uncertain. But, I decided to take an opportunity. Luckily for both of us that most of the words had been prepared.

I learnt more about the words Commitment and Teamwork.

Toastmaster Anthony is also new and inexperienced as an MC. But, he did it very well.

And, we helped each other on the stage.

Teamwork makes any job a lot easier.

Toastmaster Prarttana and I did some rehearsal together the day before the show. We were there on the night, and then.. it was over .

After I finished, I feel relief and have a sense of achievement. I felt nervous before I got on to the stage. But, when I got on in the stage, my easy feeling between me and Toastmaster Prarttana help me to make the job a lot easier.

English – I had a chance to study abroad. Now, Toastmasters gives me a chance to practice my English. Without Toastmasters, I might forget English.

Leadership Skills – I also work as a Club Officer. I have to learn how to cope with problem and also to listen and work with other people in the team. I think it prepare me to be a future leader very well.

Friendship - I also gained a lot of encouragement from members in Thai Airways Toastmasters Club as well as members from other clubs. I learn many things from their suggestion and comments.

These are 3 main things I think Toastmasters contributes to my confidence and skills in public speaking.

So far Toastmasters has provided me with new tools to be a good Public Speaker.

It also gave me the confidence to recognize that I could do it. And, the encouragement to stand up and talk.

So without Toastmasters, I would not be able to do it.

“Thai Airways International Toastmasters Club is my home."

"TM Takako was born here and grew up in this club”

This is what CC/CL Takako from our sister club Suvarnabhumi Toastmasters said when she presented her Unclassified Speech at our meeting on Monday evening.

She said that she had joined this club in 2002, and she had spent 6 years to complete her first step for her CC. - “Let me share my Toastmasters journey with you !” she said.

Why I’m here in Thailand?

“I am not Thai, I am Japanese and I was born in Tokyo. My dream was to see the world, so I learned English very hard when I was a teenager by listening to the radio and practicing on the train on the way to and from school.”

“After graduation, I had a chance to work for Thai Airways International and came to Bangkok on 30 May 1980 (exactly 30 years ago). I became a flight attendant. I was able to fly to world wide destinations like Japan, Australia, Europe and America. My dream came true. I really enjoyed this job, traveling the world and meeting a lot of people. But I didn’t do anything for developing myself. My communication skill was not improved much.”

“After 20 years of flight duty, I was transferred to work in the office. Thai Airways has expatriate crew who are Japanese, Taiwanese, Chinese and Korean. I was assigned to be a coordinator to take care of the expatriate crew. Then English communication skill became so important for me as a common language for these crew members. But I found myself that my skill was very poor and I suffered from stomach ache every time when I had to speak in front of those girls.”

How did she become a member of Toastmasters?

“I was lucky because TM Somsak had invited me to join Toastmasters. I was a guest to observe the meeting for a couple of times and decided to be a member.”

I thought that toastmastering was the perfect learning way for someone busy like me, being a mother of a small son, a working woman and a house wife. Because I believed if I continued learning, even slowly, one day I would be able to improve myself. Only if I don’t give up. `Many drops make the ocean!’ So I promised to myself that I never quit!”

“Though I was a very slow learner, I continued attending the meeting as I promised to myself. Starting from Secretary, I experienced many officers’ duty such as Treasurer, VPM and VPE. Then finally I became the President of TTC.”

“One day I was asked to be a contestant in the International Speech Contest. At first, I didn’t want to do because I had never aimed to be a champion. However, this became such a wonderful and valuable experience in my life. I won the Intra-Club Contest and Area T3 Contest, then Division T Contest.”

“A night before the District 80 Contest in Hong Kong, I couldn’t sleep at all because I was so nervous. But once I stood on the stage, all the fear disappeared. I really enjoyed speaking in front of more than 400 people. I was so happy and content because I had tried my best in practicing and so many people supported me.”

“My toastmaster journey is like a climbing up the high mountain. I would like to climb with slow steps one by one, seeing and experiencing many things on the way. But I believe I can reach to the top one day and when I get there, I will be able to see other high mountains which I would never be able to see at the foot of the mountain.”

CC Takako offered these 4 tips to succeed in Toastmasters.

1. Being an officer; Toastmasters is not only a club for public speaking but also a member should develop a leadership skill.

2. Being a contestant; A contestant can only gain and never lose. A member can learn a great deal by participating in the contest.

3. Process is as important as a performance; A member should work hard in writing a good speech. This process is the key for improvement.

4. Work within one’s own capacity; Toastmaster is not the place to compete. Try the best in your own pace. Don’t compare yourself with other members!

Before she finished her speech CC Takako gave us these good sentences for all of us to think about;

“Continuation is the power! No matter how slow you are, keep going is important. Toastmaster is a lifelong journey of learning. If you stop, your journey will end there. But if you continue, you will reach you goal one day!”

CC Wiwan Suwansamrith

The feeling of becoming a new TTC Competent Communicator

The first time I heard of Thai Airways Toastmasters Club was three years ago from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pronchulee Achava-Amrung, mother of DTM Chakrit, while she is a researcher for a Ministry of Justice 5 year project.

Since my English conversation was not fluent and natural, I wanted to master it. So I joined the club in October 2007 and felt the warm welcome of the officers who were at heart voluntarily work for the club and also the welcome greetings from the existing members.

From the first “Ice Breaking” project, I have improved my ability speaking in English in front of people little by little. Given recommendations, corrections, and the positive spirit by the club fellow members in each project, my stiff position and nervous feeling has now vanished.

I became more and more confident in every new project and finally my last project “Inspire the Audience” was done. My communication in English is much better than it was.

Thai Airways Toastmasters Club is a wonderful place that gives the opportunity for anyone to practice English skills. I am glad that I decided to participate in the TTC.

After two years, not only have I developed my English skills but also a marvelous club of helpful, sincere, supportive and impressive people I have gotten to know as friends.

I am now proud of myself, and proud to introduce the club to anyone who wishes to expand their English skills.

Thank you TTC for giving me the chance to become a CC.

Sharing my experience as

General Evaluator

My Fellow Toastmasters,

As the Past President of Thai Airways Toastmasters Club from 1^st July – 31 December 2007, I have earned a lot of experiences in doing all the duties as assigned by the VPE's for many years.

I'd like to share with you my experience of being the General Evaluator on 26 April 2010. It was a big task but not a pressure for me. I was excited to be back in my home again after a long period of my absence. I met many new faces and also some old faces too.

I had to focus on my team of the Evaluation Session. I could see the young and energetic new members who make our Thai Airways Toastmasters Club become greater and stronger.

Being a General Evaluator would help you to practice your skill of leadership. You must see any strong or weak points in the meeting, and you should be the one who add value to the meeting becoming to the right one with fun, friendly and fruitful meeting. It's your techniques how to wrap up every happening in the meeting in the positive, persuasive, and knowledgeable ways.

Don't forget that we come to the meeting for our pleasure, not pressure. So, we want to go back home with happiness and want to come back every time we can.

One last thing ! A General Evaluator will never be evaluated ! (which is so not good, because you cannot see yourself)

Khanitha Sundarapakshin CL, CTM

My Toastmasters' Journey

CC Thanthip (Ann) Ngaosuphanvongs

President January-June 2009

April 2010

Toastmasters...a Public Speaking School

CC Nisa Chamsuwan

March 2010

Toastmasters…a public speaking school

 Several months after working in the new office, I was frightened when I came to know that my work required me to make presentations and facilitate meetings. It was simply because I did not like public speaking and I thought I did not have any presentation skills. I was shaking when I made a presentation and I felt like my brain had stopped working whenever I had to speak or answer any questions in public. However, I thought it would be too stupid to resign from this valuable job just because I was afraid. So, I decided to look for a place where I could learn public speaking.

One of my friends told me I can learn public speaking from Toastmasters Club but he was not sure whether such club exists in Thailand since he heard about it in the United States. I did the Google search and found information about Thai Airways Toastmasters Club among the list of other Toastmasters Clubs in Thailand. I contacted my senior friend Chakrit Achava-amrung who has been working for Thai Airways International and asked whether he knew about Thai Airways Toastmasters Club. Fortunately, he is a member of the Club and he invited me to visit the Club.

After the first visit to the Club, I decided to become a member. It is not only because I like the cozy and friendly atmosphere of Thai Airways Toastmasters Club, but also because I could foresee the skills and experience I can gain from being a toastmaster. And when I look at myself today, I am confident [and happy] to say that I made the right decision to join Toastmasters.

What I like most about Toastmasters is that it provides me a great opportunity to practice public speaking and to learn how to improve my performance by evaluation from experienced speakers. This is a unique characteristic of Toastmasters. If I go to a language school, I might be able to learn theory and techniques of public speaking but I might not have much chance to practice and it would be difficult to get valuable feedback from many experienced speakers.

At Toastmasters, I can learn and practice giving speeches step by step from the beginning level to the advanced level. I have learned how to organize my speech, and how to use vocal variety and body language to make my speech more powerful and effective.

Once I gained more experience in speaking, I can practice giving evaluations to other speakers. When I give evaluations to other speakers, I also learn what a good speech is at the same time. And I can apply techniques of giving evaluations to my work when I have to give feedback on work and performance of my colleagues or other people. This is very useful. In the past I would straight away tell other people what they did wrong and how they should improve their work. But now I know that I should start explaining which parts they have done well first and then follow with which parts I think they can do better and how they can do it. When people hear complimentary words first, it is more likely that they will listen to you. I learned this from Toastmasters. This approach makes my comments more effective and meaningful.

These are just some examples how I have benefited from being a toastmaster. For me, Toastmasters is like a public speaking school where people can come to learn making presentation and giving speech. If you want to learn how to be a great speaker, visit a Toastmaster Meeting.

"Make my Dream a Reality"

Immediate Past President

CC/CL Naiyarath Pungarom

Our New President's Story

CC Yada (Jan) Koompprapant

2 years ago, I was invited to my first Toastmasters meeting by one of my friends who is CC Natapol. At that time He performed duty as Vice President Education at Thai Airways club, and he asked me to go to one of the meetings at the Genevieve Caulfield Blind Members club. I actually didn’t know about what I will do but I thought that I will be a celebrity who help the blind for charity. I decided to go and help them as much as I can. On the day I went to the Blind Member’s club, I realized that the Blind can do everything so much more than I think.

And on that same day I went to the Indra Regent to see the contest for Area T. I was very surprised and had many questions: “Wow, what is this Toastmasters ?, Why everyone speaks English very good?, Why the Toastmasters world is so big ? ,Why they have to call each other by different titles? , Why, why and why ???”. That was my first time full day of activities with Toastmasters World.

I work at Thai Airways Head Office where they have weekly Toastmasters meetings. I was invited again by my friend Natapol to join the meeting and after 2-3 months I applied to be a member. At that time, I think that Toastmasters can provide many benefits to me because in my work path I have to present and have meeting with the foreigners so I can apply many techniques from Toastmasters to present at the meetings. I also have a chance to go aboard and have presentations and meetings too.

I think that the Toastmasters atmosphere is one of productive activities. I feel I can gain more confidence , and be more natural when I have to present something in front of managers and many people at the meetings. I think if we have a chance to practice before, then it will be better than if we don’t have any experience to do or practice before the real time .

I started my Club Officer duties as Secretary for the first term of 2009, then Vice President Education for the second term, and my next step is President of Thai Airways Toastmasters for the first term of 2010. I would not dare to do this hard duty at first but Toastmasters World, especially Thai Airways Toastmasters taught me that I will not walk alone. All my friends and all the members will go together with me and always support me, now that I have my new challenge to walk through. I hope that everyone have commitment, then we will go together and follow by my slogan for this term “Success through Excellence & Commitment”

Follow me, travel and explore the world of Toastmasters with me. You will meet new challenges, many good friends, make new connections and many more nice things will happen to you for sure….

I couldn't imagine that public speaking skills would bring me this far

TM Chalit Sirichaovanichkarn

From Flight-deck to Podium

TM Korn Mansumitchai

Two years ago I was invited to Toastmasters by a past president of Thai Airways Toastmasters Club who happened to be a Captain in Thai Airways and my flight instructor. It was like love at first sight to me because English is always my most favourite subject. English language is like a door to everything I’m interested in, music, health, science, business and sports. Music sounds much better when I can fully understand the lyrics. Original sound tracked movie is also much more exciting than the dubbed version. After attending more and more Toastmasters meetings I’ve found that Toastmasters is not only about developing English speaking and listening skills but also leadership skills. All great leaders of the world possess highly effective communication skills. And one can not possess that by just reading books of how to be a good leader. The only way to do is to take on leadership roles by oneself. That’s where Toastmasters comes in. It’s a place we can try our hand at leadership instead of just reading about it.

What I like most in Thai Airways Toastmasters Club is the atmosphere. Our club members are friendly and very supportive. Whenever I stand up and speak, I receive encouraging and helpful feedback. Do you agree with me that we learn best when we have fun? Yes, everybody does. And I can guarantee you that we have a lot of fun here in Thai Airways Toastmasters Club. On the other hand I mean you will surely learn best. So come and join us. Give yourself a try!

Toastmasters Changed Me

TM Amornrat Oun-a-mornchaikul

June 5 2009

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I came to Thai Airways International Toastmaster Club in April 2008 by an invitation of ACS Panomporn and TM Duangdao.

Before I came into the club , I imagined that Toastmaster was English Language School that there were teacher, white board and students.

When I joined the club. I was surprised in the unique style of Toastmasters, it wasn’t English Language School and I learned about this pattern. It is the meeting club. I exactly like it. Next, I have become a member in May ,2008.

The first duty of mine was time keeper . The first time when I stood behind the lectern , my legs were shaking, my heart beat was very fast and my hands were very cool. And next ,TM Duangdao advised me how I should do when I stood behind the lectern. Thanks to her so much.

On 30^th June 2009 , I started to deliver project no.1. The evaluation made me to improve in project no.2, 3 and 4.

When I delivered project no.5. I’ve got the special evaluation and how to improve myself on the speech from CC Takako, and she told me to deliver the project again. In that time , I was so sad and asked myself why?

Next, I found the answer because of a little more practising.

And when I made the project no.5 again. I chose appropriate topic , checked grammar and practised the speech more and more.

I told myself , I should be self – confident and brave to face anything. The last, I did a good job and I was proud.

For 1 year and 2 months , I have been member. The English skill of mine was significantly improved.

My speaking and listening English skills are better than the past. And I have new nice friends in the club.

Everybody helps me and advises me.

Thanks for ACS Panomporn , CC Thanthip ,TM Duangdao and everybody.

I feel warm and I think that Toastmasters club is my home. I love you , Toastmasters.

On Completing Project 10

CC Pranee Apinyanont

June 26 2009

From her Project 10 speech, titled "Believe"

From my own experience, I myself have very poor English background. I started my English lesson when I was in secondary school.

I studied English program at Kitti Commercial College, believing that my English would improve. My writing ability did improve after I finished the college, but not listen & speaking. For years, I have been searching & spending lots of money in many tutoring institutes, but not much improvement.

Lucky that I met TM.Khanitha, our past president, she brought me to this meeting. I realized that this is the right place I can practice & improve my listening & speaking skill with less cost. Remember my first project here, standing behind this lectern with paper in hand, my heart beating like drum, my hands cold, and my knees shaking. I almost read through the whole speech.

Look at me today, after 2 years; I’m here delivering my project X, confidently. I practice listening by attending the meeting regularly, practice speaking by doing duty in the meeting, telling joke sometime. The most effective way of practice is to delivery speech.

 My writing ability also improves when preparing the speech. No tutoring institute provides you this kind of unlimited & endless practice as long as you’re the member. It’s a pity that I join TM a bit late, otherwise my English communication skill could bring more advancement to my career.

Dear guests, I believe that you can improve it faster & better than me, because you’re still young. Lots of opportunity is waiting for you out there. Get yourself ready and go for it. So, why hesitate, join us now. I guarantee that you’ll improve if you believe that you can and you will attend the meeting regularly.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I believe that everybody has dreams. Tonight, going back & check your dream. Look for the key to success, the belief. See whether you believe that you can make it true. Start doing it now. Give them a target time frame. Plan it well. Do it right. Check & shape it if it doesn’t work well.

Everything is going to happen with your hands, if you believe it.