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Along
with imports of the Alfa 147 hatchback, the luxurious Alfa 166
executive saloon, and the sporty GTV and Spider, sales of
this exciting and comprehensive model line-up captured both
new buyers and existing Alfa Romeo owners alike.
In front of
this upbeat backdrop, several
current Alfa Romeo owners and veteran marque enthusiasts
met each other for the first time at a small restaurant in
the heart of Bangkok in January last year.
The short lunch meeting concluded with just one main goal in
everyone’s mind. The task: to establish a new Alfa Romeo
owner’s community in Thailand, to help increase the brand
presence, and to ultimately unite all the owners dotted
around the country for their own benefits.
Bringing
the right people together was never going to be an easy
task, but, thanks to a similar deep-seated passion shared
amongst the Alfa owners, the realisation of the club was
easier than initially anticipated.
The club’s working team quickly brought owners of both new
and old models together through frequent activities such as
dinner meetings, day and weekend trips, track days, and
motor show visits.
Not only do the member's of the club enjoy petrol-head conversations, many have now become good friends in this
affectionate community.
Initially, the club ran without a proper title, the working
team later agreeing to name the community as the Alfa Club
Thailand (ACT), and held a logo design contest in June 2003.
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A few weeks ago the Thai GTV Society and Alfa Club
Thailand joined up for a lunchtime meeting at Bua
Srinakarin |
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During the summer ACT took a trip to
Watt Yan. "We followed the very scenic and
narrow local roads to the compound to find what
is undoubtedly one of the largest and modern
temples in the country," recalls Wisrute
Buddhari. "The parking lot was full of tour
buses so we couldn't possibly photograph our
156s with the pagoda. The photo (top) is
actually of a small monument located right at
the entrance to the Watt Yan compound." |
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Consequently, ACT-emblazoned shirts and caps were swiftly
produced to raise funds and to establish its own website for
its members.
Thanks to the worldwide reach of the Internet, which ACT has
been very quick to embrace, club merchandise has been
purchased from Alfa Romeo owners from as far as the United
Kingdom. On a firm footing, and with the Alfa Romeo name
bouncing back into Thai consciousness, the future looks
bright indeed.
With
their second anniversary now just a few weeks away, the Alfa
Club Thailand, which enjoys a strong relationship with the
official Alfa Romeo importer, Thai Prestige Auto Sales, can
comfortably claim to be the largest independent Alfa owner's
community in the country.
Club members, of all ages, own cars ranging from the 156,
147, 164, GTV, Spider and 155, back to the older Giulietta,
Giulia and Alfetta models.
In the careful hands of the
Alfa Club Thailand, the Alfa Romeo legend is safe, well and
very much alive in this country.
by Wisrute
Buddhari in Bangkok
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