Rotary Club of Bangkok DACH

03/10/2026

Sometimes, making an impact simply means showing up and helping where help is needed most.

Today, members of our club joined the team at iCare Thailand and many dedicated volunteers to pack hundreds of food packages for people affected by the ongoing floods in Thailand.

In some areas, the water is still so high that homes can only be reached by boat. For many elderly and sick people, leaving their homes is not an option at all. These food packages will help bring some much-needed support directly to those communities.

iCare usually focuses on projects that create sustainable, long-term impact. But when an emergency strikes, priorities shift - and everyone comes together to help where it is needed most. A big thank you to the entire iCare team and all the volunteers for their incredible commitment today. We were very happy to be part of it.

Create Lasting Impact – and step up when help is needed.

24/09/2026

From the lessons of major natural disasters to welcoming a new member into our Rotary family - yesterday's meeting was once again an evening full of valuable insights, great conversations, and genuine fellowship.

A particular highlight was welcoming Rick Hilchner as a new member of the Rotary Club of Bangkok DACH. We're delighted to have Rick join us and look forward to his contributions, ideas, and engagement in the months and years ahead. Welcome to the club, Rick!

Our guest speaker, Lars Schmid, Chief Technical Officer at Allianz Ayudhya General Insurance, delivered a compelling presentation titled "Myanmar Quake and Hat Yai Flood – Recap and Lessons Learned from an Insurance Perspective." Lars walked us through two major natural catastrophes that struck the region: the devastating Myanmar earthquake in March 2025 and the severe flooding in Hat Yai later that year.

From an insurance perspective, he unpacked the challenges of assessing and managing catastrophe risk - and the lessons these unprecedented events continue to teach us. What stood out most: behind every data point, model, and insurance solution lies one central purpose - protecting people's lives and safeguarding their homes, livelihoods, and possessions when disaster strikes. Lars's perspective was a powerful reminder that effective risk management and insurance go far beyond financial protection; they help communities build resilience and prepare for whatever comes next.

Thank you, Lars, for sharing your expertise and insight - and once again, a warm welcome to Rick!

Another great evening of fellowship, learning, and lasting impact.

20/09/2026

Early start, great team & a good cause!

This morning, we joined more than 2,000 runners at the IHG Run for Good 2026 in Bangkok.

At 6:00 a.m., we were off – some taking on the 9 km, others the 4 km Fun Run. A pretty early start for a Sunday, but definitely worth getting out of bed for!

The run supports the EmpowerSight Project, helping to develop AI-powered smart glasses and other assistive technologies for people who are blind or visually impaired. For us, it was a great morning of fellowship, fitness and giving back - and a lot of fun along the way.

A big thank you to our 13 Rotary runners for getting up early and representing Rotary Club Bangkok DACH!

Every step counts. Every step makes a difference.

18/09/2026

This week, we came together for a relaxed Fellowship Dinner at BiteMe Döner Kebab in Bangkok.

No formal agenda and no presentations - just good food, cold drinks and plenty of time for conversations, laughter and getting to know each other outside our regular Rotary meetings.

BiteMe turned out to be a great setting for exactly this kind of evening. With its authentic German-style Döner and relaxed atmosphere, it offered a little taste of German street-food culture right here in Bangkok.

It was a pleasure to see members and guests coming together simply to enjoy an evening as friends and fellow Rotarians. These informal moments are an important part of Fellowship - building connections, strengthening friendships and creating the foundation for working together on meaningful projects.

A big thank you to the BiteMe team for hosting us and for the great food and welcoming atmosphere!

We’re already looking forward to the next Fellowship gathering.

Create Lasting Impact. Together.

11/09/2026

This Wednesday, 09th September 2026, our club held its District Governor Club Visit & Club Assembly at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. We were honored to welcome District Governor Srifa Siriudomseth (District 3350, Rotary Club of Bangkok Ratchadapisek), who shared her inspiring vision for "A New Beginning – Creating Lasting Impact Together," focusing on nurturing future leaders, strengthening membership, and developing sustainable projects that respond to real community needs.

The evening also included an update on club matters, along with remarks and discussions to ensure a shared understanding among members.

The highlight of the evening: Pichaya Moeller and Carsten Moeller, who joined our club in July 2026, were officially welcomed and inducted during the District Governor's visit. We are delighted to have them as part of our Rotary family and look forward to creating lasting impact together.

27/08/2026

An Inspiring Evening at Anantara Siam Bangkok

Yesterday’s club meeting was a truly special occasion. Our fellow Rotarian Torsten Richter, General Manager of Anantara Siam Bangkok, welcomed us to his remarkable hotel for his Classification Talk.

The evening began with an exclusive 30-minute tour of the newly renovated facilities, offering fascinating insights into the hotel’s elegant spaces and recent developments. Afterwards, we were treated to a wonderful three-course dinner featuring culinary highlights from Anantara Siam Bangkok’s award-winning restaurants, complemented by several delightful surprises and compliments from the chefs.

The highlight of the evening was Torsten’s Classification Talk. He shared the story of his impressive international career in hospitality, the experiences that have shaped him along the way, and the personal journey that ultimately brought him to Bangkok.

Dear Torsten, thank you for your generous hospitality, your openness, and this memorable evening. We are delighted to have you as part of the Rotary Club of Bangkok DACH and our growing community. We look forward to many shared activities and meaningful initiatives as we continue to Create Lasting Impact together.

A heartfelt thank-you also goes to the entire Anantara Siam Bangkok team for taking such wonderful care of us throughout the evening.

We would also like to thank Great W**e (Thailand) Co. Ltd. for generously sponsoring six bottles of w**e, as well as our members and guests who chose to make donations towards our club projects in return.

22/08/2026

21/08/2026

On Wednesday, 19 August 2026, the Rotary Club of Bangkok DACH celebrated its Installation Gala 2026/27 at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. 100 members, friends, partners and distinguished guests came together to reflect on the past Rotary year and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter. We were particularly honoured to welcome representatives of Rotary District 3350, including District Governor Srifa Siriudomseth.

Immediate Past President Dr. Tobias Endress presented the club’s activities and achievements over the past year, including the sponsorship of the newly established Rotaract Club of Bangkok Global Connect. Marlene also shared personal insights from her one-year Rotary Youth Exchange experience. Since July, Benjamin Staske has served as Club President for the Rotary year 2026/27. Few mottos could better capture the spirit and ambition of our club than “Create Lasting Impact.” It reflects our commitment to involving more members and focusing our collective efforts where they can make a meaningful and lasting difference. Together with Michael Andreassen of the iCARE Thailand Foundation, Benjamin also presented the service projects planned for the year ahead. It is equally encouraging to see our club continue to grow: as one of his first official acts, Benjamin had the pleasure of inducting two new members, Torsten Richter and Kanoknipa (TAM) Phumgosol, with two more set to follow shortly.

A highlight of the evening was the Lucky Draw, featuring more than 40 donated prizes. Our sincere thanks go to all sponsors: Victorinox-represented by BNG Corporation Co., Ltd., Ducati Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Deutsche Bank, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, Soul Glow Conscious, Montagé Andaman Gourmet Salt, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Chesa Swiss Cuisine, Bite Me Döner, Miskawaan Health Group, Jacky Bakes, Marina Massage, STEINERT TECHNOLOGY and Qatar Airways.

The Rotary Club of Bangkok DACH extends its heartfelt appreciation to all sponsors, guests and supporters who made this event possible. Special thanks also go to the Sexyangus Band for providing the evening’s wonderful musical entertainment and to the entire team at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok for their outstanding hospitality and for making it another truly memorable evening.

08/07/2026

One year. Two countries. A lifetime of memories.

One year ago, our Rotary Club Bangkok DACH proudly sent its very first Rotary Youth Exchange student, Marlene Berger, to France. Today, she returns home with lifelong friendships, a new perspective, and a second place she will always call home.

This exchange has been a remarkable milestone for our club and a powerful reminder of how Rotary builds understanding, friendship, and peace across borders.

Our sincere thanks go to the Rotary Club de Marennes-Oléron for their exceptional hospitality and commitment throughout Marlene’s exchange year. To President Marc Gilles, Rotary Youth Exchange Coordinator Jean-Paul Tétard, the entire Youth Exchange team, and the wonderful host families: thank you for welcoming Marlene as one of your own. You truly exemplify the spirit of Rotary.

In the coming days, we will share Marlene’s personal reflections on her extraordinary year in France - a story of growth, friendship, and the life-changing impact of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

Thank you to everyone who made this unforgettable journey possible. We look forward to many more successful exchanges in the years ahead.

01/06/2026

Last week's club meeting provided an insightful look into one of Germany’s most successful yet little-known technology groups.

We were honoured to welcome Rtn. Alois Gnadl, Vice President International Sales APAC at Diehl Defence, who shared the story behind “Diehl - a Hidden Champion”.

From its origins as a family-owned business to its position as a global technology leader, Diehl has built an impressive portfolio spanning aviation, defence, metering, controls, and advanced technologies. While many people interact with Diehl products every day, the company itself remains largely behind the scenes.

Alois provided valuable insights into the company’s history, international growth, innovation strategy, and the challenges and opportunities shaping its future. The presentation sparked engaging discussions and offered participants a unique perspective on the role of German engineering and technology in global markets.

A sincere thank you to Alois for sharing his expertise and giving us an exclusive glimpse into one of Germany’s most fascinating industrial success stories.