MALAYSIANS' HOSPITALITY WARM HEARTS IN PHUKET

PHUKET, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- A Malaysian club in this Thai resort island
has been gaining popularity through its social gatherings for good food.

The Malaysian Club Thailand (MCT) not only brings Malaysians together but
the hospitality showed had charmed the hearts of expatriates.

"MCT does its part as an unofficial channel to promote Malaysia to people
from different countries in Phuket," said vice-president El Low.

It initially started out as a social venue for the small circle of
Malaysians working in Phuket to get together for good food and to maintain
friendship.

"We have been getting together for makan and to reconnect with each other.
Whenever there is a gathering we will invite our friends (from other
nationalities) to join," he said when when met here recently.

Low who has been residing here for 10 years and is involved in the media
business said members started an official page on Facebook in April.

MCT has more than 350 members of which only ten percent are Malaysians while
the rest are of various foreign nationalities.

"They (foreigners) are interested to learn more about Malaysia especially
the country's rich cultures and history, its wide variety of food and places of
interest, as well as business and investment opportunities.

"We try to help and give them as much information about our country as
possible. For instance, we will recommend them to watch the Formula 1 races and
visit Petronas Twin Towers because to many of them, it is the main attraction
for Malaysia and an iconic landmark," said Low.

The last event held by MCT was on Aug 28 to commemorate the nation's 53rd
Merdeka Day anniversary which received very good turn out.
-- BERNAMA