GWR
11-05-07, 12:35 AM
Calling all ghost-busters
Like any ghost story that has been passed on from one generation to another, "The Curse of the Black Building" has been around for three decades.
:eek:
We are talking about the "Black Building" that is located in a prime Bangkok area and officially named John Hancock after the insurance company that was headquartered there until recently.
The black building, on the corner of Sri Ayutthaya and Makkasan roads, is under renovation to prepare for the new owner, Canadian-based Manu- life Insurance, after parent company Manulife Financial took over John Hancock. The worldwide restructuring has led to a change in John Hancock's Thai operations, paving the way for Manulife Insurance to make its presence felt in Thailand.
Some say John Hancock's fate marks another recent example of the curse of that building, which rules the destiny of its owners, who can never hold onto the building for long. Owners come and go, and their business performances are often far from spectacular.
Legend has it that the location, albeit in a golden area, used to house a cemetery for veteran soldiers. Several decades ago, a group of businessmen, including the late Boonchoo Rojanastien, Suthee Nophakhun and Porn Sitthi-amnuay used the site, known as the PS Building, as their command centre for laying down business plans. But 30 years ago, the jinx started to take effect, with this group of businessmen falling out with each other.
Later, the building saw several owners during a series of major financial crises until recently, when John Hancock bought the building. But the jinx believers say, "See what happened to John Hancock?"
At a press conference yesterday, Bruce Hodges, president and CEO of Manulife Insurance in Thailand, was surprised to be asked by a Thai reporter whether he was spooked by the curse of the black building.
"Aren't you afraid about the curse?" the reporter asked Hodges, who has been in Thailand only three months and was obviously unaware of the ghostly undercurrents. The reporter later told Hodges about "The Curse of the Black Building".
At first Hodges was stunned, perhaps, we guess, afflicted by a fit of goose bumps. But then he composed himself enough to give the wise answer that the curse would go away under his reign, adding that he might consult with feng shui experts about the interior design of the building.
The story of the black building is retold here not to scare Manulife away. In fact, we are rooting for the newcomer. Our words of wisdom: if Captain Jack Sparrow can beat The Curse of the Black Pearl, now it's time for Bruce Hodges to fight The Curse of the Black Building.
jeerawat@nationgroup.com
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/11/business/business_30033905.php
Like any ghost story that has been passed on from one generation to another, "The Curse of the Black Building" has been around for three decades.
:eek:
We are talking about the "Black Building" that is located in a prime Bangkok area and officially named John Hancock after the insurance company that was headquartered there until recently.
The black building, on the corner of Sri Ayutthaya and Makkasan roads, is under renovation to prepare for the new owner, Canadian-based Manu- life Insurance, after parent company Manulife Financial took over John Hancock. The worldwide restructuring has led to a change in John Hancock's Thai operations, paving the way for Manulife Insurance to make its presence felt in Thailand.
Some say John Hancock's fate marks another recent example of the curse of that building, which rules the destiny of its owners, who can never hold onto the building for long. Owners come and go, and their business performances are often far from spectacular.
Legend has it that the location, albeit in a golden area, used to house a cemetery for veteran soldiers. Several decades ago, a group of businessmen, including the late Boonchoo Rojanastien, Suthee Nophakhun and Porn Sitthi-amnuay used the site, known as the PS Building, as their command centre for laying down business plans. But 30 years ago, the jinx started to take effect, with this group of businessmen falling out with each other.
Later, the building saw several owners during a series of major financial crises until recently, when John Hancock bought the building. But the jinx believers say, "See what happened to John Hancock?"
At a press conference yesterday, Bruce Hodges, president and CEO of Manulife Insurance in Thailand, was surprised to be asked by a Thai reporter whether he was spooked by the curse of the black building.
"Aren't you afraid about the curse?" the reporter asked Hodges, who has been in Thailand only three months and was obviously unaware of the ghostly undercurrents. The reporter later told Hodges about "The Curse of the Black Building".
At first Hodges was stunned, perhaps, we guess, afflicted by a fit of goose bumps. But then he composed himself enough to give the wise answer that the curse would go away under his reign, adding that he might consult with feng shui experts about the interior design of the building.
The story of the black building is retold here not to scare Manulife away. In fact, we are rooting for the newcomer. Our words of wisdom: if Captain Jack Sparrow can beat The Curse of the Black Pearl, now it's time for Bruce Hodges to fight The Curse of the Black Building.
jeerawat@nationgroup.com
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/11/business/business_30033905.php