Suriya “Kung” Krutthong on What Makes Chic Planner a Favourite of Celebrities and Royalty Alike
PRESTIGE THAILAND
BY ASHIMA SETHI
PUBLISHED: SEP 09, 2024 04:28 PM ICT | 8 MIN READ
For years, Chic Planner has been top-of-mind for royalty, members of high society, and celebrities seeking full-service event planning for their once-in-a-lifetime celebrations.
Founder, Suriya “Kung” Krutthong discusses how he has found incredible success by centering his business around several core pillars: exclusivity, unmatched sophistication and luxury, and bespoke experiences, while also recalling fond memories about landmark events he’s proud to have planned.
A wedding stands as one of the most important of life’s grand milestones. Symbolising the union of two souls embarking on a shared journey of love and commitment, a wedding requires incredible attention to detail, as every aspect needs to be meticulously curated to form an unforgettable tapestry of memories can be cherished forever. From the exchange of vows to the festivities that follow, no detail should be spared in ensuring that a wedding reflects each couple’s unique love story and becomes a timeless testament to their enduring bond.
Suriya “Kung” Krutthong, the charismatic visionary behind esteemed event planning and design company, Chic Planner, is someone who understands the profound significance of both weddings and celebratory events. This passion, coupled with an unwavering commitment to quality and savvy for attention to detail, has established Kung and his team at Chic Planner as one of Asia’s foremost event specialists.
Established almost two decades ago, Chic Planner is renowned for orchestrating some of the world’s most talked-about and extravagant events, including celebrations for royalty, celebrities, aristocrats, and other members of the upper echelons of society, Chic Planner consistently transforms the wildest dreams of countless people into reality.
While many of us have had the privilege of attending memorable weddings and milestone events, very rarely have we had the chance to explore the intricacies that unfold behind the scenes during their creation and execution. From fashioning an original concept that resonates with the individuals at the heart of the occasion, to selecting materials for design elements and décor, and transforming sprawling venues into enchanting dreamscapes, there is no doubt that the art of event planning demands a significant labour of love.
In an exclusive interview with Prestige, Kung reveals insights that will inspire you to choose Chic Planner for your next extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
As one of Asia’s most visionary event planners, how do you maintain your reputation as a leader in the industry?
With almost 24 years of experience in the industry, I find the event planning business aligns perfectly with my passions and allows me to indulge in limitless creativity. Planning an event demands artistry, long hours, and meticulous attention to detail at every step, from coming up with the overall concept to selecting exquisite flowers that will be part of arrangements. Whether it’s my first or my 100th event, I am always dedicated to giving my best, and understand the honour and trust my clients place in me.
What are the things you love most about your work? And in contrast, what are some of the challenges you face?
I love that with every event comes endless possibilities. I enjoy the learning curves that come with each experience and being able to build connections with clients who often become friends, even considering our team as part of their extended family, is very fulfilling. I believe the main challenge I face working in this industry is the constant desire for self-improvement and need to approach each event as a fresh, blank canvas.
What can people expect from an experience working with you?
Our company is built on a foundation of exclusivity, luxury, sophistication, elegance, and class, and these core values are reflected in every aspect of your experience with us. The journey begins with an appointment to discuss all the details. Clients are welcomed to our thoughtfully decorated office where they can expect attentive service and nothing less.
Throughout the planning process, the Chic Planner team will provide continuous consultancy and support, ensuring clients feel confident at every stage and on the wedding day, our team is always on hand to assist. Each Chic Planner event is meticulously tailored to meet a client’s specific needs, reflecting their personalities and unique love stories. Even with a classic theme such as ‘all white,’ we ensure distinctiveness while maintaining only the highest quality across our execution.
What are some key words you would use to describe your approach to event planning?
Our approach is centered around three key principles: ‘Unexpected’ drives us to craft one-of-a-kind events; ‘Luxurious’ ensures that every detail of our operations exudes opulence; and ‘Experience’ underlines our commitment to creating unforgettable, immersive experiences for clients and their guests.
What are some of the things that make your services so special?
Our highly skilled team includes both those directly supporting clients throughout the planning process and those working behind the scenes on design and craftsmanship. This also includes our experienced engineers who make sure that our ambitious visions are not only grand but also achievable.
We also prioritise incorporating only the highest quality materials and fresh flowers into our designs, often utilising 5-6 tonnes of flowers for each event without reuse. Our strong connections with local flower farms and willingness to import from overseas ensure the best quality, whether for small gatherings or grand celebrations.
Another example of our commitment to quality is the use of tens of thousands of handcrafted crystals in our décor. Each and every bead is meticulously hand applied by our team to create a dreamy, sparkly effect when paired with lights and candles.
How do you stay ahead of wedding trends?
I look at my professional work as a competition with myself. I’m constantly striving for improvement and seeking inspiration from diverse sources such as galas, fashion shows, and renowned events hosted across the globe. My commitment to innovation extends to exploring new techniques and ideas that I discover during my travels abroad and incorporating these allows me to add fresh perspectives to my approach to planning.
Can you share some of the most unique and creative wedding concepts you’ve brought to life?
We’ve had the privilege of designing and executing many events for members of high society, royalty, and celebrities. Recently, we orchestrated the mesmerising 10-day celebration for Brunei’s Prince Abdul Mateen and Anisha Rosnah, which culminated in a truly spectacular royal wedding. Moreover, we also crafted the captivating nuptials of renowned actress Wutt Hmone Shwe Yu and business tycoon Naing Phyo Kyaw, marking my debut event in Yangon, Myanmar.
A highlight of last year was the opportunity to plan Kimberley Anne Woltemas and Mark Prin’s glamorous wedding. Mark envisioned a forest-themed celebration, while Kimberley desired an abundance of white flowers, leaving the rest of the design to us. I am incredibly proud of how we transformed a monochromatic theme into a multi-dimensional design that enhanced the wedding dress and photographed beautifully from every angle.
We ended up creating a breathtaking field and tunnel of white flowers, adorned with intricately hand-applied crystals, and a masterfully crafted chandelier at the centre of the ballroom. I believe the purity and brightness of the design truly reflected the love between the beautiful couple.
Another notable wedding in our portfolio was the union of Janetira Attaskulchai and Danial Deen Isa-Kalebic. With Danial being the owner of Royal Brunei Airlines and related to the Prince of Brunei, the guestlist featured numerous distinguished individuals from around the globe. It was a huge honour, and our team worked tirelessly to ensure flawless execution as we wanted to demonstrate the high calibre of event planning coming from Thailand to the esteemed couple and their guests.
Beyond weddings, do you also collaborate with high-profile artists or brands for events?
In addition to weddings, we’ve also had the privilege of organising several events for prominent global brands. A notable example is my partnership with Tiffany & Co., which I value very much. Nine years ago, I had the opportunity to design floral arrangements for the brand’s inaugural store in Thailand, located inside the Emporium Department Store. Our close relationship has continued to thrive, and I was honoured to be invited to design the arrangements and attend the grand opening of Tiffany & Co.’s newest flagship boutique at Siam Paragon earlier this year.
These experiences have provided us with valuable experience to refine our techniques and elevate our skills even further. Each brand comes with strict guidelines and standards, which gave us the opportunity to practice working within these parametres while still infusing the events with the creativity that we are renowned for. We’re very grateful for these collaborations and are looking forward to fostering even more partnerships in the near future.
Note: The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
