Daily Slideshow: Das Treffen is Bangkok's Biggest Porsche Reunion

The Seeds

"The most important thing I learned that day is that the best way to enjoy Porsche is to share it." Those are the words of Sihabutr Xoomsai, the driving force behind Bangkok's Das Treffen, the newest and most promising Porsche gathering in Southeast Asia. The day Xoomsai, known locally as Tenn, is referring to happened in his youth: "I always had a thing for Porsche since I was a kid. The first Porsche I drove belonged to my father’s friend. He came over to our house one day in a brand new 964, tossed me the keys and asked me to get them something to drink. I never forgot that day—the sound, the smell and the kick in the back."

>>Join the conversation about Bangkok's Das Treffen right here in Rennlist.com.

The Name

Tenn isn't alone in his love for Porsche, the automaker has been exporting vehicles to Thailand's capital since the 1960s, creating a loyal following throughout the years. That loyalty has led to a cache of classic Porsches in Thailand and a growing Porsche culture in need of an outlet. That's where Tenn came in. As the Executive Editor of GT Porsche Thailand, Tenn has Porsches on the brain. In 2016, he started working on a way to bring owners together. He had been to an event called "R Gruppe Treffen" a few years earlier and liked the name, but the catchier "Das Treffen" (German for "The Meeting") struck a chord, echoing the casual vibe he wanted for the new meet.

>>Join the conversation about Bangkok's Das Treffen right here in Rennlist.com.

The Turnout

Tenn enlisted the help of Porsche Thailand, the Porsche Club of Thailand, and Renndrive to spread the word of the new gathering to the faithful. And the faithful responded—that first year close to 1,000 enthusiasts officially registered for Das Treffen, and still more attended. By 2017, the event's second year, over 300 Porsches were exhibited, putting it in the ranks of the largest yearly meets for the marque in Southeast Asia.

>>Join the conversation about Bangkok's Das Treffen right here in Rennlist.com.

The Idea

Is Das Treffen the Luftgekühlt of Thailand? Not exactly, Tenn had something more inclusive in mind. He explained that Patrick Long’s Luftgekühlt, "is largely about the air-cooled cars. Even though we have a strong group of air-cooled lovers in Thailand, I wanted to make sure that every Porsche model is welcome. It’s really a get-together for the love and passion of Porsche for the Porsche family." Embracing the entirety of the Porsche community has made it possible for fans to take in entrants as wide-ranging as a 1960 356 B T5, a Gulf Blue 1973 911 RSR clone, and a 918 Spyder in Martini Racing colors, at the same event.

>>Join the conversation about Bangkok's Das Treffen right here in Rennlist.com.

The Future

Tenn's idea of a gathering is working out even better than he had expected—not only do members Of Thailand's Porsche community have a chance to come together, Das Treffen has attracted enthusiasts—and their Porsches—from as far as Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai. Tenn says everyone he's spoken to said they'd be back again this year, and with 2018 being Porsche's 70th anniversary he expects great things for the event—when asked about the possibility of expanding the event to more places on the globe, Tenn says, "We are open to ideas so we will see what comes our way," and adds, "I have made a lot of life-long friends from all over the world through the brand, and it’s amazing how people from different parts of the world can speak the Porsche language." Remembering the day he drove that first 964 and knew he had to share his love for Porsche, Tenn said, "Since then that is what I tried to do – to share my passion with my friends and fellow enthusiasts." After only two years, Das Treffen is off to a great start.

>>Join the conversation about Bangkok's Das Treffen right here in Rennlist.com.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.