SUWAN “TOMMY” SEELEE
Group Bar & Beverage Manager, The Sky Group Pattaya

One of the most prolific veteran bartenders in the Bangkok bar scene, Tommy began his journey into the world of cocktails 22 years ago from a very unique place: a motorcycle taxi stand.

Tommy, a product of a broken home with a very humble educational background, was one day offering his taxing service to a passenger who told him about a job at a water bar in a restaurant. He became interested, applied and got the job. While washing glasses and cleaning up, he caught a glimpse of bartenders at the cocktail bar throwing bottles into the air and mixing colorful drinks (some even with flames!) for customers. He didn’t even know what cocktails or flair bartending were at the time, but he set his mind to it and was determined to learn the craft. When the guys at the bar bluntly refused to teach him, he left the job, hoping to land a new one where he could kick start a bartending career.

He tried applying for jobs, but failed due to his lack of experience, until his big break arrived when a new restaurant decided to take him in and taught him everything he needed to know about bartending. A year later, he found himself working at Conrad Bangkok where he was promoted to bar captain several years on. And the rest is history.

Tommy is probably one of the hardest working talents in the scene. Not only he would attend any trainings and masterclasses that I could get himself into, but he also won awards from a laundry list of competition programs in Thailand, China, Singapore and Hong Kong all the way to Italy, Puerto Rico and France.

He doesn’t throw bottles anymore and his drinks are not flamed. Instead, they are light, easy to drink yet playful and complex cocktails, with just the right balance that appeals to the crowd. He also makes very rare appearance at bartender guest shifts.