Tell us about your career to-date?
My first job was with the Police Editorial Department. In 1976, I was posted to the southern region, which back then was classed a "red area"-the most dangerous. The region was quite rural at the time so the main target for terrorists was often the police stations, in one of which I was based. We had quite a job on our hands, I can tell you.

Later, I was transferred to a political post with the Parliament Coordination Division, providing support services to the Cabinet.

I then moved from the Police Force to the Immigration Division - the two are, of course, related services. After five years I was promoted to Chief of the Immigration Division in Nhongkai-up on the border with Laos. From there I moved to the Chiang Mai office and finally down here to Phuket.

I was surprised and pleased to be offered this posting. Phuket is regarded as the most important visa office in the Kingdom. The vast majority of visitors to Thailand are innocent holidaymakers and it's part of our policy to allow them to enjoy their visit with as few paperwork problems as possible. However, there are always criminal elements who would seek to take advantage of the Thai welcome, and we have the prime responsibility to root these people out before they can cause problems.

Have you ever been to Phuket before?
Yes, but only once in 1982 and that was on duty. At the time I stayed in the Pearl Hotel. 25 years later the hotel still looks the same!

What are your impressions of the island, to date?
I'm struck by how cosmopolitan Phuket is. Apart from our international visitors, many Thais come here seeking work and business opportunities, from other parts of Thailand. I find an interesting difference between Thais from, say, Hadyai and locals: those from Hadyai are quite interested in politics, whereas local Phuket people are more focused on business and making a good living.

What are your main responsibilities?
Of course we perform all the normal Immigration functions-extensions of stay, visas, registration of addresses etc. On top of that, while most Immigration bureaus only have to contend with arrivals by road and air, here we have a marine arm which has to control the movement of commercial shipping, visiting pleasure yachts and boat crews, and has to enforce our plant quarantine laws.

What is your retirement plan?
I'm 57 years old this year so I have two and half years to go before I retire. My plan for then is to travel widely wherever the spirit moves me. I look upon it as a kind of reward for all my hard work. Ironically, I will then be experiencing Immigration from the opposite perspective!

Has your family moved to Phuket?
No. My family still lives in Bangkok.

What are your hobbies?
I used to play golf, but I'm impatient and can't keep my cool long enough for a round of golf. I love all kind of sports, though, and in my time I've played football, basketball and badminton. And I’m proud to say that I'm the second champion of the military forces in snooker. I also love the sea and I like to take a walk along Patong Beach and chat with foreigners. It's fascinating to learn how they view Thailand and life in general. It helps with my job as well!

What principles guided you in bringing up your kids?
I believe in a light touch. Children must find their own way.

Who is your all-time hero?
Like all Thais my hero is his Majesty the King. He strives constantly to make things better for us all. He is my role model as far as my job is concerned.

What about your friends and colleagues?
I've got friends in all the places I've worked over the years. They're important to me personally and I'd hate to lose contact with them. As for my colleagues, members of my team know me as hot-headed and results-oriented. At the same time, as long as they've done nothing wrong, I'll go all-out to protect them. There are times when my boss and I don't see eye-to-eye on this one.

We heard that you're a collector. What do you collect?
Small images of the Lord Buddha. I'll tell you a story. I once experienced a miracle. Seven years ago, I had to undergo heart surgery. Afterwards I couldn't come to. I could hear everything around me-the nurses' voices, my wife weeping and so on, but I just could not open my eyes. It felt like I was sinking into the abyss. Then my brother brought me a Buddha image and I came to my senses in an instant. I also collect antique watches-time made beautiful.

Any personal ambitions you have yet to fulfill?
I'd like to fly an aircraft. I went to Japan once and the pilot invited me to sit in the cockpit. Very impressive. From the sky you can see the whole world.

How would you sum Phuket up in one sentence?
The best beach destination in the world, bar none.