Tell us why you decided to settle here and start a business.
I was born in Bangkok and lived there until ten years ago. I had been making visits to Phuket on holiday and liked the island’s infrastructure and natural beauty. At the same time I was growing tired of the crowded metropolitan way of life in the capital. The decision to move wasn’t difficult.

Could you tell us about your background?
I obtained my bachelor’s degree from Chulalongkorn University and then studied for my masters' in the States. Afterwards I worked for a number of Thai and international companies before setting up on my own as an engineering consultant.

Tell us about your current project?
Well, my passion is golf and when I moved here I built my house close to Phuket Country Club. Around the middle of last year, in collaboration with Tonkla Studio, I decided to build Boutique Golf Villa. The concept is to create residences of the highest quality with views of the superb rolling fairways against a backdrop of the wooded Kathu valley. The project is located centrally so it is convenient for shops, beaches and so on.

What is your role?
I am responsible for coordinating the efforts of all personnel and I have a sophisticated communication set-up to achieve this.This is a very efficient way of deploying resources. Having a large managerial staff tends to slow things down.

Is there a simple secret for success?
Two secrets, I think. First you have got to be able to think and act quickly or opportunities will be lost. Second, you must learn from your mistakes.

Do you have a role model?
Not really. Life is my tutor and you can learn from all your experiences – good and bad.

Tell us about your family.
I am married to a girl from Bangkok and we have a two-year old son.

What do you hope for in your son.
Nothing specific. I just want him to grow up so that he can stand on his own two feet.

Tell us about your lifestyle.
I like everything in my life to be stylish and cool. For instance, I love to drive my convertible sport cabriolet; there’s nothing better than to go for a spin with my son after 18 holes of golf.

What do you like and dislike about Phuket?
What I like is the laid-back informal lifestyle in Phuket. There are so many ways to enjoy the outdoor way of life. Sometimes I feel infrastructure improvements don’t keep pace with the development. The laws surrounding investment are out-of-date and this tends to discourage international investment.

How do you relax?
Well, first and foremost as I’ve said, I’m a golfer. The Phuket Country Club and the Blue Canyon courses are the places where I can exercise and at the same time meet new people and get to know them in an informal atmosphere. Sometimes I take the family to the beach or go to one of the many offshore islands for a spot of diving. In fact, it was on a diving trip that I saw a manta ray which struck me as most memorable and led me to use the name for some of my businesses. I even named my son Manta.

How has Phuket changed in the time that you have been here?
The centre of Phuket City has hardly changed at all but overall there has been a huge increase in high-end developments, and places like the by-pass road have changed beyond recognition. I think the authorities need to implement more shop zoning regulations.

Of course the single biggest change has been the ever increasing price of land.

For more information about Boutique Golf Villa
visit www.boutiquegolfvilla.com
or contact Kris Tengamnuay at info@boutiquegolfvilla.com
Tel: +66 (0)81 628 5166 and +66 (0)86 952 7142