Where are you from?
I was born in France but spent most of my childhood in Brazil.

When did you move to Phuket and why did you come here?
I arrived in 1983. I was running a yacht charter in Greece when I heard about a job as a skipper in Phuket. When I got to Bangkok there were floods, just like this year. It was a big culture shock – I’d never been to Asia before.

I arrived in Ao Chalong and at time there was nothing there, no pier, no houses. It took me an hour to find a ride to Koh Lone where the boat I was working on was moored. I found the boat and stayed on it through the October monsoons. There was nothing to do, no clients. Soon I found a hotel, a small cabana at Pansea Beach where The Surin resort is now, and started running day tours for them.

What was it like to live and work in Phuket back then?
At the time there was no internet, of course, but also no phone, no fax lines – totally isolated. There were no gasoline stations, only barrels with manual pumps. It would take half an hour to fill your tank.

We started doing yacht charters to Phang Nga, which at that time had a lot of mystery. There were no tours going there then, no one would go alone. The sea gypsies looked like pirates; it was wild, there were a lot of legends and stories about the bay. At the time Asia was booming and you could see the potential for Phang Nga Bay as a tourist destination. I was pushed by the energy here. There were so many jobs, so many projects.

With my mechanical engineering background I got involved with building junks for a tour operator in Bangkok. In 1991 I moved to Bangkok, to manage the whole company and also for my children to go to school. At the time there were no international schools in Phuket. I spent 20 years in Bangkok managing a large tour operator. Asia Marine (before Thai Marine Leisure) was part of this group of companies since 1989 as marine services provider and cruise operator. We managed the June Bahtra Junk cruise or the Mekhala Teak barges in Bangkok

Tell us something about your current business, Asia Marine.
Some years ago when the yacht importation taxes were eradicated we reorganized the company to cover the many dimensions of yachting in Phuket including charters, brokerage, management and insurance. Tourism is very volatile and sensitive to extraordinary events. So we try to remain diversified. Today we manage a fleet of 15 charter yachts with or without crew and we are the exclusive Thailand dealer for 5 brands of yachts: Catamarans such as Fountaine Pajot, Trawler and Privilege or Monohulls such as HanseYachts or Feeling . We developed a department for luxury yacht charters and have recently launched a new website, www.asiayacht.com, to promote the ever growing number of superyachts coming from Europe to operate in South East Asia .

How’s the coming high season looking?
Despite the financial crisis, the bare-boat business is looking good for this high season, even if people tend to request a discount before knowing the price! Also they will put more people on their usual model. On luxury yachts we have added to our fleet a gorgeous 92-foot sailing boat, “Capricorn“ and a 65-foot Princess, “Isabella Rose“. Both operate day cruises and overnight charters from Phuket. During the latest Monaco Boat Show we were appointed SE Asia Central Agent for the spectacular “Silandra V “, a 75-foot performance sloop built by Nautor Swan. So I am quite optimistic for the long-term. Phuket is now well established as the Asian Riviera. It’s the newest trendy spot to have a boat or operate a charter yacht.

You’ve been active in developing and promoting sustainable tourism. What do you think are the biggest challenges to sustainable tourism in Phuket today?
You can see tourism spots being destroyed by their own tourism. Eco-tourism has been part of trying to convince people not to go in that direction, but it’s still a niche. The problem of eco-tourism now is that it’s just a buzzword. People think it’s the same thing as adventure or outdoor tourism like elephant treks. For me, eco-tourism is more about eco-development – it should be done at every level by everyone, from thinking about your hotel air-conditioning to recycling. It will come, but it will come by necessity, not by belief.

Are you involved in any local charities, clubs or associations?
I’m the vice-chairman of the Thai Marine Business Association, a professional association for the yachting industry. We try to find a way to communicate with the authorities on issues such as tax law, visas, and the environment, and develop common marketing strategies. After successfully lobbying to remove the 200 per cent import duty on boats, the association went dormant. During the years of political instability since the 2006 coup there was no one to talk to. Now we’re starting to find new energy and direction.

Do you have family here?
I live here with my wife, Rattana, who I met in Bangkok. We’ve been married since 1985. Not long after we wed she joined me on my delivery of the first junk to Phuket. We sailed from Bangkok to Phuket via Singapore. She didn’t like it, and still doesn’t like sailing. We have two sons, one at university in Montreal, the other studying hospitality in the UK. They both like to sail but they’re city slickers!

What kind of car do you drive? Why?
The company car is one of the smallest you can find. The family car is ... what do you call it? An SUV? I couldn’t even tell you the brand. Toyota maybe? I don’t like cars.

What do you like best about living in Phuket?
I like the environment, boats, the people. You can see the sky. I’ve always liked it here. I came here first and always planned to come back. It’s a good place for business, too. Thais are pleasant people to work with – all my staff and colleagues are Thai.

What's the most difficult thing about living here?
Nothing, really. Nothing specific to Phuket. There are more traffic jams, yes, but this is not unique to Phuket. It’s happening all over Thailand.

What do you think the future holds for you?
I have no idea, but I’ll be staying in Phuket. Life is harder in Europe. I have no reason to go back.

What else do you do with your free time, if you have any?
I don’t have any free time.

For further information about Asia Marine
Boat Lagoon Tel: +66 (0)76 239111
Yacht Haven Marina Tel: +66 (0)76 206653
Website: www.asia-marine.net