When did you move to Phuket? Why? I moved to Asia in 1992. Koh Samui, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and, finally, Phuket in 1997. We came for 3 months while deciding what to do next and ended up basing ourselves here, doing contract work around the region.

What about your work? How do you approach your job? Since joining the Baan Rim Pa Group in 2000, the restaurants have grown from 3 to 5. My job has expanded to include almost anything steered in my direction! You have to believe in your product and work as though it’s your own company. At Baan Rim Pa, that means 7-days-a-week, all hours. I’ve never had a job I didn’t enjoy, and this one is no different; there are new challenges every day. Once you stop enjoying your job, it’s time to move on.

Where do you live? We live in Rawai. When we first came here, we drove around the island and settled on Nai Harn – where we lived until we bought our own home in 2004.

Tell us something about your family. I live here with my husband Tom. My father Noel (82) moved here recently, my son John (32) works for the Hilton in Perth, Australia and my only other family is my brother in Queensland, my step-daughter and three step-grandchildren who live on the Gold Coast.

What do you like most about living in Phuket? It’s a great lifestyle, wonderful mix of nationalities, good food, fine weather, easy to travel out of and… just a superb place to be.

And what's the hardest thing about living here? Living in any foreign country is a challenge. But if you abide by the laws and treat your hosts with respect, things are usually fine. We love Phuket. It’s our home and we’ll be here for as long as we’re permitted to stay.

Who would you say has most influenced you? My old boss, publisher Peter Isaacson. He believed women could succeed in a man’s world and sent me travelling around Asia and the South Pacific on business. Few women travelled on business alone in those days. Also my parents, who supported my career in sales when most women were happy to be secretaries or office workers.

What about the future? I’ll just keep enjoying life. I’ll work while I enjoy it and give it up when I don’t.

What made you decide to come and live here? I simply love the Thai people - their down-to-earth kindness and beauty. I visited Phuket for the first time about 7 years ago, and I fell in love with the island. My Thai wife and I re-located here in June of 2006.

What did you do before you come to Phuket? I lived in Dubai UAE. I worked there for 11 years in a 5-star resort, the “Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club”; firstly as Marina Service Manager and then for the last 4 years as Operations Manager. I managed the whole Marina including 5 departments and 35 staff.

Tell us how you came to establish your business? Well, I recognized immediately that the place had huge potential as a marine hub. I knew Gulfcraft from my Dubai days and actually owned one of their boats. After I sold another Gulfcraft for them at the 2004 Pimex boat show, they offered me the franchise for Thailand.

I have since sought to combine my skills and experience with the highest standards of quality, to grow the business. We seek respect from the industry and strive to offer our customers outstanding service.
How does doing working in Phuket compare to Dubai? We often have to exercise patience here. Some areas of our business involve us in complex legal processes.

What are your future plans? To continue to live here in paradise and to expand the business into new areas and markets.

And your private life? My wife and I [with our cat] live in Kathu – it’s convenient for my work and my golf. The stores are nearby for my wife who loves shopping. The views in the Kathu area are simply fantastic.

What do you like most about living in Phuket? You can be busy here during the working day but it’s also easy to relax with friends – round a barbeque, on the beach or sailing in Phang Nga Bay.

Are you involved in any local charities, clubs or associations (eg Rotary, IBAP etc)? Not yet as Im too busy at work, but hopefully soon ill find enough time to joint the Thai Marine Business Association, and help to develop the industry for everyone.

Are you originally from Phuket? No, I am not. I am a native of Petchaboon and graduated from Mahidol University. After graduation I wanted to do something to benefit my hometown, so I joined the local hospital. It was only after I married a Phuket girl in 1989 that I moved here.

How did you start Phuket Dental Center? Back then Phuket’s dental clinics were pretty basic and did nothing to assuage the natural apprehensions of their patients. I planned an air conditioned facility with a soothing ambience and equipped it with the latest technology. Named Dental Care Clinic, it was situated on Rassada Road (Phuket town) and was followed by Advanced Dental Center (Patong), Dent Central Clinic (2nd floor of Central Festival Phuket) and Phuket International Dental Center at Phuket International Hospital. It was a winning formula.

Tell us a little about your home life. My wife and I are both dentists and we have three children. The first child is studying at the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, and the other two are at the British International School. Kids need to learn the value of family. After that they should get a good education, play sports and acquire a cultural dimension through the appreciation of the Arts. Then it’s up to them.

You and your wife are dentists. Would you like your children to follow in your footsteps? Hmmh… I won’t deny that it crossed my mind but they wouldn’t co-operate! Never mind. As long they love what they do I am content.

Tell us about your lifestyle? It’s pretty simple. Work keeps me busy six days a week and I spend Sundays with the family. I’m a collector – rare trees, pearl furniture and carved elephants.

How is Phuket in your view? When I came here the island was a haven of peace and tranquility. Now it’s a busy city and popular tourist destination. I do worry that my adopted home may sacrifice its natural beauty on the altar of progress.