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There's nothing like a day on the water, especially around Phuket with so many beautiful beaches, islands, hongs and exotic hideaways to explore.
| Andrew Parker |
| From: Plymouth, England (Age 41) Business: Managing Director - Thailand, Absolute Group of Companies |
Tell us about your earlier life and how you came to live in Phuket. In the UK I worked for a number of the leading property development companies. My job took me to Europe and the Middle East. My responsibilities were at a senior level in the sectors of the real estate, vacation ownership and finance. I’m a Fellow of the Institute of Sales and Marketing. In 2001 I came here on holiday, fell in love with the place and vowed to return. It took seven years but finally I was offered a great job here with the Absolute Group, run by Mr. Bryan Lunt.
Tell us something about Absolute. Absolute Group is a leading Real Estate, Vacation Club, and Resort/Hotel Development company with global offices in Europe, Asia and the UK. I have the pleasure of managing an energetic and dynamic team of international professionals who are driven by the success of the company. Our vacation services are exceptional and our resort developments are sell-outs. Strength certainly comes with unity.
Do you have family here? No. My family currently resides in England and they are all looking forward to joining me here, later in the year. My wife Trudy and I have six children – Oscar (2), Molly (5), Benjamin (7), Wendy (9), Thomas (11) and Jack (15). To transfer them all here requires exact logistic planning!
How do you spend time with your family? As you can imagine with such a large family, there is never a dull moment and rarely a quiet one. The kids are active and love animals and the outdoor life. I know they will be very happy here.
Whereabouts do you live in Phuket? I live in Kathu, ten minutes away from the office.
What do you like most about living in Phuket? Being an ex-sailor (Royal Navy), the beaches and the sea always attract me. The Thai people are wonderful and I love water sports, the food, the shops and the clean environment.
What's the hardest thing about living here? The hardest thing is leaving it. I travel all over the Kingdom on business but I always look forward to coming back – I call it home.
Your passion? Performance motorbikes and performance cars. I have owned a Porsche Carrera 2 and a Ferrari 355 GTS. I wanted to call our youngest son, Enzo Ferrari Parker but my wife wouldn’t have it! On the track I’m a speed junky! On normal roads, I’m a defensive driver. As proof of this, my current transport is a pickup.
| Voravut Jangjai |
| From: Thailand, Phuket (Age 35) Business: Hiranyikara Spa |
Tell us about your early life? I am a native of Phuket. After graduating from Phuket Technical College, I went on to study for a degree in Interior Design at King Mongkut’s University, North Bangkok. I then worked for a company in Bangkok for three years and therafter I returned to Phuket and practised as an architect for seven years. I have been running my own architectural and interior design business, Proportion Design, for over six years now. When you are on your own you have more freedom of thought and action, than is the case when you are an employee.
Could you kindly tell us how you got the idea of starting Hiranyikara Spa –an all male spa? I have always been a person who loves spas. I have been all over Thailand – Bangkok, Chiang Mai and so on and everywhere I’ve been I tried the local spas. Nowhere did I come across an all-male facility. Hiranyikira Spa was the result of these deliberations, and now after two years we have established ourselves successfully on the tourist scene.
What is your work philosophy? I always try my very best. The most important thing is to be doing what you enjoy.
Could you tell us about your private life? I am the second born in a family of three. My partner and I have no children yet. We live together with my parents in their house in Kathu.
What do you look for in the future? I just want to have enough money for day-to-day living. I am now thinking of opening a boutique hotel.
In your view how has Phuket changed? The island has developed beyond belief. Not all these changes have been for the better, in my opinion. There have been adverse impacts on Phuket’s local culture and precious natural heritage.
What do you like most in Phuket? I like everything about Phuket; beach, local culture, food and people. I am proud to be a Phuketian.
Could you tell us about your lifestyle? I have an easy-going way of life and like to be with family; simple things like going to see a movie or having a meal together.
| Matthew Wesley |
| From: London, England (Age 38) Business: PhuketWest |
Tell us a little it about your life and how you came to Phuket. I was born in Sheffield, grew up in Hong Kong and moved to London when I was 19, where I worked as a IT Sales Account Manager (Information technology). I had been on a long holiday, which ended with a sea trip from Singapore to Phuket. On arrival, we were so impressed we decided to settle here.
How did you start the business? When we arrived in Phuket, we had no intention of setting up a business, however, my friend bought several shop houses, which we renovated into six apartments and two commercial spaces. From there we started a property rental business and opened a trendy lounge bar called the Liquid Lounge. The property part of the business then grew to become Phuket West, which deals in the sales and rentals of prestigious properties on the west coast.
Why did you choose Phuket? The island has a lot to offer, from the beautiful beaches to the crazy nightlife.
Do you think you are successful in your line of work? We have enjoyed a degree of success this year and the future looks very positive.
Do you have family here? No, my family lives in chilly Scotland. Luckily, I have many good friends here, for company.
Whereabouts do you live in Phuket? I live in Surin Beach, where I have bought a small apartment. The area is very peaceful and my office is not far away in Cherngtalay.
What do you like most about living in Phuket? The weather, the people, the cost of living, the list is endless…
What’s the hardest thing about living here? I miss my dog, she is a Scottish Terrier called Turbo, now living at my Mother’s in the UK. I only go back to visit once a year.
How do you see Phuket's future? I think Phuket is developing very quickly and has great potential.
What do you do with your free time? I like to eat and drink with my friends and sometimes I go for a horseback ride on the beach or play tennis.
Do you do any not-for-profit activities? We sponsor a cricket team called the Liquid Lounge Lizards.
