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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.
| Marcus Stoltz |
| From: Stockholm, Sweden (Age 23) Business: Executive Chef of Akvavit sill & nubbe |
Tell us a little bit about your life and how you came to Phuket. I am originally from Stockholm, Sweden where I worked as executive chef in a restaurant. I moved to Phuket in November 2007 because I was looking for a new challenge! I was fed up working in Sweden. I felt as if I was going nowhere, and of course one had also to endure the climate! Why live in a country with only three months of summer every year, when you can live here?!
Here, I work for the Scandinavian Lagoon Resort in Chalong and what’s interesting about this job is that both the resort and the restaurant are brand new so we have the opportunity to start from scratch.
Why did you choose Phuket? Because this island has everything! Quiet beaches, green mountains combined with the feel of a big city. There are great golf courses, shops, cinemas, bowling, etc.
Tell us something about your business in general. The Scandinavian Lagoon Resort, develops and sells condominiums and houses. My goal is that residents of the resort and people from outside will find our restaurant and enjoy our food.
Do you think you are successful in your line of work? I would have to say yes! It’s our guests' reviews and complimentary words that encourage me.
Could you tell us about your private life Do you have family here? I am 23 years old and have four brothers. My parents own a condominium in the resort and plan to live here for at least six months every year. When I am not working I try to play as much golf as I can.
Who is the person who has influenced you the most? No doubt, it has been my mother! When I was growing up she always let me help with the family food preparation and that started my passion for cooking. Her transferred skills are the foundation for my style of cuisine.
Whereabouts do you live in Phuket? What determined your choice of location? I live in Chalong because it’s quiet and convenient.
What do you like most about living in Phuket? The relaxing atmosphere, the people, the food and the climate.
The hardest thing about living here? I can’t really say that there is anything which I don’t like about the island.
| Wilaiporn Na Phatthalung |
| From: Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Thailand (Age 25) Business: Operation Spa Manager of The Royal Spa |
Are you originally from Phuket? No, I am from Nakorn Sri Thammarat but I have lived in Phuket for seven years, four of those years studying for a bachelor’s degree in the faculty of Hotel and Tourism at Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus. That was followed by a management internship at the Royal Spa, and then I started to work in the Business Development Department, the role of which is to develop and create new products or treatments and to offer management services to other hotels.
What does your work involve? As Operations Manager I am responsible for the whole field of service and operations.
Is there a simple secret for success? “Love-to-do” is the key to everything and I always take the opportunity to improve myself and my abilities.
What are your future plans for work? At the moment I do not have sufficient hands-on experience of spa management to operate my own business. However, give me a couple more years, and I believe I will be able to start my own business as a consultant to spa operators and hotels. The future depends on a careful assessment of the future of the spa market. I would also like to gain some experience of working overseas to broaden the appeal of my CV.
Please tell us about your private life. I am 25 years old and still single. I rent a house in Phuket Villa 3 Estate. It is convenient for traveling to my workplace.
What do you most like and dislike about Phuket? The island has managed to develop all the advantages of city life in a natural setting without the crowds and clamour of cities like Bangkok. The fascination of tranquil beaches always attracts me on my day off.
Do you get involved in social functions or associations in Phuket? I am the Phuket Spa Association’s Manager, responsible for administration and coordination of spa operators’ representation in Phuket on matters such as, taxation etc.
| Julien Franssen |
| From: Nice, France (Age 25) Business: Bleu Blanc Boat |
Where are you from originally and how did you come to live in Phuket? I was born in Belgium but grew up in France. I came here about three years ago to visit my parents. Then the fascination of Phuket’s natural beauty and the development opportunities in South East Asia made me decide to settle here.
What's your educational background? I graduated from Monaco International University with a Bachelor of Commerce in International Commerce. From there I set out to gain working experience which brought me in due course to Phuket.
Tell us what you have done in Phuket. I originally worked with the Bay Shore Project, and now I help run the family business which comprises three restaurants – the Bleu Blanc Grill (located in Nai Harn), Pinocchio (close to Chalong Circle) and the Chao Wang (near the Chalong Junction, Soi Sayuan Road). The latest project, Bleu Blanc Boat, offers clients a boat trip, cruising around the southern seas of Phuket with a meal served on board.
The Bleu Blanc Boat concept is unique here. The yacht is decked out with blue sails and can set up to four foresails. In the high season we offer two trips a day. The VIP Sunset Dinner Cruise from 05:00pm until 10:00pm and the Archipelago Day Trip from 8:30am until 04:30pm. In the low season we have only one trip per week, which departs every Wednesday at 05:00pm from Chalong Pier and cruises Phuket’s southern coastline. We offer a choice of traditional Mediterranean cuisine, Italian, Swiss and Thai food.
Who is your work model? My dad... of course.
Could you please tell us about your private life? I am 25 years old and stay with my parents and a couple of dogs. We usually keep the family feeling close by sharing ideas and chatting over dinner.
You are still single. Do you have a plan to marry? I haven't thought about it yet. I'm too busy working for now.
Whereabouts do you live in Phuket? Nai Harn, because it's still quiet and there is not too much new construction.
What do you most like and dislike about Phuket? The best thing about the island is the huge choice of things to do for relaxation and entertainment. On the downside the only real frustration I can think of is the slow speed of the Internet connections available.
