Andrew de Bruin

From: Sydney, Australia (Age 50) Business: Brokerage of Lee Marine

Tell us about your life before you settled here.
I am originally from Sydney, Australia. I have worked skippering yachts as a charter captain in the Med and Australian waters. I also owned a sound reinforcement and electronics repair company. I settled in Phuket in 2000 although I had visited many times before.

What made you decided to come and live here?
I was working as the skipper of “Star Gazer”, a 65’ steel schooner, and the owner loved this area so he based her here.

How do you start your present job?
The owner of Star Gazer decided to sell so I was forced to look for a new job. Having known Joshua Lee and Martin Holmes of Lee Marine for some years it was a natural decision to join them. Since then I have sold Star Gazer twice!

What department do you work for?
Mainly brokerage and pre-owned yacht sales but all the brokers also represent five brands of new yachts as well – Riviera, Ferretti, Pershing, Jeanneau and Crownline boats.

What influenced your choice of business here?
I was just in the right place at the right time. Whereabouts do you live in Phuket? I have always lived in Boat Lagoon. It’s convenient for my work and also close to BSI which our son attends.

What do you like and dislike about living in Phuket? Like?
The people, laid-back lifestyle, food, boating opportunities, cost of living. Dislike? Billboards, touts, airport taxis.

How is Phuket from your point of view?
Great!

Tell us about your family.
I have an Australian wife who teaches at BIS, and a seven year-old son, Finn, who was born here on Phuket.

How do you spend time with your family?
We own the cruising yacht that brought us to Phuket so we try and sail as often as possible. We are also keen beach people.

Where are your favourite places in Phuket?
Café Java (Bangtao) or Ao Yon and the Phuket Yacht Club or Koh Rang, Nai Harn Bay……… the list is endless.

Are you involved in any local clubs?
Yes, I’m on the committee of the Phuket Yacht Club and a member of Ao Chalong Yacht Club.

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Wilaiporn Na Phatthalung

From: Bangkok, Thailand (Age 25) Business: Designer of Cháco Design

Where are you from originally?
I am from Bangkok. I moved to Phuket about a year ago.

Tell us about your educational background?
After graduating from high school in 2002, I entered the Faculty for Industrial Textiles and Fashion Design at Rajamangala University of Technology. After four years I graduated with a to be bachelor's degree, and began working as a designer.

What governed your choice of career?
I love art and textiles. Design is a challenging field.

What does your work involve?
Mainly I am responsible for the direction of the company’s brand flow and marketing and sales promotion. I see our target market as being the more affluent part of society.

What principles guide you in your life and
work? My approach to work is totally focused on maximising customer satisfaction. My principle in life is always to be busy and to enjoy what I’m doing.

What do you like and dislike about Phuket?
The island is changing very quickly. You hardly can imagine how it was before. I really dislike some of the developments because they destroy the natural beauty of the island. Yet as our resorts become more popular the infrastructure and services improve and this benefits everybody who lives here – tourists and residents alike. Tourism is good for local businesses and the industry attracts a lot of revenue for Thailand. We cannot stop progress; we just have to do things in a way that minimises damage to the natural environment.

Tell us something about your private life.
I am single and live in Phuket Town. It is convenient for everything and also close to work. My lifestyle is always to be close to nature. I am normally a very private sort of person.

Where do you like to go when you have free
time? I always head for one of the beaches. I love to sample the fruits of the ocean.

What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy reading and practicing Dharma.

Do you have a hobby?
Yes, I like to collect fashionable garments and accessories.

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Pongnarin Srisombut

From: Nakornsrithammarat, Thailand (Age 33) Business: Sales and Marketing Manager of S.E.C. Group

Were you born in Phuket? No, I am a native of Nakorn Sri Thammarat but I moved to Phuket for higher education. I also studied in Chiang Mai and then came back to Phuket seeking employment.

Tell us about that. I started my career working as a sales person for the Jeep distributor in 2000 and ever since I have been involved in the sale of European imports like Volvo, Land Rover, etc. I was offered a position with the S.E.C. Group who are distributors of imported cars.

What is your role with them? I am now Sales and Marketing Manager with responsibility for promoting sales, conducting negotiations and managing the sales force.

Could you tell us about your approach to
work? To do the best I can without necessarily expecting an immediate reward. I aim to be honest to my colleagues and to myself.

Do you have a plan for the future?
Yes, my first objective is to make a success of my present job. Since I have a farming background I then plan to buy a plot of land and plant it with rubber trees and oil palms.

Tell us about your family situation?
I am married to a lady from Chiang Mai and we have a nine year-old daughter who is studying at Wittaya Satit School. My house is in the Garden Place Muang Talang Project. It is a well-managed estate and very quiet.

What is your view on Phuket?
Phuket is developing into a major metropolis but the authorities need to protect the social and cultural values from erosion due to the pursuit by some of profitability and materialism.

Which part of Phuket do you like the best?
I love all the beaches but my favourite is Kata because it is so relaxed and perfect for swimming – others might be more beautiful. I mean, it’s a personal choice.
Please describe your lifestyle.
I am an easygoing person and like to spend time with family after work. I like cars, trees, the sea and watching football matches. I enjoy hanging out with friends, cooking for my family shopping and travelling. I am always keen to work.

Are you involved with any charities or clubs?
I am a member of the Land Rover Club and Vice President of Parent-Teachers’ Association of Wittayasatit School.