Bangkok’s air quality finally drove DAVID BARRETT to seek a better life in the UK. But there are still many things this well-known marketing guru misses about the Land of Smiles After more than three successful decades in Thailand, what prompted the return to the UK? It must have been an incredible wrench, or maybe not? Bangkok’s air quality drove me to leave Thailand and relocate to the UK after 32 years of living in Krungthep. It was during the thick smog of 2019 and the need to close windows and wear a mask in Bangkok’s city centre that set my plans in motion. I began the slow process of selling my assets in Thailand to part fund my relocation to the UK. It was time for a move and I was up for an exciting new adventure. My property hunting since 2019 had me bidding at auctions for houses in Pembrokeshire, Bath and Devon. Eventually, Cornwall came up. After protracted negotiations, I bought a modest 1831 Grade II listed Cornish stone cottage in the Heritage Quarter of Helston, gateway to the Lizard Peninsula. I had bought the property online, unseen in a town I had never visited. I felt pretty confident, as I had researched the area and felt the property would give me a good base to settle back into UK life. The move was timely because the address I had been using in the UK as my main contact was no longer available. Being away from the UK for so long, I was off the radar. I was not on the electoral register. I had no credit history. No banking inactivity. I’d not been paying rates, utilities or a phone bill. This all meant I was in ghost mode in the UK. This was the biggest challenge I faced with the move back home. Getting a credit card was not easy as I had no history with credit rating agencies, even though I had substantial funds in my bank account. |
"I look into the complete supply chain, from original source and sustainability to actual delivery, checking things like correct temperature during transportation." One of his key partners here in Bangkok is Thammachart Seafood, known for its top quality, sustainably sourced seafood, which supplies Chef Gerard's kitchens with a long list of imported products, including fresh seafood, oysters and wild cod from Norway, langoustines from Denmark and sea trout from France.
Other quality items from Thammachart Seafood include Blue lobster from Brittany in France, Dutch shellfish and French caviar. The background of each product is carefully assessed by Chef Gerard. "I look into the complete supply chain, from original source and sustainability to actual delivery, checking things like correct temperature during transportation." Chef Gerard says he likes working with Thammachart Seafood because of its reliability. "They deliver twice a week, which is the same as the best companies in Europe. This is important for a world-class restaurant." The feedback from diners at Elements, inspired by Ciel Bleu has been extremely positive, he says. "The quality of the scafood products we use is our top priority, not the price."
By Colin Hastings With record-breaking land prices and beach houses costing hundreds of millions of baht, it's no wonder this stretch of coast is being dubbed Billionaire Street Are we talking about one of Thailand's fabulous international resorts like Phuket, Samui or Ko Tao? No, this is Dongtan Beach, sometimes also known as Pattaya Park Beach, a surprisingly delightful and still under-commercialized beach strip situated between Pattaya and Jomtien that has caught the eye of shrewd investors in recent years and is now captivating visitors who in the past bypassed the area on their way to its two much better known beaches. Despite escalating land prices, all small ocean front lots have now been sold and only one larger piece of land is still available - but you've got to be in the multi-millionaire class to buy it. On a nearby plot, a luxurious private pool villa is being constructed with an anticipated price tag of more than 300 million Baht. Although Dongtan Beach is actually a continuation of Jomtien Beach, the main road connecting Pattaya's Thappraya Road and Jomtien skirts around the area, traditionally leaving it somewhat isolated and overlooked. It didn't help that Dongtan's beach road was for years closed at its far end, deterring visitors from exploring further. But that all changed a while back when the north end of the road was opened up and linked to the busy Phratumnak area of Pattaya. To date, the road sees little through traffic and parking is easy. Dongtan's beaches are sandy, generally quiet and shaded by trees. It's a popular spot for family picnics and for watching often dramatic sunsets over Ko Larn. There are safe swimming areas and the presence of life guards makes it ideal for children. The reputation Dongtan once had as Pattaya's exclusively gay beach' is long gone and irrelevant. Although Dongtan Beach is actually a continuation of Jomtien Beach, the main road connecting Pattaya's Thappraya Road and Jomtien skirts around the area, traditionally leaving it somewhat isolated and overlooked.
Passionate about rock climbing, fan of extreme sports, martial art, distance running, urban cycling, open water diving, yin yoga and more. Why this Brit loves Thailand
Giving happiness is a recognition that we are all the same in our desire to be happy, healthy and safe and that giving happiness to others leads to a happy life.
What is the mission of the Gift of Happiness Foundation? Our mission is to ensure that needy children and families in Thailand are provided with the resources and opportunities needed to sustain a meaningful, healthy, and happy life. We unconditionally provide free happy events, plus tons of essential goods to thousands of people who normally have very little to be happy about! We seek to expand the network of individuals we serve while forming additional collaborative partnerships with NGOs, schools, and agencies. We work to improve need identification in Thailand and the process of resource allocation. We are a non-religious and non-political charitable organization. Tell us about yourself: I was born in a caravan in Manchester, UK, in 1952. I had three sisters, sadly all deceased. Mum and dad worked 12-hour shifts in factories in the mill town of Bolton, Lancashire. I went to a large urban secondary modern school where I learned With over two decades of experience, Kavin Intertrade has managed more than 150 trade shows and owns a portfolio of 10 premium, industryspecific trade and consumer events.
Kavin Kittiboonya, Managing Director of Kavin Intertrade Co, Ltd said, "Established in 1999, the company has experienced unprecedented growth and success, acclamations from industry leaders, government agencies, and local and international associations. We are proud to be part of Thailand's exhibition industry that generates Bt53 billion and creates more than 43,000 jobs yearly." Based in the heart of Bangkok, the company employs 26 highly experienced and dedicated staff. "The team takes great care of each step from preparation, conceptualization, execution, promotion, and facilitation. Our approach to business is unique, emphasizing local roots and global reach. Our intention is to create energetic, educational, and invigorating environments to achieve business goals of providing a business platform between sellers and buyers," said Mr. Kavin, Kavin Intertrade's up-andcoming show is unique - it is a 3-combined international trade show under one roof: 'One-stopshop: food service, hotel, retail, and franchise solutions, which will be held on October 20-23, 2022, at BITEC, Bangkok The first show is the 16th Thailand Retail, Food & Hospitality Services (TRAFS) - Thailand's NO.1 show of equipment and raw materials for restaurants, cafes, F&B, and food services. The show is an excellent platform for hoteliers, restaurant managers, café owners, and those in food services to purchase or source new equipment and raw material, both food and drinks, from more than 100 Thais and international exhibitors, with more than 7,000 items worldwide. With support from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), together with hotel and food industry associations, the ThaiItalian Chamber of Commerce, and leading food schools, the organiser has crafted many unique activities that are free to join so visitors can get the most out of their visits, such as Thai and Italian's food and drinks demonstrations, seminars led by Over the years, many books have been written about the Mercy Centre, the renowned foundation overseen by Fr. Joseph H. Maier and his team that helps poor children and families in Bangkok's slums.
A recent addition to the list, and definitely one of the best, is 'Mercy's Heroes' by Tom Crowley, a Vietnam veteran battling with PTSD who left a successful business career in Asia to work as a volunteer in Bangkok's biggest slum in Klong Toey. What sets Tom's book apart is the way he adroitly contrasts his military adventures, including being wounded in action, with his bitter-sweet but mostly rewarding experiences with the foundation. Both portray a strug. gle for survival. Tom is an excellent writer and 'Mercy Heroes' highlights the healing that is to be found in helping others. www.koehlerbooks.com |