EXPOSED: Gordon Adamson
Friday 1 July 2011, 07:31AM
Job: Company Director of Safeway Asia Co Ltd, trading as South Thailand Auctions, and GM Safeway Co Ltd.
How long have you lived on the island and why did you move here?
I arrived in Phuket in 2001 from Australia. I was married at the time but after three years my wife went back to Sydney. She was a teacher and wasn’t happy with the educational standards and she couldn’t handle the warm climate.
What is best thing about living here?
I personally like the warm climate (maybe because I’m getting old) and as long as you do things properly nobody gives you a hard time, especially in the construction industry which is grossly over-regulated in Australia.
What do you do to relax?
I enjoy my work and like to read a lot and travel to other parts of Thailand and Asia two or three times a year.
What hobbies or sports are you interested in?
Reading, watching sport on television and boating, which I hope to do a lot more of when our new auction business is more established.
Favourite food or dish?
I’m not a big meat eater. I eat mostly Thai food - gaeng keow wan, (Thai green curry) phad thai, phad priaw wan (sweet and sour stirfry) and most fish dishes.
What kind of music are you into?
When relaxing I like classical, and when the batteries are fully-charged I like rock and roll from the 60s and 70s.
What is the best tip you have for people moving to Phuket?
Think very carefully and do a lot of research before they start or try buy a business, and don’t try to compete with Thais. On a personal level, never get aggro, and try to adopt the “mai pen rai” (it doesn’t matter) attitude.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while living on the island?
I would probably get into trouble if I told you so I will have to pass on that one.
The person you admire the most and why?
In Thailand, my girlfriend of six years. She’s a bit of a challenge like most females but her heart is in the right place.
If you could come back as any other person who would it be and why?
Gordon Adamson the second, I couldn’t imagine being anyone else, I like me too much.
Is there anything you don’t like about living here?
The lack of stability in government and their attitude towards foreigners with regard to visas – particularly long time residents who spend a lot of money here and donate many frustrating hours training Thai people how to be professional in the workplace.
Favourite place on the island and why.
Home sweet home. I live on the north side of the island and love the peace and quiet.
