It is due to the growing appreciation for wine amongst Thais, and regular patronage from his foreign clients, that Mr Duykers attributes the success of his small wine shop in Cherng Talay.
“Small wine shops are able to thrive in Thailand, partly because of the mark up as it is seen as a high-end product and expensive.
“So with it being such a considered purchase,” says Mr Duykers, “Thai people and foreigners like to come to have a consultation before they buy.”
“This is why there are so many little wine shops in Phuket. But the main difference is that some are price driven, while some are quality and brand driven, which is what the Andaman Wine Club is.”
The fact that increasing numbers of Thais are drinking wine is also helping the industry in Phuket and nationwide, leading to an explosion in the variety available, many hitherto unseen in Thailand.
“Wine is a growing phenomenon among Thai people. They are tired of drinking whisky and beer,” says Mr Duykers.
“Wine is seen as aspirational and mysterious, but they are still not that confident yet. I have met many people and converted them from beer drinkers to wine drinkers relatively easily.”
“The Thais are much more red wine drinkers than anything else, probably because of the antioxidants and health benefits – His Majesty the King also apparently likes red wine.”
Mr Duykers added that the Andaman Wine Club sells more white wine to foreigners, as by and large tourists like to drink wine in hot weather and with sea food – two things Phuket has an abundance of.
Interestingly, he believes there are different tastes emerging across Thailand.
“Some wines are more popular in Phuket and Samui than Bangkok. For example, this double magnum of Whispering Angel is a very popular rosé on Phuket beaches right now.”
The path from Mr Duyker’s hometown of Nijmegen, in the east of the Netherlands, near the German border, to becoming a Phuket-based wine evangelist was far from a smooth and obvious one.
“After high school I studied hospitality and worked in various hotels and resorts in Amsterdam and the Hague region. I did that for around seven years before I came to Thailand.
“I had actually always wanted to go to California and in fact was close to doing so, but every company that offered me a job wanted me to start right away and I needed to give notice,” says Mr Duykers.
So instead Mr Duykers came here in 1989 and joined the Amari hotel chain. However, he soon checked out from the industry, finding his interests lay away from hotels and resorts.
“My career has been rather broad,” Mr Duykers explains, “I have worked for export companies, real estate brokering, and most recently the wine business. I am also the managing director of Bliss Beach Club.
“The first time I started in the wine business was 1997 when I became the Phuket distributor for Ambrose Wine. But I now spend much of my time working for BB&B.”
From a small speciality import-distribution company in 2003 with five employees and a delivery truck, BB&B (it stands for Bangkok Beer & Beverages) has grown to become one of Thailand's biggest suppliers of beverages and service accessories to retail and hospitality enterprises.
It currently has offices in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
It has around this same time that the Andaman Wine Club opened up. The name refers to both the wine shop, which is located in Cherng Talay, and a regular meeting where wine enthusiasts meet to discuss all things grape and indulge in wine tastings.
“It’s for everyone really,” says Mr Duykers about the club, “Great for people who are curious about wine and who want to learn a little more, from the beginner to those with a bigger and more developed palette – most are blind tastings so we can learn when we taste.”
And what about Mr Duykers himself. Does he enjoy a tipple despite being around it all day and night?
“It comes with the job. I meet clients and taste a few times a week, and have an event each and every month, but I have no real preference [for red or white].”
However, he gains a far away look before answering the question as to his finest ever glass of wine.
“I remember when my daughter was born I had a double magnum from South Africa that I had kept for a long while. It wasn’t a particularly expensive wine, but it was the perfect age, the perfect temperature – it was amazing. It’s also about the scenario and the setting though. That is incredibly important.”