Job: Public Relations Manager at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale.
How long have you lived on the island and why did you move here? I came to Phuket September of 2001 so nearly 10 years ago. I came to be a scuba diving instructor. I had no intention to stay here for this long.
I tried to leave but then ended up working in the Similan Islands for three years as a dive instructor and fell in love with the lifestyle, for the time being. I really miss the Similans.
What were doing before you moved here?
I have a degree in criminal justice and was doing corporate investigations for a private company. At the time I was also looking into get a job with the State of California before I decided to up and leave.
What is best thing about living here?
The quality of life in many regards, the relaxed life style, and living by the beach. In many ways there is a lot of opportunity here if you can think of something original. Also, as an expat, I have had jobs I would not have been able to have living in America.
I love having a sea view from my home. I love the casual way of life – even though I have a professional job as a manager, I still drive only five minutes to work on a little scooter and I have a very un-corporate job. The relaxed atmosphere of my job is unlike to any job I would have in the States. I have the most amazing views and enjoy the most amazing food too.
What do you do to relax?
Well as the Phuket work week is often six days a week as mine is, and I also do consulting for an online healthfood store and also do consulting on vegan raw food, I do not have time to relax too much. I do enjoy the time I spend with my close friends just going out for a nice meal and a glass of wine.
What hobbies or sports are you interested in?
As I just did a raw food chef certification, I would have to say that is one of my main interests now, along with helping others to make healthier food choices and showing them how amazing plant-based dishes can taste and educating them about nutrition.
I love to swim in the sea and have made a few feeble attempts to surf. Perhaps one day … it is definitely a goal. At least I am to the point where I am not to shy to get in the water with a giant longboard! If I had time I would dive more as well.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
Travelling. Being Mexican American, my family and I went to Mexico for our summer vacations. At the time I didn’t appreciate seeing ancient ruins but looking back, my fondest memories are of those times.
Favourite food or dish?
Cannot really say as I love many kinds of foods and work at an amazing restaurant. I am spoiled as I eat at Mom Tri’s Kitchen nearly every day.
I do love the balance of Thai flavours and Thai vegetables and just wish that local restaurants would not slather their amazing food in MSG, cheap oils and chemical sauces. The industrialisation of the food industry here is really heartbreaking.
I love morning glory. That would be my favourite Thai vegetable. I also really like vegan plant-based foods. Anything that is healthy and guilt-free. And also chocolate, of course.
What is the best tip you have for people moving to Phuket?
The best tip if you want to be happy is something that was passed on to me … actually, I saw it on a sign at the orchid farm in Chalong. It said, “If you want to be happy, don’t ask why.” Of course outside of Thailand we can ask why and get an answer often, but for here it works better not to ask why, just accept it.
For example you can ask why you have to do visa runs even if you have a work permit. Or why foreigners have to pay to leave the country even when they have a work permit. Or why people drive so awfully. But if I don’t ask why, I am happier. Asking why only leads to frustration here.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while living on the island?
The funniest thing is that I am still here. I left once and came back. It amuses me to still be here nearly 11 years later.
Also, when I first started working at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale I changed into my work clothes at work and the zipper on the back of my skirt was broken and worked its way down. I did not realize it and there I was walking passed the staff canteen at lunch time.
It was not funny at the time; I wanted to go home and never come back, but I have a good, very good, sense of humour and I can laugh about it now.
The person you admire the most and why?
I admire all the selfless people who live in Phuket and share their knowledge and experience to make Phuket a better place.
Whether it is giving selflessly to the homeless animals on the streets, to feed, spay or neuter, to volunteer or starting non-profits helping women who are HIV-positive, to increasing environmental awareness and preserving nature, we all have a choice: to make Phuket a better place or to be part of the problem.
Is there anything you don’t like about living here?
I really dislike the lack of community and safety when driving and the mai pen rai attitude to things that are not safe. I wish there was just a bit more structure and that people were more considerate when driving and perhaps would understand that there are consequences to being a hazard to society. Also I don’t like all the sex tourism, Its should be more confined to certain areas, certainly not in Nai Harn and Kata.
I don’t like the corruption and the way things happen without a real concern about improving the island or local communities – decisions are made in the spirit of greed.
I also do not like the way the Burmese are treated here. I think Western expats have a lot of empathy for them as they are aware that they are really treated as second-class citizens with even less rights then Westerners. Why are the Burmese not considered expats?
Favourite place on the island, and why?
I love Kata Noi beach for its relaxed seclusion and I love Kata Beach for its vibrancy as there are always lots of colourful people on Kata beach, whether they be tourists, Thai families on holidays or even the Burmese labourers enjoying a swim, people walking their dogs, beach dogs going for a swim, locals playing a game of soccer, surfers etc..
But my most favourite place is my house! I love being at home, I am pretty easy that way.