Job: Retired – Co-founder of the Phuket International Women’s Club, member of the Phuket Lions Club, volunteer with French Red Cross volunteer and Phuket Thai Red Cross Society.
How long have you lived on the island and why did you move here?
Around 1970, visited a long-time business friend who suggested I open a boutique at the first resort in Rawai, Phuket. Agreed immediately and this proved to be the best decision. Never regretted it!
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Developing a small plot of land near Chalong where I now live next to my adopted Thai family. For all those years, our Lions Club and our community projects with local schools were my main concern.
What were you doing before you moved here?
I used to work in the Lab Department of a well known university in Louisiana. I arrived in Bangkok in 1964 and soon began to feel that my time ought to be put to good use, so I discussed this with my Thai and foreign friends.
This was the period when the American Forces were still in Thailand. Speaking to a good Thai friend, she suggested I visit the Chief of SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organisation) whose headquarters were near the Children Hospital.
The Chief asked me about my experience in the USA and who I had worked for. When I mentioned the name of my boss, he said, “You worked for Bob, you work for me”.
What is best thing about living here?
First, I would mention the Thai People, the Phuketians for having left a definite imprint on the local architecture and traditions.
Phuket offers so many possibilities to join in the many cultural or other events through the various media online, be it the Thai press, English or French.
The low cost of living is another plus, shopping galore and choice of places to eat or entertain.
What do you do to relax?
I read a lot, especially Thai history books such as The Four Reigns by former Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj, or simply watch a good movie, news on many channels, French, Thai, or German, English. I switch often to broaden my horizons and keep abreast or events.
What hobbies or sports are you interested in?
I try to keep fit with home exercise, swimming, gardening, listening to music and even dancing to it.
At home, it was a tradition to always have music, often a whole band, when celebrating a wedding or the baptism of a child, so I learned to dance accompanying an older sister married to a musician who had his own band, and often had to go outside our home town to perform up country.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
For me, childhood was World War II. One time we were stuck in a village on our way to other villages to sleep and be given a meal. I will never forget being called over by a young German soldier. I stopped. He was holding a round box he wanted me to take. Still I did not move.
He made gestures to let me know that he too had a little girl like me and that the box was for me. He opened it and dipped a finger in it and popped it in his mouth to show me it was good.
I took it and ran to my mom who warned me never again to move from her side!
Favourite food or dish?
I would say that my favourite menu is mostly Thai dishes, chicken curry, red or green, Hor Mok from the local market, as well as my own favourite Bolognese and paté de foie de canard for sandwiches on nice wholewheat bread!
What kind of music are you into?
I love music, be it classical or Latin.
What is the best tip you have for people moving to Phuket?
Inform yourself. These days it is quite easy to do so thanks to all the various websites in Phuket, and also directly through the Phuket Government website. Make friends and not enemies.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while living on the island?
That was when I found out that a couple, looking for a “Madame Irene”, were referred to my shop. I learned later that staff and people who knew me in the Rawai area would refer to me as Madame With The Shop On Phuket Island! The name stuck as long as we had the shop and even today when people remember me from that time.
Who is the person you admire the most?
HM The King of Thailand, with the highest respect and deepest appreciation and wishes for a long life.
If you could come back as any other person who would it be and why?
My philosophy is to live this life understanding things as they really are and the law of cause and effect. I will not speculate on any possibilities.
Is there anything you don’t like about living here?
I do not approve of foreigners driving around shirtless – something they would not do in their own country. I never have seen a Thai doing this, unless he was repairing his bike in a shop or home.
Favourite place on the island, and why?
The southern part, which I consider my “re-birth place”.