Phuket Post :: Article :: The Seven Year Switch

What is it about the sea that so constantly mesmerzies and attracts us land-dwellers? The literal ocean of mysteries which compels thousands to frolick at its edges, cut across its surface, and plunge into its depths, looking for fun, excitement and adventure.

And what is it about the Andaman sea? There are beaches, islands, bays and capes all over the world. And then there is Phuket. Even those with beautiful waters at their own doorsteps find their way here, and often enough, don't find their way back.

Andrew Craig is from Australia. And he's lived here seven years. When you think that he's spent three of these seven years being President of the board of the Phang Nga Bay Cup Regatta (2004-2006), you may guess that he has more than a passing interest in the sea.

Andrew came to Phuket to work with his buddy from high school, Josh Lee of Lee Marine. He worked with Lee Marine for several years, and Josh and he even branched out into a separate media outfit, while he was still with the company.

Like every good Aussie, Andrew is sports-mad. And while he admits to having initially missed rugby and other sporting opportunities back home, he threw himself into Phuket waters with enthusiasm. Sailing is something he's passionate about. And yet, he says regretfully, � I haven't been out sailing in a while, recently.�

What's �a while� for a sailing enthusiast, I wonder. �A week?�

�Ah, no it's definitely been longer than that,� says Andrew. �I'll have to head out soon.�

There's a reason for this temporary estrangement from the waters. After seven years on Phuket, Andrew, over the last few months has been steadily embarking on his new career... on land.

On May 1 this year, Phuket Villas and Homes started its operations on the island, and on April 1, a month later, refreshed and energised from an eight-month break, when he went traveling around the Asian region. (�Best thing I ever did! I highly recommend it.� he says emphatically), Andrew took over the workings of the company as General Manager.

Phuket Villas and Homes, the villa management company, actually has its origins in Samui, where John Birt, the MD began operations that eventually led to the concept of total service the company now operates on.

Operations in Phuket started when John Birt was invited to bring over his management concept by a property development on Phuket.

Just like the original in Samui, Phuket Villas and Homes has two levels of operations in villa management. �The Signature Collection and the Phuket Villa Homes are two distinct concepts, run separately.� says Andrew.

The Signature Collection is very, very high-end. The villas in this segment have a minimun of three resident staff, led by an English-speaking Villa manager. �These villas even come with a full-time Thai chef.

�Phuket Villa Homes is also run on the principle of total management, but with less style. A villa in this segment wouldn't come with a Thai chef, for example,� explains Andrew.

The markets for the two concepts are very different, I'm told, and having two profiles simplifies it for the clients, as they can look to choose the level of services they want.

Andrew tells us that for Phuket, the company is also looking to add a third profile to their operations: condominiums. �There are properties on the island that simply do not fit into the two exisiting profiles and we want to create a third one to accomodate these.�

�On all the properties managed by Phuket Villas and Homes, we provide total service management,� says Andrew. �The idea is that the guests have all the amenities of a five-star hotel, in their very home. Everything is taken care of.�

�Maintainance is an on-going process, we make sure every applicance, every service is working all the time. The staff work behind the scenes, on a regular basis, oiling hinges, checking the plumbing, electricity, making sure there never is a problem.

�We want to fix the problem before it happens,� says Andrew. �So our guests never have to worry about anything.�

�While there are some guests who like to rent their properties out when they can't use them, a lot of villa owners choose not to. Which means that for a large part of the year their villas are shut. So many problems build up over the period of disuse that when the owners actually get here on their two-week holiday, they spend most of it just sorting out the problems in the house, instead of enjoying their beautiful villa.

�We make sure our owners never have this kind of problem. So when they, or the people they rent to, arrive at our homes, they have a fully functioning home to move into, with no problems to deal with.�

Andrew oversees the management of the villas, making sure the staff keeps on top of their maintenance work and the guests receive the standard of service the company intends to provide. His long tenure and familiarity with the island allow him to make sure he can always find what the guests want and can help them with their queries and questions.

�Part of the reason the company chose me, is how well I know my way around the island, and the contacts I have made over the years,� says Andrew. �So if a guest has a particular need, like finding a specific brand of baby-food, for example, I'd know exactly where to go. That's very important for us, to be able to help the guests out with everything.�

While a lot of the villa owners are foreigners, a fair amount from Hong Kong and Singapore, says Andrew, the majority of the staff is Thai.

�They are just gold,� he says fervently. �I've no idea what I'd do without them. We've been lucky to find such a great team, committed to making sure everything is perfect.�

When Andrew's not making sure villa owners are having the best holiday they can, he spends time with the large crew of friends he has gathered over the years. �Mostly sailing folks,� he says. �Josh (Lee Marine) is one of my best mates here, the connection is a strong one, way back from school days, and I've continued building other friendships over the years.�

Does he see himself living here for the foreseeable future? �Sure,� says Andrew. �It's home, for now. I mean, I know I'll never be Thai, but I'm very comfortable here.�

On firm ground, too.