What is your full name and age?
Brian Anderson 51 years old.
What is your current Job Position?
Sustainable Development Manager at Chiva-Som International Health Resorts Co., Ltd.
How long have you lived in Hua Hin or been coming to Hua Hin?
I have lived in Hua Hin since 2002.
What did you know about Hua Hin before you moved here?
I just happened upon it in 1999 for an overnight stop on the way to Koh Samui. I didn’t know anything about Hua Hin, but I do remember it was much less developed at that time. When I look at it now, I think ‘wow, what’s going on?’ Now there is so much and so much to do, you can get almost everything here. I remember many years ago I had to go all the way to Petchaburi to buy a television and computer.
What do you like most about your profession?
Chiva-Som is a luxury health resort and the employees here are great, which makes getting things done easier with a lot of support. Otherwise, I am responsible for reducing the resort’s ecological footprint by implementing energy-saving technologies, natural resource practices and waste reduction initiatives to decrease carbon emissions and operating costs. We have a collective focus on the Quadruple Bottom Line where the outcomes directly benefit the value chain and help to ensure sustainable business success through an integrative CSR framework. It’s also good to be part of the Preserve Hua Hin Group, which was founded by Chiva-Som in 2004 to raise awareness on environmental preservation and promote community interaction and engagement. We are currently developing MEPSEC Hua Hin (Mangrove Ecosystem Preservation & Science Education Center) in the last remaining urban mangrove in Hua Hin. It is a collaboration with the scientists, academics and students of Silpakorn University, partnering Corporate Social Responsibility with University Social Responsibility. MEPSEC Hua Hin will be open to the general public late in 2015.
What do you like the least about your profession?
I would say that there’s so much to do in such little time. Another annoyance in the hospitality sector of the travel and tourism industry is all the waste that is generated. Solid waste materials mostly from packaging, waste water, waste energy and waste food. All businesses produce a lot of waste but we are doing what we can to minimize the amount sent to landfill.
What do you like most about Hua Hin?
Living in a small town near the sea is great but I believe the most appealing aspect is the multicultural community with so many activities and events going on. Unfortunately there are not enough days in the week to join all of them. We have a lot of friends here so there’s never a dull moment. Hua Hin offers so many social opportunities so there’s always something to look forward to.
What is your favorite Restaurant locally and why? My first choice would be La Grappa, not only for the fine dining experience, but I like the proprietors Peter and Nee Kirketerp. I like Lizzy, too, so maybe she should open a restaurant.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
I don’t like to do anything in my free time, that is if I get any free time. I’m a member of the Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin and the SKAL Hua Hin & Cha-am Club which takes some evening time. I do farm work as well, which is grounding and good exercise.
What would you recommend to new comers to do in Hua Hin? And Why?
Firstly I would encourage them to learn Thai. Not only does it make life easier, it surely facilitates engagement with the locals who can be the most friendly and supportive people around. Also, I would recommend them to join the Rotary Club or join another community development organization. Fifteen nationalities in the Rotary Club but we use English for communication. Rotarians have broad and diverse backgrounds so the conversation and interaction is always supportive and interesting.
Tell us a surprising fact that public might not know about you?
Many are surprised that I raise turkeys. All American free-range pastured birds without added growth hormones or antibiotics. Turkeys are interesting fowl like my friends. Some of them remind me of turkeys as well. Don’t ask who, please. Organic farming is next on the list. Too often we consume fresh produce in blind faith, not knowing what it has been treated with.
What is the most outlandish thing you have ever done? Why?
Outlandish? I’m not even sure what it really means. If you asked my relatives in the US, they would probably say it’s outlandish that I live half-way around the globe. It all started out as an adventure and somehow here we are today. There are so many residents of various nationalities living here so you’re guaranteed an interesting experience wherever you might go in town. I think maybe the local community could be outlandish.