Born and raised in Nakorn Srithummarat, Mr Somchai received his education at Mahanakorn University in Bangkok and started his career as a process engineer before joining the family's hospitality business. The milestone in Mr Somchai's career is to have completed 3 resorts projects for Orapin Group within 6 years.

An avid jazz and rock music lover, Mr Somchai also loves to read and zip around in his motor-bike during his free-time. His philosophy is having simple pleasures in life and enjoys spending quality time with his family. Mr Somchai currently lives in Koh Samui with his wife, Ms. Pariya and 2 adorable children.

What was the most interesting travel trip you have ever taken?
Prague, planning to go again, and to Budapest too

If you were given a wish that could come true, what would you ask for?
That the whole world could live in peace, mainly in the safe interests of my kid!

What’s the last book you read, and movie you watched?
Mostly I read newspapers, business section, and small books from the airport. James Bond Skyfall on a flight, I only saw half before we landed.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?
Simple Pleasures

What is your perfect pizza toppings combination?
I don’t like pizza really, if I had to put something it would be spicy like a Thai red curry pizza.

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
With my wife, to see how her relationship is with our children J

On a scale of 1 to 10 how unusual are you, and why?
Quite usual, say 5, in terms of being a normal human person, but its surprising how many people turn to be less than usual these days due to workload and rush of life

What hidden talents do you have?
Photography, painting, creativity in general, for example my hobby is working on my antique cars and motorbikes

Who do you admire the most, and why?
My mum, not only because I love my mum, but I’ve learned from her how to forgive and spend a life with love

What do you like best and least about living in Samui?
Best: being close to my family, least: Samui and Thailand are growing so fast without a proper management approach that may not result in best long term result

What has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My two kids, wife and family

If you won USD 30 million, what would you do with the money?
Half to charities, not only those in Thailand, and the rest to pay back bank loans!

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
A soft rock or jazz number, or an American country song, I like a lot of music, bu if I had to choose, it would be a Thai song that my kid loves to sing with me called "Love".

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Thailand, Nakornsrithummarat (where I was born) and Surrathani (not so far from Koh Samui, the business, and my family)

In ten years from now what will you be doing?
In 5 years I would like to pull back from day to day management of family business (currently three properties, in 5 years there should be five properties), so in 10 years I will be riding a Harley Davison and visiting my kid when she is studying abroad.