Faces of Expats

 |  September 27, 2011






1. Sabine Zimpfer
Age: As old as I feel
Nationality: German
Occupation: Executive, Bluechips
“Clarity is the foundation of all changes.”

2. Dominique Bugnand
Age: 46
Nationality: French
Occupation: Executive chef /F &B Director, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
“Food of course, my foodlosophy, my passion.”

3. Koji Yoshida
Age: 40
Nationality: Japanese
Occupation: Bar owner
“The more you have, the more you want.”

4. Ricky Ward
Age: 66
Nationality: Australian
Occupation: Retried, currently a passionate environmentalist
“How happy l am to bring back the original Chiang Mai trees which have lived here for tens of thousands of years.”

5. Kuba Lesisz
Nationality: Polish
Occupation: Software Developer…and when he’s not in the office, he enjoys being 10,000 feet high, flying with Chiang Mai Flying Club, where he recently received his license.

6. Lucien Coombes
Age: 45
Nationality: Brazilian
Occupation: Exporter
“My passion in life is, and has always been, seeing new places, experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. I am lucky my job provides me this opportunity of travelling.”

7. Eliza Chute
Age: 23
Nationality: American
Occupation: NGO
“I’ve been in SE Asia long enough to forget that putting ice in beer is weird.”

8. Nick Leedham
Age: 25
Nationality: British
Occupation: Science and English teacher
“Teaching is rewarding – I just wish it would pay the bills!”

9. John Michael Schmidt
Age: 67
Nationality: American (Austin, Texas)
Occupation: CEO of Sunbelt Organics, Inc. a USA Based company specialising in organic product distribution
“One of my favorite quotes is from Rumi: ‘Be with those who support your being.'”

10. Shauna Marie Pugh
Age: 49
Nationality: American
Occupation: Entrepreneau and owner of Soho Bar and Guesthouse.
“Being transgendered has given me knowledge beyond imagination.”

11. Gary Boyle
Age: 40
Nationality: English
Occupation: Filmmaker
“If there’s nothing going on where you are, create an event yourself.”

12. Tim Cressey
Occupation: Research Associate
Programme for HIV Prevention and Treatment, Faculty of Associated
Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand & Harvard School of
Public Health, USA
“Clinical research studies conducted in Thailand over the last 10 years have helped to optimise strategies for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected adults and children.”

13. Mike ‘Spike’ Collier
Age: 58
Nationality: American
Occupation: Director of Golf of the Three-Generation Golf Academy at PTIS International School
“My dad and uncle were born near Chiang Mai where my grandfather was a country doctor for the northern provinces in the early 1900s. When I was young I saw pictures of Chiang Mai and for some reason knew that I wanted to live here. My wife, Joy, and I have been living here full time for the past 5 years. We love it!”

14. Gail Lewis
Age: I stopped counting at 33…
Nationality: Australian
Occupation: Maths teacher and Head of the English Programme, Sacred Heart College.
“Some say a glass is half full. Some say a glass if half empty. I say, ‘Whatever, just drink it.'”

15. Frances Ring
Age:14
Nationality: British
Occupation: Student
“I enjoy photography and arts which is why I like CNX. Because it is a city full of art.”

16. Evans Russ Mensah
Age: 23
Nationality: Ghanaian
Occupation: Footballer
“I like Chiang Mai and the people here smiling, and the food of Thailand, too. I also like to keep reading Citylife magazine.”

17. Tingting Carpenter
Age: 29
Nationality: Chinese
Occupation: Wildlands Studies, Programme Coordinator California State University, Monterey Bay and belly dancer
“Dance with no self.”

18. Klaus Bettenhausen
Age: 77
Nationality: German
Occupation: Macadamia Farmer
“Macadamia = the queen of nuts”

19. Ronny Lavin
Age(less)
Nationality: American
Occupation: Retired atist
“Living in Chiang Mai is like coming home.”

20. Sandy (Alexander) Cullen
Age: 45
Nationality: Australian
Occupation: Publican, UN Irish Pub
“After 14 years in Chiang Mai I have met humble Americans, seen poms winning at sport, and met successful kiwis, nothing really surprises me anymore.”

Special thanks to: Nok Aviation Flying Club, The Chedi Hotel, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Gassan Golf & Resort, Sacred Hearts College, UN Irish Pub, Glass Onion, Soho Bar, 700 Years Stadium, Education Gateway and Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, CMU.