I always dreamed of being a businessman. I never wanted to be a doctor, a politician or even a property developer like my parents. If they had asked me to build a property and sell it like they did, I definitely wouldn’t go for it.

I haven’t liked the idea of living in Bangkok, ever since I was a kid. I hate traffic jams. I used to wake up at 4am to get to school on time. It was so crazy! I asked my parents if I could move to England when I was just nine years old.

I got pissed off with the English education system and moved to the US for high school. Even there, I didn’t like that they forced me to choose my majors when I was only 15. I didn’t know what I wanted to study.

I fell in love with Florida and suddenly decided to move there.

I was on a plane from New Jersey, landing in Miami, and the sun was rising over the North Atlantic Ocean. It was wonderful to see all those palm trees lining the roads. I called my parents right away to tell them I would stay in this beach paradise.

To get what you want in life, you must earn it. My parents didn’t give me lots of pocket money, but I really loved going out, so I needed to find extra jobs.

I love meeting and serving people. I started out as a dishwasher before moving up to waiter and finally became a DJ promoter in Miami. I did every type of party from lady’s nights to gay events. Thanks to my hard work, I was able to rent a stylish lake apartment.

The tsunami in 2004 was a turning point for me. After finishing my hotel management degree in Switzerland, I received a good job offer in Europe. But my dad was developing a property in Phuket and the situation was really bad. Seeing the potential lit a fire in me to want to create a luxury hotel and property.

You should do business based on research. I drove all over Phuket to see what other properties were doing. I knew that we could better them.

I was affronted by salespeople who doubted whether I could work in the hotel business and sell property because I was just a graduate student. I told them that I used to sell cocktails in Miami, so I knew more than anyone about what millionaires want.

I bet them I could sell a multi-million dollar house in less than two months and I did. Now I’ve nearly sold all my properties and the hotel is doing well.

I’m still really pissed off that I was nearly beaten to death last year. I know I was lucky to survive, but I’m angry that we lost the opportunity to make Phuket a luxury destination for A-listers. I was out with [Hollywood actor] Jeremy Renner at the time, so the bad news spread all over the world.

It sucks that if you Google my name, the first five pages are all about the scuffle.

Gossip is the best way of keeping your HR situation under control. I love listening to my staff gossiping. I learn where any problems are and can address the situation before it derails the workflow.

I love micro-management. I wouldn’t dream of running a company with thousands of staff. I interview all my staff personally, even the gardener! My staff are my life. I cried when more than 30 of my staff gathered at the hospital to take me home.

Our politicians need better education. We have more resources than our neighboring countries, but we’re stagnating because of their selfishness.

The TAT is so frustrating. Working in the hotel business, I have to deal with their incompetence. Each year they get B20 billion and all they can do is put out crap advertisements that waste our taxes. My hotel can survive, but our street vendors and small hoteliers need more from the TAT.

Thailand isn’t a prime location anymore. Myanmar has tons of beautiful beaches while Vietnam’s hospitality is getting better and better. It’s good that the AEC is coming into place so that we can realize what real competition is.

I don’t have as much money as people think. I’m the owner of Sri Panwa, but I’m only drawing a GM’s salary, so I have to create my wealth from other businesses. My latest one is Guruwan.com; I plan to turn it into the biggest online retailer in Southeast Asia.

I have so much pride in being Thai. I’m proud that Sri Panwa is a world-class hotel that’s completely Thai-made. Now it’s time to shine a light on other Thai products.

Marriage is the best thing to have happened in my life. My wife is the best. I am lucky to have her, and she’s given me another important woman in my life, my daughter.

Having a family is like running a business. You must be aware of each person’s strengths and weaknesses, and then try your best to make it work.

I feel like a househusband. My wife really loves to work while I love to stay at home and do the laundry and cook. She can’t beat me at that.

Money can buy people, but it can’t buy their spirit. Be fair and honest, then you will get what you want.