In-person / Interview Column

Social work

Currently Frank is a member of five social charity groups such as the Chiang Mai Friends Group and the Skal Club which promotes tourism in the city. He is also a committee member for five religious clubs in Chiang Mai and is a committee member of Indian Community in Chiang Mai.

He is also a member of the Royal British Legends, of which he is chosen to be a representative to welcome Prince Andrew who is to pay a royal visit to Chiang Mai. Finally, he is also a committee member for Thai-German friendship association.

When asked why he is so involved in social work Frank replied: “Because I’m already an old man, and I want to do some merit for the community.” 

A new Lions Club   President

Chiang Mai has about 15 Lions Clubs and the Chiang Mai Saraphi Lions Club is one of the newest clubs. Prior to becoming president, Frank was a member of the club for three years.
With a motto of “We serve,” the club aims to alleviate Chiang Mai’s social problems. On the day he was inaugurated as president, Frank gave a luncheon feast to the elderly at the Ban Thammapakorn nursing home. 

In the next two months, Frank and the Chiang Mai Saraphi Lions Club will organize donations of spectacles and provide dental services for the poorer members of society especially in remote and rural areas.  

Frank was born in Bangkok, where he had been in the textile and clothing industry for more 55 years before he decided to move to Chiang Mai.
As a self-employed sales person with a business in Sumpeng Bangkok, Frank made numerous business trips to Chiang Mai and he became impressed by what he describes as a “charming city.”

Frank has now lived in Chiang Mai for nine years and along with his wife, he opened a tailor shop in the Chiang Mai Night bazaar area while their son operates the textile business back in Bangkok’s Sampeng area.

Chiang Mai impressions

Frank said that he is really impressed with the north’s atmosphere and was particularly impressed with Chiang Mai people who he said are very easy going, and willing to compromise, of which he added are very positive characteristics. 

Frank also said the air is still great and there is hardly any pollution. And above all, the generosity of Chiang Mai people and the crime rate is low. “It felt like a secure place to live in,” he said.
Chiang Mai, Frank said, for foreigners is a wonderful place to visit or live in.  It is generously blessed with beautiful traditions and has some outstanding examples of ancient and well preserved architecture. 

“Unlike those westernized places like Pattaya or Phuket. One visit to Chiang Mai and almost 100 percent of the foreigners fall in love with the charm of the old city,” he said.
Frank believes that Chiang Mai is a city that will go far. If there is political peace in the country, he said, the city will sustain a high level of development for the next 10 to 20 years. 
Frank is a staunch believer of good business knowledge along with the principals of virtue and integrity. When Frank first arrived in Chiang Mai, he saw there was a need for an international standard tailor service and decided to set one up himself which is called Fashion King and it has proved a success.

Fashion King is a full service tailor shop where 95 percent of the customers are regular patrons. The shop also offers a customer satisfaction money back guarantee for their custom made clothes.