Where are you from and what do you do?
I’m from the Netherlands, but I’ve lived here about seven years now. I used to run a paint wholesale business back home. Then I came out here and was essentially on holiday for a few years. I got bored though, so I started teaching English and I really like it. It’s something I never expected. If you told 10 years ago that I’d be a teacher, I’d have said you’re cuckoo!

What do you do on your spare time?
I have a passion for cooking. I love inviting good friends for dinner. If you live here longer, you know where to buy good ingredients. My last big meal was boeuf bourguignon, which takes me two days to make. One thing I miss here is wine. Back in the Netherlands I’d get a really good bottle on a Saturday and have it with French cheese, the strong smelly ones. You can’t really do that here.

What makes Bangkok unique?
Other than than wine and cheese, you can find whatever you want. Everything is available here. Also, there’s always food around. I only went back to the Netherlands once, after being here a year. I was hungry at 10am and went outside, but there was no food anywhere! Bangkok is different when you live here. Now, if I go to the tourist spots, I hate Thailand. But as long as I stay away, I love it here. The people are very friendly.

Any travel destinations to recommend in Thailand?
When the Bangkok floods happened in 2011, I had to leave my house for five weeks. I have two dogs so I was looking for a place that allowed dogs. I found this place in Rayong, run by two Dutch guys. Both the place and the guys turned out to be so nice. We had beers every afternoon and there was a great beach for swimming. At the restaurants on the beach they brought in fresh fish in the morning for lunch. Eventually I found out that there was just a little bit of water in my house in Bangkok. Once I didn’t have to worry, it was just a holiday. I had a marvelous time, so would definitely recommend Rayong. 

Do you wear TOT to work?
Every day!

You must be the best-dressed teacher in Thailand then!
I hope so!

When you want to make a good impression, what do you wear?
One of your Thomas Mason shirts. I love them. I have a few, which I usually wear with my grey trousers. Unfortunately, Bangkok is too hot to wear a suit. I have to say, if you start with shirts from TOT, you can’t go back. Once you get a Thomas Mason, you don’t want to wear anything else. One of my colleagues said, “You pay 4000 baht for a shirt, that’s ridiculous.” So I said, “You go out to a bar and spend 4000 in a night. I buy food and cook myself, then spend more on shirts. So I eat better and I’m clothed better!”

Amen

Peter is wearing a pink chambray shirt from Thomas Mason (see those white threads going through the fabric, that’s what gives chambray its special appearance) and mid-grey wool trousers from Vitale Barberis Canonico.