THE 20 QUESTIONS AUGUST 2019

Pascal Deville
Born in Belgium in 1964, has studied physical education and social sciences in college but at the age of 19, he started his business life in an insurance company where he became one of the top best salesmen in Belgium after few months. Then he was asked to become a sales trainer and coach in several companies and he was involved in different businesses such as merger and acquisition, telecommunications, and lately into the health market where he has developed a large network in the food supplement company.
That last business became a passion for him and in 2002 he dedicated all his time to help people to get a healthier life thanks to a better nutrition. He brought his health concept in Thailand and today, together with his wife Manee, he’s running the Health Food Shop Co.,Ltd, a company that incorporate health food stores, organic food factory, life coaching services, etc. The company also owns two popular brands, HealtHut and Mamakefir.
Though the health business is a real passion for him, it obviously comes after his family life with his wife and their 9 yo daughter Amika.
1. When did you arrive in Pattaya and what brought you here?
In 2007, a friend of mine whol lived in Pattaya, suggested me to develop my health concept here because of the huge potential of expat people that would need our services.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No
3. What surprised you most about Pattaya?
Compared to Belgium where everything is strictly regulated, Pattaya looked like a “pleasant urban jungle” where you get both a feeling of freedom and also the importance to adjust yourself in that new way of life.
4. Friends are in Pattaya for a holiday – what must they absolutely see or do?
Depending the profile of friends, I’ll suggest them to discover all the main things that made Thailand, and especially Pattaya a unique destination. Starting by Thai food of course, then Thai culture and Thai crafting, temples and monuments. For entertainment, I’ll just show them one of the numerous web page or magazines that are displaying all attractions then they can choose what they really want.
5. What is your favourite Thai food?
Thai food taught me the art of mixing several flavours and I’ve discovered food items that I never ate before. Though I can’t eat too spicy, I enjoy sea foods and vegetarian foods mostly, but I never say no to a good Pad Thai or a noodle soup.
6. What is never missing in your refrigerator?
1kg of fresh fruits, Fresh vegetables juice, Kefir beverages and gluten free bread
7. What is your favourite Thai word?
MANAO (lime) because of that guy who woke me up every day shouting this word in his speaker. Since two years he has disappeared and I miss him )
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Family and close friends
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I left every of each other business that I had to focus on my “occu-passion” in health, so I’m at the right place.
10. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
There is no stupid job, some people for different reason can’t choose their job. I’m grateful that I was able to choose what I really want to do.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
I enjoy to spend time in Isaan in my wife’s family to just do nothing. But I do it well!
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
After visiting a lot of places in Thailand, I would like to visit Vietnam
13. What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Music: David Bowie – Movie: Shinning – Hobby: Football
14. Apart from temptation what can’t you resist?
My daughter’s smile
15. Red wine or white?
Both!
16. Book or movie?
Book
17. Morning person or night person?
Night person
18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
To a foreigner it is a delicate question as we are mainly invited here as “guests of the country”. So for sure there are several social issues ere but as like in each country, social issues are directly linked to the governance of the country. It means the solutions of these social issues are under the responsibility of Thai politicians and each Thai citizen hands. Now if Thai people need my opinion, I’ll be happy to give it to them 🙂
19. What area do you like most, Pattaya city or Nongprue (the Dark Side)?
Both!
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
“We are accountable for what we do, but also for what we fail to do” (Voltaire)