Clear business vision

Clear business vision

A blind man has made a dream come true by developing a successful resort

Anan Wongaree is proud of his Khum Klao Teak Hut Resort in Bangkok's Min Buri district. Even though it has been open for almost three years, he has never seen it.

A ramp was built for nine cottages. The new building in the second phase also has a ramp and a comfortable walkway for people using wheelchairs to access the upper floors. Rooms have features providing convenience for the elderly and disabled.

The blind man said his small resort will be fully developed next month when the second phase is completed.

Located on Khum Klao Road, the resort now has nine cottages and 13 standard rooms in a low-rise building for both local and foreign guests. Six suites in the second phase will be opened on Jan 12.

"My resort serves international tourists waiting for flights [at Suvarnabhumi airport] the next day and Japanese or Korean golfers who play golf at nearby courses in Lat Krabang and Suwintawong," Mr Anan said.

Foreign executives visiting factories in Min Buri or Lat Krabang like to stay at his resort for a few days or up to two weeks. Room rates are 1,290 baht for a standard room and 1,700 to 2,200 baht for a cottage.

Mr Anan, 35, decided to develop the resort because he wanted to own a business near his home. He bought a 2-rai plot of land for 15 million baht and has spent about 30 million baht on construction. He uses teak wood as the major material.

Anan: ‘I know what is comfortable’

Some cash for the project came from his savings. He has earned a living from doing many things ranging from selling lottery tickets, gift products and snacks and beverages to buying and selling land. He and his friends got a quota for blind people to sell lottery tickets for wholesale and retail channels.

"I'm lucky that many people are willing to help and give me some chances. I used to help my mom at her restaurant. I also played music over there and knew many people," he said.

When he studied law at Ramkhamhaeng University, he was a player in the national goalball team that competed in many overseas competitions for handicapped people. He was in the team from 1992 to 1999.

He also has musical talent and can play the keyboard very well. He won a national contest to be the Thai representative at the Asia-Pacific Wataboshi Music Festival 1999 in Japan.

Mr Anan said being a sportsman brought him the chance to meet his beautiful wife, Chansuay, who was a volunteer helping handicapped sportsmen during a competition in Australia.

Mrs Chansuay, who seemingly functions as her husband's eyes, said the couple overcame many obstacles to prove their love and Mr Anan's capability to take care of her.

"Initially, my family didn't want me to get married to a blind man. But Anan has proved that he can look after me and work like a normal person. He never gives up with his physical disability and wants people to accept him the way he is," she said.

The couple, who have been married for more than 10 years, have three daughters.

Mrs Chansuay said her husband had always dreamt of owning a business and was interested in developing a resort with full facilities for elderly and handicapped people. Now his dream has come true.

Although Mr Anan cannot see, he knows how he wants to develop the resort. "I can't see the world but I have travelled and visited many places in the country and overseas, so I know the type of room that is comfortable for everybody including people like me," he said.

He explains that he built a ramp for the nine cottages. The new building in the second phase also has a ramp and a comfortable walkway for people using wheelchairs to access the upper floors. Rooms have features providing convenience for the elderly and disabled.

Mr Anan said the resort can attract 200 guests per month. He hopes the number will double next year.

He also operates services including rental vans and limousines to pick up guests from Suvarnabhumi airport. "Sometimes, we get a request to pick up an important diplomat or a Hollywood star. We don't know until we meet them," he said.

The couple have 12 staff working for them at the resort and they look after them as family members.

Mrs Chansuay, a Chiang Rai native, said she had taken her husband to visit her home town several times and he would like to own a resort in the Northern province.

"It's my new dream. We have bought a 3-rai plot of land in Mae Chan district already. It's a long-term plan and I want to see the tourism situation there after the formation of the Asean Economic Community," Mr Anan said.

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