Bill Francis, aka Santa Bill, is originally from the small town of Nahant in Massachusetts, US. The retired Air Force master sergeant first became Santa accidentally while he was in Borneo. Shortly after, he came to Phuket in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which caused tsunamis that devastated many Asian countries. It was there that he was first nicknamed Father Christmas, and he has acted as Santa and spread cheer at Children's Day parties, schools, hospitals and many events ever since. Contact him at wefrancis@hotmail.com or 087-807-5509.

When I turned 50, I went on a 16-day adventure in Asia with about 80 people from the US. That was eight years ago. One day I was walking around in a department store, already looking like Santa with my long white beard, and a Christian group invited me to sing Christmas songs at Sutera Harbour Resort

[in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo]. Later, the hotel's marketing director asked me to put on a Santa suit and meet 40 orphans. I thought it was perfect for me since I already looked and felt like Santa. Now I get to bring love and joy to children so there is no thinking about it.

WHAT WAS YOUR SANTA DEBUT LIKE?

First they tailored a suit for me, gave me a bag full of toys, and drove me from the resort to another island. Then they showed me my ride, which was a two-seat helicopter. It landed on the hotel's golf course and, from there, they drove me up to the children in a golf cart tricked out as a sleigh. We sang "Jingle Bells" together. Then the children came up. I gave them gifts and we had a great big meal together.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THAILAND?

A few days after my Santa debut, the 2004 tsunami hit and I came to Thailand not as Santa, but as a man wanting to help people recover from this terrible event. I went to Phuket and helped organise the foreign volunteer centre. The Tourist Police there started referring to me as Father Christmas. Later I met Gale Bailey, who's a member of the British Women's Group Bangkok, through her work at Bang Kwang Prison. We go there to visit prisoners and offer help. She asked me to play Santa for a Children's Day party. Another member of the group, Siti Survo invited me to be Santa at the Ploenchit Fair. I have acted as Santa at many events since then.

WHAT'S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AS SANTA?

Two years ago, I went to the Northeast to do a huge party with an organisation that runs a centre for people living with HIV/Aids and their families. I spent seven hours as Santa for 183 people. I got to talk and give gifts to every single one of them. They were sick but somehow they found a place in their heart to have joy and love and come together in this huge community. It is the most delightful place I have ever played Santa.

WHAT'S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF PLAYING SANTA?

I get to bring love - simple, bright love - to people and make them smile and forget about their problems for a minute. And I give the magic of Christmas to children. It's a grand opportunity and huge responsibility that I take seriously.

WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST MAGICAL ABOUT CHRISTMAS?

I think it's an incredibly powerful time of year when people actually remember what they are truly like - loving, kind, generous. Life is so busy, but at Christmas they get to reflect. When they see me - a jolly fat man with a big beard and gifts to give - they don't see me, they see themselves. They see a reflection of their own goodness and generosity. So it helps them once again become the beautiful and bright people that they are.