My wife, Aom, worked for several years at an accounting firm here on Koh Samui. Over time, an idea began to take shape—why not start her own business in the same field? The idea grew slow but steadily, until it eventually became a reality.
After leaving her job, she set up a temporary home office in one of our unused bedrooms. It was simple, but it worked—at least in the beginning. She registered a new Thai company, a so-called Company Limited, and named it Oasis Samui.
It didn’t take long before I began to realize that her working situation wasn’t sustainable. She sat at a small table, and the piles of paperwork kept growing as the number of clients increased. The working conditions were far from ideal. Time and time again, I tried to convince her that we needed a proper office. But Aom was hesitant. “This saves money,” she argued—and she was right.
But after just over six months, reality could no longer be ignored. The home office simply wasn’t enough. On top of that, it wasn’t particularly practical to receive clients in our home, which is located somewhat off the beaten path. In the end, there was only one way forward—it was time to expand. But where? Finding a good office space on the island is easier said than done.
We had two clear requirements:
• The office had to be located along Koh Samui’s ring road, so clients could easily find it without navigating small side streets.
• It needed to be relatively close to where we live—ideally within easy walking distance.
Image: The home office was small and messy. It was a hassle to keep all the paperwork in order. Photographer: Jens
During a walk, I noticed a potential office space next to a law firm whose owner and staff we already knew. However, it was clear that the space had been abandoned for quite some time. The glass doors were covered in dust, and a peek inside revealed that the place was in serious need of renovation.
At first, the property owner didn’t seem particularly interested in renting it out at all, but we managed to persuade him to meet with us. After a brief discussion, he agreed to rent us the space—on the condition that we would handle the renovations ourselves. We paid a deposit and received the keys. It was time to get started...
The space was quite run-down, to say the least, so the first thing we did was a thorough initial clean, followed by a deep cleaning of the walls and floors. We probably destroyed a few spider webs in the process—sorry.
Once that was done, we took a trip to HomePro to buy paint. As a bit of a design enthusiast, I got to choose the colors: light grey combined with a cool reddish-pink tone. We painted the entire space, and suddenly the previously neglected office started to feel quite inviting—albeit still unfurnished.
Image: My choice of color for our office walls. Light gray and a cool reddish-pink. Photographer: Jens
An office naturally needs both furniture and the technical equipment required for the work. Early on, we decided to invest in quality and durability. We had desks and shelves made by a local carpenter. Handcrafted wooden furniture is still surprisingly affordable in Thailand, and our desks will probably outlast us. The comfortable office chairs were purchased through an acquaintance from our time at IT Complex, and a sofa was ordered online. The computers were sourced from the Apple Store and Banana IT here on Koh Samui.
I believe an office should be designed like a home—without compromising functionality. Plants, ambient lighting, art, photographs, rugs, and small decorative items really make a big difference in creating a pleasant environment. I think we managed to create a space that is both comfortable and functional, and hopefully welcoming to our clients. And our candy bowl is, without a doubt, a hit.
Image: Aom and some of the wooden furniture we bought for the office. Photographer: Jens
Image: A few months after we rented the space, most of the furniture was in place. Photographer: Jens
We currently have three full-time employees and are actively looking to hire an accountant. I'm the only one who is not a Thai citizen, and therefore I need a work permit to work in Thailand. My job title in my work permit is Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), which means I am responsible for the company’s marketing. Our clients are primarily business owners and long-term visitors on Koh Samui. We offer assistance with:
• Various types of visas
• Setting up a Thai company
• Work permits
• Accounting and auditing
• Visa runs to Malaysia or Myanmar
• Booking tours and hotels
• General advice about Koh Samui
If you need help with any of the above or have general questions, feel free to contact me and I will make sure your message is forwarded promptly. We respond within 24 hours.
Image: My corner in the office. I often do my work behind this computer and desk. Photographer: Jens
Image: The entrance to our office is informative to say the least. You can look out, but not in. Photographer: Jens
