BANGKOK, THAILAND: Bangladeshi Mohammad Abul Hassan, 48, known as both service holder and businessman has been living in Thailand for last 21 years.

He passed his whole youth life in Thailand. He went there in tourist visa and took a job, next engaged in business. But incurring loss in business again he was engaged in job. But the attraction of business did not leave him. Now he is doing both business and job.

Though his full name is big, he is better known in Thailand as MA Hassan.

Abul Hassan was born in Maizdi of Noakhali. He was brought up in capital’s Shahjahanpur and Paltan. His family now resides in Jorpukur area of Khilgaon of the capital city Dhaka.

He started his fabric manufacturing business in 1997 but had to shut down in 2003. After incurring loss he closed his business.

The story of rise and fall of Hassan actually started in 1993. He came to Thailand by Biman Bangladesh Airlines with a two months tourist visa.

The staying duration was for fifteen days. He stayed at a relative’s house in Pataya. But a day before his return to country his relative arranged a job for him in Picasso International company.

At that time no work permit was required for doing job in Thailand. Hassan told that I extended my visa for one year more for the job. Next he took up a job in Siam International as sales manager for three years. Next he planned to switch over to business again in 1997.

He completed a diploma on Fashion Designing as a ‘homework’. Next he started garments business in Pattaya. Hassan told that I used to manufacture gents and ladies garments targeting the European tourists.

His shop was named as Creative Fashions. Though initially its name was Cartier Fashions it was renamed as Creative Fashions as there was another shop of the earlier name.

The business was running well. At that time he married a Thai girl. But the business had to close during Euro Football championship in 2000. The reason was that as described by him his business target was European tourists but during touring season there was no tourist resulting closure of business incurring loss for two years.

With a sad experience, he left Pattaya for Bangkok in 2003. But he did not lose courage. He again started his business of Creative Trade and Travels along with his elder brother Rabiul Islam. His office was located at Sukumvit Soy where there was less number of customers, because all were working people, he said.

But this time he took up a job at Bamrungrad hospital along side with business. He took the job of Bangladeshi Interpreter. In 2004, his elder brother Rabiul left Thailand for another country.

He did not lose heart though his mental strength tilted down. He did not close his business rather took up the mission of choosing a Thai partner. Then a Thai girl ‘Kacke’ agreed to be his partner. The office was also relocated.

90 percent of the nearby people were from Middle East. Making them target he made the interior and external decorations with Arabian touch. He also engaged an Arabian as employee along with Thai partner.

He is now performing the responsibilities of the interpreter and also the marketing director of the travel company. He now works for 12 hours daily and gives time to his travel company at night that made him a successful job holder and businessman.

In a query about how to do business in Thailand, he replied that to know ‘English’ is enough. But one must know the nature of business.

When asked that whether he wants to go back to own country, he replied smilingly that here is my family, children, job and business. Now it is not possible to start afresh in the homeland.

Mohammad Abul Hassan is now a successful businessman in Thailand. However he thinks that earlier that ‘one’ day before returning to homeland made the difference of present success.

BDST: 1236 HRS, SEP 07, 2014