The History of “Phuket Bridge” spanning over 27 years.
by Derek S. Priest (Pb.h)
I first came to Thailand in 1986 from Beijing, China where I was working in the British Embassy. My ambassador told me to drop in to Phuket on my trip back home for mid-term leave. I ventured there a couple of more times after that and, eventually, around 1998, settled down. I had met and eventually married (in 2001) a Thai Lady (Sudjai Thurahai) and thought I would hang on and see what could be done about this bridge club thing. The Thais had a club up and running but there was no English or European stuff knocking about.
(An interim on my knowledge of Contract Bridge)
I took up the game around 1959, reaching a five-star standard, in between postings abroad. Following my retirement from the FCO (November 1989), I joined the English Bridge Union (EBU) on a part-time basis. This enabled me to go on their many courses, to teach, direct, and enhance my game using England's ACOL system. As the Regional Youth Officer, I opened up several schools in the Southeast of England for young students, which stood me in good stead for the future.
Over the next few years in Phuket, I met and played, but nothing too seriously, just friendly Rubber Contract bridge. Eventually, somewhat to my surprise, I received an invitation to go to the house of Mr. (Khun) Kasem Suthrangkul, the ex-mayor of Phuket (I had, of course, heard of him) to discuss the game. There, I met up with two other people, Dr. Chote and Dr. Kamthorn. Following drinks and snacks, we sat down to play. What system do you play? Mr. Kasem asked. ACOL, I replied. Oh yes! Weak N/T? Yes, 12-14 points. The other two nodded, and off we went. They were testing me to see what standard I had reached. Whether, as a Farang, I could ‘Cut the Mustard’ for their Bridge Club. I was being …….……………... PLAYED IN!!!!
I can now understand why. They didn’t know much about us foreign players, nor did we, about them. But one thing they mustn’t do is lose face. This was their way of sorting me out. Following that game, I was invited to join their Friday evening sessions ……………. I WAS IN.
Khun Kasem was a very good friend and coordinator on many things, as well as contract bridge. Later, he introduced me to a young lad, Tanyalak, aged about 28, who had read up on Acol. What a great partnership it turned out to be. A couple of years later (2007), when together, we won the Thai Open Bridge Championship of 36 tables strong, down South in Songkla. I was the first Farang to do so. Didier Pinet followed a few years later. Although this was held in Phuket, with only 12 tables. He and I had been playing with the Thai bridge group on a Friday evening. Jimmy and Anne Donald eventually joined us, but it was well past midnight before we all got home. Thais can only play in the evenings, mostly because they work during the day. With Didier, we won a Thai local cup around 2006, as did Anne & Jimmy, a year later. Which goes to show that we Farangs were playing well. Also, in a local competition they paired up with me and Peter Wyborn playing in a team event, and the Thais presented us with a trophy for the oldest team playing! I hold it still. In my home. Ah - sweet memories.
I was elected to the Thai committee as the Foreign Secretary around (2004). My first duty was to conduct, as host and player, an Australian Bridge Group that came over, check that they were settled into their hotel and report back to Kasem. That was my introduction to Thai Bridge in Phuket. Slowly their membership began to dwindle and unfortunately, around 2022, following the Covid trauma, it stopped operating as a fulltime club. Although, occasionally, some manage to get together, for a friendly hand or two, (like us!) and I have been called in twice, to fill a gap.
For these annual “Open Thai Championships” matches, down South, Kasem would pick five or six of us up and drive to Songkla, a six hour trip. A number of others, from the Thai Club and “Phuket Holiday Bridge Club”, would make their own way there. Today, I do not think it is being held any more. Many of its organizers have retired or passed away!
Back in 2004, that was all very well and good but I heard the Farangs shout, what about a venue, a club house, for all of us? Eventually a foreign lady, Yasue Scherb, advised me that her husband was the Manager of a Holiday Inn hotel in Kata, she would talk with him. Eventually he asked me along, we spoke, and he offered me the use of a long room, overlooking the sea. He could provide four tables and chairs, and non-alcoholic drinks with snacks. Done, down and dirty. Err, shaking hands, how much? Now, whether people would “pay to play” at a Holiday Inn resort hotel, I had no idea. I was flying blind. Consultation with Kasem, and English buddies was needed.
There were many things, bridge wise, that were required. Traveling boards (28), playing cards (24), bidding boxes (24) plus the bidding cards that go with them. Movement cards, a scoring system, and helpful hints on the laws and how to apply them. I get hot around the collar, even thinking about it today, let alone 20 odd years ago. But there you go. I purchased what was required, and with my knowledge of club running, although Thailand is a foreign country, I jumped right in. To start with, at B150 a head.
On the 27th November 2005 we held the opening of our new venture
”The Phuket Holiday Bridge Club”
The name was put forward, and accepted at our first AGM, by Anne & Jimmy Donald. The venue in Kata only lasted 3 or 4 months, but it was a good start. The owners and the hotel manager had a row, and out he went, and also the club. But now I approached a Japanese restaurant (2 Gusti) in the Central complex, a step up in the right direction. The restaurant could also supply additional tables and chairs, for our name was attracting more players, both those living here and those just visiting, eventually reaching up to six full tables. 2006/7 were good years. By now, the money was coming in, and I was able to put up small prizes for various competitions. which I felt was good for the players and the game of Bridge. Their simple and exquisite card game was given an added interest.
Eventually, all good things come to an end. We had a good two years together and the membership was rising. But then the Central Group had its differences with the Japanese management. Ho-hum. They suggested he should pay to have some faults fixed (water seepage?) in his restaurant. Apparently, he didn’t agree and after arguing for a couple of weeks, he just took off. Did a bunk! Not a word to me, either; I met up with him later, in some shop or other, he looked startled, embarrassed, shook his head, but said nothing intelligible, so, guess what, the Phuket Holiday Bridge Club was on the move again. A situation we would get to accept, over the years.
We, after about three years or so, were learning the ropes. At least I was. Phuket is a nice enough place to live, but Thailand has many pitfalls. One big “no-no” is “No Gambling” This became more apparent a year or so later. We were a young, new group, and I had to call on Kasem many times to see if we were clear to do this or that. As the saying goes, “another place, another dollar”. This time I managed to find another venue, going North, at ‘Skippers', in the Royal Phuket Marina. Around August 2008.
Skipper sounds rather posh, with boats valued at millions of Baht, sitting around the watery docks. All rather elegant and proper for our humble bridge club, which now, following another AGM, they all supported and returned me, once again as the chairman. Skippers made improvements on snacks and drinks for us in the interval, which we had become accustomed too and greatly enjoyed. I always allowed an interval during our bridge sessions for people to relax and enjoy, not only the bridge, but also for it to be convivial, which made for a happy experience. This is, at last, something I had worked hard towards for some time. I had to increase the playing fee, up to B200, to cover, but no one appeared to suffer.
On January 25th, 2009, Alan Bohlsen, who was looking after the money, organized an evening dinner there in my honor. I was flattered. This time, I was able to take Sudjai, my wife, and my five-year-old son, Sunny. It enabled them to see why their old man was appreciated, and had worked hard towards. There were over 26 people present, and all signed a card, which I have to this day. It made my heart glow, just a little. But darker days were to follow.
I’m not sure what started this downward curve, but I can recall a couple, Eric and his wife, Cynthia……… (?) getting up after a couple of rounds and leaving. Where are you going? I asked. Too much arguing, they said, and left! This was in the middle of a set round of play, which throws it out of kilter. I wished them well and said, “Don’t come back”.
Later, I’m led to believe, they opened a small club down in Rawai, at the old Divino’s restaurant. Another fellow, Andrew Crews, set up a multi-table group at his home. But I know little about them. Was never invited, they all left the island soon afterwards, anyway. You know, most bridge players help in making their ‘Named’ club a success. That's the general idea anyway.
However, several people later felt that since they lived in the Rawai area, down South, they should start a club of their own, which would save them a long car journey. I can remember having words with Alan, and he was moved to agree with them. Furthermore, I carried on teaching and directing bridge at Skippers. One afternoon, with our usual session going, a number of my pupils arrived to watch “the professionals" (or what they accepted as) play.
My nickname “The Master” came from these pupils.
I’m a bit hazy as to why the club started breaking up, maybe me! I do remember being called to a meeting, which was held by Alan, and being questioned to some length on my rules, of which I took umbrage, and other things said at the time. The outcome was that I eventually resigned later that year. I felt I had done my bit in starting it up. Following an AGM in 2010, Alan became Chairman, and John Warne, No.2.
There is a cloud, a hiatus drawn over that following year. Another good bridge friend, Bruce Stanley (journalist and aide to the Thai administration and Warden for the American Embassy), made a point of meeting up with me. “Stay calm, sit tight, and do your thing”, he said. And he was right. In early 2011, three young ladies, headed by Chantel Fernandes (today, as I write, now the British Vice-consul for us Farangs, in Phuket and Krabi) came to me, with two other ladies, (Jo Bailey & Paula Ahtye) requesting to be taught Bridge! I would have to come to them, in the Cherngtalay area, for which they would pay extra. Therefore, this started another chapter in my contract bridge life.
In 2011/12, following many months of intensive training, I had to get them together with some of my old pupils. This meant opening up yet another bridge club, independent of the Phuket Bridge Club, which I christened. “The Hub”. Why the Hub? Middle of things that go around and around. Here we go again I thought. But, hey, it proved very successful. I appeared to get a second breath, although the start was a bit rocky. What’s new? Plus having to purchase a new set of bridge paraphernalia.
Before all of that, down in Rawai, the “Phuket Bridge Club”, I think Alan had started their second club, (2011) with bridge sessions being held at a pub/restaurant “The Green Man”. Diane Lauderdale was voted in as Vice-President and Christina Granow as Treasurer. A very fine job was carried out by these two ladies. Unfortunately, after a couple of years, it fell by the wayside.
I don’t think people knew at the time that the dusty upstairs room, which helped in its demise, where duplicate bridge was played, was in fact where the Masonic group in Phuket held their meetings and tasty dinners. This was with the help of the Proprietor and Grand Master of this noble establishment, Howard Digby-Johns. This would be in the latter part of 2012 when, by then, I was well into settling down with “The Hub”..
I was lucky to find “Woody’s Sandwich Shoppe" in the Cherngtalay area. The proprietor (Woody Leonard) wished to promote the game of bridge in Phuket and was happy to take us on. He has written many books on contract bridge and Windows 7. I have his big one, eight books in one, Baht999, down to you! He knocked down walls and opened up space to accommodate six tables, with air-conditioning, as required for the incoming Farangs, not used to the heat.
We reached an understanding on payment for our use on a Wednesday afternoon. The weekly contributions were Baht200 p.p. Half went to the club, half went to the establishment. Thankfully, it was well supported by keen groups from the Netherlands, such as Franz & Cecelia Carpay and Hans & Maria Moerenhout. From England, Bernard and Gwen Farer-Smith, and Noel & Mo Stephens. Also from Switzerland, Hans & Elizabeth Stoeckli. I don't mention these, and other names willy-nilly; those people played and paid in greater part, towards bridge within Phuket. They returned year after year. I thank them heartily. They worked for its success. Not just ‘The Hub’, but also the ‘Phuket Bridge Club’. Many played in both clubs, twice a week.
However, come April, initially most of the players (“Snowbirds” we called them), departed and returned to their home countries, the Hub couldn’t carry on. You require eight people, at least to run a club. The Phuket Holiday Bridge Club was safe; they had several locals plus one or two Thai players. Woody eventually sold the sandwich shop to an Indian group, selling beautiful robes and silks, carpets and rugs, et al. But where is Woody today? You can still find him, or his offspring on the internet.
As for the Hub, upon the “Snowbirds” return, the venue was changed to a couple of smaller establishments. These were not quite what I was looking for, until around (late 2013), I was given the nod towards “The Lounge”, an Indian restaurant in Cherngtalay which stood us in great stead for many a year to come.
During all this time, the original “Phuket Bridge Club”, was up and running and growing stronger by the month, now meeting at the Phuket Country Golf Club in Kathu. The venue was secured by Alan Bohlsen through his membership of the golf club. For whatever reason, I know not, Alan left. On hindsight, it was probably a health problem
Following an AGM, it was handed over to Didier Pinet, who had been voted in as President! A bit high, I thought, “Chairman” was good enough for me. Nevertheless, I was happy to see him take office, because he came from good bridge stock. His mother had, on a number of occasions, represented France, playing in several tournaments.
In the 2013/14 season, probably the most important event was the electrification of the scoring system. Enter Mr. Peter Ventura. Before Bridge-web and its handheld tablets, we had to rely on pencil and paper, plus a small calculator to get to the results. Peter, always persuasive, managed to talk Didier into introducing this system into the club, a costly issue, mark you. To work, it requires a certain knowledge in working a computer, a skill that Didier possessed. Eventually, that task was taken up by Ron Stern as the club’s “Webmaster”. The system has served its purpose well, although some are not too sure how the scores are arrived at! On occasions I have compared the system’s results against my EBU system. Given a point or two it remains true and consistent. Although we at The Hub continued with my trusty old and manual scoring way. This electronic system has occasionally been known to break down ….. Whoops, no results, can’t win ‘em all.
One afternoon, one of the Thais playing there received a phone call and called me over to tell me, the Chairman of the Thai Bridge Club, Khun Kasem, had passed away earlier that morning. I was shocked and bereft at his departure. With Bruce Stanley, we were invited to his funeral a week or so later. Quite a large affair. Much Pomp and Circumstance, for the Thais.
Also, that month Diane, in her role as Vice-President, announced to the establishment there at the time, that for “Services rendered to Bridge”, “The Hub” and the “Phuket Bridge Club” in particular, Derek Priest had been designated as an “Honorary Life Member” and welcomed back into their fold., He would not be required to pay any registration or playing fees. To all of these happenings, I was stunned. What happened a year later (2016) was even more shocking. Not in Phuket, but across the bay, in Pattaya.
The bridge club there was subjected to a raid by the Thai Military Police. Players were made to stand against the wall, their bridge equipment confiscated, and required to pay a fine, returned later. Statements were taken, and grim threats were issued. How would they like to spend a night in jail? None did. All this because they were playing their friendly game of bridge!
Contract bridge, in Thailand, was halted in January 2016.
Our mighty Thai leader, Khun Kasem, had died, but fortunately, the new head of the Thai Bridge School, Khun Sanchai Tandavanith (Director), jumped in and quickly called a meeting, which Didier Pinet and I, representing the two clubs, attended. Many ideas were thrown about with Sanchai, which he passed to the Contract Bridge League of Thailand (CBLT), which is situated in Bangkok. When dealing with Thai authorities, you should show respect and let senior people do the talking. We left it to Sanchai to contact the authorities in the Bangkok Headquarters, to ask for guidance as to which direction we should now go.
Our efforts paid off, and a letter dated 12th February 2016 was issued to all clubs, to the effect that the CBLT had:
“Taken all necessary actions with the police and local authorities to explain that Bridge had been registered as a sport under the Sports Authorities of Thailand. In the interim, we could comply by only using specially marked cards showing the customs and duty stamp on them, provided by the H.Q., and only the equipment, such as cards, boards, bidding boxes, score sheets, or Bridge-Mates. And, certainly NO MONEY to be seen on the tables. Also, to put up signs or posters to the public that only bridge is being played here, with the days and times shown.”
To this, we diligently complied.
Therefore, within several weeks, with NEW cards bought, the correct procedures followed, bridge slowly came back, alive. All within the security and warm arms of our clubs, in Phuket. Today, you can play the game without fear of being arrested and prosecuted.
During these uncertain times, to fill various gaps in the playing areas, Didier opened his home to play with up to 12 members at a time and I started a Rubber Bridge group at my home, although I only required four players. It went very well in both cases for several months, until the Snowbirds returned in full force, near the end of November 2016. Didier dropped his sessions.
I carried on with Rubber Bridge, intermittently until we lost two of our members, who passed away, Peter Birch and Alan Bohlsen, a past President. Many of us attended and paid our respects at both their funerals.
Over the next few years, both “The Phuket Bridge Club” and “The Hub” continued on their merry way, without change of venue or site! For the Hub, my wife would shuffle all the cards each week and make up the hands; I had no part in that. Except I paid her B100 each time, generous soul that I am. I didn't have a regular partner at The Hub. I just ran and directed the game. Then, if somebody turned up without a partner, they would play with me. Simple.
I ran a competition around Valentine's Day. (gave out roses, etc.) which was always well attended. “The Phuket Bridge Club” never did this sort of stuff, pity that, I always thought they should. The Hub, always independent, was not involved with the BridgeMate electronic scoring system. I had my EBU movements and scoring system. However, as there were sometimes more than 7 tables, I had to use another movement, where N/S pairs remained stationary, E/W pairs moved up and the boards moved down. Although, watch out if you have an even number of tables, because there has to be a switch. With this movement, you end up with two winners; therefore, you amalgamate the pairs to see who has the best percentage overall. Some people don't quite understand this movement, preferring the old Mitchell type, where you played each other and had only a single winner.
But with anything over seven tables, and being widely used in larger clubs today, this was the only way out. Imagine my surprise and delight (2017) when two of my latest pupils, Chantal & Jo Bailey, came top. This against some serious players from the Phuket Bridge Club. My heart was full with the knowledge that my ACOL teaching had been rewarded. They, like many other beginners, didn't know an Ace of Clubs from a bull's foot to start.
There was a half yearly competition “The Masters Cup," which ran from November through to April, open to all. This usually went to a fantastic pair, Kaí Hendriksen & Oyvind Brudis, with Gunnar Ostlind dropping in occasionally for Oyvind. Away from Phuket, the pair played in many tournaments abroad, nearer their home. Here, they didn't win all of the time. but their percentages over 5 months were hard to beat. Sadly, just recently, Oyvind, and another friend, Ole Schistad, who started when I opened the club, both passed away. But Oyvind’s brilliant play, even with poor cards, playing occasionally, with hacks, like Peter Wyborn or me, he could get you a top. RIP Oyvind.
From November 2016 through to the end of 2019, both clubs, “The Hub” and the “Phuket Bridge Club”, enjoyed some great bridge playing moments. Many good pairings came about, and so it goes on. Six or more tables twice a week, with occasional visits from an Australian group or a local club from Chiang Mai. All healthy stuff. Intermixing different styles and systems, I and Didier felt quite relaxed with it all. It was what we had worked towards over all these years. The many different venues, the new arrivals, and departures, or death of so many friends. Therefore, I was not ready for the killer of all our work, ................ of all our dreams.
“2020 …….. COVID-19 HIT”
I, and my family, were down with it for a couple of weeks. It disrupted the travel of those who would come and go. But for the players and organizers of the bridge society, here in Phuket, it was the death knell to our game. You couldn't meet, you couldn't eat out, you couldn't play. You had to wear masks, masks??? It's difficult to talk or listen to each other, with them on. It's a group game, for goodness' sake! That's where the enjoyment of it all comes, in small groups such as ours and many other clubs far and wide. Our venues, our clubhouses, and their owners departed, never to return. Down went the Phuket Country Golf Club, down went The Lounge. The Snowbirds failed to return: We suffered for 18 months or more. So much effort and time lost and broken………. For sure, it nearly broke me. This noble game of Bridge had kept me up and running for nearly 60 years. Now, in the twilight of my playing years, like a house of cards ……….. it all came tumbling down!
In late 2022, the all clear was sounded, and Diane & Cristina found a rather good restaurant in the Chalong area, air-conditioned and reasonably priced. But eventually they threw us out. We were not able to further their income with more patronage, with only 2 or 3 tables each week. Then, an ex-member (Bob Schuchard), came across this BBQ restaurant, Ali's in Kathu. I had also dined there and looked it over, excellent. It had a dedicated, air-conditioned upstairs room for chess and now Bridge.
Following a rather jumbled AGM, (February 2025) with 7 “proxy” (?) votes, and only four people at the actual meeting (just achieving a quorum), a formalized club structure was put in place, and accepted by the four. Ronald Stern was duly sworn in as our President and Webmaster. The club was officially named “The Phuket Bridge Club”. See further notes recorded on our website.
The club there, is trying to meet and play once a week on Fridays at Ali’s BBQ in Kathu on a year-round basis, inasmuch as Kathu is a convenient mid-island venue. However, in order to cater to the “Snowbirds” who tend to reside in and about the Cherngtalay area, the club is planning to continue its recent practice of setting up a 2nd venue on Tuesdays at The Lady Pie Restaurant/Café in Cherngtalay, numbers permitting, commencing in November/December and continuing thru March/April. If you want to play bridge in Phuket, you should come to one, or both of these two venues.
One of the last things that “The Hub” was enabled to help out with, in the formulation of the new club and site, when asked if they could have use of some of their equipment, I was able to pass over, a full set of boards, with cards (cards rather old though), eight sets of bidding boxes with their bidding cards and make a couple of new notices for the restaurant to display. Therefore, the Hub people can see that they are still remembered.
Thankfully, we have three bright, newish members, Philippe Raoux, Ron Stroop, and Nigel Montagu, our new treasurer, who have given their love and support over the last year. But the one who, for many years, and has been moving around in the background and has now taken up the mantle, to carry the club forward is our new President, Mr. Ronald Stern. I'm very happy with that. Also, it appears that… a lot of his time is spent ferrying people, in his car, from their pickup point, to the club, and back. (Petrol?) Now with my broken hip (don't ask), I can hobble in, it’s near my home. Keep your fingers crossed.
So, where are we (2025) today? Again, in the doldrums of Phuket’s notorious “Low Season”, Cycle. Occasionally, we achieve a two table game. I started long ago, with a healthy number of retired people, making Phuket their new home. Sadly, many have passed away, a few have gotten too old. Once it was a sedate drive from A to B, to play bridge. Now the volume of traffic has increased two or even threefold making travel times more of a chore. One does not wish to sit and grumble, amidst the roaring, heavy traffic.
I apologize to my heart-warming friends, old and new, who contributed verbally and financially to my trauma problems, following my fall, eighteen months ago. They don't insure many 94-year-olds today. Also, thanks to a number of people I have conversed with on these narratives on Bridge History, over the years, which sounds very “first-person singular”. But that's the way it was and is. I’m no journalist, a knowledgeable organizer, yes. An average bridge player/teacher. Win some, lose some, remember, bridge is but “A good game of cards”, as John Warne always said. Brilliant!
A last page truism, if I may…………., Most bridge players are happy to have a Chairman (or President) who comes in early, sets out the room, lays out the boards with cards, fixes the movement, corrects the arguments, does the scoring, publishes the results, sweeps the floor, and remembers to turn out the lights when he goes. Must be very keen. That's why you voted him in. So, thanks to Didier, Diane, Cristina, Ron, and others over these many, many years. Cheers, I’m switching off my lights now…….
I dedicate this innovation, this true (almost) journal, to four people,
“John Warne, Jerry O’Neal, Robby Walter and Jean Ekhin”
who made it possible, at the start. These four should not have
died before the job was completed. They worked so hard, wish
we had them here today, bless them warmly. Thanks Gang
The Master.
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