Patthama Chaklang, known as 'Chef New' to family and friends, opened Thai restaurant Café Isan in Dubai’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers in 2016. She had moved to Dubai on a visit visa in 2009 and used the money she'd saved through cooking and catering jobs to buy a partnership stake in the restaurant. The business partners spent upwards of Dh1 million setting up, but they have kept the restaurant going over the last four years. Ms Chaklang, 32, from Thailand expects the business to survive the pandemic, before expanding to new locations. She lives in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, while her 13-year-old son lives in Thailand.
How did your upbringing shape your attitude towards money?
I grew up in Pak Chong in rural Thailand. We were a poor family but our mum was hard-working and enterprising. She had several jobs, sometimes two or more at the same time – including working on a farm, at a construction firm, in a factory and cooking and selling food to her colleagues. So I learnt the value of money at a very young age. My mum taught me that the more you give, the more you get back later. That’s Buddhist philosophy, and that’s how my mum was. She’d cook extra food for people who didn’t have any, or give people things on credit. Later on, these people came back and helped her out when she needed it. It’s karma. Mum is still my biggest inspiration.
It took years of saving, a bank loan and buckets of blood sweat and tears to get the restaurant open.
How much did you earn in your first job?
At the age of about seven or eight, I’d help my mum out with her farm job and she’d give me THB20 (Dh2.26) per day, or buy me new clothes or shoes as an incentive.
What brought you to the UAE?
I came here on holiday to visit a friend and decided to stay and look for work. I didn’t speak enough English, so getting a job was impossible at first. But I made friends in the Thai community, and my first job as such was cooking for them – after I’d taught myself to cook from YouTube.
So how did your business come about?
It happened by accident. I invited some friends over for dinner and they suggested I cook them food every day. It was a slow but natural progression from being a home cook to opening a restaurant.
How did you finance the business?
It took years of saving, a bank loan and buckets of blood sweat and tears to get the restaurant open. There were so many upfront costs that took my business partner and me by surprise. The whole process took exactly a year. We overcame some of the hurdles by borrowing and keeping costs down when we finally opened. In total, we used Dh700,000 of savings from myself and my business partner, plus a bank loan of Dh250,000 and Dh50,000 on a credit card – ouch.
What did that initial investment go towards?
Upfront costs such as rent and the rent deposit, agency fees, trade licence, visas, construction, deposits, permits and registrations, interior design and furniture, installing gas, cooking equipment, pipes, alarm and fire safety systems and an AC system.
How did this affect your personal finances?
The worst was having to give up the apartment I’d lived in for eight years because the rent was too high. I had to downsize.
Was that your greatest financial challenge?
Yes, realising it would take a whole year to build and open the restaurant, and managing the enormous costs that involved. It was really frightening thinking I’d just put all my money into this project and that I might have to stop before opening. I was let down by some of the people I’d contracted with, so that made it harder. I overcame it by getting a bank loan and credit card and went forward with a positive mindset.
How has your business been hit by coronavirus?
Being a community-focused place we’ve been hit pretty hard as 60 per cent of our trade was eat-in. We’re now delivering to more areas, improving our online ordering systems and we’re about to launch a whole new menu called Covid-19 Super Savers, to offer greater-value options for our customers. We expect to be affected for at least six months, if not more. My upbringing helps me stay positive during this crisis. Us Thais are strong and used to challenges because life in rural Thailand can be tough. So we learn to face challenges with a smile and positivity.
Are you a spender or a saver?
A spender. I buy a lot of food, even if I don’t need it or I can’t possibly eat it all. I used to buy jewellery, but I’ve got better there.
Why do you spend?
I didn’t have money as a child. Growing up, dinner could be soup, with one egg shared between the family. So when you have to wait for a whole year for something, you spend when you can. Now I can buy what I want, so I buy everything.
What has been your biggest financial accomplishment?
Buying my mum a brand-new car.
What do you invest in?
Gold and land. I bought a large plot of land to build an eco-resort in Beung Kan, Thailand. It cost me about Dh100,000. If it was sold on the open market now, it would be worth Dh250,000 plus. I’m also increasing its value through extensions and additional developments, such as a freshwater feature. This area of Thailand doesn’t get a lot of tourists, and we’d love people to visit. That would create more jobs for the local villagers and help the community.
What car do you drive?
In Thailand, I have a Toyota Vigo and Toyota Yaris. I don’t have a driving licence in the UAE.
How much do you have in your wallet right now?
Dh7,020 exactly.
Do you save on a regular basis?
Every day. I hide Dh100 or Dh200 notes from myself in my clothes or my socks. Sometimes I find it two years later. If I put it in the bank, then I know it’s there and I’ll spend it/
If you could live your life again, what financial decision would you change?
I would never build a restaurant from scratch again. I’d buy a pre-existing one, so I didn’t have to waste time and money on the set-up.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day – 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227-4 at the close.
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
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The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
More from Janine di Giovanni
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Profile box
Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
Company%20profile
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
more from Janine di Giovanni
POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
