by Dr. Iain
Corness
One
of the partners in the Blue Parrot Restaurant is a burly American, Kevin
Mitch. In the three years he has been resident here, he has made quite an
impression, both for his love of motorcycles and for his involvement in
the Care for Kids campaign. “Kids come in all sizes. Just to see them
laugh and have a good time is enough.”
Kevin was born in New Jersey in the US. Both of his
parents were service veterans, of which Kevin is obviously very proud.
This may also have a bearing on his own career choice later in life.
He went to a public school and was an all-rounder. “I
took advantage of all aspects of school. Sports, academic and community
involvement.” He stayed at school till he was 17 years of age, but when
he finished his formal education, he still had no idea what he really
wanted to do for a career.
However, there was one pursuit he knew he did like -
and that was motorcycles! He loved the outdoors and he enjoyed travelling.
What better way than with the freedom that a motorcycle gives you. It
should then come as no surprise that he would end up with that great icon
of America on two wheels - the Harley Davidson! “I’ve had every kind
of motorcycle and got my first Harley in 1974.”
Kevin and his Harley began a lifestyle of work and
travel. Heavy labouring and Kevin Mitch were no strangers, and he would
build bridges in New Jersey in the summer, then ride to California for a
month’s holiday, and then ride to Arizona to build houses in the winter.
This way he would take advantage of the best climatic conditions. Not
quite the same as Peter Fonda’s movie Easy Rider, but the freedom
concept was similar, I am sure.
However, there were further borders to cross, and Kevin
joined the Navy, “To see the world!” And true to its word, the Navy
gave him the world during his 22 years of service. In particular it gave
him the Western Pacific, and it also gave him Cobra Gold - that combined
naval exercise that saw him standing on Thai foreshores for the first time
in 1984.
Cobra Gold was an exercise he repeated 13 times during
his stint with the Navy, and that link to Thailand was further enhanced
with his going in 1986 to the Defence Language Institute for 12 months to
learn to speak Thai. “I was intrigued by Asian culture, and in the
institute they also teach you the history and the culture. For me, this
was the springboard for my coming to Thailand (later).”
I asked Kevin more about why Thailand appealed to him
back then. “I think that all in all, Thailand is a beautiful country.
The people are friendly and the infrastructure is good, beautiful roads,
highways and scenery. For an American, it’s also easy to get around
here.”
When the time came for him to leave the Navy, Kevin had
already begun planning to come to Thailand, and had made many contacts
during his Cobra Gold visits. Those contacts included the Jesters
Motorcycle Club with all the Harley enthusiasts such as himself, and with
the running of the Jesters Children’s Fair.
So when he entered civilian life again, it was Pattaya.
“I have to see the water. In New Jersey there was water, in the Navy
there was water, and in Pattaya Beach there is the water. The weather’s
beautiful here. How could you go wrong!” he said, with that big smile
that is almost a trademark.
With a friend, he opened the Blue Parrot Mexican
Restaurant, the business attracting him as he had always had a love of
cooking. He still enjoys the business today, though like all businesses
there are problems. “It has its moments. I was faced with an employee
conflict first thing this morning.” However, you get the feeling that
there would be little that Kevin could not overcome.
One of the highlights of the restaurant year is the
annual Blue Parrot Open golf tournament. This is really a golf tournament
for non-golfers, held over 9 holes on a par three course. He loves to hear
participants saying, “This is great! I’m coming back again next
year.” However, Kevin himself takes his own golf quite seriously,
playing once a week and now playing off a handicap of 26.
Another highlight of his year is the annual
Children’s Fair, run by his motorcycle club, the Jesters. To Kevin falls
the job of fair co-ordinator, a fairly onerous and often thankless task,
but one that Kevin obviously enjoys. “The bottom line is the kids. To
see the families enjoying themselves is great,” he says. You can expect
this unstinting work for kids welfare in those with children themselves,
but Kevin has none. “I’m too young to be married,” he said as
explanation! I did not follow this up with the fact that being married and
having kids do not necessarily go together, as many a single parent knows
full well!
Kevin’s immediate future lies in getting settled in
Thailand, and I am sure that Pattaya has a long-stay resident in Kevin
Mitch. Apart from riding his Harley (the current one is his sixth over the
30 years he has been riding them) he gives rebuilding motorcycle engines
as one of his main hobbies. “I’m the ‘club wrench’ for the
Jesters,” he said with pride. “We have a lot of fun. It’s a mutually
synergistic relationship.” Other than his motorcycles and golf, there is
always the nightlife of Pattaya to keep a young bachelor happy!
Looking at life philosophically, Kevin is a great
proponent of education. “Education is the key. You have to set realistic
short and long term goals, and support your family. Family unity is a key
element in today’s life.”
So next time you see a happy Harley rider with a
Jester’s T-shirt, give him a wave. It’s probably Kevin Mitch!
