I have always been a fan of hammocks. Don’t ask me to explain why as I’m not sure I can, writes John Davids.
There’s something esthetically pleasing about their appearance; something that just says: Relax, take the weight off your feet.
Look in any holiday brochure and I’ll bet you a baht to a satang that you will find someone swinging in a hammock. It just epitomises the idea of getting away from it all.
Swinging gently in a
hammock is a classic image of a way to put your cares behind you.
Usually, of course, the hammock is tied to two trees neatly spaced apart.
But what happens if the trees in your garden refuse the co-operate about the distance between them? What if you would like your hammock close to a pool and the tile surround forms a barrier?
Well, help is at hand in the form of locally-built stainless steel frame supports which are being marketed by the property maintenance arm of Pattaya Realty which has two outlets in Soi Khao Talo.
I spoke to maintenance managing director Ian Cousins about how they came to get involved in making these frames.
“We had a customer who wanted to put a hammock he had imported next to his rooftop swimming pool,” said Ian. “He approached us and asked if we could help.”
I guess that there weren’t too many handily placed trees on his roof! “Of course not,” said Ian. “He told us he wanted something that would last and not rot or rust so we came up with a stainless steel frame for him.
“We made it and put pictures of it in our office. After that just about everyone who has come to our office has commented on it so we thought perhaps we’ve got something here. Now we’re making them as fast as we can.”
The hammocks are also made in Thailand and they come in widths of 36, 42 or 50 inches. Prices for frame and hammock combined range from Bt13,200 up to Bt19,900 for the biggest (the Daddy, family-sized version).
There are five designs which are all put together in the company’s own workshop.
Ian says the hammocks have a wide range of applications. “They can be used in pool areas, barbeque areas, by condos, resorts, in showhomes, you name it. We even thought is might have a use in some go-go bars!”
The hammocks were launched at the Movers & Shakers charity event held last month and the swing chairs proved popular with some of the swimwear models (see alongside). You can see why they made the go-go bar connection.
As the magazine went to press PRPM heard that it had managed to secure] a top location to display its wares. It will be at the new dome which is due to open outside Homeworks on the Sukhumvit on December 2 when there will be an open day. Ω
l Want to know more? You can contact 0818 652 861 (Ian); 0818 652 861 (Justin); 0872 448 654 (Thai/Eng Production Manager); or 038 333 192 (office). Alternatively, visit the website at www.pattayarealty.com/pages/hammocks to see their recently extended product range which now includes a double swingchair.