Shane Ruddle
Over twenty years in Thailand. Seven businesses in Pattaya across property, hospitality and car rental — built to last, not to flip.
I'm originally from the UK. I studied at Bournemouth University and spent my early career as a PGA professional golfer. Golf taught me focus and patience — two things that turn out to matter a lot in business.
I came to Thailand over twenty years ago and made Pattaya home. My first businesses here were small and practical: a job centre, a visitor guide, a golf range. Some lasted a decade, some didn't. All of them taught me how this city actually works.
Today I own seven businesses: two real estate agencies, four restaurants and bars, and a car rental company that has been running since 2010. I'm hands-on with all of them, and increasingly I build our own tools — booking, pricing and listing systems — with AI.
I'm also a vocal advocate for professionalising Thai real estate through national licensing and ethical standards. Buyers here deserve the same protection they'd get at home.
Nearly two decades of building in Pattaya.
- 2007
First businesses in Pattaya
Pattaya Job Centre, connecting Thai job seekers with employers, and Pattaya Guide, a pocket guide for visitors that I ran for ten years.
- 2009
Fairways Golf Range
A golf driving range and resort — a natural fit after my years as a PGA professional.
- 2010
Pattaya Rent a Car
Car and motorbike rental for visitors and residents. Still running, and still the business I've owned the longest.
- 2015
Birdie Thailand
Co-founded a golf handicap system to keep my tournament fair. It grew to members across Thailand before I handed it over to a golf charity.
- 2018
Hemingways Jomtien
The first Hemingways restaurant and bar, followed by Hemingways Pattaya in 2022 and Hemingways Lakeside in 2023.
- 2022
Alan Bolton Property Consultants
Took ownership of an established Pattaya real estate consultancy.
- 2024
Cajun Life Cafe
Added a Cajun kitchen to the hospitality group.
- 2025
East Coast Real Estate
A second real estate agency covering the Eastern Seaboard.
- 2026
The Best Agent in Pattaya
East Coast Real Estate won The Best Agent in Pattaya at the Thailand Real Estate Agent Awards 2026 by Dot Property.
Golf, running, padel and family.
I don't play golf competitively any more, but these days I run half marathons to stay fit and clear my head, and padel has quickly become my new obsession. Staying active outside work helps me show up better inside it.
Read about the 2026 award