Me and the Formula One star

Guess who's just moved into my neighbourhood... none other than Formula One racing ace Kimi Raikkonen. Yes, the reigning World Champ has bought a home down the road from me in Phuket - and who could blame him?

So, soon I will be throwing back a few beers with Kimi and the other guys, chatting away like old mates. Maybe he will let me have a spin in his Ferrari or ask me to drive him over to Krabi for the weekend. As a long-term expat, I can show him the ropes around here. I'm sure he will soon regard me as a fountain of knowledge and a good pal.

Well, maybe not. The 27 year-old Finn won't actually be living right next door to me. His home is certainly on the same road as mine, but about four kilometres down the drag. The area is known as Chalong, and it's on the southern tip of the island. However, unlike my one-bedroom townhouse facing the back of a bank, his stunning villa is right on the beachfront, with amazing views stretching as far as the Phi Phi Islands.

He made the purchase while he was in the region for the recent Malaysian Grand Prix. His new home is part of a high-end development known as Serenity Terraces, which features villas on the seafront with private swimming pools. Owners have the use of an 89ft 5-star luxury yacht, a speedboat, catamarans and kayaks, so the nearby islands are just a hop away. No-one is saying how much it cost, but the man from Finland probably paid around one million US dollars.

This is what he had to say: "I am really looking forward to enjoying the rare vacations away from the track in this hideaway beachfront community."

As he will be a valued member of the local community, I've done a bit of research about him. For one thing, he's loaded. When he switched from McLaren to Ferrari in 2007, he became the highest paid driver in the sport - and that means big, big, big bucks! So, he can pick up the tab when we have a few drinks at the Chalong Lighthouse or pop into the Amanpuri for dinner.

Apparently my new mate is very calm, cool, and calculating. That won't be a problem. Living in Thailand for a few years we have all had to pick up those traits - anyone who is not cool, calm and calculating will soon end up in the poorhouse or on a flight home. So, no personality clash there.

And I know that his nickname is "Iceman", which is subtly written on the side of his current helmet design. His other nicknames include Kimppa, Raikka and Kimster (used by his mechanics). I think I'll stick with Raikka.

I've also learnt that he loves to sleep - so much so that he needs to be woken up before qualifying and races. That's going to have to change -not even a racing driver would be able to sleep through the racket made when the longtailed boats roar into action outside his front door at 6am.

For the next few months, I am going to have to brush up on my Formula One knowledge and take off the earmuffs when a Grand Prix is on the TV. I will be able to chat away like a lifelong F1 fan. One thing I sure as hell won't tell him is that I was ardently supporting Lewis Hamilton for the Drivers Championship last year. Oh, no, from now on Kimi is my man.

10 things about Thailand you might not know

Thailand is more than just an amazing country; it never ceases to surprise. In that spirit here are 10 facts about the country you may not have known:

1. The Thai greeting "Sawatdee" was only invented during the Second World War. Prior to that people greeted each other by asking if they had eaten yet. (This is still commonly asked, but after the initial greeting).

2. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, Bangkok is the hottest city in the world. (I would have thought Dubai or Jeddah may have beaten it, but who am I to argue?)

3. Thai people do not call the capital Bangkok, they call it Krung Thep (city of angels).

4. The city's full name is "Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit". That translates to "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam"

5. The gathering of more than one million people to celebrate the Thai King's 60th year on the throne on 9 June 2007 was the largest known public gathering in one place to celebrate a Royal event. (Eat your heart out, Buckingham Palace!)

6. Prior to 1913, most Thai people did not have surnames (now they have some of the world's longest!)

7. Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice.

8. Thailand has never been colonised by a foreign power and always kept its independence, unlike its south and Southeast Asian neighbours.

9. You should never write the name of a person in red ink, unless they are dead or you want them dead!

10. Prostitution is illegal in Thailand. (Enough said!)