Eralp Gullep, or 'EG', launched the Bangkok Veterans Football League in 2005 with four teams vying for the inaugural trophy. Three years later and the tournament now regularly attracts 24 teams. Eralp plans to hold an international version of the tournament in November, when several teams from overseas will do battle with Thailand-based teams.

Steve Thompson met recently with Gullep, an Istanbul-born Turkish-Cypriot, to learn more about his love for the kingdom, where he has resided for 14 years.

F. Stephen Thompson (FST): What originally brought you to Bangkok and how long have you lived here now?

Eralp Gullep (EG): It's been 14 years. My wife (a Thai national) and I met at university in the states (United States). We graduated together and if I had returned to Turkey at that point then I would have had to do (two years) mandatory military service. So I just thought, maybe I could explore Asia a bit!

Then we came here together, tried to find a job, and in the end it worked out, and we stayed and got married.

FST: So how long were you in the US and where were you based?

EG: We were in Lafayette, Louisiana – the Cajun capital! I studied an undergraduate degree and master's over there, so I was there eight years (1986-94) in total. It's very famous there for Cajun food.

FST: So what do you love about Bangkok?

EG: It's just the liveliest town on Earth. There are plenty of other lively cities of course, like New York, Paris, or even where I come from – Istanbul – but it's just so pleasant to live in, and one of the main reasons is it's so safe if you hang out at night.

And then there's the entertainment – the nightlife is unseen and there's something out there for everyone. Not to mention the food options from all corners of the world!

And the people are great, I certainly shouldn't forget that!

FST: What about the lifestyle?

EG: It's getting better and has improved vastly since I first got here. It's acceptable. With a daughter (aged 7) who has just started school, we have no plans to move any place soon.

FST: Any challenges?

EG: I still can't stand the traffic! But then I can always get on the skytrain or MRT these days and I do tend to use them if I have appointments in town.

FST: Are there any similarities or connections between Turkey and Thailand that our readers may not be aware of?

EG: Actually, there are quite a few similarities – respect for elders, attachment to traditions, love for the family. These are quite similar. Turks are originally from Central Asia (western Mongolia), so I feel like Thais are my distant cousins who migrated South!

FST: If you get any other free time away from your Vets League commitments, what do you get up to?

EG: We have what we call the 'Catch Me if You Can' Fishing Club. A South African friend of ours Marius and a Thai friend Wanchai started it. We expanded it to other people we knew of the same mind. We head off into the ocean on a boat and usually stay on board for a night or two.