Diplomat Sompong Nimchuar and his wife have combined their hobbies and beliefs into their home

When Sompong Nimchuar and his family first arrived in China three years ago from Thailand, they immediately felt quite at home. And one key reason was that they could get virtually everything they wanted in Beijing - just like in Thailand. "I don't feel far away from home, because here we have everything we want in Thailand, such as fruit, vegetables and great places to hang out with friends," said Nimchuar, 53, a minister counselor of the Royal Thai Embassy.

Another reason is that their Beijing home is decorated as though a piece of Thailand sits in the Chinese capital.

"I have been here for three years now and I think China is great," he said.

His house is spacious and near the embassy so he can meet colleagues and friends frequently, most of whom are diplomats. His wife Amporn, 56, is a great cook and loves entertaining.

Visitors are immediately greeted by the warmth and hospitality of a typical Thai family.

The house is filled with not only reminders of home, but ornaments collected during Nimchuar's frequent travels in China and around the world.

The centerpiece of one living room wall is a picture of the King of Thailand while a painting of the Jiuzhaigou scenery adorns another. The three bedrooms, living room and dining room are designed to create a Thai home style.

"Nearly every family in Thailand has a picture of the king in the house," Nimchuar said. "That's because we want to show our respect to him."

And the Jiuzhaigou painting is a reminder to Nimchuar of the great time he had when he visited the area.

"It is a very beautiful place. I like it very much and prefer to keep green things around, so I put the picture in my living room," Nimchuar said.

The dcor also reflects Nimchuar's beliefs, with paintings and statues of Buddha and the Chinese martial saint Guan Yu.

He said he believes in Buddha and Guan Yu, because Buddha taught people many good things and Guan Yu is a symbol of honesty.

A statue of Buddha is also in Nimchuar's study where he can pray every day.

The study also has a traditional Chinese Kang bed, left by the owner of the house.

Nimchuar said the study is his favorite room because that's where he spends most of his time, reading and surfing the Internet.

The Thai government pays $4,500 a month rental for the house, in Yong'anli Street, only a few minutes' drive from the embassy.

Nimchuar said he is lucky to have a wonderful family. Amporn is a great cook; his daughter, Punyarak,18, is studying at the University of International Business and Economics and his son Paputh, 24, is working in Bangkok as a product designer.

"My wife cooks really well," he said. "I always throw parties at my house on holidays and invite my colleagues and they said they really like my wife's cooking."