A piece of Denmark under the palms

It is a Sunday morning in Udon Thani. Despite the rainy season, the sky is a clear blue, and the ground is dry. In the pool, children play on colourful inflatables while the aroma of gravy and roast pork drifts across the warm air. It feels like a seaside holiday — until you remember that the nearest coastline is 550 kilometres away.

This is Thani Beach, the creation of Danish entrepreneur Kenn Holm, who has called Thailand home for nearly four decades. Here, he has built homes for fellow Danes — not just houses, but a vibrant community. Nestled in the countryside near Udon Thani, Thani Beach is where rye bread and hygge meet the tropics, blending Danish traditions with the warmth of Thai hospitality.

Kenn cruises past in his white golf cart, greeting residents with a cheerful “Hello!” before heading to the Viking Café for lunch and a chat with friends. By sunset, the palm trees cast long shadows, the pool lights shimmer on the water, and conversations linger late into the night as cicadas sing in the background. That is the magic of Thani Beach.

From idea to reality

The idea for Thani Beach grew out of Kenn’s own life experience. He first came to Thailand in 1987 as a 24-year-old from a modest Danish background. What struck him most was not the climate but the people.

“People just smiled at me in the street. It made me feel like I already belonged here,” he recalls.

Back in Denmark, he had tried many jobs without much joy. In Thailand, he found not only his place but also his wife. Fourteen years ago, the couple began laying the financial foundations for what would become Thani Beach. It was never a straightforward journey, Kenn admits.

Almost 20 years ago, Kenn had just been released from prison in Denmark, serving time for having cashed in a false check of 5 mill. Danish kroner. He was living in Denmark at the time. Before the bank found out, he had transferred the money to Thailand and bought land in the name of his then girlfriend.

But while he was serving his time, the Thai girlfriend sold it all and when he came back, the money was gone.

Still, the setback only reinforced his determination to build something lasting — a place where Danes could feel at home far from home.

With his current wife as his business partner, Kenn started over on his dream.

“Everything you see here, we have built ourselves,” he proudly says.

“But of course there are people who try to pull you down when things are going well. That has been hard for me,” he says.

A place for both everyday life and leisure

According to Kenn, 20 families are currently connected to Thani Beach. There is room for 22 more families. They are in the process of building 10 detached houses, and the first two have been put up for sale. Some residents have built their own houses, while others are renting. For many, it is not just a place to live — it is a lifestyle.

The entire area is designed with level pathways, making it accessible for wheelchair users and the visually impaired. At its centre lies a large lake and swimming pool, framed by palm trees. Just a few steps away is the Viking Café — the community’s beating heart — where Danish classics meet Thai flavours, and conversations flow easily across tables.

On Sundays, the café fills with the smell of roast pork, caramelised potatoes and red cabbage. Thursdays are for open-faced sandwiches. The menu is familiar, comforting — and deeply Danish.

“Thani Beach is for people who want to live in Thailand, but still enjoy a Sunday with roast pork or a slice of rye bread – the things we bring from Denmark,” says Kenn.

Among the regulars is 47-year-old Sonny Lloyd, who often makes the trip with his daughter. While she runs straight to the pool to play with the other children, Sonny finds his place at the table.

“I’ve lived in Thailand for many years, and I feel more Thai now. But it’s easier for me to laugh with Danes. That’s why this community, with good conversations and laughter, still means a lot to me,” he says.

The vitamin land

For Kenn, Thailand has always been what he calls his “vitamin land.”

“Too many people are stuck in a hamster wheel. I’ve learned to live more like the Thais. We can get things done tomorrow – we don’t need to stress ourselves out today,” he says.

But even at a slower pace, the days seem to fly. He rises early, enjoying the cool of the morning before the heat sets in.

“Mornings in Thailand are something special,” he adds with a smile.

That rhythm of life is felt by others too. At the café, 68-year-old Niels Henrik Nielsen quietly enjoys his lunch. His hands tremble slightly; he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease seven years ago. For a time, he spent summers on a houseboat in Denmark and winters in the south, but eventually, his illness made that lifestyle impossible.

“Three years ago, I decided to move to Thailand permanently. I recently bought a home in Thani Beach, and I’m very happy with that decision. I start the day with a short swim, enjoy the sun, and can really feel how the warmth helps. At the same time, I value the community among the residents,” he says.

Passing it on

The story of Thani Beach has also reached Denmark. At meetups back home, Kenn shares his journey with growing audiences; the next gathering is expected to attract around 30 participants.

“It makes me very happy that people in Denmark are interested in it. In many ways, this is a dream come true,” he says.

And yet, he keeps dreaming. New ideas surface constantly: hosting stays for Danes with disabilities, creating a retirement home for those who wish to spend their final years in Thailand.

“Germans and Swedes have done it before, so why shouldn’t we?” he asks.

Still, his path has a clear horizon. At 70, Kenn plans to retire. That gives him just under a decade to see his ideas take shape.

“For now, this project fills the space in my mind. It gives me a reason to wake up in the morning, and it makes me happy to see that it also creates joy for others. But at some point, I need to slow down,” he says.

A quieter future

When that day comes, Kenn imagines a different rhythm: early mornings with coffee, a swim in the pool, perhaps a trip to Nong Khai by the Mekong. And all the while, the community he built will carry on — children still playing in the pool, roast pork still being served on Sundays, laughter still rising into the warm evening air.

Thani Beach will remain what he dreamed it to be: a little piece of Denmark under the palms.