I went to a boarding school during my junior-high years. When I moved to a normal school for high school, it was like being released from a cage.

I didn’t want to study abroad. But there was no hotel school in Thailand so I went to the US.

I always plan ahead. I was making 10 dollars an hour at Burger King but there was no future there. So I quit and went to work at a hotel canteen for three dollars an hour.

There’s no point in getting a master’s degree if you don’t have work experience. I worked in a bunch of departments, from housekeeping to front desk. I never said no.

It’s experience that got me a good job when I got back to Thailand. I wasn’t even thirty when I started working in a management position at The Oriental.

You might earn a lot of money abroad, but there’s no place like home.

I used to work hard to be a step ahead of other hotels. But you’re not really competing with others. You’re competing with yourself.

I’m not embarassed about saying I used to mop floors or serve food in a canteen. It serves as an example of what people can achieve in their careers.

Kurt Wachtveitl [the previous GM of The Oriental] is my idol. Every morning, he would read the entire list of guests who were going to check in that day, even when there were 200 of them—their names, their complaints from their last visit—he read it all so that we knew what we had to handle each day.

You may have money to build a beautiful hotel. But hotels are made up of people, too. It is more complicated than it seems.

I suffered from sleep apnea. It can get dangerous if you stop breathing 15 times per hour but I was stopping 70 times. I needed operations to my tongue, throat and teeth.

But without this illness, I may have never realized I was working too hard.

I was depressed about being sick, about having to quit my job. I had worked at the Oriental for over a decade. But problems are part of life. We just need to face them.

You can’t predict what will happen. I never planned to write books or go on TV. I simply started to write about funny things in the hotel. It was released as a weekly column in Praew Magazine and later as a pocketbook, Rae Khao Ma Ja Pa Kaho Rong Raem, which became a best-seller. 7th Heaven approached me, they liked my ideas, and now I’m on TV.

People usually don’t know they are reading my columns about social gossip as I seldom use my real name. But I write only firsthand news, or news from reliable sources. A lot of gossip isn’t true.

I’m happy with my life—happier than before.

Crystal Design Centre (CDC) has finally understood that not all of us can buy a posh designer chair every time we go to the mall. Unlike the big furniture brand stores that opened in the community mall’s first phase, this latest crop of openings offers a lot more variety—and a little something for everyone, including those with smaller wallets. Spread over two floors and divided into 11 sections, each store comes with its own mood. So in comparison to the stern modern look of CDC part one, this extension brings a touch of fantasy, almost like the vibe you get at faux-Tuscan mall Palio in Khaoyai.

There have been some serious food and wine additions, too (as you know, if you’ve been reading our Flavors section). But tired shoppers seeking a smaller pick-me-up can also swing by the new Kuay Tiew Khai Yon Yook (L4-111) for old-style noodles topped with boiled egg, or London-style café Cuppi Coffee (K3-114) for a cake and some free Wi-Fi. There are also a few fashion stores, now, another novelty for the design-focused mall. You can even find tech products such as the high-end audio shop, Bose by Asavasopon (L1-107) and instruments—Music Acumen (K106) has guitars or ukuleles starting from B1,800. But more than the variety, what we love most about the place is that all of the shops’ interior designs are creative and exciting, making return visits a must, despite the location. n
Crystal Design Center. 1420/1 Praditmanutham Rd., 02-101-5999. Open Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sun and national holidays 10am-9pm.

Feb 2011

Hadaka Matsuri at Saidai-Ji Temple, Okayama
Feb 18. Japan. Free admission. http://tiny.cc/fcxyx
Hadaka means naked, so you know what to expect from this festival. Nearly 10,000 Japanese men roam the streets in their traditional fundoshi underwear in search of the one fully naked man hidden among them. The one to find and touch the naked man will have good luck throughout the year. After a winner is declared, the mass moves to the Saidai-Ji Temple, where monks give blessings for good luck at midnight.

Jeju Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival
Feb 17-19. South Korea. Free admission. www.buriburi.go.kr
Not just a favorite resort island for Koreans, Jeju is a great place to enjoy age-old folk traditions. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people join in a fire ceremony, praying for good health and good harvest in the coming spring. There are a number of events you can participate in throughout the festival, the highlight of which is the setting fire to old grass on the hill. Everyone does this together, to banish harmful insects and bad luck, and to prepare the land for cultivation.

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
Feb 19-Mar 6. Australia. Free admission.
www.mardigras.org.au
When the Asia Pacific gay headquarters organizes a festival, you can rest assured that it won’t be small. The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is the region’s largest and most famous LBGT festival. The 11th edition of this two-week long event is packed with highlights like parties on the beach and at poolsides, arts events, stage shows, a film festival organized by Queerscreen, a sports festival and, on Mar 5, a grand parade involving thousands of LGBT and non-LGBT folk dressed up in some outrageous costumes.

39th Hong Kong Arts Festival
Feb 17-Mar 27. HK$60-HK$1,380
www.hk.artsfestival.org
Thirty-nine days, 15 venues and more than 200 music, dance and theater performances make the 39th Hong Kong Arts Festival larger than ever before. Headliners include Tristan und Isolde performed by Germany’s Leipzig Opera, Britain’s Halle Orchestra and The Golden Lotus by the Beijing Dance Theatre.

Grape Harvest Festival
Feb 3-Mar 31. Thailand. 1,000 THB-4,800 THB (approx). www.thaiwineassociation.com
Picture yourself strolling through sunny vineyards with your sweetheart, lending a hand to the harvesters, topping things off with a glass—or a bottle—of wine and a good meal. Like what you see? Well it won’t take a trip to Bordeaux to make that happen. Thai wine producers in the Khao Yai region, a two to three-hour drive from Bangkok, have joined forces, offering month-long festivities to mark the harvest season. The grape picking is already underway, hitting PB Valley tomorrow (Feb 12) and then Village Farm (Feb 26), which will also host the Winter Music 2011 event on Mar 5. Or head south to the beach, also a couple of hours’ drive from Bangkok. There, Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, home of Monsoon Valley, has grape picking going on from Feb 18-Mar 31, and a special wine harvest dinner on Mar 5.

Cricket World Cup
Feb 19-Apr 2. India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. INR 240-INR 7,500. www.cricketworldcup2011.co.in
The thwack of leather on willow can only mean one thing: Cricket. Held every four years, it doesn’t get any bigger than this, especially since the tournament is being held in cricket’s spiritual home, where fanatical crowds are as much of a spectacle as what takes place out on the crease. Fourteen teams will compete in a series of one-day matches over two months and across three countries.

Mar 2011

Japan Fashion Week
Mar 18-25. Tokyo. ¥1,000-¥2,000 (approx).
www.jfw.jp/en
For its 12th year, the fashion week of Asia’s hippest dressers features creations by 30 Japanese fashion entrepreneurs. Highlights include araisara, fur fur, Theatre Products, Yuki Torii and Somarta, famous for the extravagant bodysuits they created for Lady Gaga. And Japanese fashion is not all harajuku, so don’t expect every show to be full of avant-garde designs and manga. Pre-registration is required.

Hong Kong Rugby Sevens
Mar 25-27. HK$1,250 for a three-day pass.
www.hksevens.com
No matter who you’re supporting—All Blacks, Springboks, Wallabies, Lions, or Dragons—this is one of the world’s premier rugby events and a great warm up to the World Cup in New Zealand in Sep. Get your crazy costumes ready now.

Jue Festival
Mar 12-Apr 3. Beijing, Shanghai. Tickets: Free-RMB180.
www.juefestival.com
China’s best arts and music festival returns with a cavalcade of independent film screenings, underground exhibitions and appearances from the likes of The Whitest Boy Alive.

Hong Kong International Film Festival
Mar 20-Apr 5. HK$40-HK$4,200 (approx). www.hkiff.org.hk
One of Asia’s oldest film festivals is fighting back against the influx of Korean films with an array of flicks, from indie films to multi-million dollar productions. While details have yet to be confirmed, we’re expecting the world premiere of Quattro Hong Kong 2, an omnibus project featuring short films by award-winning directors Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Brillante Mendoza, Ho Yuhang and Stanley Kwan.

Apr 2011

Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix
Apr 8-10. Kuala Lumpur. RM500-RM1,600. www.malaysiangp.com.my
Started in 1999, the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit is Southeast Asia’s first F1 racing event. Book your seats early to catch world-famous racers from world-famous teams—including Ferrari, Renault, and Mercedes—race round a 5.543km track.

Songkran Festival
Apr 13-15. Thailand. Free admission. www.songkran.net
Songkran, the week-long water war that rings in the Thai New Year, is definitely one of the things to do before you die. In Bangkok, the action is concentrated around Khaosan (more backpackers) and Silom (more locals) but Chiang Mai is where the insanity is at its peak, particularly along the Northern capital’s main canal. If you’ve seen it all, try Khon Kaen’s Khao Niaw road for a change. If you just can’t get enough, the action tends to travel east of Bangkok after Apr 15, towards Bang Saen and Pattaya. Finally—Muscle Marys take note—the gay dance party, gCircuit Songkran 5 is back, Apr 15-17. More info at www.gcircuit.com.

Taipei Flora Expo
Through Apr 25. Taiwan. One-day NT$150-300, three-day NT$600, unlimited entry NT$2,500. www.2010taipeiexpo.tw
A chance to walk through 25 million flowers and plants of every color, covering an area of more than 90 hectares in the city center. Highlights include the diagram garden from The Netherlands, a zen garden from Japan and a Buddhist garden from Thailand, as well as eco-gardens and cultural events. ■

These multi-functional phones are called feature phones—or even smartphones in the case of the Spriiing and Nokia. They all have 2MP cameras, MSN chat and work with social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. They also offer email, MP3, and FM radio.

Nokia X2 Qwerty (BK PICK)

B3,190
2.4-inch TFT screen (320x240 pixels) with QWERTY keyboard / VGA camera / 55MB internal storage + up to 8MB Micro SD
The new X2 with keyboard can be a cool, affordable phone for those who can live without a full-on smartphone. The camera isn’t its forte either but with its social network applications and Ovi features, you’ve got the basics covered except the GPS and Maps.

Spriiing Smile (RUNNER UP)

B5,990
2.6-inch resistive touch screen (320x240 pixels) with QWERTY keyboard / 3MP camera with flash / WiFi / 512MB internal storage + 2GB MicroSD (up to 16GB) / GPS
Released here before the Western markets (for once), Spriiing Smile is a genuine smartphone with a slightly antiquated Android OS and a sluggish processor. Everything else, from the QWERTY keyboard and Spriiing Chat (think BB chat for all three people who have a Spriiing), to the touchscreen and Wi-Fi router, goes beyond a combined iPhone and Blackberry offering.

Samsung Punch Wifi

B4,390
2.4-inch TFT screen (320x240 pixels) with QWERTY keyboard / 2MP camera / WiFi / 60MB internal storage + up to 8GB MicroSD
No longer dual sim, the latest version of the Punch comes with Wi-Fi so you don’t have to rely on EDGE alone to update your Facebook status or chat on MSN.

LG Wink Slide

B3,990
2.4-inch TFT screen (320x240 pixels) with slide-out QWERTY keyboard / 2MP camera / 141MB internal storage + up to 32MB Micro SD
The square shape of the Wink Slide was obviously not designed with human hands in mind but it sure looks cute—and with the keyboard out, it is much easier to handle. Targeting teens, you can expect plenty of fun camera features like color balance, color effects and a night mode.

iMobile S350

B3,290
2.8-inch touchscreen (240x320 pixels) / 2MP camera with flash / dual sim cards / TV tuner
Another consistent local response to the iPhone has been to upstage Apple where the iPhone is too cool to venture: dual-sim capacity and television. A smartphone ‘tis not, but at this price, you’re also saving some B25,000. No keyboard, though.

Sony Ericsson Yendo

B4,790
2.6-inch TFT touch screen (240x320 pixels) / 2MP camera / 5MB internal storage + up to 16GB micro SD card
Sony Ericsson really needs to fire the design team. Here’s another Sony phone that’s just too thick and boring, despite the choice of colors. But if you just need an FM radio and MP3 player that also makes phone calls, go for it. Typing on the touch screen can be tricky though.

OPPO Funtacy

B4,990
Clamshell with 2.4-inch screen (240x320 pixels) / 2MP camera / 60MB internal storage
This is a basic feature phone, but some people are actually addicted to the clamshell—not to mention those addicted to the phone’s presenters, Nichkhun and 2PM. Unfortunately, you’ll be typing on a phone keyboard, so keep the love notes short.

UNDER B10,000

1. BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300. B8,600-8,900 (MBK price)
Qwerty keyboard / BlackBerry OS5.0 / BBM / 2MP camera

2. Nokia C5. B6,650
Touch screen / Symbian OS / Ovi Maps / 5MP camera

3. LG Optimus One. B9,990
Touch screen / Android 2.2 / 3MP camera

4. Samsung Wave 723. B7,990
Touch screen / Bada OS / 5MP camera with flash

A word of caution: always call the local TAT office before making your travel plans. A flower expected to blossom in October could just as easily bloom in November on a particular year, due to climactic variations, inconvenient truths or just the fact that flowers are notoriously fickle. Also, do not pick the flowers!

Jan-Feb

Nang Phaya Sua Krong

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan
Cherry blossoms are stunningly beautiful but a trip to Japan is extremely pricey, you never know exactly when they’re going to bloom, and they last only a week. So head to Northern Thailand instead, where you can witness a myriad soft pink flowers bloom after the nang phaya sua krong trees shed their leaves. Also called Thai sakura, the flowers appear mid-winter, in the high hills 1,000-2,000 meters above sea level. The top spots are Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai, Khun Mae Ya near Pai in Mae Hong Son and Khun Sathan in Nan. The flowers bloom at different times at different locations so you can actually follow the Thai sakura trail for two to four weeks—and then they’re gone!
Doi Inthanon National Park, 053-286-728/9; Khun Mae Ya Office, 053-217-453; Khun Sathan National Park, 054-701-121, 054-731-585

Feb

Chomphu Phuka

Nan
When the month of love arrives, this indigenous pink flower blossoms at Doi Phuka National Park in Nan Province. Originally found in Southern China and Northern Vietnam as well, it has all but disappeared there due to destruction of its natural habitat. The Department of National Parks has been trying to breed chumphu phuka at Khun Sathan National Park but so far, the original site is still second to none. The flowers will last for around a month.
Doi Phuka National Park, 054-701-111, 054-731-362

Dok Siew

Lampang
Roughly during the same period as phaya sua khrong, delicate white flowers named dok siew also flower on several hills in Northern provinces. The most popular spot to catch them is at Pah Mieng Village, Pan District, Lampang, where the Dok Siew Blossom Festival is organized every year in Feb. For the ninth year, the 2011 event allows you to roam among these white flowers until Feb 21.
054-265-027, www.lampang.go.th

May-Jun

Euang Bussarakham

Petchabun
Despite the rain, there’s still a good reason to head to Nam Nao National Park. Orchid lovers will have a chance to see the delicate euang bussarakham wild orchids, whose stem can reach lengths of up to two meters.
TAT Phitsanulok, 055-252-742/3, 055-259-907.

Jun-AuG

Dok Krajiew

Chaiyaphum
Isaan is at its most beautiful after a few months of rain, when the rice fields turn bright green. And the rainy season is also a good time to to see krajiew flowers in full bloom in Chaiyaphum. You’re most likely to find the Siamese tulip (as it’s also known) during Jun-Aug, in an area of roughly one sq kilometer in Pah Hin Ngam National Park, where the pink and purple flowers grow atop lush, green grass.
Pah Hin Ngam National Park, 044-890-105.

Oct

Wild Flowers

Ubon Ratchathani
The hot, desert area at the Pha Taem cliff offers Thailand’s easternmost view, making it where the sun first rises on the kingdom. Every year, at the end of the rainy season, its slightly lunar landscape is briefly overrun by a carnival of wild flowers, ranging from soi suwan and thip kesorn to dusita and nok noi. To actually make it to Pha Taem, you need to drive the last 10km off-road, on a rock plateau, so make sure you go by 4x4. If you don’t, you may have to go back to the village and beg the village chief for a ride—there is no shuttle service where the road ends. That being said, the flowers are all over the place, not just on the cliff.
TAT Ubon Ratchathani, 045-437-770, 045-250-714, www.tatubon.org.

Nov-Dec

Sunflowers

Lopburi, Saraburi
This one of the most popular flower spots for Bangkokians, as it’s only a two-hour drive from Bangkok. From late Oct until Dec, fields of bright yellow sunflowers carpet Lopburi’s countryside. The most popular route is along Road No. 3017 and 2089 (map available at www.tat7.com). Too lazy to drive? Just take a special train trip organized by State Railway of Thailand every year during sunflower season (prices TBA). If not taking a regular train, prices start from B44.
TAT Lopburi 036-422-768/9, ww.tat7.com

Bua Tong (Mexican Sunflowers)

Mae Hong Son
Its Thai name may translate to “lotus flower,” but bua tong looks more like a sunflower to us. Every winter, around Nov-Dec, the fields of Thung Bua Tong Forest Park at Doi Mar Ou Kor will be covered with these yellow flowers. Originally from Mexico, they only blossom in cool-weather, at altitudes of 800 meters and higher.
Thung Bua Tong Forest Park, 053-612-078.