The private sector’s struggles to carry out conservation projects are epitomized by the Praya Palazzo (757/1 Somdej Prakinklao Soi 2, 02-883-2998), a stunning riverside boutique hotel. The owners didn’t seek government support, and they still believe heritage conservation can be carried out privately.

“We put our faith in the place, and thought that no matter what obstacles we would face, we would be able to show that conservation and successful business can go together,” says Preeyadhorn Pitakvorrarat, who oversaw the preservation of the neoclassical mansion on the banks of the Chao Phraya River which was recognized with the Best Conservation Award in 2011 from the Association of Siam Architects.

Preeyadhorn credits her late husband Wichai Pitakvorrarat, an assistant professor of architecture who worked in conservation for 20 years, with the original idea of converting the 90-year-old mansion into a boutique hotel. He was enamored with the unique architectural style which dated from the King Rama V era. But, as it had been abandoned for 19 years, the renovation was a slow and painful process. For a long time there was no roof over one of the wings of the mansion and it had flooded three times, including last year.

The renovation bill grew to B80 million. It was footed by many partners involved in the project, which received no financial loans from banks. These saw no future in the project as it had no road access.

“Conservation in Thailand should get support from banks,” says Preeyadhorn. “They should see the value in our roots. Maybe they’re not romantic enough. But Thai billionaires could put together a fund managed by ASA to do conservation work.”

The hotel is still only accessible by boat. This meant all building materials had to be transported by boat, too. “It was like working a hundred years ago,” Preeyadhorn says with a laugh.

The long 20 months of renovations, during which time her husband passed away, left Preeyadhorn resolved to tell the history of the stately building originally known as Baan Bang Yi Khan. She went to the National Library to research everything she could about the house which belonged to Phraya Chollabhumi Panich, a royal officer in the Customs Department during the reigns of King Rama V and VI.

“Conservation work in Thailand still has a long way to go, but we need models to show the young generation the value of preserving our past. History is something that money can’t buy,” Preeyadhorn says.

                                                                                                       Praya Palazzo

Khon Hang KwamRak (People of Love), by Munin Saiprasart. B165

The book: It explores three phases of love—meeting at first, the relationship and breaking up—through three different city-living couples. Despite the broken hearts, it’s also a call to keep faith in love but it can get pretty cheesy and clichéd.
The artist: He’s got a bachelor’s degree in architecture but Munin black-and-white drawings are mostly concerned with family and love. Munin has also touched on a hot political topic, muslims in the South, in Munin Cartoon No.1. manin289.exteen.com

Wan Tee RooSuek Dee Dee (Another Fine Day), by GPEN. B230

The story: A collection of 10 unrelated narratives turning shorts scenes from everyday life into moving tableaux, from a celebration of swimming to a mortician bidding farewell to the body he’s been working on. It’s impossible not to connect with the simple, but powerful characterizations.
The artist: GPEN’s name comes from a type of nib pen, even though he now uses a tablet. Wan Tee RooSuek Dee Dee is his first published book. comicbook.exteen.com

Stories of Bobby Swingers—Now It’s Time to Swing, by Songsin Tiewsomboon. B295

The story: Who the hell is Bobby Swingers? His life is told from different angles, from punk bands to bohemians. And a Bobby Swingers’s CD is included inside.
The artist: His first big hit, the Bean Sprout & Firehead series, introduced a new style of darker graphic novel to Thai fans. Songsin now works as chief editor for various graphic books at Fullstop Publishing. songsin.exteen.com

Ruang A Rai (What Story?), By Trairong Parsitipon. B175

The story: This Trairong Parsitipon collection, presented as three vertical strips, pokes fun at Thai society, from leaked sex clips to superstitious taxi drivers, planking and mobile phone addiction.
The artists: A blogger famed for his character “Vase Head” or “HJK,” Trairong is not afraid of making himself the butt of the joke in his stories. horjorgor.exteen.com

Hong Tangmo Seek Tee Ha (Watermelon Head 5), by Ongari ChaiChanCheep. B235

The story: Hong Tangmo is one of the oldest modern cartoon characters in Thailand. Through his travels upcountry, Hong Tangmo ends up having to cross language and cultural barriers. But his adventures also tend to serve as metaphors for whatever political issue is ailing the country at that particular time.
The artist: Ongari (aka Toto the Hero) achieved lasting fame for Moo Bin Dai (Pig Wants to Fly). myhead.exteen.com

Blanco 3 (Ching Cha) by Wisut Ponnimit. B225

The book: The previous two installments’ mysteries will finally be revealed in this last book of the Ching Cha series, which tell the story of a young woman tracking down her long-lost parents. Beyond the plot twists and pastel-colored drawings, Ching Cha is also a philosophical journey which tells us to let go of our past.
The artist: A famous Copic-pen cartoonist, Wisut Ponnimit’s reputation extends to Japan where Hesheit was published by famous Japanese publishing house Katch, before running in Thai magazine A Day. Blanco was his first full-length book, put out by prominent comic book publishers Shinchousha, where he used to work. web.mac.com/wisut

BK: How did you guys get together?
Tun: We started to play music in seventh grade, inspired by Thai and international bands like Pause, Bodyslam, the Eagles, and Nirvana. We’ve been going for about six years now, but our members have changed a lot in that time. Only Tin and I are original members.

BK: Have you ever considered joining a major record label?
Tin: We once worked with a big music company. But when we finished the album, they said they wanted our songs, but would give them to other musicians to play because we didn’t have the right look. So we decided to launch our own label called One Tuesday. We now take care of another couple of bands. We don’t want anyone to change who we are and the music we make.

BK: What are some of the problems facing the Thai music industry?
Tin: Instead of being genuine and original, Thai songs often just copy international singles. Artists take some parts of international songs, whether it is the melody, the beat, or the lyrics, and slightly alter them.
Tun: Big labels care more about the business side of things than the music itself. I want people to be more open to new bands. But bands also need to produce high quality music.
Tae: So many people buy pirate CDs or download music online, which discourages musicians from producing good work.

BK: What’s next for the band?
Tun: We expect to play a lot of gigs once we become more famous! At the moment, we don’t like to play live at pubs too much because we don’t want to cover other musicians’ songs.

BK: What do each of you do outside of the band?
Tun: Tin and I study film at Rangsit University.
Fern: Nothing. I quit school in 10th grade with my dad’s approval. He wants me to take over the family business and learn to live a real life. It’s useless for me to study things I’m not going to use or do, anyway.
Tae: I like cooking ,so I want to open my own restaurant. I’m about to run a waffle franchise. I gave up studying a bachelor’s degree after attending three universities. I even became a monk three times in order to sort my feelings out.
James: I attend non-formal education because I want to focus more on music than studying.

BK: What do you think about the Thai education system?
Tin: Teachers stick too much to outdated textbooks.
Fern: Thai education makes easy things difficult. It’s just pointless.
Tae: Corruption is everywhere. People are greedy. Adults should pay more attention to virtue so that children can learn to be happy with simple things.

Check out Whatever’s new single, “Khang Gai” (“The Ones Beside You”), at www.facebook.com/whatever.page