You never know what you’re truly made of until you’ve taken yourself out of your comfort zone.

I think I was born with the “loving challenges” gene.  I’ve always felt most alive when I’ve had to push myself to my limits mentally and physically.  

The producers were looking for an individual who was adventurous, athletic and projected a healthy persona. After scouring through the entire region, they ended up with me.

I really didn’t feel anything at first because I had already told myself I didn’t get the job. I didn’t want to be even more disappointed later on.

Of course, once I realized the magnitude and significance of this show, I couldn’t be happier or more excited to be a part of it all.

I cherish and appreciate both eastern and western cultures. Even though I am of Chinese descent and have lived in Asia for over eight years, I grew up in the United States. 

If I don’t stay under the spotlight after the show, I would go back to medical school and become some sort of a doctor. Then again, I’m not young anymore, so I may consider doing some more work behind the camera on the production side.

I picture life as a game of lessons. We either learn from our mistakes or we end up never improving our current situation.

My mother is my role model. I have always admired my mother for being open-minded enough to be happy despite that fact that her son never followed her wishes for him to be a doctor, lawyer or something like that.

I have never really thought whether I prefer to be a famous or ordinary person. I figure that as long as the people I know, love and respect hold me in a positive light, then that’s all the fame I aspire towards.

The mind and human spirit are the most powerful tools that every one of us possesses.

In the beginning, Klong San was nothing but a pier on the Chao Phraya. But as throngs of ferry passengers shuffled down its boardwalk, business-savvy individuals were quick to set up shop at its gates. Nowadays, in the late afternoon, Klong San’s narrow alleys are jam-packed with high school and university students, employees finished with their day’s work, and even housewives—all in pursuit of tasty treats, hip fashion and a place to relax and swap gossip before heading home. Klong San really has it all and more, boasting some unusual places for a market, like nail salons and bookstores.

If you’re not already in Thonburi, you’ll need to cross over. Boarding takes place at Si-Phraya Pier, next to the Sheraton Hotel. For a whopping B2.50, a ferry will take you straight to Klong San Pier in minutes. If you’re coming from the Thonburi side, the market is on Charoennakorn Road. Get ready to sweat, this is an open-air market, not a “Glorious Phenomenon”—air-con, umbrellas, and cold towels are not included. The upside is that the prices are missing a few zeros compared to chic malls in the city center. We recommend:

Playground (Block E2-5, 01-868-1832. Open daily 11am-9pm) Fashionable blouses, skirts and knee-length dresses for the fashion conscious young woman on a budget. Prices range from B280-500.

Block D-06 (06-539-8325, Open daily 11am-9pm) No, you’re not in Khao San. Embroidered Indian dresses, cloth bags and even shoes range from B300 to B1,000. Unfortunately, the saris and scarves didn’t look very authentic to us.

Prangkob (Block 63. Open daily 11am-8pm) Seven minutes to paint your nails means less than a minute a finger! Even the busiest exec can afford the time unless her brain freezes trying to choose from the plethora of designs. But at B100 for all 10 of your precious fingers, you don’t even have to be an exec to enjoy it.

The market has just been extended with a brand new, very clean-looking zone with lots of cute shops (all open noon-9pm). Fewer people, wider alleys, and even a view on the river make for a much more relaxed shopping experience, plus the shops have more personality. Blood Scatter (shop E8) has punky leather wristbands (B100) and hand-painted T-shirts (B350); Superboy (shop F9) is more Victorian, with knee-length dresses (B590), embroidered jeans (B790) and blouses with lace (B199). Great for those cold Bangkok winters, Block B1-C1 (09-745-1245. Open daily noon-9pm) has a selection of fake fur coats (B850) and real leather jackets (B950). One of its walls is simply covered in belts (B80), and they also carry bags (B150-200). You can’t miss Zhamoo (Block D1, 07-913-9179) with its trashy Barbie dolls, bowling pins, and vintage furniture. Prices range from B190-890 for retro first and second-hand women’s wear.

If your sugar level is dropping, 71/17 Hub (stall 71/17, 01-622-1992, 01-926-5027. Open Mon-Sat 6am-9pm, Sun 11am-9pm) will serve you soft smoothies at B25-35, pastries and bread (B15-35). They also sell clothes. Come early to listen to the only decent music around and grab the single table the shop has to offer.

Another treat is the famous Bua Loi Kai Kem (Block E5/2, 01-697-5971. Open daily 2-7pm). The most typical bua loi (Thai style taro balls in coconut milk) is bua loi kai kem (B18), but you could be experimental and try bua loi kai waan (B16), bua loi kai kem koo (B24) or even bua loi kai waan koo (B21). Further down the market, grab a refreshing drink at Naam Jub Liang (a small stall next to Block S 01, Open daily 11am-9pm) to wash down your sugar high.

What’s the difference between being a radio DJ and a club DJ?
I can choose every song by myself when I’m a club DJ but at EFM, most of the songs are already listed. The jobs require different skills. Being a DJ, you need to learn how to speak lively and always brighten up your listener’s day. Even if you just broke up with your girlfriend, you can’t keep playing sad songs 24/7. A club DJ is different—you must tune the beats up to the audience’s moods using your own feelings. From my personal view, I think that I have more responses from people when I’m in a club. I can really see what they’re doing, unlike when I’m sitting in front of a control panel and receiving faxes or messages from somewhere far away. The two things are just different.

Why funky music?
It’s fun. This kind of music is perfect for a party. You can imagine everyone moving their bodies with the beat while getting drunk. Compared to something like trance, its bass and guitar lines are not too hard and everyone can enjoy it. Also, I’ve been collecting vinyl records for a long time. I looked at the ones with the funky beats and I was like, “Hey, these are interesting and more classic. People should have a chance to hear them.” So I talked to my friend at Café Democ and ask if I could drop by and set up a small party. He was OK with the idea, so we arranged the party, which later became monthly.

Apart from funky house, do you also listen to other styles of music?
Yes, of course. I listen to rock, pop, jazz, bossanova...both Thai and international songs. It usually depends on my mood.

How did you choose this career?
My job is to make people feel more secure. I was a police officer before I volunteered to work in the K-9 unit. It’s very important for Thai society that we have a high security standard, and training canines is a part of making things safer.

Is it hard to train a dog for the K-9 unit?
Well, it’s kind of like having an 8-year-old child. You can’t discipline her too hard. Balancing rewards and punishments is essential.

And is it fun to work with dogs?
It’s fun, but very challenging.

What qualities does a good trainer have?
You must love dogs very much and be willing to dedicate a lot of time to your student. I spend more time with Frement than with my family! I’m with her seven days a week. Every day I finish work around 3pm, then I go home, take a shower and come back to see her again in the evening. You have to really know your dog—they all have different habits.

What does the training involve?
Start from the basic commands: chid (stay,) nang (sit,) mob (lay down) and koy (wait). All the behaviors must be correct first. It takes about four months to teach the basic commands. It’s very easy to force dogs to do what you want instead of really teaching them, but in the long term it’s a bad idea. That’s why all trainers have to take a course before they start training dogs.

Are female and male dogs different?
Females are generally calmer, but it’s not just about sex; each dog is unique.

Can K-9s detect every kind of dangerous thing, like drugs and bombs?
No. Each dog is trained to detect one thing only. Frement can detect every kind of bomb, but she can’t detect drugs.

When your dog finds a bomb, she sits. How can you tell if she really detects something or if she’s just tired?
I understand her.

Now you can create wearable masterpieces for yourself and your friends using simple materials available at bead stores. Once you’ve conquered this glitzy ring, try your talents on a pair of earrings or a bauble for your phone.

What do I need?

1. Sewing pins with flat heads.

2. Beads, crystals, pearls or whatever else your little heart desires. Make sure they all have holes smaller than the heads on your pins.

3. Needlenose pliers and light wire cutters, or pliers with a built-in wire cutting blade.

4. A customizable silver ring (available at bead stores).

Now what?

Step 1. Thread your first bead onto a pin and use the wire cutters to trim the excess.

Step 2. Using your pliers, twist the wire at a 90-degree angle.

Step 3. Roll the pin in—it should make a small hook. Repeat the process for each bead you want to use.

Step 4. Hook each pin to a hole on the ring and arrange it however you like, using your pliers to close the hooks once you’re satisfied. We started with a lot of small seed beads and crystals, added a few pearls, and then finished it off with more small beads.

Step 5. Congratulations! You now have a completely unique, DIY ring. Play around with this model, using new materials and pieces in varying sizes to create different looks.

1. Go food hunting at Yaowarat. Forget about the calorie counting. Break all the diet rules and hit the food vendors that line the streets of Chinatown. Feast on a plethora of delectable grub including red BBQ pork, dim sum, roasted chestnuts, kuay jub, grilled seafood, noodles, and much, much more. Just don’t forget the ENO antacid.

2. Shopping spree at Chatuchak. It’s Sunday afternoon. The heat is rising. You are sweating buckets in the sticky, crowded market, but an incredible range of bargains makes the whole trip worthwhile. Before you know it, you’ve got bags of shirts, pants, shoes and handicrafts at your side and a brand new puppy trailing along behind. First-timers might want to check out www.jatujakguide.com.

3. Pray for a lover with Pra Trimurati. Desperately seeking your other half? Save yourself the embarrassment of having to go to a speed dating event and make your way to Trimurati shrine in front of the Central World Plaza on Ratchadamri Road instead. The best time to go is on Thursday at 9:30pm, when it is believed the god comes down to help the lovesick. Don’t forget to bring a rose garland, one candle and nine incense sticks—all in red.

4. Go horse racing. What better way to pass a Sunday afternoon than cheering for your favorite pony? A cheap entrance fee and cold beer make the activity more appealing, even if you aren’t into racing. There are two tracks in town—the Royal Turf Club (Phitsanulok Road, 02-280-0020-9) and the Royal Bangkok Sports Club (Henri Dunant Road, 02-251-0181-6). Races are held every other Sunday, 12:30-6pm. Admission is B50-300.

5. Go to a lady boy cabaret. Straight up, the lady boys of Bangkok offer a hell of a show, packed with invigorating entertainment, over-the-top costumes, flamboyant choreography and healthy pinches of silliness and humor. Get out of the closet and sing along to “I Will Survive.” The Calypso Cabaret (Asia Hotel, Phayathai Road, 02-653-3960 ext. 2, www.calypsocabaret.com) has two shows daily—8:15pm and 9:45pm.

6. Take a boat ride. Though most of the klongs that earned Bangkok the nickname “Venice of the East” have been filled to make way for roads, you can still enjoy a breezy boat ride along the Chao Phraya River. On a clear (or bad traffic) day, buy a B100 one-day pass from the Chao Phraya Express Boat (02-623-6001, 02-225-3003, www.chaophrayaboat.co.th) and enjoy unlimited trips to explore the city from a whole new perspective. Boats stop at 10 major piers including Sathorn and Phra Athit. Every Sunday, there’s also a ferry to Koh Kred in Nonthaburi.

7. Visit the TCDC. The greatest creation since sliced bread (or in our case somtam), the Thailand Creative and Design Center (6/F, The Emporium, 02-664-8448, BTS Phrom Phong, www.tcdc.or.th) has done the impossible: drawing Thais to art exhibitions (interestingly, it took putting a gallery in a mall to do it). From the fabulous Isaan Retrospective and Marimekko exhibitions to the current Vivienne Westwood display, art has never been this tempting.

8. Root for Thai boxers. Fatal kicks, deadly punches, furious elbow strikes... You’ve seen it in the papers and watched it on TV, but nothing compares to seeing these moves executed live in a stadium with thousands of fans cheering in the background. Get your adrenaline going at Lumpini Stadium (Rama 4 Road, 02-252-8765, 02-251-4303, www.muaythailumpini.com. Fight nights: Tue, Fri, Sat) or Ratchadamneon Stadium (Ratchadamneon Nok, 02-281-4205. Fight nights: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun).

9. Climb the Banyan Tree. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast with enough stamina to race up 1,093 steps, seek to defy gravity or simply want to help a good cause, the Banyan Tree’s Vertical Marathon is a challenging mission. The annual charity event occurs this year on September 10, 2006, with the finish line being Vertigo restaurant on the 61st floor (South Sathorn Rd., 02-679-1200). Even if you can’t complete the marathon in one fell swoop, joining the event is a good deed as the proceeds go to support the HIV Formula Feeding Fund.

10. Enjoy the view at Sirocco. Picture this: You are dining al fresco on the 64th floor of Bangkok’s second-tallest building with glittering lights of the city below and the twinkling stars above. Breezy jazz tunes waft through the air. The spherical Sky Bar fascinates with its alternating pastel hues. What romantic ambiance Sirocco (The Dome, State Tower, Silom Road, 02-624-9555, Open daily 6pm-1am, www.thedomebkk.com) provides! Though the prices are as sky-high as the building itself, the panoramic view makes it worth at least enjoying a cocktail…or a mineral water.

11. See puppets at Naatayasala Hun Lakorn Lek (Joe Louis Theater). The Joe Louis Theater (1875 Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Rama 4 Road, 02-252-9683-4, www.thaipuppet.com) derives its name from the nickname of Sakorn Yangkaewsot, who has devoted himself to bringing life to hun lakorn lek (small puppets). It is the only place in Thailand to be mesmerized by an exquisite performance as puppeteers deftly master their lifelike marionettes. Showtime is 7:30pm. B400 for Thai, B900 for foreigners.

12. Reach for the stars. Why just vote for them when you can join and win? The first season of Academy Fantasia saw Vit, a local Justin Timberlake from Nonthaburi, win the popular award, while fresh-faced Aof from Chainart swept the patronesses off their feet and took over the AF2 throne. But no winners from Bangkok...yet!

13. Express yourself. Remember the Sondhi-led demonstration in March? Remember the buzz, the solidarity among our fellow compatriots? If you missed out on that one, there are many other ways you can express your love for democracy and voice your opinion, whether or not it be in the majority. Also mark your calendar for the upcoming Election Day on October 15.

14. Take a bus somewhere. Frustrated with the traffic jam? Chances are most of you are sitting comfortably in your car while moaning about traffic. From time to time, try hopping on a bus, preferably non-air-conditioned. It’s a humbling experience to ride with the masses. See how hard it is for the common man to get from here to there?

15. Swim with the sharks. Add a thrill to your mundane 9-to-5 life and get up close and personal with the glorious sea predators. No need to head to the ocean since Siam Ocean World (B1-22F, Siam Paragon, BTS Siam, 02-687-2000, www.siamoceanworld.com, www.sharkdive.org) brings the ocean to you, right under the mega mall. Accompanied by the experts, the spine-tingling dive requires no experience, just guts.

16. Volunteer. Bangkok has been so nice to you, why not give something back? Help the injured at the Ruamkatanyu Foundation (www.ruamkatanyu.or.th), or make an audio book for the blind at the Bangkok School for the Blind (420 Ratchavithi Road, 02-246-0070, 02-246-1431, www.blind.or.th/school/volunteer). There are hundreds of opportunities out there—find the one that best suits you.

17. Visit Wat Phra Kaew. The top of any tourist’s must-visit list, the splendid Wat Phrasrirattana Sasadaram, better known as Wat Phra Kaew, has been a part of Bangkok since its inception. Don’t forget to pay homage to the Emerald Buddha. (Na Phra Lan Rd., Open daily 8:30am-3:30pm)

18. Queue for somtam at Tam Nua. The queue at Tam Nua (392/14 Siam Square Soi 5, 02-251-4880. Open daily 11.15am-9pm) is ridiculously long, but their spicy somtam and crispy fried chicken is just too good to pass up. If you just walk in and get seated, consider yourself extremely lucky.

19. Eat some scary food. Goy (spicy salad with raw pork), goong ten (live shrimp with chili and herbs), khai khao (egg containing undeveloped embryo)...when it comes to weird food of questionable safety, Bangkok has it all as long as you can muster up the courage to eat it. Take a baby step and start with fried insects.

20. Visit a haunted house. We heard the tales about the unfortunate maid who was beaten to death by burglars in a now deserted house tucked away in the secluded Ramkhamhaeng Soi 32…We’ve also have heard from people driving past the house that say they saw the ghost in the rear view mirror…Do ghosts really exist? Find out for yourself.

21. Hit the dance floor at Dude/Sweet. Is there any party in town that could top the madness of a Dude/Sweet event? We doubt it. (Check BK or www.dudesweet.org)

22. Get lost in Siam Paragon. In this consumer labyrinth, exercising and shopping are no longer mutually exclusive.

23. Count down to a new year at Central World Plaza. Now that the shopping mall has completed its makeover, the countdown to the 2007 will be glitzier than ever.

24. Be in a Thai movie. Stop complaining about bad acting and keep an eye out for open casting calls.

25. Visit a prisoner at Klong Prem Central Prison. Think your life is bad? Go talk to an inmate (222 Nonthaburi 1 Rd., 02-967-2222).

26. Read BK from cover to cover. We do, every week.

27. Go on a ladies’ night pub-crawl. Guys, why let the girls have all the fun? Throw on a dress and see what happens.

28. Buy a government lottery ticket. You could be the next billionaire.

29. Be a paparazzo. With a hi-tech mobile phone, you can take snapshots of celebrities and sell them to the tabloids. Nice hobby.

30. Get a tattoo on Khao San. All the backpackers do it. Permanent or henna.

31. Book the front row of P’Bird concert. The only chance you have to see a concert with your mom, aunt and grandmother.

32. Practice tai chi in Lumpini Park. It’s free, it’s fun, it’s good for you—need we say more?

33. See a film at House RCA. Support one of the few places that screen independent films. House (31/8, RCA, 02-641-5177, www.houserama.com) is super-cute just for coffee, too!

34. Visit Khao Din Zoo. Revisit your childhood and gape at the animals. (71 Rama 5 Rd., 02-281-2000. Open daily 8pm-9pm)

35. Have a nude photo taken. The celebrities all do it, why can’t you?

36. Pay a last visit to Don Muang. You’ve a mere three weeks left before Suvarnabhumi finally opens.

37. Buy X-rated VCDs on Silom. You don’t always have to say “no” to their naughty offer.

38. See the King. It’s a one-in-a-million chance to express how grateful you are to be one of his citizens.

39. Buy a garland from street kids. You may not want one, but at least you can help them go home earlier.

40. Join an Amway meeting. An hour of cheering, flattering remarks and pep talk fills even the shyest of people with confidence.

41. See the dragons in Lumpini Park. Just don’t feed them, OK?

42. Take a motorcycle ride through Klong Toey. A daunting cultural treat.

43. Go to the flower market. Get up early or stay out late to check out the colorful, bustling Pak Klong Talad.

44. Eat at Kai Tod Jae Gi. Otherwise known as Kai Tod Polo (137/1-2, Soi Polo, Lumpini Road, 02-655-8489), this place has some of the best fried chicken in town.

45. Laugh at the dancers at Suan Lum Night Bazaar. Not too loudly, though. They’re trying hard to start their careers in the music video industry.

46. Yell at chatty people in the theater. Others will thank you.

47. Drive a go-cart. The Fast and the Furious, right in RCA (PTT Speedway, 02-203-1205, www.kartingstadium.com. Open Mon-Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri 4pm-3am; Sat 1pm-3am; Sun 1pm-midnight).

48. Attend the festivals. Bangkok International Film Festival, Fat Festival, Bangkok Jazz Festival, Hoon Town...Bangkok has a lot of entertaining events, each with its own unique vibe.

49. Write a letter to the PM. He may not respond, but at least you’ll get a chance to vent. Write to Prime Minister’s Office, 1 Pitsanulok Rd., Dusit, Bangkok 10300.

50. Say hello to your neighbor.

On the day Major Walter Clopton Wingfield mixed court tennis, squash racquets and badminton together, the game we now know as tennis was born. Its popularity as a “gentleman’s sport” was first limited to Europe, but it soon spread to the rest of the world. From Sep 24 to Oct 1, the third ATP Thailand Open will bring some of today’s finest players to the City of Angels. Why settle for just watching (mostly) cute players battle it out on the court? Here are a few of the places you can jump in and try it yourself—may the best player win!

Thammasat University Sport Services Center (Gymnasium 7, 99 Moo 18, Paholyothin Rd., Pathumthani, 02-564-4425, www.tu.ac.th/org/sportcenter. Open Mon-Fri 4-9pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm) welcomes both members and non-members. The monthly membership fee of B350 allows you to use the courts free of charge, but if you want to try it out first, one hour will cost you B80 (B120 after 5pm). The gym has nine courts with lights provided. Booking 24 hours in advance is necessary, and if you’re new to tennis, there are also training courses available. Call 01-849-5496 for prices.

Chulalongkorn University Sport Center (Chulalongkorn University, Phyathai Rd., 02-218-2839, www.cusc.chula.ac.th. Open daily 7am-10pm) is another choice for hard court players. To use the court, you must be a member (membership is B1,000 per month or B5,000 per year). Play for free before 7pm; after that you’ll have to pay B40 for electricity. Booking an hour ahead is sufficient. Knock boards and racket rental services (B30 per hour) are also available.

Sports Authority of Thailand (Huamark, 02-318-0940 ext. 1265, 09-451-3749, www.sat.or.th/oldsat/03tennis1.asp. Open daily 6am-10pm) has 12 standard courts. For non-members, it’s B90 per hour (B140 after 6pm). If you’re a member (B375 per year), it’ll cost you B50 (B100 after 6pm). One month advance booking is a must. No equipment provided, but there’s an F.B.T. shop nearby. Also, a private training course is available at B300 per hour.

Sirisuk Tennis Court (2080/29 Soi 20, Narathivasratchanakarintra Rd., Yannawa, 02-286-4196, 02-286-7891. Open daily 7am-10pm) has five courts with lights that you can use without being a member. B100 per hour (B160 after 6pm). Personal coaching service is B280 per hour.

Trinity Fitness Center (Silom Soi 7, Silom Rd., 02-231-5333. Open Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 7am-8pm) offers tennis courts along with other fitness amenities including a pool, aerobic classes, a gymnasium and a jogging track. The membership fee is B15,900 per year and you’ll still have to pay B100 per hour (B150 after 6pm) for the court. Only one court is available, but on the bright side, they provide balls for free.

The Olympic Club (Pathumwan Princess Hotel, 444 8/F, MBK Center Bldg., Phyathai Rd., 02-216-3700 ext. 20805, www.theolympic-club.com/th/tennis.asp. Open Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 7am-9pm) has a package exclusively for tennis lovers. For B1,391, you can spend 10 hours on the court whenever you want within 3 months. It has two standard courts with lights, rackets and ball rental services, a professional coach (B150 per hour) and rackets (B161 per hour). For these services, booking must be made seven days in advance, and if needed, cancellation must be made before 9am on the day of your appointment.

Soi Klang Racquet Club (6,8 Amara 3, Soi Sukhumvit 49/9, Sukhumvit Rd.,
02-714-7200, 02-391-7980, http://rqclub.com. Open daily 6am-11pm) has two outdoor and three indoor courts. For non-members, the fee for all day use is B450 (B550 on weekends and holidays). Yearly membership costs B12,000 a year (but no more court fees). Knock board and professional coaches are also
available.

Why did you choose to study fine art?
I love it and I think I’m good at it. Not that I’m a master, but that I convey a message in my drawings.

What is the message behind the piece that won the Panasonic contest?
My goal was to represent Thai society from my point of view. It’s full of small details about social rankings and how people live together. This work was inspired by Thai mural paintings on temple walls that tell a story; I used components of that tradition as a way to tell a story about modern Thai society.

In your view, what makes a work of art good?
It must satisfy the artist. If the one who drew it is happy with it, it’s a good work. There’s no need to contribute anything to society. Generating ideas or thoughts in people is only a side effect.

Do you think you were destined to be an artist?
No. There’s no such thing. I think everyone has a certain amount of creativity; the important thing is how one uses it.

If you were not an artist, what would you be?
I would be a construction worker. My father is a construction worker, and if I wasn’t interested in art, I would just work with him. I’m lucky that my family can support me. Some of my friends have financial problems that make it hard for them to work at what they want to do. A canvas, a frame and pastels…these cost a lot.

Why do you think the Panasonic contest committee selected your work?
Because of my gradual improvement. They didn’t just see “Sawan Rumrai” and decide to award me first prize; they considered my past works too. That’s not the only way, though—it’s possible to win with one really brilliant piece.

Who is your idol?
There are so many, but if I had to choose one person it would be Ajarn Panya Vijinthanasarn. I adore how he makes Thai fine art look modern. I wish I could smoothly mix the essence of Thai tradition in my works and make Thai fine art become contemporary like he does­.

No matter what form of work I create, I am highly concerned about originality. Creating something new always makes me proud.

Literature is about asking questions, not reaching conclusions. Logic is derived from imagination. I think we should let our imagination—not our reasoning—grow.

SEA Write Awards should have 100 nominees or more—10 are not enough. The SEA Write Awards should attract people to books, because reading has never firmly taken root in Thai culture.

Literature can develop in Thai society if we get more readers. We need to get people to that critical point where those who read are the majority and cause a sudden change in society. For example, The Ring: It’s just a normal thriller, but after thousands of people read it, it led to a new genre of modern thriller.

My inspiration comes from both Thai and international history alike. For example, 8 1/2 Richter was inspired by the Ku Gam story, which is very political. Although people think of it as a touching love story, it actually questions Japanese authoritarianism.

If I could pick one book to describe Thai society today, I would choose Dogwalker by Arthur Bradford [translated into Thai by Prabda Yun as Kon
Hua Ma].

Nowadays, humans are more like animals. Everybody only competes for himself or herself and uses nothing but basic instincts.

We lack sexual fantasy literature in Thailand. Lately, literature abides by mainstream morality too much. SEA Write should pick authors with less traditional styles as nominees; just one book per year would be enough.

I hope to reach the masses with my novel, but it will be tough. In today’s world, the masses are more influential than the contents of a book.

If I had to categorize my books, I’d say they are serious literature. Unchallenging stories don’t pay much attention to imagination and creativity.

Serious literature focuses on content. These books try to collide with people’s thoughts, activate the imagination. An essential point of serious literature is creating independent ideas.

It would be great if there were an exchange of ideas between serious and less challenging novels. I’m positive that one day someone will be able to lessen the gap between these two types of books.

People say that serious books are full of metaphors, and that’s true. The reason is that metaphors lead people to their own ideas. But “full of metaphors” is different from “hard to understand”: Serious literature can be easy to understand, too.

Less is more. Being simple is good, but less can be boring if it’s not good enough. In a way, Thaksin’s words are interesting, because they stimulate people’s imagination.

In the past, form followed function, but nowadays I think form must follow imagination.