SEA Write Award-winning poet and national artist Naowarat Pongpaiboon, 74, built his name through his meditative works on the topics of society and politics. He’s also been an active participant in the Yellow Shirt movement, but it’s his strong support of the local art scene which recently landed him a seat in The National Legislative Assembly, handpicked by the National Council for Peace and Order.

Though only 33 years old, Anon Pairot has been praised as one of Thailand’s most talented designers for his organically-shaped furniture and dramatic style. This weekend, he’s curating the Asian Talents section at BIG+BIH, Southeast Asia’s biggest design and products showcase. He tells BK how Thais underrate themselves and the secret to creativity.

As the second round of the annual Bangkok International Book Fair kicks off this week, we visit The Reading Room, a non-profit contemporary art library on Silom Road founded by Narawan “Kyo” Pathomvat, 35, without any public support. Now five years old, the library welcomes weekly events on top of its many regular visitors.

Thai tech startups are hot. Just ask Wicharn Manawanitjarern, 31, co-founder of Taamkru, an app which helps parents prepare their children for elementary school. Winner of The Most Promising App award at Echelon 2014, “Asia’s largest tech event,” Wicharn knows what it takes to get your startup off the ground. And has a few words to say about people who quit too easily.

Chad “Lek” Mahapitchayakul, 67, and Thanasak “Nhae” Julaked, 62 work as foley artists at Kantana Studio. They’re the guys behind the scenes on blockbusters making up custom sound effects, from the rustling of newspapers and banging of doors to the clack-clacking of high heels on a tiled floor. BK discusses what surviving 40 years in the industry has involved—and why a good foley artist needs to have small feet.

Lee Chatametikool, 38, has been editing films alongside director Apichatpong Weerasethakul for years. Now the award-winning editor has directed his own movie, Concrete Clouds (in cinemas now), inspired by the 1997 Tom Yam Kung financial crisis. BK talks to him about learning from past mistakes and why he would like to study economics.

A new generation uninterested in traditional crafts could spell the end of the line for these family-run businesses.

Not everyone can claim to have been taken hostage by terrorists, delivered a baby and worked as both a diplomat and an Elvis impersonator. But Wasu “Jeep” Sangsingkaew, 46, has done all that and much more. As he steps up for a reunion concert with his band, The Palace, this Sunday, he chats to us about his colorful life and why Thailand is in danger of becoming a failed state.