Monruedee Jansuttipan

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Angkarn Chanthatip on winning the S.E.A Write Award for The Fifth Chamber of the Heart

Having just won the Southeast Asian Writers Awards (S.E.A Write Award) for his poetry collection The Fifth Chamber of the Heart, Angkarn Chanthatip, 39, opens up about his rural upbringing, the meaning behind the collection’s title and how understanding those in need makes you stronger.

11 years ago

By Monruedee Jansuttipan | Sep 26, 2013

Having just won the Southeast Asian Writers Awards (S.E.A Write Award) for his poetry collection The Fifth Chamber of the Heart, Angkarn Chanthatip, 39, opens up about his rural upbringing, the meaning behind the collection’s title and how understanding those in need makes you stronger.

By Monruedee Jansuttipan
| Sep 26, 2013

I was born in a farming family in Khon Khaen. Being raised on a farm really shapes your thoughts about how hard it is to make it in this world. My parents would have done anything to get me a proper education.

Living in the countryside is hard. Even without traffic it took me 40 minutes to get from home to school.

I started to read books mostly because of my middle school teacher, Ajarn Prayoonrasaeng. He’s a poet and founded the school’s poetry club, which I joined.

Whenever I write poetry, it’s like I’m entering this world of both adrenaline and serenity. It feels as if I’m in a trance of happiness, to be able to write and share my feelings.

Being a poet in the countryside is really limited. I moved to Bangkok to study at Ramkhamhaeng University which really opened my mind. I was introduced to new books and libraries which became a playground for me. I got to read world literature I never knew about before.

My passion for writing poetry peaked after I met friends who shared the same interests at university. It’s a welcome change being surrounded by people who share your passion.

I’m a sensitive guy who can get pretty emotional. People ask me why I don’t try writing fiction instead of poetry. Well, I did and it just wasn’t right. When you know who you are, you just can’t keep that locked up inside. For me, writing poetry is what I do best, it’s what keeps me going in this world.

Poetry is an art form. It comes in different styles and can be very challenging. You have to balance your emotions within the context of the poem without becoming repetitive. Poetry has to reflect your perspective on the world, while still giving new interpretations on things. Telling a story isn’t hard, but to make the reader stop and think is very difficult.

Good poetry doesn’t just reflect a writer’s emotions, but also educates the reader. It requires intensive research before you start writing, and you have to try your best to experience things firsthand to get your creative juices flowing.

Many people think that poetry is always sophisticated and hard to understand, but that just isn’t true. Poets don’t write about things people can’t relate to; if you look deeper, you’ll realize they’re writing about everyday things. You just have to connect the dots by putting yourself in other people’s shoes.

Literature isn’t appreciated in Thailand. A poet gets paid about B1,000 for one or two pages of published work. Whether it’s poetry, short stories or novels, it all takes time, and when all is said and done, you’re still underpaid.

I’ve had to face up to the fact that my poetry alone won’t make ends meet. Sometimes you have to do other things you’re not as passionate about in order to pursue what you love. I work as a managing editor for Mars magazine, without which I wouldn’t be able to keep writing poetry.

Working in the media industry really complements my passion for poetry. It widens my perspective, as there’s always something new to learn, no matter how insignificant.

The Fifth Chamber of the Heart reflects the views and lives of people in the countryside who lack opportunities. It explores the choice between leaving your roots behind in order to make it in the city or staying true to who you are knowing that this is as good as it’s going to get. It’s about the struggle between the old world and the new world, if you will.

You grow stronger when you acknowledge that many people have it harder than you. Ten months after my father passed away, my mom did too. They were the darkest days of my life, but in the end I didn’t feel like I lost my parents—yes, I can’t touch them anymore but we’re still connected through our hearts.

What got me through was knowing that there were others out there going through much more serious issues than me.

Sadness makes you re-think things. It takes you to places you’ve never been to, feelings you haven’t felt for a long time. It makes you think about who and what is really important, and how sometimes you forget about those people. It makes you do your best to cherish them.

When you find something you really love doing, you don’t feel the pressure—you feel the fun. You know that you will continue to strive harder and move forward, you won’t allow your work to end there.

My goal right now is to be still. I don’t mean to stop writing, but rather to just focus on an idea and what will come next in order to improve my work.

It’s ironic that there are now more writers emerging with new perspectives, but less print media to let them be read. Social media has become the new print media, but I feel nothing beats print. Imagine writing something on your Facebook in comparison to a book; more often than not, you’ll be more meticulous when it’s something you really can touch and feel as opposed to typing something onto a social platform

Being a good writer is all about reading a lot and writing even more. There’s no other way about it. The most important thing is to ask yourself who you’re writing for and whether what you’re writing is truly something you’re passionate about.

New Places

Thai Actress Aom Suchar on Finding International Fame Through Lesbian Movie 'Yes or No' and the Disastrous Snickers Viral Ad Campaign

She’s only 25 but Aom Suchar, or Sucharat Manaying, has already found fame throughout Asia for her role in the hit lesbian movie Yes or No. Recently, she came under fire for pretending to go crazy as part of Snickers’ viral ad campaign. But now she’s back to talk about her new projects, the dharma movie Namaste Ja-e Bye Bye, in cinemas this week, and a Thai remake of the hit Korean series Full House.

11 years ago

By Monruedee Jansuttipan | Sep 19, 2013

She’s only 25 but Aom Suchar, or Sucharat Manaying, has already found fame throughout Asia for her role in the hit lesbian movie Yes or No. Recently, she came under fire for pretending to go crazy as part of Snickers’ viral ad campaign. But now she’s back to talk about her new projects, the dharma movie Namaste Ja-e Bye Bye, in cinemas this week, and a Thai remake of the hit Korean series Full House.

By Monruedee Jansuttipan
| Sep 19, 2013

There are many ways to make merit. I feel that I can make merit through my profession. I was part of Sathien Dhammasathan’s movie project from the start and now Namaste Ja-e Bye Bye is the third movie they’ve released.

Being part of these projects really opened my mind. I grew up in a loving and caring family, so I was quite sheltered. But the first film, called Kaya (Junk) hit me really hard. It was based on the true story of a girl who was addicted to drugs and resorted to selling flowers on the roadside. One day, she got caught by the police who made her friend rape her in exchange for not sending her to prison.

I was shocked that such a terrible thing could happen. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to play her character. It’s so far removed from my situation.

Meditation helps me get into character. When I attended acting classes we had to sit in meditation and link ourselves to our bodies. As actors, we must understand our bodies.

Becoming an actress was down to luck. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I really enjoyed studying acting in Bangkok. A casting scout spotted me and asked me to get into modeling. It was a surprise because when I was in Nakhon Ratchasima, my hometown, I was just an everyday girl with no ties to the media industry.

My friends suggested I study theater because they thought I had potential. I wasn’t so sure. I knew little about theater but I finally got into Srinakharinwirot University. Now I really like it.

Acting allows me to become someone else. It’s a way of letting yourself go. It’s interesting to explore other characters and make people believe in that character.

The entertainment industry is just one part of me, not my whole life. Being in the spotlight, I feel that I have to do my work properly so that people will remember me favorably.

I learn by observing people. Everyone around me act as my teachers because in my profession, observing my environment and those around me is very important. It makes me understand people more.

I don’t judge people by their actions. There can always be some reason behind their action that we may not know. No one is 100 percent good or bad.

Visiting India made me realize how lucky we are as Thais. I went to places of great historical significance, where Buddha use to visit such as Varanasi, Buddha Gaya and the crossing to Nepal, and saw people faced with tremendous difficulties. This made me think that we, all Thais, are living in heaven.

It’s sad to see people over there don’t care about Buddhism like we do. It’s only Thai people who go there and pay their respects. I’m not normally very religious but when I had a chance to pray at the place where Lord Buddha died, I cried a lot. I didn’t know where it came from.

Making a movie abroad wasn’t easy. The tight schedule and bad weather can make you feel exhausted.

I love to be alone when I don’t have to work. My life involves too much planning, so I don’t like to schedule anything on my free days.

I felt so bad from all the criticism I got about the Snickers’ ad. People cursed me like I had killed somebody. I even cried while I ate my breakfast. I admit that it was my fault for taking the job without thinking it through, but some comments went too far.

I can’t be naïve anymore. The viral clip taught me to be more selective and careful with my work. It’s not like lakorn where audiences know it’s not real.

Remaking a Korean series comes with so much pressure. Series like Full House and Autumn In My Heart were really huge hits. It’s inevitable that fans would compare it to the original.

I don’t like putting my faith in too many people. But I do have total faith in my parents—they are my real inspiration.

I dream of becoming a director. Working with Nine (Saraswadee Wonsompetch, director of Namaste Ja-e Bye Bye and Yes or No) has really given me an insight into a director’s job. He pays such close attention to detail to really capture the essence of a story. The audience appreciates this.

Meeting with fans from other countries makes me feel so patriotic. I’m so proud that, though I’m just a small actress in the Thai entertainment industry, I can help people love my country more. There were 300-400 fans waiting to meet me at the airport in China. It was overwhelming.

Try to find the good in bad things. My dad has always taught me this. It helps you get through tough times more easily.

New Places

The Shoyu Stand

Restaurant

Kiri Tsukemen

Restaurant

Tsu Na Gu

Restaurant

Nok Air, Thai Airways and AirAsia Announce New Domestic Routes

11 years ago

By Monruedee Jansuttipan | Sep 16, 2013

TAK Life Cycle

11 years ago

By Monruedee Jansuttipan | Sep 16, 2013

27 Ways to Die in Bangkok

With metro police promising one million CCTV cameras and Sukhumbhand saying Bangkok will be drugs-free in 18 months, Bangkok’s safety remains top of the agenda. In 2012, a total number of 31,545 people died in the capital. From road accidents to student shootouts, here are the most likely reasons you won’t live to see tomorrow.

11 years ago

city living

By Monruedee Jansuttipan | Sep 12, 2013

With metro police promising one million CCTV cameras and Sukhumbhand saying Bangkok will be drugs-free in 18 months, Bangkok’s safety remains top of the agenda. In 2012, a total number of 31,545 people died in the capital. From road accidents to student shootouts, here are the most likely reasons you won’t live to see tomorrow.

By Monruedee Jansuttipan
| Sep 12, 2013

Key: Number of Deaths in Bangkok per Year

☠< 50 ☠☠51 - 250 ☠☠☠251 - 500 ☠☠☠☠500 - 1,500 ☠☠☠☠☠> 1,500

1. Road Accidents ☠☠☠

The most recent Bangkok Metropolitan statistics show that in 2012 some 32,393 road accidents occurred in Bangkok, injuring 13,760 people and claiming 356 lives. While more details aren’t readily available for last year, the Thai Roads Foundation does have stats from the 35,703 injuries sustained in 2011: most involved private cars (12,390) followed by motorcycles (9,954), the majority of whom weren’t wearing helmets.

2. Public Transportation ☠☠

The Bureau of Health Policy and Strategy says that 2011 saw a total 185 deaths from public transport accidents in Bangkok. It’s not exactly clear what types of transportation this covers, but regular reports of fatal accidents involving vans surely account for much of this.

3. Cancer ☠☠☠☠☠

Cancer is a huge threat, reported to have killed a total of 58,076 Thais in 2010. In Bangkok alone, some 8,234 deaths by cancer were reported in 2011—perhaps no real surprise given the daily lifestyle of your average Bangkokian visiting a sidewalk Somtam stall for some MSG-laden grilled chicken, a few bottles of beer, a pack or two of cigarettes, all next to a car-congested street.

4. Floods ☠☠

A glance at the history books suggests big floods tend to hit Bangkok every 20-25 years. But now they appear to be happening more frequently—about once every five years—and causing more damage than in the past. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reports that at least 815 people died during the floods in 2011, mostly due to drowning and electrocution. Perhaps most worryingly, the BMA’s handbook on how to cope with natural disasters (including floods) won’t be completed and ready for distribution until next March (2014) meaning we’ll be left to our own devices should it flood again before then.

5. Rabies ☠

In Thailand, some 97 percent of rabies cases in humans are caused by dogs, and with all the strays roaming the streets here, the risk could be around every corner. But, thankfully, there’s a super low chance you’ll die due to our furry friends. In recent years, the Bureau of Health Policy and Strategy of Thailand reports that only four people have died from rabid dog bites and only one case happened in Bangkok.

“Rabies is fatal, but, thanks to the vaccines available, very preventable.”

Dr. Nipon Chinanonwait

6. HIV ☠☠☠

According to the 2011 Bureau of Health Policy and Strategy of Thailand report, 313 Bangkokians died from the 3,758 HIV/AIDS related-deaths nationwide. And yet, UNAIDS’ report of the same year said there were actually 23,000 deaths and 490,000 HIV-positive people living in Thailand. Whichever source you go by, the risk of contracting HIV is highest among drug users, sex workers and men who have sex with men—with cases among MSM climbing from 11 to 30 percent in less than 10 years.

7. Dengue Fever ☠

2013 has been a mean year for dengue fever. The virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an Aedes mosquito and people are most at risk of infection after coming in contact with stagnant water after heavy rains. Nationwide, the Disease Control Department has recorded over 109,468 cases of dengue so far this year, triple the number from the same period last year, with 94 deaths reported. We’re not entirely safe here in Bangkok, either, with over 9,500 infections and two deaths so far this year.

“Dengue is a major concern every rainy season, but the chances of infection can be greatly lowered if people take care to eliminate mosquito breeding sources, namely stagnant water, around the home.”

Dr. Nipon Chinanonwait

8. Pneumonia ☠☠☠☠☠

What with all the smoking and breathing in that polluted air, 2,325 people in Bangkok reportedly died from pneumonia and other lung diseases in 2011. According to the Department of Pollution Control’s director of air quality and noise management, Jongjit Naranathmaeteekul, the level of Particulate Matter 10 (small dust particles) in the air in Bangkok this year continues to exceed the safety standard levels at a staggering 43 percent higher than the number collected last year.

9. Leptospirosis ☠

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the spirochete bacterium often found in rats’ urine. The risk of infection is greater during floods when people are more likely to come into contact with water from the sewers where Bangkok’s rats live. Though curable by injection, fatalities often occur because people mistake it for a normal fever, and leave it too late before going to the hospital. Permanent Secretary for Public Health Doctor Narong Sahamethapath told us that as of August, this year over 1,459 people in Thailand were infected with leptospirosis, 13 of whom died.

10. Robbery ☠☠☠

The latest stats that the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) collected from 88 police stations across Bangkok record some 52,884 criminal cases in the last six months. Though over 80 percent of these are related to drugs, prostitution and gambling, cases of robbery are also on the rise. During this time, there were 5,229 cases of robbery—29 cases per day—with some 299 cases proving fatal. Of these deaths, 194 cases involved robbers attacking proprietors and 96 were homicides. Pol.Maj.Gen. Manit Wongsomboon, the deputy commissioner of the MPB, warned that cases of smartphone theft on the street are also on the rise. Still want to play Candy Crush while walking home?

11. Heart Disease ☠☠☠☠☠

The Bangkok party lifestyle of drinking and smoking has taken its toll regarding heart-related diseases, with some 1,956 people reported dead of ischaemic heart diseases in 2011.

“As in many big cities, life in Bangkok seems to produce stress as reflected by an increasing number of people who need psychological care. Stress also leads to other diseases like heart problems and high blood pressure.”

Dr. Nipon Chinanonwait

12. Earthquake ☠

OK, OK, there may be no big fault line in Thailand, but that doesn’t mean Bangkokians aren’t at risk of an earthquake disaster. There exist small faults lines in the Western part of the country, namely Ranong, Kanchanaburi, Tak, Maehongson, Chiangmai and Lampang. They are all active. As recently as Aug 20, a 1.9-magnitude earthquake was registered in Lampang. Just because it could barely be felt in Bangkok doesn’t mean it doesn’t pose a threat. Meanwhile, Sagaing Fault, the major fault line in Myanmar, lies just 500 kilometers from Bangkok. Six earthquakes registering more than 7.0 magnitudes have occurred there since 1950. The latest high-magnitude earthquake was on Nov 11, 2012. At 6.8 on the Richter scale, high-rises in Bangkok also felt it. Speaking to BK, Dr. Seri Supparathit, Director of the Climate Change and Disaster Center, advises that you should check whether your building was built before or after 2007. If it’s before, it might not match the new construction regulations regarding earthquake resistance design.

13. Liver Diseases ☠☠☠☠

It’s time for Bangkok’s drinkers to face the inconvenient truth, as alcohol consumption is cited as one of the key factors in the liver diseases that claimed 745 lives in the capital in 2011.

14. Lung Cancer ☠☠☠☠☠

According to the World Health Organization, in 2011 lung cancer accounted for 2.15 percent of total deaths in Thailand (11,158). By not smoking, the risk is reduced but good health is still not guaranteed, as research by the Director of NIDA Center for Research & Development of Disaster Prevention & Management, Assist. Prof. Dr. Siwatt Pongpiachan, reveals that the carcinogen level from seven air monitor stations in Bangkok is 2.2 times over the safe levels.

15. Fatal Plunges ☠☠

Don’t get too excited about the panoramic view from Bangkok’s swankiest new rooftop bar or get too intoxicated at your friend’s next balcony party—there’s a chance you could end up like the 74 people who experienced a fatal fall in 2011.

16. Tongsia ☠☠

In 2011, the Health Information Unit, Bureau of Health Policy and Strategy, recorded 58 deaths due to “diarrhea of infectious origin” in our fair city. That sounds pretty low given some of our own near-death experiences with street food and upscale restaurants alike—not that we plan on giving up living dangerously. When it comes to excuses to miss work, surely tongsia is #1, though.

17. Student Shootouts ☠

Stabbings and shootings among technical college students seem to make it onto the front page of newspapers several times a year now. You might think you’re safe if you’re not a student, but last year two bus passengers took a bullet during a shootout between two sparring college students. It could simply be a matter of wrong place at the wrong time.

18. Electrocution ☠☠

During the 2011 floods, Director of Department of Disease Control Pornthep Siriwanarangsan said at least 102 people died from electrocution, adding that no other country in the world would have suffered such a loss. Most of the victims were in Bangkok, in suburbs like Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani. 70 percent of them died on their properties. A look at the stats for 2007-2011 shows that the number of electrocutions have risen steadily. In 2011, some 1,173 people were electrocuted and 120 of them died. The victims ranged from one to 90 years old, with most victims under 25 years of age.

19. Tuberculosis (TB) ☠☠☠☠

This infectious disease caused by microbacteria killed musical genius Federick Chopin and author Franz Kafka. In Bangkok in 2011, it caused the death of 442 people from a total of 3,801 reported infections. While the high number of TB deaths is highly linked with HIV infections, its contagiousness is a cause for concern, even on a night out; in 2012, 186 suspected instances of TB bacteria were found at nightlife venues across Bangkok. See a doctor if your cough lasts over two weeks and you start to lose weight.

20. Drowning ☠☠

If you’re an incompetent swimmer boarding one of Bangkok’s transport ferries, we sincerely hope you manage to get on one with the life vests properly installed (if such a thing exists) because you might end up like some of the 187 souls lost to accidental drowning and submersion in Bangkok in 2011.

21. Killed by Your Spouse ☠

You might want to take your time just dating someone, as Bangkok ranks top for husband-wife homicide in Thailand, according to Jaree Srisawas from the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation. Jaree’s research into domestic violence shows 64.97 percent of reported cases involve husbands and wives, while just 15.74 occur between dating lovers. The most reported scenario is of a wife getting killed by her husband.

22. Diabetes ☠☠☠

In 2011, 493 people in Bangkok were reported to have died from diabetes. Though the mortality rate is relatively low, don’t get too carried away with your next order of cake—diabetes is a major risk factor for many diseases, especially heart disease.

23. Distress ☠☠

Statistics show that some 136 people committed suicide in Bangkok in 2011, 33 were female and 103 of them men. The main reasons given are distress and mental problems. Tragically, recent stats show that more Thai teenagers are taking their own lives, too. In 2011, suicide was the third most common cause of death for Thai teens (15-19 years old), attributed mostly to problems arising from school and relationships.

24. Stroke ☠☠☠☠☠

The Bureau of Health Policy and Strategy’s Health Information Unit reports that in 2011, stroke was the cause of death for 2,067 Bangkokians, mostly men. And Health Ministry specialists say Bangkokians are more at risk of suffering a stroke than residents in any other province in the country. This is due to an unhealthy city lifestyle leading to such ailments as high blood pleasure, obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia (high blood fat).

25. Hepatitis B ☠☠

Hepatitis B is an infectious inflammatory illness of the liver that can be fatal. According to Associate Professor Dr Theera Piratwisuth, 3-5 percent of Thai people, about one in every 20, suffer from hepatitis B, which is one of the highest rates of infection in the world. Many people remain unaware that it can be prevented by a vaccine, and victims often don’t know they have it as it shows no significant symptoms before it enters the latter stages. In Bangkok, a total of 532 hepatitis cases were reported in 2011, resulting in 231 deaths.

26. Fire ☠

A total 4,036 fire incidents were recorded in Bangkok last year with 29 people reported dead from exposure to smoke, fire and flames. The next time you buy a house; consider one with a fire station nearby because with Bangkok’s traffic it might take firefighters some time to come to your rescue.

27. Rape ☠

The Metropolitan Police Bureau reports that over the past six months there were 1,757 cases of sexual attacks Bangkok-wide and 137 of these cases were rapes. There is no official data on how many of the victims died from their assaults.