I was drawn to music by friends who loved listening to rock bands like Deep Purple, Queen and Black Sabbath. My parents objected to me being a musician but that didn’t bother me. I played around Pattaya before I met friends and formed The Olarn Project.
Being unsuccessful can lead you astray. After The Olarn Project broke up, I faded away, got a white collar job and had a relationship with a rich girl.
Walk away when things aren’t right. I could have led a wealthy life with her as we ran a business together but it wasn’t right for me.
It was like a curse. I was still passionate about songwriting and wanted to play music, but I couldn’t do it when I was with her.
I even cried when I left her. I didn’t know whether it was the right decision or not, but I couldn’t go on living like that. Then I formed Hin Lek Fai and we became very famous in the 90s.
The digital age changed everything for artists. Now, there are pirates everywhere. We used to invest B4-5 million per album. But now we can’t do that, as we can’t make money from selling records. We now rely on concerts for revenue. We’re playing 15 shows a month. Thankfully, the strict booze laws in Thailand mean many alcohol brands turn to musicians to promote their products.
Rock will never die. This phrase is so true. We’ve played for more than 30 years but we’re still gaining new fans who love rock. It’s so great to see our old fans bring their kids to our concerts.
This reunion has me reliving the old feeling of rocking out 20 years ago. Our vigor may be reduced as we get older but our intentions remain the same.
I love small gigs. Big concerts let you take in the enormity of the venue and the power of the audience, but small concerts are more intimate. You can see your fans singing along to your songs. You can even see tears in their eyes. It’s amazing to see these true feelings up close.
Music is so powerful. I’m so proud that my songs can help people. I once got mail from a fan who said her friend tried to commit suicide. When her friend came to, she played my song “Ya Yud Yang” (“Don’t Give Up”). Her friend promised to forget the troubles of the past and move on. That’s so cool.
My music can save people’s lives. That’s a better feeling than selling millions of records.
I always feel a bond with my songs. Each one comes from my true emotions.
Songwriting soothes my soul. I hope to encourage my fans when they are feeling weary.
Be honest with your audience. I never plan for my songs to be big hits. I just want to share good feelings with my fans.
You can’t live like a rock star forever. It’s good to be a famous rocker but at one point you need someone to be with.
Having children is the best thing that’s happened to me. I never dreamed that having a family would be so great. It’s something you have to experience for yourself.
I now love the internet. I used to spend tens of thousands of baht to call my parents whenever I went on tour. Now I can just do Facetime.
I dream of having a movie based on this novel I’m writing. I’m in such a frenzy about writing it. It’s called “Sanya Peesaj” (Devil’s Vow) and it’s for Banterngkadee Magazine. Manoch Puttal (the magazine’s editor, a DJ and a musician) promises me he will put it out if I finish it.
Many people sell their souls to the devil. They are willing to trade anything to get what they want, especially politicians.
You can’t always get what you want, but the bad never lasts forever, either. So don’t take things too seriously. No matter how bad it is, other people have gone through the same shit.
Death is the coolest thing about being human. No matter whether you’re good or bad, greedy or giving, you must die someday.
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Society instructed me to be unconcerned about inequality. I grew up in the upper-class and never associated with poor people. I never walked on the street. I never took a bus because my parents had a driver to take me around.
Don’t even talk about democracy. We were under a dictatorship fully run by the junta. We had a vote but it meant nothing.
Thailand was extremely class-oriented. Even universities were divided by class such as Thammasat for rich kids and Ramkhamhaeng for poor kids.
I grew up eating rice but didn’t meet a farmer until I studied at Thammasat. They came to Bangkok calling for justice, as many farmer activists were killed when they tried to speak up for their rights back then.
The Thammasat University massacre of 1976 incited me to work in the humanitarian field. I was doubtful about the objective of the student movement in 1973 as there were a lot of negative portrayals of these students and even I was swayed by the accusations. But when I saw the killings, I just knew I couldn’t let such injustices occur.
Social disparity drives me to fight for laborers and women. I worked at a journal and an activist group for laborers, so I saw the injustices committed by rich people who owned businesses. As I am a lesbian, I notice the way society treats people differently because of their gender. It’s not only transgender people but women, too.
Thai society is very harsh on women. People have this perception that if you’re single and have a good career, you will never find a happy home and a husband.
Thai society is more accepting of LGBT these days but still treats them differently from heterosexuals. Just look at parents. They still don’t want their children to be LGBT. It’s pathetic—we should respect people’s choices in life.
My parents were fine with my sexual status but my girlfriend’s parents weren’t. They tore us apart. I wanted to escape this pressure so I decided to study my Master’s in the Netherlands.
Tasting freedom in the Netherlands blew my mind. It inspired me to form Anjaree in 1987. Up until then my friends and I used to conceal our identity from the public as society didn’t understand us. They thought homosexuals were freaks they could make fun of and be rude to.
Accept your identity. The hardest part about pushing for LGBT rights in Thailand is our LGBTs are afraid to accept their sexual identity. Many can’t distinguish their desires from their parents’ desires and it’s hard for them to accept themselves.
Cultures change. Society always judges people by referring to traditional culture. But the world is changing every day, meaning culture is dynamic. The LGBT lifestyle may not be consistent with former social customs, but it’s not a mental disorder. It’s not against nature.
Most Thai LGBTs aren’t aware of how the law affects their lives. It’s only when something drastic happens in their life or to their partner that they realize. In many cases when a partner passes away, the other is left with nothing. Everything is taken away—including children.
New laws should reflect present and future situations. But it seems our law makers are still only concerned with past approaches to human identity that are divided between men and women.
Laws are a product of society. As society changes, so too do the people, which means the rules of the game should change, too.
Everyone should be treated as a human no matter their sexual identity. We’re all part of the diverse family that is society.
Gender should be neutral in regards to the law. Our same-sex marriage bill should fix the problem at its root, which is the civil codes that still specify marriage as being between only a man and woman.
Many people hope that this marriage law that we are drafting will finally help them gain more acceptance from their families and society because it will recognize they’re a couple by law.
The young generation is much more open-minded. But, still, the youths in the city are much freer to follow different ways of thinking than their counterparts in rural areas, where the older generations still exert more control.
Eliminating discrimination is one of my biggest goals. There shouldn’t be discrimination of any form. Our fight isn’t only about lesbians, but all forms of sexual discrimination.
I cannot lead a happy life if there is injustice around me, if society is not fair to all people.
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Every artist dreams of having a big concert at least once in their life. But it can be a double-edged sword: do your fans really love you enough for your concert to sell out?
Dreams come true step by step. I can’t remember when all my nervous energy turned into confidence. Now it’s like my duty to make people happy.
My dad is a real god to me. He’s created miracles for himself and for us many times. He was the one who got us to play music and to enter the national band competition in 2001 with a strong belief that we would win—and we did! That led us to sign with GMM and we released our first album, So Cool, in 2004.
When I was at my lowest point, dad said to my mom that no doubt I would one day be famous. How did he know that?
Artists have an expiry date. As I earned lots of money, I spent it like a rich person, buying expensive guitars and giving hand-outs to the jackals around me. But artists can’t always rely on a big payday.
So Cool were an ill-fated band. We tasted some fame but weren’t there yet. We decided to go in for a big operation, but we ended up like a coma patient. From doing straight-up pop, we tried to parody old-fashioned rock bands, but people didn’t get the message. We were left out in the cold.
I wanted to turn back time. I called my mom and cried to her on the phone that I wouldn’t accept being a loser who used to be famous and just sits at home. I wanted to delete my past and start again as an ordinary musician who plays at bars.
Dharma turned me around. A friend of mine suggested I read a dharma book. I practiced it like I was a monk. It rid me of all suffering.
Reading dharma books without truly understanding them can drive you nuts. I was like a dharma geek who couldn’t communicate with people. I saw others as sinners and would preach to them about doing good things. I finally got back on track, thanks to my desire for work.
Social media helped me get back in the game. Some people online finally got the idea behind So Cool and helped spread the message to a wider audience. They also gave me the nickname Bra Jao Joke (Joke the God).
Being a playboy is agonizing. I dumped my ex-girlfriend just because I felt I could do better than her. I ended up stuck in the same loop of dating and breaking up for four years. I was afraid it would never end.
Never date someone out of sympathy. It’s bad for both sides. Don’t tell someone you love them if it’s not from your heart.
My marriage is all wrong, except for the love. My wife married a man who gave her his undivided attention. We wed when my music career was at a low point and we planned to do a business together. But when So Cool bounced back and I received lots of job offers, I didn’t have time for her or my babies.
I was a coward. I was too courteous to everyone, except to my wife. We would have big fights and I would put my ego first by saying she was destroying my dream and I had to find money to feed our family.
I nearly quit music after my wife had a breakdown. When I came home one day, she sat before me with unresponsive, blank eyes. She was in hell because of me.
Everyone is important. It’s easy to take sides—but I can’t. My band has fought hard to be where we are while my family is my life. I’ve promised myself that I will die holding onto both things.
Finding a balance is the most important thing. I’ve finally done it. As a married man, I’ve decreased my hectic schedule and all’s going well now.
It’s not easy. If I’m not appeasing both, my wife will hate my job and my friends will hate my wife.
Taxis and office maids are like my pastors to whom I confess all my problems. When I get in a cab, I start telling them my story. It’s a type of relief.
Having children unleashes a parent’s real character. I understand why people get divorced because they don’t love each other enough. You must be so strong to get through it.
I’m so blessed by my fans. It’s incredible to have people love you without knowing you personally. They love me, my wife, my children—they even bring stuff for my kids at school. How wonderful is that?
Artists must find a backup plan. I always tell my bandmates to find other sources of income, then we will be able to keep performing full of happiness like Carabao.
Those who you love and love you are the most precious things in your life.
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Being a pioneer is hard. Explaining our type design business to people is hard but making them understand that it has value is harder.
Adaptation can save your business. My friend and I founded Cadson Demak to be a graphic company but it didn’t take off. We tried product design but it wasn’t our expertise so we lost money. We finally switched back to our greatest strength, which was graphic design.
Thai people are always passive in term of using technology. We are addicted to technology but never question it or try to improve it to match our nature. We found Thai typo issues in international software and phone technology. That’s why we started doing custom-made fonts: so we could speak our voice.
You must speak up to make people accept your identity. Thai fonts were ignored because our language isn’t widely used at an international level. Heck, we’re the only ones who use it. But if we never speak up, who will know what we want?
Types can speak. The font design can make your product or company unique and convey the whole feeling of your message out loud. Using the same font is like using the same MC.
Being distinctive makes you go further than others. Find your identity and people will recognize you.
Learning from your experiences helps you see the whole problem clearer. Self-learning and overcoming past mistakes make you an expert in this industry.
Trial and error is good. If you never try anything different, you never discover new knowledge that will help you continue to learn.
Space can design people. I decorate my office minimally because I want my designers to be neat and clean like our finished work. A minimal space creates an environment where people need to adapt their behavior to match it.
If you want people to be a certain way, feed them that. I don’t think designers can create fine, clean projects if their workspace is a mess.
Fonts are things beyond words. They are in every part of our lives. You’re unaware that they are always there to serve you.
Humans love challenges. It’s our nature. That’s why people are always attracted to strange objects or unusual advertising. Type design is about playing with their literacy, creating new fonts that they have to learn to read.
Design is part of our life. Your clothes, table or chairs have been all designed. Whether it’s a good or bad look, it’s important that it fits you. Though you’re not a fashion designer you have to choose your shirt and shoes to match your jeans. It’s all about the decisions you make.
Good designers make things memorable and impactful. Having a bunch of great designs is better than having thousands of useless designs that people don’t recognize. And if your work can be revised and stay fresh, that is fucking cool. It’s the biggest success for a designer.
The type design industry will do well when the AEC arrives. I think there will be more regional companies coming to do business here and they need custom Thai fonts to best communicate their image to Thai people.
Pushing beyond boundaries is fascinating. For me, type design does this. Readers are challenged to improve their skills to read new types of fonts every day. They don’t notice it because this change happens slowly at a snail’s pace.
Thais love to depend on luck. I hate the one-man one-shot system where we all wait to have great people emerge like Tong Sitchoi (legendary Thai snooker player) or Paradon (famous Thai tennis player) who make their own success. It’s really annoying to see people swarm to Olympic medal-winners when they never give a shit about creating better conditions to produce more great athletes. This is so wrong.
Pave the way for the young generation to grow. It means nothing if you are successful while others still struggle. I’m trying to create a solid platform for type designers in Thailand to be able to grow and stay in this industry for the long term.
Setting goals is important. It doesn’t matter whether your goal is short or long term but setting it will help you see a clear picture of the process to get you there.
Nothing is tough if you understand the reality. I’ve been through every kind of rejection in my career. But I never gave up because I saw it as part of the work process.
Some problems don’t need to be fixed; they just need time to be proved. Just stay strong against all the critics. I still see my work as an on-going battle to make people understand and value what we do.
Living with low requirements is a kind of luxury for me. It’s better to find happiness around you instead of struggling to have something that doesn’t match your reality. It will just make you unhappy.
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How did you first form?
Om-Yim: I was inspired by Room 39 [famous Thai cover band on YouTube who are now a mainstream recording act]. I love their style. I watched them over and over and decided I wanted to do this sort of thing, too. So, I started looking for someone to sing for me. One night, about two years ago, I noticed that Peach had posted a clip of her singing to Facebook so I asked her to join me. I planned to play piano but we only had one camcorder and it turned out the sound quality was pretty bad. So, I switched to playing guitar which matched her voice better, anyway.
What makes you different from other cover bands on YouTube?
Om-yim: We try to entertain audiences as much as we can. We don’t want to be musicians who play it cool all the time. Our clips tend to show a relaxing atmosphere, like they’re actually an informal jam session.
Peach: Our clips are fresh and real. We don’t try to act like we are serious musicians. I think this makes our audience happy, this sense of intimacy.
Do you receive many negative comments?
Om-yim: Yes, but it’s simple—you can’t please everyone. But even criticism can be good. If we didn’t receive it, we might get carried away with ourselves. It helps us remember that we haven’t made it yet. We have to improve. It keeps us grounded.
Do you think YouTube now acts as a shortcut for new artists?
Om-yim: It is. But it doesn’t always work. We encountered obstacles. We talked to a record label, but it turned out that they weren’t being honest with us and they broke the deal we had made. It was so bad. We were so disappointed and thought that we may have to give up our dream of being musicians. But we still had our fans. It helped us look back at the reason we started doing this. It gave us the strength to continue to chase our dream. And here we are.
How does it feel to maybe have your own songs covered now?
Om-yim: We’re happy, for sure. I felt a lot of pressure at first. Would people like our songs? Or would they only like our covers of other people? But it’s good. We really have our own voice now.
What’s your biggest dream?
Pete: I love to sing. But I do have another dream. I want to open a hotel because I love to travel and I love languages. It would be great if I could be a singer and start up a business that I like.
Om-yim: I want to have a two-story house so I can open a restaurant and have a home studio.
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“While we’re waiting for the whole rapid train system around town to be completed, the BMA is focusing on sub-transportation options to support the main train systems. The current plan that we’re studying is monorail lines around Bangkok. The first of these monorail projects to be completed will be the Grey Line which will run from Watcharapol in the north to Rama IX Bridge in the south. There are also a further three monorail systems being planned: Phayathai – Rama4 (loop), Thonglor – Ratchamangala Stadium and Dindeang—Pissanulok Road. It’s all currently at the research and review stage.”
Pros: The proposed monorail routes do seem to offer an ideal solution to one of the city’s biggest problems: the lack of connections between different transport networks. The cost of installing a monorail is comparable to light rail options and due to its elevated nature it is potentially a faster and less intrusive option. The Grey Line goes from Rama IX Bridge to Watcharapol, via Thonglor, which should help ease traffic in this perpetually busy part of town.
Cons: Despite the potential speed of construction building these lines will have a negative impact on traffic in the short-term, especially considering the time it has taken for other similar projects to be completed—remember how long it took to open the On Nut to Bearing line. We also question the wisdom of investing such resources into a transport option that has been shown to fail in other cities. Sydney is perhaps the most high-profile example with their (admittedly limited) monorail system being forced to close down this June after 25 years due to a lack of users and high maintenance costs.
“We will look to restore transport routes on four main Bangkok klongs (canals). We’ve already extended the route at Klong Sansaeb and are now selecting the type of boats to be used along Klong Paseecharoen between BTS Bang Wa and Petchakasem Soi 69. We are also studying the possibility of installing commuter routes along Klong Bangkoknoi and Klong Daokanong.”
Pros: Making use of the existing klongs would seem to make perfect sense as it requires little or no set-up costs, short of building the piers and buying the ferries. The current ferry services are also cheap and fast compared to other options. Being super-positive, it could also be a way to breathe new life into communities along the klongs, which are often some of the poorest in the city. Perhaps most importantly, it could be the impetus needed for a concerted effort to clean up the klongs.
Cons: While the idea of traveling to work along the canal is pretty idyllic, the current reality on the existing routes can be a slightly hair-raising experience. The threat of being trampled on by fellow commuters, splashed with toxic canal water or accidentially going for a swim are all very real dangers making it a less-than-appealing solution for many.
“The BTS is actually running at about 70% of its maximum capacity at present. During rush hour, it can get crowded as there are 50,000 passengers per hour per line but the system can only serve 20,000 passengers. To meet that kind of demand we would have to install trains with six carriages that come every two minutes, which isn’t really economically viable. Even so, we have ordered five new trains, each with four passenger carriages, and plan to install these onto the Silom Line at the end of this year. We’re also planning to buy seven more trains in 2019 to serve the growing number of passengers on the BTS system as a whole.”
Pros: More carriages clearly mean the BTS can increase its ability to carry more passengers. And more trains should mean they run more frequently during the busiest periods.
Cons: The BTS is continuing to expand outwards, contributing to urban sprawl, while big gaps remain in the network in the center of town. BTS stations are already ill-equipped to handle increased passengers, with no obvious room for expansion. Just think of what an even more crowded Siam Station at rush hour would be like. It makes us shudder.
“Our priority right now is to complete the construction of the Bangkok Mass Transit (BMT) Master Plan as quickly as possible (10 lines are due for completion by 2019). While we wait we are doing everything possible to maintain the speed of cars on Bangkok roads to at least 16km per hour at rush hour. To help, we are planning to re-route all the bus lines in Bangkok to better serve the BMT system—they are a total mess right now. As part of this plan, we are ordering 3,000 new buses, which will be delivered in the next two years. We see bus lanes as more effective than bicycle lanes as they can transport more people at one time while a bike can take only 1-2.”
Pros: The current bus system carries one million people a day making it by far the most popular form of transport for commuters in Bangkok, outside of private cars. Improving the routes so they offer better connectivity and introducing new buses that are actually comfortable and safe could attract more people to take the bus. That’s a good thing, too, as they are one of the most economic, efficient and environmentally-friendly public transport solutions.
Cons: One of the biggest issues with the way the buses currently operate is that they still have to share congested roads with the millions of private cars and motorcycles, so they don’t present a quicker or more practical solution. The implementation of bus lanes has been proved to be effective around the world as it means buses can travel at faster than average speeds than other vehicles. Trouble is other road users need to respect the rules and not use those lanes as well, an issue that has afflicted the much-criticised BRT system. Still there are plans to spend an additional B1billion on traffic cameras, which may help keep drivers in line.
“Building new tunnels and bridges can definitely help solve the traffic crisis. After all, dealing with the problem at one spot can help reduce bottlenecks elsewhere. It affects the whole system. New roads that are built to act as short-cuts can also reduce pollution and save a lot of energy, too, as people aren’t stuck burning gas on the road. The problem is many such projects are stopped due to opposition from local communities.”
Pros: Reducing the number of bottlenecks across the river is obviously a good thing. Also increasing the number of access points to the Thonburi side of the river makes it a more appealing place to live and do business, and can help spur development.
Cons: Most of the experts we talked to already admitted that there was not enough land to build roads. Bridges need a lot of space and would force many residents to relocate to accommodate the construction, destroying communities, reducing the already scarce green space in the city and increasing pollution levels in those areas. It also doesn’t discourage people from getting in their cars, so doesn’t really fix the over riding problem of too many vehicles on the roads.
“Last Mile is the concept that we are currently developing to help get people to their final destination after being dropped off from the main transport network such as the BTS or bus. This is the idea behind the Pun Pun rental bicycle stations. We have already implemented nine stations and are hoping that a total of 50 such stations will be available in the inner city area this year. That means a total of 500 bicycles available for commuters to use.”
Pros: Bicycles are clearly the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly solution to get from A to B. Making more bikes available is definitely a good thing as it not only persuades more people to get back in the saddle but also hopefully means other road users get more bicycle savvy.
Cons: A good idea in practice, the reality of the Pun Pun system is less attractive. For starters, most of the current stations are in central downtown, locations that are already pretty easy to get to by existing public transport. While bikes are a great way to get from the main transport hubs deeper into the sois, the lack of sub stations in these sois mean you might end up paying for a bicycle to sit doing nothing outside your final destination. Also, while cheap, the B320 initial fee for membership might just put off many people from giving the service a try.
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My family oppose me being a politician because they see it as too dangerous. They try to stay away and not get involved. I wish I had more time for them.
Life is more than money. Money used to be a medium of love for me. I always gave money to my parents as an act of love. We loved each other but we didn’t really express our feelings.
I was so sad when my dad passed away. That’s why I quit acting ten years ago, entered the monkhood and changed my name.
My first name means to repay an obligation. That obligation was to my dad. My last name, “Jitissara” (free soul), is meant to remind me that I have to retain a soul that’s free from all anxieties.
I studied Chinese to continue my dad’s dream. He taught me Chinese but I didn’t bother studying hard. I later opened a Chinese language school and lectured about my life and Dharma.
I loved being a teacher. Giving knowledge and bringing out new ideas can broaden your own thoughts. The best teacher is the one who teaches you to think on your own.
Step out from your professional world to be an amateur in another field if you really want to learn about life. I love to drop out and do something else instead of being stable at the peak of one profession.
Teaching inspired me to jump into politics. I was used to expressing my ideas to thousands of students when I was a lecturer. But I thought it would be great if I could spread my ideas to millions of people and turn them into something practical. You’re not reading history, you’re making history.
I chose Don Mueang district by myself. I asked the Democrat Party which district was the most difficult to win and they said there. It’s in my character to accept a seemingly impossible challenge.
Politics is difficult. It’s like you’re a boxing trainer, you can never know what it is really like unless you have fought yourself.
Being a politician helped me get a deeper understanding of Dharma. After studying it for more than a decade, I realize that the more chaos I encounter, the more I find peace within the chaos. You must have a lot of life experience to really understand its teachings.
Be earnest in what you do. You have to love what you do and to keep doing it even if things don’t go the way you expected. This victory was about winning people’s hearts through my actions over a number of years.
People always want to be your friend when you’re successful but you will only see your true friends when you’re in trouble. I have experienced both.
Taming your heart sounds clichéd but it’s really hard to do. During the campaigning and the floods, I had to dig myself out of the bed at 4am and drive to Don Mueang every day. It’s really exhausting.
I considered giving up on politics. I lost 99% of my work as a lecturer and MC after I entered politics so I don’t have a lot of money. I really questioned why I did this. But I convinced myself that if I am worried about this then I won’t have the freedom to truly convey my message.
Being in the midst of extreme hate is horrible. Someone doesn’t even know you yet they’re ready to hurt you.
Forgiveness is the only solution in confronting a political rival like Karun (Hosakul). I can’t avoid him so it’s better to remain calm.
Death threats are something I expect. The latest was on the day I won. Someone called me and said “Congratulations and be prepared to die like your assistant.” My former assistant was shot dead in 2011.
I’m afraid to die but what can I do. Being paranoid doesn’t help. My colleagues try to convince me to get bodyguards but I still go around alone. If I have to die, then I don’t want anyone else to have to get into trouble with me.
Thai laws are never respected. Nepotism is everywhere.
People create corrupt politicians. Many people expect politicians to pay them extra and don’t care where the money comes from. I tell them that I don’t have money and just try to be as honest as possible.
Many people still don’t understand the duty of an MP (representative). They think we can do everything, like order the drains to be cleaned, which, in fact is a municipal job. When I try to explain, they just say they won’t vote for me anymore!
Investing in people by developing their intelligence is more sustainable than building material things. For me, we make too much, but it seems no one ever has enough and always wants more. I call it Greedilization. People don’t even notice their life is actually stuck in an endless loop.
Don’t try to find the meaning of life, making your life meaningful is more important.
I won’t end my life as a politician. I dream of living somewhere isolated where I can be free of everything. I might go teach kids in the mountains.
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You’re free to choose what you want in life. I told my parents I wanted to quit accounting school to study art. They objected as they saw the life of an artist as too unpredictable.
I asked my parents to send me to New York to work with my aunt, instead. My parents weren’t rich so they bought me a one-way ticket and said I had to build everything on my own over there. The ticket was all they could do for me.
They said, don’t come back if you have a blonde wife and can’t get a degree. Well, I only broke one promise as I brought back my beautiful blonde wife, Fey.
New York gives everyone a chance. It gave me the strength to push myself forward. For years, I’d sleep only 3-4 hours as I had to wake up early to study then head to work from 4pm to 3am to pay for university.
Hardship is only temporary. But your goals remain. When my wife and I returned to Bangkok in 1987, we didn’t have any savings. So we did MLM [pyramid referral sales], graphic design, training courses and even opened a ballet school, Rising Star Dance Studio, more than 10 years ago.
Sometimes the going gets tough, but in the end, I believe you can always get what you want.
Give everything your best shot. You never know when your big break is going to be. I started acting for the first time in 2010 [Wade Muller’s short film, Second Chance] when I was nearly 50. And here I am.
Do your homework. Working with an international crew including director Nicolas Winding Refn and an A-list actor like Ryan Gosling was a real challenge. But if you train hard enough, it doesn’t matter if you’re A-list or C-list.
Thai boxing is really tough. I spent five months training for the role. At some points, I cried.
There’s more noir in newspapers than in this film. And I don’t see anything wrong in making a movie about the dark side of Bangkok. I even think it’s kind of good to show it because it’s the reality. These are the failings in our society. We have to admit that.
Thais should worry about reality rather than credibility. Many were outraged when Lady Gaga talked about getting a fake Rolex but those things exist. Face it and fix it.
Life isn’t a postcard. If you want to see beauty, watch wildlife documentaries.
2012 was the best and worst year in my life. I was nominated for best actor [National Film Association Award], starred alongside Ryan Gosling, but I lost my mom to cancer.
Nature is humbling. It reminds you nothing is forever.
Don’t give up. Even when things seem hopeless. I was first contacted for Only God Forgives nearly two years before it started shooting. I was told to lose weight for the role of an ex-boxer. And I started doing it right away even though nothing was certain about the project.
Don’t try to help those who won’t help themselves. I nearly lost my family because I tried to fix my parents’ problems. My dad was an alcoholic and ruining his marriage. I felt I had a duty to fix that and neglected my wife to take care of them. But as a result, she and I became estranged.
Forgive yourself to move on. I felt so guilty that I couldn’t help my parents, but I finally let it go. Luckily not only God forgives, but my wife forgives, too.
When you face a tough time, those with a bad attitude will ask God, “Why me?” Those who with a good attitude will say, “Try me.”
My wife and I tried to have children for five years but we both had fertility problems. Though, we failed many times, we never gave up. If we had, we wouldn’t have had our wonderful child.
I love kendo. It requires strength and softness to fight. It also teaches you to be humble as you have to salute your opponent both before and after the fight. I’ve done it since I was in New York and I am now the president of the Bangkok Kendo Club.
You will be respected when you respect others. I always tell my son to be humble to everyone. He has to wai the security guard at his school every day.
Starting acting in my 50s made me realize that everyone might have some hidden talent that has never been found or used to its full potential.
I’m living in a dream. I cried when I listened to “Ter Kue Kwam Fun” [Proud’s title song to Only God Forgives, which translates to “You’re my Dream”]. I never thought I would accomplish this dream of becoming an actor. Now I just wish I can do this job for a very long time.
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