What did you do before?
I started work when I was 15 as a construction worker in my hometown, Nakhon Ratchasima. I later had problems with my relatives and they kicked me out of the house. I packed my bag and followed my other relatives to work in Bangkok, then Songkhla and Satul. I ended up coming back to work in Bangkok at a cardboard box factory where I met my wife.
How did you become a lod chong seller?
It happened five years ago when my wife and I decided to quit our jobs because we just couldn’t earn a living making B165 a day. It’s a really small amount when trying to raise a child. I remembered that my mom used to sell lod chong back home so I asked her for the recipe and started making it with my wife.
What makes yours different from others?
Apart from my delicious coconut milk, I think it must be my stall which has a thatched roof made from nipa palm. I was inspired by the style of roofs in rural areas. It gives you a sense of nature which I always miss. It proved so popular at the beginning, people really loved it. They even hired me for the whole day for making merit events or office parties. I saved enough money to buy a secondhand motorcycle and then connected that to the stall, so getting around was easier. But, now it’s already been five years, so it’s not quite as exciting anymore, just enough for me to make a living.
How much do you earn?
I used to make more than a thousand baht profit a day, but I can’t make that now as the price of ingredients are higher, especially sugar and coconut. I have to pay about B1,100 for daily supplies. I buy ten kilos of sugar and ten kilos of coconuts, plus other supplies like straws, cups and ice. Now I can make about B700-B800 each day and divide the money between my family and my parents. Though I don’t make lots of money, I still love this job. It’s really independent, compared to working as a laborer or in a factory.
What was your worst experience at your previous jobs?
When I was a construction worker at Samut Prakan, I was installing some piping at a factory when some colleagues dropped some pipes onto a factory worker by accident and killed him. They were so angry, they surrounded us and didn’t let us get out. We were trapped all night. I was so scared. They had knives, bottles and sticks. I prayed to Lord Buddha and really missed my parents. Finally, our contractor called the police who managed to get us out.
What’s your ambition for the future?
Selling lod chong is OK but I dream of opening a noodle shop. My sister has a noodle store on Sukhumvit Road and I want to do that too. To open a shop like that you need lots of money, so I need time to save up and find a good location.
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Spanish movie The Impossible is based on the true story of a Spanish family who were caught in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami as it hit Khao Lak, in Phang-nga. To reach a wider audience and enlist some big-name stars, director Juan Antionio Bayona, in collaboration with Spanish screenwriter Sergio G. Sánchez, turned the Spaniards into an English family: Henry (Ewan McGregor), his wife Maria (Naomi Watts) and their three boys. But The Impossible is otherwise shockingly realistic in its depiction of this tragic natural disaster.
The nearly completed work of burying all the electric and phone cables in Phuket Town’s old quarter is just one sign that much has changed there in recent years. The old communities of Chinese descent—mostly Hokkien—are not just beautifying their distinctive Sino-Portuguese shophouses, or organizing the occasional walking street fair. They’re also rediscovering their Baba Nonya roots, a rich culture in Phuket and Penang where Chinese heritage, colonial influence and indigenous traditions combine. This heady mix is attracting an ever-growing number of galleries and cafés to the picturesque town center. There, you can find fiery Southern Thai cuisine, Hokkien delicacies, SinoPortuguese architecture, stimulating galleries and a solid dose of Baba Nonya nostalgia.
The historic town center’s most beautiful streets are all within walking distance of each other: Dibuk, Thalang, Phang Nga and Yaowarat. To make sure you hit all the highlights, get a hold of the excellent Phuket Town Treasure Map, either at the Tourist Information Center on Thalang Road or at the Thai Hua Museum (see A Brief History below).
Nearly every shophouse in the area is steeped in history but you’d find the On On Hotel and Promthep Clock Tower most familiar as these two sites are featured in countless TV ads. Another star is Soi Rommanee connecting Thalang Road and Dibuk Road, a former red light district, which is now the most popular street for snap-happy tourists drawn to the colorful and tightly packed shophouses. There’s a little flea market there every Saturday night, too—just make sure you get there before 10pm.
A Brief History
Phuket Island (formerly known as Jungceylon) has long been a port of call for foreign trading vessels. From the 16th century, the island was mined for its tin, and there remain plenty of reminders of the presence of French, Portuguese and British, as well as Chinese, Malaysian and Indian influences. Phuket’s shophouses and villas, dating from the 1860s, bear close resemblance to those in British colonial Penang, and there’s a definite convergence of Eastern and Western styles.
The best way to start your journey through time is at Phuket Thai Hua Museum housed in the oldest school building in Phuket (dating back to the 1930s). The two-story exhibition details the island’s Chinese ancestry, Phuket Town’s growth to prosperity and the school itself.
Cafe Culture
If you need a caffeine boost after walking around, sip traditional coffee among the locals at Kopi de Phuket. The place has a Chinese tavern-feel on the ground floor and resembles a Chinese teahouse on the second. There’s also a smaller outlet at the On On Hotel, the oldest hotel in town.
For something more Western, join the queue of expats at Gallery Cafe where they serve everything from full English breakfasts to fast dinner options like pasta. Other charming coffee shops include Mac-chiato House which serves homemade coffee and cakes. It’s set in the type of long and narrow old shophouse (some 20-30 meters deep), with a garden out the back, that’s particularly typical of Phuket Town. Another cute choice is Pirrera Cafe Bar, an old building on the corner of Dibuk, which retains all of its original charm. And if this is your first visit, look up the longstanding China Inn and Dibuk Restaurant, too; both are lovely architectural specimens.
Artistic Perspective
After enjoying all this old stone, take your art appreciation to another level by visiting Phuket Town’s countless galleries, many of which are tucked away in century-old buildings. First, stop at Art Room, a gallery-plus-school which sells contemporary and traditional art by students at affordable prices. For a little more ambiance, head to Phuket 346. This 100-year-old two-story building is not only a gallery showcasing playful contemporary works, but a funky guesthouse with cafe and bar. You can also have fun while admiring minimalist art pieces over at Wua Art Gallery & Studio, which was founded by Mr. Zen, an advertising executive who quit his job to pursue his passion for art. For something more traditional, try Sarasil Gallery, I Mon Art Gallery or Pab Khien Thai Art Gallery.
Southern Dining
Suay Restaurant serves up creative Thai fare at low prices courtesy of Chef Tammasak Chootong, formerly a chef at Banyan Tree Hotels. Try the guay tiew lod salmon khao soy—steamed salmon in rice noodles served with yellow curry, B159 ($6.30)—and tum BBQ ma kue yao, which comprises grilled long eggplant and crab meat, B89 ($3.50). Dessert is a must, too, namely the mango sticky rice spring roll and black sesame ice-cream for just B99 ($4). Southern cuisine meets Sino-Portuguese décor at Raya Restaurant. The century-old building’s original mosaic-tiled floor and walls adorned with ’50s tea and coffee poster girls and pictures of Thai monarchs will take your mind off the somewhat hefty prices. The line-up of traditional Phuket dishes include moo hong—steamed pork with pepper and garlic, B250 ($10)—gaeng nue poo bai cha ploo, a dish of crab meat with curry and coconut milk, B400-600 ($16-24) and pad sataw kapi goong, stir fried sataw with shrimps, B250-350 ($10-14). For a lighter meal, consider Kopitiam where they serve pocket-friendly traditional dishes like mee Hokkien and bak kut teh.
If street food is more your thing, you’ve come to the right place. Start with the famous Mee Ton Poh, a popular haunt for those who can’t get enough of signature dishes like pad mee Hokkien, which costs B35-40 ($1.40-1.60). Next, head to Yaowarat Road and search Soi Sun Uthit for the hard-to-spot Ji Peng stall where you can get delicious mee hun (fried noodle served with pork bone soup) for B30 ($1.20). Right next to it is a stall that serves Phuket’s famous dessert, o-aew (herbal jelly in red syrup), which is a recommended follow-up to your meal. If you’re still not quite full, then o-tao (stir fried oysters with eggs and crispy pork skin) is another traditional Phuket dish, and makes for a great snack. Head to Takuapa Road, where Ji Pien have been selling this famous dish for nearly 40 years. Don’t forget to try their yummy kanom jeen (spaghetti-like rice noodles topped with curry), too.
After Dark
Despite, or perhaps because of, the rich heritage of the area, parts of old Yaowarat and Dibuk Roads are real hotspots come nightfall. Savvy young entrepreneurs have revamped the old shophouses and turned them into chill bars where you can enjoy live music among the cool local set. Sanaeha gives a romantic vibe in the early evening with its big chandelier, but later on it gets packed with young partygoers. It’s a similar case at Ploenchit, where you definitely need to make a reservation on Friday and Saturday nights. If you’re hungry after dancing well into the night, head to Ko Benz for the best known tom luerd moo (pig’s blood in clear soup) in town. They’re open from 7pm-3am, so there’s no need to go to bed hungry.
SilkAir flies direct to Phuket daily for $510 (round trip), while Jetstar flies there for $199 and AirAsia for $210.
Rooms go for B1,300-1,600 ($52-64).
Rooms go for B2,300-5,500 ($92-219).
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I dreamed of being a policeman when I was a kid. Living up-country, it was so cool to see a cadet in uniform walking down the street. But I wasn’t good at studying and ended up playing football to gain entry to a good school.
Books can teach you about all aspects of life. Even though I was a poor student, I loved reading. I would walk 2km to the public library every day just to borrow a book. As a result, I knew a lot more about life than other kids my age.
I was totally taken with music as soon as I joined my school band.
I quit playing football and dedicated my time to the band. We had shows almost every night and I started earning money from playing music. Soon I dropped out of school to pursue my dream of being a musician.
Playing original music is far better than covers. I got bored with the band because the other members always wanted to play hit songs, while I wanted to play material that I had written.
I quit the band and packed my bags for Bangkok, where I hooked up with Nga (Surachai Chantimathorn of the band Caravan), who I had met when he toured Khon Kaen.
Thai record labels treat artists like slaves. It’s really backwards that they take advantage of them. And it doesn’t look like it’s going to change any time soon.
Being an artist means you must have honor. You must be able to put a value on yourself and also deal with the record companies.
I’m independent. I’m not signed to a record label and I have no sponsors. I’ve done well to stay in the game this long, which is why I’m throwing a 25th anniversary concert. I’ve been lucky to have good friends who have helped me out along the way.
The Thai music industry is dead. We must admit that. We can only survive by playing live shows now. I continue to release music because I want to preserve my status as a musician, but there is no revenue to be made from releasing albums anymore.
The best moment of my life was when I released my first album, Tueng Puen, in 1987. But the joy was short-lived. It flopped and made me scared to continue my music career.
I had to earn a living by selling steamed buns until Nga Caravan recruited me as a backup musician and I had the chance to release my second album, Sue Tua Tee 11 (Tiger no.11), which turned out to be my big breakthrough.
I didn’t realize that I was such a success until people kept asking me to sing my songs. Receiving my first check from the record label was a complete shock. I had never seen B10,000 before in my life, but they handed me B300,000.
I love to be called a musician, not an artist. I love being on the road touring, playing live and making audiences happy.
The phua chivit [music for life] genre is dying. There’s no new generation coming through and we don’t know how to create new things. It’s still popular, but we’re waiting for some new talent to bring change to the genre.
The musicians of phua chivit can’t be fabricated. Record labels can’t make us up. We’re born like this. We love exploring the meaning of life.
Our country is shit now. There are so many conflicts. We used to be free to express our opinions, but now it’s impossible. It’s really wrong. We need to put our problems up for debate.
People often expect me to say things just to please them, but I don’t do that. It’s a pity to see this from people who are old enough to know better.
No matter how much we fight, all our problems are dealt with by politicians in parliament, not us. It’s simply a waste of time to protest or fight one another.
We’re not ready for the AEC. Our crime rate is high and our law enforcement weak. Look at the South, when is it going to end? It’s been deteriorating for a long time and our social problems are worsening.
Let’s look ahead to the next three years; if Aung San Su Kyi becomes the Prime Minister of Myanmar, can any fool in our parliament compare to her? Hell no!
I’m happy that my music can reach new ears, as most of my fans of my own age just sit at home.
Our teenage years determine our future. Right now, I’m only concerned with how to help my five daughters live their lives to the fullest.
Being on the road for over 20 years has been pretty exhausting. But I’ll keep doing it until I die.
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Behind Phra That Doi Gongmu, Muang, Mae Hong Son. Open daily 7am-6pm.
On our last visit to Mae Hong Son, we couldn’t believe our luck stumbling upon this charming cafe with a beautiful view hidden just behind the religious landmark Phra That Doi Gongmu. The perfect combination of a cozy terrace, colorful Lanna umbrellas and a jaw-dropping view of the valley have earned the place a spot in many films, blogs and TV programs. The coffee is not the best, but the ambiance (and photo opportunities) will have you dreaming of a return visit.
15/3 Nimmanhaemin Rd. front of Soi 3, 053-215-278. Open daily 08:08am-11:08pm.
Ristr8to’s initial claim to fame was the mini celeb status of owner/barista Arnon “Tong” Thitiprasert, but once you try one of his hot lattes you’ll need not remember he’s one of TV show Toey Tiew Thai’s hot vendors. Ranked 6th at the 2011 World Latte Art Championship, this Trang-born barista spent six years making coffee in Sydney before deciding to relocate to Chiang Mai to open Ristr8to in 2011. Grab a seat at the counter and watch the master serve up steaming cups of art by pouring milk over your espresso shot.
Soi Baan Rong Suae Ten 3, Muang, Chiang Rai, 053-166-622. Open daily 9am-8pm. www.chivitthammada.com
After years of traveling abroad, Nattamon Holmberg decided to settle down with her husband in her hometown. Following their dream of owning a small, cozy cafe, they turned a small space by the Kok River into an English-country-style space filled with wood furnishings and floral motifs. Summers can be spent in the air-con glasshouse; while in winter, kick back in the riverside garden and enjoy the selection of coffee and tea. Nattamon serves up food, too, with the menu changing daily. And next door is Chivit Thamma Da Day Spa, if you really want to relax.
Theparak Rd., Khaon Kaen, 081-820-2201. Open daily 10am-8pm.
Owned by the sister of Thanaruek
Laoraowirodge (see sidebar), the man behind Somtam Der and Supanniga Eating Room, this cafe successfully blends a homey ambience (think Joma in Luang Prabang) and minimal wood furnishings (think Baan Ying in Bangkok).
145/5 Moo 1, Bophut Beach, 084-636-9090. Open daily 10am-8:30pm.
Most people with a sizeable beachfront chunk of land in Samui would probably build a hotel. But the owners of Bakubung (meaning “people of the hippo” in Sotho-Tswana) decided to create a small cafe instead. There, you can enjoy a glass of their signature iced lemon tea (B85) on the lawn, while overlooking the sea. The best moment to visit is around sunset, of course. And it’s also an ideal spot to relax before boarding a flight, as it’s close to the airport.
Sri Suwan Khiri Rd., opposite the entrance of P Guesthouse, 081-751-2365. Open daily 7am-9pm.
Sat in a welcoming lawn space, this minimal cafe is where you rub shoulders with the international NGO volunteers who regularly frequent Sangklaburi. Apart from the iced coffee, you can also shop for locally-made merchandise like postcards and hand-painted bags, where some of the proceeds go to charity. Hidden behind the cafe is Haiku Guesthouse, housing four rooms in a traditional Japanese setting inspired by Haiku poetry and Japanese Zen.
Pha Kong Rd., Nai Vieng, Muang, Nan, 081-998-1127, 081-166-1715. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 7am-5pm.
The only coffee shop in Nan where you can sit back, sip freshly-brewed coffee, and enjoy the view of Wat Phumin, Nan’s most revered Buddhist temple, home to the famous Pu-Man-Ya-Man fresco. This teak house once belonged to a government-executive-turned-tobacco-merchant—and it’s his descendants who have turned it into one of the most visited cafés in the province.
Route 304 KM.61, Wang Nam Keao, Nakhon Ratchasima, 085-438-9898. Open daily 8am-6pm.
Recommended by our friends at Lonely Planet Magazine Thailand, this small cafe is set in a bungalow-like house done up with raw cement and vintage wood panels, overlooking Wang Nam Keao’s pristine, forested valley. Along with Arabica coffee beans handpicked from smaller producers, the venue also offers comfort food choices ranging from Japanese curry rice to spaghetti. Grab a seat by the canal and watch the world slowly go by.
31 Diskul House, Naeb Khehat Rd., 032-531-146. Open daily Thu-Tue 11am-9pm.
Probably the poshest eatery on Hua Hin’s beach strip, Le Chapon is part of the boutique resort The Hen on the main Naeb Khehat Road. The open-air space is decorated in a black-and-white theme that gives it a French flair. Le Chapon serves up French and international cuisine with a specific focus on seafood, of course. We suggest, however, that you go there during late afternoon for high tea (B1,399), served in a sophisticated porcelain set with a selection of snacks and pastries. Sea views included.
87 Raman Rd., Muang, Songkhla, 086-965-4998. Open Wed-Mon 10am-9pm.
Design graduate Tok Anantapan and his partner were inspired by the cover of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel Secret Garden, which shows a cozy backyard hidden behind a wall, to create this café which is only accessible through a small orange door. The one-year-old café is set in an 80s-style house, complete with warm colors and a small garden on Raman Road (aka Nang Ngam Road), Songkla’s up-and-coming strip for local creatives.
48 Thalang Rd., Muang, 076-215-701. Open daily 9am-9pm
Phuket town may be dominated by charming old shophouses, but Mac-chiato House is a nice blend of the old and new. Set in one of those long and narrow old shophouses that are 20-30 meters deep, Mac-chiato is separated into two sections: the front air-con section where you can enjoy their homemade coffee and cakes while reading your favorite book; and an open-air courtyard out the back that lets you laugh a little louder with friends. If you didn’t bring any reading material, you can borrow books and magazines from the bookcase that stretches along one wall.
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My mom abandoned me when I was two years old. She ran away from my father’s family because they didn’t like her job as a singer. I only found out the truth when I finally met her just before she died from cancer four years ago.
I have been transgender for as long as I can remember. I had to switch my personality between home and school. I would be a normal boy when I was with my family and a toot when I was at school.
My father played an important role in my life. Even though he was really clever and could speak at least eight languages, he couldn’t hold back from gambling, hard drinking and smoking. He passed away before I took the entrance exam for university.
I’m so proud that I created the first Thai boy band, U4. I recruited all three members by myself before walking into the record label KITA, who signed us on the spot. We released our first album in 1992.
I had no qualms about having to act like a handsome guy while in U4. That’s what I had done all my life.
I’m an unlucky transgender. Whenever I feel that my life will get better, there’s bound to be a disaster waiting to happen.
Make a living. That’s my only motto. No one cared about me when KITA ended. I desperately needed money. I had lost my home and my properties. I could have gone into meltdown but I didn’t because I had to take care of my family.
I had to sing at massage parlors and restaurants, earning about B600 per night. I had to eat instant noodles and drink tap water for years to repay my debts. But I made it.
There’s no point pretending to be someone for others. I waited for five years hoping that the entertainment industry would welcome me back. Eventually, I decided to expose myself as a transgender because I had nothing to lose.
Don’t believe everything you see. I decided to get cosmetic surgery at what turned out to be an illegal clinic. Their fake silicone destroyed my face.
This disaster put me back in the spotlight as a boy-band member-turned-transgender. Finally, the entertainment industry gave a shit about me.
I still didn’t have that many jobs so I clung to my life as a singer at nightclubs. My emotional state really deteriorated. I tried to take my life with a whole bottle of sleeping pills. Luckily my friends got me to hospital on time.
I tried being a prostitute in Germany. My friends bought me a ticket there so that I could get away from my shit life here. I just did it for fun, but I didn’t find any buyers. One foreigner came up to me and told me that I should do something else with my life. After this I decided to focus again on being a singer and a fortuneteller.
I promised myself that I wouldn’t pay for male prostitutes anymore. I felt so guilty when I found out the first guy I bought was just 15 years old. It’s pathetic seeing a young man try to sell himself for just B300.
I regret only two things in my life: not ordaining into the monkhood for my parents and smoking. I hope to quit one day.
Seeing bad role models makes you stay away from bad things. I’ve done all the drugs but never become addicted. It’s too expensive. I saw all walks of life when I went around town to the dirty nightspots with my dad who was a cabby. I know how it ends.
I got married once back in 2001. He was my first man and he really loved me. But I broke up with him after he became too jealous and had a brawl with my client, so that we both lost our jobs. Our love couldn’t survive this.
A near-fatal car accident brought an end to my addiction to cosmetic surgery. My face was all messed up and it made me realize that living life must come first.
I don’t want a sex change because I love being a katoey.
The idea of a transgender changing their title to Mrs. or Miss is idiotic. You can never ever compare to a real women who can give birth to a child. And wouldn’t you feel sorry for any man who marries someone who isn’t a real woman despite what their ID claims?
Thai society gives katoey very few options to earn a living. Sometimes they’re forced into being a prostitute. I’ve never seen a transgender get a good job like an engineer or an architect.
For those transgender who want to get respect, prove yourself by finding a good job.
It’s a real honor to have a role in Lam Sing Singer even though I had to give up other jobs for it. I’m so glad to finally have the chance to show that I’m still capable of working in entertainment.
I dream of doing an annual stand-up comedy show, just like Udom “Note” Taepanich or Apaporn Nakhonsawan. It must feel great to make thousands of people laugh at the same time.
I believe transgenders can find true love, just stay away from guys who can’t earn a living.
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How did you become a journalist?
I dreamed of being a journalist since I was young. I studied communication arts at university in Chacherngsao, my hometown, before getting a job as the political journalist at Naewna Newspaper where I started off as an intern about 20 years ago. I’ve worked for Channel 7 for more than 10 years.
Why are you so outspoken?
I think this job is all about serving the people. I have a duty to tell people the truth and uncover the lies or bias. We need to protect the rights of the public, not the sources. No matter if they are Chalerm, Yingluck or Abhisit, I stick to these principles.
How do you feel about being branded a biased journalist?
It’s really awful for an individual to be branded and pushed to one side just because they think a different way. I try to be honest to myself and my profession.
Have you ever felt threatened doing your job?
Many times. The time that stands out the most was after the coup in 1991. There was a rumor that there would be another coup, so I called an air force general to get the truth. He told me the situation and I put all his quotes in the newspaper the next day. Then I got a call to say he wanted to meet me at the air base where I was confronted by 10 officers. I explained to him that what he said wasn’t off the record. We talked for about an hour before they released me. My boss told me never to do that again, saying I could have been abducted and no one would have had a clue about it. But honestly, I feel more vulnerable today as our society is so fractured. I occasionally get threats from the Red Shirts, too.
What has been the biggest change in journalism over the past 20 years?
I’ve followed every prime minister and government over that time, and I can say that the state of our journalism has never been so poor. Back when I started, there were politicians bribing journalists, but now it seems that lots of journalists have sycophantic relationships with their sources because they are afraid that they won’t get inside knowledge or benefits from them. We’re currently experiencing what it’s like when gatekeepers don’t function properly. Journalists let false news fly around without screening it, so that people can’t tell right from wrong.
What’s your daily routine?
I wake up at 5am every day to update myself on all the news before going to work. My destination depends on what I’m assigned to, but it’s mostly parliament, political party offices or political events. I love to say “Bye, mom” to my mother every morning because she always blesses me back.
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I’m open to any opportunity that comes along. I got scriptwriter jobs when I was a drama student at Chulalongkorn University, that’s how I ended up in entertainment.
I love everything about being a scriptwriter. But the workload is so huge and it was really low paid back then, so I had to quit. I took up acting and hosted game shows like Ma Tam Nad that ran for 11 years before it was taken off-air in 1995.
There are no real game shows on Thai TV these days. It’s all variety and comedy. Ma Tam Nad is a game show, pure and simple. I’m glad we’ve brought it back. The production team is the same as 20 years ago!
Don’t compare our entertainment industry with Hollywood. Their high-cost productions can be sold all over the world, while ours are limited to Thailand or neighboring countries. Do you think we could sell Baan Sai Thong [a famous Thai remake] to the world? Hell, no.
We’re too preoccupied with Thai culture. Thai entertainment can’t grow to an internationally accepted level, like Korea or Hollywood, because our censorship is really picky about details like cigarettes, booze and boobs. Their restrictions limit our creativity.
I started Pizza & Pizza by Yanee because my ex-husband [Sergio Armenio] is an Italian chef. What could be more perfect than opening a pizza place?
Fine dining is exhausting work, as I found out when we were partners in Scoozi. But running a gourmet fast-food restaurant means we don’t have to be open late into the night.
Having critical customers is better than having none. At least they help us know what we need to fix.
Good intentions can easily be mistaken for butting into someone’s business. When you try to be nice to someone, remember that they may not see it the same way. That’s why I only say what I really think to my close friends.
Every problem has a solution. I’ve endured lawsuits and a divorce, but everyone is born with problems; you just need to learn how to deal with them.
Approach your problems like you’re watching a boxing match. You will know how to fight once you take a step back and see the whole picture.
Don’t be negligent in your relationships. I was shocked when my ex-husband told me that he wanted a divorce. But then I realized that we were both neglectful in our marriage.
Don’t waste your life on someone who doesn’t want to be with you. You were born alone, you don’t need someone to die with.
Sometimes it’s better to hold onto the good memories rather than keep fighting. I maintain a relationship with my ex because, no matter how much we fight, he’s the father of my son. What’s the point in hurting one another’s feelings?
I love to touch. Sometimes you don’t need words; a pat on the back is enough.
There is no fixed formula for married life. It’s all about the chemistry between two people.
I follow a strict diet. I eat only boiled vegetables and seafood. I could eat cauliflower and mackerel all day!
I’m addicted to music. I listen to it when I wake up, take a shower and get dressed. I take my iPod everywhere.
I hate techno. It’s not music. It reminds me of a theme park. I lean more towards jazz or blues. It makes me happy.
Thais love to play the blame game. It’s in-built. When a kid bumps into a table and cries, the parents will question why the table is there. This is insane. You should tell the child to be more careful!
Teaching kids through actions is far better than through words. For example, I would always put away my shoes using my hands, not my feet. One day, my son, at the age of two, started following my lead.
We should foster people to say sorry. These days it’s rare to see Thais apologizing for their actions. To comfort someone they’ve wronged, they just give them gifts or money. It’s not right. We should say sorry so that we can be forgiven.
People should be valued by their virtue, not their degree or their status.
I don’t agree with the policy of increasing the salary for grad student to B15,000. Some of them barely have the skills of a high school student. We should value people for their abilities. My maid only finished sixth grade but she can do all sorts of things for me!
Forge your own future. I’ve always done my own thing and I encourage my son to do the same. I tell him to decide on things like what he wants to study. He must determine that, not me.
I’m a pessimist, or so my ex would say. I would explain that it’s better to expect the worst because then when something good happens, it’s a blessing.
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How did you become a wedding photographer?
I started working as a freelance photographer in Thailand, then I met Nuj Navakate, a New York-based Thai designer, who hired me to shoot for her look book. She liked my work and advised me to go abroad to advance my skills. But I didn’t have the money. I started doing all sorts of odd jobs, from graphic design projects to handing out leaflets in public. I managed to save about B1.2 million in a year and a half and packed my bags to study a photography course at the London College of Communication for a year before I landed a job with Julie Kim, a leading wedding photographer in London.
What struggles have you faced?
My first struggle came from my mom, who initially disagreed with my decision. When I arrived in the UK I faced discrimination due to being Asian. One guy even told me that, “Photographer is a job for people from civilized countries.” While hearing this hurt, I must thank him. It spurred me on to be a success. I did almost give up after having no jobs for eight months. I had only £9 left in my account. I cried but my girlfriend told me to fight for at least one more month, and then Julie contacted me. It was the best moment of my life.
How’s your situation now?
Much better. I charge about £1,500 (B70,000) per wedding either in the UK or Thailand. I also have various fashion and commercial projects, such as work for Harrods’ salon brand Touché’s 2012-2013 collection and HUF Magazine which is published in the US, UK and Canada.
What’s your one guiding principle for taking wedding photos?
Imperfect is perfect. The pictures don’t have to be neat to be beautiful. I want my shots to tell a story of their big day. I have grown to love listening to heartfelt speeches about how these people found love. It always makes me cry.
Have you ever encountered any wedding disasters?
Yes, there was one wedding where the bishop kicked me out of the church! It was a tight schedule so I didn’t have the chance to introduce myself to the bishop. At one point, he asked me over the loud speaker to leave. I was shocked and hid behind a bench at the back where I continued to take photos. The bishop later found out that I was the official photographer for the wedding. He thought I was just some tourist.
What are your dreams for the future?
I’ve grown to realize that being regarded as a world-class photographer is not the most important thing any more. I’m happier to keep challenging myself rather than compete with others. I want to branch out further into fashion photography and create more and more fascinating works.
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I didn’t have a Thai upbringing. My parents sent me to live with my relatives in Toronto, Canada, when I was 12.
My English was so bad but I was young enough to adapt and live there fine. There were no other Thais in my neighborhood so English was the only way to communicate.
I didn’t have big dreams. I planned to open a Thai restaurant in Canada after graduating with a business degree because I was used to working in one and they are always in demand.
Everything changed when my grandmother got really sick. She’s so important to me so I had to come back to be by her side. My life in Thailand began again at the age of 27.
I got a PR job with [London nightclub-cum-record label] Ministry of Sound (MOS) when they came to Bangkok in 2000. I had no idea what they were all about and had to ask a friend before starting work.
I can’t even sing karaoke in tune. I had no prior experience in the electronic music scene. I thought it was a genre of world music.
I’m like a psychologist when dealing with people of different cultures. I’ve had Western bosses and Thai staff, all of whom have different work traits. I really wanted them to take lessons on cultural etiquette.
Working from scratch is so much fun. My MOS colleagues and I just followed our intuition, but it became the most popular club in town.
A club’s lifespan is short. People get bored so easily in the nightlife scene. MOS closed down after just two years due to financial problems.
I did so many jobs afterwards like opening a restaurant and a pub, and being an organizer for the MTV Asia Music Awards in 2005 which taught me lots of skills to work on music events.
Working too hard took its toll. I fell ill and had to have an operation to remove a tumor just days before the awards night. But I still went along in a wheelchair!
My boyfriend [Café Democ owner Apichart “Tui” Chaikaew] and I decided to launch Club Culture because we wanted an underground club like they have in Europe.
Thais love partying. That’s why electronic music is growing here, as proven by Culture One’s bigger crowds every year.
Our music scene is so boring. Everyone just follows the same trends. This is also obvious in our street fashion—everyone wears the same stuff.
Our business sector lacks guts. They only sponsor things that are guaranteed to sell, which is why our music scene lacks creativity.
Art, music and fashion must go together. When you dress up, where can you show off other than at a party? Many people don’t understand this and try to keep them separate.
Today’s youth don’t have many places to explore the things they love. They are 18 and want to express themselves but parks close at 6pm and clubs won’t let them in. That’s why there are so many dek waen on our streets—they don’t have anywhere else to go.
The music scene suffers because the authorities are too afraid of letting teenagers in. In many Western societies, teenagers are only barred from buying alcohol but not from clubs. Here, they have to wait until they are 20 to get into a bar and experience the world of music.
It’s too late for them to build a musical identity by then as most clubs just play the same old pop or covers.
Education is better than restrictions. Our society is too scared to teach children about sex and drugs at school. But no matter what, they’re going to find out about it anyway. So isn’t it better if they learn it the right way from their teachers?
Being a perfectionist can be disheartening. I used to get upset every time my staff couldn’t do some task I assigned them. Then I realized you can’t expect the same standards from others. I started teaching them and now I’m much happier!
You can’t control bad luck. Club Culture’s grand opening was set for the same day that the Red Shirts clashed with soldiers. Later, I was really stressed out when our club ran out of money as we didn’t have clubbers for six months. We have a huge debt.
You can’t make money if you don’t move forward. I’ve started everything from scratch, so why can’t I do it again? I’m still young enough, and I’m also lucky to have people who will support the things I choose to do.
There’s no 1+1 = 2 in this industry. It’s more complicated. You need to be creative to put on the best parties.
I’m happy that I am now closer to my mom than I’ve ever been before. My mom is young at heart. She even plans to join me at the Culture One event.
I dream of spending my retirement running a small hotel in Lampoon. It’s quiet and beautiful there.
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