How did you become Mae Baan Mee Nuad?
I just did it for fun. I started uploading pictures on my personal Facebook account and my friends suggested that I created a fan page of my own. I think there are a lot of people who have ideas like mine but they don’t have enough courage to execute them. But I’m beyond hesitating. I want to be a housewife and I have moustache. That’s all.

Do you work on this alone?
Many people think it is some huge production. They always ask me what camera I use and how I edit photos. But the truth is I only use an iPhone and a few applications like Camera 360 and FilterMania 2. There are just three people on my team, including me. I even cut all the costumes by myself.

What is your artistic message?
I think my message is that you don’t need to be a woman to be a housewife. There are no rules for living your life. For example, the light and composition are carefully studied, but the model is not perfect.

Is your family supportive?
My parents, who are in Satun, have no idea that I am Mae Baan Mee Nuad because they don’t get involved with the digital world. But I think my sister knows, maybe. Anyway, my boyfriend knows it’s just what I do for fun and he’s happy for me.

What are you doing these days?
I just graduated in film and video at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and I’m continuing a master’s degree in strategic communication. I’ve also just applied for a job.

Will people at your workplace know about Mae Baan Mee Nuad?
I want to separate Mae Baan Mee Nuad from my real world because not everyone can accept it. I once had a job interview and they said they hate gays. I walked away from the room when I heard that. But I normally don’t get bullied because people around me accept who I am.

Where do you think Thai society stands on these issues?
Thai society tolerates homosexuals, but it does not fully accept us. Thai people realize and respect our abilities, especially in the fields of creativity and entertainment, but when it comes to careers in government, they don’t accept who we are. I also don’t like how most people expect us to be funny all the time. I want society to see what we can do apart from having a hilarious personality.
Find Mae Baan Mee Nuat at http://on.fb.me/MaQJM8

Ratchanok Inthanon, 17

Sport: Badminton
Successes: THREE TIMES World Youth Champion

How did you start playing badminton?
I started when I was about 6. My parents worked at the Banthongyod dessert factory. Afraid that I and the other kids would bother the workers and hurt ourselves on the machines, Aunt Puk, Kamala Thongkorn, the owner of the factory and now the director of the Banthongyod badminton school, took us to play badminton at the court next door. At the age of about 7 I became more devoted to the sport and I first made the national team when I was 14. I felt a little uncomfortable living with the seniors at first, but they taught me a lot and really encouraged me to follow my dream.
Who is your idol?
My idol is the Chinese badminton player Wang Yihan, who is the world’s top-ranked women’s singles player right now. In addition to her great strength, she’s very hard working and has a never-say-die attitude.
What’s your life like as an athlete?
It’s tough. I practice six hours a day and play lots of matches. As I miss school quite a lot, I have to work really hard to keep up with my classmates. It’s exhausting sometimes. And I don’t have time to hang out with my friends, as other teenagers do. But I understand that it’s what I must do if I want to succeed as an athlete.
What do you hope to achieve at the Olympics?
I want to win at least a medal, any medal, in the women’s singles. The first thing I want to do if I win gold is thank all the people who’ve supported me—Aunt Puk, the Badminton Association of Thailand, SCG and all the seniors in the national team. As for the medal, I would give it to my parents for safekeeping.
What are your future plans?
I don’t think too much about my studies. I’m more focused on badminton right now. I want to play for as long as possible. Normally, badminton players compete until the age of 25-26. But you can go for longer if you stay fit. In the future, I want to be a coach of the national team.
What more could be done to help Thailand’s Badminton players?
We lack good physical therapists. When an athlete gets injured, it’s up to them and the coach to take care of getting better.

Pen-ake Karakate, 22

Sport: Taekwando
Successes: Gold medal at The World qualification Event for the 2012 London Olympics

How did you get started in taekwondo?
I took a taekwondo course at my school when I was 9. My performance was outstanding, so the teachers chose to give me exclusive lessons. I was selected for the national team when I was 15. I was the youngest national taekwondo player at the time.
Who do you think will be your most challenging rival at the upcoming Olympics?
Every competitor will be equally challenging. If I’m to win a gold medal, I have to beat them all, so there’s no point in thinking about who’s the most talented. The most difficult thing about being an athlete is that you never know the outcome. In addition to our own actions, success is also a matter of timing and chance.
What has changed in Thai taekwondo over the past few years?
Kids these days are not as passionate as people of my generation who’ve had to go through a lot before reaching this point. Nowadays distractions are everywhere, meaning young athletes are not as focused on their sport as they should be.
How long do you plan on turning out for the national team?
I’ll leave when there’s someone more talented and devoted to replace me. I want to motivate younger people and challenge them to surpass me, because that’s what got me here today. It’s what life is all about—fighting for what you want.
How can we improve the standard of Thai taekwondo?
We need to improve our sports science personnel to take better care of our athletes. In addition, the welfare for retired athletes is not enough. Most athletes don’t succeed and don’t have any other career to fall back on. What it comes down to is an improved budget for sport.
Who is your idol?
This may sound odd but my idol is Wijarn Polrit, the boxer. I saw how sweet victory can be when he won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Since then, my greatest motivation has been to win an Olympic gold medal.

Sutiya Jiewchaloemmit, 26

Sport: Skeet Shooting
Successes: Ranked 3RD in the world in 2009

What made you want to become a shooter?
My aunt was a renowned shooter, Bang-orn, aka Supornpun Jiewchaloemmit. When I was 15, I visited the shooting range with her and she encouraged me to give it a try. I didn’t think much of it at the time. But when I saw people preparing to compete at the SEA Games in 2001, I realized I wanted to be a part of it. The next year I went to China to practice and I made the national team the year after. I won gold and set new records at the SEA Games in both 2005 and in 2007.
Did you ever dream of competing at the Olympics?
I’ve always wanted to be the best at the international level. When I met my German coach at the Skeet and Trap Shooting Association of Thailand (STSA), I told him that I wanted to go to the Olympics. He laughed at first, but he eventually gave me a chance, even though he knew that I had no financial support. He told me it wouldn’t be easy, but I said I would do whatever it takes.
What are the biggest obstacles you have had to face?
Thai shooters have no sponsors, no financial support, no gun supplies and no professional trainers like other countries. That means we have to work harder than others. In other countries, it’s like they give you a boat and you just have to follow the stream, but I feel like I have to swim across the ocean on my own. My parents paid a huge amount of money for me to train in Germany. I asked for support from the STSA but I was rejected. But after I secured a place at the 2008 Olympics, I was lucky that Singha [headed by Jamnong Bhirompakdi, a former shooter] heard about my story and supported all my expenses.
What are your hopes for the upcoming Olympics?
To be honest, I want a gold medal. Some people say I’m too confident but that’s how I am. It’s natural to expect the best. I’m not here just for the experience anymore. I’m 26 now and I’m in it to win. If I claim a gold medal, I would thank each and every person who has believed in me.
What has been the best moment of your sporting life?
It was when I got a quota place to go to the games. Everyone said that I’m nuts and I can’t do it because nobody in Thailand had ever done this before. It felt like a real breakthrough.
What are your plans for after the Olympics?
I haven’t really thought about the future. Right now, I just want to win and keep competing. Today I’m ranked 5th in the world. I’ve been in world’s top 10 for 4-5 years. I once got to number 3 in the world in 2009, but I’ve since had some back injuries. I still believe that I can become number one. I hope that if Thai people start showing more interest in skeet shooting, one day I can own a shooting range, and I’d like to coach youngsters when I’m older.

Napalai Tarnsai, 30

Sport: Windsurfing
Successes: silver medal at 2011 SEA games

How did you get started windsurfing?
My parents know Amara Wijithong, a former national windsurfer. So, they decided that my older brother and I should try the sport out, too. I was 15 then. At that stage, I didn’t like windsurfing at all, but I went along with what my parents said. After a while, I came to enjoy it more and more.
What are the main challenges of windsurfing?
It’s very physically demanding. Practice is tough. I exercise six days a week, mostly running and cycling. But what’s really exhausting is the nature of the sport itself. Windsurfing means being exposed to the scorching sun. The wind and the sea can also be dangerous. When windsurfers go abroad for competitions, we have to be there about a month in advance so that we can adjust ourselves and our techniques to the local conditions. The athletes from the host country have a real advantage in that regard. What makes one willing to wrestle with these difficulties is nothing but love for the sport.
Who is your idol?
Lee Lai Shan. She’s a former World Champion and Olympic gold medal-winning professional windsurfer from Hong Kong. What makes her special is that she beat the European windsurfers. It’s a great success because Western athletes usually look down on Asian athletes. She has shown the world how talented Asians are.
What are your goals for the London Olympics and beyond?
I’ll try my best to exceed my own record from the 2008 Olympics, where I finished 20th. After London, there are three major tournaments to prepare for: the SEA Games 2013, Asian Games 2014 and Beach Games 2014. I aim to keep improving with every event.
What support do Thai windsurfers need?
Windsurfing is a costly endeavor when you factor in all the equipment, coaching and practicing. If we were to get more financial support, then we could build a talented new generation of Thai windsurfers.

Wittaya Thamwong, 25

Sport: Archery
Successes: First Thai archer to reach the Olympics

What drew you to archery?
When I was in high school, I had no real idea of what to try. So, I followed my cousin who was studying archery, even though I knew nothing about it. I had no skills but passed the physical test so I got in. The National Archery Association of Thailand noticed my potential, trained me, and recruited me to the national team when I was 18, becoming the youngest on the team. This will be my first Olympic Games.
What characteristics are needed to succeed in archery?
It requires a stable state, both physically and mentally. You need total concentration when taking aim and shooting. Having competed in archery for a while now, it’s obvious how it’s helped me become calmer and have more self-control.
What are your goals for the 2012 Olympics?
Many Asian countries are good at archery, especially South Korea and Malaysia, while the Thai team is considered to be a bit behind. However, anything is possible in archery. There are times when unheralded teams defeat more illustrious opponents. So, by doing my very best, I hope to at least claim a medal.
If you won gold, what would you do with the prize?
I’d give the money to my mom. And I’d donate some of it to talented youngsters. Too many kids don’t have a proper chance of being an athlete because they lack financial support. I want to help them achieve their dreams and improve the state of sport in Thailand.
What are your plans after retiring from archery?
I’m already in the navy. After retiring at around 30 or so, I’ll continue my naval career. However, I won’t completely give up archery. I’ll still shoot with a compound bow which doesn’t require as much physical strength. Also, I’d like to be an archery coach. The sport is much more popular now than when I first started competing. Parents are seeing our archery athletes becoming more successful, so they are encouraging their children to try it.
Are you interested in any other sports?
I’ve always wanted to try shooting a gun. I think it would require similar skills as archery—concentration and accuracy.

Nanthana Kamwong, 31

Sport: Table Tennis
Successes: third olympic games

When did you start playing table tennis?
I’ve played table tennis since I was in grade 8 back in Lampang after a school competition inspired me to take up the sport. I used to push two school lunch tables together and use them like a real ping pong table.
How did you come to join the national team?
From small competitions, I worked my way up to the regional and national levels. I was either winning or finishing second, so the director of the Sport for Excellence Department asked my parents whether I was willing to relocate to Bangkok to practice as part of the national team. As first, my parents said I was too young, but they later allowed me to move when I was 15.
What has been the best moment of your sporting life?
When I realized that I will have participated at three separate Olympic Games. That means a lot to me because I get to meet many of the world’s greatest athletes. I once beat the world’s 12th-ranked table tennis player. That was a big highlight.
What do you hope to achieve at the upcoming Olympics?
I want to reach the final round. I didn’t expect to come this far, especially because I’m 31 now, which is pretty old for a table tennis player. This is likely my last Olympics, so I have to make the most of my opportunity. I’ll do my best and if I win a medal, I’ll give it to my parents and donate the prize money to charity.
What are your plans beyond the Olympics?
I’d like to be a coach because I want to help bring up the new generation of table tennis players. I’m currently teaching students at Chulalongkorn University.
Have you had to sacrifice much to get where you are?
As a teenager, I would get frustrated that I couldn’t hang out with my friends like others my age. But then I realized that table tennis is my life. Everything I’ve achieved I owe to table tennis. I have friends who understand my situation, so now I’m happy.
Who is your idol?
My idol is Jan-Ove Waldner, a top Swedish table tennis player. I like the way he can take control of the ball. He’s a genius.

Kaew Pongprayoon, 32

Sport: light flyweight boxeR
Successes: gold medal in 2011 AZBA World Boxing Championship

How did you start as a boxer?
I started out mainly doing Thai boxing. At a sports day during high school, I participated in the boxing competition, where I was introduced to the international-style sport. One of my teachers saw talent in me, and decided to send me to a higher level competition. After I won, I became my province’s, Kamphaeng Phet, main boxer, and got to compete in many more bouts until I became a national team member.
What’s your training routine like?
I work out almost every day to stay in shape and prepare to compete. Some days are harder than others. Sometimes I feel bored and lazy, but I tell myself those feelings are just in my head. I know what I’ve got to do, and I always do my best.
What are your goals for this Olympics?
This will be my first Olympics, and I am more than excited just to be there. It will be my last time, too, because I will be over the age limit by the time of the next Games.
What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced?
Right now, the Thai Boxing Association isn’t in too good a shape. There have been fewer events, and I haven’t faced a new competitor for about 7 months now, making it difficult for me to improve. In order to become a better boxer, I need to fight different boxers with different tactics. However, all I can do right now is hope for the best, no matter what happens. My goal is to be placed in the top three at the games.
What will you do after retiring from the national team?
I hope to become a boxing coach one day, but if that doesn’t work out I will go back to my day job as a soldier. Ultimately, I want to make enough money so that my family and I can lead comfortable lives.
Who is your favorite boxer?
Manny Pacquiao [from the Philippines] is my favorite. I think he’s a great boxer, who is not only strong but fights in an aggressive and exciting way.

As a young child, I loved watching Thai films, even though many saw this as unfashionable. I would always read the end credits and imagine what I would have done differently if I had made the movie.

I was really intrigued by the film Mueng Nai Mok when it was released in 1978. Most movie posters back then just focused on the actors’ faces but this one had a black background with one line of text followed by “Directed by Permpon Cheiarun.” I had no idea what directing was but from then on I dreamt of seeing my name written up like that.

My parents had no idea what communication arts was when I was admitted to Chulalongkorn. When they heard I had got in to study motion pictures, my mom rubbed my back and said, “Don’t worry, you can try again next year.” She feared I would graduate and become a poor journalist like one of her friends.

I was given the chance to make Thailand’s first ever music video for Pun Paiboonkiet’s “Fun Tee Lud Loy” over 20 years ago. I had no idea what a music video was. I tried to buy some examples from a market but there weren’t any. I eventually just made it based on my imagination and it turned out to be really successful.

My next job was as a commercial director, which I did for more than 10 years. My most well-known ad is for Thai Chu Rod (a brand of MSG).

I was drawn back to films when my assistant director (Yongyut Thongkongtun) began the movie project, Iron Ladies (2000). I asked to join as art director. This eventually led me to turn my back on advertising and become the director I had always dreamed of being.

To make it as a film director I decided I would have to be a professional like a doctor or an engineer. I wanted to disprove the common belief at the time that a director couldn’t earn good money. I worked on another three successful movies, Mekhong Full Moon Party (2002), Iron Ladies II (2003) and My Girl: Fan Chan (2003), before establishing GTH seven years ago.

Making films is hard but making people love your films is harder. Making a film that you love and getting people to feel the same way is the hardest.

I’ve never felt as much pain as when no-one liked my movie. I was totally distraught when Mahalai Mueng-rae (2005) flopped at the box office. We spent B70 million on it, but only made B10 million.

I decided to make up the lost money by creating new movies. And I am so proud that I succeeded.

Only you alone can face your problems. You might take advice from others, but in the end you must be the one who fixes things.

I love talking to young, aspiring directors. They are so keen to learn and show their creativity. I always tell them to make their next film as if it were their last.
There are no overnight success stories in movie making. It takes time to understand your audience, then at least six months for the production process. Things take time.

Human life can be broken down into seven-year cycles. You’re a child living with your family for the first seven years, then your hormones start kicking in and you hang out with your friends more at 14. At 21 you start working, at 28 it’s time for serious relationships and at 35 you look at settling down. And 42 is when you become a real parent. Because of this, I decided to celebrate GTH’s seventh year anniversary.

I don’t believe in a seven-year itch for lovers. Everyone is constantly changing. If you accept this fact, then you can understand and prepare to forgive the one you love. Then you can grow old together.

Reading interviews is really fascinating. I believe that no one is the same. Reading interviews is like reading of a life that I’m never going to lead.

I’ve dressed the same way for the past 10 years: white t-shirt and khaki trousers. Browsing for clothes was the thing I hated most in life until one day I settled on this outfit. It’s suited to any activity.

Dedicating yourself to a new task is like renewing your life. I feel this way every time I start a new movie.

My next dream is to direct an educational movie. I’m always saying to my colleagues that we need to make a movie that can help rural people improve their lives as they have fewer opportunities.

A director has no right to judge things. If we try to act like we’re leaders, we’ll just come across as dictators in the entertainment field.

Directing is a difficult profession. We spend our whole life thinking of what we want to say. But it’s not always as glamorous as winning awards. 

How did you become a candy seller?
I used to sell Thai desserts like thong yod and thong yib (egg yolk coated in syrup), then I started selling tinned snacks. Eventually, I decided to sell decorative candy, which I’ve done for about 15 years. I also have about 10 acres of farmland, so it’s not my only business.

Why do you do it?
I have a responsibility to take care of my two children, one of whom is a second-year uni student majoring in accounting, while the other is a second-year vocational student. My wife and I sell these finely-crafted candies, so that our family can live comfortably.

How do you make the candy?
First, I heat the glucose syrup in a pan, before adding more sugar for sweetness. Then I add various food colorings and pour the mixture into a pot separated into three sections. I shape the candy using my hands.

What is your typical day like?
I live in Soi Taksin 33, and I set off to start selling from 2:30pm through to the late evening. The first thing I do each morning is heat the glucose syrup and sugar for an hour in bulk, then for another half an hour on a smaller scale. I don’t have a regular stall site, though there are a couple of schools I often visit. I am used to taking the bus with all my kit. I generally don’t visit the same spot for two or three weeks.

Who are your customers?
Mostly kids. Whenever I set up in front of a school, the kids come straight up to me wondering what I’m doing. They find it so amusing and it really puts a smile on their faces. Their favorite model is one of a monkey fishing which comes in two pieces.

Do you have to practice your craft?
I usually practice new models for a couple of weeks before getting the hang of it. I have about 17 varieties right now, including a monkey, chicken, grasshopper, butterfly, heart and dragon. More and more kids began requesting Angry Birds candy, so I practiced that—my specialty is the triangular-shaped one. I like crafting the horse, it’s so beautiful. But the easiest is the monkey.

What’s your income?
It depends on the weather, really. My candy costs B10 for a small size, but this can rise to B20-B30 depending on the design. If it doesn’t rain, I can sell 100 items in one day. But with the higher living expenses nowadays, this could mean a profit of only B500.

Why do you like being a candy vendor?
With my old jobs, I belonged to my employers. This I can do off my own back. I know that if I work hard I will get a just reward, and if I slack off then I’m the one to suffer.

I’ve wanted to be a singer since I was a little kid. I loved watching artists on the television, imagining myself being there one day.

While my friends played football after school, my brother [singer Jirayuth “Joe” Wattanasin] and I would hop in a tuk-tuk and go to a music studio for a jam session.

I was that crazy fifth-grader who wanted a drum set for my birthday. As the younger brother of a member of the popular band Nuvo, music has always been a big part of my life. I always wanted to follow in my brother’s footsteps.

I thank God for giving me this talent. I know how to entertain people and have tons of hit songs. I am a passionate performer and my fans accept me for that.

Don’t fake or create an ideal image to be in this industry. There was a period where celebrities were not allowed to have relationships and your career ended when you started a family. But I have survived this long because I am always true to my fans and open about what I’m doing.

My children are perfect. They’re beautiful, well-mannered, and overall just good people.

It’s not difficult to imagine my kids being involved in the media industry when they grow up. After all, they have a singer father and an actress mother [Kejmanee “Pin” Pichaironnarongsongkhram]. But I want them to get the education and have the freedom to decide who they want to be.

Bad friends can lead you down the wrong path so make sure your kids hang out with good people.

Every celebrity has different strategies to promote their work. Now I have almost 300,000 followers on Twitter. Many Thai people like to make their private emotions public to raise curiosity. When I tweet, I make sure the timing is right.

I have learned different marketing techniques through spending time with my dad [Charoen Wattanasin], a long-time marketeer, over the years. He didn’t teach me directly but I have gained lots of insight from his work.

I feel my knowledge limits my career options. Education is so important in today’s society. I wish I was a better student. I could imagine myself being a doctor or a businessman investing in real estate.

Stick to what you are most capable of doing. Many people in entertainment try to start their own businesses because they are worried that their career as a singer or an actor might come to a sudden end. And in many cases, they fail.

Learn what you love to the max. I know everything about the entertainment business so sometimes I can close a B20 million deal without help from anyone else.

Life gets difficult when you feel there is no way out. I became very depressed right before marrying my wife. There were some complications in our relationship, and neither of us knew how to solve them.

I believe my wife and I are soul mates. Destiny and love finally brought us back together.

My children helped me to take care of their mother after she was nearly paralyzed [in a horse-riding accident two years ago]. We assured her that we would always be there for her.

Making it through this tough time made me realize just how strong a family we are.

Live life to the fullest, and don’t wait until tomorrow as you never know what the future may hold. My wife’s accident taught me to live for the moment, instead of waiting until it could be too late.

I want to have my own television channel focused on preparing for natural disasters. I think Thai people lack knowledge of how to act in these situations, whether it is a flood or a tsunami. I’d like the government to really see the importance of this issue.

I come from a family of athletes. My dad was a badminton champion while my sister was on the national swimming team.

I found myself a place in sport through jet skiing. It’s not a big sport but I reached the level of world champion and I’m really proud of that, though sometimes I wish I could be more like Tiger Woods or Roger Federer. They are just plain cool.

I consider myself a successful person so far as my family and I can lead comfortable lives. Now I just want to see my children figure themselves out and become successful and valuable assets to society.

Sing with the Filipinos

Filipino karaoke skills need no introduction. Is it in their blood? Are they given a microphone before they’re given a baby bottle? Go ask them at Kumpleto Restaurant and Karaoke (Soi Pridi Banomyong 40, Sukhumvit 71, open Mon-Fri 6pm-midnight, Fri-Sun 6pm-2am, 088-495-7700, www.kumpletorestaurant.com), where Filipino teachers and office workers gather for a few drinks, some darts and some serious vocalizing. Saowanee “Pien” Kaennonghu, the Thai owner and chef, says she learned to make Filipino dishes from her Filipino mother-in-law. She recommends tuyo (salty fried fish imported from the Philippines, B70), dinuguan (meat salad, B100) and binagoan baboy (fried pork with shrimp paste, B80). The restaurant also has many products from the Philippines, from baked crispy nuts to milk. But we say head straight to the karaoke room, open daily but especially late on Fri-Sat.

Eat with the Filipinos

If you’d like to tuck in without having to belt out a tune, just head to Mabuhay (1/31 Phetchaburi Soi 19, 02-255-2689, open daily 11am-11pm) to try the adobong manok (more commonly known as chicken adobo, B150). We just reviewed it (three stars!), so head to http://bit.ly/MVV09V for the full details.

Help out the Burmese

The Sammajivasil School (744 Soi Phayanak, Ratchathewi, www.tacdb-burmese.org) is a Thai elementary school on weekdays. But Myint Wai, a Burmese activist from the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma, takes over at weekends with DEAR Burma (Development of Education and Awareness for Refugees from Burma), a Sunday school to teach Thai, English and computer skills to migrants at bargain rates. The computer program starts from only B400 for two months while both Thai and English are just B350 for three month courses. They’re always in need of volunteer teachers as the number of Burmese migrants applying is growing, with over 500 workers gathering here every weekend.

Tune in to Some
Laotian Sounds

Thai culture is steamrolling Laos, whether it’s our soap operas or pop. But Laotian pop hasn’t kicked the bucket just yet. Head to Bangbon district on Ekkachai Rd., near Rama 2 Rd., and you’ll find this massive market with the occasional DVD or CD stall selling luk-tung, mo-lam as well as pop songs, rock and boy bands from Laos. If you’d rather hear it live, head to Suksawasdee Market at the weekend. Concerts are held there at least twice a month with the promoter (Banjob “Kae”, 081-553-8074) sometimes importing Laotian artists to play local variants alongside Thai singers. Tickets are B100.

Tuck in to Some
Laotian Flavors

If you prefer to just have a genuine Isaan-Lao meal, head to Sirichai Market on Sunday to shop for Lao-isaan food at Talad Lao inside the main market. Here you will find Lao-Isaan vegetables and ingredients that you can’t find at any supermarket in town. The products range from unpasteurized plara (fermented fish sauce) to kai mod daeng (red ants eggs), but there’s also exotic grub like dried buffalo skin, tadpoles and ground crickets. Saeb!

Show Off Some
Burmese Style

Wondering where to pick up some of Burma’s famous beauty products, like thanaka? Head straight to Phra Khanong Market. At the entrance, turn left down a small alleyway seemingly packed with coloful clothing, and eventually you’ll find yourself in Little Burma. T-shirts, raw betel nuts and all manner of spices are just some of the Burmese goods on display. Not too far away is a well-known Burmese eatery, where you’ll be greeted by the smiling face of Dao Giri, the Nepalese-Burmese cook. Her most popular dish among Burmese expats and Thais alike is mohinga (Burmese kanomjean, B30). It’s cheap, tasty and served up in a matter of minutes.

Grab a Burmese Bite

On the topic of Burmese cuisine, some of the most authentic can be found on Soi Ramkhamhaeng 24, Yak 34. Here, there’s a handful of small eateries which cater to the many Burmese students and exchange teachers attending the nearby ABAC. One of the most popular is the family-run Shwe Myanmar which has served homegrown recipes here through a khao gaeng-like set-up for around two years now.

Say Hello to Halal Eateries

Bangkok has a variety of halal eateries, some of which see very little in the way of Thai customers. Malaysian restaurant Cili Padi (107/3, Thanon Pan, Silom Rd., Bangrak, open daily 11am-10pm, closed every first Friday of the month, 02-635-1167) brought its sizable expat clientele with it when it moved to its present location three months ago. Run by Fahmi Sabri, a Malaysian national, it serves famous dishes like nasi lemak (Malaysian national dish, B60) and kari ayam (chicken curry, B70) mostly eaten with roti (B20), while Thais particularly like the nasi goreng ayam and nasi goreng Pattaya (a local adaptation). Little slices of ASEAN can even be found in our shopping malls, like Jimbaran Bali (5th Floor, MBK Shopping Centre, open daily 10am-9pm, 081-443-6335), an Indonesian stall serving popular sets such as nasi campur (Indonesian mixed rice with soup, B190) and nasi goreng udang (Indonesian shrimp mixed fried rice with soup, B160). For dessert there’s Cibugatanjong Restaurant (465/2 Petchburi Rd., Rachatevee, beside Soi 7, open daily 10am-12pm, 02-612-1581), which has been a fave among Muslims for close to 12 years. Try the roti mataba with banana (B40), best served with fragrant hot tea (B30). They also serve a solid range of mains like their recommended goat curry (B130).

Explore Old
Vietnam Town

Bangkok started welcoming regional migration well before ASEAN even existed. For a little tour of our oldest migrant neighborhoods, start at Ban Yuan, a Vietnamese community at Soi Samsen 13 dubbed Little Saigon. The Vietnamese presence here can be traced back to the reign of King Rama III, when refugees poured in to escape wars between Cambodia and Vietnam. As they were Christians, the king placed them near the Catholic Cambodians and Portuguese who were already in town. A hundred years later, their descendants still cook up some amazing Vietnamese food. Start with Pa Kay (123/205 Dusit Avenue, Ratchawithi Rd., 02-243-4788, open daily 9am-7pm), open for more than 50 years. Try cháo canh aka guayjab yuan (Vietnamese noodle, B45), bun bi (rice noodle with grilled pork, B70) and nam nueng (Vietnamese sausage wrapped with veggies, B70), which comes with unlimited supplies of veggies and wrappers. Don’t skip dessert: the bua loy puek (taro in coconut milk, B20) is stunning. Another option is Orawan Nam Nueng Inter, on the corner of Soi 13 who has the same menu as Pa Kay. Opposite of Orawan, Nu Lek sells delicious moo yor (Vietnamese sausage, B40) and ben jue, which is the traditional Vietnamese steamed rice, for B80. But there’s more to culture than food and many in the community remain devout Christians. Head to St. Francis Xavier Church, in the same soi, where a mix of Vietnamese expats and old migrant families congregate every Sunday.

Meet the Mon

The Mon community, originally from Myanmar, is another long-established group in Bangkok. Located in Bangkradee, near Rama 2 Rd., some of the Mon here still speak their forefathers’ language and dress in traditional garb. Start at the Mon Cultural Center (Wat Bangkradee community, open daily 8am-5pm), which hosts displays of Mon antiques and crafts that detail their traditional life. They can also prepare a cultural trip for as cheap as B200 per head (contact Thawil “Pa Phu,” 081-383-7266). Another Mon community can be found at Prapradaeng, a district widely known for its celebration of Songkran festival in the Mon tradition. Stop at Wat Songtham, which was commissioned by King Rama II as a gift to the Mon people for their support against Burma. The brick ordination hall with its 56 round columns and 200-year-old Buddha are particularly striking, but the two pagodas built in the Mon architectural style are also worth a look.

Why did you start selling honey?
I needed extra money for my family. I usually work on a farm in my hometown of Non Sila in Konkaen province, where I live with my husband, daughter and son-in-law. I come to Bangkok when I have enough honey to sell. Selling honey is what I know best as Non Sila has a great reputation for wild honey collecting. It’s a family business, really.

What’s your typical day like?
I generally work from 8am to 5pm when selling honey. Sometimes I need to take a rest on a corner because my basket contains about eight bottles of honey and many honeycombs so it’s really, really heavy.

What’s your income?
I come to Bangkok about once a month, but it depends on how much honey we can find. This time, I have come with four people: my husband and other relatives. The price of the honeycomb depends on the size. A regular size one is B100 while a bigger one is B120-130. I plan to spend a couple of days here this time in the hope of making about B5,000-6,000. It’s not that much money, but every little bit counts.

Who are your customers?
I get all types, from Thais to Japanese, foreigners to Isaan locals. Often office workers will buy from me. Some people like to buy an entire honeycomb, and squeeze the honey out themselves, while others prefer to just buy a bottle. Each bottle contains honey from about five or six honeycombs, so I sell them for B300 each. The honey can be preserved for more than 10 years if you keep it in the fridge. Seeing my customers enjoy the sweet taste of my honey fills me with joy and makes me proud of my job.

Do you ever get stung by bees?
Yes, of course. It’s just nature’s way that if you invade their hive, the bees will fight to protect themselves. That said, I hardly ever get stung because it’s not my job to retrieve the honeycomb. Sometimes members of my team get stung and their eyes or cheeks become swollen, but they’re generally fine because they’re used to it. The bees I carry around with me are mostly stingless because they are only babies.

Is there a best time to buy honey?
We collect honeycomb year-round, but March is a particularly good time because this is when a flower called dok noon, which Bangkokian call dok ngiew, is in bloom. It has the sweetest pollen which means the bees can produce the nicest honey at this time.

I never wanted to be an actress when I was younger. I wanted to be an engineer because it was a cool profession. I still look up to women engineers because they are doing jobs that are supposedly for men.

I was afraid of being tricked when I was first approached by a modeling agent at the age of 14. I went home to consult with my mother who fully supported the idea because she wanted me to become an actress.

As a young girl I was very shy. I was not very good at performing in public. My mom was annoyed by this, so she tricked me into going to many auditions.

It’s destiny that I ended up in the entertainment industry because it wasn’t what I pictured myself doing. It’s just in my nature to do the best that I can, which got me through the auditions and landed me roles as an actress.

I started to enjoy acting more as I made friends in the industry. It’s fun interacting with new people. However, as the years have passed, I have grown to love acting for the art itself.

I love all aspects of my career because everything is interesting, just in different ways. Being a host requires that you think on your feet to creatively solve problems on stage, while being an actress allows you to play a character that is so far removed from who you really are.

Being a judge on a TV talent show is risky on so many levels. People are quick to attack you for your beliefs or for something you say. I just try to speak the truth, because it’s too much trouble having to remember all the lies you’ve told.

I was really pissed off about the bare-breasted painter segment on Thailand’s Got Talent because it was so inappropriate. It’s important that television sets good examples for young kids. We need to make a clearer distinction between what is right and wrong.

In Thai society it is still unacceptable to do many things in public. Unfortunately this applies to women more than men.

People have called me a hypocrite for a photo shoot I did for Image magazine [in which Benz’s naked torso is doused in chocolate], but I’m prepared for any criticism. I understand the consequences of any of my actions.

Thai people don’t like to vote in shows like Thailand’s Got Talent because they don’t want to be seen as fans of this kind of entertainment.

As a judge, I know how important it is to support our rising talent. If we don’t support them then they won’t have the opportunity to develop.

You must adapt to survive. One day you could be a lead actress, then the next day nothing. I eventually want to be a mother, an aunt, even a grandmother, so I need to be ready to adjust to different roles as time passes by.

My mother used to pinch me for ignoring my fans when I was younger. She said I’d be sorry if in the future nobody cared about me anymore.

The media is more than ready to jump on you, but they are just doing their jobs, like we are doing ours. Some people believe it’s better to always be in the news, whether it’s good or bad, because it brings you more fame. I don’t see it that way.

I only cry on stage. I don’t see the point of crying over bad situations, it doesn’t solve anything. I choose to think about the core of a problem, then what I can do to improve the situation. I consider myself the head of a family, so I cannot be weak. I need to stay strong so other people can depend on me.

I want to be a comedy lakorn producer, where everyone can go home with a smile on their face. I think it would be a good career move for me, seeing as I love the industry and taking care of people.

I want to be a housewife at some stage in the future because I enjoy taking care of the people I love. It might sound funny, but I consider it one of the hardest jobs to do.

It really struck me when my dad once said nothing is better than my mom’s cooking. I thought it was super cute and I want someone to say that about me one day.

Do the best that you can in everything you do, regardless of what the outcome might be. When I’m acting, I don’t want to come away thinking that I could have expressed a little more emotion, or I could have done a little bit better. I