I didn’t attend my graduation ceremony when I finished university. I’m too lazy, and it was a waste of my time. By the time you graduate, you should be smart enough to know that your diploma is just a piece of paper. It’s just a social code of conduct.
And I wondered why His Majesty the King should waste his time on me. He should spend it doing something else that will have greater benefit for the country and the people.
The person who has had the greatest influence on me is my mother. She is open-minded about everything. She understood why I didn’t attend my graduation, while my friends’ mothers didn’t. They said one day I would regret not having pictures of the ceremony. But I don’t.
Sometimes we glorify books, making them out to be more important than they really are. You can learn about everything from books, but they can’t give you the type of life knowledge that you can get from other sources. Even some computer games can teach a lot to children. If we only read books, how can we know what is happening in the world?
At present, it seems like if you want to be smart, cool and clever, you have to read books. Suddenly somehow we have the feeling that we want to be a “book city.” But do Thai people really love to read that much? That’s the question we still have to answer.
I don’t see the significance—or the alarm over—the shift toward electronic media. It’s not that important. Whether you’re reading off paper or a computer screen, it’s the same, just a different format. What is important is the content, how we perceive it and how we put it to use.
The scientific method has gotten me to where I am now. I studied biochemical science and was molded by the scientific method, so I know how to reason.
I think some journalists lack core knowledge. They might know the method and the techniques and have a general understanding of subjects, but not in-depth knowledge in a particular field—whether it be music, science or law.
They say women only love to read “light” stories that are fictional or nonsensical. But that’s not true. When I worked on serious articles for Praew magazine, the feedback was very positive.
I have interviewed hundreds of people, memorable people like Pierce Brosnan and Brendon Fraser. But I was most impressed with Dr. Jettana Nakwatchara. He talked about the culture of criticism, which, in his opinion, is what is lacking
in Thailand.
Criticism is an integral part of the arts. Art should be criticized, and in turn we can criticize the criticism.
When I feel I have all the time in the world, that’s when I can write a short story. A magazine column might take 15 minutes, but for a short story I need to feel like I have an endless amount of time.
The short story A Woman Who Falls in Love with the Buddha considers the sadist and the masochist. What we learn is that the notion that a sadist is a bad guy who tortures his lover is a misconception. In fact the masochist needs pain in order to feel happy.
Sado-masochism isn’t an act of violence. It’s an expression of love. Like we kiss and hug, they punch and burn and slap each other.
When I write this kind of story, I’m never afraid of negative feedback. My book Gendersim, which is about homosexuality, was seen by some as divisive or “hardcore.” But it’s not. It just explains things in a straightforward manner like no one does in Thailand.
People do talk about sex and gender, but not in a theoretical way. The discussion is based on their own belief system. For example, from a moralist perspective, others who have a different understanding are wrong. Or you can’t do this or that because it is against a moral code. But, if we really want to understand sex and gender, we need to look at it from every angle possible.
Meditating for three days and then claiming that you are a religious person is not something that I want to do. Dharma is all around us: If we breathe in and feel blessed, breathe out and feel serene, that’s the way to practice Dharma.
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Formed in 1995 as ambient drum ‘n’ bass DJ trio Aquasky, the DJs, producers and music labels Passenger and 777 are now exhibiting a heated passion for breakbeat. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary with an album tour. For their recently released Teamplayers album, the trio (Dave Wallace, Brent Newitt and Keiron Bailey) got a couple of their talented friends to collaborate, including Meat Katie, Elhornet, Icey, and Freq Nasty. Bangkokians can hear some of their works fresh and live on Jun 3.
Why breakbeat? What makes it appealing to you?
It’s a fresh scene. Drum ‘n’ bass can get a bit boring after a while. The breakbeat scene now reminds me of the d & b scene 10 years ago when it was exciting and new for us. Everybody in the breaks scene is friendly and approachable which is really cool. I think you have to keep changing and evolving. Just doing one thing can get boring sometimes, so the move into breakbeat kept us interested in the whole scene.
What’s the strong point of working as a team?
It means we can run our labels and continue to produce. Not all of us can be in the studio sometimes but it doesn’t matter. It also means we can DJ at 3 different clubs at the same time. We have quite a variety of music tastes, although we all like what we produce and DJ. That is a strong point I think as we all bring different elements to Aquasky.
Who was the most impressive artist, for you, who joined you on the Teamplayers CD?
I can’t say just one artist otherwise all the others will get jealous. On a personal tip, my favorite tracks from the LP are “Girls & Boys” with Elhornet from Pendulum, “Overneath” with Meat Katie and “What Can You Do” with Backdraft and MC Spyda. I also love the Drumsound and Simon Bassline Smith remix of “Time Up” with MC Spyda. This DJ tour at the moment is to promote the Teamplayers LP so we will be dropping our favorite tracks and some really new material never heard before. I have heard good reports about the club from DJ friends of mine who have played there. They said the club and people were wicked and really looked after you. It’s going to be a wicked party.
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People say that Bangkok is an animal-friendly city, but after being rejected from bringing your four-legged child into department stores, restaurants, hotels, and even Suan Lumpini—where herds of soi dogs are seen strolling everyday—you might start doubting the notion. At least now there’s a place where you and your furry friend can eat, drink, shop and wander in the greens together with other pets and their owners.
At Ozono (307 Sukhumvit 69, 02-662-3280. Open daily 7am-midnight), a white mall complex for pet lovers, they treat your beloved pet as a VIP guest wherever it goes. You can take it along while you go eat homemade Italian ice cream at Tuscanini (09-449-6557), tailor a new dress at Present by Anurak Roumsook, pick out a pastel skirt at the local brand Rebecca, select new furniture or whatever you can do in a proper mall. If you don’t want your little one to be bored when you shop, hire a professionally trained dog walker (B150/30 minutes) to help.
What’s so amiable about Ozono, apart from its surroundings (a nice, white two-story building that surrounds a long green court), is that your pet can have all the entertainment and luxury that you can. It has Aqua Dog (02-259-2786) where Mr. Hiroaki from Japan designs the hippest hair styles for your pooch in a glass-walled salon so you can see what he’s doing to your pal. Your pet can also get a massage, bath, haircut and grooming there. While your dog is getting an aromatherapy treatment, you can go out and treat yourself to a nice, reasonably priced coffee at Coffee Berry (02-259-5960) or self-indulge at Naomi Hair Solution (02-662-0736, 02-662-0783), Nail Concept Exclusively O.P.I. (02-662-1845) or Sabai Body Massage (07-004-8475).
Next to Aqua Dog is Doggie Bag Living (02-259-2788) that offers snacks, custom-made clothes, furniture and even jewelry for dogs. Their homemade signature cookies—bacon and liver, tuna, and chicken—cost B20-25, so Fido can have a special little treat. Under the same roof is Cat Societe (02-259-2788) where cats can socialize or stay over night. The fluffy hosts Blaire, Thonglor, Ferbie and others will welcome your cat with hospitality. At the far end of this complex is The Petropolitan Hotel (02-259-2785) or The Pet—sound familiar?—where your dog can stay in a comfy cage (you can think of it as a suite) for B400-2,000. The Pet promises to take good care of your dog, bring it out for a walk often, and if it behaves itself, it can go out and party with its friends, which is a good option when you have to be away. At the back is a two-rai Thai-style garden, exclusively for members—meaning your pet, not you. Dogs can run freely up and down the rises or dig around near the stone pool. You can enjoy a book at the bench, letting the dog run wild. Please note: The membership rate for the park is B20,000-80,000 per year.
Both you and your cuddly critter will love everything about Ozono.
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Supersub is a fresh-faced new band under the support of indie darling Tar from Paradox, who is their producer. The trio is guitarist Gull, vocalist Koln and bassist Ohm who belt out pop rock tunes on their debut album Start, released this month. It’s a dream come true for them after many years of performing free gigs and attending music contests. Their first single “Royyim” is rising on 104.5 Fat Radio’s chart. We catch up with two of the team, Gull and Koln, and talk about their album.
Why Supersub?
Gull: It’s a football term—a substitute player who got a chance to play and does an excellent job. It’s appropriate for us as we are new artists and not quite real players yet. This is our chance and we want to prove that we’re good enough. We will have to see whether audiences will accept us as players or not.
So you like football? Which team will you guys support in the coming World Cup?
Koln: I don’t really like it, but I’ll support China because they’re an Asian team.
Gull: Germany, for sure.
What do you expect from this album?
Gull: I don’t think it will be a hit like BodySlam or anything. We just want some people to recognize us. We don’t want to release songs that people like but soon forget. We just want to be a band that audiences remember.
So what style of music do you guys like?
Gull: I listen to mostly English songs. My favorite right now is The Killers, which in fact is an American band, but both British and American people listen to their music. I think they’re good and not superficial.
Why do you think British music is so popular with naew music fans?
Gull: Actually, very few people like this style, I think, and Brit-pop is dead. It’s just that those very few people who like British music have strong faith in it. American music, like Linkin Park, is very focused on appealing to the masses. However, there’re also some people who feel, “I’m so cool” by listening to British music but don’t understand or even like it.
How about you, Koln?
Koln: I’m collecting theme songs from video games I used to play, like Nintendo, Family, Phantom and others. Sometimes when I listen to songs with lyrics I feel annoyed because I always relate it to my own life. Now I choose to listen to instrumental music for an escape.
Why don’t you guys form a boy band? That would sell.
Koln: Once we talked about doing this album for the money, but when we starting doing it, we felt that it was not us. So we started making music for art sake.
Gull: It’s really hard to make a song that will be liked by the public. I respect people who make music for the masses. They are really good at what they’re doing.
What do you want to say to our readers?
Gull: I want you to listen to this album. It’s something atypical but not too hard to get. In fact, it’s easy to listen to but it’s just different.
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Prakarn Raiva, or Name, is a coy 18-year-old who is bringing forth what he has always had a passion for—music. He has worked for GMM Grammy as an ordinary staff member for quite some time, and is now putting that experience to use, stepping into the spotlight with his first album, What’s Your Name?, on Green Beans Records. Did he get the deal on account of his parents, who owns the S&P restaurant and bakery chain? He says his name had nothing to do with it.
What is your style of music?
For this album it’s quite an alternative choice for the audience. I try to blend Britpop, which isn’t very popular or widely known in Thailand, with my style of music, making it a fun album people can enjoy at any time. I think the popularity of Brit-pop among locals will grow.
Why Britpop?
I’m crazy about it. When I was abroad, I had many chances to go see Brit-pop gigs. The music is fun and makes me want to dance along.
Who are you Britpop idols?
I love Coldplay and Oasis. I can feel it when I watch them perform. They can shake up millions of people with their music. I don’t expect to be as great as they are; I just want to enjoy what I like.
So we can expect a great live performance from you?
Well, when I made this album, I took live performance into consideration, too. It’s what I want to do. I can let myself go free on stage like I never can in real life.
What’s your favorite track on the album?
I like “Love Me, Love My Panda.” It’s about a panda that likes to eat my food, drive my car, tease me and trick me, but I still love it. I wrote this song for my sister who is like that.
How did you feel when you first heard your song on the air?
I was so thrilled. I ran to call all my family to the radio and turned the volume the loudest it would go. They liked it and felt quite proud of me.
Your first single is quite ironic, isn’t it?
Yeah, the song “Princo” is about the blank CD brand Princo. A young musician from abroad flies here and sees that name on every CD, so he thinks it’s a super popular band. Every home has this CD; even his friends have thousands. He feels that he’s not good enough compared to Princo, so he flies back to his country.
Since your parents have a bakery business, can you bake?
Of course, I can make banana cake, cheesecake, banoffi pie and some others—with some help from a cookbook and my mom.
Are there many people who take you for a hiso who just spent money to make his own album?
Yes, there are some, but I’m prepared to take this. All I can say is that I got this record deal using only my own effort and ability. I want people to judge whether they like or dislike this album by listening to it, not by who I am.
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This small, sleek slider offers average functionality for ladies with small hands. It’s not the most stylish phone, and looks alone can’t justify the price. However, taking sophistication into consideration (this phone has bits of everything in it), this could just be the item for you. B12,900. http://th.lge.com
• Light and very compact—only 88 grams in weight.
• Good for carrying around the neck.
• Cool look and groovy slide.
• All interface connectors—whether to charger, earphones or computer—come with solid plastic covers and attach to the phone with elastic, keeping them dust free and protected.
• Bluetooth, global clock, SMS and MMS, plus a decent digital camera.
• Very user friendly and easy to use.
• The quality of the sound for MP3s is quite good.
• The screen is small, so it’s not good for shutterbugs.
• The navigation buttons are far too small for a guy’s hand, and even pretty small for a standard lady’s hand.
• Just 128MB for a multimedia phone? You’re kidding.
• No slot for memory card.
• The stereo headset seems like a kid’s toy.
• Basic organizer and small phonebook make it inappropriate for business use.
Sony finally live up to their reputation as audio pioneers with the W810i. The latest in the Walkman series is the best so far, offering obviously music but also a 2-megapixel camera, an easy-to-use interface and handsome looks—all in one small package. B19,900. www.sonyericsson.com
• Great sound out of the box, even better than our iPod, thanks to Sony Mega Bass and snug earbud headphones.
• Can be used with any standard headphones—not just Sony Ericsson—or even plugged into external speakers.
• Made for music with access to functions from side buttons, including a dedicated music player button.
• High-resolution camera, smooth panning on clear display.
• Can downloads songs via USB or Bluetooth.
• Flashlight and SOS mode.
• Cool graphics.
• Comes with 512MB memory card, upgradable to 2GB.
• Sony Ericsson jack is annoying: difficult to connect, exposed wires can get bent and it pops out when you don’t want it to.
• Can’t plug headphones or speakers directly into phone without special jack.
• Playlist software isn’t nearly as good as iTunes.
• Sound quality as a phone is disappointing.
• Not compatible with Mac.
• Price.
If you can’t wait for Apple to come out with a phone, here’s the next best thing. Well, almost: It can only hold 50 songs. But music or no music, the sleek design is sure to get you noticed. B13,900. www.motorola.co.th
• Looks awesome. Plus the blue model will help you stand out in a crowd (if you hurry).
• Thin shape.
• iTunes. Works just like our iPod.
• Sounds just like our iPod.
• Compatible with Mac.
• Did we mention how cool it looks?
• Limited memory equivalent to about 50 songs.
• Metal keyboard doesn’t work well when covered with just a little moisture (i.e., your sweat).
• Can’t use standard headphones.
• They insist it’s spelled “RAZR,” not “Razr.”
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He almost got to play football for Liverpool, was awarded Face of the Year by Pride magazine and was a member of the heartthrob boy band, Blue. Being the first in the band to release a solo album, Simon Webbe proves himself to be more than just a pretty face, hot body and sugarcoated voice. With hits “All Rise,” “Fly By” and “One Love” under his belt, Simon has been termed the clever Jim Dandy of Blue with songwriting skill and a proven track record. His solo album Sanctuary also has a multitude of hit singles, including “Lay Your Hands” and “No Worries” on the top five of the UK charts.
Hip-hop is basically my background and that’s why people would expect me to do that for my first album. But I’m not just about hip-hop or R&B; this album isn’t really based on that. It is based on life and inspired by tragic situations in the world like 9/11, tsunami and the AIDS epidemic.
I don’t think there is much music out there that makes you feel good. I don’t know why but there is too much negativity in the world today. I just want to make music that will plug out a few of the harsh things in life.
I’ve lost friends through suicide in the past. Sometimes you can feel like life is beating you down, and you forget about your friends and the people that really matter to you. That’s what “Lay Your Hands” is really about. The song is a helpful track that says, “look at yourself, look at your friends, look at your loved ones,” just to check if they are OK.
“No Worries” is about life changing and learning to be patient. It’s the song I wrote for my daughter.
I want to dedicate this album to women to show how strong they are and how much they mean to men. Men know it well, but we don’t really say it because society has built us up to be macho figures that can’t show their feelings or sensitive sides.
If you think it’s a pop album, it’s a pop album. That’s fair enough for me as long as you like it and you get the message that I would like to share. But I call it urban folk.
I sacrificed my education for my dreams, and I’m a lucky one that is actually living the dream.
I used to think if I had to decide between playing for Manchester United or being with Blue, I would play for Manchester United. I’d always dreamt of being like Pele, scoring in the final goal of the World Cup with millions of people watching.
Music was never really my thing when I was growing up. I was always in the park, playing ball. That’s all I knew.
There’re a lot of people who have come to me and said “thank you” for this album and that my music has changed their life. Someone came to me with tears in their eyes telling me, “You know you helped me get through my husband’s death,” or “My dad and my mom got divorced when I was young but she still loves him. ‘After All This Time’ touches her and she keeps playing it and I know it’s about my dad.” If I were a footballer, I wouldn’t have that power.
It’s a lot of pressure being a solo artist, especially coming out of a boy band. Robbie Williams, Justin Timberlake—they are what every soloist who comes out of a boyband tries to be. You never know what will happen with you. I’m the only one who can let myself down.
I just feel like I’m meant to be here. I’m here to help people through music.
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A member of the well-known and well-respected Bunnag clan, Tew Bunnag shuns the spotlight and hiso parties in favor of the simple life. He writes and volunteers at the Human Development Foundation, which helps children affected with HIV in Klong Toey. His latest book is After the Wave, the proceeds from which will go to education projects for children in the South. We caught up with Tew before an appearance at the “The Author Speaks…”, a series of live readings organized by the British Council and the Oriental Hotel.
What was your childhood like?
My father was a diplomat, and he was posted in London when I was very young. So I left Thailand without really understanding why we were leaving. I found myself in a completely different culture, which I had to adapt to. In those days, there were much greater differences between East and West. I was brought up surrounded by books, as my mother was a well-known translator—she translated the novel Prissana to English.
What was your favorite book at the time?
I liked the Arabian Nights, and I still read it now. I still keep the old copy that I had when I was seven. The next English book I read was Lord of the Rings.
What did growing up in England give you?
I think when I learned how to deal with life in between the two worlds, it gave me a certain perspective on Thai society—a great appreciation of it, actually. I know ways of appreciating details and subtlety of Thai society, like none of my friends who are here can understand. That’s because I look at things from the outside and that gives a very nice perspective.
What are the messages you want to get across in your writing?
I don’t think I have a message to tell from my books so much as questions. Questioning for me is more important than trying to give out a message. I mean, I do have messages. I think we should be aware of where we’re going, rather than just going toward, let’s say, one big shopping mall.
And what are the questions?
This society now is very different from the society I grew up in; there are great mobility and great changes. I think that we still have a very long way to go until we get a decent and just society. I think at the moment it’s really important to patiently ask ourselves what quality of life do we want, what to keep and what can be discarded from the tradition, rather than just stay where it is and end up shopping.
What do you get from volunteering?
When you work as a caretaker, it’s not really about virtue or piety. Those kinds of reasons don’t really get you through. What you learn, really, is how courageous people are, how strong they are. In particularly when you work with people who are really sick, you get this sense of perspective of celebrating simple things in life like friendship or a cup of tea. I watch all the things and I realize how fragile life is. It’s a big lesson. It’s what is called direct dharma, direct teaching.
What is After the Wave about?
I want to tell how people survive the terrible things that happen to them. I saw such brave people—people who had nothing in the first stage and then that little they had was swept away. They have to start and build up again. I don’t think you can avoid sadness because people are still very sad down there. But it tends to be hopeful. What always attracts me is how humans can go through such terrible things like losing the ones we love.
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What is the most popular hairstyle right now?
Now hair extension is very popular among Thais.
How much is it?
Well, a row from left to right of your head is about B500 for long hair. All heads need about five to six rows, so it’s around B2,500.
What is the most expensive hairstyle?
Dreadlocks. If we use real hair to do it, it will take a very long time—and will cost about B7,500. But if we use artificial hair, it’s quicker so it will cost just about B2,000-2,500.
During which periods are you busiest?
It depends, but mostly at the end of each month. The two or three days before Songkran are also very busy days.
What are your working hours?
I sleep during the daytime and work from 4-11pm. If I have customers, I stay longer. Sometimes the municipal police raid the area and I have to run before that. I work on Monday as well. But I have to watch out for municipal police. I set my stand very close to the footpath.
What don’t you like about this job?
Some customers don’t wash their hair before they come, mostly farang. Some haven’t washed their hair for months. Especially the ones who have dreadlocks will tie their hair and leave it like that for ages. When I untie it, I nearly die from the bad smell, but I still have to service them.
Is the money good?
If I can do a head every day, I can make enough for a living. But some days I have no customers at all, though that’s not often.
Is the price for foreigners and Thais the same?
Pretty much the same. Other hairdressers might charge more for foreigners, but I don’t. Foreigners should even pay less, as they most likely have thinner hair than Thais.
Do you come to celebrate Songkran at Khao San every year?
Yes, I do, but this year I will take my daughter to Hua Hin. Last year I came here and there was a lot of fighting. A guy even threw a beer bottle at some others. I was afraid that it would fly my way. So, no more for this year.
What is the main problem working here?
The municipal police, of course. You know, we do an honest job to earn a living, but they keep coming to drive us away. I don’t think it’s fair. And if we can’t escape in time, they will take one or two of our things. Then we have to go to them and pay them to get the things back. If we don’t, they will come troubling us. So we just pay B100 or B200 or whatever.
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Vanpe Sajamark or Jay, 34, is an up-and-coming young blood in the sports business. He’s part of the new generation of sports news anchors on Channel 7, a host and producer of the golf program T-Off on UBC, a co-founder and teacher at the Bangkok Cleveland Golf School and one of the most sought after sport commentators and MCs. With his solemnly polite look and perfect English and Thai language skills, he opts for the intellectual side of sports rather than the competitive.
My philosophy is if you don’t try, then you don’t know. This is how I was brought up. So when I was back, less than a month, from the States and Khun Suppaporn Mapuangpong asked me to join commentating a NFL match, I said, “OK, let’s try.”
I learn by doing but Khun Suppaporn also coached me along while we were commentating. That day, I was very excited and nervous. I probably said three sentences in three hours. After doing it for a while, I learned when you can talk, what you can say, and how you can say it.
You may not always like what you try, but there’s no harm in trying. Give it a shot and if you don’t like it, then step back. But if you like it, then pursue it.
There’s a difference between a touring pro golfer and a teaching pro golfer. A touring pro has the knowledge and the ability to win. A teaching pro has the knowledge, he can explain to other people how to do it, but he may not necessarily have the ability to do it himself. I now have the knowledge to be a teaching pro, but I can’t do all the things a touring pro can.
Not that this is an unsatisfactory life to lead, but by that time I graduated, I had to join the real world. I know that I have to work and you can’t have a career and be a professional touring golfer at the same time.
If my family had enough money so that I could just buzz around for a few years, then I would probably have practiced golf to try to go on tour.
Golf is a gentleman’s sport and it has integrity. It doesn’t have a referee with a whistle seeing if you are doing anything wrong.
Every golfer pretty much governs himself. You know the rules, you obey the rules and you penalize yourself.
If I came back and pood Thai mai koi chud, people probably wouldn’t mind it so much because I’ve been away so long and I left when I was young. For being in the States for 13 years with just one visit to Thailand and one Thai friend, I still speak Thai quite clearly.
I think to be able to speak Thai clearly is something you should be able to do as a Thai person. I don’t understand why somebody would go for a master’s degree and come back and pood mai chud.
Petprauma is what kept my Thai intact. My dad handed me a copy of Phraimahakarn Part I and I started reading that before I went to the States. While I was in the States, my dad had somebody mail me every issue. So I had a chance to continually read Thai.
If I don’t start something, that’s OK. But if I do decide to start, I truly prefer to finish it.
I get to learn about life more so than if I wasn’t in the spotlight. I get to meet more people doing what I do. At the beginning of the year, a few of the world class golfers came and I MCed the show.
You see good things and you see bad things. Some people you meet and you realize that you like them better when you didn’t know them. Some people you like more when you get to know them.
In ten years, I will still try new things, but golf will always be part of my life, I’m sure.
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