How did the idea for Hi-So come about?
Hi-So’s my most personal film. It’s based on my feelings of being an outsider both in the US where I studied, and also in Thailand when I returned. In the US, I was the guy from Thailand and in Thailand I am the guy from the US. Not belonging anywhere is a feeling shared by many people of my generation.

We heard that Hi-So was the first film you wrote. So what took you so long to produce it?
I was studying in university at that time. I was too young and didn’t know how to make it. So I put it away and did other things. Then in 2006, I started my company Pop Pictures and made Wonderful Town. When it was a success I had the chance to make another film so I told myself that this was the opportunity to go back to the beginning and to finish up what I started a long time ago.

Both films are about relationships.
I can’t think of anything more important to talk about besides love and relationships. I think it’s the best subject for movies.

Why cast Ananda, Cerise Leang and Sajee Apiwong?
I have known Ananda since he was 22. I met him when I first came back from the US and wanted to make Hi-So. It took me six years to make it, and in that time, he became a big star. I didn’t work with him because he’s famous, but because he’s perfect for the role. I wanted someone who spoke English and Thai, and there aren’t that many people who can. I worked with Cerise on a TV commercial in 2005. When I was casting Hi-So, I googled her and found her living and playing music in New York. I asked her to come to Bangkok to act in the movie, saying she would have some time to relax and practice her guitar. That was a fair trade, so she came. Finally, I met Sajee when I went to Chiang Mai. She was a student. I liked her immediately. I think the camera likes her a lot. She looks good on screen. She’s young and has no experience. Some actors have too much experience and it ruins them. Sajee came with nothing and that was what made her so special.

How do you define the word hi-so?
Every Thai person is fascinated by this word. In every magazine and TV soap opera, there is the hi-so life displayed for everyone to see. I have seen these soap operas since I was young and I always thought it was so different from the hi-so people that I know. The soap opera always focuses on material things: big house, nice car, expensive hand bags. But actually, many hi-so people are not like that at all. What makes them different is what is in their head. So I wanted to make my own version of this soap opera with love, relationships, and good-looking actors.

Do you practice your cooking performance with real knives? Have you ever had a serious accident during the practice or show?
Manager: Yes, we practice with real knives. It took us a while to get used to them, and of course, we had several accidents.
Head chef: But we’re not afraid of using real knives. There were only minor injuries.
Sexy guy: Before using real knives, we first practice hitting a tire with wooden sticks. Later, when we feel confident that we can use real knives, we use them on chopping boards.

Isn’t it boring performing the same story every day?
Manager: There are different audiences every day and because of their joyfulness and cheerfulness, we never feel bored. I’m thankful that people all over the world enjoy our show.
Head chef: We perform under all kinds of circumstances which is always challenging and fun especially when the other actors are also enjoying themselves. This is the power of Nanta.

How do you deal with underwhelming responses?
Sexy guy: The show must go on! There is no such thing as “no response.”
Hot Sauce: Nanta is well-known all over the world. So, no response from the audience would be absurd. If that happens, we actors encourage ourselves to continue our performance.

You’ve been touring so many places all over the world. Which is your favorite?
Head chef: In Germany, somewhere in the countryside. During the performance, there were some Korean exchange students holding our national flag and cheering. Because of this incident, German people also came to know that Nanta is from Korea.
Sexy guy: Right now, it is Thailand. I feel this performance will be memorable and I hope to stay a bit longer.
Nephew: In my opinion, that would be Japan. When Japan suffered those earthquakes, Japanese people were holding their hands and said that Nanta gave them hope. I will never forget that moment.

What’s next after Nanta?
Manager: I haven’t thought about it. Maybe Nanta will be my last performance.
Head chef: I’m in love with Nanta. So I’m going to perform a lot longer. Later on, I’m thinking of films or the theater.
Hot sauce: Still, I’m devoting my career to Nanta, so no future changes for now.

Old German Beerhouse

For a traditional vibe, head to the Old German Beer house, a typical European style sports bar screening live matches and offering a nice outdoor space for smokers. Apart from the BBQ pork, you can also enjoy proper German beers Erdinger or Warsteiner on tap (B1,140 for a tower).
B/F Grand President Tower Hotel, 11 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-3838, 02-651-2708. Open daily 8am-1am.

Bei Otto

Focusing more on food, Bei Otto on Sukhumvit 20 is another traditional German restaurant famous for its game, sausages and schnitzel. Have it with draft Hofbrau (B200/pint, 1,200/tower). They also have some imported bottled beer for B200.
1 Sukhumvit Soi 20, 02-260-0869. Open daily from 11am-midnight.

Tawandang German Brewery

Famed for their roast pork knuckle, Tawandang German Brewery combines German brews with spicy Thai food. Choose from weizen (if you prefer wheat), lager or even a dark dunkel beer. Most are available at B130 per pint. The huge space on Rama 3 Road is packed almost every day and the stage hosts daily comedy shows, live bands and even a cabaret performance.
462/61 Rama 3 Rd., 02-678-1114/-6. Open daily 4pm-2am

Brew Beer and Ciders

For a more contemporary vibe, head to this brand-new pub, decked out with an industrial décor. They have over 100 imported bottled beers, and some hard-to-find German varieties. Try their just-arrived Bock Bamm, black beer from Munich (B240), or just go for the Paulaner (B220/pint).
1/F Seen Space, Thong Lor Soi 13. 02-185-2366. www.brewbkk.com. Open daily from 4pm-2am.

Aston Gastro Bar

Located on the second floor of Crystal Design Centre, The Aston offers not only a combination of contemporary Asian and French food, but a good range of imported beers: in particular, Weihenstephan, both Black and White, for B200 per pint, and lots of bottled beers, too.
2/F, Crystal Design Center, 1420 Praditmanoontham Rd. Bangkok, Thailand. 02-102-2323. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight.

What inspires you?
A lot of different things. Sometimes it will be a song that I love, or just a random song that I hear and it gives me a good idea. Sometimes it will be a movie or picture. You never know what’s going to inspire you. As far as idols go, I never had direct idols. I look up to creative and successful bands. Anyone who can play music every day of their life and make a living. That has always been my goal. Just play music and enjoy life.

Does “emo” define your band?
The word emo is short for emotional. I think any great band puts a lot of emotion and passion into what they do. We’ve been referred to as many different styles of music and I’m fine with any label that people want to put on us. We just consider ourselves a rock band, and yes, we put a lot of emotion into our music and shows. So I guess we can be an emo band.

Why are you changing to be more rock n’ roll?
We just write music that we want to hear. We never set out to write a certain style of music. As long as we love what we write, that’s all that matters. Of course we will always play some sort of rock music. I guess we’ve just gradually progressed more toward rock n’ roll.

You have been touring a lot.
I’ve learned a lot about music from touring around the world. The main thing I’ve learned is that music is the universal language. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, or where you live, we can all be brought together through music. I’ve found that most countries around the world really love American music. It’s a great feeling to travel to the opposite side of the world and have people sing your songs back to you.

What is your favorite gig?
I love playing Australia and Japan. They both have the most amazing fans and the most beautiful cities on the planet.

After their second gig at Club Culture last year, the musical collective Delicate Decibel returns with a much bigger event held over four consecutive nights at four different venues. They start this week with a collection of postrock outfits at Cosmic Cafe (Oct 5, 8pm, B250 with 1 drink) before continuing to the Motorcycle Emptiness Bar the next day (Oct 6, 7pm, B250 with 1 drink) See the full line up at facebook.com/delicate.decibel. Here, organizer and front man of electronic outfit Space360, Auttaratt “Benz” Photongnoppakun, talks about the concert series.

Tell us about the event?
The aim of Delicate Decibel is to showcase new, experimental bands, as last year, but I also wanted to add more variety for the audience. Last year I, as Space360, and Kijjaz joined the Fete de la WSK 2010 in Manila, Philippines, It takes place over 15 days in 15 venues and is dedicated to experimental sonic art and a diverse range of artistic activities in the context of digital culture in South East Asia. . I wanted our event to be exciting like that; people who come to the event truly come to appreciate the art of music. So, I came up with this idea to make it a big event, with four days and four venues where the themes are slightly different on each day.

How will the events play out?
The opening day will be held at Cosmic Café with live electronic, post-rock, experimental and drum n’ bass—and DJ sets [upstairs] in the Fish room. This is the first time I have a chance to work with Electrobacillus who will join us doing live visuals. The theme for the next day at Motorcycle Emptiness Bar is similar to the first, but with different acts. We return the third day to Fish Room [at Cosmic Café] with dubstep, drum n’ bass, techno and live electronic. We use live visuals as a tool to communicate with the audience. On the last day, at Nospace, it will be more like a music workshop that is also open for teenagers who want to experience and get started with music.

Some of the bands are playing for the first time with Delicate Decibels. Any rising stars to look out for?
Actually they’re all great in their own way. Jin always develops himself every time I see him live. Noah’s Tape is always shy on stage but their electro acoustic tunes are so catchy, they could get an impressive reaction from the audience. This is our second time working with Animal Machine, who play live electronic and could be defined as drum n’ bass, and they put on a very good show before. As for The GAD, they play a more experimental style but with instrumentals that are easy to get for new audiences.

How do you think the audience will react?
There are lot of music styles out there that might not fit the mainstream but are also good. There are a lot of bands that work really hard to make their albums. They should be supported, otherwise they might disappear from the scene. Even our neighbor, Vietnam, has an experimental music festival, Hanoi Sound Stuff, which I joined last year. They can have over 3,000 people attending so why can’t Thailand have a phenomenon like that?