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.