Controversial TV host Vuthithorn “Woody” Milintachinda, 36, has recently moved in a new direction with his new events marketing company. Here, he opens up to BK about his insecurities, why he almost quit showbiz and why he doesn’t believe in marriage.
 

I’m a walking contradiction with 365 personalities. The people around me have to be so patient.

I’m insecure about my looks. I was told to my face that I wasn’t good looking enough to be an actor when I tried out for a small role. It completely destroyed my confidence. Even to this day, I can’t bear to look at myself brushing my teeth.

The confident Woody is just a shield. Everyone says I’m such a big success, but I still think of myself as Woody the fat kid I was ten years ago. I have an inferiority complex.

Shopping in the supermarket is my favorite moment to be myself. It’s all about choosing what you want without anyone else interfering.

Thais are afraid to be different and prefer to stick together in groups. That’s why we have kids who don’t want to raise their hands – they don’t want to be the black sheep. I came into this industry as someone different and people judged me as over-the-top.

Everything on TV is acting, even reading the news. I dreamed of being an actor since I was very young, so I’ve adjusted my skills to all my TV duties.

I was actually born to listen. Even though my show is named “Born to Talk,” it’s me being a good listener that makes the show more appealing.

I’m not a frank person. I’m so Thai. I say never mind when I do mind. I’m shy, I compromise and I lie.

I’ve struggled, too. People think that I used my connections to get where I am today. But I’ve done it all by myself. I proposed the show myself. I had only a few hundred baht left in my bank account and had to ask for a loan to pay my employees. They needed to feed their families. I don’t sit and wait for people to give me a chance.

I’m a big risk taker. I love to push myself as far as possible. It will be satisfying to see how far I can go before I die.

Showing the bright and the dark sides of this world is my favorite thing as a host. Not everyone gets to meet the most creative people, the greatest liars or swindlers in person, but I can show these people and let the audience decide what or who is good or bad.

Critics are a part of our life. I’m always aware that my character will be criticized. I just take it as a lesson in understanding what’s acceptable in Thai society.

People hate to see bad guys on TV. I learned this when I interviewed Yo (Yossawadee Hassadeevichit) who was accused of having an affair with another woman’s husband. People were mad at me and said I supported this behavior by interviewing her. People even called for the end of my show and insulted my parents. I was so depressed and thought of quitting the industry.

Forgetfulness is both a good and a bad quality of Thais. As time passes, Thai people really don’t give a shit about what you’ve done because they have more important things to concentrate on. Anyway, I have to thank all the critics. If it weren’t for them, I would have missed out on many important lessons.

I regret passing on the chance to interview Justin Bieber three years ago. I gave the opportunity to Chris Horwang while I went and did another job instead. He is so huge today. It would be great to meet him.

I don’t believe in marriage. Whether you’re straight or gay, you don’t need a stamp of approval to say that you’re a couple. A union happens through trust and love, not a piece of paper. I don’t pain on getting married.

I don’t see myself becoming a family man. I just want to travel around the world with the one I love. I plan to go to every single country in the world.

Japan is my favorite place nowadays. I used to think the US was the best, with New York, Los Angeles and Miami, but Tokyo is even better. Their social values, creativity, quietness and gentleness are refreshing. Railway officers will even come to bow and apologize if you’re going through the wrong turnstile. Where else in the world does that happen? Sometimes I even feel like I’m Japanese but born in Thailand.

I see myself as Asian, not Thai. People will probably hate me for saying that. But we live in a region comprising many different cultures. It’s our Asia. In the future, people will proudly say, “I’m Asian.” Anyway, I still cherish the Thai kindness that makes Thailand the most livable country in the world.

I decided to launch the Big Event company because I want to usher in a new wave of creativity in Thailand, not just be another events marketing business. The new generation knows that creativity is what will drive ASEAN and Asia in the future.

Alexander the Great is the person I want to interview most. I want to know what ran through the mind of the young commander who led hundreds of thousands of troops to conquer half the world. I also want to interview King Rama V. I want to follow him around Europe and be there when he made the royal command of the Emancipation Proclamation.

I want to be a movie maker. I’ve been writing a script for 10 years and it will see the light of day in the next few years. It will show a soft and funny side of me that people have never seen.

I’ll be a host until I die. My last question might be, “Who did you have sex with last night?” and then I’ll die in my chair.
 

Advertisement

Leave a Comment