I’m an animal who feeds on money. It’s the way I was raised by my parents. I know no other way of life.

 

Living abroad taught me that no one had to clean my shit or give me money. I had maids and money at home, but in the US I didn’t even know how to use a washing machine. I was completely puzzled. Damn, I just wanted to wash my fucking clothes!

 

I’m an “almost famous” type of person. I’m 50 and I’m always treated like, “Have you been in a movie? Aren’t you the guy who played so and so? Your face is so familiar.” All I can say is, “Yes, right. Yes, I am.” I just let them finish the sentence. It’s kind of fun; like playing a game with them.

 

I went into hibernation for a while. This time last year, I was grumpy, crying crazily about my life, that things weren’t how I wanted. But now I feel so calm, taking things step by step. Not happy but not sad. I’m just pleased about the way I am.

 

We all have a past, but we don’t have to dwell on it. With my exhibitions, people expect to see my trademark ladyboy look. But I want to do something different. I offer my tomorrow, but people always want my yesterday. I want to take risks.

 

Art and movies both try to convey a message. But with movies everything passes in a moment, while art is forever. You might think you understand the message straight away, but if you experience it again that message might be completely different. It’s about your experiences.

 

I love words. Words are human products. We are the only species in this world that has writing. I think it’s because other species are greater than us. They have telepathy, like dogs or even infants. They talk without words. The more we grow up, the rougher we become.

 

I’m a columnist now. It’s a pretty new thing for me. It’s just my thoughts; bitching about society’s hot topics. I don’t even use my real name. People assume Michael Shaowanasai will only talk about pussy or dick. Now I will prove that I can talk about other topics, too. I’ll also have a small role in a movie, which will come out this year. It doesn’t have a name yet.

 

The present is with us like a flash and then it’s gone. I love what Robin Williams said: “You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” Humans give too much importance to time.

 

I enjoy watching gay porn these days, not because of the sex, but because I really love the production. It’s vastly superior to the old days.

 

The gay rights situation in Thailand is like a glasshouse. It might look beautiful from the outside. But if you live in there, don’t throw stones. It’s not good, but it’s not bad. I’m holding a stone in my hands waiting for the right moment to speak out.

 

Thai society is so a hypocritical. There is a Thai proverb, “The mouth say spre-cepts but the hands carry pestle,” which describes people who say one thing but do the total opposite. A more accurate way of putting it is, “Hands carry pestle, but the mouth sucks dick.” Just look at go-go girls: they make a lot of money for our country but we reject them.

 

I will create art until I die. I don’t know in what shape or form. I just know that I will be artful, even if I’m selling noodles.

 

I love to direct. I love that you can order anyone to do whatever you want without any guilt!

 

Make as many mistakes you can. If an opportunity arises for you to make a mistake, grab it, because you’ll learn from it.

 

I can’t tell you what my biggest mistake is. That will go in my tell-all memoir. All I can say now is if I hadn’t made mistakes, like stolen money from my mom, I wouldn’t be who I am today. No one would know me, interview me or ask me to open an art exhibition. My life has been inevitable. No matter how bad the things I’ve done. It’s the butterfly effect.

 

Enjoy your down moments. They happen so we can appreciate the bright times even more.