Partygoers in Bangkok might have hardly ever heard of this guy, but DJ Sabaii Sabaii, a.k.a. DJ P, is in high demand in Germany, Switzerland, and Australia. He is usually seen on Pha Ngan Island as the resident DJ of the Black Moon party at Baan Taai. This time around, he’s coming back to his roots in Bangkok, where he’s practically a stranger. Experience the Sabaii Sabaii sound loved by hippies, partygoers, and psy-trance lovers this week at Astra.

How did you start this DJ career?
It started 20 years ago when I went to a disco called Catier. I stood wondering what’s the DJ was doing, scrubbing the vinyl. I was attracted to it and went there everyday. Fortunately, he was in need of a DJ for an early slow session, so he taught me how to play and I worked there after school. When I finished my session, I stayed to see him play, noticing that playing dance songs is much different. I kept learning more about it and practicing. I knew that office work was not meant for me. I traveled around and played at many places, from Bangkok to Had Yai to the border at Su-ngai Kolok, and then abroad.

Before you played at hotel clubs mostly?
Yes. I was a resident at Diana Club at the Oriental Hotel. Its beauty was breathtaking, more like a castle than a nightclub. It’s quite unbelievable that I left Su-ngai Kolok to be in such a gorgeous place. I even temporarily dumped my hippie look for a clean tie and nice suit. Then I moved to the Dusit Thani and Bubbles at Shangri-La. Bubbles was the talk-of-the-town as it was the first club to play hip-hop by me and DJ Chicago.

And how did you find your real love in psy-trance?
I signed a contract to play in Japan and I was there for two years playing funk and hip-hop. One day I went to an underground club called Speak Easy. Speaking of it, I still feel goose bumps. The music rocked my soul. I didn’t know what kind of music it was, but I erased the songs in my MD and instantly recorded it live then and there. I knew later that Astreal Project from Israel played that night. Then I brought my MD to a record shop and ask the owner what kind of songs these were, and he told me they were Goa. I bought every Goa CD they had available.

How do you start playing abroad?
Well, after Japan I went to Pha Ngan Island and played monthly at the full moon party. I got hundreds of farangs inviting me to play in their country, but one of them was actually serious and sent me money to buy tickets. So I flew to Germany. After the first time in 1999, he books me every summer to play at Voov Experience, which is a three-day outdoor hippie event. The venue changes every time, but it’s always in a faraway hill or forest, because they want that panoramic feel. People camp around the dance space. They dance, eat, go to bed and get back up to dance again… they do this for three days.

What is so special about psy-trance?
Psy-trance derives from psychedelic trance and psychedelic trance from Goa music. In the ‘60s, western hippies went to Goa, India to absorb the lifestyle and culture, and brought back psychedelic rock. This has evolved into psy-trance today. In Thailand, I think not so many people like this kind of music; but most who do are in Pha Ngan. If I am in Thailand, I’m always there, too. Psy-trance relates to nature—full moon, half moon, black moon, etc. It has nothing to do with clubs. Most of the psy-trance lovers don’t have much money. We can’t afford hi-so clothes, so we dress casually. We enjoy the world and the music and we have our own lifestyle. We listen to the music all day and night.

What’s your goal as a DJ?
I want Thai people to enjoy this kind of music. Once you understand psy-trance, it’s impossible return to other kinds of music. It’s about feeling and lifestyle. I’ve made farangs stamp like crazy until the Earth is many centimeters thinner. I’m Thai, so I want Thai people to have fun with my music also.