You’re a poet—why’d you study Economics?
For me it’s normal to have some special interest that’s not related to what you study. Actually I am better at poetry than economics. I was president of the Pen Club at Chula and the same in my high school’s literary society at Triam Udom. I just studied economics because that’s what my family wanted.

How did you spend the prize?
I gave one-third of it to my Mom, and I spent some of it on books and travel—food for my brain. I saved most of it, though.

Tell us about Jaikrung.
It is a collection of poems about the “incompleteness” of people in the city. It begins with reflections on the cyclical nature of our problems and ends philosophically—optimistically—that we can solve all of our problems.

There are so many other forms of expression that are more popular—why write Thai poetry?
I just do what I am most skilled at and most comfortable doing. In addition to that, Thai poetry is special. It is shorter than prose, so we can incorporate more wordplay and leave readers with a charming vagueness that makes them think. To me the form is much more fun than English poetry, with its alliteration, rhyme and rhythm. It’s really sad that people these days aren’t that interested.

What’s your opinion of young western music-loving poseurs who tend to look down on Thai poems?
It’s inevitable that a more developed culture will be easier to accept and more influential. And we can accept them, but we should not just throw away our roots. Using English when you should speak Thai or speaking Thai with a farang-like accent is the “cow forgetting its own hooves.” Believe me! Authentic hipsters never discredit themselves by rejecting their own culture.

What is more cool: rap or Thai poetry?
I listen to hip-hop music and like all those rappers, as well. But, obviously, Thai poems are much more subtle in language. So many rappers focus only on violence and debauchery. I think that most people love them for their swaggering image, not the real message in their songs.

You speak English so fluently. If someone offered you a million baht to rap in English on an album, would you do it?
I wouldn’t. It has nothing to do with the money, either. It just wouldn’t be me.