How did you first get involved in filmmaking?
I never studied film in university. But a love for film has always been in my blood. I’m a real film junkie, especially when it comes to artistic films. So, at the age of 30, I decided to leave my job as an organizer and pursue my dream of making a film. I gathered the funds from many sources and made my debut film, Dae Por Nak Pattana Phoo Ying Yai (2009). After realizing I could make films on my own, I followed it up with 9 Mahadsajan Ong Rajan Phaen Din (2010), Siang Tao Fah Nah Tao Klong (about Thai traditional music, starring Lek Carabao, 2011), and Menu Kong Por (2013).

What’s the story behind Pawn Shop?
After Menu Kong Por found some success, Golden A founder Somchai Ongarj saw my work and asked if I had any ghost-related plots that could work with his studio. I gave him a very brief outline of the film and how I wanted it to be a different kind of ghost movie where the living really confront and interact with the ghost. Surprisingly, he entrusted me to work on it. It’s made on a small budget and most scenes happen inside a single room, but with Noi Pru starring, the ensuing hype probably makes it my first so-called commercial film. The film is carried by the performances of the actors, who make it a really powerful statement.

We heard that your film will be screened abroad, too.
It’s already been shown in Hong Kong, where some people from the UK took interest and asked that the film be screened at an event in Coventry. It will be screened in Malaysia, too, right after Thailand. I think this interest is mostly down to the fact it’s a rather different approach to a ghost film. I hope my work can act as encouragement for lesser privileged people who don’t have the chance to study in a university that you can eventually achieve something big through diligence and a strong work ethic.

What’s your signature?
I think it has to be the picture style, which is quite obvious if you’ve seen my previous movies. It’s all about the framing, the intensity, and the fact that I never compromise on dialogue and acting. As a director, I need to get my hands on every detail; I used to do all my films’ posters by myself.

Where do you get your inspiration?
From everything around me. Inspiration doesn’t have to come from watching an epic film. The idea of Pawn Shop actually came to me when I went broke last time making a film and had to go in and out of the pawn shop all year round. As another example, now I’m really fascinated by Thai people’s love of football, so I plan to do a film about it next year.

What do you think about Thailand’s movie industry?
Thailand is not really a film-producing country, like the USA, India, China or Europe. The industry is so small. It seems Thai movie-goers are more into the hype surrounding a film than the film itself. And unfortunately, only films from the few big productions houses have the opportunity to be promoted.

What’s next for you?
A film that I directed called Rang (The Parallel), which should be out next year, with Paula Taylor playing the lead. It’s inspired by a real incident where an old woman was punched and robbed. It’s about this little girl whose mother dies in front of her, and her doll who takes on her mother’s soul. I think I’ll do a film every year. I don’t need anything but filmmaking; it means a lot more to me than gold or sport cars.