I didn’t like business school at Chulalongkorn University after I got in. I spent most of my time at home reading books, on history or philosophy, then went to take the exams when they called.

Reading lots of books made me hate capitalism. I hate the way that it seeks wealth incessantly and never takes responsibility for anything. I promised myself that I wouldn’t work that way.

I never regret wasting my time at university studying something that I don’t like. I accumulated a different kind of knowledge that I saved to use in the future.

I chose to be a reporter in various media like Manager newspaper, GM Magazine and Asia Times. I worked for five years before launching my own magazine, Open

Magazine, and then my own publishing house, Openbooks, five years after that.
I began Openbooks publishing because I felt exhausted doing the magazine, which happened every month. I wanted to take things slower, like writing books.

Books can better express what you think, and they live for longer than a magazine. Your thoughts are always out there.

We don’t run our publishing business like marketing people. They have a profit goal to achieve, but we’ve already achieved our goals because we just do what we believe in.

There were friends of mine who asked me to be a host for their talk shows about two years ago. They all asked about the same time, so I thought it might be my destiny. I finally agreed to be a host for Tob Jode [Answer the Question] and Plien Prathet Thai [Changing Thailand].

I became a host during a time when our society was very divided and had high tensions. It’s like we were wandering through a sandstorm and couldn’t see. I tried to walk straight as much as I could, but I accept that sometimes there was dust in my eyes, too. Luckily I have thought-filters – like glasses protecting me from the dust.
I knew that I would be hated by people from both sides. It can’t be avoided. I couldn’t be angry and tried to understand that this phenomenon is the symptom of a sick society.

You can’t be the winner in an argument with unreasonable people.

I didn’t mind when people criticized me for interviewing controversial figures, like ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. I know that I do my job with a pure spirit. Every public figure has the right to talk to the media.

During times of conflict, we can’t let one side dominate the conversation.

Time is the most precious resource for TV. That’s why I always get straight to the point and ask direct questions, because I only have 20 minutes.

I am going to have another talk show that is going to be like 60 Minutes. It’s called Siam Wara [Siam Agenda]. It will air on Mar 21.

The media are so dramatic these days because we live in a country where lakorns [Thai soup operas] have the highest ratings every night.

Thai people should turn off the TV and do something else.

TV is like a hot plate. When you hold on to it too long, you will feel the heat; and it burns your hand sometimes.

I want to get back to writing books. TV has to be fast. It destroys our time and concentration on other jobs.

I am trying to find my balance and happiness. If you keep doing things that make you unhappy, you’re insane.

My ultimate life desire would be to just read books at home and be with my family. I try to spend time with my only daughter; we like to do things together.

Children are the smartest people. They are quick learners and open-minded. They embrace everyone. You can see that’s how they survive in a world of conflict. That’s why I choose to talk with my daughter, rather than teach her.

People who are my inspiration are all spiritual leaders, like Thich Nhat Hanh or the Dalai Lama. I understand that normal people will try hard to be rich or gain reputations, but these spiritual leaders all do the opposite.

Just loving the people who sit next to you is already enough to make society better.