What inspired you to be a singer?
When I was a child I wanted to be like the members of The Beatles, my favorite band. I was fond of their unique songs. They introduced the whole world to a new kind of music and everyone loved it. That was so amazing.

How did you come to sign with RS?
I sang at many restaurants with friends for a living. Fortunately, one of my friends knew a producer named Pee Rojanadara, so one day I recorded a song and left it at his studio. Almost a year later, he called me up to say he liked it, which gave me the chance to work with a talented producer. After this, I presented many more songs to him. At last my dream came true with the song “Chan Kor Tod,” a collaboration with Bandit “Moo Muzu” Sae Ngo, after which I had my own album on RS. After that my life changed, though. I joined the army; meanwhile, my songs, “Chan Kor Tod” and “Nam Suem Bor Sai,” were top of the charts. I was listening to my own songs in the army and thinking, what on earth am I doing here?

Are you happy with the feedback for “Tee Rak (Ter)?”
I’m so happy that listeners love my new song alongside my other sadder songs. Perhaps, they may ask, “Oh! Can Ake Surachet really sing a warm-hearted song like this?” But “Tee Rak (Ter)” is an easy-listening love song, which captures that moment when you have a secret crush on someone.

Can you tell us about your accident last year?
After a gig, I was so tired and sleepy that when I went out to my balcony to collect some washing I accidentally fell from the third floor. I could have died, but luckily I wasn’t critically injured—just a broken wrist and a fractured hip. The clothes line on the second floor saved my life. After this misfortune, though, loads of good things happened to me. My story surprisingly motivated some people to change their lives for the better and it was the first time I really realized that I was famous because I was invited onto various popular TV shows. The most important thing was learning that my life is more valuable than anything.

What can you tell us about life as a soldier?
I volunteered for the army at my brother’s suggestion plus I was bored with too much partying and wanted to get more structure in life. From the army, I’ve made friends and really developed myself. I also learned about several types of weapons and improved my fitness.

Where do you usually play gigs?
Mostly I play at my close friends’ hangouts that I used to play before becoming famous, like About Hip (Prachacheun Road) and The Local (on Rangsit).