“This film quickly moves to the top of the list of ‘Most Purposeless Use of 3D’ beating out The Last Airbender and Clash of the Titans with ease.” Jeff Bayer, The Scorecard Review

“Just another Wes Craven kills kids running around in the woods movie.” Joshua Tyler, CinemaBlend.com

“The highlight of the film, in fact, is a freaky bird costume...that actually vomits and defecates upon its audience. It’d be nice to think the director were self-aware enough to recognize the obvious parallel.” Luke Y. Thompson, E! Online

“It’s good, theoretically at least, to have Craven back. But why come back for this?” Keith Phipps, AV Club

“So utterly awful that it should have been renamed My Time to Waste.” Brian Salisbury, Hollywood.com

Are shop houses endangered?
You’re the first one I hear worrying about their survival. The urban fabric in Bangkok is a result of its regulations and shop houses offer some of the least restrictions—hence their popularity. If you build a mall, you have to deal with certain regulations, you have to have parking. If you have a plot of land and no space for parking, you can just build a shop house. That’s why they’re all over Thailand. It’s the simplest and cheapest option.

But people now live in condos and shop in malls. Aren’t shop houses more charming?
Sure, I like the idea of shop houses. It’s the Bangkok of 30-40 years ago. You do business on the ground floor, live on the second floor. Now, people live in a condo on top and the commercial space is at its foot, but it’s the same thing, really. Only it has spawned horizontally. But I like the idea of mixed-use spaces in the city. It’s crucial.

Any chance for the shop house model to be revived?
I don’t think anyone is actively trying to preserve it but it’s true that it’s dying in some areas, mostly because you can’t park there, such as around the flower market. But as the master plan for public transport in Bangkok is implemented, I think people will start to walk on the streets again. And with the introduction of mass transit and more walking, shop houses will return. It’s happening in Thong Lor because people can park and it’s close to the main transport system.

What’s the main issue with shop houses, from an architectural standpoint?
I mentioned parking but the first issue with a shop house is light. Shop houses are designed to be built side by side, so it’s not very healthy. They can go really deep and you have to deal with that, either with artificial or natural light. The other issue is fire exits. But actually, the whole point of the shop house is that it’s a blank canvas. It gives you a lot of flexibility.

Read tips on how to decorate a shophouse from Ekkapong Tritrong,  Head of the Faculty of Decorative Arts, Silpakorn University

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What inspired you to write Tok Taeng Teuk Thaew Hai Na Yoo, about redecorating shop houses?
Many people live in shop houses and it’s quite a cramped space. I wanted to explore better ways for living in this type of building. Nowadays, shop houses can also be the face of a town or city if they have a distinctive look. Just look at the colonial style shop houses in Bangrak.

Why are shop houses so popular?
You can’t do business in a standalone house. Shop houses are much more multipurpose.

What are the three top rules when thinking of renovating a shop house?
First, the design must allow for good air circulation and plenty of natural light. Second, get a qualified engineer to check out the shop house’s structure tosee what condition it is in. Finally, consider
your neighbors. Make sure you don’t upset them.

Phuket Town: New Old Fashion                

All about shophouses: a Q&A with celebrated architect Duangrit Bunnag