What inspires you on a day to day basis?
Financial need [laughs]. Basically writing songs that will be fun to play live. We’re pretty sensitive to not appearing like assholes on stage so much so that if a song feels wrong or it’s not clicking well when we’re performing we’ll actually drop it altogether.

If you had to choose your favorite record of all time what would it be?
The new Wild Beasts record Smother is what I’m listening to most right now but Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and David Bowie’s Low would also definitely make it onto my list

How was it recording your fourth studio album Barbara with a new drummer?
Our new drummer Andy Burrows (of Razorlight fame) was in London, me and Keith were in New York and our producer was in LA so it was a pain in the ass to arrange everyone’s schedule. But it ran much more smoothly and amicably than previous records. Andy came in as a very like-minded songwriter and respected what the band had done previously whilst being excited to add to it.

What can fans expect from your gig here?
I think we’re in the height of the process of becoming a really great live band. It definitely helps to have Andy along full-time for the tour because it feels like we have a huge artillery van behind us, driving us on.

Is there anything you’re most looking forward to whilst in Singapore?
My parents travel a lot and Singapore is the one city in Asia that they would consider moving to. The island is definitely a mystery that I’m really excited to explore.

Have a rocking night with We Are Scientists at the Neon Trees—Live in Singapore gig.

The band needs no introduction. Since forming in Australia in 1977, INXS has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. The band’s most successful releases include 1987’s Kick, 1990’s X and 1992’s Welcome To Wherever You Are.

Lately, although quiet on the recording front since 2010’s Original Sin—an album of re-imaginings of some of their most notable songs—the band has been far from inert. Lead guitarist Tim Farriss tells us from somewhere in Charing Cross, London, just what he and the band have been up to: “You won’t believe it. Lot’s of touring, lots of media, and a lot of jet lag. It’s like watching an episode of Jet Trash.”

And here is one piece of news the men of INXS would like to share with their fans: The band is back with INXS Remastered, a 10-CD boxed set of all the band’s records right up to 1997’s Elegantly Wasted. Available in both digital and physical formats, the collection is on sale now. Of the decision to come up with the anthology, Tim, candid as ever, said, “It’s great for me to have, you know; over the years I used to give out signed records—people want signed albums—you’ve only got so many and end up giving your own albums away. I then realized I don’t own copies of my own records!”

The remastering process was naturally a nostalgic trip for the band, working through all the albums that had the presence of now-deceased Michael Hutchence. Asked about how he felt going through the band’s past material, Tim says, “Well it feels great! When you look back it’s an amazing amount of work and now it’s all just us looking at it. A lot of it is really interesting to hear. When I look at the boxed set, it’s got stuff from the time we were kids; it is also a best of what the band used to be called, The Farriss Brothers. At that time we were starting to take things more seriously—we were still playing in pubs, then going into the studio to record at midnight, recording from midnight to dawn. So it was an interesting period in our lives.”

He also mentions favorites. “Kick is obviously a very special record for us, in the way of success, and it debuted at number one (in Australia). It’s an album we’re very proud of from a musical point of view. Then I look at Elegantly Wasted, which I think is one of our most underrated records. And it’s soaked in sorrow because it’s the last we did with Michael (Hutchence) and we were touring that record when we lost Michael. And a lot of the direct content on that record was very personal to him.”

Previously on hiatus from touring except for a handful of shows, mostly in Australia, since 2007, the band is now back on the road beyond Down Under. But we notice Asia’s not on the band’s world tour schedule. When we quiz Tim about it, he tries to assure us, “Yet. It may well be. We’re only in phase one of the world tour. We’re still putting together dates, and we would dearly love to come back. We love playing there and I have great memories of being there; in fact I’ve had holidays there. It’s definitely on our radar. We look forward to going to Singapore, and Singapore Airlines is still one of my favorite airlines to fly; and believe me we’ve flown on a lot of airlines. But yeah basically, we look forward to touring Southeast Asia as soon as possible.”

Here’s hoping that Singapore will be added to the band’s tour calendar this year.

From fitted dresses with swirling colors to a looser, gorgeously layered monochromatic selection for his upcoming Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer 2012 collection, expect the unexpected from this innovative 27-year-old fashion upstart, who recently showed at the Asia Fashion Exchange and the modefabriek fashion event in Amsterdam. He lets us in on his design, philosophy, working technique and future plans.

What is your design philosophy?
I start with soft geometrical forms; basically working on the concept of maximizing on minimal ideas. I aim to construct clothes using different methods, often starting from very simple ideas. For example: How I can make a jacket lapel by using just rectangles? I’m in love with drafting, but I can’t resist breaking the rules. I long for freedom but can’t live without a little control in my life. Basic “boring” geometric shapes are huge building blocks for my collections. “How I can give ‘life’ and change these fixed shapes?” is a question I ask myself all the time. I always look at my garments as three-dimensional sculptures as opposed to flat jigsaw puzzles.

What are the inspirations behind your upcoming collection?
Spring/Summer 2012 is my 10th collection and I’ve titled it “Liberate.” The collection melds eastern understanding of drapery with the precision tailoring of the west. I suppose the easiest way to think of it is to imagine a monk on Saville Row in London! She wants to shed her robes for the tailored look in the stores and I’ve expanded this idea to bring a new masculine take on womenswear. I took the square-ish geometry of the monk’s robe and the purity of the faith and re-imagined it in new ways using calculated draping. I exaggerated the jacket collars of Saville Row to take on new identities as waistbands, sleeves and pants. With this collection, I “liberated” the strict tailoring rules using free-form draped garments.

How long does it take for you come up with a collection each season?
What many people don’t realize is the amount of work that goes into putting a collection together. We have to work over a year in advance: The initial research, concepts and sketching, then sourcing and drafting, before producing the finished collection that you see. It takes me about two months to conceptualize a new collection where I do a lot of research and sketch and drape my ideas. It’s very important. As much as I am drawn to conceptual pieces, I always try to maintain and strike a balance in commercial viability. Art comprises fashion, fashion however is not art.

Where do you make your clothes?
Quality and construction has always been an important value for me. I source my fabrics personally and they mainly originate from Korea, Japan, Thailand and India. In order to control the entire production process to ensure the quality and finishing I need, I still produce all my garments in Singapore.

Thoughts on the local fashion industry.
Singaporeans are starting to have better knowledge of cult labels. I think this is very encouraging. However, one thing I hope for is the opportunity to showcase more homegrown brands at our fashion festivals, instead of relying on an all-international brand show to pull in the crowd and buyers. I don’t think you need to step out of Singapore to be recognized. We have received really positive global exposure thanks to the international press such as Stylesight.co, the Vogue Paris blog or the Vogue Nippon magazine. But with Singapore’s limited market size, we certainly need to step outside of Singapore to grow the business.

Future plans?
I really hope to continue to grow to become one of Singapore’s most internationally recognized womenswear fashion brands alongside international greats. I hope to be able to show internationally as well, and my dream is to be a fixture at the on-schedule main fashion show in London. But the eventual goal is to try to expand to countries in Europe, Middle East and the Asia Pacific.

Famous last words.
Fashion at its purest form must begin and end with construction.

Max Tan’s Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collections ($210 upwards for a top and $699 upwards for a coat) are available at Blackmarket and Zouk Boutique

Being a kid is the best. I talked to myself a lot, made up my own language and sang songs using that language.

Walking through a market or hawker center and smelling every culture of food from otak-otak and satay to curry and of course chicken rice, is one of my fondest memories of Singapore.

I learned to be an entrepreneur in Primary Two. I went to Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) and we used to have to wear an MGS pin on the uniform or we’d get into trouble with the monitors. I‘d buy the stickers that looked just like the MGS pin from the tuckshop for 10 cents and would sell them at 20 cents a pop to girls that lost or forgot their pin.

I’m really a Singapore girl, but with an international outlook. I feel that no matter where I go, I’ll always be Singaporean at heart.

The cover of my first album Mississauga was inspired by the mascot of Singapore, the Merlion.

The world wasn’t ready for an Asian female rapper and Hollywood didn’t know what to do with me. At first, they wanted to promote me as some sexy, exotic girl but I didn’t want that so it pushed me to be more independent.

I feel like as a Singaporean, I know what it means to be small yet self-sufficient and that’s the approach I adopt while making music.

People used to think I was one of Snoop Dogg’s music video hoes trying to get her big break. There was a lot of sexism going on and nobody actually thought there was more to me than just a pretty face.

I started tweaking my voice to sound like a man in the songs I’d written just so that the big names would take my songwriting seriously.

I lived my first eight years in Singapore and come from a typical Singaporean family. It was the competitive “must be No. 1” attitude of Singaporeans that drove me and kept me striving for more.

Living in Canada definitely exposed me to a great variety of influences and gave me a wider perspective on things but at the end of the day, I still believe I wouldn’t have been so motivated and as successful if I wasn’t a Singaporean.

When I first started out, I worked with many underground artists and producers from many genres like dubstep and even reggae. It was a wholesome experience and very inspiring.

It can be discouraging at first to work with people better than you and with so much more experience, but it challenged me to up my game and try to match their standards.

Teaching in ghettos and being so close to poverty while in Jamaica really woke me up to the rest of the world and its problems. It made me realize how lucky I was to have been born into a country that values and places emphasis on proper education.

The moral of The Emperor’s New Clothes might be that vanity blinds us, not all that glitters is gold or that an excellent sales pitch will get you everywhere. However you look at it, it’s a good story.

The Lion City girl is coming home.

Sirichai Moollek, 36

a driver for a logistics company, is a loyal fan of Sisaket FC, attending almost every one of their matches since they reached the TPL.

How often do you follow them?
Nearly every match. I keep up with them by e-mail or Facebook. Last time I went to Pichit by charter bus after the all fans pitched in. I took the bus with other fans all from Samut Prakan where my company is located.
Why Sisaket?
They’re my home town team. I’m so proud that we’re cheering for a local team, not for foreign teams, like the English premier league. I also like their style of playing.
What’s your cheering style?
I ask my fellow fans to cheer politely. Whether we’re winning, losing or drunk, we have to make sure not to get carried away.
What do you want to say for those who haven’t attended a game yet?
If you want to see Thailand in the World Cup, then we have to support them.

Chanadda Somapa, 24

a saleswoman, fell in love with Muangthong United three months ago and now can’t stop coming.

How did you become interested in football?
I had heard about Muangthong, but really wasn’t that interested. Then when I attended my first game, I saw they play very well, and I haven’t missed a match since. I like the goalkeeper, Gavin Dhamsajjanund, most, because he plays very maturely, with his brain, even though he’s quite young.
Do you follow them around?
Yes, I went to Chonburi with my boyfriend to cheer for them. It was about B2,000 for the whole trip.
Which was your most memorable match?
The one they played against Buriram F.C. The ticket sales were a record B2 million! We didn’t score, but it was still a great match.

Pongpisut Niyomtham, 28

an HR worker at TOT, tells us why he ignored his company’s football team and became a drummer for Ultra Muangthong, allegedly the best cheer group in Thailand.

When did you start cheering for Muangthong United?
Since 2009, about a year after they started playing. The team is near my home so it’s really convenient. I started out as a normal fan but then the Ultras needed a drummer at a match, and I asked to try out. Now we have a couple of drummers who rotate.
How often do you attend?
Last year I went to nearly every away match Muangthong played. But this year I picked only nearby stadiums because I now have a family. I’ve only missed two matches, though—Chonburi and Chiang Rai.
Why do you like them?
The coach and the team members are really accessible, like brothers. We’re really close. If we have any comments, we will tell our head cheer, then he will talk to the team about the problems.
Any memorable matches?
When we played at Rayong against the Navy team. We only had 200 fans with two drums but we roared so loudly, we buried the Navy fans, who had at least 5,000 people.
How do you feel about politics in Thai Football?
Politics and football don’t get along very well. Though we’re against the chairman of the Thai FA, we really need to change the whole system. Last year, the FA performed badly. They got hundreds of millions of baht for their budget, but they managed it very badly. I think there is corruption afoot for sure.
What do you have to say to those who haven’t attended a game yet?
I’d ask them to try. It’s not nearly as dangerous as they might think. Supporting local teams is way better than cheering for foreign leagues. You can see them for real, not just on a screen. We can touch them.

Chanid Wongharm, 32

an engineer at Amata Industrial Estate in Chonburi, tells about how he started as a fan of Chonburi FC before becoming a head cheer for Sisaket FC.

How did you become head cheer?
It may be because l dare to scream and play with the other fans. After getting this title, I do my best. Last year I never missed a match. This year I’ve managed 70% of the home matches and all the away games.
What are Sisaket fans like?
I am very thankful to Chonburi and Muangthong who pioneered the team cheer culture. Sisaket used to have rude cheers like “Get the fuck out of my way!” and other bad words. But now we scream only “Sisaket Su Su” or our cheer songs. We can have as many as 7,000 fans at away game.
How do you get such a loyal following?
Getting people on the internet isn’t enough. I ask existing fans to bring five friends along. They realize it’s really fun and keep doing it and then ask their friends to do the same. I even ran into an old friend who I hadn’t seen in 12 years. It’s amazing.
How do you control the fans?
Friends keep an eye on their friends. If they find someone being rude or throwing things, they will stop them. Thrown bottles and shoes will tarnish the whole Sisaket province.

Akarat Tokaew,

31, a Sisaket municipal official, who never misses a single home game, is at his first away match.

What’s it like being an away fan?
I’m really impressed by the huge number of Sisaket fans here. I never thought there would be this many.
How did you get here?
I came by car with five of my friends, and we split everything from gas to hotels. After the game, we will sleep overnight before driving home. I also took the day off after the game, so we can travel a bit before going home.
How long have you been coming to watch Sisaket?
About three years, when they were still in Division 1. Back then the tickets were free, or about B20. I also bought every shirt. At games, I do everything—cheering, singing, blowing the horn.
How do you feel about Thai football getting so popular?
I’m really happy. I have followed the English Premier League for so long. I am a fan of Liverpool, but now we have our own team. I want Sisaket to have a good stadium like the one Buriram has. I want more people come to support Thai football. I don’t expect that we will go to World Cup soon but we should try to become a leading team in Asia, like Japan.

Yongyut Gonggaew, 35

an animal carer at the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, photographs memorable moments from Sisaket games around town.

When did you start showing up to Sisaket games?
Just last year, after they got into the Premier League. I am from Sisaket province so I cheer for them. I only follow them in Bangkok or close by.
Who do you come with?
At first I would come alone, but then my wife and my 7-year-old son wanted to come too, so I bring them to watch the games with me. They’re also here today. My son knows all the team songs.
Why do you take photos?
I love taking photos. I started taking photos when I was 19. I upload them to the Sisaket webboard. My username is Bor Bui.
What is the charm of cheering at the stadium?
I meet people who love the same thing as me—football and photography. I met a lot of people who come from Sisaket, too, and it feels like I’m in my hometown. The culture of fans coming to cheer makes Thai football more interesting.

Katedithee Chalermwan, 24

aka Funwan, tells us about her first time as a pretty for the Sisaket team.

What do you do normally?
I’m a professional pretty, and I have an internet shop at Victory Monument. This is my first time working for Sisaket, and it’s their first time enlisting pretties. They told us that we have to go wherever the team is playing.
What is your experience at the stadium like?
It’s pretty good. I met a lot of fans and everybody enjoys the game. They’re really devoted to the team. I want to invite those who haven’t attended yet to please come support local teams, so we can make it to the World Cup some day.

Pornchai Yuenyung, 39

sells dried squid and noodles outside the Thai Port ground.

How often do you come?
All the time. It’s good for my business and I get to watch my favorite team play. Sometimes I even go see Thai Port at other stadiums as long as it’s in Bangkok. They are like my brothers.
How does the football affect your life and your business?
It relaxes me and gives me something to do. Before this, I watched the English league. I wasn’t into it that much because I could only watch it on TV. But being able to see the real thing live is a superb experience. Not to mention I can sell a lot more, so it makes coming to work a lot more fun.

Kiatpong Meesiri, 40

co-owner of a print house, is a regular at the Thai Port home games.
How often do you come?
A lot because it’s close to my office and I have a lot of friends here. Actually my favorite team is Bangkok United but Thai Port is more accessible, so I come watch almost every home match. Sometimes I even go to their away matches, too.
What keeps you coming?
I like the feeling when I hear the cheering even when the team is losing. The power that the crowd sends to the players is very intense. You see sweaty faces and shirts and everyone has faith in what they love. You cannot find this power in a lot of places.

Porntep Cheaynim, 27

works in the secretariat of a tobacco factory and is one of the drummers for Thai Port.

What’s your relationship with the team?
I play the drums for them. Sometimes if they don’t have the drums for me, I’ll just sing for them. Though I only watch home matches, I’ve been coming since I was a kid. I drum for Thai Port because the drum team I joined belongs to the Thai Port Authority.
What impresses you about the team?
I like how harmonious they are. Every time I cheer for them, I never feel tired or disappointed, even when they lose. Their style of playing inspires me.
How do you feel about the Thai League?
I like it better than other foreign leagues because it represents Thai-ness and I get to be involved fully. It’s something tangible. I feel I can touch it.
What do you want to say to others who haven’t been to a game?
It is one thing you should do at least once in your life. I’m sure that even if you’re not into football, you will still enjoy the crowd and the atmosphere. Don’t think of it as a dangerous place to be. People here aren’t aggressive like most people think.

Charoen Pandee, 32

normally works as a goods assorter at the Thai Port Authority, but come match day, he becomes the Thai Port lion mascot.

How did you become the mascot?
I’ve been working at the port my entire life. I’ve been through everything with them since the very beginning. At first there was no one who wanted to wear the lion outfit. So, I thought that’s something I can do for the people here and the team that I love. You don’t have to know how to play football to play a part.
Do you enjoy it?
Of course I love it. The kids like me, the fans like me, everybody likes me. I feel honored to be the symbol of this team. I go with them everywhere, even when they have a match out of town.
What’s the charm of cheering live at the stadium?
It is more intense, your adrenaline really gets pumping. You also get to know more people and make some new friends who share the same interest. You get to be a part of something that is bigger than just you.

Peter Hockley, 60

teaches at an international school, and has been coming to watch Thai Port for two years now.

How did you get interested in Thai football?
I started coming with a group of friends. To be honest I was pretty disrespectful, I’d seen it on TV and I thought the football was a bit of a joke. But as soon as I came and felt the atmosphere and saw the fans, I was sold. Plus the standard has really improved this season.
Why do you enjoy coming so much?
It’s become a bit of a ritual. We come down early, have a few beers and soak up the atmosphere. I even bring meat pies for everyone, so it’s like going to the football back in England. I love seeing new teams and different players every week. I really care about the results now. If they lose, it really does spoil my weekend.
Why do you follow Thai Port?
It’s a ten minute motorbike ride from my house. The atmosphere is superb. Thai Port fans are a bit special: it’s really a family orientated club. We’ve also been made so welcome. We feel like we’re now part of the club.
What would you say to people thinking of coming to a game?
Come, give it a try. It’s really a great experience and great value for money. Anybody with any interest in football will find it a lot of fun.

Lek Soda, 29

a hotel membership salesman, he leads the Thai Port fans in their cheering.

What brings you here?
I have always been involved with football and been around Thai Port for more than 10 years. I go with them to every match. Watching football has become my hobby. It’s fun and it’s a nice place to expand your network of friends.
How did you start leading the cheers?
I think it started because I’ve been here all the time. People in the club recognize me. I’m like the senior member. Maybe my friendly personality makes me well knowwith these people.
Is there ever any trouble?
About three months ago, Thai Port and Muangthong had a fight during the match. The players started to jump on each other, then the crowd were throwing Leo beer bottles. It was a kind of legendary event.
What’s your best memory about following Thai Port?
It was actually the same match against Muangthong. Even though we lost, Thai Port still won my heart with their tactics and their spirit. Even when the referee is a little crooked, the spirit of everyone, the players and the fans, is unwavering.

Where to watch Bangkok’s Premier League teams

Army United

Stadium: Army Stadium, Din Daeng
Website: www.rtafan.com
Nickname: Green Army / Soldiers
How to get there: The stadium is situated on Vibhavadi Road across from Surasakmontri School close to Din Daeng Expressway. Or just catch any bus that says ‘Anusawaree or ‘Din Daeng’ to get there. Call 02-616-8893.
Ticket price: B100 for regular seating, B200 for superior seating, and B300 for VIP. Members get 50% discount.

Bangkok Glass

Stadium: Leo Stadium, Pathum Thani
Website: www.bangkokglassfc.com
Nickname: Glass Rabbits
How to get there: This one takes quite an effort as it’s located in Rangsit, Klong 4, Pathum Thani. If you live in the city, take the BTS to either Victory Monument or Mo Chit, then grab a cab. Call 02-648-6100 ext. 6148.
Ticket price: B200 for VIP zone. The Leo Stand and Singha Stand for families are B120 each, and regular seating is B100.

BEC Tero

Stadium: Thephasadin Stadium, Pathumwan
Website: www.becterosasana.in.th
Nickname: Fire Dragons
How to get there: This season, BEC have moved to the centrally located Thephasadin Stadium, which means they are just a short walk from National Stadium BTS. Just take exit 2 and the ground is on your left hand side. Call 02-262-3919.
Ticket price: For Dragon fans, the ticket is B80 per game, B100 for away fans. Students get in for B30.

Insee Police United,

Stadium: Thammasat Stadium, Rangsit, Pathum Thani
Website: www.pufc.co.th
Nickname: The Policemen
How to get there: This stadium is also one of the uptown venues. The cheapest way is to take the BTS all the way to Mo Chit and then get a public van from the BTS parking space, which will take you to Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus. Call 02-986-8808.
Ticket price: B50 and B100 for Insee fans, B100 and B200 for away fans. Students in uniform get in for B20.

Muangthong United

Stadium: Yamaha Stadium, Nonthaburi
Website: www.mtutd.tv
Nickname: Twin Qilins
How to get there: The club is at Muangthong Thani behind the Impact Hall. The stadium is next to the Thunder Dome concert venue. Call 02-503-4050-1.
Ticket price: Starts from B80-B200 for premier league game. The price can rise for other competitions.

Thai Port

Stadium: PAT Stadium.
Website: www.thaiportfc.com
Nickname: Port Lions / Khlong Toey Army
How to get there: PAT Stadium, is situated on Suntornkosa Road close to the Port Expressway ramp and near to Rama IV. There is plenty of parking in the streets nearby. Otherwise get a taxi from Klong Toei MRT or get the number 74 bus that goes past the club shop. Call 02-671-9250.
Ticket price: Season ticket is B1,500 (including a free home shirt) or B80 per home game.

TOT-CAT F.C.

Stadium: Chaeng Wattana Stadium, Lak Si
Website: www.tot-catfc.com
Nickname: The Phoenixes
How to get there: The club is located at TOT headquarter on Chaeng Wattana Road. Call 02-589-5051.
Ticket price: One price at B80 but members can get discounts of up to 50%.
Keep up to date with all the latest TPL fixtures, news and results at http://tinyurl.com/3hdw6ng

Pitch Fights

Get in touch with your inner Beckham at these top footy pitches. By Ubonwan Kerdtongtawee

S-One

This is an indoor arena with seven-a-side, 35x50-meter pitches. Each pitch is made of soft artificial grass with a video recorder and a wide LCD screen. Other facilities are air-conditioned locker rooms, free Wi-Fi, an internet cafe and restaurants. You can get a referee for B200, and a DVD of the match for B300 (subsequent copies are B50 each). The fee is B1,300 for Mon-Fri 9am-3pm. 3pm-1am and it’s B1,500 on weekends.
1706 Bangna-Trad Rd. km. 4, 02-746-7430-3. http://www.s-one.in.th.

Arena 10

This luxe indoor pitch is surrounded by various bars and restaurants and has world-class pitches covered in 6cm-tall artificial grass imported from Italy. The five-a-side pitch is 19x27 meters, B1,200 on Mon-Fri from 9am-4pm. After that and on weekends, it’s B1,500. For the seven-a-side pitch (27x45 meters) count B2,000 on Mon-Fri from 9am-4pm. 4pm-midnight and B2,500 Sat-Sun. The price includes electricity, top quality balls, and goalkeepers’ gloves.
225/11 Thong Lor Soi 10, Sukhumvit 55, 02-711-6644, 086-326-2133. http://www.arena10.com.

The PAC Sport Center

This might be quite far from the city but its high-standard full-function sports club makes it worth the drive. The pitch is officially approved by FIFA and granted FIFA 2 Star standard. The seven-a-side pitch is B700 from 8am-6pm, B900 afterwards. Yoga classes, martial arts, and fitness facilities are also on site.
488/1 Rama2 Rd., 086-321-7132, 083-920-2000. http://www.thepacsportscenter.com.

Crystal

Three pitches: the Crystal Ground is a 95x55-meter, 11-a-side, outdoor with real, soft “Paspalum” grass. The other two, Crystal North and South, are seven-a-side, indoor, 20x40 meters, with 5cm-high artificial grass. For the Crystal Ground, you can play with officials for B6,000 on Wed-Fri or, on weekends and public holidays, for B7,000. For Crystal North and Crystal South, it’s B1,300 from 8am-5pm, B1,500 afterwards until 1am. Referee upon request for B150 per hour.
64 Ekkamai-Ramintra Rd., 02-515 0755, 082-085 0755. http://www.crystalfc.co.th.

Premiere Football Club

Consisting of two real-grass football fields, a standard 65x100-meter one for 11-a-side and another for seven-a-side, with enough locker rooms and showers for both teams. The fee is B4,300 per two-hour session on the bigger field. B2,500 for a two-hour session on the smaller pitch.
918 La Salle Rd., Bangna, 089-783-8798.

As a child: Slept a lot, ate a lot and laughed a lot!
First job: Worked at a fruit and vegetable stall!
Rule for life: Love many, trust few, and learn to paddle your own canoe!
Stupidest trend: Heavy metal—so anything black and studded!
Happiest moment: Having my first DJ mix played on Radio 1 in the UK.
Last thing that made me stop and think: Why is this dentist drilling into my head and why am I letting him!
Can’t live without: Music and contact with the people that I love.
Hum this tune in the shower: Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy” (more of a whistle actually).
People always assume I’m: Working.
But I’m really: Working.
Best gig I have ever been to: Glastonbury Festival 2009.
Last lie: I don’t tell lies.
Most inspirational person: Seeing people with true courage inspires me.
Most annoying thing I have to encounter everyday: Toothache at the moment, as I’ve just had a wisdom tooth pulled out. Painful!
Would like to be remembered as: Someone who ‘lived the life that he loved’ and ‘loved the life that he lived.’
In 20 years: Still doing the things that I love doing and maybe a few more.

How did this project come about?
The song was composed especially for the upcoming Sad Festival, and Golf [Fucking Hero] invited me to join. We wanted to do a song for everyone who is single, so we sat down together to come up with the story. Golf said, “Single life is like the morning time. We don’t see the moon but we know it exists.” And that became the theme of the song. Golf wrote all the rap bits, while I wrote the hook.

How was it working with him?
It was my first time, even though I know a lot of his work and think he’s a talented song writer. I knew when I joined the project that it would be good, and it was.

Which is the saddest song on your own album, YKPB?
Definitely “Wan Kerd [The Birthday Song].” It’s about a man who is forgotten on his birthday. It hurts lot when some of our family members or our close friends forget our birthday. Well, I see that the problem seems to have been solved with Facebook!

What can we expect to see at the Sad Festival?
We aim to create a gloomy environment that doesn’t actually bring you down too much. It’s like coming to share a sad story, but then being able to start over in the morning. I do believe that no one can realize true happiness if they haven’t been through sadness.

It took you some time to launch the singles “Collagen” and “Ar Kard.” When can we expect to see your next solo album?
Actually, I composed other songs, for artists like Pru and even the latest single by Palmy. This year I have only this joint project with Golf. I’ll have more time to focus on my own album. If nothing changes, it should be launched three months from now.

Medium and Technique: Acrylic paint

Who are these characters?
At first, I tried to turn my friends’ personalities into pictures. Sometimes I get images in my head that I have to get out, and sometimes I’m captivated by looking at other artworks. I think they’re all real in my imagination. They just have their own life [in another realm].

What sort of art inspires you?
I really like folk art and primitive art. The colors feel like a mix of children’s books and a psychedelic mind trip. Like kids on drugs. My work is less inspired by the aesthetics of the art, and more by the feeling it evokes. I try to recreate the feeling I get.

Is there a deeper meaning that you’re trying to communicate?
The meaning is very subtle. Most people, when they see my work, think it’s lively, fun and happy. But actually, other people say it’s very lonely. Maybe not lonely, but evoking solitude. Lonely but happy also.

Do you feel a deep connection with your work?
Actually, in this exhibition, the original pieces are for sale, but I don’t know what to feel about it. It makes me feel like I’m giving my baby away to someone else.

Is there a societal significance?
Sometimes. I always feel a little bit guilty about it. I’m into politics also, but I can never make my work about politics because it’ll just not be sincere. I think my art and politics are separate. I think there are other ways you can help society.

What inspires you to create graphic art?
In Khon Kaen, where I grew up, there weren’t many opportunities for me to explore. I was inspired by [Thai designer] Tnop Wangsillapakun when I saw his designs in a magazine from Hong Kong. I thought, if I really set my mind to design, I could go that far. His courage has always been my biggest inspiration.

Where did you get your graphic skills?
When I was in middle school, I read Dragon Ball Z comics. Then, I would draw some villains and show them off to friends at lunch. My time in art school was just an expansion of my opportunities.

Is your family supportive of what you do?
Now my mom is fine with anything I do that doesn’t cause trouble. I was one of the bad kids when I was younger. I went to technical school. When my mom first saw me trying to get involved in art, she didn’t buy it. She thought it was just another screwed up plan.

How did you start your professional path?
It started when I sold my designs at Fat Fest 2. I got to know Rukkit Kuanhawate, another graphic designer. We started to hang out and talk about how dreadful Thai graphic art was. We gathered up some design friends and established a graphic group called B.O.R.E.D.

Where did Mr. Hell Yeah come from?
He comes from my passion for drawing detailed hairlines and my effort to paint him on the wall for the first FOR exhibition at BACC. I had his sketch in my computer for a long time, then I thought it would be really cool to use a black marker to draw each hair one by one because it’s unique—no graphic designer would do that. For the name, actually I didn’t call him Mr. Hell Yeah, but the word ‘hell yeah’ was drawn next to him in FOR. Everyone started to call him Mr. Hell Yeah so I just went with it.

What is your plan for the near future?
Now I am working on making bags using my own designs. I am going to print my designs onto huge truck clothes and cut them into limited-edition bags. Interview by Clae Sea and Ubonwan Kerdtongtawee

I was born in Petchburi. My parents were both civil servants—my dad is at the Department of Lands, and my mom is a teacher. I was the kind of kid teachers would forget, because I never did anything outstanding or caused any trouble.

I used to feel being a rural student was being second-class. I wanted to be a Bangkok kid. They seemed so cool. But I grew up and had opportunities to go abroad. I feel so grateful and proud about my hometown now.

I never had my own idea about my life. I always followed my friends and back then, I was studying engineering.

I later went to get my MA in England because, again, I followed my friends who also went there. I think 70% of Thai kids are like this, following their friends in everything.

Living in the UK made me see things more clearly. Farangs aren’t better than us. No matter how hard we try to run away or change our roots, in the end, things will get harder. You’ll realize that you just want to eat nam prik.

Life is like a circle. A dream will make you start at one point and you will try to get as high and as far as you can. But once you reach the top of the arc, you want to go back. Many of the people I know all want to go home.

The turning point was when Suppachai Srivichit, a.k.a. P’A [manager of Aum-Patcharapa and Mario Maurer], who was my senior at university, persuaded me to be an actor. I said no at first but later gave in because I couldn’t find a job.

I worked with the fear that I wouldn’t be able to do it for the first five years. I just liked it because it brought me a good income.

I am a businessman of life and this job brought me good money. So I gave it my best, and gradually began to love it more and more. Now I can say that it’s my career. I love it and I am going to do it until I die.

When I decided to move from Channel 7 to Channel 3, I was pretty scared. But I was at the point where I had to make a change and move forward. My contract had ended, and I had fallen in love with my career, so I needed to find new challenges. I’m really thankful to Channel 7, and we created a lot of successful projects together, but I had to chase my dream.

The general response to my move really destroyed my spirits. I used to get only good comments but now I got 50-50. I was really drawn into all the criticism on the internet. Luckily, my family and my girlfriend pulled me out of that hole.

When you’re happy, everything is good. But when you’re down in dumps, it’s easy to tell who is on your side and who isn’t.

You can’t expect love from others but you can expect love from the ones you love.

Criticism on the internet is too aggressive. There’s no sense of junior and senior. You spit out your words, and you don’t have to take responsibility for it. Live your life by love, not hate. Criticizing others doesn’t give you anything, just satisfaction.

People might think I am an action actor but the truth is I really hate fighting, speed and heights.

One reason I decided to leave Channel 7 was that I wanted to try something new. The role in The Moon as Poompuang’s first husband, Theerapong Sangsuk, is exactly that. Not many people know he even existed, so it was a challenge to try and convey his personality.

I think Thai stars are really exhausted by the system and unrealistic time management. If I had free time, I would go somewhere I don’t have to read entertainment news. Somewhere no one knows me. To recharge myself until I’m craving for work again.

I am my own inspiration. I love myself but not in a selfish way. I love enjoying my achievements, and prefer to celebrate them alone. I go into the bathroom every time I achieve something, and say to myself, “Yes! I am fucking awesome!”

I don’t think it’s true what people say about Thai society lacking heroes. Those people are watching too many movies.

You’re your own hero. If everyone just grounds themselves in reality and does their best, everything will be good. Remember that you can’t change the world.