Why did you choose to transform an old building to house a contemporary art gallery?
I’d like to show the community that old and new things can exist together. That’s why I’ve managed to merge edgy modern designs into this old wooden building. It costs a lot more but it’s important to move forward while retaining our history.

How?
We shouldn’t change the way the community lives. I’ve never changed what my grandfather and father have done; I just add new methods of ceramics to show there’s another way.

What’s the toughest part of trying to make Ratchaburi an art town?
I’m not doing this alone but more support from the government would really help. If they can spend B20 million on a two-day event in China Town, I think they can spend just B1 million on a project like mine that would educate people. Apart from this gallery, I’m trying to place sculptures and installations around town too.

Do locals see art as essential?
I know that art is not the center of life. But it’s part of it. Like a big jigsaw puzzle; it wouldn’t be perfect without a single piece. Art is like that. It compliments life.

How long for Ratchaburi to become a contemporary art town?
I think we need at least five to ten years. Or it can be a hundred years. But a hundred years will be a hundred and one years if we keep postponing it.

What keeps you working on this project?
Everything is for the next generation. We try to be a big tree that helps fertilize smaller plants so they can grow up to be big trees in the future.

As a child: Painfully shy.
First job: A butcher! I’m now vegetarian.
Rule for life: Give thanks for every little thing and focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want.
Stupidest trend: Smoking. I stopped eight years ago.
Happiest moment: As a child: realizing that I didn’t have to like football. As an adult: the birth of each of my kids.
Last thing that made me stop and think: Japan’s recent earthquake.
Can’t live without: Potatoes.
Hum this tune in the shower: The “Neighbours” theme song.
People always assume I’m: Clever.
But I’m really: Not clever.
Best gig I have ever been to: Muse at Glastonbury Festival with my daughter Nadia.
Last lie: To the girl at the Ryan Air counter.Told her I didn’t have my boarding pass because there was a fault online (really I’d forgotten to bring it). She didn’t believe me and charged me £40.
Most inspirational person: Dalai Lama.
Most annoying thing I have to encounter everyday: Dishwashing.
Would like to be remembered as: Someone who tried.
In 20 years: I’ll remember these days with happiness.

When I taught classes at Le Cordon Bleu, I remember Chef Wan always volunteered to help. In fact, I was the one who gave his certificate to him.

Nobody is funnier than Chef Wan—I love him. He's a genuinely funny man. Even when he's sleeping, he's funny.

I do television, write books, make personal appearances for charity, open restaurants, consult for restaurants, and conduct lectures and seminars. I’m not just a chef.

There is no such thing as a 100% perfect match.

The perfect taste is in the eye of the beholder. If you like it, then it’s the perfect pairing for you.

I’m a person who has total confidence and belief in himself. I believe I’m not even close to perfect. I never expect too much from myself. I feel no pressure. I’m not like other celebrities. If I go somewhere, nobody knows I’m there.

I’m happy as long as I get to share what I do. It’s not about being rich and famous.

I look at life very positively. If you live life fully and follow your passions, you’re all set.

Life is not about how long you live; it’s about how you live it.

One of the greatest chefs in Singapore to me is Sam Leong. He’s very talented. Daniel Koh is another accomplished chef. I always admire how these culinary professionals try to do the best they can—this is why Singapore is a gourmet mecca.

I always say, “I hope you like it. If you don’t like it, go do it yourself.”

I always look at my audience. If they don’t laugh or smile, something’s wrong with my presentation.

If I had to marry an ingredient, it’d be crab. Chili crab or pepper crab—whatever; you can do anything you want with crab. You can serve it chilled, grilled, in soup, in chowder, in Thai green curry or Indian curry, classic, contemporary, as a salad with avocado, and even in fried rice. Crab is a very, very good ingredient.

I can never be miserable over what people say about me. As much as I tried, I couldn’t care less.

I was once criticized for not being able to speak Mandarin well. How many people in Singapore speak perfect Mandarin, anyway?

Some people complain so much. You’re wasting time complaining! Why waste time when you don’t improve anything? When you appreciate other people, there’s a chance for you to learn from them.

I don’t care about being famous.

If Yan can cook, so can you!

Catch True Passion—Martin Yan every Wed starting Jul 13, 8.30pm on Starhub Channel 435.

Style is…
Being yourself and making your own statement.

What can you not live without?
That would have to be my range of DrGL products and my skinny legs.

What’s your fashion regime like?
My stylist helps to plan my wardrobe for the month or for the day, especially if I have an event to attend at a short notice. If time permits, I try on clothes and plan the look I like. My hair, make-up and putting the whole look together are all done at Passion salon. For important events or overseas trips, I discuss ahead with my stylist to plan and determine the look for the shows or events I have to attend.

If you had to choose between simplicity or extravagance, what would you choose, and why?
I will go for extravagant simplicity. A million dollar look does not actually need to cost the earth, and it would be difficult to pull off.

Who are your style heroes?
People on the street and my patients who have gone through hardship, stayed positive and made a difference to the people around them.

Famous last words.
Live life with no regrets.

To paraphrase Gertrude Stein: Malaysia is my country, but Singapore is my city.

My relationship with photography started at the age of 10 when I got a Kodak Instamatic box camera from my dad as a birthday gift.

My very first photos are of my pets. I was curious about them and wanted to understand more about them. The camera came in handy.

One can put your mind to making art but if you are not spiritually ready, I don’t think the work could be considered art. Making art is a process and almost like a pilgrimage of sorts.

We cannot short circuit the processes of improvement and exploration with material wealth, although perhaps it could make the process more comfortable. But comfort could be a hindrance as well.

I think one would have to master the craft of an art form before embarking on the journey towards art. Art only happens when the craft becomes invisible, unconscious and thus forgotten.

I took a path following my heart and instincts, not knowing where it would lead me. So it is a very pleasant surprise to know that my work is appreciated by my peers and the artistic community in Singapore.

I am not good at drawing.

Some photos grow on the viewer over time and as long as they are made with a purity of intent, for me, they are memorable. A photo I would favor would be one that can stand the test of time through repeated viewings, offering different possibilities each time.

People like Andre Tarkovsky, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Abbas Kiarostami, Ingmar Bergman and Salvador Dali, as well as the authors of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese Literature, are my spiritual mentors. They all contributed in one way or another towards helping us observe the world in a different light and to understand the complexities of being human.

Singapore has the talent and infrastructure to make good art. It just takes more time for the nation as a whole to mature, and artists as a subset of that whole have to have the temerity to voice their thoughts and create work that is relevant and that resonates with their zeitgeist.

Time and the freedom to explore, criticize, make mistakes and create are all our society needs. Art needs time.

We cannot short circuit the processes of improvement and exploration with material wealth, although perhaps it could make the process more comfortable. But comfort could be a hindrance as well.

I have spent more than half of my adult life in Singapore. I had my formative years in Malaysia and started my career in Singapore. So both places are part of my being. I can’t choose one or the other.

Art came much later in my life and was also much more gradual because I think one cannot choose to do art—it has to come naturally to the individual.

I have no regrets following my heart. Like all things in life, we can plan but we can never know the final outcome.

In 10 years, hopefully I will still be doing the things I love doing and have my place in the sun.

The furthest I’ve ever gone for a picture is Rio de Janeiro. But I’ve also pushed myself mentally to the limit.

Children or animals?
Felicity Ward: Animals. You can't make a child chase a stick. People will look at you funny.
Josh Thomas: Animals. You can't lock a child outside and go to a movie.

Chili crab or durian?
FW: Chilli crab! This is one reason alone I would fly to Singapore!
JT: Chilli crab! Oh my God!

The best joke you’ve heard…
JT: Two sausages are sitting in a pan and one says “Gosh, it's getting hot in here.” The other says “OH MY GOD, A TALKING SAUSAGE!”

When life hands you lemons…
FW: You say, “Since when did life have hands? Is there a body as well?”
JT: Put them in a nice bowl on a table.

An embarrassing fact about me is…
FW: I am really competitive and combine that with being a terrible loser. I don't play pool so as not to cause a scene. 
JT: That I'm perfect.

Your biggest pet peeve is…
FW: People with no manners and animals that ignore me. I love them so much; why do they throw scorn in my face?
JT: Strangers telling me to smile.

Find out what’s so funny at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow from Jul 27-30. DBS Arts Centre, 20 Merbau Rd., 6733-8166. $46-69 from Sistic.

How did you get involved with TEDxSingapore?
As a venture capitalist, I have always been interested in bringing a diverse group of people from different disciplines together. It’s pretty much a natural progression for me because I have always been curious with both thinkers and doers.

What's the essence of the group here?
It's a network of passionate young people who have loads of ideas and work towards turning them into reality.

What can you tell us about the upcoming Stuff of Life event?
It might just seem like a director’s cut of talks from the upcoming Ted Worldwide Conference in Edinburgh but it is much more than that because like-minded individuals from different fields come together as a community when we meet. It is certainly more fun than watching it alone in front of your computer. Besides, this event is like an exclusive, because these talks won’t go online anytime soon.

Does it still excite you?
I expect to be surprised because you never know what you are gonna get. There have been numerous occasions where I have been interested in subjects that I have been absolutely clueless about.

Join the TEDxSingapore team at The Stuff of Life from July 14-16. Group Therapy Café, 49 Duxton Rd.,9173-4590. For an updated schedule, log onto www.tedxsingapore.sg.

BK: Where did you grow up?
Pao: I am from Supanburi, Daan Chang district [the same province as Poompuang]. My father and mother sell clothes at Daan Chang fresh market.

BK: How did you become a singer?
Pao: The people in my town love to listen to luk thung songs. Also, my grandfather and my mum both love to sing. I started to go to singing contests when I was nine as they encouraged me to go. My first competition was at an OTOP event where I got second place. I kept going to competitions until I won the first prize at “Kwa Mic Kwa Champ” on FAN TV, a cable channel, resulting in a contract with GMM. They were the ones who sent me to audition for this role.

BK: How did you manage to capture the essence of Poompuang, since you weren’t even born yet when she was at her height?
Pao: I grew up listening to her music, and my mom always told me that Mae Peung is the queen of luk thung. Everyone in the country loves her. I feel happy that I was able to convey what she had to go through to become such an iconic figure.

BK: How do you feel knowing how much she struggled?
Pao: Well, since my dream is to be a singer, her struggles really resonated with me. But as for our paths, Mae Pueng must have had more struggles because in those times, you had to fight and go through a lot to achieve your dreams. Me, my parents support me and there are more opportunities now than before.

BK: How was your experience on set? Anything strange?
Pao: Yes, there were some strange things. I believe that Mae Pueng was still around us, giving us support when we were shooting the film. When I first went for casting, they made me sing “Nakrong Ban Nok.” Then all of a sudden I got goose bumps and felt hot and cold. I couldn’t stop crying.

BK: How has your life changed?
Pao: It’s been a big change since I moved to Bangkok. I’d never been to Bangkok before. I’ve always been in Supanburi. In the mooban, everyone knows each other, but not here. Now I live with my mom while my dad is still at home. I call him every day and sometimes he comes to pick me up and take me back home for a visit. Whenever we go back he cooks for us. Now I’m currently a sophomore at Faculty of Humanities and Communication Arts at Ramkamhaeng University. I’m only going to sit the exams. Most of the time I’m either working or studying at home.

Technique: Mixed-media installation

What are you trying to communicate with the dart piece?
The main underlying idea of this exhibition is doubt. I wanted to investigate this fragile conflict inside our minds and how it makes us deny reality and isolate ourselves in our imagination.

What do the darts signify to you?
The darts show the very precise point of what one really aims at in one’s mind. This installation shows that having a bull’s-eye to aim for doesn’t mean one can hit it, but if you do hit it, it is something to treasure.

What was your inspiration?
I was not inspired by any external phenomenon. The whole work is a product of my thoughts about the conflict between continuous doubt, our certainties and temptation.

The small, white painting with one dart stuck in it blends into the white wall.
It it is part of a wall installation with five hundred darts that miss the target entirely and one dart which almost hits the bull’s-eye. The center is not hit, though, because I think perfection always lies one more step ahead.

My childhood wasn’t as cool as people might think. I didn’t do many activities or make any trouble at school. But I did love listening to music, anything from pop to Carabao.

One day my mom took me to the ice skating rink. She wanted me to play hockey. I became pretty devoted to it, and was able to play at a national level.

Then I dropped out because I felt it wasn’t really part of our normal life. It’s ice skating, and Thailand is a tropical country. I also wanted to help my family, hockey skates were B5,000, and the clothes were more than B10,000.

Then I got interested in skateboarding. My close friend, who was rich, bought me a skateboard worth B5,000. He just did it because he wanted somebody to skate with.

It brought me into a whole new world and a new circle. I met so many friends like Tee or Khan who is now with Thaitanium. We did a lot of things together like dance competitions and wakeboarding.

Realizing I wanted to be a rapper was very sudden. One of my skateboarding friends, Carlo, asked me to listen to Peter Piper of Run D.M.C. and that was the first time that I heard hip hop.

I then tried to make my own music by writing lyrics and by being a DJ. Boyd Kosiyabong, who is my friend’s brother, let me rap in Somkiat Z-Mix’s song “Ta In Ka Ta Na” and even offered me a chance to be an artist at his Bakery Records, but I felt I wasn’t ready so I turned down the offer.

I went to Hong Kong to work as a DJ and visited the US for the first time as an exchange student. When I was there, I felt so happy. I was in the country where hip hop originated. All I did was skateboard and listen to hip hop.

When I came back I told my mom that I was going to drop out of school and be a rapper. She didn’t really believe me, so the only way that I could prove it to her was to be a rapper for real. No way back.

I went back to Boyd and this time he and his colleagues took me to tough auditions, where I had to rap in front of a crowd at Siam and go on stage at a concert at MBK Hall. People loved me so I got a contract and made several albums.

Now music isn’t just my career; it’s my life.

What’s brought me this far is the fact that I never throw away opportunities. And this time, I grabbed the opportunity to direct a film.

I wanted to try to make a movie because whenever I write songs, I always have a picture in my head. This time I can show what they are like, too.

Being a director is so hard. In Thailand, it doesn’t get you much fame or money, like being an actor or a singer does, but many people still love to do it. It’s the happiness of doing what you love. Those people are all my inspiration.

I have so many dreams that I want to achieve but I never make big plans on how to go about them. I just do it.

I want to be a billionaire. It would be fun. Money can’t buy everything but it can make things easier. You can do anything without worrying whether or not it would make a good living. And I would have money to help others who are in need.
I don’t care that people think of me as a playboy. People can’t distinguish between me and the hats that I wear. It’s just my musical persona and the press that brands me. If you compare me to other playboys, I am so inexperienced.

I think Bangkok is like a movie. Every time I walk the streets at night it’s like I’m on the set of a movie where I am the lead character.

The image of Thailand in Hangover II is something we Thais helped created. Hollywood doesn’t know much about us. They’re just like some journalists who are only seeing one angle.

If I could turn back time, I would want to do it all over again. It’s been so much fun! Now I am focusing on making my life as worthwhile as possible. Except for death, nothing can stop us.