Just ask around in your circle of friends and chances are that at least one of them is attending a yoga class, or has attended one before in his or her lifetime.

Numerous yoga studios and fitness centers have sprung up all over the island in the past two years, all eager to rake in what some term as the “yoga dollar”. According to a The Straits Times article in Feb this year, yoga was voted as one of the country’s top ten sports last year—which means Singaporeans are finding it an effective way to tone up and wind down.

So now you know: Yoga is the new way to attaining better health, peace and a erm, rubbier physique (you know what we mean). Not only will you surprise yourself with never-before known feats of dexterity, but you’ll also enjoy a new inner calm. So read on for a guide to this yog-tastic sport.

Yoga Stereotypes

Once you embark on your yoga travels, we’re sure you’ll be rubbing shoulders and yoga mats with a few recurring types that you will no doubt have many encounters with (for better or worse). Here’s our pick of some. Recognize any?

The Yoga Bunny (read: Vainpot)

While the rest of us sweat it out in totally unglam positions matched with angst-ridden expressions, this said species just waltzes in wearing the tiniest (and trendiest) gym outfit with matching yoga bag and mat, plus the latest perfume, accessories and matching colored nails—looking like a Barbie Yoga Doll. It makes you wonder if they’re there for yoga or to be a human exhibit of bimbotic-ness. No wonder you can’t master the moves. You’re puking inside half the time.

How to deal with them: “Accidentally” spill your half-drunk latte in their yoga bag, then casually offer them your most hideous, ah-soh (auntie) T-shirt to wear home. Then, as she puts it on reluctantly, glossed lips trembling, take a picture of her and stick it on her locker. That’s sure to make her famous.

Yoga studio most likely to frequent: COMO Shambhala Urban Escape. It’s run by Club 21. Enough said.

The Royal Whiner

While to complain is to be Singaporean, this species takes the cake. You can hear them before you see them—whining about how hot the room is during a hot yoga session, how difficult it is to touch their small toe, how prickly the bath towels and yoga mats are, how slowww the instructor is, and when he picks up his speed, how they can’t keep up because the instructor is “too fast lah!”. The classes are too big (or too small) depending on their mood, and virtually every type of yoga is too tough for them. In short, nothing is ever good enough for these guys—the Yoga Malcontent.

How to deal with them: Whatever you do, don’t be a fool and complain along with them. That will fuel their dissatisfaction and they’ll follow you to the ends of the earth, still bitching away. Just ignore them. Walk away halfway while they are poised in mid-bitch. Or just hiss savagely “shaaaaad dup lah.”

Yoga studio most likely to frequent: The Yoga Place. Classes are pretty small here, so the Royal Whiner has ample time and space to air their one million and one grievances.

The Showoff

This yoga specimen thinks they’re too good to walk on the same ground as you—the inadequate yoga duckling. Unfortunately good at the yoga game, they make no bones about letting everyone know it. You’ll see them executing the most excruciating pose without the slightest effort, then coolly telling you to try it. They’ll be the smart ass raising their hand and offering information when the instructor asks the class a question. Sometimes, they even teach the instructor a move or two, while casting a pitying glance at the rest of us poor mortals. They reek completely of a barely-disguised air of superiority.

How to deal with them: These types of cretins crave attention, so never gawk at their moves. They’ll lap it all up. Instead, read up on the obscurest yoga info you can find then quiz them. And if they don’t know, screech loudly “You mean YOU DON’T KNOW? HOW CAN?”, making them drop dead with shame. The easy way out is of course to just ignore them. Your choice.

Yoga studio most likely to frequent: Bikram Yoga City Hall. It’s endorsed by the Bikram Yoga College of India, so the Showoff will be able to feel superior once he steps in (not that he needs any help on that).

The Unabashed Nudist

Most of us are shy about how we look and try to hide behind closets to disguise our not-so-glorious bits, but there are a few unwelcome exceptions. You can spot them a mile away—unembarrassed, blatant types shoving their pastily pale, horrendously flabby bits at whoever that’s unfortunate enough to be near. Their one favorite move is bending over—thereby exposing their creased and corpulent parts to all and sundry who are immediately and irrevocably traumatized. If you’re super duper unlucky, they may even release a fart or two while bending over, causing a nuclear holocaust.

How to deal with them: Two words: Wet towel or alternatively—Rubber band

Yoga studio most likely to frequent: Pure Yoga. Classes have more than ten students in them, so they can be the flesh flasher (get it?) to a larger crowd.

The Newbie

You can spot them a mile away—with a lost, vague expression, scratching their neck and haplessly clutching their mat. They flout all the unsaid rules unknowingly—changing in the toilet cubicle, mispronouncing yoga jargon and messing up their locker combination. While you were probably once like that yourself, the savvy yoga expert in you has hardly sympathy (or time) left for the floundering newbie. Tough luck.

How to deal with them: If you’re feeling wicked, sign them up for the “Advanced Über-Yoga” course and giggle to yourself as they cry helplessly, trying desperately to touch their foot to their ear.

Yoga studio most likely to frequent: True Yoga. Knowing how lost these guys always are, they’re likely to enroll in a well-established name like True so as to feel more secure (as if).

Where to get your dosage of yoga

The Truth About Yoga and Pilates

Porn or Yoga Ad?

It’s official—Jolin Tsai, pop princess and the cutest thing you ever laid your eyes on since Care Bears, is coming to our humble island. We did try to secure an interview with the pop darling, but she was taken ill with viral flu and stress and our hopes of actually talking to Ms. Tsai herself were dashed. So we did the next best thing. We thought about how a conversation between Jolin and a groupie would go. Remember—it’s fictional.

Jolee Cai (groupie): Jolin! Oh my gawd. I’m your biggest fan! (Breathes heavily.) Er OK. First question. How do you manage to stay so trim all the time?
What Jolin Tsai would say: (Patting hair.) I only drink milk for breakfast, have fruit and veggies for lunch and go without dinner, unless I’m really hungry. Basically, staring 24/7 at a Barbie doll also helps me to stay focused on being slim.

Jolee Cai: OK, now we know why you look so Barbie-licious as well then! And how do you remember all your dance moves? You’re sooo amazing!
Jolin Tsai: I’m so busy I don’t have time for a personal trainer. I dance to keep fit. I practice my routines sometimes when I have nothing to do. You know, dancing is a lot like shopping. I told myself—if I can remember all the good shops and sales, surely I can remember my dance moves. (Beams.)

Jolee Cai: Can I ask a personal question? (Doesn’t wait for reply.) Are you really Jay Chou’s ex?
Jolin Tsai: (Quickly.). No. No. No. I am not Jay’s ex. We are just good friends, although we’ve gotten drunk a few times together and erm, I find him actually quite cute, just like me! That’s why we’re stars! And no, I don’t hate Patty Hou. I’m not that Patty—sorry, petty, really.

Jolee Cai: Er, OK. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Jolin Tsai: Shopping! I lurrrve all the girly, sweet stuff. But I’m a bit of a rocker chick too. I also love painting my nails. I take two hours to do each hand and I have my own nail design supplier. After I’ve done my nails, I get my personal assistant to open doors, cans, fridge doors and er… everything else for me. I hate chipping my nails. Some people think I’m a princess, but they’re just jealous.

Jolee Cai: Another sensitive question? Did you enlarge any part of your anatomy?
Jolin Tsai: I don’t mean to be boob, sorry rude—but of course I did. To be fake is to be real in Taiwan. It’s very well done of course, so you can’t tell. But since we’re having a chest-to-chest talk, I’ll tell you.

Jolee Cai: Who is your role model?
Jolin Tsai: Barbie doll. Duh. Except I’m prettier.

Brett Anderson, former frontman of Suede—one of the biggest Britpop bands of the ’90s—has just released his self-titled debut solo album. We speak to him about his past, present and future–and, yes, enquire about a possible Suede reunion.

With the huge success with Suede, and this being your debut solo album, did you feel very pressured when producing Brett Anderson?
Well, it was a strange experience. It was quite tough. You make a record that you’re proud of and sometimes, it gets booed by the world. But nothing is going to make you dislike your own music. There’s always pressure. It’s part of the game. You’ve got to go out and compete. That’s the damned side of being a commercial musician. Otherwise, you could just sit in your room and play guitar, but that’s pointless. And anything worth doing is always hard. There’s no short cuts in life.

Agreed. Brett Anderson seems more personal than your previous works, with more piano and strings. Was there any particular incident that made it the way it is now?
Different dynamics are involved when you make a personal solo album. You’re not playing under the name of a band. I’ve gotten to a stage in my life when I’m not hiding from things. I’m trying to control my life, my upbringing—that kind of thing.

Can us tell me more about the single “Love is Dead?”
It’s a song about loneliness. There’s a hint of despair in it. It’s more a song about social loneliness. Like, when you’re walking down the street and not feeling a part of the community. It’s a very 21st century kind of existential feeling, of being unsure or unworthy. Whether you’re rich or poor, wherever you are, you’ll feel it. It’s a human condition.

Will you perform in Singapore again to promote the album?
We missed out Singapore this time, but I would really like to come to Singapore. One of my favorite gigs was at Fort Canning Park! I would really like to come to your side of the world—I just don’t know when.

Do come! And we have to ask: What are the odds of a Suede reunion, even for just one performance?
I don’t know. I don’t have plans for Suede, but I’m not going to say anything and have to eat my words later.

One of Singapore’s most talented theater directors, 35-year-old Goh Boon Teck is most well-known for his award-winning play Titoudao, which recently ended its month-long run at the Drama Centre.

What is your current state of mind?
I am trying to stop the global warming winter syndrome by sleeping without air-con, so please join in before Singapore sinks under sea level. I am also planning a campaign to stop all my friends from giving birth, as my house is filled with baskets of red eggs already! I must work crazily hard because I am retiring at 40, which is five years from now.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A tenor. But I am tone deaf. A writer. But everything I write is toxic. A painter. But I hate turpentine. A swimmer. But I only float. A politician. But I don’t look good in white. So I am a theater backstage crew for now.

What is your biggest achievement?
I can be actively talking one minute and falling asleep the next.

What inspires you?
Women! Like my neighborhood aunties who wrap themselves in tight, floral print tops. Like my one million lesbian friends and their unimaginable gung fu skills. Like my good friend Beatrice Chia-Richmond.

What personal trait do you appreciate the most in others?
Singaporeans who can go on a diet.

Do you have a cause or do you support one?
I support the tissue paper art installations in most hawker centers.

Which living person do you admire most and would like to invite for dinner?
Kim Jong-il. I must get fashion styling tips from him during dinner.

What are you reading?
Catherine Lim’s Curse Of The Golden Formula, Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam’s One Last Dance, Zoe Tay’s The Queen (just kidding!), the NAC annual report and, ahem, I-S Magazine.

How do you spend your Sunday mornings?
Going to the temple with my parents before eating at a Chinese restaurant.

What is your idea of hell?
The Ang Mo Kio bus interchange.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Maggie ketchup with anything. I also wake up at 6am to help the snails under my block to cross the pedestrian path. Very therapeutic and enlightening. 

What do you collect?
Dust. It’s never-ending—even after cleaning day after day.

Where would you like to live?
Okinawa. Full of collagen, longevity and hibiscus tea.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
My extra large smile.

What accessory sets you apart?
My bald head, which is quite popular.

What about you scares others?
When I ask people to do 5,000 things at one time.

If you had to play a character in a movie, which movie and which character?
I wish that I was Nemo, but I’m more Shrek.

What did you believe at 18 that you wish you still believed now?
That all Singaporeans love the arts.

Are you a speed junkie?
Is that a trick question? I’m a good Singapore citizen. Speeding is illegal in Singapore, you know. The only times when I’ve had traffic tickets were those when I was out of the country. Anyway, I think speeding is overrated. I prefer going at 100km per hour down the twisties than 200km per hour on a straight. Maybe that’s just me.

What’s the cheesiest car design you’ve ever seen?
It was a Mercedes. I think it was an early ’90s model, like a 180 or 200 E class. It was done up in bright yellow with a smoke lamp and it has the most hideous body kit with carbon fiber bits. It looked like moldy cheese running on the road.

If your car could talk, like in the movie Knight Rider, what do you think is the first thing it would say?
“We don’t talk anymore. You’re spending less and less time with me nowadays. Sob sob.” I think that’s what she would say. It’s true. I’ve not been spending time with my car since I started my business with a partner, especially with the forum Motorsports Asia that we’re putting together.

Many people refer to their cars as their “second wives.” Do you think this is healthy?
It’s perfectly healthy. I think what’s not healthy is when the “second wife” is a person!

Do you get irritated at people sticking cartoon stickers in their cars?
Not at all, but it depends on what sort of car. If the stickers are found on cute cars the likes of Beetles and Minis, I think it’s alright. It would really make my day to see a Tiny Toons sticker on the bumper of a Murcielago.

How did you get involved with The Namesake?
I was actually getting ready to do another movie in Montreal called The Last Kiss, when my agent said that Mira [Nair] was going to direct The Namesake. I loved the book, so I was so excited to hear about it.

As someone who moved away from your home at a young age, did you feel a connection to the film?
Absolutely. A lot of people ask me if I connect to my scenes, but I feel that I connect more to the main character Gogol (Kal Penn), who is part of two stimulating and different cultures. I’ve spent all of my adult life in a different country, so I can also relate to Ashima’s experience of feeling uncomfortable and out of synch because I remember feeling that way when I moved to Germany when I was just 18.

What did you do to prepare for your role?
I obviously reread the book again. I did rehearsals with Mira a lot and even flew to New York earlier to get comfortable with her.

While we’re talking about Mira Nair, tell us what it was like working with her.
It was fantastic. She has this incredible creative energy and a warm encompassing spirit. She brings everyone on set close and makes them feel that their creative input is valid. She also has an incredible eye; the way she sees the world is so beautifully, vibrantly lush.

And what was it like working with Kal Penn?
We had a lot of fun. He worked really hard and was very dedicated to the part. It was a really challenging role for him. We would joke around and tease each other when we weren’t filming, but when we had to work, he was really committed.

Did you pick up any Hindi while working on the film?
No! I wish! I didn’t, but it was really great for me to be around and listen to different people speaking Bengali on the set.

What’s next for you?
I don’t know yet. I did four movies back to back, and I’m literally exhausted because they were all shot in different parts of the States and Canada.

PLUS: see our movie review of The Namesake

10 other places we will be sad to see go

Anchan Gaemchei
Manager of Bangkok Forum

What’s the definition of “public space”?
It can be a concrete building or a virtual space open for gatherings and discussion. A basic example is a park, but a web board or online community can also be a public space.

What kind of public space does Bangkok need?
Both real and virtual spaces. Recently, I heard the news that the Vietnamese government is now encouraging people to send comments and suggestions through the internet. I think our BMA has something like that, but it’s not widely known. It should be the people who suggest how things should be done, not the government telling us to sit down and listen to their ideas.

What can we do to save our public spaces?
Set up seminars, coordinate with NGOs, collect people’s opinions with comment boxes…

Which part of Bangkok should be conserved?
All of it. Bangkok is not a good city to build huge projects because our land is soft and lower than sea level. Skyscrapers also require a lot of energy for their air-con. We need to think about global warming and the next generation’s future.

Anusorn Tipayanon
Architect, columnist, author of Muang Yen

What’s your opinion on the closing of Suan Lum Night Bazaar?
We need to carefully consider things before we let every space in our city become more and more commercial. Sellers will always attempt to reach more customers. It is inevitable for big companies to be attracted to such a prime location as Suan Lum.

In your opinion, how is Bankok’s city planning?
Our city became a mess from the moment we had Chinese shophouses. They combine residential and commercial areas together with living upstairs and a first floor used as a shop. A good city plan should start with zoning.

What are criteria for preserving one area?
A way of life, a certain indigenous uniqueness. The question is, what do we want to keep, and what do we want to borrow from other cultures?

Can you suggest some ways to improve our city?
I think it’s hard to do anything for Bangkok now. But in old cities like Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Prae or Nan, we should start zoning seriously before it’s too late.

Neil Thompson
Deputy Managing Director of BEC Tero Entertainment

What’s your opinion on Suan Lum closing?  
We are sad that we will lose a great downtown venue. However, we are hopeful that when they develop the site they will include a performing arts facility. Bangkok needs a lot more of these.

Why did BEC Tero choose Suan Lum?
We have always been on the lookout for good venues with downtown locations and easy for patrons to access. With the underground station and the link to the Night Bazzar, the Suan Lum hall was ideal.

Do you think Bangkok should have more venues for concerts/events?
Yes, Bangkok is in dire need of more venues with various capacities. We have the best indoor arena in Asia with Impact Arena but beyond that, there is a big void. With Paragon and Central World both offering multi-purpose halls, it relieves the pressure on exhibition venues, but they are not well suited to concerts. There is still a need for a downtown indoor venue with 5–7,000 seat capacity, good acoustics, and where everyone can see the show. The more venues we have, the easier it is for promoters to bring in a bigger selection of artists and shows to Bangkok.

Brian Mertens
Author of Bangkok Design

How do you feel about the end of Suan Lum?
The city might just lose another bit of its soul. And it might also lose an economic asset both for tourism and for cultivating local design and crafts. If you look thoroughly, you’ll find that several hundred budding designers and crafts entrepreneurs have taken root there. Leading architect Amanda Levete, of London’s Future Systems, recently visited Bangkok and cited Suan Lum as the thing she found remarkable about the city. She gets flown around the world by governments and companies begging her to design for them, so she knows what’s out there.

People like malls. Aren’t malls a sign of progress?
That’s how Singaporean planners thought, and so they sacrificed much of the city’s old neighborhoods and traditional markets. Now Singapore is under chronic pressure to find enough tourists and enough shoppers. They have to throw money at advertising, promotions, and devising new cultural attractions that don’t have much authenticity. Suan Lum is not old, but it’s certainly authentic. It’s real people presenting the things they create themselves, not corporations and brands. You just don’t find this kind of charm in a mall.

We already have Siam Square and JJ. Don’t they cover our needs for cheap retail space?
Suan Lum is better for grown-ups to shop because it’s cooler, less congested and a bit fancier than Chatuchak. It’s more diverse than Siam Square, which is focused on youth fashions.

Isn’t the real battle putting Thai designers into the malls?
The malls need the Thai designers, not the other way around.

Dr. Suvit Yodmanee
Minister of Tourism and Sports

What impact will the closing of Suan Lum Nigh Bazaar have on tourism?
Suan Lum Night Bazaar is a major tourist attraction in Bangkok, but I don’t think it will affect tourism as a whole if it were to close down. Tourists who come here can always find other places to visit; there are many more. And yet, Suan Lum is a great place to come and relax; people will definitely miss it.

Should there be more places like Suan Lum?
It actually depends on the type of tourists, too—a place like Khao San for example attracts only a certain type of tourist—so one place alone can’t affect the tourism industry as a whole.

Chol Bunnag
Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University

If Suan Lum closes, do you think it will affect the Thai economy?
The effect won’t be that big, but people will have fewer choices for sure, assuming that goods sold at Suan Lum and Chatuchak differ from those in malls. The real issue here is not this though, it is the use of public space.

Can you explain?
Suan Lum itself has two characteristics: it’s a commercial space rented out by vendors and a free public space located next to a public park where people can come and go as they please. This is different from a mall.

What’s the value of the Suan Lum Night Bazaar?
It generates social networking. A few months ago, I remember there was some kind of local cooking contest at BEC Tero Hall. Street vendors came together and exchanged know-how. This kind of connection building is called social capital. If Suan Lum shuts down, this capital will be lost.

Do you have any suggestions?
Well, Central already got the lease so it’s up to them now. I hope they offer wide open spaces for people to sit and talk.

Do you think the government should intervene?
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should do something. This is about the welfare of the community, not just a conflict of interests between P Con and the Crown Property Bureau. At least they should do a survey among the affected community.

10 Places We Will Be Sad to See Go
 

1. BEC Tero Hall
02-252-9292, www.bec-terohall.com.
Many concerts, parties and events have been organized here since its opening in 2003. The stage has welcomed numerous international and Thai artists.
New Location: None planned.

2. La Belle
Lopburi Soi 3, 08-9110-6160.
We love this Bollywood-in-Bangkok shop for its Indian mosaic lamps, chandeliers, mirrors and candlesticks.
New Location: No immediate plans.

3. Doi Tung Coffee
Doi Tung Development Project Tourist Center, 02-252-7114 ext 217 or 234. www.doitung.org.
A trendy coffee shop under royal patronage, Doi Tung is more than an ordinary café. Its selection of coffee is part of the Doitung Development Project, which was initiated to alleviate poverty in rural areas. The shop also offers cottage handicraft and design products, all locally made.
New Location: None planned.

4. Gakabear
D463-464, Lopburi Soi 6, 08-1584-4327.
Fluffy bears are the passion of Khun Kla, who runs this shop as a sideline job. Here you can find all sorts of teddy accessories: teddy safety belts, teddy mouse pads and teddy pillows. Prices range from B145-490.
New Location: Possibly Siam Square or Chatuchak Weekend Market.

5. His Story
Lopburi Soi 8, 08-9000-2999. www.hisstorybkk.com.
This stall stands out from others with its classic décor and fashionable outfits for men. His Story has a variety of choices of shirts, pants, shoes and bags at prices starting at B1,290.
New Location: No immediate plans

6. La Roue de Paris
The Ferris wheel attracts lovers, friends, and families to Suan Lum for B100 per ride. Bangkok doesn’t have another big wheel, and if it needs to move out, we’ll sorely miss the fresh air up there.
Next Destination: Singapore.

7. Ruaen Ngam
Lopburi Soi 1, 02-231-3269, 08-5815-9038.
Another local design outfit, this one offers ceramics, big and small. They’ll also make custom items.
New Location: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Section 7 Soi 1.

8. Sitz Design
Lopburi Soi 5, 02-736-1846.
The showroom of a local design company, Sitz has been selling stylish furniture and offering interior design services here for three years. Every piece in the shop is made at its own factory.
New Location: 29/10 Soi Sri Akssorn, Fuel Rd.

9. Traditional Thai Puppet Theater (Joe Louis)
02-252-9683/4, 02-252-5227/-9, 02-251-0978/9. www.thaipuppet.com.
Winner of the best traditional performance award at the 10th World Festival of Puppet Art in Prague last year, this is Thailand’s most widely known puppet show, yet it’s still at risk of being closed. Nightly shows at 7:30pm.
New Location: None planned.

10. The Violin Shop
Ayudhya Soi 5
You wouldn’t expect to see a secondhand violin shop in a night bazaar, but there it is. Like taking a step back in time, the elderly shop owner always seems to be sitting there, busy fixing an old instrument or reading a newspaper.
New Location: Narathivas Road Soi 10 TKTKTKT phone number

Duangtawan Nilayon thinks about saving Suan Lum Night Bazaar!

How did you come to work with each other?
Ditapong: He [Witawat] contacted the gallery first. Fortunately, the gallery was looking for another artist and I was there with my work.

What can we expect from your work?
Witawat: We always rush in Bangkok. We hurry to go to work, to have lunch, or to go home. Beauty is not hard to find if you just slow down a little. I want to tell people that there are many beautiful places in Bangkok if you know how to see them. Even the simplest thing can be a great art work.
Ditapong: It’s all about time; when time passes, things change. For instance, there were many fine buildings on the New Road, but now they look old and dilapidated. I want to say that nothing lasts forever.

Why do you paint on a zinc-coated sheet?
Ditapong: Because I can use techniques that I can’t use on canvas. Painting on a zinc-coated sheet makes the picture look old with its spoor and rust. When we look at those pictures, we feel as if they are something really old and have existed for many years.

Where is your favorite place?
Witawat: I like everywhere in this city. But the most impressive moment is at dusk: with sunset, the sky’s color is shaded in many colors and it looks gorgeous.

Why aren’t art galleries as popular as cinema nowadays?
Ditapong: People have gotten used to movies and television. Unlike films, art galleries have no television commercials or money to buy advertising media. People have grown up with these things, so they feel more comfortable going to see a movie than going to see an art show.
Witawat: You should think of going to see an art exhibition like going to see a film. The first thing you’ll see is the beauty of the pictures, and it’ll be so much better if you can understand what those pictures are trying to say. In fact, many years ago, people used to see art works at temples, but now we have grown up with something else: pop culture.

The main purpose of Jazz Life magazine is to serve Thai jazz listeners.

Jazz has become more popular but knowledge of its history is still limited because a lot of people can’t read English. When Jazz Seen magazine stopped, my friends and I decided Thailand really needed a Thai language magazine on jazz.

I listen to a wide range of music, from morlam to classical Thai. I listen to everything as long as it’s good. I’m a fan of Dreamtheater, Pornsak Songsang, and Buddha Bless.

But jazz is more contemporary. To me, jazz is like a theory that has more tricks to it than the others.

Jazz is like a language. It emphasizes each musician’s individuality. During solos, the musician’s signature can clearly appear and listeners can tell immediately who’s playing.

Jazz is all about live performance. The same song performed twice will never sound the same.

Our society lacks sources of knowledge written in Thai. Not only knowledge of jazz history, but in many other fields as well. Compare us to Japan, where you can read everything you want in Japanese.

I want to help out making things available in Thai, but I can’t do everything, so I chose the topic I love most—jazz.

There should be cultural management courses at undergrad levels, not just at masters as it is now. Music is not a commodity product. Know-how and appreciation need to be taught to students.

I went to the third Java Jazz Festival in Indonesia. Bangkok Jazz is in its fourth year—but we are in kindergarten compared to them.

Hong Kong’s art festivals have been of excellent quality for over 30 years, and they are in the heart of the city. But we don’t have that.

I think Thai audiences are now waiting for a chance to see some impressive live performances, but wealthy people, the government and the private sector don’t support this as much as they should.

We need more venues. Right now, the Thailand Cultural Center schedule is full all the way to the end of the year. We don’t have other places to organize good concerts, so we have to have them in malls.

Suppose that I’m an indie artist who wants a space for 500 people, what do I do? Where can I play? We have a lot of space in Bangkok, but it has all been turned into malls.

Concerts shouldn’t be seen only as a show. There should be workshops, exhibitions…

As a critic, I play the guitar sometimes. Not to create new songs, but to analyze them. To be a good critic, you have to like what you criticize first. Then some basic understanding of what you critique is required. You should know the range of different types of instruments and understand how they work.

I’m glad that the young generation is more deeply involved with music. But when you listen to hip hop, you should know of its roots, its origins. When you love something, and want to know about it, you need to dig into its history.

How long have you been at Fat Radio?
For about a month now, which is only like four times because I am only doing it on Sunday.

What is the concept of your show?
As it is on a Sunday, the show is based around a relaxing atmosphere but with a touch of fun. During the show I also give information for any upcoming concerts or interesting things that are happening around town.

What does Fat Radio mean to you?
Fat Radio is a radio station for fun-loving fat people—ha, ha, ha—but skinny people can have fun, too. I consider Fat Radio to be like a regular station but with an extra range of music, which makes it that much more interesting for listeners.

What are the challenges of being a DJ?
The most difficult aspect would be arranging the show, like things to say and what subject to discuss. It is very challenging to make it short, compact and to the point but also make it fun for the listeners.

What made you decide to become a radio DJ?
Many of my friends always said that I am a good talker and I have a wide knowledge of music, so being a DJ is something that I always wanted to try.
Is the music you play on your show the same as what you personally listen to?
My range of music is very wide; I love to listen to all types of music.

What’s the difference between being an artist and being a radio DJ?
Being a singer and a DJ at the same time, I feel that I can introduce my listeners to many different types of music and present them in a more interesting way.