Is there anywhere you haven’t been?
Oh yeah, lots of places. Mongolia, Yemen…You know, the thing about travelling is the more places you go, the more you hear about. The more you travel, the bigger the world gets.

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve been to?
Antarctica. Everything’s either blue or white; either completely barren or penguins as far as the eye can see. That’s probably the most beautiful place we’ve been.

Do you still use your own books when you travel and stay in guesthouses, or are you a bit beyond that now?
Yes, of course we still use them! Well, we’re a lot older and the thing about getting older is you have more money so you have more choices. We have the option of being able to stay in hotels now. But if you go to somewhere like Ethiopia, there aren’t many options, and we’re still happy to stay in guesthouses.

Where does the name come from?
Our very first book we did, we made it ourselves—right on our kitchen table. Once we made it we had to come up with a name for our company. We were sitting in an Italian restaurant trying to think of a name and couldn’t think of anything. We had just seen a movie, and there was a Joe Cocker song in it called “Space Captain.” I was sitting there humming the lyrics to myself, which go, “Once I was traveling across the sky/ This lonely planet caught my eye…” And we said, “Ah, that’s it! Lonely Planet.” Of course it wasn’t until later we realized the lyric is actually, “This lovely planet caught my eye.” So the name is actually based on an error I made over thirty years ago.

What’s your current job?
I retired early from the military about one year ago. After that, I opened my own pub called Gin Lao at Ramintra. So right now I’m taking care of—and singing at—the pub.

Why did you decide to enter the contest?
The major reason was I thought it’d be interesting. Besides, my friends told me that the project was a great opportunity to show my talent, both in singing Thai and international songs. And it offers people the chance to become famous.

Had you entered other singing contests before that?
Yes, in 1998 I won Thailand’s five-zone competition. But that was a national championship competition, not international like this one.

Why do you think you won?
Actually I think every contestant was excellent that day—so good that I got scared. Then I thought maybe the organizers wanted a courageous person to win, so I tried to come up with a fresh concept, something that the others wouldn’t do. Maybe that’s the reason why I was picked.

What did you perform that day?
For the first round I chose the song “Wind Beneath My Wings.” It’s a very high song because it was originally written for a woman, but I knew that my voice could reach that scale. In the final round I sang Crescendo’s “Kwam Jing Nai Jai” for male and Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” for female voice. Also, when I switched from Crescendo to Whitney, I took off my hat and revealed a wig beneath it.

Do you think you’ll win the World Championship contest, too?
I’ll try my best. Khun Saisunee Sukrit performed a really fantastic show in the previous contest; I will try to follow her footsteps.

Who’s your idol?
I admire many singers, but the most amazing person would be Thongchai McIntyre. I’ve liked him ever since I was a kid.

Do you have any suggestions for those wanting to enter a singing contest?
The one and only most important thing is that the person deeply loves music. The next crucial thing is practice. When I was a kid, I used to stand on tanks and sing out loud; practicing like that worked as ear training for me. Anyway, fully giving your heart to music and practicing a lot are all that matter.

In 1973 Tony and Maureen Wheeler published their first Lonely Planet publication, a guidebook called Across Asia on the Cheap. Today their guidebooks are amongst the most respected in the industry and a mention in a Lonely Planet guidebook is hotly coveted by restauranteurs and hoteliers round the world. We met with the pair during their brief sojourn in Singapore doing what they do best—returning from a trip in Europe to head off for other adventures in Asia.

On why we should travel.

T: For us, we travel because it’s of interest and out of enjoyment; It’s fun. But I think people also go to a country because they want to learn something about its culture or its history or they want to learn the language—so it’s a learning experience. It’s also how you meet other people and understand. In many ways there’s so much misunderstanding out there that’s its more important than ever that people go to places. We’ve got so much misunderstanding in the Middle East; I think that if people spent more time in the Middle East it would do a lot of good.

M: If you’ve been to a place and met the people, then you won’t see a story on the news (like what happened with the tsunami) and just think, “Oh my goodness, there’s an awful thing happening.” It comes down to your personal connection with the place which means you can’t just see it as another disaster or another bad news story. The more people can make those connections between cultures, the better off we’re all going to be.

For instance, George Bush had never traveled out of America until he was 21 and went to Mexico to visit his father. I think if he had traveled he would be in a much better position to talk about what Muslims in Iraq and the Middle East feel, or he might even have understood that there are many different kinds of Muslims and not just one. There’s nothing compares to actually going there yourself. And if you can’t go there yourself, the more people who go there and come back and talk about it, the better it is.

On the responsibility that comes with travel.

M: Nowadays people are taking two or three trips a year and not all the same kind of travel. Some times you want to just go and veg out by the pool and not go very far or learn very much at all. Maybe the next time you go on a trip you do want to do a different kind of travel. What I hope is that if you are traveling among different people and cultures, you take it seriously and try and learn something, not just whiz through India on a bike without stopping to understand what a Hindu temple has to offer. You should at least make some effort. I guess guidebooks, what’s on the web, and circulating information is critical to finding out about what’s going on.

On the kinds of travel advice we should be seeking.

T: I can understand that governments [through travel advisories] need to warn people of potential danger in case something happens. On the other hand, so many countries hate these warnings because they last thing they want is tourists thinking their country is potentially unsafe. People have to interpret travel advisories. They have to think about what the government is saying, that the government has to be extra careful, and what their own attitude is.

M: If you go on our website to the Thorn Tree forum and ask if somewhere is safe you will get answers from people who were there last week or may even still be there now.

T: And they’re the ones who have often got the best information. There’s a lot more feeling on the street than anywhere else.

On the responsibility of writing for Lonely Planet.

T: In Singapore, London or New York, there are so many influences that we are just one influence. But there are some places where we have a disproportionate influence. For instance, in Vietnam where there aren’t so many other influences, and guidebooks are still very important among travelers. Therefore, as one of the leading guidebooks in the country, we have too much influence and we have to be careful how we use it. We tell our writers they mustn’t be over enthusiastic. If you say somewhere is “the best restaurant in Singapore” it’s not a big deal as there’s a thousand other restaurant reviews. But if you do that in a little town in Vietnam, everybody who goes there will only go to the one restaurant and all the others will be forgotten about.

M: When we only sold 3,000-5,000 copies of a book we could say “This is great” and we knew that only half the readers might turn up in that place over a year. We used to get quite carried away with saying things like “This place is fantastic!” But we don’t do that anymore. Instead, we say, “There are several great places in the area, here are three.”

T: We’ve even have had places saying “We’ve got quite enough business, we don’t want anymore, don’t recommend us!” We don’t put places into a guidebook because they ask us or take them out because they ask us, so if we want to ignore them, we will.

M: In fact, our writers are not encouraged to say who they are when they do their research.

T: I think most writers prefer not to.

On being a Lonely Planet guidebook writer.

T: It’s superficially a very glamorous occupation. You run around the world and you go here and you go there. But it’s really hard work. I don’t think people realize how hard it is until you do it. It can be tedious because there’s a lot of detailed work such as figuring out maps and getting timetables. We make amazing demands on our writers, but most love doing it.

M: It’s a job where it’s hard to keep up relationships and feel settled. Some people are just incredibly well suited to it and they do it brilliantly. They can do it for years because they learn how to balance other parts of their lives. Some young people come in, they do it for five years, and then they must go on to something else.

On what they’re planning for the future.

T: I think our attitude to travel is changing. We’re talking about getting an apartment in London and using that as a base to travel from.

M: I don’t think we’re getting tired of travel but I am getting tired of doing 23 hours between London and Australia four or fives times a year. I have said I won’t travel as much next year, and I say it over and over again every year. And every year I travel even more.

Spencer Parker concocts underground music so new and fresh that we just couldn’t stop our bodies from moving. We danced to the decks and caught the man for a quick chat.

How would you describe your music in a sentence?
I play upfront, underground electronic house music.

What makes a rocking good track?
Anything that is produced well, sounds interesting and most importantly, make people lose their minds on the dance floor!

What DJs or producers do you like?
I’m a big fan of producers such as Nic Fanciulli, Gabriel Ananda, Ame, Das Glow, Radio Slave, Marcus Worgull and Ripperton. The list could go on forever!

Tell us about your wildest party to date. What happened?
I can never remember what the hell happened during my wild parties!!! My motto is “It was a time I’ll never forget, but can barely remember.”

What are some lessons partying has taught you?
No matter what, get your arse to the airport on time. You can sleep on the plane.

What turns you on?
Mainly answering interview questions like these, so, thanks!

Let us in on a dark, secret desire which no one knows about.
I am 100 percent committed to having more trainers and shoes than Imelda Marcos.

Complete the sentence. “People who can’t dance should…”
“...dance near the DJ booth with me—I’m a terrible dancer so I’ll make you look better!”

How do you think you girls will complement each other in the competition?
MC: We thrive on a good balance. Sharon’s the strategist and I am the taskmaster.
SW: Mel is adventurous and intuitive. I am structured and focused on facts and figures.

You may have to eat yucky stuff, or get all dirty. Do you have any training regime for that?
MC: When something needs to be done, it shall be done. No training needed. Just sheer gut strength!
SW: My training regime is called “mind over matter.” Everything is a matter of perception.

Will you cry if you get eliminated?
MC: If there are any tears to be shed, they will probably be due to exhaustion more than anything.
SW: I’ve not thought about elimination at all. The focus is to stay in the race!

A cameraman and a soundman will follow you throughout the race. What are some things you will do to stay pretty for TV?
MC: I’ll rest whenever possible and keep my skin hydrated. Even if there’s no time to add light make-up, sun block is a must.
SW: I’ll sleep and eat well whenever possible to look bright and fresh. Light make-up and face or eye masks help too.

How will you spend the money if you win?
MC: Save and invest! And of course, I will also treat my loved ones to a fabulous holiday.
SW: If I win, I will give my loved ones a big treat and put some of it away to finance my MBA studies.

All things Korean—from fashion and movies to TV series and fresh-faced pop stars—are all the rage. Capitalizing on this trend, the Pathumwan Princess hotel, which already has one Korean outlet, Kongju, recently expanded its offer of Korean delights with Kayageum.

The restaurant is divided into two main sections, with additional semi-private dining rooms. The front of Kayageum is dedicated to its steamboat buffet, where you will find a variety of the ubiquitous kimchi and kimchi-based specialties. But there are also some rarer items like goo jeol pan (nine assorted appetizers wrapped in a thin wheat crepe) and a barbecue where the chef grills meat for you if you don’t want to do it at your table. This all-you-can-eat orgy is on offer at B550 for lunch and B590 for dinner.

If you prefer a la carte, make your way to the hot pot room: The menu there features a large selection of items to cook in the hot pot. The homemade dumplings with beef and shrimp are highly recommended. There are four kinds of soups to choose from—miso, Korean chili paste, seafood and chicken ginseng. Spicy seafood broth is the top seller. However, do try chicken ginseng, which is so sweet and fragrant because a whole chicken is used for every pot of broth.

We asked Chef Kim Hanna to reveal a few secrets of Korean cuisine.

How did you learn to cook?
I’m not a professionally trained chef. I learned cooking tips and techniques from my grandma.

Why do you think Korean food is so popular?
Thais and Koreans, I think, like the same kind of food. Both are fond of spicy food and use rice as a basis. Some dishes even resemble tom yum or gaeng som.

What are the characteristics of Korean cuisine?
It’s very healthy. Korean cooking focuses on grilling and boiling, which are health-friendly cooking styles. Plus, Koreans apply the concept of yin and yang to the cuisine, so protein, fat, carbohydrates and vitamins are well balanced.

What’s the proper way to eat hot pot?
Just like at MK, you put ingredients into the bubbling broth, wait for them to cook and fish them out. Just don’t put too much dipping sauce into the bowl because it will ruin the sweetness of the soup.

I fell in love with the guitar at first sight. I can’t really say why, but as soon as I heard its sound, I fell for it.

Music is alluring and challenging. Music offers me something new to try almost every day.

As a kid I had to work hard to get good grades so that my parents would let me play music. My parents’ generation didn’t want their kids to become musicians.

I’ve never contemplated doing something else, and despite my degree in law I was never tempted to become a lawyer.

Talent and effort have made me who I am. Genes play an important role, too: My father plays music as a hobby, my mother loves listening to it.

The gifted ones, if encouraged and educated, can progress very quickly. They don’t have to learn and try everything by themselves.

Self-taught people usually have an original and unique style. Just look at Ad Carabao, Assanee & Wasan or Sek Loso. Their sound is very distinct due to the struggles they had to go through.

Because of music academies the alternative music market has grown. Before, there was no jazz or classical—only pop music.

There are more channels to create this alternative music segment. There are two radio stations playing jazz all day, so new compositions have channels they can be promoted through.

Jazz music in Thailand is still in its infancy, though. Most jazz bands cover international songs, so there’s not much original music.

My latest album is quite eclectic: I mix jazz with Thai music, and what comes out is a Thai-style, serious jazz album. I tried to expand my audience by adding more lyrics. I hope more people will be able to identify with the songs, which deal with life, love and other things that happen around us.

I’ve admired Wes Montgomery for a long time. He’s the guitar guru as far as jazz is concerned. His sound and tone are incredibly soulful and original.

The Thai saxophonist I like best is Vichai Ueng-amporn. He never stops learning, despite his age.

Learning keeps us young. If we stop, we can’t communicate with those in the younger generation, only with our peers.

My ultimate goal is playing with a band I like. The band I’m with now is pretty much what I’ve dreamed of. Every member can play and appreciate almost every style of music.

There’s nothing more fun than playing music. I’d be happy if I could travel around and just play here and there.

Worst gig: I tend to forget those.

Musical style: The whole spectrum of drum‘n’bass.

Day job: Proud parent.

In my music player at the moment: Charles Mingus presents Charles Mingus.

All time favorite albums: Kind of Blue by Miles Davis & John Coltrane, Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, Bulletproof by Radiohead, Timeless and the first album by Sam Prekop.

Fail-safe crowd pleaser: “Inner City Life.”

Favorite accessory for DJing: My headphones.

On my MC Lowqui: Wicked MC and a great laugh.

On the essence of drum‘n’bass: One of the most beautiful things that I’ve ever known is something that Da Vinci once said: “Sculpture exists in the rock. You just have to blow away the dirt and the dust.” That’s what you have to understand with this style of music, that’s part of the whole journey.

Favorite type of punter: The new ones who love d‘n’b for the first time.
In my pocket: My iPod.

Groupie story: Better keep them close to heart.

In 20 years: I’ll still be making music, hopefully on an island.

Holler at this legendary DJ here when he plays in Bangkok on Oct 13. At Astra.

How long have you been with this production?
Brian: I’ve been with this tour for six months.
Diane: It’s three for me.

Do you enjoy it?
Diane: Life is good. I travel a lot as a performer. And this is the show you want to be doing, especially for my type of performing.
Brian: I’ve never been out of the US before now, so it’s a chance to see all these wonderful countries.

Is the show different here from in the US?
Brian: As a performer, it’s really the same.

What’s so special about the show?
Diane: It’s a classic love story that originated in America, but the whole world adored it.
Brian: The music and the choreography are other things that stand out. The songs are recognizable worldwide and are presented in an incredible way by Donald Chan.

Have you watched the film?
Brian: Oh, yeah. Many times.
Diane: We just met the original Bernado, George Chakiris. He came to see us in Nagoya. He was the Oscar-winning performer.

Did he give you any advice?
Brian: He just reassured us that what we were doing was high quality. He didn’t try to compare or indicate what we needed to do. He’s very complementary.

Why do you ride a bicycle to work ?
It’s fast, safe, practical and healthier. Before I started using a bicycle, I was taking the bus. It took me much longer to get to work and I always had sore throats and felt exhausted.

How did you start?
I wanted to exercise at Lumpini Park because it’s close my house. It takes only 10 minutes to get there by bicycle. But by bus, you need to count 30 minutes.

How long does it take you to go to work?
15 minutes. My place is at Saphan Lueng. I ride into Soi Lalaisap then down Sathorn and that’s it. Taking the bus used to take me twice as long or even one hour in the evening. I’ve been cycling to work for a year now.

Have you ever been in an accident ?
No, but the first time I rode my bike in Bangkok, I was very scared. I tried to be very careful and aware of my surroundings. That’s what we should do at all times but sometimes accidents are out of your control. So far, I’ve been lucky, probably because I ride very close to footpath. It’s really too bad Bangkok does not have enough lanes for bicycles.

Do you wear a helmet?
Yes, of course. I want to protect myself. I use a small, light helmet designed specifically for bicycle riders. I also cover my nose and mouth with a handkerchief.

Are any of your friends following your example?
I have friends who work at Chulalongkorn hospital who ride a bicycle to get there and some friends who use it in Lumpini to exercise. It saves them time, money, and it’s good for your health. Personally, I also ride to the market, at Bang Rak, and to go shopping. I think many people are starting to use a bicycle.

Are bicycles for everybody?
If it takes more than 30 minutes for you to get to your workplace by bicycle, I think it’s too dangerous and tiring to bother. Otherwise, go for it.