I wanted to study communication arts after realizing I hated math and didn’t want to be a bookworm. I chose to study journalism because I love to communicate with people.
I hosted some teen and beauty TV shows, but it wasn’t until I landed a job on the tech and gadget program Text 24 that I really found my calling. Being a co-host with John Nuvo made me realize just how much I love IT stuff.
When the head producer quit, I decided that I didn’t want to waste my time on the show and struck out to do something new. I started writing scripts and being a producer in my own right.
Doing something from a young age can really stroke your ego. I’d had a lot of jobs on TV and as a producer, so I thought I could create my own TV show all by myself.
The reality knocked the stuffing out of me. I tried to get air-time for my show by shopping it around at all the TV channels. But all of them rejected me because they didn’t believe I had it in me.
80% of people judge me solely on my girly looks. They think I don’t have any true knowledge about IT. Some even say I wouldn’t be famous if I didn’t present myself in a sexy way.
Don’t let others get you down. It’s not easy to change people’s opinions, so don’t feel obliged to change yourself for the sake of appeasing people who don’t know you.
I started my online TV show Ceemeagain.com, which also aired on YouTube, five years ago. People kept asking me why I was doing something that didn’t make money. I promised myself that I would stick at it until I had proved myself. And it really helped me forge a reputation.
Opportunities are so precious. Count yourself fortunate to be given any opportunity. Once my online program started getting noticed, I got a lot more jobs on TV programs as an IT anchor, including on Channel 3.
People now call me “The Princess of IT,” which is something I’m really proud of. It shows I don’t have to pretend to be someone else to achieve what I want.
Don’t judge things too quickly. I used to think beauty pageants were full of brainless beauties, but my opinion changed after I participated in the Miss Thailand Universe and Miss Thailand World contests back in 2007.
Seeing the participants’ passion for achieving perfection blew me away. Their boundless energy eventually rubbed off on me, too. I was inspired to write a book about my experiences, but I’ve yet to show it to anyone. Still, it’s a good memory that I’ll be able to tell my children when I get older. It helped me understand that you can have both beauty and brains.
I’m addicted to social networking and gadgets because it’s my work. But for many it can just suck up their time. We need to use our time productively. It’s good to keep in touch with friends, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of interacting with the real world.
I dream of inventing something that changes people’s lives. It doesn’t have to be cutting edge technology, just something that touches people.
Technology ruins relationships in some ways. It’s sad to see a child cry and then their mom fix the situation by putting an iPad in their hands.
It’s tough trying to keep up-to-date with technology but I never get bored of it. I love to follow how technology can change people’s lives.
I didn’t agree with the tablets for first grade students policy at first. Kids that age would be better off practicing to hold a pen than a monitor. Now, I agree somewhat, but it would be better if the tablets came from Thailand, not China.
While Thai tablets might be a little more expensive, they’d be cheaper in the long term as we could recycle and upgrade them so that they wouldn’t end up as junk. We’re still an agricultural nation; how much rice would we have to sell to buy more tablets in the future?
People always giggle when they find out I read dharma books. I put them in the same category as psychology and philosophy; you can bring all these thoughts into your work. This helps me exercise caution when I’m writing news for the public.
I’m not an Apple devotee like people see me. I use all types of gadgets, including Samsung products. As for the iPhone 5, I like the design, but honestly, gadgets that only change their design aren’t really worth the investment.
I admire Steve Jobs because his life was so relatable. He was adopted, didn’t graduate from university, admitted to taking drugs, was fired from his own company and came back again as a changed man. His life was full of evolution; a real human life.
No one is born perfect. You must keep learning new things. You might think you’re just a normal person, but one day you might change the world.
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How did you become Santa?
I was auditioning for a pilot film around August six years ago and the director asked me to grow a beard. The thing is filming didn’t start till November and I started to look like Santa Claus. I then saw that a Santa Claus was wanted in Dubai, so I went to an audition. The organizer chose me over 40 other candidates, saying that the only person who looked more like Santa would be Santa Claus himself. My first job as Santa was at the Kempinski hotel in Dubai. I’ve been Santa since 2006.
What do you have to do as Santa Claus?
My schedule is more or less the same: I take pictures with children and try to entertain people from 4pm on weekdays and 2pm on weekends. But there is so much more to it than that. I have to believe that I am the real Santa and try to bring joy to everyone. This involves interacting with people from all walks of life.
Do you have a day job?
I am a professional entertainer, actor, stand-up comedian, and magician. I’ve always been into acting, I started studying it when I was 17, and I auditioned for TV shows and received some background roles. I entertain in Nana and some Sukhumvhit bars. I’ve done stand-up at the Londoner and Bourbon Street, and I was a magician for Christmas at the British Embassy. I love performing on stage, as I get to see the joy in people’s faces—it’s like they’re opening a gift.
Do children ask for presents? What’s been the weirdest request?
Surprisingly, it’s rare. I guess they have already written a letter to Santa Claus telling him what they would like. There was one case where a little boy wanted me as his Christmas gift! I told him that that although I’d like to be his present I couldn’t because it would mean that other children in the world would miss out on their gifts.
Do you ever pretend to be Santa to your children?
Yes, my daughters when they were young were easy to fool. My son caught on very quickly, though. As my daughters got older they would just play along even though they knew it was me.
What’s been your most memorable Christmas?
It’s my mother’s birthday on Christmas Eve, so the one I remember most fondly was before my five brothers all fell out with one another. We were all together and that’s what Christmas is all about: bringing people together.
Why is Christmas catching on across different cultures?
It’s because the joy of giving doesn’t have a religion. Thai people have grown to celebrate Christmas as well, and it is only enhancing Thailand’s reputation as the “Land of Smiles.” Christmas is a time when people express their love, not only among family members and friends but also neighbors. It’s spreading since people are attracted to the idea that it is a marvelous excuse for giving.
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What would you eat for your last supper?
It would have to be a Kobe steak topped with freshly sliced truffle and a nice glass of Grange Hermitage red wine.
What if we live?
I think the food trends were about molecular in 2010-2011 and foraging from the farm and forest in 2012. In 2013, we will see retro food—traditional cuisine that will make a comeback, be improved and redone. Everything goes in cycles.
What would you eat for your last supper?
Singaporean Laksa (spicy noodle soup) cooked by my mother.
What would you eat for your last supper?
I would start off with cold yabbies from my uncles’ dam. Catch them, boil, chill and eat with my nanna’s mayonnaise. Roast bone marrow, creamed zucchini with yoghurt, fried pigs tails from St. John, London—my favorite place to eat in the world. Then roast chicken with stuffing and gravy from nanna as well, with crunchy roast potatoes. For dessert, I think the chocolate and violet dessert at Cutler & Co in Melbourne is mind blowing. I’m ready to go in peace now.
What 2012 food trends should die?
In Bangkok, trends are trends. I follow them where I see fit, like others, I think. But if I see another piece of snow fish, Atlantic salmon, foie gras or something like that, it might really be the end of the world. I think it’s time to make some conscientious eating choices.
What would you eat for your last supper?
I would want to eat gaeng jued sapparod moo sab (pineapple and minced pork in soup) because that was the last meal my father cooked for me. I asked him why it was so good and he told me that he put his heart into it, which was the moment I knew I wanted to cook. Another dish would be naem (fermented pork sausage) because it’s my mom’s favorite. Eat them with khao pad kai (stir-fried rice with eggs and soy sauce)—my favorite dish my sister always cooked for me when I was a kid.
What 2012 food trend needs to die?
The wine thing. Many people drink it just to look cool.
What would you eat for your last supper?
Australian mud crab, but only if I could cook it on the beach in Northern Queensland. The crab would be simmered in seawater on an open fire. No sauce, no extra flavorings, just completely natural, exquisite. Then I’d have to go for a homemade cheesecake.
What 2012 food trend needs to die?
Cheesy wine bars that express themselves in an obviously artless way.
What would you eat for your last supper?
I would like to taste a fresh wild salmon swimming to Alaska for spawning. I think the fish will completely perfect and natural after they swim upstream to Alaska.
What would you eat for your last supper?
I would like to have some Hua Hin freshly caught crab with nam jim (dipping sauce) and lots of Laos dark beer.
What 2012 food trend needs to die?
Molecular gastronomy.
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What can we expect from your upcoming performance in Bangkok?
I'm going to do a few up-tempo songs with two girl dancers to get the crowd going and then I'm going to take it down and do a few acoustic songs with a guitar....this is my favorite way to perform and it will be more intimate. I'm really excited to come to Bangkok as I've always wanted to go here—I hear it’s amazing!
What inspires your song writing?
Different situations and experiences I have and also what type of mood I'm in.
Do you get nervous performing on stage?
It always makes me so excited. I don't really get nervous just really happy and smiley, especially when I get to sing in front of new crowds at cool places.
How has being a successful artist changed you?
It has allowed me to live my dream, travel the world, meet lots of interesting people and keep writing and performing songs I love.
What was your reaction to being voted one of FHM’s 100 sexiest women of 2012?
This seems funny to me, but I am very grateful to all who voted!
Out of all your songs, which one is your favorite?
I love to perform a mixture of up-tempo and slow songs to get a balance, but if I had to pick my favorites it would be the ballads: "Cry Me Out," "You Win" and "We Just Go On".
With so many new artists breaking through, how do you stay original?
I think it’s important to stay true to yourself and be a genuine artist—not contrived.
What have you got planned for the coming year?
A new album that I'm so excited about! I'm writing it at the moment and it has more of a soul/Motown feel. I'm working really hard to make it my best yet.
Are you planning to collaborate with any artists on your new album? If not, then who would you like to partner up with?
I did so many collaborations last year and absolutely loved it but because this album is taking a different direction sonically I think it's more of a statement to not have any! However, in the future, I would love to collaborate with a band that has a different sound to me to make it fresh, like Kings Of Leon, Coldplay or The Lumineers.
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I was kind of lost during my teenage years. I didn’t know what I wanted to be. I was good at school so I thought I might study medicine. I ended up studying electrical engineering. It wasn’t my happiest year.
I’m a rebel. I think it’s quite lucky I didn’t study arts straight away because I might have clashed with the professors. I always have my idea on how to do things and it doesn’t follow any artistic rules.
I love trees and flowers as I grew up in the more rural surroundings of Thonburi. I was drawn to flower arrangement when I was working as an engineer. There was a Japanese flower arranging school in my office building so I decided to study it as a hobby.
I kept getting jobs as a florist for events after doing the course for two years. I finally had a chance to open my small flower delivery service, called Sakul Flowers, and started writing columns for magazines such as Ploy Gam Pet and Elle Decoration.
There are no boundaries in design. I love the fact that I didn’t study art, so I just do what I want.
My engineering knowledge actually helps me a lot. It helps me create floral installations which are my signature. I can design the whole structure using my engineering skills and then use my artistic side to arrange the flowers.
Orchids are my favorite flowers. It’s a tropical flower and really exotic. It inspires me.
Flowers are representative of the universe. They show you that nothing lasts forever. A human life might take 60 years to touch on this eternal truth but flowers can bloom and die in the same day.
We’re lucky our culture has strong roots. You can explore the world as far as you want but in the end you’re still able to come back to our precious culture. Our life wouldn’t be this fun if we didn’t have what our ancestors have created for us. It’s important to take care of it.
I feel overwhelmed to see singers sing traditional songs in the Thai version of [TV talent show] The Voice. You see these great jazz singers as well as luk-tung singers on the same stage. And they wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t be here, even artists like Thawan Duchanee wouldn’t be here, if we didn’t have our traditions and culture.
I used to be a grumpy perfectionist. I blasted others, lost my temper and then used the excuse that I’m an artist. I now regret every time I did that.
I even went to see a psychologist and took pills to try and cure my stress. She told me that if you accept that you have problems, then you’re halfway to solving them already.
One day, my assistant said to me, “please stop grumbling and I promise that all the work can be done perfectly.” It made me realize you can choose to reach your goal with anxiety or be calm and treat people nicely.
Proper care of your mind is the key to being happy. If you find yourself having a problem, just step out from the issue and see the cause. Then don’t let it happen again.
Stop thinking before going to bed. It’s hard, but think about what you’ve done that day, write down a list of what to do tomorrow and then forget it when you touch the pillow.
I love running in the morning. It’s like doing meditation for me.
People don’t live in the present nowadays. I feel pity for them, while they’re among friends, they keep looking at their smartphones following feeds on social media sites which are already showing the past of somebody else.
My new inspirations come from travel. I love to travel in Asia because you can still touch the traditional cultures. If you go to old towns in Europe, people just dress up in traditional clothes at tourist attractions. But in India, you still see people wearing the same saris they have for centuries.
There’s no tourist attraction that’s quite as much fun as markets. I love to visit markets, especially flower markets, every time I go abroad.
Opening the Museum of Floral Culture is like fulfilling my destiny. I’ve been looking for this type of house for years. I love its ambience, both the 100-year-old architecture and the garden.
I really love Disneyland. I love its fantasy and fairytales. I dream of opening a Disneyland-like flower park presenting floral cultures from all over the world.
I’m in the process of making a book on Bangkok. I want it to act as a guide for flower lovers who want to see the floral culture and sites here.
I never lose my inspiration. Good artists never stop thinking. Just be honest to yourself and let things flow.
You have two ways of dealing with problems. One, put in your best effort to fix it. Two, if you can’t fix it, then learn to live with it.
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What’s Countdown about?
The movie’s kind of a thriller. It’s about three Thai teenagers who study in New York. They arrange a party on New Year’s Eve but some unexpected guests suddenly show up.
What kind of character do you play?
My character, Jack, is one of those Thai teenagers who studies abroad, kind of a badass. We share some characteristics because I used to study abroad, in England. Even though he studies in America, it’s a similar lifestyle. And I used to be a badass, skipping classes and doing other jackass stuff with my friends.
When you first started acting some people dismissed you as a rich kid; has this changed?
I don’t know what they’re thinking about me. I can’t control their minds. All I can do is my best and prove that most of them are wrong. But it’s up to them whether they acknowledge it or not.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
It’s fun. You get to meet a lot of people. Most directors have interesting philosophies and opinions about society and the world, and working with them is a good chance to talk to them. It’s one of the big advantages of being an actor.
Do you have any acting role models?
I have many. One is James Franco. He’s devoted himself to being an actor, not just a good looking guy. And Sean Penn, he’s a great actor. He does very good preparation before filming. Like for Milk he did a really good job studying the character.
How did you prepare for your last film?
For Countdown I did a lot. I changed the way I talk, the way I walk, even the way I dress and how I live. I changed completely. You need to be ready to enter the set in character, so I worked really hard before we started shooting. We shot some parts in New York and some parts in Thailand, and we had very limited time shooting in each location.
What’s next for you?
After this film I’m going to focus on playing music with my band. We’re going to start recording our first album in December and we hope to launch it around May next year. I’m going to do both [music and acting] if possible.
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What did you do before?
I started work when I was 15 as a construction worker in my hometown, Nakhon Ratchasima. I later had problems with my relatives and they kicked me out of the house. I packed my bag and followed my other relatives to work in Bangkok, then Songkhla and Satul. I ended up coming back to work in Bangkok at a cardboard box factory where I met my wife.
How did you become a lod chong seller?
It happened five years ago when my wife and I decided to quit our jobs because we just couldn’t earn a living making B165 a day. It’s a really small amount when trying to raise a child. I remembered that my mom used to sell lod chong back home so I asked her for the recipe and started making it with my wife.
What makes yours different from others?
Apart from my delicious coconut milk, I think it must be my stall which has a thatched roof made from nipa palm. I was inspired by the style of roofs in rural areas. It gives you a sense of nature which I always miss. It proved so popular at the beginning, people really loved it. They even hired me for the whole day for making merit events or office parties. I saved enough money to buy a secondhand motorcycle and then connected that to the stall, so getting around was easier. But, now it’s already been five years, so it’s not quite as exciting anymore, just enough for me to make a living.
How much do you earn?
I used to make more than a thousand baht profit a day, but I can’t make that now as the price of ingredients are higher, especially sugar and coconut. I have to pay about B1,100 for daily supplies. I buy ten kilos of sugar and ten kilos of coconuts, plus other supplies like straws, cups and ice. Now I can make about B700-B800 each day and divide the money between my family and my parents. Though I don’t make lots of money, I still love this job. It’s really independent, compared to working as a laborer or in a factory.
What was your worst experience at your previous jobs?
When I was a construction worker at Samut Prakan, I was installing some piping at a factory when some colleagues dropped some pipes onto a factory worker by accident and killed him. They were so angry, they surrounded us and didn’t let us get out. We were trapped all night. I was so scared. They had knives, bottles and sticks. I prayed to Lord Buddha and really missed my parents. Finally, our contractor called the police who managed to get us out.
What’s your ambition for the future?
Selling lod chong is OK but I dream of opening a noodle shop. My sister has a noodle store on Sukhumvit Road and I want to do that too. To open a shop like that you need lots of money, so I need time to save up and find a good location.
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How did you first get into magic?
I got a magic box from my parents on my 12th birthday, and that kick-started my interest in magic. My brother and I spent the entire summer working on magic tricks. I started professional magic when I was 20 years old.
What would you consider your signature trick?
My signature trick is linking finger rings—I take three rings and link them together without using a finger—and the rope routine.
How long does it take you to perfect a trick?
It takes many, many years to perfect a miracle.
Which other performers do you admire?
Siegfried & Roy: the superstars of magic. They perform big illusions with tigers, lions and make elephants appear and disappear.
Who is your main target audience?
My audience is from five to 95 years old as magic is timeless, visual and international.
What’s the craziest gift a fan has given you?
I have received silver rings, jewelry, books, flowers and money. Handwritten letters—of over a 100 pages—containing strange information have also been sent to me many times over the years.
When you’re not performing, how do you relax?
I play golf with friends, go to the movies, and see other performances. Rock stars, entertainers, good food and drinks, and a Labero cigar are very relaxing on my days off.
Joe Labero stars in Incanto on through March 10 at Festive Grand.
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What about Asia inspires you?
I have been living in Asia for 16 years and there is not a single day when I am not taken aback; amazed by something or discover something new. The diverse culture, history, people, as well as their innate sense of hospitality, are unparalleled. They're a great source of inspiration, and these inspiring moments I find everywhere and anywhere—it can be while spending time in a lamasery [monastery] in Tibet, exploring the tea plantations in Sri Lanka, in a remote village in the jungle in Sumatra or watching a chef at a Teppanyaki restaurant in Japan. There’s a connection with people; it goes beyond the ability to speak the same language, and creates a real sense of belonging.
What criteria do you use when picking a resort to become part of the collection?
In order to qualify to become a member of Secret Retreats, a property must be located in Asia, have no more than 50 bedrooms, be independently owned and managed, highlight local produce with their culinary program and reflect an Asian influence through the design, architecture and spirit.
Who is the target demographic for your retreats?
As many of our properties are tucked away in remote places, we have a lot of people who particularly enjoy the privacy that they offer. Our guests are travellers, who are curious to discover new places, meet new people and learn about new cultures. They include artists, businessmen and chefs. As many of our properties provide a romantic setting, it is naturally quite popular with honeymooners too.
What is the newest property?
Secret Retreats was launched in September, so all 33 members are “new”. But many properties have been open for years. Three members opening or reopening soon are The Sanchaya (Bintan, Indonesia), Villa Song (Saigon, Vietnam) and Sukoon Houseboat (Cashmere, India).
How do you make sure all the chosen properties maintain a high standard?
We systematically visit all our properties to qualify them prior to their joining. I have personally been to all 33 properties and also have a team of eight mentors. These mentors are owners of Secret Retreats properties willing to give their time and share their expertise on a regular basis to scrutinize the service and maintenance levels, and share feedback.
How is Secret Retreats different from the other resort groups?
Our specialization in and exclusivity to Asia, our mentor system, our portfolio of small and boutique properties—often remotely located—and the unique character and personalized service at our retreats.
How you plan to expand?
We are planning to add a few properties within the next three months but do not have any targets per se, as the quality and experience are far more important to us than achieving a certain numerical target. I have been to around 400 boutique hotels across Asia in the past six years—around 125-150 have the potential to be a Secret Retreats’ property—but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are all going to join. I would say that in the next three years, we expect to have a total of around 70-80 properties.
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What sparked your interest in musicals?
Musical theater was my “entry point” to the stage. Music has an incredible power to make words somehow mean more. It has the power to communicate a different way of life, a different struggle, a different success and a different hope. You really don’t find that anywhere else. In the words of Broadway producer Kevin McCollum, “A melody and lyric that touch your emotional centre is more powerful than you can ever anticipate.”
What’s your favorite musical?
My favourite musical changes regularly! At the moment I’m listening to a lot of shows by composer William Finn, who speaks a lot about real life issues in such a way that you ask yourself, “How does this guy know so much about me?” He’s almost the Billy Joel of musical theater. If I had to recommend a musical to others, it would be Les Misérables. It really is perfectly structured and will lead you on to other great musicals.
Why did you start Musical Theatre Mondays?
I definitely felt that Singapore had room for an open mic event like this; both in terms of the wide ranging talent here and in terms of the cultural calendar. It’s a regular place people can go to and be around others who live and breathe musical theater. I was also inspired by my friend Ben Cameron's Broadway Sessions event, which he produces and hosts in New York City. Seeing the great format done with such audience enjoyment really made me think I could make it fly in Singapore. We had our first edition back in April.
What advice do you give to budding young performers?
There’s all the regular stuff: never give up, become more widely read in your craft, practise your singing and dancing and acting. But I would say that giving time to everyone is a more important thing. I don’t just mean in the performance world, but in everyday life. Because eventually, those two worlds will become one, and support and time from the people around you is as important as being offered an audition.
Tim Garner hosts Musical Theatre Mondays (Christmas Edition) on December 17, 8pm at TAB.
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