From the age of 15 I knew I wanted to be a professional Muay Thai fighter. I remember going down to Golden Mile, looking at all the Thai boxing magazines and thinking, “I want to be like that.”

I’d just kick and punch late at night with no idea what I was doing.

My dad raised me after my parents divorced. There was no electricity at one point because we couldn’t pay the bills and I had to study using candlelight.

The neighborhood I grew up in was filled with ah bengs as well as expats. Teaching the expat kids how to speak Singlish and swear in Malay and Hokkien was always funny.

I was inspired by how kids in Thailand who come from poverty or have had been abandoned have to compete in Muay Thai for a living.

Seeing how they give their everything when they fight—their blood, sweat and tears—to make money to send home to their families makes you thankful for what you’ve got.

Selling pizza by the slice just wasn’t done in Singapore six years ago, so I thought it would be a great idea. I found a good location with lots of character. Honestly, I don’t think anywhere in Singapore can beat Orchard Towers for that!

I like adrenaline, but being on roller coasters and bungee jumping make me sick in the stomach. I can do them but I just don’t see the point!

I’m not going to lie and say an intellectual girl with a good sense of humor turns me on. If it’s included, it’s a bonus! I mean are we going to get it on, or are we going talk about books all night?

I was the first Singaporean to ever win at the famous Lumpini Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.

The odds were 5:3 (against me) going into the fight. All the Thai gamblers were hoping my Thai opponent would whoop my ass.

You can only trust yourself and sadly sometimes, you’ve got to be heartless. Because the world can be a f***ed up place.

BK: Have you always liked animation?
I loved to watch cartoons on Channel 9 every weekend. It really made me love anime. I like ones that have lots of characters like Pokemon or Digimon. There are lots of hidden meanings about life in them, too.

BK: So, you started drawing cartoons?
No, not at all. My first love is actually computers but, my parents, who are both farmers in Phetchabun, didn’t have enough money to buy me a computer. All I could do was pursue my interests through reading books. I used to love computer books as well as the epic myth stories about the Hindi gods; they’re so supernatural and super fun. Anyway, I had the chance to take computer classes at school and more special computer courses in my hometown. I knew how to use a computer, I just didn’t have one of my own. The first time I got a PC was when I moved to live with my aunt in Samut Prakarn in grade 10.

BK: When did you start making anime?
In my first year at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMIT). I heard that there was a Thailand Animation Contest (TAC) so my friends and I decided to enter. We made it into the final round two years running and we got to learn about how to make animation using free software. I then managed to get on the Talent Development Program for International Animation Contest (TIC). It was through this that I was able to send my work, Buddhist Elation, to the Asia Digital Art Awards 2011. There were more than 1,000 animations submitted, but I managed to get a Finalist Prize, it’s like an honorable mention. They said I am the first Thai to win this award.

BK: What is your dream?
I know that my work isn’t that great, so I will definitely look to improve both my skills and my storytelling style. I dream of making a long movie featuring characters that I love, maybe those from the Ramayana. And it must be all made using freeware. It’s kind of my personal challenge. I always hear people say that you have to have cool software to make a cool animation. But I think it doesn’t matter if you use free or expensive software. It’s all about your ability and imagination to create good work. I also dream of opening an animation studio, but it’s way too soon. I have to make money first.

BK: What do you think makes a good animator?
You must be patient because the process really takes time. Sometimes I get very little sleep for two weeks just for a 10-minute animation. If you can’t do animation, no matter your money or skill, you just have to keep practicing and build up your creativity, which is the most important part. Sure you need to be as skillful as everyone else, but it’s creativity that will ensure that you get ahead of them.

Translator Device from Sanchai Noichan on Vimeo.

You’ve been practicing music since you were young. Why did you end up becoming a songwriter? Why not a singer?
Actually I just wanted to be an artist. I formed a band with my friends when I was in university and sent the demo to Grammy, but we were rejected. After that we split, I am the only one who continued to do music. I had no idea how life was going to be as a songwriter, until I decided to join a songwriting competition hosted by Thai Appreciation Foundation and won the first prize. It allowed me to think that this job really exists. A job which allows me to play music wherever and whenever I like.

All of your songs become hits, but no one knows your name, how do you feel about that?
I don’t care if people know that I was the one who composed the song or not; I actually have someone specific in mind when I create a song. After I won that prize, I quit university. I was in my 4th year and my parents were so disappointed with me. I kept sending my songs to RS, Grammy and Bakery Music and eventually got accepted by Grammy. When the first song I wrote was released, I showed my parents. I wanted to show them that I can make a living with a job I love and that it wasn’t the wrong decision to quit studying.

Is that part of the reason why you came up with this concert?
No, actually. It’s like if I was a painter, after working on a series of paintings, they should be exhibited. I can’t hang my lyrics in a gallery, so I came up with a concert to showcase the songs I’ve written.

What do you think is the factor that makes your songs become hits?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I’m happy that my songs hit the charts, but sometimes I listen to other songs and I like them more. I feel like so many other songs should have reached a higher position than mine. But when my song hits the top of the charts, I think it must me because I’m lucky. Someone once said, “God is always standing by our side.” I think this might be true.

You’re not the one who sings your songs, is there ever any problem with the singer’s interpretation?
Yes, sometimes. Every time a situation like this happens, I throw the song away and compose a new one. I write each song based on my own experiences, so I need to discuss the meaning behind them so the band understands the mood and tone I’m going for. So if the way they sing doesn’t match what we’ve talked about, I’ll write a new one. There are also cases where the band comes asking me to write their story and I just can’t do it, unless I believe in what they’re trying to convey.

Are you bored composing only love songs?
At this point I’d say no. Well, everyone else directs me this way. I’m never asked to write about democracy or the rainy season, everyone just wants love songs. So I’ve got no time to think about other issues. Apart from a love story, I’d like to compose a story about prostitutes, I’m fascinated with what’s on their mind. And I’d want Burin Boonvisut [Groove Rider’s front man] to sing it.

BK: How do you get together?
Beer: Some of the members plus our friends from high school entered the Hot Wave music competition back in 2003. We got as far as the last ten but nothing happened, so we separated to study at university. My brother—Bee, fellow member Nueng and I went to study at Silpakorn University where were formed another band that was signed by GMM. But we never had the chance to release an album.

BK: What happened?
Beer: Lots of things. Our record label was closed down and we were transferred to another label. But the ultimate reason was we felt that our music, when produced by other producers, didn’t reflect us so we quit GMM. We continued to work the way we wanted, as an indie group until we met Mono Music. They agreed to let us work the way we want.

BK: Why choose Run Ran Run to be your name?
Beer: It reflects our passion for music as we used to run and now we’re running and we will continue to run on the music road forever.
BK: Have you ever consider quitting the music scene?
Beer: We did. We had fights and things didn’t go as we expected. But we’ve been friends for so long we finally patched things up. Then we released our first single and it got a huge response. Now we’re releasing our new single, “Ya Se.”

BK: If you could run anywhere, where would you run?
Beer: I want to run to the future. I am curious to see if I am going to be thinking the same way at 50 as I do now?
Nueng: I want to run beneath the waves. I always heard that we know more about the universe than we do about what’s in our oceans. I want to run in there to see what it looks like.
Bee: I want to run on a real running track. I’ve never run on one before. It would be a great feeling.

BK: What are you day jobs?
Beer: I’m a freelance producer. I compose songs a
nd play music at night. We play at Wink (Ratchayothin Road) every Saturday.
Bee: I’m a drum teacher but I only teach privately.Win: I work at an event organizer. We do everything from events to creating jingles for commercials.
Test: I work at The War Veterans Organization of Thailand by day and play music by night.
Nueng: I’m a music tutor at MAESTRO for students who aspire to get into music faculties at universities. I’m also a freelance producer. I once produced a song for a kindergarten. It’s a cute song for children to sing in the morning.

How is cooking pastry different from savory food?
It’s certainty and sureness. Pastry is about applying theory. There is not so much you can change. It’s so different. For me, the hot kitchen is full of enthusiasm while the cold kitchen, pastry, is art.

What’s a tip for wannabe pastry chefs?
Passion. If you do it without passion, you will get bored, get tired and finally quit. Responsibility is also crucial when it comes to opening your own shop because every detail does matter, for example, cleanliness. If your equipment is not clean, your product cannot last long. After I opened Sweet It Is, I realized that it’s harder than I thought. I have staff I have to take care of and I have customers that I have to service with heart; but after seeing people loving my desserts, it makes me happy.

What’s the easiest dessert? And the hardest?
Nothing is easy and nothing is hard. What matters the most is training. I think it’s a waste of money if you take the course and then just never practice what you’ve learned. Pastry requires time and attention to detail and courses really give you techniques that you cannot find in the books. But after that, skill comes from your hands.

Kids shouldn’t be allowed to work in the entertainment industry. It’s not a place for them. Kids should go to school and socialize and play with friends.

Working at a young age can change you. It can inflate your ego because of all the compliments and pampering from others. It doesn’t need to be that way. Children should learn about the value of things and learn things themselves.

I hated it and decided to quit the industry when I was 14.

I told my parents that I wanted to quit and they said yes right away. But I had to wait until my contract with RS was over. I wasn’t interested in performing on stage anymore.

My teacher told me that what I’d done was really hard but I didn’t get her point at the time. All I wanted was to just stop working and get back to enjoying a normal life. I wanted to go to school. I wanted to wakeboard. I wanted to have a girlfriend. I wanted to grow up without having any demands on my time.

Now I understand her. I realize that I left something huge behind. I only saw things in black and white, not grey. I could make the decision because I wasn’t worried about the future or money. But I believe I did make the right choice.

I felt fulfilled to live my private life again. I’m lucky that I had good people around me. They always treated me like I was just a boy, not a public figure.

I went to New York and worked with Montonn “Jay” Jira. We released our co-produced electro-pop album Katsue in 2004. Then I went to study Media Culture in Australia for four years.

Studying made me realize that I knew nothing about the entertainment business, although I’d worked in it for years. I was innocent. I found out how the media influences entertainment with materialism, illusion and propaganda.

I had lots of ideas and enthusiasm when I came back to work in Thailand with Montonn. I tried to create a new kind of marketing by using social media for his Samutprakarn Sound. But it wasn’t that successful. It was too early to do that 3-4 years ago.

The world doesn’t run as fast as my brain. Now my big dreams and big plans are gone. And it’s hard to find people to help you achieve your dream.

It’s also hard to find someone that you love to work with. I’m lucky, I really enjoy working with Montonn.

Just do work with friends, not business. My father told me doing business with friends will affect your friendship. I don’t want it to happen with me. So I told Montonn, “I will do my work but this is your baby. You take care of it under your name but we work together.”

We are producing our new Katsue project and always DJing at pubs. I’m also building a clothing brand with my brother. It’s a new urban streetwear brand called Damien Lea. I get lots of new inspiration from doing these things.

I am loving my comeback as Raptor. The huge hype from fans isn’t my main motivation though. I just see it as a challenge, I want to make better work than I’ve done before.

It’s a little awkward for me and Louis [his fellow band member] to dance like we used to ten years ago. It’s hard to get the energy back and remember the old steps.

Our show last year was brilliant. We had a great chemistry with the audience. I never got such a huge reaction before in my life. Now I am eager to experience it again with this concert.

I want a James Bond life that has adventure, that sees me flying around the world and living on the beach. I registered to train to be a pilot but I failed the test. I might try again.

I love being spontaneous. I don’t know if something is good or not but when I do it on instinct, good things always happen to me. I think it’s a skill that i picked up from my wakeboarding.

My life is pretty rollercoaster but I’m still alive. That means I’ve done something right.

Exploring the world alone is a cliché for me now. I backpacked everywhere for about 10 years so it’s gotten kind of repetitive. It’s hard to find a destination that’s still raw and natural. Tourism ruins everything.

Now I want to travel with the one I love. The one I want to spend my life with.

It’s good to be successful and still spend your life the way you want. Not just rushing do things to get money. I want to be like that.

Believe in yourself. When you believe in yourself, the world will be your oyster.

The 33rd Bangkok International Motor Show 2012
Under the theme “Technology Difference,” 20 major automobile brands, from BMW to Hyundai, will be present, but also motorcycle makers such as Ducati. Mar 28-Apr 8, 11am-10pm. Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, 99 Popular Rd., 02-833-4455. Free entry. www.bangkok-motorshow.com

Dhaninat Kaewkumnerd

38, Webmaster of The BMW Society, drives a 2012 BMW Z4 28idrive

“I got my first BMW when I was 26. It was a used 1995 3-series.
My family was into Volvos and definitely did not like the idea of me getting a Beemer one bit, especially a secondhand one. I ignored them and know I made the right choice.
Restoring a car takes a lot of time and patience. You need to have passion.
I was so paranoid buying a secondhand car. Why is the owner selling it, did he kill someone? All sorts of things went through my head.
In the end, you take a test drive and you do your research and that’s really all you can do.
I made BMW Society, aka The BMW Club of Thailand, because I couldn’t find information on my used BMW, like where to find spare parts or how to determine if the engine is still good.
In our latest meeting, so many members showed up (with over 500 BMWs), that you couldn’t park.
If you don’t have a social life, you won’t think about tuning or modifying your car. It’s the same with women. If you don’t have a social life, you don’t want brand-name bags and nice dresses to show off who you are.
I don’t do street racing; I only race at certain events like quarter mile races or at proper racing circuits like Pira Circuit or Rangsit Klong 5.
Lots of people think just because we drive a BMW that we’re obnoxious drivers who love to race; this is not true at all.
I try not to get too crazy about my cars. I know some people who are so obsessed that they just can’t get enough. I don’t want to be at a point where it’s like collecting toys.”
www.bmwsociety.com

Kitja Suwanyothin

42, member of Subaru Club Thailand, drives a 2009 Subaru Impreza.

“I first fell in love with cars by watching races. I’d steal my dad’s car to go see them.
Subaru cars are designed by Japanese engineers who design airplanes. Once you’ve driven one, you can’t drive anything else.
I own five Subarus. They are very addictive. Once you own one, you want more. It’s hard to stop.
Going at 160 kph in a Toyota freaks me out, but in an Impreza it doesn’t even feel like I’m going fast.
There’s always something I want to do with my car. It makes me want to make more money. So in a way, it teaches you the value of money.
My girlfriend complains I spend too much money on my cars, but I feel it’s better to have a hobby than to go have affairs and spend money on them.
Once when I went to Khon Kaen and it took me only four hours instead of seven. I left home at 10am with my friend and got there by 2pm. Then I drove back to Bangkok, dropped my friend at his house and got back to my place at 6pm. Not that I recommend going this fast.
If your parents buy you a car. Don’t tune it. Save up to buy your own car.
www.subaruclubthailand.com

Fonthip Chongprawatsakul

25, member of the New Mini Society, drives a 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe

“I first fell in love with the Mini when I was in high school. I love the classic vibe.
This Mini Coupe is my first car. Her name is Panda.
Minis have a track-car feeling to them. It’s not a soft ride.
Buying a car is not a small investment, listen to what your parents have to say.
I love the New Mini Society. I just joined the club a month ago. It’s a warm loving community.
I’ve got plans for Panda’s modifications. I just want to express what I love.
Yeah, I’m crazy about Minis. I just got one and I already want another. I work close to my house and I’ve only had Panda for a month but the mileage is already at 1,000 km. I love taking her for a drive.
While driving Panda the tire pressure alert system tells me if the tire pressure is dropping. That’s why Minis are really good for women, they tell you if something’s wrong with your car so you don’t have to stop, get down and check it yourself.”
www.newminisociety.com

Napat Thatritorn

36, founder of the Thai Volkswagen Club, drives a Volkswagen Double Cab

“Many people who love Volkswagen work in design-related jobs such as architects, graphic designers or engineers. I think it’s because they all can connect to its special design.
This car grows more expensive as it gets older. People who buy them tend not to sell them. I once sold a deluxe edition 1950s Volkswagen Barndoor for B3 million, that’s how high the price can get.
My first Volkswagen was a van. I found it at a temple in Ayutthaya where someone had donated it. It was really awkward negotiating a monk.
I had to track down so many documents. The former owner had passed away and it took me two years with his daughter’s help before I was the legitimate owner of the car.
I own fifteen Volkswagens. I used to have more but some of them were sold to Volkswagen lovers both in Thailand and abroad.
My favorite is this Volkswagen Double Cab, it’s rare and I spent a lot of money and time restoring it.
Most people think of Volkswagen and only see the van or the beetle, but actually there’s much more to Volkswagen, such as the Double Cab or the Barndoor; some models might look similar but each of them is unique in their own way.
It’s very funny when I’m getting a new Volkswagen, since I tell people I’m getting a new car, but also that I need a tow. The car is new for me, but it’s actually a classic car about to be restored.
The hardest part about restoration is finding the parts and getting the right body color. You must be prepared to argue with mechanics because sometimes they just don’t understand that every little detail matters and that it’s something dear to your heart.
I got scammed by mechanics. I don’t want anyone who loves Volkswagen to experience the same thing, so I started the website.
We take lots of trips. We’ve been driving together to places like Rayong, Laos and Malaysia. It’s a great experience and a good memory.
Once on the way back, a light went on the dashboard on one of the member’s cars. We stopped the convoy and spent an hour checking the engine. Finally I asked to see the car’s manual. He had turned on the emergency headlights by accident. We teased him about it the whole way back to Bangkok.
Recently, I was driving my Volkswagen truck when a car cut me off. We pulled over and the owner of the other car apologized but said he’d been looking long and hard for this truck and wanted to buy it.
I declined but still, it’s good to know that there are many people out there who share my passion.
www.thaivwclub.com

Nattapon Kaewtippanet

33, admin of Club Nissan Cube, drives a Nissan Cube Z11

“My first ride was a dek van motorbike, then I got myself a Honda Jazz. My family’s car broke down, so I gave them the Jazz and switched to using the Cube.
The Nissan Cube’s design is very unique; it’s not a mainstream car. And I know that I can tune it to my style.
It’s very comfortable. The inside seats feel like a couch.
The Nissan Cube is also perfect for lovers, there’s nothing between the front seats so you can get closer while driving. Girls really love that.
The Nissan Cube is a niche car, so club members help each other to find parts or recommend a decent place to modify it.
I used to race, now I only do it if members of the club or I have just installed something new to their car. It’s kind of a product test to see how well it performs after installation.
This car has brought me fun and excitement and, I’m not trying to sound cocky here, but girls too. It’s so weird, once I got the Cube I got many girls.
My license plate is “yor ying and gor gai.” My friends even tease me that my car is like a chick magnet. So now they say the license plate should be ying-gor (girls hooked).
It’s a cute car but also unique and masculine.
Once I parked next to a brand new BMW, and there were a bunch of girls walking around, and they seemed more interested in my Cube than the BMW. That makes me so happy and proud.
Buy it because you love it and don’t let girls get in the way of modifying it. Car tuning for guys is like shopping for girls, and at least it’s much cheaper than going to get massages.
www.clubnissancube.com

Bunn Kasemsup

44, Webmaster of Bangkok Classic Car, drives a MGA Roadster

“There was this classic Fiat passed down through my family. My father used it and I used it in college too. I remember saving up and spending my allowance on restoring it.
I’d always wanted a red sports car and I love everything about the MGA. But more than that, the feeling of turning a dead car into a fully working one is amazing.
The MGA Roadster is like a piece of art, they’re well designed with meaningful details. These types of cars don’t exist in today’s world anymore.
I was already involved in buying and restoring classic cars like Mercedes Benz and Alfa Romeo, but I couldn’t find an MGA Roadster.
I was driving down Ratchada road one day and saw a red roadster. I drove next to the car, rolled down my window and asked the driver if he wanted to sell it. He declined but two years later, I ran into the same guy. He recognized me and told me that he’d be interested in selling the car.
I started the Bangkok Classic Car website in 2004. Our motto is, “If you love classic cars, you’re my friend.” You have to put yourself in the community to live it. I’ve created a home and it’s my duty to make it a welcoming and loving place.
Classic cars are my life. Even before I got married I made sure my wife understood my passion. This is not just a short term thing; it’s a long term commitment.
If you’re interested in them [classic cars], find out which type you really love. And think of it as a marriage, ‘til death do us part. Don’t just have it and park it. Use it, start it and take it for a drive.
www.bangkokclassiccar.com

The next big thing is “Open Innovation” and “Co-working Space.”

Open innovation involves every part of society—academics, locals, students—sharing ideas and creating a prototype for a response plan in case of future disasters.

Flow Working Space is an ideal place open to anyone who wants to have a fully-functional work space, like a real office space: desks, hi-speed internet, fax, meeting room or kitchen.

There are so many groups out there who have great ideas but they don’t have a proper space where they can develop it.

We already have this place. It’s called “The Sync.” It’s a shared work space that anyone can use with rent that start from as low as B450 per month.

This trend is really becoming big everywhere, from Europe to Australia.

We’re really tired of big organizations that have top-down styles of management. It makes them move slowly, as we saw during the floods.

Better to focus on creating working groups, what we call “crowd sourcing” to work on a certain missions like volunteering.

This year, cable TV will get more bold and wild. The government isn’t so strict about cable than it is about our regular channels. Producers are really having fun creating programs and making stuff you could have never seen before.

Cable TV’s audience has grown rapidly in the past couple of years so sponsors are noticing the hype and putting their brands on cable more and more.

What’s tired? Talk shows about celebrity gossip. I think they’re overrated. They make big stories out of nothing. A single Facebook picture and you’ve got a big deal. But I think people know there’s nothing important being reported on.

People now want shows with a fun and clear message. Production values don’t need to be extravagant and high-end. Just make it simple and easy, and get your message across with style.

We are planning a single-malt paired dinner in June with Glenmorangie single-malt scotches from Diageo Moet Hennessy. This will be really exciting as it has not been done often in Asia and the combination of a fine single-malt and matched food can be mind-expandingly delicious.

The other concepts in the early planning stages are a vegetarian night—with all or at least 80% vegetarian dishes. We hope this can show how great vegetarian food can be.

I hope there is a move towards restaurants that are more sincere in how they create meals and consider the customer. All restaurateurs need to make a profit, but being more personal and genuine, from sourcing food, to having a passion about the cuisine, is a good investment and not a wasted effort.

I’m fed up with restaurants in shopping malls and ramen restaurants—there must be almost as many in Bangkok as Tokyo.

A few higher end hotels are doing [pop-up restaurant nights] but it is not at all the same. They have huge support staff and professional kitchens and tend to do food that is already in the restaurant scene. We prepare everything in an Electrolux-sponsored home kitchen, so it is like a house dinner party. And we try to offer an experience and cuisines you cannot get anywhere else.