Areeya ‘Pop’ Chumsai might be best known as a former Miss- Thailand-turned-military-officer, but she’s a journalist by trade and it certainly shows. “I guess you’ll want background information first,” she says thoughtfully when the interview starts. “I’m thinking, how many column inches do we have here? What should be the focal point of the story?…
Read moreA prize-winning job
The Olympics are all about bringing sportslovers from different nations together: and not just as adversaries on the field. New Zealander Gay Horan has been coaching Thailand’s Olympic gold-medal rowing hopeful, Phuttharaksa Nikri, since 1996. “I read a newspaper article in The Nation about a girl called Phuttharaksa who wanted to row and had no…
Read moreMaking a difference from your desk
Picture contributing to your community in some way and you may assume you’d have to spend half a day at a shelter a week or maybe drive a van on the streets. In Bangkok, Australian Margo Towie found a way to assist pregnant and post-natal women without needing to leave her office. Since January 1999,…
Read moreThey who wield the hammer
“She’s very good at art.” “I think clients like her! She’s very patient when it comes to talking to clients.” “But I don’t have good eyes like her!” “Oh, but she has a good eye for jewellery.” So two friends who work together enthusiastically point out each others’ good points. Yaovanee Nirandara has a passion…
Read moreCaring for Bangkok’s needy
“I’m not doing this because I want to save the world – but hopefully I can help at the humanitarian level,” says Yvonne Ziegler, who spends two mornings a week visiting the Pak Kred Babies Home in Bangkok with another five to 15 expatriate women. “I’m basically a people person,” she says. “I have three…
Read moreBangkok’s media man
Journalist Andrew Biggs was supposed to stopover in Bangkok for two days on his way from Australia to London for a working holiday. That was ten years ago. Today Andrew is the most recognisable and famous falang (Western) face in Thailand. He hosts three regular television programmes and a radio talkback programme, is a newsreader…
Read moreStrummin’ around
“I thought Thailand would be this quiet, relaxing, unassuming place away from the tourist trail. Clearly I didn’t do my research very well!” says Australian John Garzoli of his first trip to Thailand in 1995. There are a number of falangs in Bangkok who have created employment niches for themselves, allowing them to pay their…
Read moreA star is born: ML Piyapas Bhirom Bhakdi
ML Piyapas Bhirom Bhakdi never dreamed about becoming an actress. She did not harbour any ambitions, ever, to be a star of the big screen. And it certainly never crossed her mind, not even for a fleeting instant, that she might one day take the leading role in the most expensive film in the history…
Read moreLove can wait: Emma Suwannalat
How do you write about a star who just won’t behave like one? A star who won’t stamp her delicate foot, pout and complain, or brag about her achievements? Naturally charming Emma Suwannalat exemplifies the kind of person you’d like to have coffee and a chat with. A best friend, a sister – these are…
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