Columnist and writer Worapoj Panpong’s nickname as “The Interviewer” is one that fellow writers and magazine journalists have given him, and one that he cherishes.
His moniker is more than well justified, having interviewed almost 1,000 subjects.
All of his existing 19 books are comprised of a compilation of his essays, columns and profile interviews from leading magazines such as GM and IMAGE.
In local literary circles, Worapoj’s career is rather unique. While most writers make their names from penning fiction, his steadfast dedication to the genre has certainly paid off.
“There are not many interviewers in the local literary scene,” Worapoj said. “The majority of interviewers are young journalists and rookies. After they become seasoned interviewers, they usually move on to become editors and executives.”
Worapoj, who used to work as a business reporter for Manager Daily, has just launched a new book, a collection of his columns from Image magazine titled Jood Tian Tang Plai Tang Khon (Burning The Candle At Both Ends). Taken from text he wrote last year, the book works like a diary that reflects on the grim mood of the country.
Two of Worapoj’s most famous books are transcripts of some of his long and probing chats with those from the creative world: At Least (Yarng Noy Tee Sud) is an interview with internationally renowned filmmaker Pen-ek Ratanarung, and Last Word: Rong Wongsawan (Sieng Pood Sud Tai Rong Wong Sawan) has a special status since it was the last interview Rong — probably Thailand’s best known writer — gave before passing away. He has also written a themed collection of interviews on politics, Crime Scene (Tee Kerd Hade), which is based on his interviews with villagers in the restive southern provinces; and Emergency Situation (Satanakarn Chookchern), a collection of interviews with red-shirt protesters.
The interviewer describes himself as “a kind of person who just loves to sit and listen to other people taking”. His patience and stamina in listening is well-known and almost marathon-like. It is quite normal for him to spend seven hours or more in each interview session. His interview with artist Soo Boonlieng, a member of the now-defunct band Chalieng, took several days. With filmmaker Pen-ek, he spent several months following him, talking to him and seeing how he lived and worked. For the book Tee Kerd Hade, he moved down to the South for a year, in order to meet and get to know the people.
“I developed my love of listening when I was young,” says Worapoj, who recounts of a childhood growing up in a farm community in Nakhon Ratchasima province. “My family usually gathers around a bonfire, where I still love to sit around and listen to them telling stories.”
For Worapoj, interviewing is a craft and a very delicate process. While many interviewers study the background of their subjects and prepare questions in advance, Worapoj, instead, takes the post-interview process even more seriously. He devotes days, weeks and even sometimes a whole month transcribing recorded voices into text. In such cases, other interviewers, profilers and non-fiction writers often use a team to help complete the transcribing, which is often regarded as a tedious and unintellectual task. This is not the case with Worapoj.“I cannot hand over the most important thing in my life for others to do for me.” One of the reasons, he explains, is that he is afraid others may not understand the double meaning or irony in the subject’s voice.
In the two decades that Worapoj has been interviewing, he has had more than a few exciting experiences. He has interviewed a high-ranking solider with security guards pointing guns at him and a go-go club owner while two strippers were fighting in the same room. There have been no near-death experiences, however, nor lawsuits, as most of his subjects are celebrities, actors, artists and stars. “What I found is 80% of actors, models and stars are lonely and melancholic. They usually live a sad life.”
After all is said and done, Worapoj describes himself as a storyteller and as a medium that allows people to tell their stories. But The Interviewer does not rule out the possibility that one day he might pen novels. “I will just say that all my current works are non-fiction, at least for now.”
The latest book you read?
Saiduen Tar Bord Nai Khao Wongkote (A Blind Worm In The Labyrinth) by Weerabhorn Nitiprabha. This up-and-coming female writer is very good at using her descriptive prose to tell a story about trees and music and she is definitely knowledgeable about the topics. I have to admit that I hardly read fiction nowadays, but I am a very fastidious reader.
Your essays address various social, political and cultural issues. Can you recommend any books with similar content?
I would recommend reading works by Mookhorm Wongthes, a social thinker who is very knowledgeable on both Western and Eastern culture. But most of all, she is a gifted writer who is confident in using her satirical prose to voice her opinion. Most of all, she is a very courageous social critic. I also like reading columns penned by Bai Torng Hang [a political columnist], Thongchai Winitjakul [a respected left-leaning scholar] and works by Nitiraj [a group of law professors who have both supporters and detractors]. I also like works of Seksan Prasertkul as he is an exceptionally good writer with a highly interesting background, being of the 1973 student uprising and all.
Famous books that disappointed you?
Most dhamma books. I think this genre of books reflect the weakness of the spirit of the people in society. People are looking for shortcuts or catchphrases that can remove them from troubles and they look for those quick-fix solutions from these dhamma books.
You said that you try not to feel attached to mobile phones and computers. What about e-books?
I am not anti-technology. I think the e-book is the future of publishing. Change is inevitable. In the old days, people wrote on stone tablets and they scoffed when a new invention like paper came along. But book reading depends on circumstance as well. Some books are perfect to read while on the BTS, others are perfect for reading on the beach while you are on holiday.
Your favourite book of all time?
Ngao Si Kao (The White Shadow) by Dan-Aran Sangthong. This is the work of a master of language. Like Mookhorm Wongthes, Dan-Aran’s knowledge on occidental and oriental cultures are equally credible. This book is rather eccentric and readers will be surprised with the layout of the book and its text without paragraphs. This book addresses many aspects of life: youthfulness, manhood, insanity, libido and romance, all at once.
