JOURNALIST’S JOURNAL
In between the hundreds of A-list Hollywood stars, American celebrities, designers and politicians that Chaleampon “Oates” Ritthichai has interviewed, there are barely 20 Thai personalities that the New York-based multimedia journalist has really grilled for any stories. A large chunk of the big local names the 40-year-old did talk to are all compiled into his first book, which is being launched at the National Book Fair: New York Bok Tor ( New York Tells All: A Collection Of Conversations In A Concrete Jungle).
Far from being a gossip rag or a guide book, this fully-colour 200-pager is a deep conversation with 10 different leaders in their respective industries that Chaleampon met during their time working in New York.
“The setting really offers a different feel,” the author describes of the time when asking Getsunova frontman Name Raiva to compare life in NYC and London. “If you ask stuff like that in Bangkok it just sounds pretentious, but I asked that because it was the right setting. New York [as seen from Thailand] sounds glamorous but there are also people who don’t have it glamorous. Honestly, I think everyone struggles because everything is so expensive. I really wanted to know whether people in other cities struggle too.”
Besides a long career of working at a print publication, online website, radio and television in the Big Apple, the twice Emmy-nominated reporter also writes for the newspaper Thai Good News, where these articles were first published. Out of the 10 interviewees, we have the ones obviously there to feed the frenzies of fan girls like entertainers James Jirayu and Bie Sukrit, but the book also shifts to heavyweights like Broadway authority Boy Takonkiet or V. Vajiramedhi, where the author discusses how Buddhism and science are actually intertwined with the new-gen monk while strolling through Central Park.
It’s an insightful but light read, accompanied by an array of lively photos of each person at iconic locations from Carnegie Hall to East Village. Acknowledging his journalistic mores to the demanding stint at political website Gotham Gazette, Chaleampon focuses on the craft and work of each figure, but also gives way occasionally to slightly tabloid-esque questions. He recalls seeing two beautiful black women and pointing to James Jirayu while asking: “Is that your type?”
On a more frenetic pace, Chaleampon’s job requires him to make instant decisions between making a beeline towards Tommy Hilfiger or Siwon Choi at the Met Gala — a complete change from the world of politics he reported on for over half-adecade. It was boredom that caused him to change lanes, but he advises: “If there is an opportunity to interview the A-list people of the world, you really have to do it, even if they aren’t from a field you are interested in. When people like Adam Levine or Keira Knightley come by, it’s not an opportunity you can deny.”
Today, he’s accomplished in his own right and hopes New York Tells All will offer solace and inspiration to others who want to make it internationally, as well. “I want people who want to make it internationally to see and get inspired by these figures. I want them to see it in a sense that if all these 10 people could do it, I can do it too. When everything falls into place, you can be standing at that point too.”