Anon Pairot, designer
"I’m afraid of being selfish. I’m afraid of doing bad things when faced with a critical choice. In design, sometimes you have to choose between being commercial and doing the right thing. Sometimes, you have to say no to people who offer you things. People are so serious about money but I want to keep things simple: extraordinary things can come from simplicity."
Jack Ruenprapan, magazine editor
"What really causes me to wake up in a shrieking cold sweat is the prospect of McCain somehow winning the US election and suffering a stroke at the inauguration. Then the winking, hockey mom-creationist Sarah Palin steps in as the new president and manages the impossible: making Bush look like an enlightened statesman. “Are we gonna nuke Iran? You betcha! War with Russia? After what they did to goshdarned Atlanta [Georgia]? Doggone it, why not!” Yikes."
Clare Measures, English teacher
"What scares me the most is caves, big ones, small ones, damp ones, even caves with buddhas in them... All terrifying."
Sudarat Suksomboon, corporate assistant
"I cannot stand the sight of open wounds! Like the wounds from accidents or like that protester who lost his leg. I can faint just seeing the pictures."
Worranuch Sattarattanakul, food vendor
"I’m afraid that the PAD are ruining the pretty scenery of Bangkok. I mean they’ve already messed up the lawn at the Government House."
Jamorn Jirapaet, radio station director
"I’m afraid that my job won’t be fun anymore. I like working in the entertainment industry but now everything in our country is making people depressed. I’m a fun loving person, it would be a drag if the fun were taken out of our lives."
Prayer Trairatvorakul, copywriter
"Getting old sucks! It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll get sick and not just with one thing but with multiple things. But then again, I’m not scared enough to start living a healthy life, either."
Thanakorn Tangkorphan, stock broker
"I’m scared that the stock market will have to close down. It will affect our already suffering economy and more importantly, I will lose my job!"
Vipasiri Napawongdee, marketing communication manager
"Men scare me. They always think they’re so hot and it creeps me out. They always think girls can easily fall for them. Who do you think you are, huh? We’re not in the Rama V era anymore."
Kanyanee Ingsa, freelance public relations assistant
"It always feels like the sky is going to crash down on us whenever it rains these days. Especially the sound of thunder: if you listen to it carefully, it sounds like glass breaking. Global warming is clearly a big threat. We should really start paying attention and act on it right now, or else we’ll end up dying too young!"
Jap, lead singer, Richman Toy
"I don’t want to lose my privacy. These days everywhere you go there are people, noise and chaos. There’s no more peace and quiet. I need a place where I can think and that’s hard to find."
Bill, cosplay shop owner
"I’m afraid that all this chaos in society will stop our country from developing. I just came from Japan and you can totally tell that we’re at least 10 years behind! Stop fighting and start taking care of this country."
Pongnarin Ulrice, program director, Fat Radio
"I don’t really want to take sides but I am scared of the “red team”. I’m scared of living with them in this country."
Radchakorn, lead singer, Tabasco
"I’m scared they’re going to close Khao Din [zoo] and I won’t have anything to do on weekends anymore."
Saransri Prawatpattanakul, public relations officer
"I’m afraid of going hungry or having nothing to eat. I mean without good food, your brain cannot function and I would not be able to work."
Sunared Suphasophon, makeup artist
"I’m afraid of getting old. I mean, look at me? A face like this needs to last forever."
Sara Ito, real estate agent
"Getting pregnant with the wrong person before the wedding."
Julie Kaufman, former radio DJ, housewife
"What scares me the most is natural disasters because they are so out of our control and can happen at any time and anywhere. I do believe that God is in control and therefore I do have a healthy fear of Him. I think we all should."
Aekapong Cherdtham, drummer, Crescendo
"I don’t want to get sick and lose my strength. I mean, I could chuck five glasses of beer before getting drunk in the past but now one already makes me tipsy."
Chanon, artist
"I don’t want a war, although we all know there’s a big possibility."
John Berns, organizer, Barcamp Bangkok
"I am most afraid of what we don’t know about the economic crisis. So many companies have a stake in keeping the valuations on their books high and the true losses will not be known until the final payments come due. I don’t think we really know yet how far we will fall and how hard the landing will be."
Morakod Komonbut, DJ, Fat Radio
"The whole protest. It was once a small gathering with a goal and it has now turned into a nation-wide fight. It’s chaotic. I don’t want to fight and I don’t want to take sides."
Phimphimol Phimngam, label manager, Mind The Gap
"I don’t want to face the unexpected. I always set goals for myself and my biggest fear is to know that I cannot achieve them. I don’t like feeling disappointed."
Karun Sosothikul, model
"I don’t want to lose my money. I’m a big spender. When I make some, I spend it all. I always want something before the money comes."
Udomsak Sattarattanakul, khao mun ghai vendor
"I fear for my children’s future. I’m worried about whether they will ever be able to live life comfortably."
Salinee Panyarachun, radio DJ
"I’m scared of people. Look what they’re willing to do to each other these days, bombing, shooting, etc. Every day I have to pass Government House before coming to work and I never know if I will ever get hit by anything."
Chai, guitarist, Brand New Sunset
"I’m afraid that this business will force me to do something I don’t want to do. I don’t want to lose myself."
Lynn Kiangsoontra, dental student
"What strikes me as most frightening is the level of ignorance that some people have towards issues going on around the world today. People need to educate themselves with the facts and come up with their own opinions rather than jumping on the bandwagon and latching on to the latest bit of hearsay floating around town."
The Doc’s Take on Fear
Getting scared and all paranoid? Tried exorcism and it didn’t work? Dr. Sutthi Srinkapaibulaya, a psychiatrist at Bangkok Hospital, might be able to help. He talked to us about fears and how we can all cope with them.
What is a phobia?
A phobia is a form of anxiety. It is different from fear. While fear is natural, like fear of fire or fear of being attacked, probias are usually irrational, like a fear of closed spaces. I’ve even seen people scared of baby chicks. It could be due to genetics, a chemical imbalance, your upbringing or just a part of your personality.
Can you develop a phobia?
Usually, no. But there’s what we call post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can be developed after someone has been exposed to a heightened level of stress, such as being stuck in a burning building or an earthquake—that can lead to lasting phobias.
Can the tense situation in Thailand right now make people develop such PTSD?
It is usually not the case but it depends on certain people. If you have a tendency to take news more seriously than others, it can really get to you. If you have the news channel on 24/7, it’s like you’re hypnotizing yourself with all this information. You will become stressed, unable to sleep and have a hard time living your life without worrying all the time.
What do you suggest people do to counteract this?
Turn it all off. Stop reading the news. I know it’s hard as it is everywhere at the moment but too much information, especially from sources that have been manipulated, can be harmful.
What do you personally think about the situation?
One thing I know for sure is that doctors should not take sides. We took an oath to treat people, whether they’re enemies or allies. But those who took sides, I don’t have anything against them either. It’s their personal choice.
So what can we do?
Thai people are losing their “Land of Smiles” personality. We are usually a generous bunch but there are also selfish individuals out there. Thai people should be happy that our country can still function, despite the economy and all. Just see the bright side of things and smile.
The Scare Chart
In an online poll, we asked you what scares your pants off.
28%: Illnesses (waterborne diseases, cancer risks etc.)
28%: Economic Crisis (increase of gas prices, market crash, etc.)
20%: Natural Disasters (flash floods, earthquakes, etc.)
11%: Politics (unstable situations, protests)
8%: Food Safety (Chinese milk, etc.)
2%: Security (terrorist attacks, etc.)
Death by the Numbers
4
Number of inches Bangkok is sinking annually
15-20
Number of years until Bangkok is completely submerged in water, according to Smith Dharmasaroja, chairman of the Committee of National Disaster Warning Administration.
50
Annual percentage increase in the number of people who are diagnosed with cancer in Thailand.
150,000
Number of people who will die from cancer in Thailand by the end of this year.
2-50 million
Number of people who will die if avian flu mutates and becomes transmittable between humans, according to the World Health Organization.
12
Number of provinces, including Bangkok, added to a list of “quake-risk areas.” Bangkok is set on soft clay, as is Mexico, which was ravaged by an earthquake some 400km away in 1985.
Low, but still...
Odds of Godzilla coming to Thailand.
Look Into My Eyes
Jeanine Souren is a mom, a counselor and a hypnotherapist. No, she won’t get you to do the chicken dance while under her spell. What her hypnotherapy techniques can do, she claims, is help you get rid of your fears.
What is Clinical Hypnotherapy?
I work in two ways. When somebody comes with a concern, I will first talk about it with them, to find out what triggers it. Then I will move onto the “relaxation technique,” the term I use for hypnotherapy as people still hold misconceptions about hypnosis.
How does it work?
It’s just a method to make you feel relaxed. Under hypnosis, people are more open to suggestion. In that way, the fear issues can be tackled more easily by accessing both the left and right side of your brain. Say they’re afraid of spiders. I can bring them into a trance and bring the spider in their mind and have it wear a funny hat or a clown face. The patient will then associate it with something that is non-threatening.
How do you put someone into a trance?
There are many ways, but I won’t tell you how I do it! Basically, you can do it by visualization, by talking to them, using specific words, the tone, the pace and the rhythm of the speech. There are also points on the body, which you can tap to bring others into a trance. I don’t do that, though.
Can it be harmful? There have been stories of people being abused under hypnosis?
We can’t bring you into a trance if you’re not willing. It is impossible. For those cases you mention, I believe there could be drugs involved. If there’s no trust, then it cannot happen. Hypnotherapists and their clients have to work together.
Short of hypnotherapy, is there a trick to help relieve a phobia?
The easiest thing is to think of a place that you have a good memory of, like a tropical holiday or your wedding. Try to remember the sound, the feeling and bring those memories back to the moment right now. You can do that by practicing. That’s my secret.
Want to have a try?
Contact Jeanine at 081-809-7672 or email her at jsouren@truemail.co.th
Expect the Unexpected
Mor Meen, as lovingly called by his fans, is known for being the go-to astrologer for the purple crowd. But there’s nothing queer about his tarot readings. We went to get some divine advice on what to expect from this city of chaos in the near future.
Many scientists and experts are saying that Bangkok will soon be underwater. What do you see?
I picked up The Fool and The Emperor cards, which means that even though it’s quite positive we won’t be submerged in water, we shouldn’t also neglect the fact that a natural disaster can happen. The Emperor means a wise leader, so what I can see is that HM the King and his royal projects will be able to get us through the hard times.
Who do you think will win in our current political mess?
The Moon card talks about sadness and gloom so I believe the situation is going to stay like this for quite a long time. Nobody wants to give up; it’s all about them going head-on against each other. It’s definitely going to affect the people in terms of the economy and also the credibility of our country.
How about the state of our economy?
The World card is saying that main factors such as the oil and property industry are dependant on international investment. As most Thais lack the necessary funds we will need foreign money. But in the near future, foreign investment will decrease.
Any other advice you’d like to give to our readers?
I picked up The Magician and The Chariot, which are saying that this is not the time for Bangkokians to be careless as The Chariot is about competing against the odds. But with The Magician, we can still hope for something good to happen that will help pull Thailand out of this gloomy situation within 2009.
Reach Mor Meen at 081-939-6244 or visit www.meenthetarot.com.
