Zcongklod Bangyikhan says he isn’t a good writer, but the environmentalist is the youngest editor of a day, and has also published many paperback books such as Nai Tao Sai Dek Chai Tao Kwa and Song Ngao Nai Korea.

Leaflets and eco-tourism itineraries were how I started writing. My friends and I organized eco-friendly trips, and I was in charge of writing the brochures. Athikom Kunawut, the editor of Krungthep Turakij’s Sao Sawasdee section, joined one of the trips and was interested in my work, so he invited me to write a weekly column for his section.

I used to be an environmental scientist and did research on global warming with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) after I got my bachelor’s and master’s degree on Environmental and Natural Resources Economics. Then Wongthanon [former editor at a day] approached me to work at the magazine.

a day was a big change. I had to learn everything all over again, adapting from a strict governmental system and international working atmosphere to an unmethodical office. Working in a magazine requires teamwork.

I am stimulated by people I interview. a day doesn’t talk only to celebrities, but we choose to interview people with interesting stories and achievements. When they talk passionately about what they are doing, their eyes brighten and I can hear the determination and enthusiasm in their voice—that fires me up.

a day has changed. This is because each editor has different interests and different stories they want to tell. I try to broaden our content to include things outside the arty and indie circles. Teenagers, I think, still don’t have enough models to refer to. You can think out of the box without having to be a short film director or a dek naew. We need several role models to choose from.

People usually consider us as an inaccessible indie magazine. But I disagree. What we are trying to share is very universal. I think we are good at making a serious subject into an interesting story that everyone can digest.

"Chase your dream" used to be a really cool message a day sent out to readers. But time has changed and that motto is clichéd now. Plus, don’t you think caring more about others than about yourself is a better dream? That’s the message we are trying to send out now.

Being part of the press is an excellent opportunity to convey your thoughts to people. Some writers ask me if they should quit and move on to higher paid jobs, but I think, as members of the press, we don’t just write or report. We have a voice that can change society, or at least influence readers. 

Source and thought are essential ingredients in writing. If you have a good source, chances are you are halfway there.

Let me say it loud and clear: I’m not a good writer. I’m just different. I love rhymes and wordplay. I usually draw inspiration from questioning seemingly ordinary things.

Writing is like pushing a car. It may be difficult at first, but it gets better once the wheels start to roll. All you have to do is to keep that momentum going.

If your creative brain doesn’t work, switch to your technician mode instead. Writer’s block happens and it’s okay to have a few not-so-good pieces—but don’t get used to it.

It’s better if a book or a magazine make readers “feel” about something rather than simply know about it. Watching TV Champion on ramen makes you get out of the couch and go out for those noodles. A magazine should be able to create that same effect.

I used to be skeptical about yellow shirts. I thought we could love the King without wearing the yellow shirt. But when I, for the first time, wore a yellow shirt to Sanam Luang on HM’s birthday last year and saw the yellow sea of people shouting “Long Live the King,” I got goosebumps and, for the first time, felt that color’s power.

My curiosity and eagerness increases every day. Though I’ve been an editor for three years, I feel that I still have a lot to learn.

Tote bags don’t have the power to save the world. Reducing the use of plastic bags does.

When it comes to the environment, we don’t practice what we preach. Why wear sweaters when the air-con in an office is too cold? Why don’t you lower or turn it off?

My proudest work is Ton Mai Tai Lok. It’s a pocketbook that combines 100 essays and practical ways that we, in our tiny part of the world, can help the planet. Many schools and universities use it as teaching material. I’m glad that I’m not the only one who cares.