Witty and fun-loving, Salinee Panyarachun is a veteran in the music industry. Apart from her extensive experience in the radio business, she was one the founders (the only female founder) of the legendary record label Bakery Music. Today, Salinee is a mother of two, but she still primps as always. She’s the executive PR and promotional director of VR1 Radio, and hosts the “Get Divas” show weekdays, 8-10am on 102.5 FM.

About 20 years ago, I started my career as a DJ with the first radio show that played international music [on Smile Radio]. But later, we had to change from international to Thai music—maybe because it was too radical at the time. You know, listeners liked it but some of the sponsors didn’t.

The change was for the good; at least I learned how to combine business and fun. It made everyone happy and the station survived to continue doing what we love to do.

A professional DJ must be able to adjust to new things. If you stick to only one format or style, there’s a risk that you will be outdated at some point.

Thai music is easy, professionally. All Thai songs are like “slow, slow, up beat, slow,” and there are many copycat songs. Me? I like dance and energetic music.

When you are on air, you can laugh, be silly, pull people’s legs, but you have to know your limits. Just because you are famous doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want.

Words are powerful. It’s not worth it to have a million people like you, but then one person wants to kill himself because of what you have said.

It’s not my policy to gossip. If the station asked me to do it, I’d say no. There are many other ways to gain fame. I don’t like the idea of putting others down to make myself better known.

I’m a funny mother. We play like kids, but we talk like adults. I even go study Chinese with my children. When I miss a class, I have them explain to me what the tutor taught them.

Some people get up in the morning feeling lonely, so we can be their friends. If I can make someone feeling gloomy happy, that makes my job meaningful.

The great thing about this program is that it’s very democratic. All the hosts—Toey, Maew, Andy and me—always fight over ideas. One day, Andy said he admires those who have chosen to be a mia noi. We girls were surprised, but it’s fine. People can have different opinions.

I think beauty comes from the inside. Every woman has her own unique attractiveness. I saw Whitney Houston in person and she’s not “beautiful.” But when she is in the limelight, it’s like, “Oh, wow.”

Dressing up helps you exercise your creativity. It’s fun to practice my sense of fashion. I was one of the very first to have flip hair on TV.

I feel young all the time. I don’t try to be senior or show off like I know more.

Sometimes, women are afraid to get divorced—even when they are abused or unhappy. I’m establishing a website and hope it will be a center for single moms. In the future, if we have many members, I want to call for a new law to help these people, tax-wise and in other ways. But at least now, we can give them help and support.

In 10 years? Maybe I’ll be a grown up.