Celebrities and famous faces look back at their pigging year.

Korn Chatikavanij, MP and Deputy Secretary General of the Thai Democrat Party

"The stand-out day for me in 2007 was, without doubt, May 30th, when the Constitution Tribunal ruled on what was known as the "Party Dissolution" case. After the September 19th coup, the signals from the ruling junta became clear: their preferred court outcome was the dissolution of  both Thai Rak Thai and Democrats. Of course, in our opinion, this would have been a wholely unfair ruling given the weak allegations against our Party. However,  given that normal rule of law was not in play at the time, we had little basis on which to be very confident.

When we reached the Party HQ after having heard the 'innocent' verdict, emotions ran high as our supporters spontaneously started to celebrate our return. Given that spontaneity is not altogether common in modern politics where 'rent-a-crowds' are the norm, the moment got the better of me and I did shed a tear - my first since the day I finished my election campaign in early 2006."

Manit Sriwanichpoom, artist and activist

“I would say it was when Samak became PPP leader. It’s surprising that a politician who supported the October massacre can survive to this day. Maybe if the massacre was in textbooks, politicians like Samak wouldn’t still be around.”

Peet Peera, singer

“I have many memorable moments from 2007 because this year I did many things for the first time: my first solo album, founding a record company, acting in my first TV series and finding my first true love that makes me want to get married for the first time.”

Kratae, actress

“Buying my mother a new house with my own money. ”

Natapol Srichomkwan, singer/producer

“For me, it’s the deep bond between Thais and our beloved King, which is especially obvious this year. I believe that we all have seen lots of movies about angels and gods, but we never see them in real life. But all of those virtues exist in the King and he is a living god himself. ”

Tuantong Niyomchart, guitarist

“It was in January, when I had a concert at Barfly, in London. It’s the center of the whole Britpop scene and one of the places where every musician dreams to perform. I’ll remember the concert till the last day of my life.”

Pen-Ek Rattanaruang, director

“My most memorable moment can’t be printed.”

Nicky Tongpiam, VJ

“It was on Dec 5. I woke up to help my mom dress up for the big event at the grand palace. I wasn’t there; I just saw it on TV but I felt like I was part of the celebrations.”

Jetsada Tangtrakulwong, artist

“It was in March, when I went on a roadtrip from Luang Prabang to Mahasarakam. It took me 16 hours, but for me it seemed almost like a week. Despite the stunning views along the roads, it was more like torture. I couldn’t sleep and suffered the worst condition for a journey; I had diarrhea. At least, it taught me to enjoy a simple thing in life—good health.” 

Maitree Siriboon, artist

“The most memorable moment for me was my graduation ceremony. I waited for that day a long time. But, unlike high school graduation, there was no proper farewell with friends. I hate abrupt endings. But it also marked the beginning of my working life, after such a long time studying, and my parents were very happy.”

Note Dude/Sweet, DJ, party organizer

“It’s when I watched Joey Aphichatpong’s Syndrome and a Century. I waited for so long to see it. One reason was that one of my Dude/Sweet friends played in the movie as the cop, which is a main character. It’s a great film that was censored for the silliest reasons. The more I understand the censorship department and the ministry of culture, the more I see how outdated and dictating they are. I can only sigh and wait to die and be reincarnated for two lives before we get an advanced film industry. In the meantime, people can keep watching those ghost movies.”

Ladda Thangsupachai, director of the Culture Ministry’s Culture Surveillance Center

“The memorable things in the year 2007 for me are the Thai people celebrating HM the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary. Throughout his reign, he has devoted himself to our well being and proved himself to be the most beloved king in the whole world. The other thing is the cooperation between government and related sectors in bringing out a rating system for television in order to protect the interest of children and youth and maintaining the good culture and moral of the Thai society.”

Sakul Intakul, florist

”When I saw sakura trees blooming for the first time. Especially when they were blown by the wind. The moment when sakura petals were floating in the air was amazingly beautiful and I would love to freeze that instant. Somehow it looked like butterflies.” 

Zcongklod Bangyikhan, editor

”When my eco-pocketbook Ton Mai Tai Lok finally came out. It took me six stressful months to finish the book as misfortunes came about at almost every step of the process. My art director’s house caught fire, my staff were sick and one person I contacted to write the foreword had their computer ­stolen.”