Her five brothers, all musicians, became aware of this very
early on and at the tender age of nine, Ri was already performing together with
three of her brothers in their own band.
She attended many parties with them and was always the ‘big
star’ in school-plays and many other festivities.
E: “What did it feel like singing in front of a big
audience at that age?”
R: “When you are a child you take things easier. Of
course I was very proud to perform together with my brothers, but on the other
hand they were very strict with me.”
E: “Did you become a professional singer right after
you finished school?”
R: “No. My parents always said that five musicians are
enough in one family. I had to attend high school and achieved my diploma as a
teacher. After four years of teaching the youngsters, I needed a change. One of
my brothers was working at the Siam Bayshore in Pattaya. I visited him several
times and decided to join him again. That was about eighteen years ago. As soon
as I was into music again, I felt alive. Soon after my ‘come back’ to the music
world, I joined the Yamaha singing contest in Bangkok. It was ‘the’ contest at
that time. I was very lucky, I managed to win.”
E: “I don’t think that it was only luck, especially
with a voice like yours, so wide ranged and full of expression. I just cannot
get enough listening to you, especially all the songs you sing of Barbara
Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and even the husky voice like Tina
Turner.”
R: “Thank you. I am always happy to receive a nice
compliment. Since you mentioned it, I love to sing this kind of music. You have
to give it your all to perform the right way, and I do try. I believe classic
songs are the best for my voice, although I like to sing soul and jazz as well.”
E: “Have you always been in Pattaya during those
years?”
R: “No. After I met my husband, who is English, I went
with him to England. Of course, doing so, I had to give up my career.”
E: “That must have been hard for you.”
R: “In a way it was, but love helps you to survive
anything. We were moving around in Europe, due to his job. We also spent two
years in Scandinavia.”
E: “How was it there? Did you ever get to sing there?”
R: She laughs and wraps her arms around her body.
“Most of the time it was cold. Also we had a lot of nice experiences and a lot
of fun. One time we went to a pub and my husband insisted on hearing me sing. It
was in Sweden. All those big people didn’t like me to go on stage. They believed
I am a child, but after they heard me singing they just couldn’t get enough.
That was really fun. I had to go back there as often as possible and they always
made me sing. By the way, the same thing happened in Denmark and in Norway and,
many times, back in England.”
E: “Which means you never lost your touch. How come
you are back in the arena again?”
R: “It happened by accident. I have two children, one
boy and one girl. They both go to school, but at weekends I have time for them.
One day when we were walking on the beach, I saw an old friend of mine, Anucha
“Lek” Chaidee. He approached me immediately. First I refused, but soon as I
found out that he is the bandleader of the famous “Soulhouse band” who is
playing every day at the Moon River Pub, I got itchy. I agreed to join them one
day during their practice and I got caught. See, it is perfect to sing with such
dedicated and 100% full-hearted musicians. I just had to take the opportunity. I
also fell in love with the Moon River Pub at first sight. Its cozy atmosphere
and lovely ambiance makes everybody feel at home. Of course, my husband agreed
to my plans and here I am, back in the lime light.” She smiles. “The Soulhouse
band is made up of genuine, fantastic musicians. I just couldn’t say who is the
best out of all of them. Lek, who plays the base guitar, has a husky voice like
Joe Cocker and Kanit “Nit” Chareaunsuk on the keyboards is the one who sings all
the soft love songs. Both of them were members of Lek Carabao’s band only just
before the Moon River Pub opened. They are great. Munsood “Sood” Slam, our
drummer, is not only very good at that but has one of the best voices I’ve ever
heard. He can sing anything from Michael Bolton to Luis Armstrong with
perfection. Sometimes I even get goose pimples listening to his beautiful voice.
Many times, people would ask if we use playback when he sings. I always have to
reassure them that he sings real life.” Ri gets a bit exited. “See, we don’t use
diskettes or playback. We don’t need to pretend. ‘My’ boys have just got it. Our
other singer, Aucrit “Tom Tom” Bunyopakorn, is also fantastic. He is like me,
into all the classical hits, especially the Beatles and the Eagles. Having a lot
of experience performing all over Asia with a very famous group, he adds the
right touch. Last but not least, we have Wuttichai “Pom” Yangchomchern, our lead
guitar player. He is the youngest and the quietest one. He sings a lot of
Scorpions and Sade. With his rather high voice he’s predestined for it. This is
a group of musicians who have been together for many years. They are good-minded
and very gifted. I love to work with them.”
E: “Wow! That was a nice speech. As far as I am
concerned, you just said it all right. Now, my final question: How do you like
Pattaya?”
R: “The answer is simple. Would I and my husband have
come back if we wouldn’t love it here? It’s beautiful. All you can ask for is
here, one only has to reach for it. The environment is much, much better than in
Bangkok and, excuse me, better than many places in Europe. I wouldn’t like to
move away again. I am a Pattayan already. No way to get me out of here.”
E: “Ri, thank you very much for this nice talk we had.
I appreciate very much that you have taken the time off stage for this
interview. See you soon at Moon River again.”
