Hi,
There was an article of Pornsak yesterday on the newspaper. Here is the story.
Feeling 'sabai sabai'* Down Under (*easy-going in Thai)
TV host Pornsak Prajakwit finds the pace of life in Australia similar to Thailand
By Tan Kee Yun
February 26, 2011
THE Australian way of life seems to resonate with MediaCorp artiste Pornsak Prajakwit.
The amiable Thai-Chinese TV host's visit Down Under last April introduced him to several cities, including Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide, as well as the island state of Tasmania.
Along with a production crew of seven, he filmed episodes of the popular local culinary-themed infotainment programme Food Source there.
The first season wrapped up last year, and Season 2 will begin airing on Channel 8 in June.
Most Australians are really laidback and relaxed,' Pornsak, 28, told The New Paper.
'Their personalities are somewhat similar to the people in Thailand, where everything is 'sabai sabai' (a Thai phrase for feeling happy, easy-going and comfortable)...like Thais, they take their time to enjoy life.
'You'd notice that traffic on the roads in Australia is hardly hectic.'
With a laugh, he recalled the laissez-faire, unfazed attitude of his local tour guide.
My Australian guide was a totally chill dude,' he said.
'He'd tell all of us, 'Let's go for dinner now!'
Before you knew it, you'd find yourself in the restaurant for more than three hours, munching, drinking and chatting away.'
Most Australian eateries and cafes are lovely places to hang out with friends, added Pornsak.
'They are spacious, unlike some eating places in Singapore,' he remarked.
Red or white?
'Having wine to go with food is very common too. The first thing waiters would ask you before taking down your orders is 'red or white'?
'I once asked my guide candidly if Australians were that indulgent every day, and he joked, 'Yes, pretty much!'
Tasmania, which is located in the south of the country and is famed for its lush green valleys, scenic mountains and uncrowded towns and villages, stood out as one of the most memorable destinations on Pornsak's working trip.
'When I was in Tasmania, it was as if I had had lasik surgery done on my eyes,' he exclaimed.
'Everywhere I went, the view was extremely pretty!
'The water in the seas was so clear and clean, I could even see the seabed.'
Mount Wellington, rising 1,270m above the harbour at Hobart (Tasmania's state capital), and the wide Derwent River left Pornsak in awe.
'We drove right up to the peak of the mountain and found ourselves in the midst of clouds,' said Pornsak. 'The sunset was simply beautiful.'
He added: 'There were many unique-looking plants on Mount Wellington too...though they were growing in a mountainous regions, they resembled aquatic plants and reefs.'
Tasmania also served up fresh seafood and abalone that would whet one's appetite.
'We ate at a theme cafe by the seaside,' he said.
All the people working inside were dressed like sailors and the interior decor was made to look exactly like the deck of a ship.
'Coupled with the great seafood, that was a wonderful experience.'
