Relighting the spark
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After a 13-year absence, talk show star and veteran politician Tinawat Marukpitak returns to the stage
The man who brought talk shows to the stage for the first time in Thailand more than two decades ago is making a comeback with his new “life talk show” after a 13-year absence.
Tinawat Marukpitak promises to present “many good things and gags that do not repeat other people’s” during his upcoming “Tinawat Live – Sparking Thoughts” talk show next weekend at the King Power Complex.
The veteran speaker says his show will focus on “sparking the thoughts of the audience” on five main points – self-reliance, work, happiness, love and coping with changes. The three hours will be approximately 70 per cent substance and 30 per cent entertainment.
He insists that it isn’t a variety show, preferring to call it a “life talk show” – one focusing on life.
“My fans want me to do talk shows again so that younger people will see what an original and genuine talk show looks like,” Tinawat says, adding that talk shows these days appear focused on making people laugh rather than making them think. “That may please an audience that just wants to relax.”
Tinawat, who has a bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s in environmental science, completed a course on the art of public speaking at the Dale Carnegie Institute in London. He founded the Institute for Personality and Speech Development in 1972 and has conducted public-speaking courses for almost four decades.
In 1986, Tinawat held his first talk show, and there were nine more over the next 13 years. He didn’t perform in 1992 – the year of deadly political unrest – or after he entered politics, serving as a multiple-term MP and deputy public health minister.
During his 13 years away from the talk-show scene, he has worked as guest speaker for state agencies and private companies, lectured on public speaking at his training centre, hosted satellite TV shows, as well as offered free monthly training courses to Buddhist monks about the art of oral communication.
Like his stage shows in the past, Tinawat will be the only speaker though this time around he will be joined by special guests, including Thai flute master Thanis Sriklindee and Thai classical musicians.
At 68, the veteran speaker is confident he is physically fit to undertake three shows in two days. “I deliver talks regularly and don’t feel tired. If you do what you love, you will not get tired.”
Asked if his upcoming talk show will also touch on hot political issues, Tinawat shakes his head.
“There will be no political talk. I want my talk show to be politics-free so that people from every group can enjoy it.”
He sees nothing bad about political life, saying that for him, “politics is about public service and volunteerism”. However, he remains undecided on whether to seek a return to politics.
“Political work is a mission not an addiction. For now, I prefer to keep my options open rather than committing myself to a particular choice,” he says.
Life first then laughs
_ Tinawat Live is on May 12 at 7pm and May 13 at 1pm and 7pm in the Aksra Theatre at the King Power Complex.
_ Tickets cost Bt800 to Bt2,500. Book them by calling (02) 262 3456 or visiting www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.
