Singing up a storm

I'm not as really old as I look, right?" Mai Charoenpura says with a grin, knowing full well that no one will answer what is, in any case, a rhetorical question. But she has a point: at 42, the petite and slim singer and actress could easily pass for a woman in her early 30s and it's hard to believe that Mai is celebrating her 27th anniversary in the entertainment industry."It's like a dream," is how Mai, born Siriwimol, describes her long career. "It's been far more than I dreamed of and better than I ever expected. I've met so many people, travelled around the world and am amazed by my fan club. Although life has been so frustrating sometimes, it's been great too. That's the way it is."

Mai recently launched her one-year campaign dubbed "Born 2 Love You" in celebration of that milestone anniversary on the ground floor of CentralWorld with an exhibition featuring lots of photos from her different careers of actress, singer and model. A pocketbook is due to follow shortly under the same title.

"I intend this pocketbook to be a present for my fans. I want them to know that I was under the spotlight sometimes even though I was crying inside. It's also dedicated to upcoming singers and actresses who should know why I have been so long in the entertainment circle. Staying power requires much more than just good looks," says Mai, who spent a full year writing it.

The superstar is also using the campaign to launch her own brands of mineral water and soap. Why not perfume?

"I thought about perfumes and brassieres first but lots of actresses do that. Mineral water made more sense because I drink a lot of water when I'm on stage and it's healthy too. The soap is made for women according to my own formula and fragrance," she replies, sipping from a cup of mocha. "I'm addicted to this though. It helps me work harder!"

Does having her own business lines outside acting and singing reassure her in terms of longer-term security?

"Absolutely. In this day and age, nobody can rely just on the entertainment circle," she says.

In early 2012, Mai will be on stage in a solo concert featuring 30 hits selected from her 100 songs celebrating 25 years in the music industry. Tickets go on sale in November and will include a free CD. The CD will be released after the concert. "I will clear my work three months before so I can get in shape for the concert."

And she expects to close her celebration with a musical adaptation of Channel 3's drama "E-Phring Khon Rerng Muang", which kick-started her performing career in 1988.

In 1992, Mai was the first female singer to sell two million copies of an album with her third studio outing, "Khwam Lub Sud Khob Fah".

"I missed two chances to perform two musicals because of a tight touring schedule," she recalls.

Mai's sometimes stormy relationship with her longtime label GMM Grammy over the past 27 years has been well reported by the press.

"I've faced lies, rumours and private pictures published in newspapers, all of which have had a strong impact on my family and career. Sometimes, I hugged my mother and we cried together in a darkened room," she recalls.

She even thought twice  of ending her contract with the major record company. The first was when her aunt passed away; the second was when her uncle died the following year.

"At that time, I was like a spinning car. Phi Dee [songwriter Nitipong Hornak] consoled me and wrote a song for me. It was 'Phae Jai' ['Lost Heart']. Phi Dee said that I was born to be a singer. So, I took a break and spent my time travelling."

Some of Mai's songs relate to her life and emotions. "Mai Yak Hai Ther Roo" off her 1989 debut "Mai Muan", she says, reflects her tendency to hide he real feelings behind a cheerful disposition, while "Phroh Khao Khon Diew" [Because of You] talks about being from a broken family.

Does she have any unfulfilled ambitions?

"I'd love to direct a film. Maybe it runs in the blood," replies Mai, who's the daughter of the late film director Ruj Ronnaphop. "I've enjoyed the movie work I've done and when we've been on location, it felt like everyone was family. So, one day, I would like to follow in my father's footsteps. It would have been nice to show off my abilities to him but unfortunately, I lost him forever last year.

"I would like to make an underground movie with low budget about people's lives and feelings."

"In the meantime, I'll continue to be like a cog and keep moving in this entertainment circle," she says.