R of The Star revealed his current ventures and addressed fan hopes for a band reunion in a recent interview at the KHAO KALA film premiere. The musician shared that he withdrew from a restaurant partnership due to severe flooding last year and is now working on film and television projects while planning a comeback to music. When asked about reuniting with former bandmate Bee Sukrit, R disclosed that Bee declined the invitation, stating he has quit singing.
Will fans get their wish? R of The Star reveals his answer after inviting Bee Sukrit to reunite The Star, with fans requesting he help 'pull Bee out of the monastery'—though he expressed fear of karmic repercussions.
Although The Star has been absent from the music scene for quite some time, the band's name remains dear to fans' hearts. There's been a strong movement calling for Bee Sukrit to return to performing, with many even turning to senior member R of The Star for help in getting Bee to 'leave the monastery.' Recently, R was spotted at the premiere event for the film KHAO KALA, where he opened up about his current life, including his decision to withdraw from a restaurant partnership due to severe flooding, and provided updates on his plans to return to music. He also shared the moment when he invited Bee for a The Star reunion—to which Bee replied bluntly: 'I've quit singing.'
How are things going for you these days, R? 'I've been working, honestly. I withdrew from the restaurant at the end of last year because of the massive flooding. We just couldn't handle it.'
How long had the restaurant been open? 'Actually, the original owner opened it before I came in. I became a partner and helped with content creation and social media. There was me, my younger sister Thanya, and Euay who joined us.'
Did you withdraw your shares alone? 'Thanya withdrew too. Right now there are two other partners left. The restaurant is still open and running, but we're no longer involved. We're still on good terms though.'
Was flooding the main reason you withdrew? 'Yes, it flooded for almost three months last year. We couldn't manage. It was impossible to restructure it as a chill spot for customers because our kitchen was at the front. Between the distance and various expenses we had to cover while closed, we decided it was better to withdraw.'
How's work in the entertainment industry right now? 'I have the sitcom Uncle from the Alley, the film Khao Kala, and another TV drama coming out—a primetime show on Channel One. (Are you having to dip into savings?) Maybe not to that extent yet. I'd say we're managing. I still have other food businesses running, and we're currently rebranding them.'
What about music and concerts? 'Is it too late? Actually, I've been planning to work with M (Arthapol) for a while now. I'm currently taking singing lessons from younger artists to upgrade my skills a bit, so I can get back into music soon. I'm going back to school because I want to bring something new to the table. Even though I have a foundation, the industry now requires more advanced skills.'
Do you feel pressured? Now that you're older, how will releasing a single now feel? 'Yeah, I'm not really sure, because the new generation artists are very talented. I'm not expecting the first song to be a smash hit. I'll just keep creating. These days you don't really need a record label anymore—I can promote myself. Making music with friends isn't expensive either.'
How far along is the music project? 'I've just started taking singing lessons and found some references. I'm planning a rock-influenced direction with other elements mixed in—maybe rap or R&B. It could be Medium Rock, possibly as a duet with M—like an uncle version of a couple track. You can start using the hashtag now: rm mr. It should happen this year.'
There's been a lot of talk about The Star reunion lately, and people really miss the band. Is there a chance you could all get back together? Do you think Bee might leave the monastery? 'I've invited Bee before, but I think it's difficult. I sent him a line. When I saw The Star's Class 8 reunion, I thought maybe we should do something for Class 3 since it's been so long and fans probably miss us. So I messaged him asking if he thought we could reunite like Class 8 did. Bee texted back saying: "Brother, I've quit singing."'