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Published on August 28, 2007

Although raised in a traditional Chinese family, Sasamon Sanguansin had never paid attention to the ancient art of feng shui. Now, after two months of hosting a TV series on the subject, the savvy businesswoman says she no longer considers it a superstition but a useful guide to living a healthy life.

Her new career - as she refers to her role as presenter on Channel 5's "Aur See You" - happened quite by accident.

Feng shui adviser Supparat "Aur" Thamsuriya, who moderates the show, approached Sasamon and Beauty Gems' big boss Suriyon Sriorathaikul to support her programme after her financial backers pulled out.

They agreed, only to learn at the last minute that Supparat also needed new co-presenters. She asked if they would step in as honorary hosts for the next broadcast.

Sasamon says she and her husband Dr Somnuek had always dismissed feng shui as unscientific, almost supernatural.

"We believe in good deeds," she explains. "We believe in what we can prove through science. It wasn't until I was invited to attend a feng shui talk in Hong Kong that I discovered that feng shui is not a foolish belief but about balancing life with nature."

Interested to learn more about the ancient Chinese belief, she invited Supparat, or Aur, to come and give a talk on feng shui when her company threw a dinner party.

"I think she's practical in her feng shui advice. Instead of recommending people tear apart their homes, she offers simple solutions."

The programme, which airs on Sundays at 9.30am, is divided into three parts. The first segment deals with the background information and offers tips on feng shui. Suriyon hosts the part that covers house visits, during which experts give advice, while Sasamon moderates the beauty segment, which gives feng shui-based recommendations on matching colours with character.

From that she's learned that those born on a Sunday should avoid wearing blue - which just happens to be Sasamon's favourite colour.

"I always used to wear blue on weekends and it's true that, a lot of the time my days didn't go very smoothly," she laughs.

"It's to do with psychology. Colours can affect our emotions. I don't how that works, but I try to prove it by following the advice. Aur and I have told viewers about the good and the bad colours for each day and we'll now focus on the colour of jewellery."

A woman for whom generosity is important, Sasamon regularly joins charity events and donates money to the underprivileged. She's discovered to her surprised that her new role is also helping people.

"I'd never imagined the extent to which the show could help others until I got feedback from viewers. We invited members of the public to watch the first taping, and a woman travelled all the way from Tak to thank us for financing the series.

"Feng shui advice doesn't just benefit the owners of the houses we visit - viewers use the tips to make adjustments to their own places. It's an ancient art-cum-science that reveals ways to balance the energies of the environment for health, wealth and good fortune."

And though she's enjoying her new career, she doesn't yet consider herself a professional presenter.

"I give myself good marks for determination. It's fun and it's challenging to be a host. And I get a very good feeling from being part of a show that benefits others."

"However, as we always emphasise, feng shui is only 20-per-cent responsible for bringing you prosperity; the other 80 per cent depends on your own actions."

Tanaporn Tangcharoenmankong

 The Nation