Paween's people

Director Paween Purijitpanya doesn't just collect movie models for a hobby. His collection also serves as a vital reference when it comes to creating scenes for his own films.

"The explosion scene involving the ghost of Dr Dararai in 'Body Sop #19' is a case in point," he says, referring to last year's hit horror flick.

Paween has been collecting since he was a child, starting off with toys from McDonalds, moving on to cartoon figures and then focusing on models from movies and TV series.

"I get a lot of my models from Hong Kong. Prices are very reasonable there. Sometimes I order over the Internet," he says.

Since most models are produced in China and America, prices tend to double when they reach the Thai market. Yet he also shops regularly in Bangkok's Saphan Lek area, particularly in the Phirom Plaza Building, and also in Sampheng.

Paween pays between Bt300 and Bt1,500 for his models and is especially fond of a likeness of David Bowie as Jareth in the 1986 movie "Labyrinth".

"But so far my favourite model is Mickey Mouse hand-in-hand with Walt Disney, which looks very similar to the statue at the entrance to Disneyland. It's a simple design but, to me, Walt Disney is a real hero."

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Paween's haunts

>> Toy Indeed Shop, basement, Phirom Plaza Building.

Paween spends hours browsing for new models at this shop owned by Khun Keng.

>> Crazy Toy Shop, second floor, Phirom Plaza.

A little more expensive than Toy Indeed, but has a good stock.

>> Sampheng A great place for products from China, with prices on par with Hong Kong.

>> Mong Kok and Shum Shi Po, Hong Kong

The best toy shopping areas: Mong Kok is the place for toys from America while Shum Shi Po stocks products from China and Asia.