My Top 5 Thai Singers

My Top 5 Thai Singers: Number
One Is Palmy
Indeed, this year there has been a lot of music on Sirinya’s
Thailand blog. Thus, I feel inspired to do a Top 5 of my
favourite Thai singers
Actually, this proved to be a hard
tasks because there are so many Thai musicians and singers
that I like. However, I’ve tried to narrow them down to my Top
5 at the moment.
My Top 5 Thai Singers
My number one is defintely Thai-Belgian singer Palmy. I really
love her style and her way of performing. In most concerts she
performes barefoot and this is also her signature feature.
Thai-Belgian singer Palmy (photo: Palmy FB page)
What is more, Palmy, Eve Pancharoen, is so unique because on
the one side her style has a 1960s touch but on the other side
she is very modern, rocking but also melancholic sometimes.
In a nutshell, Palmy is charming, amiable and true to
herself.
For number two I chose Singto Numchok who is known as
Buriram’s Ukulele Lion
I truly enjoy his feel-good music and
the way he combines cool jazz rhythms with surf-rock and pop.
Singto Numchok (photo: Singto Numchok FB page)
In addition Thai singer Singto Numchok is also an example of
how to escape poverty by becoming a famous and successful
musician. His trademark is the ukulele but he also plays the
guitar. Indeed, his relaxed sounds may also be called chillout music.
Well, my number three is a band. Can you guess which one?
Yeah, it’s Thai Hip Hop band Buddha Bless. I think they really
make great songs and music with a message.
Thai Hip Hop band Buddha Bless (photo: Buddha Bless
Official FB page)
Buddha Bless members Gaotong, Gui Oui and Goh-M might appear a
bit crazy sometimes but their music is special and thus their
lyrics were even awarded by Thailand’s Buddhist Council.
Sometimes Buddha Bless seems over the edge and ‘out of
control’ (like their latest song) but they like to create
songs with messages in accordance with Buddhist thought.
For number four I chose Lula (Kanyarat Tiyapornchai). She is
known as a bossa nova queen and her songs range from ballads
to pop songs and also electro pop music. Lula has perfomed
duets with many other popular Thai singers and what is more,
she has also worked on soundtracks and theme songs for Thai TV
series and films.
Lula Kanyarat Tiyapornchai (photo: Lula FB page)
A very beautiful example is her duet ‘Cross Love’ with Klui
for the TV drama The Rising Sun starring well-known half-Thai
actors Mario Maurer, Urassaya Sperbund and Nadech Kugimiya.
Last but not least, for number five I decided to choose an
artist about whom I have not written an article yet.
Thai singer Bell Supol (photo: Bell Supol FB page)
It’s Bell Supol and I chose him because he sung a wonderful
jazzy song that I’ve loved for years. I’ve certainly watched
the video to the song a 100 times or more
Let’s enjoy this
song!
Finally, I may say that my number one among the Top 5 Thai
Singers will ‘always’ remain Palmy! What are your favourite
Thai artists?
Yours, Sirinya
Thai Designer Nagara & The
Floating World (BIFW 2015)
Nagara Sambandaraksa can be regarded as the most renowned Thai
fashion designer. He has designed for Thai royalty and his
creations are strongly connected with his Thai heritage and
regional influences. Thus, his designs are predominantly
custom-made pieces created from Thai silk, borcade and other
premium materials.
Nagara’s Story
Renowned Thai Fashion Designer Nagara
Sambandaraksa*
At the age of 15, Nagara left Thailand to study interior
design in the United States and the UK. However, each summer
he returned to Bangkok in order to study the art of fabric
painting and design. After finishing his studies in the US and
the UK, Nagara went to Omoto School near Kyoto in Japan to
study Japanese traditional arts in textile design.
Nagara’s models at the BIFW 2015, The Floating World*
At the beginning of his career, Nagara made home furnishing
fabrics and textile design. He started fashion design in 1983
and today he is well-known for his ‘East meets West’ designs
and the distinct oriental character of his creations. Nagara
fashion is a regular representative at Bangkok Fashion Shows
and the International Fashion Week.
Nadech Kugimiya & Urassaya Sperbund for Nagara*
He travels a lot to find inspiration in other countries.
Hence, he particularly loves the cities of India, China and
Japan. However, he also likes European cities like Paris and
Florence for their inspiring character. He feels the need to
search for inspiration in other countries but at the same time
Thailand’s fashion scene is becoming more dynamic and younger
designers are receiving more support.
Thai Fashion Designer Nagara ‘The Floating World’ at
BIFW 2015*
He thinks that it is also important to consider trends in
fashion and to be guided by the younger generation.
Nevertheless, the special feature of Nagara’s fahion is that
he produces all the fabrics himself. This includes the
weaving, printing and painting of the fabrics. Thus, he needs
more time in creating the designs but they are unique. Hence,
his signature style is using the world famous Thai silk.
Janie Tienphosuwan at The Floating World by Nagara BIFW
2015*
We may describe Nagara’s style as flamboyant, extraordinary
and yet simple. What is more, his designs are exotic. For
instance, his 2014 collection was inspired by his travels
to India. Hence, the designs are very colourful, oriental and
many different fabrics are combined and mixed together. Nagara
uses exotic materials like peacock feathers and native Indian
floral prints. His recent collection is called ‘The Floating
World’ and was featured at the Bangkok International Fashion
Week 2015. This collection distinctively combines Japanese
elements with a flamboyant design.
Yaya Urassaya Sperbund at the Bangkok International
Fashion Week 2015*
Our popular models Urassaya Sperbund and Nadech Kugimiya
presented these marvellous and amazing designs among others.
Finally, we may say that Nagara is Thailand’s most renowned
fashion designer with good reason. His designs are extravagant
and they combine Western and Eastern elements.
Yours, Sirinya
(All pictures in this post, photo credit: Nagara Naga, FB
page)
Top 5 Posts: Nadech & Yaya
Are Number One
Do you like to know which are Sirinya’s Thailand Blog’s most
popular posts? Well, since I’ve been writing my blog for more
than nine months now, I think it’s time for a small review of
the Top 5 Posts.
Top 5 Posts: Nadech & Yaya Are
Number One
Can you guess who is the number one? Yeah, it does not come as
a surprise to me that it is Nadech & Yaya.
First among the Top 5 Posts: Nadech & Yaya (photo Nadech
& Yaya Vietnam Fanpage)
I think you all know this cute on-screen couple that is also
frequently paired for fashion shootings and TV commercials.
Both Nadech and Yaya are very talented young half-Thai actors
popular in Thailand but also in other Southeast Asian
countries like Vietnam. For instance, there is the charming
Nadech & Yaya Vietnam Fanpage that provides fans with the most
recent news about the two actors.
Nadech Kugimiya & Yaya Urassaya Sperbund in The Rising
Sun (photo: konchke.blogspot.com)
Not surprisingly either, my article about Yaya Urassaya
Sperbund is the second most viewed post on my blog. I think
Yaya is so famous and loved by her fans because she is very
lovely, playful, effortless charming but also a bit childish
sometimes which makes her particularly amiable.
Yaya Urassaya Sperbund (photo: Nadech & Yaya Vietnam
Fanpage)
Most recently, Yaya graduated from Chulalongkorn University.
Congrats, dear Yaya! You are very talented
Yaya Urassaya just graduated from
Chulalongkorn University (photo: Nadech &
Yaya Vietnam Fanpage)
Next follows an article about another young luk kreung actress
– do you guess who it is? It’s actress and model Mai Davika
Hoorne who became famous with her role as Mae Nak in the movie
‘Phi Mak Phra Khanong’. No wonder she is so popular – she is
not only lovely but her beauty is also classic. Thus, she has
been the cover girl on numerous glossy magazines like the
Vogue for instance.
Thai-Belgian actress Davika Hoorne (photo: Mai Davika
FB page)
This leads us to my number four post which is about ThaiGerman actor Mario Maurer. It seems that the most popular
posts on my blog are all about young actors. Well, Mario has
been in ‘Phi Mak Phra Khanong’ in the leading role alongside
Mai Davika. Apart from acting, Mario also does a lot of TV
commericals and has been advertising for TAT ( Tourism
Authority of Thailand), thus promoting different areas of
Thailand.
Mario Maurer (photo credit: TAT
Kunming)
Most recently, there has been a cute Mario Maurer doll (Funko
Pop). A must for all true Mario fans, I guess
Mario Maurer with his Funko Pop (photo:
Mario Maurer FB page)
Hence, last but not least, my fifth most popular post varies
from the rest since it is about the Thai Tradition of
Tattooing called Sak Yant. I can understand that this is a
subject of interest to many people since to some extent, Sak
Yant has also become popular in Western countries. What is
more, Sak Yant differs from ‘common’ tattoos because they are
supposed to have a magical meaning and power.
Tattooed monk of Wat Bang Pra (photo credit: sakyant.com)
Did you like this recap? And do you like the top four young
actors as much as I do? I think we all love Nadech & Yaya and
are thrilled by the Yadech-Factor
Thus, enjoy reading my
blog and getting to know more about Thai (popular) culture!
Yours, Sirinya
Nadech
Kugimiya:
Austrian Actor
Thai-
For some years now, half-Thai actor and model Nadech Kugimiya
has been a popular face in Thai media and the entertainment
industry. Hence, he is famous on Channel 3. I think there is
hardly any Thai teenager who does not know him. As a devoted
reader of my blog, you may know that I have dealt with him
shortly in my article about Nadech & Yaya. Nonetheless, there
is of course a lot more to say about him seen individually
Nadech Kugimiya
Nadech (photo credit:
Kugimiya FC, FB page)
Nadech
Nadech, nicknamed Barry, was born 1991 in Khonkaen and his
original name was Chonlathit Yodprathum. He is considered to
be of Thai-Chinese and Austrian descent. At the beginning of
his career there was some confusion about his origins and
background because people generally assumed that he must
be part-Japanese because of his last name ‘Kugimiya’. What is
more, he also has the appearance of a Japanese manga character
with his light complexion, thick eyebrows and doe eyes
However, Barry was brought up by his aunt Sundarat and her
husband, the Japanese Yoshio Kugimiya. Nadech adores his
Japanese foster father and this is the reason why he himself
claims to be half-Japanese, even though he is not. However,
Nadech does not know Japanese but speaks fluently in Thai and
Isan dialect.
‘Barry’
Nadech
Kugimiya
(photo
credit:
women.sanook.com)
Barry was discovered at the age of 16 and has been working as
a model, actor and singer since then. Up until today, he has
been in numerous Thai commercials and on magazine covers. For
example, he was in commercials like Trident chewing gum with
actress Pachrapa Chaichua, Shokubutsu shower cream for Men,
Samsung Monte 3G, Yamaha Fino, Baoji shoes and Lays with ThaiNorwegian actress ‘Yaya’ Urassaya Sperbund.
What is more, he was the first brand ambassador and brand
presenter for Thai Air Asia. He was also a surprise guest
flight attendant serving snacks to the delighted passengers in
2014
Nevertheless, Barry is not only a ‘pretty face’ – he has been
studying Communication Arts at Rangsit University. Hence, most
recently he has presented his short film ‘Mr. Peter’s Project’
which is a work to complete his B.A. at Rangsit. The film
is concerned with the Nan’s forest conservation.
Hence, Barry’s aim is to raise an awareness of
deforestation. Here is the film, though only available in
Thai.
Nadech has been in numerous TV series and films since 2010
when he debuted in Ngaorak Luangjai. Furthermore, he gained
popularity with his work in the series 4 Hua Jai Haeng Khun
Khao (Duang Jai Akkanee or Akkanee’s Heart). He played the
character of Fai Akkanee Adisuan starring alongside Urassaya
Sperbund.
Nadech & Yaya in Akkanee’s Heart (photo
credit: iheartlakorns.com)
What is more, he was in Gamerai Gamerak or Love Game Evil Game
as “Saichon/Charles Makovich” and in The Rising Sun series
also starring alongside Yaya Urassaya. He had a very popular
role in Sunset at Chaophraya (Khu Kam, 2013) playing the
Japanese engineering officer Kobori who falls in love with a
nationalistic Thai beauty called Angsumalin. He also sang the
song to this movie.
Hence, it does not come as a surprise that he also won Best
Actor from Starpics Thai Film Award for his role of Kobori in
Sunset at Chaophraya. This is really well-deserved!
Finally, we may say that Nadech Kugimiya is certainly one of
the hottest luk kreung actors in Thailand at the moment. With
good reason, he can be called Mr. Everywhere because he is
frequently spotted on magazine covers, in television
commercials, billboards and soap operas. You cannot escape
Barry, thus you must love him
Yours, Sirinya
Kimberly Ann Voltemas – ThaiGerman Actress
Kimberly Ann Tiamsiri Voltemas, born in 1992, is a popular
half-Thai actress and model. She has a Thai mother who is from
Chiang Mai and a German father. She is the youngest of four
siblings, her sister is called Jennifer and her brothers
are Thomas and Daniel. She is nicknamed Kimmy Kimberly which
is also her stage name.
Kimmy Kimberly
Kimberly Ann Voltemas*
Kimberly entered the Thai entertainment industry as a teenager
in 2009. At first, she did some modelling and was featured in
several music videos. As an actress, she debuted in Channel
3’s most popular TV series called ‘4 Huajai Haeng Koon Kao’ (4
Hearts of the Mountains).
Kimmy Kimberly*
This TV series was aired in 2010 and Kim played the role of
Nam or Thipthara who is a warmhearted and compassionate
doctor. In this movie, she acted alongside other well-known
young luk kreung actors like Nadech Kugimiya and Urassaya
Sperbund.
Acting in the role of Nam is this series has gained Kim many
fans in Thailand and all over Asia. In addition, she has been
constantly improving her acting skills, thus becoming an
accomplished actress. Kim’s manager is Noom Piyachart and
together they have succeeded in establishing her a fine
reputation in the entertainment business.
In 2012, Kim acted alongside Prin ‘Mark’ Suparat in the roles
as Cha-Aim and Khun Tam in the remake of Punya Chon Kon Krua
2012. Hence, both actors became very popular as an onscreen
couple (‘koo jin’). Since then they have frequently been
paired in series and modelling
In fact, Kim has been much praised by her fellow
actors. Hence, she may be regarded as a young actress in high
demand. Even acclaimed actress Ann Thongprasom thinks highly
of Kimberly and her talents. Ann is of the opinion that Kim
might one day replace her as a princess of Thai entertainment.
Furthermore, she finds that Kim very much resembles herself
and thus can even identify with her. Consequently, Ann also
holds the view that Kim might reach same level of success as
herself. Great compliment!
Kimmy & Ananda Everingham*
Hence, Kim has already starred in the series ‘Ab Ruk Online’
in which actress Ann Thongprasom is also in. Further, this TV
series features her partner Prin ‘Mark’ Suparat and acclaimed
actor Peter Corp Dyrendal. In fact, up until now Kim is
the first and only younger generation actress who has been in
three out of five lakorns produced by Ann Thongprasom. These
are ‘Punya Chon Kon Krua 2012’, ‘Ab Ruk Online’ and ‘Piang
Chai Kon Nee Mai Chai Poo Wised’.
Furthermore, Kim has been the cover-girl of several magazines
and has also featured in a lot of TV commercials like this one
for United Almond, for instance.
Summing up, we may claim that Kimmy Kimberly is one of the
most aspiring and promising actresses of the younger
generation in Thai entertainment industry. She is not only
popular with her fans but also with her fellow actors
Yours, Sirinya
(*photo credit: Kimmy Kimberly, Official FB page)
Photo
Exhibition
‘The
Anatomy’ by Amat Nimitpark
Today’s post is just a note to inform you about the photo
exhibition ‘The Anatomy’ by Amat Nimitpark, the most renowned
fashion photographer in Thailand.
The Anatomy by Amat Nimitpark
The Anatomy by Amat Nimitpark
At Zen Megastore, this exhibition features more than 100
monochrome photos of Thai celebrities, top actors and
actresses highlighting their well-toned shapes. I’m sure you
already know some of these famous faces from my blog. For
instance, Mario Maurer, Yaya Urassaya Sperbund, Davika Hoorne…
Picturing the perfect physique
The motto of this exhibition is, as the title ‘The Anatomy’
suggests, to picture perfect bodies and to convey the idea of
being physically fit. Thus, beauty is defined as physicality
and of having a toned body.
Yaya Urassaya Sperbund
As I understand it, ‘The Anatomy’ is a collaboration of Amat
Nimitpark with the health club ‘WE Fitness Society’. The
exhibition should inspire people to exercise more and to take
care of themselves and their health.
Mario Maurer
Hence, even though the focus of the exhibition is on wellshaped and toned bodies, nevertheless the message is that
there is no ideal of a perfect physique.
Davika Hoorne
Thus, Amat Nimitpark plays with light and shadow in ‘The
Anatomy’ indicating that every person’s shape can be appealing
and beautiful seen individually.
At ZEN event gallery
Come and see for yourself. The exhibition runs from 24th June
to 16th August 2015 at ZEN Outdoor Arena and Amphitheatre Zone.
The admission is free.
Yours, Sirinya
All pictures in this post, photo credit: Amat Nimitpark, FB
page
‘Yaya’ Urassaya Sperbund:
Thai-Norwegian Actress
If you are into Thai popular culture, you certainly know the
lovely Thai-Norwegian actress and model ‘Yaya’ Urassaya
Sperbund. I have dealt with her shortly in my post about
‘Nadech & Yaya’ because they are the most favourite and
desirable couple in Thai media today. However, there is a lot
more to say about the young actress seen individually
Yaya
Urassaya
(photo
credit:
Lostinheaven,
sharerice.com)
Yaya Urassaya – Her Story
Yaya (ญาญ่า) was born in 1993 to a Thai mother and a Norwegian
father in Pattaya. She was discovered as a model at the age of
14 but when she was younger, she claimed to have been like the
ugly duckling. Thus, for some years she had to wear braces but
that is in the past. Today, she is a gorgeous and amazing
actress famous in Thailand.
Yaya (photo credit: women.sanook.com)
Even though she grew up in Thailand, she could not speak much
of Thai language in her younger years because she went to
an International School, had predominantly American friends
and at home she would talk English to her father. Later when
she worked with Channel 3, she had to learn Thai in order to
be able to speak the language properly.
Nevertheless, Yaya is a Thai girl at heart and her mother also
taught her Thai mannerisms and politeness. What is more, she
is a Buddhist and went frequently to the temple with her
mother as a small girl.
Yaya (photo credit: Volume 183, NadechYaya at
Pantip.com)
She is a self-confident model and actress today but when she
talks she sometimes appears to be shy. However, Yaya smiles
and laughs a lot. Hence, it is really surprising that she
actually wants to become a lawyer or a politician. Being an
actress was not her first career choice but of course she is
happy with that too
In fact, she is now one of the highest
paid actresses in Thailand! In the following clip, she talks
about her upbringing and her career as an actress. This is
really interesting!
Hence, Yaya has been in numerous commercials and she is also
frequently spotted as a cover girl on glossy magazines like
Volume, Image, Mistine and WE, just to name a few.
As far as I know, she has been in about 13 dramas up until
today. In TV series, she is frequently paired with Nadech
Kugimiya, for instance in The Rising Sun. Thus, it does not
come as a surprise that she has already won many awards for
her dramatic ability. For instance, she was titled ‘Popular
Leading Actress’ by the Mekkhala Television Awards. Her most
famous series is ‘Game Rai Game Rak’ starring as Nang Fah
(Fahlada) alongside Nadech Kugimiya.
In her second series called ‘Torranee Ni Nee Krai Krong’, she
also starred with Nadech. In this film she played the
character of Nong Nee (Darunee). Yaya herself also
recorded the theme song for the series ‘Torranee Ni Nee Krai
Krong’ which is called ‘Ar Karn Ruk’ (Symptoms of Love).
What is more, she also was in Thai-French singer Chin
Chinawut’s music video ‘My bad habit’. Hence, she is also a
skilled dancer and a talented singer as demonstrated in the
first clip, in which she sings a duet with James Ji.
Finally, we may say that Yaya Urassaya is an amazing,
versatile and promising young luk kreung actress. With good
reason, she is so popular and has millions of fans
Yours, Sirinya
Mario
Actor
Maurer:
Thai-German
Mario Maurer was born 1988 in Bangkok to a Thai-Chinese mother
and a German father. He is also known as Nuttavut Maurer and
his nickname is ‘Oh’. He has an older brother called Marco
with whom he performed some Electro-Hip Hop music. They formed
a Hip-Hop Duo named “PsyCho & Lil’Mario” in 2007. You may
watch an example of their music here. However, even though
Mario has done some singing, he does not regard himself as a
singer.
Mario Maurer
Mario (photo credit: TAT
Kunming)
Mario was discovered as a fashion model at the age of 16 when
he was approached by a modelling agent at Siam Square. Since
then he has been working as a model for magazines, commercials
and videos. Today, he is a well-known luk kreung actor and
model in Thailand who has been also studying Communication
Arts at Ramkhamhaeng University.
He became renowned as an actor starring in the movie The Love
of Siam in 2007. This film, written and directed by Matthew
Chookiat Sakveerakul, became very popular. It is about a gay
romance between two teenage boys. This movie may be regarded
as a pioneering film on this subject. Mario was praised for
his dramatic abilities and considered a mature actor in his
role as a homosexual young man. Hence, in 2007 Mario won the
Best Actor award in Starpics Thai Films Awards and was also
nominated in Bangkok Critics Assembly and Star Entertainment
Awards.
Mario Maurer (photo credit: men.kapook.com)
Mario did not intend to become an actor but once he entered
the Thai entertainment industry, he gained popularity quickly.
Still, he has remained down-to-earth and surprised at this own
fame
Thus, in 2010 he became even more famous starring in the movie
First Love which is also known under the title Crazy Little
Thing called Love. This is a charming romantic comedy about
young people falling in love for the first time. This film has
become very popular because it deals with topics that nearly
everyone has experienced in his life and thus can identify
with the characters.
What is more, Mario has done a lot of acting in Thai drama
series. For instance, he was in The Rising Sun (Roy Fun Tawan
Deard, 2014), a series with a Japanese setting. In this drama
Mario (Onizuka Takeshi) starred alongside the young well-known
young actors Nadech Kugimiya and Yaya Sperbund.
Mario and Nadech in The
Rising Sun (photo credit:
asianfuse.net)
In particular, Mario became even more acknowledged as an actor
starring in the popular horror comedy Phi Mak Phra Khanong. In
the role of Phi Mak, Mario acted alongside the lovely actress
Mai Davika Hoorne as Mae Nak. In fact, they make a charming
film couple and have also done some modelling together.
Mario and Mai Davika on Volume
magazine 180 VOLUME WONDER 9 Cr.
Volume Magazine
Mario has had versatile roles. For instance, he had the
leading role in the erotic drama ‘Jan Dara the Beginning’
(2012) and ‘Jan Dara the Finale’ (2013). In these movies he is
Jan Dara, a boy whose mother died giving birth to him and who
is thus hated by his sadistic father Luang Wisnan. Growing
up with his Aunt Wad, his stepmother, he struggles to
reconcile his guilt and longing with different women in his
life. In the second part, Jan Dara wants to find out who his
real father is and wants to take revenge on him.
Most recently, Mario has been promoting Amazing Thailand with
TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand). They have produced a
series of very nice clips that really makes you want to go to
Thailand immediately and try all the things that Mario does
Finally, we may say that Mario Maurer is a bright and
promising young half-Thai movie star. He has already starred
in a variety of different roles and I must say that he cuts
quite a figure in each role that he plays
his future movies will be!
I’m curious what
Yours, Sirinya
Nadech and Yaya: Ideal of The
Perfect Couple
When I first saw Nadech Kugimiya (Barry) and Urassaya Sperbund
(Yaya) in a clip to the Rising Sun Series (Roy Fun Tawan
Deard), a series with a Japanese setting, I thought to myself
that they are just to good to be true. Both seem so sweet and
cute in whatever they do, it’s unbelievable.
Yaya & Barry (photo credit: NY
Always Nadech & Yaya)
In addition, Nadech and Yaya are extremely good looking,
embodying the Thai beauty ideal of a light complexion, large
eyes, tall and slender statue and somehow Western features.
Being both ‘Luk kreung’, i.e. half-Thai people, this does not
appear so surprising at all
Nadech and Yaya – the Ideal Couple
The constant acting and pairing of Nadech, a ThaiAustrian, and Yaya, a Thai-Norwegian, have made them the most
favourite and desirable couple in Thai popular culture. Thus,
they are greatly admired by a whole generation of Thai teens.
In addition, Nadech and Yaya have captured the hearts and
imagination of people who dream of the perfect match.
Nadech & Yaya (photo credit: Amat Nimitpark)
Nadech, born 1991 in Khonkaen, was adopted by the Japanese
Yoshio Kugimiya and his wife Sudarat Kugimiya. He was
discovered at the age of 16 and has been working as a model,
actor and singer since then. What is more, he has been
studying Communication Arts at Rangsit University. Hence, most
recently he has presented his short film ‘Mr. Peters’, a
project to complete his B.A. at Rangsit. The film is about the
Nan’s forest conservation. Thus, Barry is ‘not just a pretty
face’ as the Bangkok Post puts forward.
Here are Nadech and Yaya in a recent photo-shoot this
month for Marie Claire magazine.
Yaya, born in 1993, has a Norwegian father and a Thai mother.
She was discovered relatively early in her teens, at the age
of 14, and has been working as a model and actress ever since.
She is the darling of the Thai entertainment industry,
extremely popular, and one of the highest paid actresses in
Thailand. Everyone adores her and even Thai movie star Ananda
Everingham admires her sincere personality. Once in Woody Talk
show, Ananda spoke of her as “Yaya who always has an aura of
sincerity”.
photo credit: NadechYaya.com
In fact, Nadech and Yaya have been very successful together.
The first time they acted together was in the movie Akkanee’s
Heart (Duangjai Akkanee, 2010) which is a kind of ‘Romeo &
Juliett’ story. In addition, they starred together in a number
of other ‘lakhon’ (Thai term for ‘soap operas’), e.g. ‘Love
Game Evil Game’ (Game Rai Game Rak) and ‘Who Own This
Land?’ (Torranee Ni Nee Krai Krong).
Apart from acting together, both Nadech and Yaya have several
contracts for advertising campaigns with different companies.
Together they have also been advertising for Lays
potato chips.
I think people are so fascinated by Nadech and Yaya because
they appear to be perfect young adults and simply beautiful
people who do everything they do effortlessly
We might also
speak of a Ya-Dech Factor in this context. What is more, they
also strengthen the assumption that half-Thai people are very
popular in the Thai entertainment industry.
Nadech & Yaya in The
konchke.blogspot.com)
Rising
Sun
(phot:o
What do you think about them? Have you been captured by the
Ya-Dech Factor?
Yours, Sirinya
‘Luk kreung’ and Concepts of
Mixed Race in Thailand
Recently I’ve written a post about Thai beauty ideals and the
desire for ‘fair skin’ pointing out that in Thailand, Western
beauty concepts prevail even though the country has never been
colonized by a European nation. In this context, it is
interesting to note that there is nowadays a considerable
number of part-Thai people who are successful and prominent in
Thai popular culture. We might be justified in speaking of a
rise of the so-called ‘luk kreung’ in Thailand’s entertainment
industry.
Concepts of Mixed Race
Hugo & Palmy, successful Luk
kreung, mixed race people (photo
credit: music.mthai.com)
In fact, in the time of the Vietnam War, during the 1960s and
70s, a large number of mixed race children were born from Thai
women and American soldiers. Literally translated the Thai
colloquial term ‘Lukkreung’ (ลูก​ครึ​่ง) means ‘half-child’.
It is used to refer to people who are of mixed Thai and
European origin. Nevertheless, according to the official
dictionary of Thai words, the term describes “a person whose
parents are of different races, also called khrueng chat
(ครึ่ง​ชา​ติ​)”.​ That is to say a ‘half-child’ does not
necessarily have to be Eurasian.
Nevertheless, ‘luk kreung’ were perceived sceptically and also
paradoxically in the 1960s and 70s. On the one hand, they were
regarded as the offspring of Thai prostitutes, ‘rented wives’
or ‘mail-order’ brides and American GIs, even though this was
not always true, since some of the American soldiers formed
lasting relationships with Thai women and settled down in
Thailand. On the other hand, ‘half-children’ have been seen as
desirable, modern and attractive racially mixed people.
On the whole, we may say that in the 1960s and 70s racially
mixed children faced some discrimination but generally society
in Thailand was accepting. However, today there are many
racially mixed people who have attracted Thai public
attention, with growing numbers of celebrities, television
stars and actors of mixed origin. Some examples of these
stars I’ve recently mentioned in my posts. Think of Hugo
Chakrabongse Levy, the ‘royal rocker of Thailand’, Palmy, the
popular Thai-Belgian singer, David Usher, Thai-Canadian singer
and creativity expert, Thai movie star Ananda Everingham,
actress and fashion model Florence V. Faivre , the lovely
actress Mai Davika Hoorne, actor Mario Maurer, singer Chin
Chinawut or the Thai-Danish entrepreneur Michael Corp Dyrendal
who is the younger brother of the well-known half-Thai singer,
model and actor Peter Corp Dyrendal. And think of the
‘Princess of Thai Entertainment’ Ann Thongprasom and popular
Thai-British actress Paula Taylor. Indeed the list is long…
David Usher, Thai-Canadian singer
went from 90s rocker to today’s
creativity guru (photo credit:
lametropole.com)
Thus, today the majority of ‘luk kreung’ people in Thailand
are born of relationships and marriages when Europeans come to
live and work in Thailand. Another possible case is when Thai
people go abroad to study in Western or foreign countries and
settle down and start a family there. Hence, in the last
decades Thailand has become quite enamored with half-Thai
people. That is to say that many mixed race, part-Thai people
have ridden a wave of popularity in the Thai media and
entertainment industry.
There are different reasons why ‘luk kreung’ people are
successful in Thailand today. A very important factor is their
Western features and often proficient English language skills.
In fact, half or part-Thai persons also match the predominant
Thai beauty ideal of a Western look (i.e. light skin colour,
large eyes and a tall physique). These are features that are
generally considered attractive and desirable in Thailand. An
extremely prominent example of this popularity is the acting
and pairing of Urassaya Sperbund (Yaya) and Nadech Kugimiya
(Barry). They have captured so many fans in Thailand where the
two are now the most popular ‘couple’ of this generation. Both
Yaya and Barry are half-Thai people. Yaya Urassaya is ThaiNorwegian and Nadech Kugimiya is Thai-Austrian.
Nadech & Yaya (photo
credit: Amat Nimitpark via
asianfuse.net)
Thus, today Thai youth and teenage culture is deep in love
with the looks of the ‘luk kreung’. For this reason, it
doesn’t seem surprising that part-Thai people are prominent in
Thai popular culture and are thus also important in
constructing Thainess.
Nonetheless, the prominence of half-Thai people in Thailand
today does not only apply to those who are of Thai and
European heritage. If we consider the example of the world
famous golfer Tiger Woods, who is of Thai and Afro-American
origin, we realize that he has become a symbol that linked
success to Thai identity. In addition, he was portrayed as a
cultural hybrid through his career and international golfing
tournament success. Hence, this shows that although dark skin
is generally less popular in Thailand than fair skin, people
of racially mixed origin with non-European heritage can become
acknowledged and grab Thailand’s public attention too.
Tiger Woods (photo
credit: people.com)
Summing up, we may claim that today mixed race people with
part-Thai origin are acknowledged and quite popular in
Thailand. This is particularly true of Thai-European
people matching the predominant Thai beauty ideal of a light
complexion and a tall statue. What is more, there also seems
to be proof that half-Asian people have general advantages…
What do you think about the rise of ‘luk-kreung’ in Thai
popular culture?
Yours, Sirinya