A portly young man strikes a hieratic pose, a fine sheer dress floating about him. In another shot, he’s wearing a zebra-print mini-skirt, in sharp contrast with the two construction workers pouring cement next to him. Welcome to the zany world of Mae Baan Mee Nuad (the Mustachioed Housewife). How did Anuruk “Bew” Cholmunee, 22, hit 6,000 Facebook followers so quickly? And what is he trying to achieve? BK finds out.

How did you become Mae Baan Mee Nuad?
I just did it for fun. I started uploading pictures on my personal Facebook account and my friends suggested that I created a fan page of my own. I think there are a lot of people who have ideas like mine but they don’t have enough courage to execute them. But I’m beyond hesitating. I want to be a housewife and I have moustache. That’s all.

Do you work on this alone?
Many people think it is some huge production. They always ask me what camera I use and how I edit photos. But the truth is I only use an iPhone and a few applications like Camera 360 and FilterMania 2. There are just three people on my team, including me. I even cut all the costumes by myself.

What is your artistic message?
I think my message is that you don’t need to be a woman to be a housewife. There are no rules for living your life. For example, the light and composition are carefully studied, but the model is not perfect.

Is your family supportive?
My parents, who are in Satun, have no idea that I am Mae Baan Mee Nuad because they don’t get involved with the digital world. But I think my sister knows, maybe. Anyway, my boyfriend knows it’s just what I do for fun and he’s happy for me.

What are you doing these days?
I just graduated in film and video at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and I’m continuing a master’s degree in strategic communication. I’ve also just applied for a job.

Will people at your workplace know about Mae Baan Mee Nuad?
I want to separate Mae Baan Mee Nuad from my real world because not everyone can accept it. I once had a job interview and they said they hate gays. I walked away from the room when I heard that. But I normally don’t get bullied because people around me accept who I am.

Where do you think Thai society stands on these issues?
Thai society tolerates homosexuals, but it does not fully accept us. Thai people realize and respect our abilities, especially in the fields of creativity and entertainment, but when it comes to careers in government, they don’t accept who we are. I also don’t like how most people expect us to be funny all the time. I want society to see what we can do apart from having a hilarious personality.
Find Mae Baan Mee Nuat at http://on.fb.me/MaQJM8

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