There are many ways to make merit. I feel that I can make merit through my profession. I was part of Sathien Dhammasathan’s movie project from the start and now Namaste Ja-e Bye Bye is the third movie they’ve released.
Being part of these projects really opened my mind. I grew up in a loving and caring family, so I was quite sheltered. But the first film, called Kaya (Junk) hit me really hard. It was based on the true story of a girl who was addicted to drugs and resorted to selling flowers on the roadside. One day, she got caught by the police who made her friend rape her in exchange for not sending her to prison.
I was shocked that such a terrible thing could happen. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to play her character. It’s so far removed from my situation.
Meditation helps me get into character. When I attended acting classes we had to sit in meditation and link ourselves to our bodies. As actors, we must understand our bodies.
Becoming an actress was down to luck. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I really enjoyed studying acting in Bangkok. A casting scout spotted me and asked me to get into modeling. It was a surprise because when I was in Nakhon Ratchasima, my hometown, I was just an everyday girl with no ties to the media industry.
My friends suggested I study theater because they thought I had potential. I wasn’t so sure. I knew little about theater but I finally got into Srinakharinwirot University. Now I really like it.
Acting allows me to become someone else. It’s a way of letting yourself go. It’s interesting to explore other characters and make people believe in that character.
The entertainment industry is just one part of me, not my whole life. Being in the spotlight, I feel that I have to do my work properly so that people will remember me favorably.
I learn by observing people. Everyone around me act as my teachers because in my profession, observing my environment and those around me is very important. It makes me understand people more.
I don’t judge people by their actions. There can always be some reason behind their action that we may not know. No one is 100 percent good or bad.
Visiting India made me realize how lucky we are as Thais. I went to places of great historical significance, where Buddha use to visit such as Varanasi, Buddha Gaya and the crossing to Nepal, and saw people faced with tremendous difficulties. This made me think that we, all Thais, are living in heaven.
It’s sad to see people over there don’t care about Buddhism like we do. It’s only Thai people who go there and pay their respects. I’m not normally very religious but when I had a chance to pray at the place where Lord Buddha died, I cried a lot. I didn’t know where it came from.
Making a movie abroad wasn’t easy. The tight schedule and bad weather can make you feel exhausted.
I love to be alone when I don’t have to work. My life involves too much planning, so I don’t like to schedule anything on my free days.
I felt so bad from all the criticism I got about the Snickers’ ad. People cursed me like I had killed somebody. I even cried while I ate my breakfast. I admit that it was my fault for taking the job without thinking it through, but some comments went too far.
I can’t be naïve anymore. The viral clip taught me to be more selective and careful with my work. It’s not like lakorn where audiences know it’s not real.
Remaking a Korean series comes with so much pressure. Series like Full House and Autumn In My Heart were really huge hits. It’s inevitable that fans would compare it to the original.
I don’t like putting my faith in too many people. But I do have total faith in my parents—they are my real inspiration.
I dream of becoming a director. Working with Nine (Saraswadee Wonsompetch, director of Namaste Ja-e Bye Bye and Yes or No) has really given me an insight into a director’s job. He pays such close attention to detail to really capture the essence of a story. The audience appreciates this.
Meeting with fans from other countries makes me feel so patriotic. I’m so proud that, though I’m just a small actress in the Thai entertainment industry, I can help people love my country more. There were 300-400 fans waiting to meet me at the airport in China. It was overwhelming.
Try to find the good in bad things. My dad has always taught me this. It helps you get through tough times more easily.
