Patrick Kronenberger: ThaiGerman Singer
Patrick Kronenberger is a Thai-German singer and songwriter.
Born in November 1988 in Hanau, Germany to a Thai mother and a
German father, he moved to Berlin in 2010 to dedicate his life
to making music. He also plays the piano since his childhood.
He writes, sings and produces all his songs himself.
Singer & songwriter Patrick Kronenberger,
photo by Marcel Gothow*
Patrick Kronenberger
Since he is a great fan of film music, Patrick calls his
musical genre ‘cinema pop’. The special feature of his
songs is that he combines classical and modern music in an
innovative manner. What is more, his songs are more than just
stories – in fact, his lyrics are similar to movie scripts and
they have a dramatical action.
Patrick’s songs are predominantly in German and he likes
German singers like Nena, Peter Maffay and Udo Jürgens.
However, he is already popular in Thailand since his English
single ‘Can You Hear Me’ has been well received there.
Patrick Kronenberger (photo credit: John
Aigner)*
In addition, when he was in Thailand for holiday last year, he
got together with one of the most renowned Thai music producer
and they translated his German song ‘Zurück Zu Dir’ into Thai.
Thus, the song is called ‘Cheewit ti lur’ (ชีวิต​ที่​เห​ลือ​)
in Thai. A record company was enthusiastic about the song.
Hence, they organized a spontaneous concert at the Hard Rock
Café in Bangkok. The concert was a sellout!
What is more, Patrick is the official cultural ambassador
for Germany/Thailand. Thus, he received the ‘Thainess Award’
by Princess Ubolratana Mahidol at the ITB 2015 in
Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse). He wants to give Thai
as well as German people an understanding of each others
culture. Hence, he will collaborate with the Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT)
already planned.
this
year
and
some
projects
are
Patrick receives the Thainess Award by
Princess Ubolratana Mahidol in Berlin
(photo credit: burning-music.de)
Patrick prefers small concerts at clubs to playing for a big
audience at stadiums because he enjoys being close to his
audience. Nevertheless, he already performed at big
concerts alongside stars like Avril Lavigne and Kelly Rowland.
For his latest single ‘Für einen letzten Versuch’ (For a last
try), he went on tour with the US boyband ‘O-Town’.
Patrick’s music may best be described as modern, rocking but
also melancholic sometimes. He also wants to preserve old
values. Hence, his single ‘Wie Früher’ (‘As It Used To
Be’) takes the audience on a melancholy time journey combining
past, present and future. He wants to bring inner values back
into people’s conscience and is against the fast moving nature
of modern times.
Finally, we may say that Patrick Kronenberger is a
thoroughbread musician with a laid-back style and an amiable
personality who takes the ideas for his songs from experiences
in real life. Thus, his motto is: ‘Life is like a movie, I
only write the soundtrack to it’.
‘Wie Früher’, photo by John Aigner*
For
more
information,
www.patrick-kronenberger.de
please
check
out:
Yours, Sirinya
*photo credit: Patrick Kronenberger, 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
Ann Thongprasom – The Popular
Thai-Swedish Actress
Ann Thongprasom, born 1976 in Bangkok, is a well-known luk
kreung actress in Thailand. She was born to a Thai mother and
a Swedish father. Since her father died early, Ann grew up
with her grandmother in Thailand. Her mother raised Ann’s two
brothers and sent some money for her education now and then.
Even though Ann missed her parents, she lived happily with her
grandma and they took care of each other.
Ann Thongprasom
Ann Thongprasom (photo credit: sugardaily.com)
Today, Ann is considered the ‘Princess of Thai Entertainment’.
Starting her acting career in the early 1990s, she was the
leading actress in numerous Thai TV series in the 2000s. Apart
from acting, she has also been a hostess, producer and engaged
in some charity projects. For example, she has been appointed
as Youth Ambassador for UNICEF Thailand since 2009.
As a young teenager, Ann came into the entertainment industry.
A friend of her mother, who was a makeup artist for RS
Promotion, once invited her for a music video test. Hence, at
the age of 13 Ann featured in her first music video for the
singer Pisoot Supwijit.
However, it took a few years until she became a renowned
actress. The Lakorn ‘Song Naree’ (Two Women) brought her some
popularity and she was awarded the TV Gold award for the Best
Leading Actress. In this film, Ann acted out the personalities
of the opposing twins Neung and Song. These were demanding and
also ambitious roles for the young actress. However, it was
also her great chance to become successful.
A lovely actress (photo credit:
Ann Thongprasom, FB page)
Since then, she has been a very accomplished and experienced
actress winning several awards. For instance, she got another
TV Gold Award for Best Leading Actress in Jaosao ‘Prisanna’
and a Top Award in 2001 for her role in ‘Samee Tetra’. In
addition, Ann also received the Star Entertainment Award from
‘Raeng Gnao’. What is more, she got 6 awards for her
performance in the romantic melodrama ‘The Letter, Jod Mai
Rak’ (2004) starring alongside leading actor Num Attaporn.
Hence, her great achievements speak for themselves.
Ann also presented a popular TV Show called ‘English on Tour’
on Channel 3. The show focussed on teaching children a variety
of English words everyday for one minute. For ‘English on
Tour’ she travelled to different places and the show was a
great success although it only aired for 60 seconds. In
addition, she was also approved another show for children
called ‘Sanam Dek Len – Playground’.
The romantic comedy lakorn ‘Om Ruk’, in which Ann starred
alongside Ken Theeradeth, became a hit all over Thailand. It
is about a kind of love-hate relationship between the aspiring
model Napat (Ann) and the photographer Chen (Ken). The country
was in an “Oum Ruk Fever” and it lasted on even when this
lakorn finally ended. Since the series was a huge success,
Channel 3 produced a VCD and DVD box set for ‘Om Ruk’.
Furthermore, Ann was awarded ‘Best Actress in a Lakorn’.
In fact, Ann has been in numerous popular series and films so
far. Most recently, she starred alongside Thai-Danish actor
and singer Peter Corp Dyrendal in ‘Ab Ruk Online’ (2015). What
is more, she has also been in a number of commercials, for
instance for L’Oreal. In addition, she is not only famous
but legendary. Thus, I met her once at Madame Tussauds’ in
Bangkok
Ann as wax figure at Madame
Tussauds in Bangkok (photo
taken by myself)
Summing up, we can say that Ann Thongprasom has been an
extraordinary and admirable actress in Thai series and movies
for more than 20 years and she is still going strong
Yours, Sirinya
Peter Corp Dyrendal – ThaiDanish Singer, Model & Actor
Peter Corp Dyrendal was born on 1.January 1976 in Ishøj,
Denmark where he was raised. Being half-Thai, he often went to
Thailand as a kid where he would stay with his aunt in
Bangkok. He went there almost every year during
vacations. When Peter was 17 years old, his aunt pushed him to
go for a camera test with a modeling agency. The following
year, Peter was back in Bangkok and did some modelling jobs
which were at that time mostly for fun.
Peter Corp Dyrendal
Peter Corp Dyrendal*
However, when he was 19 he got a promising offer by a Thai
advertising agency. On this occasion, he was also discovered
as a singer and an artist: Peter was on a modelling job on a
beach in Thailand playing the guitar. That was when one of the
team members became aware of Peter’s potential as a musician.
Hence, he was invited to the Thai record company
GMM Grammy for a test.
Thus, Peter was encouraged to try a career as a singer and
began taking sinning lessons. A few months later, he signed
his contract with GMM Grammy and his debut album ‘Hin Pha Ga
Darb’ (1998) became a great success and made him a famous ‘luk
kreung’ singer in Thailand. However, the following albums were
not so successful. For this reason, he went behind the scenes
and worked for the production company Nebula.
Peter also went into acting in Thai TV series (Lakorn). Up
until now he starred in five TV dramas. For instance, in 2002
he acted alongside Marsha Vadhanapanich in ‘Sai Lom Kub Saeng
Dao’ (Wind and Starlight). In this drama, he played the role
of a water sport instructor of Thai-New Zealand descent. I
think the following clip is from this film
In 2012 he was in ‘Noom Baan Rai Khub Whan Jai Hiso’ (Farmer
boy and High-society sweetheart) with Thai-British
actress Araya A. Hargate. What is more, he also starred in the
2011 Thai movie Fabulous 30.
Lovely picture
with his cat*
of
Peter
There is also the drama ‘Narng Rai Sai Lub’ (Villain’s spy)
with Rasri Balenciaga and finally ‘Ab Ruk Online’ (Secret love
online) with the renowned Thai-Swedish actress Ann
Thongprasom. Here is a song from the latter drama ‘Ab Ruk
Online’ featuring Peter.
Today, Peter is still an actor and married to Ployphan
Taweerat since 2013. They have a little son called Panther,
his name is thus a mix of the parent’s names. A next son is
expected soon who should be called Puma. Hence, it seems that
Peter and his wife keep the ‘P’s and stick to the feline theme
as well
Peter, Ploy & son Panther (photo credit:
asianfuse.net)
By the way, Peter is the older brother of Michael Corp
Dyrendal who is an entrepreneur and who also has experience in
the Thai entertainment industry.
Summing up, we may say that even though Peter Corp Dyrendal
has been working for about 20 years in the entertainment
business, he is still going strong and we are curious to know
what he will come up with next.
Yours, Sirinya
*photo credit: Peter Corp FB page
Ananda
Everingham
on
Personality and ‘Hi So’ (High
Society)
Ananda Everingham can be considered an outstanding Thai movie
star, even though he is not Thai but of Australian-Lao
descent. In addition, Ananda also seems to be a contradictory
personality. You may already know all of this if you’re a
devoted reader of this blog
Hence, he calls himself a shy person who does not know how to
entertain people well. What is more, in his youth he had
troubles with the establishment but at the same time he was
very much interested in classic world literature. However,
nobody can deny that Ananda is a prominent and self-confident
actor in many recent high-budget Thai films today, although he
claims to suffer from stage-fright. Thus, one might be
inclined to ask oneself how this all goes together and what
it does reveal about his personality?
Ananda Everingham
Ananda Everingham in ‘Hi So’
(photo credit: theguardian.com)
It seems that the actor does not want to reveal to much of his
actual personality. Hence, Ananda is very versatile in his
roles and filmmaking thus avoiding to be stereotyped. He
claims that he does not want “(…) to get stuck in a genre and
I don’t want to be stereotyped. I don’t want to be seen as the
action guy or the comedy actor or even the cool guy. I like it
when my personality has nothing that associates with the
characters I play”.*
Scene from ‘Hi So’ (photo
credit: frontrowreviews.co.uk)
Thus, we might call Ananda chameleon-like when choosing his
roles. However, in this context, I think it’s also interesting
to take a look at the independent art house movie ‘Hi So’
(High Society, 2010) because Ananda plays himself in this film
and thus it is very personal and intimate to him. Thus, he
claims ‘High Society’ “a very personal film because I’m
playing myself, but it includes my director’s (Aditya
Assarat) past and his story”.*
In short, we may say that the movie ‘Hi So’ is about the
cultural confusion of a young Thai man who has become a movie
star and who never fits in anywhere. Thus, there seem to be
two opposing sides of the protagonist Ananda. On the one hand,
he
is
privileged
and
grew
up
in
overseas
(Australian) influence. On the other hand, he has lost
connection with his native country. However, abroad he is Thai
and thus a foreigner. His life seems to be torn apart because
he is unable to deal with and adapt to the different cultural
demands. In addition, in the movie, Ananda left behind an
Australian girlfriend and hooks up with a new Thai girlfriend.
However, she feels alienated by his English-speaking friends
and Western ways.
Feeling the alienation, ‘High
Society’
(photo
credit:
huffingtonpost.co.uk))
In fact, in real life Ananda also went through some troubles
finding his identity. This was because he held Australian
citizenship, mainly grew up in Thailand and started his
acting career there. He felt very much Thai but had to
struggle with work permits because he was not officially Thai.
However, a few years ago he was granted Thai citizenship.
Nevertheless, I don’t think the ‘real’ Ananda underwent any
kind of cultural confusion, although being a half-child and
‘luk kreung’. He seems to be very much integrated in Thai
society and popular culture. Whether as model or as an actor,
he cuts quite a figure
In a nutshell, we may say that Ananda Everingham prefers to be
a chameleon when acting and choosing roles. Even though we
might find that there is always a lot of Ananda in every
character that he embodies, we will not be able to fathom
his true dynamic personality.
Yours, Sirinya
(*Quotes from Bangkok Post, Ananda Everingham on Movies)
Michael Corp Dyrendal – ThaiDanish Entrepreneur & Model
Michael Corp Dyrendal was born on 21.December 1977 to a Thai
mother and a Danish father. He is the younger brother of the
well-known half-Thai singer, actor and model Peter Corp
Dyrendal. Michael grew up in Denmark. After graduating
from High School, he followed his brother to Thailand who
already was there in the modelling business at that time.
Michael Corp Dyrendal
Michael Corp Dyrendal*
Thus, Michael figured out what he would like to do and stayed
on in Bangkok where he went to ABAC (Assumption University),
doing his Bachelor and graduating with honours after three and
a half years of studying. Afterwards he went to the UK taking
his Master’s degree in European Business in Oxford. Back in
Thailand, he took his second Master’s degree in Business
Administration.
Michael also has experience in the modelling and the
entertainment industry. Hence, he has been in more than 20
Thai TV commercials up until today. The following clip, for
instance, features him in TV Commercial Beger Photo Clean
What is more, he was also in four music videos and starred in
the Lakorn ‘Jao Sao Salawan’ (เจ้า​สาว​สาละ​วัน​), a Thai TV
series on Channel 7. Well, this is a long time ago, but still
very charming to watch. Here is a song from the series
featuring Michael.
Today, Michael is the co-owner and Managing Director of DEFINE
Living by KroellCorp, a Bangkok based world class Design,
Architecture and Construction company. He runs this business
with Asbjoern Kroell who is the CEO, Design and Concept
Director of the company. Asbjoern is the more creative,
whereas Michael is concerned with the business side.
DEFINE Living (photo
defineinterior.com)
credit:
In addition, Michael works for Mintel which is the world’s
leading market intelligence agency. In fact, he is the Country
Manager of Thailand for Mintel. Hence, Michael does two jobs
now, has been living in Thailand for 18 years and feel at home
over there
Michael at work in the
business*
What is more, he has recently participated in the ‘Dress the
Stars Project’ by the Accademia Italiana Fashion and Design
Institute in Thailand. This is a great project since it gives
undiscovered talents the opportunity to design new outfits
for ten celebrities each famous and renowned for their unique
sense of style.
Michael
traditional
dress*
wearing
Thai
men’s
Summing up, we may say that Michael Corp Dyrendal is a
versatile entrepreneur who has a profound cultural knowledge
from both a Western and an Asian perspective. Whether it be in
business or the entertainment industry, he always cuts quite a
figure and has also been a Buddhist monk for two weeks in the
jungle which was a great experience for him
Yours, Sirinya
*(photo credit: Michael Corp Dyrendal, FB page)
Chin Chinawut Indracusin:
Thai-French Singer
When I started becoming interested in Thai pop music about
three to four years ago, Chinawut-Stéphane Indracusin, who is
also known as ‘Chin‘, was the first prominent singer that I
came across. Chin, born in 1989, is Thai-French. Thus, he is
also a ‘luk kreung’ successful in Thai entertainment industry.
Chin
Chinawut
pinterest.com)
(photo
credit:
He started his singing career relatively early by taking part
in the GMM Grammy young artist development program called ‘GJunior’. In 2003 he came together with Guy and Jay who were
also young musicians from ‘G-Junior’. Together they formed the
group ‘Big 3’. At this time they primarily made Hip Hop, Rap
and R&B music. However, three years later in 2006 the boys
from ‘Big 3’ wanted to pursue their own solo careers. This was
after the release of their album ‘We are Big 3’.
Chin Chinawut
Chin’s first solo album, released in 2007, has the upbeat
title ‘Chin Up’. Hence, his first solo single “Bpak Mai Trong
Gub Jai” was a great success and made him a top music star in
Thailand.
Chin, Thai-French singer*
The second album ‘Maybe I’m bad’, released in December 2008,
was created in New York. However, I prefer his later albums
like Chinawut Indracusin (2008) and Chin Chinawut ‘I believe’
(2011). I think the following song is from the 2008 album.
This is one of my favourite songs and I find one of the most
beautiful love songs ever
Nevertheless, there are numerous Chin songs of this kind that
I really love. Here another beautiful song that is more
recent.
You see, I’m really into these kind of ballads. Here is a
jazzy song that I truly cherish
However, Chin also sings
more rocking and catchy songs like ‘My bad habit’. By the way,
actress Yaya Urassaya was in the music video to this song.
Apart from singing, Chin has also done some acting, for
example he starred in a Taiwanese drama called ‘Love 18’. In
addition, he is also familiar with Khon dance which is the
Thai masked drama telling the story of Rama. This story is
based on the Ramakien which is the Thai version of the
Ramayana.
Chin as Khon character
Tosakanth
(photo
credit: pinterest.com)
For instance, at the World Expo 2010 he also performed as a
Khon dancer. He played the character Tosakanth who is the
enemy of Phra Ram (Rama). In the following clip, he is getting
prepared for the performance. By the way, it is an amazing
fact to note that the dancers are actually sown into the
costumes. You can also see this in the video of my Khon
article where young dancers prepare for their show
Well, I think Chin Chinawut cuts quite a figure as a Thai pop
singer but also as a classical Thai dancer. It’s amazing and
as you might have noticed I like his ballads the most
Chin Up*
Do you know Chin and do you like his music? I think he
encourages us to always keep our chins up
Yours, Sirinya
*photo credit: Chin Chinawut, FB page
Mai Davika Hoorne:
Belgian Actress
Thai-
Davika Hoorne is a young half-Thai actress and model popular
in Thailand. Born 1992 to a Thai mother and a Belgian
father in Thailand, her nickname is ‘Mai’. Thus, she is often
referred to as ‘Mai Davika’. She was discovered as a model
early in her teens at the age of 14. Later she was educated in
Communication Arts at Rangsit University.
Mai Davika Hoorne
Davika Hoorne (photo
women.sanook.com)
credit:
In 2010 she debuted in the drama series Ngao Kammathep in the
role of Tien. In addition, she starred in a number of other
Thai TV drama series like Neur Manoot (2011), Maya Rasamee
(2012), Roy Lae Sanae Luang (2013), Kularb Rai Kong Naai Tawan
(2015) and most recently as Rinlanee in Nang Chada (2015). In
Nang Chada, Mai also engages in some classical Thai dancing,
wearing the beautiful and opulent Khon dancing dress.
Mai Davika has also done a lot of modelling for brands like
Ponds, Nikon, ZA and more. In addition, she has appeared as
cover girl on numerous magazines like for instance herworld.
She was recently the cover model of this magazine in February
2015. Here is a video clip of this shooting from behind the
scenes.
Mai has also been engaged in some
example, in 2012 she debuted in the
Haeng Ruk. A year later in 2013,
actress in Phi Mak Phra Khanong
popular Thai movies. For
film Bpidtu Poom Prom Dan
she became famous as an
in the role of Mae Nak,
the wife of Phi Mak (Mario Maurer).
Lovely Mai Davika as
Mae Nak (photo credit:
news.zing.vn)
In fact, Mai and Mario are a nice film couple and hence, they
have also been paired in photo shootings and commercials.
In 2014 Davika starred as Riam in the Thai romance-drama Plae
Kao (The Scar), a remake of the same-titled film from 1977.
This is the story of two peasants in rural Thailand engaged in
a tragic, romantic relationship.
Today, Davika is a well-known young lady in the Thai modelling
and television industry. Nevertheless, she seems to be
still the nice girl next door, natural and very lovely.
Finally, we may say that Davika Hoorne is an amazing young luk
kreung actress and model. What is more, she has got the look
to become extremely successful in Thai entertainment
industry with her fair skin, tall statue and large eyes
Misstar Cafe (photo credit:
Misstarbydavika, FB page)
Additionally, she has recently founded ‘Misstar by Davika’ and
promoted the Misstar Café.
Yours, Sirinya
Thainess, ‘Luk kreung’ & The
Siam Renaissance
The Siam Renaissance (Thawiphop, dir. Surapong Pinijkhar,
2004) is a movie about a young Thai woman named
Manee/Maneechan (Florence Vanida Faivre). She is from the
early 21st century and educated in France but with the help of
a mirror she is able to travel back and forth in time.
Hence, she visits Siam’s early modern past and then goes back
to the present. The movie is adapted from the historical Thai
novel “Tawipob” (Two Worlds) by Tamayanti which is also a love
story. Thus, the movie can be classified as historical and
romantic film because apart from time travelling, Manee finds
valuable lessons in life and love along the way with soldier
Dhep (Rangsiroj Panpeng).
The Siam Renaissance
Scene from The Siam Renaissance,
Manee & Dhep (photo credit:
viki.com)
Being in 19th century Thailand at the court of King Mongkut
(r. 1851-1868), Manee criticizes the Western influences in
modern Thailand. When asked by two nobles at the court, she
generally presents the ‘farang‘ (Westeners) and tawan-tok (the
West) as a threat to Siamese cultural identity. Thus, it seems
that her point of view is in accordance with Thai nationalist
discourses.
Although we know that Thailand has never been colonized, there
have nevertheless been strong Western influences. Hence, the
movie also raises the question what Thainess is or rather what
remains of it considering these influences. In addition, it
also deals with the question of Thai national and cultural
identities and points out ambiguities implied in a modern
construction of Thainess which is devoid of Western
contamination.
Here is a trailer to the movie. By the way, you may also watch
the full movie with English subs here.
Florence V. Faivre in the part of Manee is interesting in the
context of this film, since she is luk kreung (Thai-French),
considering the fact that Thainess in brought into question by
the threat of the farang Other. That is to say, it might
appear weird that a half-Thai (who is herself partly
farang) expresses nationalistic thoughts. However, we must
also note that in the movie the protagonist Manee is supposed
to be a full-Thai woman. Nonetheless, since the film dwells
very much on her beauty and often focusses on her body
and facial features, we may assume that she, Florence
Faivre, as a luk kreung, represents the Thai beauty ideal of
the day.
Focussing on Manee’s beauty
(photo credit: 2g.pantip.com)
Nonetheless, the half-Thai actress might also reiterate the
message for the Thai need to accommodate and to move with the
times but above all the movie is about a young woman’s quest
for her identity.
Manee’s transformation
credit: 2g.pantip.com)
(photo
This is emphasized in the scene when Manee/Faivre is
transformed from a traditionally dressed lady of the Siamese
court to a kind of ‘farangized’ guest at the French diplomat’s
residence. The film pays very much attention to Manee’s
transformation. Thus, she is shown rotating behind a screen
until her naked form is revealed. She is then bathed and
massaged in a traditional and aestheticized Thai manner.
Finally, she is dressed in a Victorian garb.
Manee is farangized
credit: 2g.pantip.com
(photo
However, despite her outer appearance, the protagonist Manee
is and remains essentially Thai at heart. The point is
that she may look and seem to be half-Thai and hence, all the
prettier for being so in contemporary Thai viewers eyes.
Nevertheless, her core and heart are completely Thai through
her performance of the protagonist Manee. For this reason, we
might be justified in claiming that the movie is not so much
about the ‘farangization‘ of Thainess than it is about the
‘Thai-ization’ of the farang.
The Thai-ization of the farang
(photo credit: 2g.pantip.com)
In other words, we may argue that the Siam Renaissance shows
how the concept of the powerful West is stripped of its
foreignness in order to become part of modern Thai selves.
This might seem a controversial topic. What do you think about
it?
Yours, Sirinya
(Reference: Rachel V. Harrison & Peter Jackson eds. The
Ambiguous Allure of the West. Traces of the Colonial in
Thailand, 2010)