HOT: Khun Charm, you are a former Miss Thailand Universe and represented Thailand in the 2006 Miss Universe Contest which was televised internationally from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. At what age did you decide you wanted to enter a beauty contest and can you tell us about some of the contests you entered which culminated with the Miss Universe contest?
Charm: I’ve been watching the Miss Universe Pageant ever since I could remember. At the age of four, I dreamed that one day, I would represent Thailand to the best of my ability on the Miss Universe stage. This pageant is like a legacy; and just to be a part of it is such an honor. Before the Miss Thailand Universe Pageant in 2006, I never competed in any other pageant. My dream was to represent my country at the Miss Universe Pageant, and winning Miss Thailand Universe was the only stepping stone to get there. I devoted my heart and soul in to training; and thus, had no fear in the competition.
HOT: At the Miss Universe Pageant, you made it to the Semifinals, the first Thai woman in 18 years to do so. What was going through your mind as your name was announced?
Charm: I represented Thailand the very best way I knew how. I devoted my heart and soul into the competition and made it to the semi-finals. I will never forget the feeling of being on stage wearing the “THAILAND” sash, whilst seeing the Thai flag being waived by the Thai people in the audience who came to cheer for me.
To tell you the truth, I was heartbroken that I didn’t make it further. Because at that time, I was taught to believe that if you didn’t hope for the best, then don’t enter the competition. It was different from the Miss Thailand Universe pageant because I wasn’t competing in my honor, or my family’s honor—but I was competing for Thailand. Les Brown once said, “Shoot at the moon, because if you don’t make it there, you’ll land among the stars.” And that is what I did. I landed in the semi-finals—I landed among the stars.
HOT: Since Miss Universe you’ve gone on to modeling and acting on TV and in movies. Between modeling and acting, which gives you the most satisfaction and why?
Charm: I love acting. I never found out until I had the chance to become an actress. Now acting is one of my favorite activities in the world. I think the luckiest people are those who have a job they love… and I’m one of them. Taking on different roles over the past ten years of being a Thai actress has given me the chance to learn so many new things, such as shooting, singing (Thai country music and traditional “ligae” music), ballroom dancing, archery, and Thai sword fighting. I have taken on the roles of being a teenager with superpowers, a doctor, a nurse who had to save patients on a helicopter in a warzone, a warrior from 700 years ago, and so much more. I love discovering the character I’m playing through my own experience. I see acting as a means of escape from the real world.
HOT: At the end of 2015 you were married to a former classmate whom you met when you were both attending the International School Bangkok. How has marriage effected your professional career and what are your plans for the future?
Charm: James and I met in sixth grade at the International School Bangkok, and reconnected ten years after high school graduation. We never expected to find everything we both have been looking for to be in someone we have known for almost twenty years. The first part of the relationship was quite difficult because of the distance, but since James is in the renewable energy industry in Australia, he was able to expand his business in to the Thai market and move to Thailand. Since I was eighteen, I have spent most of my time working in the media industry, but now, I’m learning more and more each day about solar power and the renewable energy industry from James.
In school, James was known to be one of the best athletes, and I find it impressive to see how he has kept a strict routine over the years. He’s still as fit as he was ten years ago! So the biggest change in my life after marriage is that James is encouraging me to stay healthy, and exercise on a daily basis. I have looked in to health products and supplements, and so in May 2016, I will be launching my own dietary supplement product to help me maintain a healthy figure. The product is called CHARMS, and James has been a big inspiration in having me begin this project. In the meantime, James will be planning to launch his whey protein product very soon as well.
HOT: What would you tell young women who also aspire to be a beauty queen, model or actress?
Charm: First of all, I’d say that if you have a dream, go for it—because a dream means nothing if it isn’t sought after. For people who want to be enter the media industry, my advice is for them to never change who they are just to please others. Every media talent is different and no one can replace someone else. Being in the entertainment industry has made me become a stronger person. Sometimes people’s comments can be cruel and untrue. I learned to have faith in myself and always believe that, “if it doesn’t kill you; it only makes you stronger.”
HOT: Thank you Khun Charm for taking the time to speak with us.
Instagram Name: @charm.th