Cover Story: Thai Actress, Nychaa Embraces New Challenges

With her fresh-faced beauty, it can be easy to forget that Thai actress Nychaa has dedicated a decade to working assiduously in the entertainment industry. After debuting with hit drama Tong Neu Gao, she continued playing the second lead and supporting roles — in television shows such as 2014’s Cubic and 2015’s Sapai Jao — until 2016, when the actress landed her first leading role in Nang Ai. Since then, Nychaa has become a fixture in Thai television, with key appearances in dominant dramas every year.

Hi Nychaa! Since last year, you’ve been busy with multiple projects including the recent dramas Devil-in-Law, Retribution, My Friend, The Enemy, and Rivalry. What are some of the challenges that you overcame while preparing for these works?

I have to say that each role has its own challenges. For each show, I have to learn how to play a different character. I have to learn how to walk, speak, and behave — everything about that character. I have to create some sort of background in order to develop a character. For example, in Rivalry, the character has so many angles to her personality. She was a complicated character with many issues in her life. And one other thing that was a big challenge for me is that I had to learn how to play polo. I had to do something that I’ve never done in my life.

You’ve been working in the Thai entertainment industry for a decade. What are some of the moments that you’re proudest of so far?

Actually, I’m proud of everything I’ve done so far. If I had to pick, I think being a part of Rivalry is one thing that I’m so proud of because we won an award for the best TV series. When we worked on Rivalry, I saw everyone working so hard. The crew and actors tried to do everything they could to make everything happen in the series. I’m so proud of us that we did it and won at the Kom Chad Luek Awards.

What can we expect from Nychaa this year?

I’ve just finished working on my first film. I’ve always worked in television, and this year, I have a movie. It’s a romantic comedy and I really enjoyed myself while we were filming. I hope everyone will enjoy it too. Filming a TV series takes eight months whereas a movie takes three months. As an actress, I do my best for each role — filming a TV series is harder though as I have to [hold the role] mentally for eight months.

When you’re not busy filming, what do you like to do?

I would spend time with my family and friends. Watching movies, eating, sleeping and playing games. I like to play Hogwarts Legacy on PlayStation 5 because I am a fan of Harry Potter. If I have time, I like to travel to different parts of Thailand, especially to the south of Thailand to the beaches.

Besides being a great actress, what would you most like viewers and your fans to remember you for?

I would like everyone to remember me as an actress who makes people happy, but more importantly as a [good] human being. I would like to do more for the community and help in areas like mental health, harassment, diversity and the environment.

Editor-in-Chief IAN LEE
Photography WAROON KIETTISIN
Styling MILE SUPAKASEM
Production GOY VARALUK
Hair PAKKARAKORN
CHANTANAYINGYONG
Makeup ISABELLA MARNI
Photography assistants PROMPONG DECHPOL, SUPACHAI SUWANMAJO, PONGSATORN TUSARANON, WARAKORN TECHAJARUWIT and KANCHITRAWAT SOMCHOK
Styling assistants PANYAPHAT CHANCHIT and MAETAVUT WANGYO
Special thanks to EVON CHNG