My fingernail just grew back. The old one fell off after it got caught in a door. My forehead has also healed. I got 10 stitches after I ran into a mirror." said Nong Pip, as the toddler proudly showed of remnants of his injuries on his tiny body with an indisputable sense of pride.
Nong Pip was surprisingly at ease despite meeting with mylife for the first time. The young toddler was far from being shy, thus confirming his parents' description of their little son as someone who has excellent social skills.
And adding to Nong Pip's growing CV is a popularity vote cast by his classmates, eight out of 10 children to be precise, said that Nong Pip is the one person they want to have as their friend at school.
"He is a great social being, not at all shy.This is what he gets from his mother because Praew was a talkative five-year-old herself when she began helping her father [the late Damrong Lathapipat, a former secretary-general of the Democrat Party] by answering the phone from various party bigwigs.
"But if you are talking about physical simi-larities then it is definitely me. Especially if you look at old photos of me when I was young and compare them - you can't tell the difference between me or Pip," said a beaming Ravit "Pip" Teutvongse, the 40-yearold-actor from Channel 3 and father of Nong Pip who share the same nickname.
PLAYING THE ROLE OF FATHER TO TWO CHILDREN
Today Ravit's scripts are for real because his role in real life is a father to two lovely children: Nong Pip (Thornton Teutvongse,three years old) and Peppin Teutvongse, six months old. His wife is Darika "Praew" Lathapipat,37, who currently serves as ViceRector of Dhurakijbandit University as well as taking care of her family.
Ravit and Darika dated for two years before tying the knot. Ravit said that what attracted him to his future wife was her straightforward manner, easy-going attitude and a "fighting"spirit.
Darika maintained that what won her heart from the very beginning till the day they became a family, was his cool temperament,generosity, and the fact that he rarely gets angry. They always talk openly.
"We are considered pretty lucky because our families are full of elders. There are so many helpers when it comes to taking care of our children, especially Nong Pip because he is the first grandchild on both sides of the family ... There's a chance that he might get spoiled rotten which is of concern and requires close supervision in bringing him up in the right way. But the advantage is that there are so many relatives taking care of him, it allows me and Praew to concentrate on our work as if we never had children before. If we want to be by ourselves, we can do that too," Ravit said.
ARTISTIC DNA: FROM FATHER TO SON
Once Mum and Dad are free from work,they make sure they make up for lost time by involving themselves in activities with Nong Pip. The most popular family pastime is creating works of art.
It's only natural because Ravit is a graduate from the Arts Department of Chulalongkorn University. It's his forte which is why he has a passionate interest in art. Ravit has already
held a semi-abstract art show.
Nong Pip often sees his father drawing and painting on canvas. This is why Nong Pip is interested in the arts as well and has shown an aptitude for drawing.
Ravit collects artwork created by his son to examine Nong Pip's artistic development and to see if any progress at each stage matches his at his age or not; Ravit also wants to collect the artwork for his son for when he grows older.
"He's seen me drawing since he was young.He knew how to hold a paint brush at a very young age. I just let him draw and have not taught him anything since he was three years old. He'd draw a three-step waterfall by drawing three circles overlapping each other or he'd draw a candle and add in more details on the flame. There are things he can't draw and asks me to help and will also add in a few touches here and there."
The love of art made Ravit make a major change in his younger days. He moved from the prestigious Bangkok Christian College where he had studied till the ninth grade (Matayom 3), and enrolled at the Thaivichitsilpa Art School which is a vocational school renowned for its art courses. He honed his skills there and eventually matriculated as an art major at Chulalongkorn University.
"Studying at Thaivichitsilpa made me very happy. At the Christian College only one hour of art classes were offered in an entire week. But at Thaivichitsilpa there were so many art classes offered. It was as if I had discovered my purpose. There was a lot of work to be done but I persevered no matter how hard it was.
"I found out that no matter what we do,as long as we love it, have a passion and stay with it everyday, there will be a way through eventually. When I take care of my son, I place great importance on finding out what it is that he does best. Is he happy with it? I believe that if we discover whatever it is that we like to do, the financial rewards from it will eventually come. Or even if you don't want to make a living out of it, having art in your life helps you achieve happiness." said Ravit.
However Nong Pip is only three years old which is why Ravit doesn't want to rush things for his son and focus on just one direction. He finds many activities which is why Nong Pip gets to be involved and learn things which he isn't accustomed to.
"Art, music, sports and imagination I am not concerned much because Nong Pip likes to do everything. What I really want him to pay attention to is the logic of mathematics in order to achieve a sense of equilibrium. So I let him play Lego or something that will help build upon the foundation of maths. I would like him to be like his mother as well because she is extremely good with numbers."he said.
WORKING MUM'S SECRET
Darika may be a mother of two young children but she also holds a high-ranking management position at Dhurakij Pundit University in charge of finance, purchasing and IT technology.
This is a job that requires much devotion,yet she still places immense importance on family. It is her first priority.
After work, she spends almost all her evenings with her family, and that includes weekends as well. Her home is a soothing environment filled with green trees large and small. Appointments which are not important, she simply will not go to - which is why she's earned a reputation for deliberately missing appointments with her friends.
"I am not the type that likes to go out just for the sake of it or go shopping. I like staying at home. Once I step into my house I don't want to go out. My husband also likes to stay at home. He takes care of the trees while Nong Pip likes to play in the garden, observing insects, ants, centipedes, and Carp fish. The environment at our house is relatively good,along with a plethora of elders.
"I am used to staying with a large family.My mother's house is in this compound and my younger brother also lives here. Not too far away are my uncle and auntie. Let's just say that this soi is full of my relatives. It's full of warmth and love, so to speak. There are many activities, both in and out of the house for Nong Pip. At times there are queues for Nong Pip but everyone asks us [out of respect]and we decide where Nong Pip can go and what he can do," said Darika.
Besides her duties as a mother, Darika is constantly recruiting family members to teach.So far, Ravit has taken the bait and is currently teaching the basics of drawing and the related art subjects; her younger brother also fills in as a part-time teacher in the Economics Department at Dhurakij Pundit University.
BRINGING UP CHILDREN IN A LARGE FAMILY
Both Ravit and Darika admit that rearing children in a large extended family has its pros and cons.
The advantage is a general feeling of warmth but "alone time" between parents and children can be limited.
Another down side is the fact that the method of bringing up a child might not be what the parents had hoped for at first. The truth is that the older generation is usually prone to letting their grandchildren have their way. Hence, it is imperative that discussions should take place between parents and the older family members, so that the proper and optimal way of bringing up a child is achieved. It is easier said then done.
"Some families just shut out the older relatives. We chose not to do that. We consider ourselves lucky because there are many helping hands. There are plenty of toys and clothes.We barely spend money in this area. But at times when we think Nong Pip is being spoilt,we talk it over and explain that if he has his way all the time, he might not listen to us in the future.
"But when it comes to major issues, our elders always give us the respect since we are the parents. We get to decide. For example the choice of school and school fees, we made it clear that we want to be responsible for it. It is our choice and duty. If we want to be with our son or go outside with Nong Pip,older members of the family understand and give us the freedom to do so. Right now my family consists of four persons, father, mother and two children. It feels complete, it gives a sense of bonding, I love my wife more than ever and am concerned for my children even more," said Ravit.
Friday, August 28, 2009
IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR
The first time Nandhamalee "Bing" Bhirombhakdi sat behind the wheel of a Ferrari on a race track in Zhuhai, China, the instructor told her to go faster and brake harder. The second lap was altogether different said Ms Nandhamalee, who concedes she was very excited prior to the test drive.
"The first lap I didn't go very fast," she said. "The second lap, the instructor had to tell the other few cars on the circuit to be careful, Ms Nandhamalee is coming!"
Today the transition is complete. She is now the lady in red - the new face of the famous prancing horse sports car in Thailand that is the heart and soul of F1 racing, and for most the ultimate automotive fantasy.
So how did a petite, pretty lady who drives an Audi A4 Turbo MTM (admittedly with mag wheels) end up with a job most car lovers would sell their right arm for?
It turns out it's a family affair, fuelled by a shared appreciation of automotive excellence and complemented by Ms Nandhamalee's experience in dealing with high-end markets and brands.
On July 20, Cavallino Motors was appointed the sole authorised dealer and service centre for Ferrari in Thailand, with Ms Nandhamalee as managing director, the first woman to hold such a position. Cavallino Motors is a joint venture between Vudha Bhirombhakdi, the company's chairman (and of Boon Rawd Brewery fame) and Charlerm Yoovidhya, the company's president (and of Siam Winery Trading fame). The pair are unabashed Ferrari fanatics.
Mr Vudha is Ms Nandhamalee's father-in-law. Her husband, Voravud, also serves as the company's vice-president executive director.
But the men won't have it all their own way. Ms Nandhamalee spent eight years with Citibank, her last position as an assistant vice-president, meaning she had clocked up the miles and experience required for the MD's job.
"I am proud that the company's board has entrusted me with this job," said the 36-year-old. "One of the reasons is perhaps because I have been involved from the start with the company's operations, including contacts with Ferrari's parent company and the creation of a business plan for Thailand, among other responsibilities."
She recalled how the idea was formulated over a family meal. "My husband, Voravud, father-in-law Vudha and uncle Charlerm had dinner one day. We all share the same passion for Ferraris, and my husband mentioned that he'd heard there was an opportunity to pitch for the Ferrari dealership. Uncle Chalerm revealed that he happens to know the Ferrari management in Italy, and they invited him to pitch. It was the right moment for my husband to mention the pitch to uncle Chalerm, and the pitch was successful.
"Uncle Chalerm's son, Varit, has to take care of his family's business, as does my husband, Voravud. The next in line was me," smiled Ms Nandhamalee.
The smile aside, she says the real reason she landed the job was that she has had a lot of interaction with overseas business people. "I worked abroad for 10 years. I know their system. I know about their high-end market and the premium brands. I am able to relay the Ferrari strategy, branding and marketing campaign back to Thailand using my experience, and also to manage the Thai showroom and its services."
Ferrari imagined the new MD in Thailand would be a man. But when Ms Nandhamalee presented the final proposal to the company in Shanghai, they were impressed by her professionalism and passion.
Much of that love for fast and furious cars stems from her husband, who she started dating when she was 16. "I have developed a passion for supercars since I was a teenager. My husband has always loved Ferraris, and I was always part of it. He collected model cars, and also memorabilia of various Formula 1 teams, especially Ferrari, and we enjoyed attending F1 races in various countries."
When she went for management training in Hong Kong she had to break down stereotypes. "I was the only woman among all the men during the managing director training, so everyone took good care of me. I was able to show my skills and capabilities as a manager. No one looked at me as a woman in that sense, and they treated me with respect." The subjects included finance, marketing and sales. There is also the Ferrari Academy in Maranello, Italy, which teaches the history and branding of the famous marque and where you can visit the factory where the cars are made.
"There is a lot of technical information to understand. However, it's not too hard if you try. I'm open to new ideas, and I'm happy to learn. I enjoy new experiences and learning. This way, I can transfer the know-how to my technicians. For the technical side, Ferrari told me that no one is born with it. If you are capable of learning it, it's fine. We don't sell cars, we sell dreams.
"Ferraris are supercars that are always in people's hearts. You don't simply sell their beauty and performance, but also the lifestyle. A Ferrari enriches your life. It fulfils your life. It's also an investment, with hardly any depreciation. The cost? It costs approximately 20-30 million baht for your dream."
So with the economy in the doldrums is it a difficult time to take on such a high-end franchise?
Not for the optimistic Ms Nandhamalee, who said Thailand already has 350 Ferrari owners despite the high import duty of about 328%. Ferrari says Thai buyers also have the distinction of being the owners who like to personalise their cars the most. "It shows that besides having a passion for the brand, Thais rank top for people who like to customise their cars after purchase," she said.
"It is not surprising then that this year's orders have in no time become next year's waiting list, despite the company only being launched on July 20."
The first model Ms Nandhamalee will introduce to the Thai market will be the Ferrari California, a luxury sports coupe equipped with Formula 1 technology, yet designed for everyday use. And to ensure the best service, Thai staff have been sent to the Ferrari plant in Italy for training.
Ferrari's temporary showroom and service centre will open next month on New Petchaburi Road, occupying a spacious three rai plot. The fully operational showroom is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year. It will occupy two-storeys, with the ground floor selling Ferrari merchandise such as clothes, bags and other memorabilia. The first floor will be a showroom and service centre featuring a state-of-the-art high-tech bay, where customers can sit back and relax while watching their cars through a giant window as technicians run diagnostic tests and service them. This is a new concept for Ferrari worldwide, revealed Ms Nandhamalee.
Ferrari also has a customisation programme where customers can order classic Ferraris from the past that are no longer manufactured. Ms Nandhamalee explained: "All our customers are important to us. We try our best to service their needs, and they can specify anything from the colour of the seats to the interior stitching, so that they will feel proud that they ordered everything themselves."
August 4 marked Ms Nandhamalee and Mr Voravud's 12th wedding anniversary. They have three-year-old twins, a boy and a girl named Nandhavud and Voranan, and with so much work, Ms Nandhamalee now tries to include her children in her work schedule.
She takes them to the office or when she has a lunch meeting, letting them sit at an adjoining table so that they can see their mother. Despite all the overseas travel requirements, Ms Nandhamalee said she is now just as happy to go to the beach at Hua Hin or Pattaya.
"This makes me appreciate Thailand more. I'm very happy just to be with my family."
Ms Nandhamalee met her husband when she was 14, on the day she arrived in the UK. When she went off to school, they kept in touch by letter, and saw each other when they came back to Thailand.
"We got engaged at 20, and married at 24. It's been a long relationship, but we still talk on the phone every day. When something comes up, we just call each other. We don't wait until the evening when we get home to talk about it," she said.
Relate Search: Nandhamalee Bhirombhakdi, Audi A4 Turbo MTM, Boon Rawd Brewery fame, Charlerm Yoovidhya, Ferrari
"The first lap I didn't go very fast," she said. "The second lap, the instructor had to tell the other few cars on the circuit to be careful, Ms Nandhamalee is coming!"
Today the transition is complete. She is now the lady in red - the new face of the famous prancing horse sports car in Thailand that is the heart and soul of F1 racing, and for most the ultimate automotive fantasy.
So how did a petite, pretty lady who drives an Audi A4 Turbo MTM (admittedly with mag wheels) end up with a job most car lovers would sell their right arm for?
It turns out it's a family affair, fuelled by a shared appreciation of automotive excellence and complemented by Ms Nandhamalee's experience in dealing with high-end markets and brands.
On July 20, Cavallino Motors was appointed the sole authorised dealer and service centre for Ferrari in Thailand, with Ms Nandhamalee as managing director, the first woman to hold such a position. Cavallino Motors is a joint venture between Vudha Bhirombhakdi, the company's chairman (and of Boon Rawd Brewery fame) and Charlerm Yoovidhya, the company's president (and of Siam Winery Trading fame). The pair are unabashed Ferrari fanatics.
Mr Vudha is Ms Nandhamalee's father-in-law. Her husband, Voravud, also serves as the company's vice-president executive director.
But the men won't have it all their own way. Ms Nandhamalee spent eight years with Citibank, her last position as an assistant vice-president, meaning she had clocked up the miles and experience required for the MD's job.
"I am proud that the company's board has entrusted me with this job," said the 36-year-old. "One of the reasons is perhaps because I have been involved from the start with the company's operations, including contacts with Ferrari's parent company and the creation of a business plan for Thailand, among other responsibilities."
She recalled how the idea was formulated over a family meal. "My husband, Voravud, father-in-law Vudha and uncle Charlerm had dinner one day. We all share the same passion for Ferraris, and my husband mentioned that he'd heard there was an opportunity to pitch for the Ferrari dealership. Uncle Chalerm revealed that he happens to know the Ferrari management in Italy, and they invited him to pitch. It was the right moment for my husband to mention the pitch to uncle Chalerm, and the pitch was successful.
"Uncle Chalerm's son, Varit, has to take care of his family's business, as does my husband, Voravud. The next in line was me," smiled Ms Nandhamalee.
The smile aside, she says the real reason she landed the job was that she has had a lot of interaction with overseas business people. "I worked abroad for 10 years. I know their system. I know about their high-end market and the premium brands. I am able to relay the Ferrari strategy, branding and marketing campaign back to Thailand using my experience, and also to manage the Thai showroom and its services."
Ferrari imagined the new MD in Thailand would be a man. But when Ms Nandhamalee presented the final proposal to the company in Shanghai, they were impressed by her professionalism and passion.
Much of that love for fast and furious cars stems from her husband, who she started dating when she was 16. "I have developed a passion for supercars since I was a teenager. My husband has always loved Ferraris, and I was always part of it. He collected model cars, and also memorabilia of various Formula 1 teams, especially Ferrari, and we enjoyed attending F1 races in various countries."
When she went for management training in Hong Kong she had to break down stereotypes. "I was the only woman among all the men during the managing director training, so everyone took good care of me. I was able to show my skills and capabilities as a manager. No one looked at me as a woman in that sense, and they treated me with respect." The subjects included finance, marketing and sales. There is also the Ferrari Academy in Maranello, Italy, which teaches the history and branding of the famous marque and where you can visit the factory where the cars are made.
"There is a lot of technical information to understand. However, it's not too hard if you try. I'm open to new ideas, and I'm happy to learn. I enjoy new experiences and learning. This way, I can transfer the know-how to my technicians. For the technical side, Ferrari told me that no one is born with it. If you are capable of learning it, it's fine. We don't sell cars, we sell dreams.
"Ferraris are supercars that are always in people's hearts. You don't simply sell their beauty and performance, but also the lifestyle. A Ferrari enriches your life. It fulfils your life. It's also an investment, with hardly any depreciation. The cost? It costs approximately 20-30 million baht for your dream."
So with the economy in the doldrums is it a difficult time to take on such a high-end franchise?
Not for the optimistic Ms Nandhamalee, who said Thailand already has 350 Ferrari owners despite the high import duty of about 328%. Ferrari says Thai buyers also have the distinction of being the owners who like to personalise their cars the most. "It shows that besides having a passion for the brand, Thais rank top for people who like to customise their cars after purchase," she said.
"It is not surprising then that this year's orders have in no time become next year's waiting list, despite the company only being launched on July 20."
The first model Ms Nandhamalee will introduce to the Thai market will be the Ferrari California, a luxury sports coupe equipped with Formula 1 technology, yet designed for everyday use. And to ensure the best service, Thai staff have been sent to the Ferrari plant in Italy for training.
Ferrari's temporary showroom and service centre will open next month on New Petchaburi Road, occupying a spacious three rai plot. The fully operational showroom is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year. It will occupy two-storeys, with the ground floor selling Ferrari merchandise such as clothes, bags and other memorabilia. The first floor will be a showroom and service centre featuring a state-of-the-art high-tech bay, where customers can sit back and relax while watching their cars through a giant window as technicians run diagnostic tests and service them. This is a new concept for Ferrari worldwide, revealed Ms Nandhamalee.
Ferrari also has a customisation programme where customers can order classic Ferraris from the past that are no longer manufactured. Ms Nandhamalee explained: "All our customers are important to us. We try our best to service their needs, and they can specify anything from the colour of the seats to the interior stitching, so that they will feel proud that they ordered everything themselves."
August 4 marked Ms Nandhamalee and Mr Voravud's 12th wedding anniversary. They have three-year-old twins, a boy and a girl named Nandhavud and Voranan, and with so much work, Ms Nandhamalee now tries to include her children in her work schedule.
She takes them to the office or when she has a lunch meeting, letting them sit at an adjoining table so that they can see their mother. Despite all the overseas travel requirements, Ms Nandhamalee said she is now just as happy to go to the beach at Hua Hin or Pattaya.
"This makes me appreciate Thailand more. I'm very happy just to be with my family."
Ms Nandhamalee met her husband when she was 14, on the day she arrived in the UK. When she went off to school, they kept in touch by letter, and saw each other when they came back to Thailand.
"We got engaged at 20, and married at 24. It's been a long relationship, but we still talk on the phone every day. When something comes up, we just call each other. We don't wait until the evening when we get home to talk about it," she said.
Relate Search: Nandhamalee Bhirombhakdi, Audi A4 Turbo MTM, Boon Rawd Brewery fame, Charlerm Yoovidhya, Ferrari
MULTI-TALENTED, PRETTY - AND SINGLE
Sikanya Bhanubandh is one busy lady, juggling many different tasks. On the day we spoke, she had just finished an interview for Who magazine, was on her way to be interviewed on a UBC program called Fashion Focus , before attending an event where she used to work closely with the host, and finally attending a movie premier.
Miss Sikanya, or Pau, is marketing director to the family-owned MaliBu Kao Tao Condo at Hua Hin. Set among 15 rai of palm-filled landscaped grounds, this is a residence with a character of its own.
"It's a Thai-colonial style right at the beachfront," explained the 28-year-old.
She is also brand director for the popular Kipling brand of bags, which are trendy,practical, high-quality-yet affordable."My mother Sirikarn was the one who imported this brand to Thailand, and I took over as my mother is now assisting my father more in the real estate side of the business,currently with the new hotel Renaissance Bangkok Hotel Ratchaprasong," she said.
"My family is actually mostly involved in the real estate business. As I first stepped in to assist with the family business, I chose to help with what I like most."
Thus, Miss Sikanya chose the MaliBu Kao Tao Condo at Hua Hin because it is a beautiful project that is not too big to handle. This also applies to Kipling, and plus it is a retail project.
"I like beautiful things," she explained,looking radiantly beautiful herself, clad in all white, wearing a white tank top and long flowing skirt. Yes, white is her favourite colour. It's not a surprise that she was voted Most Eligible Bachelor Woman 2005 byThailand Tatler magazine.Another retail brand that her mother is the sole distributor of is Shanghai Tang.From a colourful and nostalgic art deco concept, it has evolved into a modern lifestyle vision of Chinese chic.
"There is already a brand manager, but I still help out with the buying process and the marketing and PR," she explained.
Last but not least, Miss Sikanya is a shareholder in several restaurants, including Pomodoro and Amici, both offering tasty Italian food. Another restaurant she has shares in is Boqueria at All Seasons Place, which serves European food, where famous chef Ian Chalermkittichai of the famed Kittichai restaurant in New York's SoHo district is the head chef.
However, a lot of us are used to seeing her as the news anchor for Newsline , the English-language news programme on channel 11, which she had done for five consecutive years. Many have picked up on her British accent on Newsline - she was sent to school in the UK where she started at Roedean School in Brighton when she was only 11.
Her television career started when she became an intern at Newsline during her senior year when she was a student at Syracuse University in New York while doing a double major in economics and psychology.
"I've always been interested in psychology. Regarding economics, I feel that Asian students are good in science and math, so I took up economics in New York. Also, I've always liked art. During my A levels, art was one of the subjects I took besides math and economics. I did everything from oil painting to water colours.
"At first I wasn't ready to get into the family business. I wanted to search for my own professional experience first."
Now with the big change in career, were there any doubts from the people around her? She smiled before answering."When my mother first brought in Kipling 11 years ago, there was Kipling fever. There was a long line of people waiting to buy the bags. Some looked at me as a dara [movie star] because they saw me on TV a lot, be it as a news anchor on Newsline or whichever channel, and they doubted if I could run a business.
"Some looked at me as a khun khu [rich little lady], and doubted whether I could do real work. Some saw me as a celebrity or a socialite. My mother did everything so well, so there was certainly high expectation from some people, which created stress for me. However, my mother never gave me any pressure whatsoever. I stepped in to help when I felt I was ready,and she has always been a wonderful supporter to me."
Now she has more responsibility."I was my own boss working as a news anchor.I looked after myself. If anything turned out bad, it reflected upon me, which made people want to hire me or not want to hire me. Now I have to take care of approximately 100 staff. How well I perform also reflects on their well-being."
Miss Sikanya, or Pau, is marketing director to the family-owned MaliBu Kao Tao Condo at Hua Hin. Set among 15 rai of palm-filled landscaped grounds, this is a residence with a character of its own.
"It's a Thai-colonial style right at the beachfront," explained the 28-year-old.
She is also brand director for the popular Kipling brand of bags, which are trendy,practical, high-quality-yet affordable."My mother Sirikarn was the one who imported this brand to Thailand, and I took over as my mother is now assisting my father more in the real estate side of the business,currently with the new hotel Renaissance Bangkok Hotel Ratchaprasong," she said.
"My family is actually mostly involved in the real estate business. As I first stepped in to assist with the family business, I chose to help with what I like most."
Thus, Miss Sikanya chose the MaliBu Kao Tao Condo at Hua Hin because it is a beautiful project that is not too big to handle. This also applies to Kipling, and plus it is a retail project.
"I like beautiful things," she explained,looking radiantly beautiful herself, clad in all white, wearing a white tank top and long flowing skirt. Yes, white is her favourite colour. It's not a surprise that she was voted Most Eligible Bachelor Woman 2005 byThailand Tatler magazine.Another retail brand that her mother is the sole distributor of is Shanghai Tang.From a colourful and nostalgic art deco concept, it has evolved into a modern lifestyle vision of Chinese chic.
"There is already a brand manager, but I still help out with the buying process and the marketing and PR," she explained.
Last but not least, Miss Sikanya is a shareholder in several restaurants, including Pomodoro and Amici, both offering tasty Italian food. Another restaurant she has shares in is Boqueria at All Seasons Place, which serves European food, where famous chef Ian Chalermkittichai of the famed Kittichai restaurant in New York's SoHo district is the head chef.
However, a lot of us are used to seeing her as the news anchor for Newsline , the English-language news programme on channel 11, which she had done for five consecutive years. Many have picked up on her British accent on Newsline - she was sent to school in the UK where she started at Roedean School in Brighton when she was only 11.
Her television career started when she became an intern at Newsline during her senior year when she was a student at Syracuse University in New York while doing a double major in economics and psychology.
"I've always been interested in psychology. Regarding economics, I feel that Asian students are good in science and math, so I took up economics in New York. Also, I've always liked art. During my A levels, art was one of the subjects I took besides math and economics. I did everything from oil painting to water colours.
"At first I wasn't ready to get into the family business. I wanted to search for my own professional experience first."
Now with the big change in career, were there any doubts from the people around her? She smiled before answering."When my mother first brought in Kipling 11 years ago, there was Kipling fever. There was a long line of people waiting to buy the bags. Some looked at me as a dara [movie star] because they saw me on TV a lot, be it as a news anchor on Newsline or whichever channel, and they doubted if I could run a business.
"Some looked at me as a khun khu [rich little lady], and doubted whether I could do real work. Some saw me as a celebrity or a socialite. My mother did everything so well, so there was certainly high expectation from some people, which created stress for me. However, my mother never gave me any pressure whatsoever. I stepped in to help when I felt I was ready,and she has always been a wonderful supporter to me."
Now she has more responsibility."I was my own boss working as a news anchor.I looked after myself. If anything turned out bad, it reflected upon me, which made people want to hire me or not want to hire me. Now I have to take care of approximately 100 staff. How well I perform also reflects on their well-being."
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