Despite winning only one best photo in the entire season, Tawan or “Thaiger,” the underdog model-contestant from Thailand, came out on top in the Asia’s Next Top Model competition when she was announced the latest winner of the prestigious contest.
Before she embarked on her journey into the glamorous world of modeling, Jiratchaya “Tawan” Kedkong grew up in the countryside. Raised in Lopburi province, she would follow her parents to work at a local market and dreamed of being a teacher or doctor some day.
“I liked to help my parents at the market. I liked to play salesperson, put stuff in a bag and give customers their change,” Tawan told Coconuts, “When I was young, I had dreams like any other kid. I wanted to be a teacher or a doctor.”
Photo: Courtesy of Tawan
“But then my family had financial problems, so I couldn’t go to university. I was so stressed out when I found out. Imagine, you’ve thought of education all your life and one day you’re told you don’t have money to go to school.”
“But since I’m older, I understand things better now.”
Now the 20-year-old will get to walk the runways of a dream city like London, where she recently moved after signing a contract with Storm Model Management — a prize that she earned by outpacing 13 models from 10 countries across Asia and winning the title of Asia’s Next Top Model.
“I’d like to work for now. But in the end, I have to study. I just don’t know when,” she said.
Tawan, who started modeling after she finished high school because people said she was “tall,” learned how to walk and pose from YouTube videos. She competed in “Asia New Star Model Contest in 2013,” a modeling contest in Bangkok, and made it to the top ten.
“People around me said I’m tall and have long legs and should be a model. I used to compete in pageants, but I learned that I preferred modeling. ”
After only few months of modeling in Bangkok, she landed a contract with a modeling agency in Hong Kong. That’s when she went to a foreign country for the first time.
“I was excited, but afraid at the same time. I had never been to another country before. But I got used to it after a while. After six months, I found another agency in Singapore.”
“Working in Thailand and other countries is pretty much the same. However, the casting process is quicker abroad. My problem is my English. I can’t think of the English word [that I want to say] sometimes. I mean, I understand, but it takes a while for me to think in order to answer back.”
But the language barrier somehow benefitted Tawan when she had to live in the model apartment during the competition for Asia’s Next Top Model. The Thaiger admitted she got to stay out of the drama in the house because of her English.
“The show was not scripted at all. There was some drama, but honestly, these girls were funny, and they just argued about funny stuff, but it turned into a big argument,” Tawan said.
“I thought the whole experience was fun and emotional. I cried, then I was happy, then I was sad, then I was disappointed. Sometimes when I won a challenge, I told the girls there was no need to congratulate me because I understood [that they were happy for me, but sad for themselves].”
Photo: Courtesy of Tawan
Speaking of her time in the competition, a big change Tawan had to face was her completely new look. Tawan had her sweet, long, hair chopped off during makeover week, which is a tradition in the top model contest.
“I still mocked my friends that they were so gonna get their hair chopped off. I didn’t want short hair because I used to have it and my head looked like a mushroom,” she said, laughing, “I went in, and they cut it so short! I was shocked. And they bleached my hair too!”
“Looking at myself in the mirror, I laughed. I didn’t feel like myself because I’d always had long hair. But my friends said that, if those high-end stylists gave me this hair, they must have really thought it would suit me. So now I like it.”
In the end, Tawan said she never expected to win but ended up surprising herself when she made it far in the competition.
“I never thought I’d win. I just wanted the experience that would change my life. I thought maybe, if I lasted a week or two, people would recognize me as ‘Tawan from Asia’s Next Top Model.’ But when I got into the competition, I realized I could compete with others. So I did my best.”
“The other girls at the finale were also so good. Patricia could walk very well. Sang In had a very chic look. But I told myself to stay active. When I was announced the winner, I was so happy because I really did my best.”
Asked what her next step is, Tawan said she wants to model for brands like Victoria’s Secret, but that happiness must come first.
“My biggest dream is to walk the runway of famous brands. But in the end, I just want to be happy. If I have a lot of work and money, but I’m not happy, then that’s not okay.”
Photos: Achitpol Jaruthammakorn/ Coconuts Media
