When Being “Thai” Becomes a Gateway to Friendship

“Hi! Are you Thai? I’m so happy to meet a Thai person!
I love watching GMMTV!”

This is a greeting I hear often since coming to the UK. Every time someone
approaches me with sparkling eyes and an excited voice, I can’t help but
smile. I never imagined that being “Thai” could become a key to making so
many new friends.

Starting with a Dream

I grew up surrounded by Thai media, including TV dramas, movies, music, and
commercials, and I have wanted to work in the creative field since I was a
child. So I decided to use all my savings to pursue a master’s degree in
Creative Advertising at Falmouth University, a renowned arts and creative
university in the far southwest of the UK. From London, it takes nearly ten
hours by bus to get there.

That year, I might have been the only Thai master’s student in town, with
fewer than ten Thais in the whole city. At first, I worried about feeling lonely and wondered if I could make friends. Little did I know that being Thai would unexpectedly attract new friends to me.

Thai Media Connecting People Worldwide

Once, a friend from another country, who worked part-time with me at a Thai
restaurant, played Thai music while we worked. Some even played Thai songs
on the guitar for me. One day, a friend even invited me over to watch a Thai
series at their home. Another day, a friend at a university event asked me to
teach them how to write in Thai because they wanted to write their names
alongside their favourite Thai actors.

once wrote in my diary, “Thank you, GMMTV, for helping me make so many
friends,” because I never imagined Thai entertainment could bring me so
many connections.

Even Thai advertisements are famous abroad. Once, a lecturer showed a Thai
life insurance commercial to the whole class. The library even had books
referencing award-winning Thai works. These experiences surprised me and
filled me with pride to see Thai creativity reaching across the globe.

A Shift in Perspective

Before studying abroad, I sometimes felt the Thai entertainment industry
went through quiet periods or lacked support, and I knew not every Thai
person loved Thai media. However, being in another part of the world
changed that perspective. Out of curiosity, I began looking into it further and discovered something I’d never known before: in 2024, Thailand became the leading market for BL (Boys’ Love) series in Asia, holding an impressive 53% market share with over 340 productions.

Many international friends shared that Thai films and series were like
companions during lonely times, making studying abroad feel less isolating.
Some said Thai commercials that are funny and creative became a source of
inspiration for their own work. These experiences made me truly realize that Thai people are genuinely talented in creativity.

Every time I answer, “I’m from Thailand,” I receive smiles and warmth from
friends abroad. Sometimes I think that when we are in Thailand, we might
admire other countries, but being far away gives me a chance to see how
beautiful my home really is.

Studying abroad did not just fulfill a dream. It also filled my heart with
warmth and gratitude. Saying to someone, “I am Thai,” feels truly special.

Story by Naviya Dechojarassri
Instagram: Journuay