CRUISING ALTITUDE

With his idiosyncratic Thai movies, dashing movie star good looks and frequent Paris red carpet appearances, Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat is bringing the best of Thailand to the rest of the world.

- PARISA PICHITMARN

It's safe to say that Thai actor, Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat, has a more than healthy sense of humour.

Not long ago, he changed his Instagram handle from his first name to "apo555", where the number 5 in Thai vernacular sounds like "ha" for laughter.

"I thought about what I should put after Apo in my user name, and then realised one day that I text '555' so much because I am always laughing," the dashing Thai actor says with a smile. "People who read it laughed too. It's such a unique thing because Thais are the only nation of people who laugh with numbers. If you're in on the joke, you'd know I'm proudly Thai."

The star is one of Thailand's hottest exports, having garnered international fame after starring in a BL series KinnPorsche: The Series to now becoming a front row fixture at Paris Fashion Week. Announced in 2023 as an ambassador for Dior, Apo was in the city of lights for the brand's spring/summer 2025 womenswear show. His appearance set off a wave of paparazzi frenzy, and earned the French House US$14.2 million in earned media value, and made up 21 percent of the brand's overall Instagram engagement for the show.

In a welcomed monumental feat where Thais are finally making global waves, Apo was also named in Business of Fashion 500's list, which indexes and recognises the biggest movers and shakers in the fashion industry from around the world.