THE REAL DEAL

A name to watch, the Thai actress, singer and host Toey Jarinporn Joonkiat advocates for self-care and sustainability, with a disarming openness.

- ANNABELLE FERNANDEZ

If you're not yet familiar with Jarinporn Joonkiat, nicknamed Toey, let us give you an introduction. The 34-year-old started her career as a teenage model appearing in magazines. Acting came next and, along with it, hosting. Her first role in the movie Dear Galileo (2009), about two friends backpacking to Europe, saw her earn multiple nominations for Best Supporting Actress in Thailand. Since then, she has continued to star in films and dramas; most recently in the popular rom-com drama Matalada (2023), where she plays the titular character, a bubbly girl-next-door with a penchant for boho-chic outfits. (According to Toey, Mata and her have almost the same personality, but different styles).

Yet, unlike many of her peers, it was not her childhood dream to be an actress. "My first dream when I was a little girl was to be a teacher. Acting was not so much a dream; I just liked playing, and having fun pretending to be like someone in a TV show. Like, I would watch Fashion TV, and pretend to be a model."

Now that she is an actress, model and host, which of the three does she enjoy the most? "It's hard to choose because everything has made me who I am today. It's brought me here, talking to you now," she says thoughtfully.