Characterised by his superior sartorial sense, effortless charm and endearing onscreen presence, Kanawut Traipipattanapong, better known as Gulf Kanawut, is one of the most sought-after Thai stars in the fashion, film and music industries today. In March this year, the 26-year-old made history as the first male Thai model to be named an ambassador to Italian fashion house Gucci.
In the same month, Devaphrom: Laorchan (Duangjai Devaphrom: Laorchan), a Thai romantic melodrama series in which he plays a lead role, was released to popular acclaim.
Kanawut’s meteoric rise to success might make it seem like he had a long-term plan, but he had no aspirations of becoming a star as a child. “When I was small, I was into sports. I like playing football, snooker and running around,” he recalls with a chuckle; adding that Chelsea is his favourite football team. He attended Suankularb Wittayalai School, an all-boys secondary school in Bangkok, before majoring in communications at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi in the same city.
His teenage years weren’t exactly devoid of exposure to the entertainment industry: in 2015, the then 15-yearold made his onscreen debut as a younger version of famous Thai actor Tik Jesdaporn’s character in mafia series Dragon Blood; he also modelled occasionally. But it wasn’t until starting university that he had the opportunity to work in post-production as a sports news intern. He fell in love with the business. “Having had a bit of experience working in the industry, I felt that fully committing to it would be fun,” he says.
Four years later, he landed a lead role in the BL (boys’ love) TV show TharnType: The Series that catapulted him to fame. The series was so popular that the production company made a sequel in 2020 and two spin-off series in 2019 and 2020, all of which starred Kanawut.
Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Tatler Hong Kong.
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Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Tatler Hong Kong.
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THE LAST WORD
Every issue, we ask our cover star a round of quickfire questions that give us a little more insight into their personalities. This month: Gulf Kanawut lays it bare
WOMEN AT THE WICKET
Asia's women's cricket teams from outside the Indian subcontinent have been rapidly rising up through the ranks, creating opportunities, breaking barriers and changing the game as they go
TIME TURNER
A 2024 Turner Prize nominee, British Filipino artist Pio Abad talks to Tatler about carrying on family legacy, unearthing historical connections and why the Philippines is always at the core of his work
ROYAL RICHES
Ahead of the opening of Prince and the Peacock, Black Sheep Restaurants' latest establishment, Tatler joins the hospitality group on a culinary pilgrimage to India
MAKING HER POINT
Foil fencer Daphne Chan is happy to see the rising interest in her sport since Cheung Ka-long's historic win, and is headed to the Games with impressive wins behind her. But she's not allowing the pressure to get to her, and is most excited about who she might meet in Paris
IN IT TO WIN IT
Hong Kong freestyle swimmer Ian Ho, whose Instagram handle @Amphlb_ian playfully alludes to his aquatic prowess, competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and won silver in the men's 50 metres freestyle at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. This month, he will represent Hong Kong at the Paris Olympics. He talks to Tatler about making Hong Kong proud, life as a student and professional athlete-and why relaxing is the way forward
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Two-time Olympic swimmer Camille Cheng thought Tokyo 2020 would be her last Games, but competing in Paris was too big a draw for the French Chinese athlete
INTRIGUE AND INTRICACIES
Parisian artist Ugo Gattoni takes us through his elaborately designed poster for the Olympics and Paralympics in his home city this month
Crafting a New Legacy
Nicholas Lieou, creative director of high jewellery at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, is reimagining jewellery, as the brand celebrates its 95th anniversary
A Lasting Legacy
Tatler explores Cartier's latest Watches and Wonders novelties with the maison's image, style and heritage director, who explains how the luxury house continues to create designs that are relevant today, yet rooted in legacy
