The YouTube program “Sisterhood” on the Mirror Thailand channel is hosted by Nat Thanwalai Watcharaphon the founder of MIRROR THAILAND, who interviewed Plaeng Chanmatida Asavahame about her life story, sharing how she endured continuous hardships including the loss of her father, grandmother, a dog that had been with her for over 10 years, and a recent romantic issue that became a hot topic previously.
When asked to review the past year and if she is feeling better now, Plaeng replied that last year she reached the highest happiness but then dropped to an unexpected low. It was the year she encountered the most shattered version of herself, especially after losing her father the previous year. Facing this year felt devastating, yet at the same time, she found the strongest and toughest version of herself. When asked if she feels better now, she estimated about 80-90% recovered.
When asked how she healed herself during these times, Plaeng said she likes to reflect on herself and identified three things that helped her overcome many sorrows in life, which are
1. Allowing herself to be human and feel emotions without blocking any feelings, whether sadness or happiness. Experiencing hardship is valuable because it helps us appreciate happiness; without knowing the opposite, we cannot cherish joy. The most important thing is to be aware of her emotions—acknowledging the right to feel, but understanding how these feelings arise and fade. On days when emotions overwhelm her, such as sadness, joy, sorrow, or excitement, she writes to release and let her emotions flow.
2. After feeling those emotions, she applies a logical system of reasoning. Her mother always taught her to face reality. She takes time to reflect on what caused the situation, asking herself whether she can control it. If it’s beyond control, she lets it be. If she has done her best, the rest is accepting reality. She can accept the truth but not necessarily the consequences if they harm her life.
3. Plaeng has a very strong support system. Without experiencing the most extreme events of the past 2-3 years—losing her father, grandmother, dog of over a decade, and this recent matter—all happening in succession, she wouldn’t have coped as well. Fortunately, her support system never left her side through good times and bad. She is surrounded by people who truly love her and respect her decisions, enabling her to overcome everything because their love acts like a protective shield.
When asked who her support system includes—family, close people, or fans—Plaeng said everyone. Besides her mother and grandmother, she has elder siblings whom she calls guardians since her time studying in America. They share their experiences without judgment or insisting on similarity. Her friends, though of the same age and less experienced, are ready to listen and speak truthfully, but only when she is ready.
Fans and silent supporters who send encouraging messages and moral support from home are numerous. Plaeng expressed deep gratitude, feeling their kindness truly heals her spirit. She feels seen and cared for, and some even share Buddhist teachings and psychology materials to help her better understand her life story.
These silent supporters surround her, and on her weakest days, she wants them to know her heart is deeply thankful for what they’ve sent. This is why she wishes to pass on what she has received to others who are suffering, which motivates her to share her experience.
Asked about having her story revealed due to her public status, and whether she feels her pain and disappointment being exposed for all to see and empathize with, Plaeng said sometimes during the worst periods she just wanted privacy and didn’t want others to witness her sadness.
Plaeng Chanmatida responded that during the first three months, she spoke to no one except her mother, and maybe one or two friends who knew. She healed herself by staying with her own feelings, not wanting to tell or talk about it because recounting the events felt like replaying painful images repeatedly. She used that time to be alone and honest with her emotions, which fluctuated daily.
After three to four months, she began opening up more to her wider circle of friends and some less close friends. When she felt ready and accepted the situation—whether her wedding plans were postponed or canceled—that was when she was prepared to speak publicly.
So before she was ready to come forward, she spent a lot of time alone and cried a lot. However, when she cried, she just didn’t do it in front of everyone.
Asked if she felt she lost some expectations, like announcing an engagement or wedding that never happened, and whether she felt embarrassed or hurt publicly, Plaeng said no one wants such outcomes, but since it happened, she has to accept it. She feels that everything, good or bad, happens for a reason.
There are good things hidden in bad events. It happened now, which is better than living unknown years carrying the burden, harming herself, and disrespecting herself. Things could have escalated further. Ultimately, this is her life, her happiness, and her peace.
Therefore, if this is reality, there is nothing to be ashamed of. She wants to tell everyone to "choose yourself." She is not ashamed or discouraged because life’s experiences are lessons that shape who she is today and who she will become tomorrow. Stay positive; there is always good in what happens, depending on how we choose to see it.
No one’s life is only happiness or only sorrow. Everything that happens is part of being human. As long as we breathe, happiness and hardship come daily. So, Plaeng embraces this with pride, saying this is her life and how she has carried on.
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