Truly much more beautiful now, for Ban Yen Rak Gan, the famous luk thung queen, who recently underwent her fourth facial plastic surgery at age 74. She appeared recently with her daughter, Candy Rak Gan. It must be said that both mother and daughter look more beautiful. They gave an interview while attending an event at THE KLINIQUE Surgery Center Siam, saying that
Ban Yen revealed that the reason for her fourth surgery was that previously she had a very noticeable double chin, and the skin pulled her earlobes into one piece, which caused problems in her life. It drained her passion for work, made her reluctant to go out or even sing, because photos showed a lot of sagging skin, making her look alien-like. Before, a friend took her to get filler liquid on her cheeks, but it flowed down to her chin, pulling her face, leading to much bullying. That is why she decided to have this surgery.
A new artist?
Ban Yen said, “Hello.”
Candy said, “A new artist, taking my mother back to her peak fame days at 45, which means going back about 30 years.”
What did you do?
Ban Yen said, “I wanted to be beautiful.”
Candy said, “This was the fourth surgery at age 74. Mom had one big concern: a very noticeable double chin with layers, and the chin pulled her earlobes into one piece. It really affected her life and drained her passion for work. There were songs she wanted to sing, concerts she wanted to attend, things she wanted to do, but she decided not to do anything and just stayed home. Every time she went to events and saw photos showing the double chin, she felt unhappy.”
How stressed were you?
Ban Yen said, “It was severe. I felt down, didn’t want to face cameras or have my photo taken. The pictures didn’t look good. The double chin sagged a lot, and my ears were pulled sharp. I looked like an alien.”
Candy said, “So she practically retired herself. Many fans told her they still wanted to hear her sing. Mom was quietly working on music but felt her looks didn’t match, so she stopped. Until she went on a European tour performing with younger Mor Lam idols, and fans warmly welcomed her, running to hug her. Then in October, Mom consulted me about wanting to sing again but feeling her face was not ready. I agreed it wasn’t, so we searched extensively, studied many options, since she is 74. Eventually, we found a place we trusted, talked until confident, visited the operating rooms, met the anesthesiologist and surgeon. Now Candy is a plastic surgery expert herself.”
Was Mom worried before the surgery?
Ban Yen said, “I was very stressed, afraid it might be dangerous because I’m older. But in the end, I trusted this place and the doctor. I told my daughter that the doctor was top-level. He explained things I hadn’t thought of, gave full recommendations openly. Before, it wasn’t good. A friend took me, I wanted to be beautiful. The filler liquid on my cheeks flowed down to my chin, pulling my face.”
Were you bullied?
Ban Yen said, “Yes. Some people came to the stage, looked at my face, and said, ‘What plastic surgery did you get?’ I was shocked they could tell so clearly. They never asked me what I had done.”
Candy said, “Mom isn’t obsessed with surgery but doesn’t do minor fixes. That clinic followed trends at the time, saying the chin must be long, so they added filler without asking Mom. That caused problems for 20 years, with bullying saying she was already beautiful but ruined her face.”
Are you comfortable now, looking as beautiful as before?
Ban Yen said, “I’m very happy, like getting a new life. Looking back over many years, I feel joyful, looking in the mirror all day, with much more morale.”
Is your face settled yet?
Candy said, “Only a bit over a month. Mom is at 1 month and 10 days, I’m at 1 month and 3 days, still not fully settled.”
Ban Yen said, “The doctor said it takes 3 months. We’re already at a point where we can come out and talk.”
Did Candy also have surgery due to problems?
Candy said, “Yes, I had depression related to business pressures and various stresses. I knew about it, accepted it, and treated it without medication, using natural methods like meditation, sound therapy, and doing what I love, such as live streaming. But it didn’t fully go away. When I wanted to live stream, I lost motivation and just slept more. I felt pulled down.”
So you told your mother that surgery might be good for changing yourself? You consulted a doctor, right?
Candy said, “Yes. My eyes changed; before they looked sad and droopy. I told the doctor I wanted to be a new Candy, looking bright. The doctor lifted my eyes and removed all foreign substances from my face. What you see now is my real face with nothing added.”
After surgery, my energy really came back. I forgot about depression; I’m no longer sad. I’m ready to work fully again.”
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