An intimate conversation opens on the show How Are You Feeling with the top superstar. Chompoo Araya She speaks on behalf of introverts nationwide, revealing that life is a gradual journey of learning. She admits she was once seen as aloof, explains how she handles comments without letting them hurt her, and shares her approach to surviving the social media era by creating a safe zone for herself and her family. She also hints at which of her three children is most introverted like her.
How are you feeling these days?
Chompoo Araya: These days I'm good, feeling better and better. That doesn’t mean it was bad before, but things are improving.
It seems you’ve been on a journey of discovery recently?
Chompoo Araya: I feel like I just realized this is a journey. I wonder if people listening understand. I now see it’s a journey; I don’t have to know everything right away or get it all at once. I slowly understand that the journey can keep improving. What I thought was good can still get better, and each period’s good is different. Why does this sound so abstract?
You seem to be around many people every day, yet you’ve always defined yourself as an introvert, right?
Chompoo Araya: Yes, but not every day do I put myself in that situation. Especially lately, since I’m no longer acting or fully active in the industry. The times I do have to confront people directly aren’t that many. Partly because, one, I’ve grown up; two, I know how to manage my energy. Also, I’m lucky to have been in the industry long enough to be somewhat mature. I can say, ‘At work, just here please.’ But as a child, I didn’t know what drained me or how my energy was spent.
What are you like when you are alone?
Chompoo Araya: It’s good. Now, when I’m alone, I can think and act calmly. But truly, being completely free of distractions is difficult since I have children. This isn’t a complaint, just a change. Deep down, I crave quiet time alone. Before, I disliked driving, but now I appreciate driving alone if it’s not far. I long for that time because, before, coming home meant being in my safe zone, but now even home has its demands, as I’m not alone anymore.
Do you think being introverted affects your life or work?
Chompoo Araya: Absolutely. Every introvert faces being labeled as aloof or snobbish, which I experienced a lot early in my career. When I was young and didn’t understand introversion, it was a struggle. For example, when I had to attend events in other provinces and meet hosts, the work started not when I got on stage, but when I landed. I had no energy to give, and my expression showed it. I didn’t understand myself then. My manager told me to smile, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t angry or hateful—I just couldn’t do it. Why should I laugh or be cheerful? Why must I talk all the time? I just wasn’t interested.
How do you stay so honest with yourself in the entertainment world?
Chompoo Araya: I can’t do small talk like "How are you? Was the traffic bad today?" I don’t care and don’t want to know. So I felt I couldn’t act that way, though sometimes people ask me to try, which can be funny. Even as I grew older, those working with me sometimes felt intimidated or tense. I could sense that and didn’t know how to ease it because I’m introverted too. I sympathize but don’t know how to help. As I matured, I developed better skills to talk to people without feeling like I’m resisting myself. It comes from love and empathy—understanding someone’s nervousness—and it happens naturally. But that doesn’t mean I force conversations.
How did you manage early on when you had no leverage and no choice?
Chompoo Araya: I focused on the work. Ultimately, you prove yourself through your work. When I proved myself with results and achievements, I gained self-esteem and pride. I achieved things and had work to show. Personal matters didn’t need explanation. I accepted myself, and others accepted my work. So I proved myself there and functioned to meet the goals required.
Did it take long to understand and adapt this way?
Chompoo Araya: As I said, it’s a journey, gathering experience little by little. I’m not sure if it was in the middle of the journey or when, but when I focused on work and achievements, it fulfilled me. I stopped doubting myself. Now, at this point in life, I even feel grateful to be this way. Being like this keeps me focused and uninterested in distractions.
Some see this as a wall, making it hard for people to enter your circle. But even as such an introvert, some people did get into your life unexpectedly. How do you sense and handle negative energy?
Chompoo Araya: Yes, it’s like that sometimes. It’s not like non-celebrity kids don’t experience this, but I can’t deny they are celebrity kids. They were born to me; they are celebrity kids. I sense energy and can tell when it’s bad. I have ways to remove that energy, and I’m lucky to be able to do so.
What do you do on bad days or when facing criticism?
Chompoo Araya: When there’s a bad day or criticism, I check if it’s true or not. I’m not biased or overly affected. I look at the facts: is it really bad? If it is, why? Is it something I can control? If not, it’s just a bad day, not my fault. If it’s a mistake I can learn from and fix, I focus again on cause and effect.
How do you handle public expectations as a public figure?
Chompoo Araya: You have to understand being a public figure means putting yourself where people gossip. Honestly, it’s harsher now than when I first entered the industry because everyone has the internet and a phone. Handling it is a skill I’ve mastered with age, experience, and exposure. I’ve become numb and accustomed. Everyone finds their own ways to learn and cope with such voices.
When reading comments and criticism, how do you separate logic from emotion?
Chompoo Araya: I try to distinguish whether the comment is logical, emotional, hateful, or constructive. Sometimes emotions are mixed in, but logical parts may be true. I keep what helps me improve and don’t take it personally. I can tell when someone is full of hate—they’re unhappy people. I might feel a bit of compassion, wondering what pain makes someone so hateful, but if I can’t be kind, I let it go. At this age, I can tell which comments are hateful, which are well-meaning, and which are meant to harm. I know.
So you do read comments?
Chompoo Araya: I read some if I have time, but now when I post, I might just leave it without checking every detail because I have three kids and limited time. But for business, I do check feedback to see the facts.
You once said, “People who don’t love us simply don’t, and those who do love us do. So don’t waste your heart on those who don’t love you.” Do you still feel the same? Any changes?
Chompoo Araya: Westerners say, “Haters gonna hate.” I don’t waste my energy trying to make them love me; I use that energy elsewhere. I don’t know if it always works, but I started before social media existed, had my own account and followers, and never tied my value to likes. That remains true.
Do you still feel safe bringing your family into the public eye?
Chompoo Araya: Honestly, I talked with my husband about this before our kids were born. Overseas, some celebrities don’t show their children’s faces to protect their privacy. But I think Thai society isn’t ready for that. Since we can’t hide them, it’s better to share images ourselves. They understand and trust us to manage this.
Have there been moments when you felt your children were unsafe?
Chompoo Araya: Of course, there are things different from non-celebrity kids. But I can’t deny they are celebrity children. They were born to me and are celebrity kids.
How do you create a safe zone for yourself and your family?
Chompoo Araya: For me, the safe zone is myself—it’s my weapon. People see me and are wary because I don’t serve anyone or act overly welcoming. That boundary helps filter negative energy. For my children, their environment is people I trust, and I’ve approved them to be in our circle. So I know my children are reasonably safe. Sometimes when we go out to the mall or elsewhere, it’s temporary. People react differently when they see me or the children. If I sense some people love my kids, I appreciate it. But sometimes it feels like they take too much energy from them, and since they are just children, I express myself differently. For example, with Aunt Jeab, I’m more expressive, but I usually stand neutral, which signals respect. Aunt Jeab balances me by telling the kids to be cute and serve, while I take another approach.
Being so clear and direct means you’re willing to be disliked. What keeps you firm in this?
Chompoo Araya: Why tolerate it? I don’t want to twist or bend later. I set boundaries upfront and fully commit to agreements when working. I believe in clarity—not agreeing on something then adding extras later. We stick to what was agreed.
Who is your current safe zone?
Chompoo Araya: My husband, close friends I talk to frequently depending on the topic, and some friends I see less often but have deep talks with about things I can’t discuss with others. It’s not just one person who covers all that.
Among your three children, who inherited your introverted traits?
Chompoo Araya: The clearest example, though I hesitate to say for sure, is Saifa. Around his safe zone and close friends, he’s very outgoing, but with strangers, he doesn’t want to play or talk. Even if the house is full, he ignores others. Pha Yu and Gle like when their mother’s friends visit or when there are people at home doing makeup. Pha Yu gets excited and wants to meet everyone and show off, but Saifa just doesn’t care.
Who resembles you the most?
Chompoo Araya: Probably Saifa in social skills. But I think he’s better than I was as a child because we take him to many places with lots of people. You can tell that if asked to perform, he’d refuse and not want to go on stage. Meanwhile, Pha Yu likes it. Gle, if she sees a small stage, asks why it’s so small (laughs). She loves the stage. Saifa has to be paid to perform. At school, when there’s a band, I have to practically beg him to join and rehearse.
What would you say to introverts today?
Chompoo Araya: Don’t try to be extroverted. Don’t feel the need to explain yourself. Just be kind and loving to everyone. We can coexist within our limits. Don’t force yourself to smile, but don’t be a wall either. Don’t waste your energy being someone else because it’s exhausting and likely unhappy to try being not yourself.
Click to read moreEntertainment newsMore