It became a hot drama topic when Pond Krisada Witayakajondej the executive of Be On Cloud label, commented on a contestant speaking English during the audition of the show “True Academy Fantasia 2026,” calling it showing off.
The Facebook page TrueAF Thailand posted a clip titled "Trying to keep the youth, no need to rush growing into a man yet," in which Pond Krisada asked a male contestant where he studied. The contestant replied Suankularb Wittayalai School. Pond then asked if he spoke Thai, and the contestant said he studied in the English Program (EP).
Pond asked if he always spoke English. The contestant said yes, in class. Pond asked if he spoke Thai at home, and the contestant answered, “No, I speak English.” Pond asked why, before Om Pandpol or Om Cocktail helped explain by saying, “He grew up like that.” Then the contestant explained that his father is American.
After that, Pond said, “But for me, I feel like you could try to speak more Thai because it makes us feel unsure how to understand it. Everyone understands English, but sometimes the context and tone make it feel a bit like showing off, you understand, right? And when questions like 'How can I get you to like me?' or 'Why did you pick me?' come up, it adds to that feeling, making me feel it’s a bit off.
But after talking more deeply, I realize there’s actually nothing wrong. However, it’s hard to get time to talk like this. Today I feel it’s nothing, but when you sing, you’re really good. So just a little note: I think you should try to communicate more in Thai since now you’re communicating with many Thai people, not just your family or school friends.”
This sparked heavy criticism from netizens watching the clip, with comments like: Speaking English = showing off樂, Pond, are you from 20 years ago?, Don’t stop speaking English or singing in English; the world is very big, it’s the contestant’s strength, not a weakness, Honestly, Pond, you spoke too harshly; Om is much more mature, Speaking English and being accused of showing off is crazy 藍, Om tried to intervene, you can tell, but sigh, Is this the kind of thinking that will judge the 2026 competition?, Om’s face says it all 藍藍藍 The judge's mindset is etc.
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