They are considered an incredibly strong couple, facing obstacles hand in hand with resilience. Chen Thana and James Kalyanakalaya who recently appeared together with their five sons and daughters Nong Space, Nong Stella, Nong Starry, Nong Skyler, Nong Snow on the program “3 Zaap” on Channel 3, hosted by Chompoo Araya and Aff Taksaorn Chen and James shared about reaching a dead end due to business problems, nearly contemplating suicide because of lack of money. Despite being in the industry for over a decade, they had never received help from anyone until finally receiving support from people in the industry, which gave them the courage to fight and repay over 800 million baht in debt.
Chen Thana explained that when their triplets were born, they had one-on-one babysitters because business problems had already begun but they could still manage. They needed babysitters to handle work issues. In 2022 the situation was still bad, but in 2023 it began to recover with hope. However, by 2024 they no longer had babysitters, down to about two, as they gradually cut household expenses.
James revealed that given their family situation, there might be some good in the bad. Although they didn’t have babysitters for all the children, this created a more consistent routine. They couldn’t hold all three children at once, so when not held, the children understood. Everyone had to eat by themselves since they couldn’t feed all at once, which resulted in the younger kids learning to take care of themselves better than the older two.
Chen admitted he has been somewhat distant from the children lately, with his wife taking care of all five kids. Fortunately, online platforms have revived somewhat, giving hope to repay debts. His wife takes on childcare, but sometimes he has 3-4 days without live broadcasts after campaigns end, giving him a chance to spend time with the children, like taking them to feed fish at Chatuchak.
Aff Taksaorn asked about their current debt from the original 800 million baht. Chen replied it’s about 580 million from 881 million. It’s been 4-5 years. Last year, live streams earned about 20-30 million baht. Since 2021 when the children were born, they started addressing the problems, gradually paying off over 3-4 years. They continued selling products via TV, online, and distributors, but after news blocked all channels, they focused on online sales, slowly regaining hope.
Chompoo Araya asked if they aimed to clear the debt in 3-6 years. Chen said he hopes that if they keep improving without interruption, it could be in 3 years. But if health or morale declines, today’s success as an artist, with its creative aspects, might fade. If the joy of artistry disappears, he’s unsure if they’d have to reduce efforts.
He added that while the first 3 hours are fun, by hour seven it becomes mentally exhausting and somewhat hollow. He’s working to improve himself and diversify brands. If they push hard, it might take 3 years; if they slow down, it could take up to 6 years.
Chompoo asked what Chen’s source of encouragement is. Chen said it’s really his five children. He dreams of them growing up well because of his paternal instincts. He began crying and couldn’t continue.
James spoke on his behalf, saying their family is quite large with many children. They want business success to make their kids proud of their father and themselves, having started their business independently. Even if problems arise, overcoming them teaches their children that no matter how big the challenge, success is possible. Luckily, they faced issues while still strong, and they plan to explain this to their children during their growth.
Chen said that his main focus is on his children, wife, and mother, who is now 74-75 years old, having undergone brain surgery and radiation twice. What should have been retirement years have become years where their son is working to repay debt.
Chompoo mentioned encouragement from live viewers. Chen said he reads every comment. Looking back at late 2024, reading all comments felt like receiving lessons. He no longer holds grudges. Without that time, he might still be arrogant, but now he has reset himself. When at his lowest, encouraging comments acted like medicine, motivating him to keep fighting daily. His wife supports him by noticing when he’s struggling and comforting him.
James shared that lately she often steps into live streams. After 3-4 hours, Chen’s voice becomes hoarse, and he asks for breaks, as streaming requires constant energy. She alternates to let him rest and breathe.
Chen continued that during the 3.3 event, the peak was accepting over 50 brands in six days with more than 130 hours of live streams. After that, he was exhausted for two days. It was the highest number of brands ever handled. The pressure caused tension in his upper left head, causing facial twitching that required ear massages. His left hand sometimes became numb, and his wife massaged him during live streams. By 4.4, they reduced to 30 brands but improved focus and entertainment quality.
Aff asked if after the incidents, he felt stressed and avoided the media, and if he’s better now. Chen replied that during the past 15-16 months, he felt empty, focusing only on surviving in the present. He worked hard and didn’t think about future media encounters. The media incident was a flashback moment during one of the fastest growing online platform achievements in Thailand, ranking third nationally, so he had to attend.
Meeting reporters felt like a movie flashback; he was speechless and admitted fear. The last time he met the Crime Suppression Division, he asked for their support since journalists have been like parents cutting his umbilical cord. He asked them to be gentle with questions. Deep down, he felt vulnerable but tried not to reveal it, as he has responsibilities to care for.
When asked why he only agreed to appear on “3 Zaap,” James said Aff and Chompoo are idols and fans, helping him stay grounded and overcome that day. Chen added that at 38, he’s never seen anyone with 800 million baht debt and no example to follow, so he had to find his strengths to rebuild himself.
James expressed gratitude to all creditors for giving them opportunities. Without their patience, today’s progress might not have been possible.
Aff praised James for never letting go of Chen despite heavy problems. Chen said that as a child, he thought couples argue and forgive, but with James, they never argued. Such love without fights is real. She worries about him, often telling him to rest, but he keeps pushing, saying it’s just a bit more, over and over, without a real break. He feels this time is incomplete and uncertain whether they will survive or fall.
James said that although their goal is three years, each day must be perfect with no mistakes. This makes it hard to relax. They accept that their hardships stem from the kindness of others. Chen punishes himself daily but it’s impossible for just the two of them; their team supports them.
Chompoo asked what Chen saw in his wife when choosing her. Chen joked, “I just saw that she was beautiful.” When asked if he’s surprised she still holds his hand, Chen said sharing life together makes their home a real home, allowing him to forget stress and truly live, becoming stronger.
Chompoo said that’s better than winning the lottery. James said despite appearing strong amid problems, they believe nothing is impossible. They must succeed because of their many children. Saying “I can’t” cuts off opportunities. They try new things, learn together. When asked about encouragement, Chen is more romantic, while James doesn’t speak flowery words but stays by his side, never letting go, showing support more than words.
Chen added that when he said, “I can’t do better than this,” it wasn’t to creditors. It was a reflection of his own limits. He felt he might die but his wife protects him like a final wall against harm. He senses her defense of him.
Aff asked if he still has true friends during these tough times. Chen said many do. For example, Tuk Boriboon called unexpectedly and sent money without hesitation, telling him to keep it without repayment.
There’s a feeling of indispensability. Fore Sakolrat, usually supported by Chen every year by buying flowers from her shop, sent flowers through his sister one year when he had no money to buy and wanted to make Valentine’s Day happy. She also secretly supported him during hard times, like buying a used air purifier from him to help pay staff salaries when he was struggling.
Chen and Fore have a friendship that defies typical teenage norms where boys and girls close usually have romantic ties. They created a safe space without physical contact. One day, Fore unexpectedly came to his house when he was crying at the Crime Suppression Division, life shattered. She hugged him and cried, saying it was selfless and unlike anything he’d experienced before. His family tends to give but not receive, and Fore brought him strength.
He also expressed love for Aff and Chompoo, saying in his over ten years in the industry, he’d never received anything before. Aff was the first to send gifts to his home. He didn’t know such people existed. Support flooded in, including cakes for his birthday. The saddest part of his greatness is that people expect him to sell products well, but he struggles. James added that it’s not always genuine friendship. Chen said his life has always been this way.
Chen shared that afterward, Panjan Proma Im-anothai, who has been with him the longest, also came to his house with similar feelings, changing from female to male. Panjan said, “Come here... let me hug you.”
Chompoo recalled Chen once received free tickets to take his family to an amusement park, joking that if he slightly turned the steering wheel, everyone would go. Chen said that day they really had no money left; everything was at a dead end. They couldn’t even afford fuel for the children’s meals.
That day they got free Dream World tickets because an employee ran a soda stand there and gave free drinks for the kids. Chen said his life had always been about giving, never receiving. At that moment, accepting free soda was new. Riding in the car on the steep Rangsit curve, he thought it might be better to end it, feeling ashamed of himself. Having been successful, fighting hard, but then everything collapsed; he thought it would be the end.
But then DJ Go (Trin Ruangkitrattanakul) appeared like a flash, and P'Aoi (Napaporn Traivitwareekul) hosted a show crying about missing him, helping Chen calm down. He believed that miracles do exist. TikTok comments said if he removed the table, he would bow on the floor, as it was his last breath. That day he had nothing left and spoke to no one.
Chompoo asked if James worried about him. James said she deeply understood his feelings of never having received anything before, which is extremely hard. On that parallel day when they were about to enter the city, it was just a brief moment, but they survived it and understand it now.
Chen said he survived thanks to many reasons and opportunities in a short time. Although it seemed like nothing was happening each day, there was actually a lot going on, like a flashback at the last breath before death. He started borrowing money and began crying. Aff told him it’s okay to let it out when it’s heavy.
James added that everyone says Chen is strong, but he’s not; he just has to get through it. Chompoo said it’s not that he’s not strong, but it’s still very hard, especially as a human.
Chen continued that on the last straw day, he called Duke Panudet and asked to borrow money, saying he couldn’t take it anymore. Duke said, “Thank you for calling me, Chen. I was waiting for you and wanted to help but didn’t know how.” He transferred money to help. Chen said he can’t share everything, but many anonymous people also sent money to help care for his children. That was his last fuel before he got up and worked harder on live streams, overcoming that hellish curve.
Aff asked if he has a message for business people in similar situations. Chen said he has no face to encourage anyone as he’s not out of trouble yet and still has debts. But if anyone is tired, he wants to struggle together and will be tired with them. They must survive.
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