It immediately became the talk of the town after Bow Melda Susri went up to accept the Best Actress award for the drama "Khun Phi Jao Kha Di Chan Pen Haan Mai Chai Hong" on the Nataraj Awards stage, delivering a humorous speech where she said “Heard Phu Mee Kaek” (a playful mispronunciation of “honored guest”), leading some netizens to comment critically that she was too playful and lacked manners.
Recently, when we met Bow at the 22nd Kom Chad Luek Awards at Iconsiam, she gave an interview about this, revealing that
she recently received another award at a different event and was asked how it felt to use the phrase “Heard Phu Mee Kaek” during her speech.
"Personally, I actually felt a bit hurt by the drama because I already explained that I was performing as 'Mae Boonta' (a character from 'Khun Phi Jao Kha Di Chan Pen Haan Mai Chai Hong'). The award was for the character Mae Boonta. Right after I said 'Heard Phu Mee Kaek,' I immediately told everyone that I was speaking as Mae Boonta. Most of the people who sparked the drama probably never even watched the drama to understand Mae Boonta’s character. It feels like Thai people not only don’t read beyond eight lines but also don’t listen fully (laughs). So, honestly, it made me feel a bit hurt."
Was there any rehearsal or preparation beforehand?
"Actually, we rehearsed beforehand. Aunt Jaew (the director) said I could ask if saying 'Heard Phu Mee Kaek' as Mae Boonta in front of all the important people on stage would be acceptable. She said, 'It's cute.' Everyone at the event said they found it endearing because they knew Mae Boonta’s cheerful character. After saying 'Heard Phu Mee Kaek,' I then thanked everyone as myself normally. So, those who criticized didn’t even listen—they just saw the headline and immediately commented."
Did you read comments saying you lacked manners?
"I believe I do have manners. I know what is appropriate and not, and the context I was in was the Best Actress award. On stage, I was performing as an actress, so it was part of the act. I didn’t do anything beyond portraying my character."
Some said you were too playful. Do you think you were?
"It’s Mae Boonta’s character. If you ask if I was too playful, yes, because Mae Boonta is very playful. I just feel frustrated that people didn’t listen to the full speech but only heard 'Heard Phu Mee Kaek' and immediately commented. I wish more people would listen fully."
At the moment, you didn’t expect it would cause drama? Everyone in the hall at the Nataraj Awards understood your intention, right?
"Yes, everyone involved understood the meaning I wanted to convey. But those who commented that I lacked manners, I feel if they only listened to that phrase, then they themselves are being rude. I even said it was Mae Boonta’s character and then thanked normally afterward. It was a performance. If people paid more attention, it would be better for themselves."
Do you accept that some see you as lacking manners?
"I do accept it if they didn’t listen further. But I already explained it was the character, that’s all."
Will this make you more careful with your words to avoid future issues?
"I am generally careful already. I just want those who criticize to understand and listen more."
What would you like to say to social media users, since both supporters and critics have commented?"To those who understood and liked it, thank you for listening carefully when I said, 'Hello, honored guests, oops, Heard Phu Mee Kaek, sorry, I prepared it this way because I’m Mae Boonta.' I said it was Mae Boonta’s character. I don’t know why it caused drama or why some want to continue criticizing. Many comments have supported me positively, saying this is truly Mae Boonta. For those who watched, Mae Boonta is super cute. But only a few didn’t listen carefully and just wanted to comment, so I feel..."Please listen more and read more carefully.
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