The YouTube show “Kamkorn Khao Khu Nok Cho” on the Sarayut Sutthasna Jinda channel stirred excitement when Sarayut Sutthasna Jinda and Fern Suchada interviewed Tim Pita Limcharoenrat the former leader of the Move Forward Party, about his relationship with the actress and YouTuber Koi Aratchaporn Phokinpakorn. At one point, Sarayut asked about Pita's working life in America before directly asking how he finds time to talk with his girlfriend, which made Pita laugh and reply, “Like any normal couple, we video call morning and evening, briefly before work.”
Sarayut remarked on the time difference, asking how many hours it was, and Pita answered, “It's perfectly 12 hours apart. When it's 8 p.m. for me, it's 8 a.m. for her. I come back from work, cook for my daughter, get her ready for bed, and she wakes up. When it's 8 a.m. for me heading to work, it's 8 p.m. for her finishing up. The timing works, but we also fly back and forth to see each other.”
He added that his new job is closer to Thailand and has direct flights. He wants to finalize everything including his visa before making an announcement. The work is challenging, involving the New Normal world issues like rare earth minerals, scams, and coastal management, topics he finds very interesting, plus he can fly directly back to Thailand.
When asked if Koi flies to him or he flies to her, Tim replied, “We alternate. If she's free, she flies here; if I'm free, I fly there.” Sarayut noted that the trip can take 30 hours. Tim said, “Not quite that long, sometimes 23 hours, sometimes 30 depending on layovers. Let's say 25-30 hours. It is difficult, so it’s still confusing (laughs). Like any normal long-distance relationship.”
Sarayut commented that technology helps now with video calls morning and evening, twice daily at 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., never missing a call. Pita said, “Never missed one. Next term will be better. When I return in September, I'll be in Thailand more because Pipim won’t be going. She went for one term, but now we want her to stay with her mother, so she’s back in Thailand, while I work abroad.”
He continued, “So I have to come back to see my daughter and visit Koi so she doesn’t have to fly to me as much. Before, I couldn't come back because if I flew back while Pipim was studying, who would stay with her? She studies Monday to Friday. So I kept flying to work and speaking abroad, not like usual.”
“Now that she is with her mother, I can fly to Greece, Taiwan, the Netherlands and come back to Thailand more often. From a 31-hour trip, it’s now about 10 hours, easier to fly. Or we meet halfway in Tokyo, Hong Kong, or South Korea.”
Asked how often they meet, he said, “Quite often, going to third countries. I fly 8 hours, Koi 6 hours, we meet midway to make it easier for her. We plan to meet every one to two months, not too long apart.” Sarayut asked if they talk more than twice a day. Pita laughed and said, “Twice is enough. She has her own work.”
Sarayut asked directly what he likes about her, in a mature way related to politics. Pita laughed and said, “That’s a secret. Like any couple.” Sarayut teased, “You can talk about it, what do you like?” Pita replied, “She’s mature, compatible with me, happy together. That’s enough. Maybe no need to specify.”
Sarayut asked what made him decide to reveal their relationship, wondering if it was due to leaked photos first appearing at the airport. Pita said, “I wasn’t angry or anything, I understand.” Sarayut followed up, noting that after the initial reveal, Pita opened up more over weeks, sharing visits to Koi’s house and her mother’s. Pita said, “Both. It was around Valentine’s Day. Like any couple, we show our relationship in many ways. There were some accidental candid photos.”
Sarayut asked if the photos leaked prompted him to open up or if he planned it. Pita said, “I planned it. It wasn’t about her. It was Valentine’s Day. After that, I flew off, not together anymore. No need to complicate it. Like grown-ups.” Sarayut said, “People in love don’t overthink.” Pita agreed, “Exactly. Like adults. I just posted that once a month, not often.”
Fern Suchada teased, “You mean the photos? Quite often.” Pita said, “This came back.” Fern joked, “Fans say, ‘Please close Pita and Koi’s Instagram, always posting pictures.’” Sarayut teased if they’re showing off. Pita quickly said, “No, normal.” Sarayut joked, “As your senior, is it showing off?” Pita said, “No. It’s normal. Not secret. Love is shown in many ways: chatting, calling, sometimes posting photos, that’s all.”
Sarayut said they speak the same language because she is mature, but some things Pita says are hard for others to understand. Pita said, “You have to ask her. I share things with her; she listens. Not sure if she listens intentionally (laughs). I listen to her too.”
He added she is in a stage play “Daralai” about art and culture. When she tells him about it, he listens. He sees it as mutual: art, culture, economy, politics—they can discuss all. It’s balanced; he has his passions, she has hers. They listen to each other equally. It’s an equal relationship.”
Sarayut asked how much she is interested in his world of politics and international affairs. Pita said, “It depends on how I explain, making it relevant to ordinary people.”
Sarayut teased about what Pita calls her. Pita said, “That’s a secret.” Sarayut said, “No secrets with me.” Pita replied, “Check Koi Natty Dream’s channel.” Sarayut teased he was promoting her again. When asked what he calls her, Pita said, “No, no, I won’t say.”
Sarayut guessed Koi wouldn’t call herself Koi. Pita said, “Watch Koi Natty Dream’s channel and you’ll see.” Fern Suchada said Koi once talked about their lifestyle but not what they call each other, noting similar tastes in reading and lifestyle. Sarayut asked if they call each other “P’” (older sibling) or by name. Pita said, “Sometimes both, not sure. Sometimes both.”
Sarayut pressed what he calls her. Pita said, “No, I won’t fall for you. I get shy every time I answer (laughs).” Sarayut said, “It must be sweet words.” Pita said, “No use. Some things are kept just between us.” Sarayut joked, “Someone tell me, what do you call her? ‘Honey’ is so outdated.” Pita replied, “It’s fine. We negotiate diplomatically. Sometimes I can’t concede to you.”
Sarayut changed the subject, pointing to a photo of Koi wearing a ring and asked, “How much was this?” Pita said, “That’s on her right hand, not left. The camera reversed it. Try taking a photo; the camera flips it. It’s her right hand.” Sarayut asked why he told her to wear it on the right. Pita said, “This is a longer story. It’s called a Promise Ring. I don’t know if it’s an American tradition or a marketing strategy by jewelers. There are four types: wedding ring, engagement ring, Valentine’s ring for young couples, and in between is the Promise Ring.”
Fern Suchada said she just learned that. Pita explained, “A Promise Ring shows commitment but it’s not engagement or just puppy love. I heard about it long ago, so I gave it to her to wear on her right hand, as seen in the same photo.”
He added, “If you look back, it’s the last photo Koi posted. In earlier photos, like when she held a hashtag award, it’s still on her right hand. Science students might explain this as lateral inversion. Promise Rings are worn on the right hand.”
Sarayut asked if he put the ring on her himself. Pita said, “Of course.” Sarayut asked what he said when putting it on. Pita said, “It’s a Promise Ring (smiles), and I explained as I did to you earlier. Otherwise, her family and friends might be confused. I explained so people would understand.”
He said that in Boston, friends who studied together know there are Valentine Rings, Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, and suddenly this Promise Ring appears, symbolizing a promise.
Sarayut teased, “Did you call her ‘babe’ with the Promise Ring?” Pita said, “Oh, ‘babe’ is so outdated! (laughs) I never call anyone babe.” Sarayut guessed wildly, “Call Koi now.” Pita said, “She won’t tell you either, believe me (laughs).” Sarayut asked what Koi calls him. Pita said, “I won’t answer because it involves a third person. She has to answer or check Koi Natty Dream’s channel. No hard feelings. I revealed the Promise Ring story as a fair trade.”
Sarayut asked when he would return this time. Pita said, “Late August, last week of August.” Asked if Koi would pick him up, he said, “No, I’ll come back with my daughter.” Sarayut asked what they do together, like shopping. Pita said, “Like any couple, but she’s busy rehearsing for the play until 10 p.m. The stage play ‘Daralai’ sold out, about a troupe from the war era and how cinema began affecting Thai theater.”
At one point, Tim was about to play guitar and sing on the show but was busy on his phone replying to messages. Sarayut asked if anyone messaged. Tim said it was Koi. Sarayut asked what she said. Tim said she was about to go to work. Sarayut teased to reply to her; he seemed to forget they communicate like that.
Sarayut asked if he told her he was about to sing. Tim said no, just said okay. Sarayut said to tell her to listen. Tim said he was shy and could sing for her at home. He hadn’t played guitar in Boston; just brought it back now. Sarayut asked if they sing when they meet. Tim said no, she’s busy with the play and gets home at 9 p.m.
Then Tim chose to play and sing “Gon” by Moderndog for everyone. Sarayut asked if it was true. Tim confirmed. Sarayut asked if she gives him strength. Tim said, “Yes, makes me stronger.”
Fern Suchada said she now knew what Pita calls Koi and laughed shyly, unsure if it was true. She then showed a viewer message to Sarayut. Sarayut read “darling.” Tim smiled and said, “Yes, that’s one of them, and there are many more I won’t say.”
Sarayut asked if he gets along with her mother. Tim said yes, she’s nice. Sarayut noted Koi works, then asked about Koi and Pipim. Tim said, “They’re close because they share interests in art and music. They spend time together painting and watching Broadway shows, liking similar music. They get along well, which is lucky.”
He added, “Before Koi was 10, Pipim was very protective because Koi is her aunt. When they were friends, Pipim’s preferences matched Koi’s, so after they got closer and I introduced them officially, Pipim accepted Koi as her aunt. That’s a relief.”
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