“Kwang Farung” is the subject. Today, she appeared with her handsome husband. “Andy Zahariav.” Together, they introduced their beautiful daughter “Nong Araya” and shared insights after she went viral on social media, hailed as a gifted face. Kwang talked about being a full-time mother raising a well-rounded daughter, who is being prepared for Miss Universe, via the program 'Kuy Zaab Show' on One31 channel.
Araya started the show by playing the piano. Since what age has she been playing?
Araya: I started learning at 3 years old. Now, I am 6 years old.
Very beautiful?
Araya: Thank you (with a polite gesture).
Recently, she walked the red carpet at the Nakharat Awards, and many shared clips of Kwang’s family and Araya’s beauty. With such radiant charm from a young age, how does the family feel about their beautiful daughter?
Kwang: I’m happy. Since she is our child, seeing her every day, it doesn’t feel especially different. But receiving such positive feedback makes me glad that everyone adores her.
Andy: Araya is always eager to try new things. She has passion, so when everyone praises her, she feels proud.
Do you know you are very beautiful?
Araya: I know (sweet smile).
Being beautiful alone isn’t enough; she’s also charming. Does dad feel protective?
Andy: Not yet, not now. Maybe when she grows up (laughs).
Does dad dislike makeup and dressing up?
Kwang: Araya is always with her mother. She naturally absorbs behaviors, so she started wanting to put on blush in the morning, and her eyes sparkle with glitter. Dad sees this and says, 'Can you not wear so much makeup?'
Andy: She’s still a child. I want her to stay that way for now. She’s already beautiful, that’s enough.
Kwang: We’ll see about the future (laughs).
Araya is 6 years old now, starting to choose and dress herself. Did she pick her outfit today?
Araya: (shakes head and points to her mother Kwang).
Kwang: Usually in the morning she picks her clothes. Today she wanted to be K-pop style, sometimes wanting to wear crop tops to show her belly. She follows me to the gym and sees me wearing a sports bra and wants one too. I tell her to wait and find something similar for her.
Does dad pick clothes for her?
Andy: I help all the time, suggesting what to wear and helping with hairstyles. I enjoy caring for my daughter and helping her dress so she can learn how to look neat and put together.
Besides piano, what else can Araya do?
Araya: I can swim, play golf, ballet, K-pop dance, and gymnastics, but I like piano the most.
She started piano lessons at 3, but the path was full of drama, making Kwang almost give up?
Kwang: Since I’m a piano teacher myself and have played since I was young, I wanted the best for her. We found Teacher Sek Thongsuwan, a graduate from Russia and Yamaha artist. The piano pieces you heard earlier were thanks to Yamaha’s support for the show.
Teacher Sek lives in Rama 5, but we live in Krungthep Kreetha, across the city. It’s not easy to schedule lessons. Before enrolling, we had to call and discuss if I could care for Araya and dedicate time. It was like an entrance exam. When Teacher Sek said he was available, we had to rush to make it on time.
From Monday to Friday, I had no driver or nanny, so I drove Araya myself, which was very tiring. I sat through an hour of lessons too. At first, she was fidgety and sometimes sleepy. We prepared all her meals and practiced piano about 3 hours daily. It was discipline we had to instill in her, which was exhausting. Sometimes Araya would be completely worn out by the time we got home.
At first, I wondered if I was pushing too hard. But as Araya showed progress and enjoyed it, I felt proud. When she won awards, she was proud and talked to her friends, so I pushed through. Now it’s a routine we’re comfortable with.
Do you like practicing piano every day?
Araya: Yes, I do.
Have you ever been bored and didn’t want to practice?
Araya: A little bit (laughs).
Do you ever throw tantrums?
Araya: Sometimes. I practice at home daily but only go to lessons once a week. I do get fidgety and moody. We ask what she wants, and today she asked if mom would give her a reward. She understands now.
What reward will mom give?
Araya: I don’t know.
Araya was supposed to fly to compete in piano in Hong Kong but couldn’t because?
Kwang: Mom competed in HYROX (laughs). I competed last night and couldn’t sleep afterward, feeling restless at 3 or 4 a.m. Araya cheered me on. It was a big crowd. I wanted to be an example for Araya to show her that mom exercises and there’s nothing I can’t do.
How did Araya cheer for you?
Araya: (gives a thumbs up).
Why not compete with Andy?
Kwang: Otherwise, I’d have to do men’s weightlifting and constant training. Initially, I talked to P'Too Popthorn, but he already has a partner. It’s okay; maybe next time.
Where will Araya compete in piano next?
Kwang: In Taipei, Taiwan, next month.
Are you excited?
Araya: Very excited.
Kwang: This competition is worldwide, including local Taiwanese children and international participants. This round is the finals; we have already passed the qualifiers.
Does Araya like golf?
Araya: Yes, I like it. I’ve been learning since I was 2 years old.
Kwang: She wasn’t even in school yet. Because she had so much energy, we needed activities for her.
Why choose golf? It requires patience?
Kwang: It seems that way, but for kids, it’s more about throwing balls and balance, not focusing on just holding the club. It develops her movements and skills. She even competes.
Araya: I competed once and placed 5th. I got a medal.
Did parents give you a reward?
Araya: I can’t remember.
You’re also good at dancing K-pop. Do you have an idol?
Araya: P’Lisa. I like the song “Rockstar” the most.
Have you danced with mom?
Kwang: No, dad and grandpa are the dancers. Araya plays music and dances at home.
Araya: When dad goes to work, I dance with grandpa. Now school is closed, so I can dance with dad too.
Has Araya done modeling?
Araya: A long time ago. I like modeling. When I grow up, I want to be Miss Thailand.
Want to be a beauty queen like mom?
Araya: Also want to be a singer and a dancer.
Have any drama producers contacted you to act?
Kwang: P’Chut contacted us after seeing Araya on social media. When they met her, everyone thought she was older on camera, but in person, she’s still very small. P’Chut thought she was 8 or 9 but she was actually 5 or 6 then. The script was about running away from school, a bit mischievous, but since she was still little, they said maybe next time. So, we’re waiting.
Araya: I’m 6 and a half now.
If someone invites you to act, can you do it?
Araya: Yes, I can.
Are you ready to push your daughter into the entertainment industry?
Kwang: Yes, I already support her fully. Whatever she wants to do, I want her to learn many things and discover what she loves.
How about dad?
Andy: I support everything.
Have you ever planned for your daughter to be Miss Universe? Is that plan still the same?
Kwang: Time changes things. Araya has tried many things and wants to do a lot. My role now is to support her in what she wants to be and see which path she chooses.
You just said she wants to be Miss Universe?
Kwang: I want to say that Araya got interested because her grandmother showed her. I never showed her the crown or titles. But when we walk by, she hears us talking about pageants. Grandma proudly shows Araya pictures and videos of me competing on stage. Grandma herself was a beauty queen, Miss Lampang. She is proud that I was Miss Thailand Universe and shares that with Araya, who has absorbed it.
Do you want to be a beauty queen?
Araya: Yes, I do.
Any plans for another child?
Kwang: It’s not easy to raise a child; it takes energy. Andy has wanted a daughter for a long time. I had those feelings before but was too tired. Now that Araya is older, I sometimes miss having a baby beside me. But those feelings come and go (laughs).
Does Araya want a sibling?
Araya: Yes, I want one to play with. I want a baby sister.
Kwang: I told friends with daughters to move close to us so they can play together (laughs). They really moved nearby, right next door. With friends around, we’re less worried. About having another baby, since Araya wants a sibling, I said start by taking care of a Tamagotchi first. If you can keep it alive, then we’ll talk about a pet. After a while, if it dies, I’ll ask, 'Do you want to keep going?'
Araya: No, I don’t want to keep it.
Kwang: (laughs) So, no sibling for now.
With Araya being 6, do you and Andy have time for romance?
Kwang: No, we spend time with Araya. The three of us have been together since the beginning, always caring for each other. Even on international trips and work, we travel together and spend 24 hours together.
Recent trip just the two of you?
Kwang: We went to Korea for about 3-4 days. Grandpa, grandma, and great-grandma helped take care of Araya. At first, I asked my husband if we should go without Araya, and he said we’d bring her. I was quiet because I wanted to try going just the two of us, but he asked if we could leave her at home. So we went together.
Anything you want to say to your daughter?
Kwang: I want to say that mommy is very proud of you for being who you are. Mommy loves you.
Andy: Daddy loves you very much.
What do you want to say to your parents?
Araya: I love you and thank you for teaching me (they hug).
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