At 75, which for many means resting, but for “Mae Yo Tatsanawan” it is still an age full of energy—working, driving, and taking care of herself. She shared on the program "How are you feeling?" that aging is not something to fear but a privilege earned by living a long life. From building everything herself as a single mother and a career spanning decades in entertainment, she holds the principle of not letting sorrow dominate life. The body may age, but the heart need not follow. She strives to make every day valuable.
A deep look into how she wakes up at 75 still full of life?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: In my youth, I was called tough and resilient, which suited my profession as an actress requiring endurance and strength. I’ve been known as stingy in the industry, not spending easily; no one gets my money without reason. But I have reasons for being frugal. I wasn’t born wealthy or with inheritance. Everything I have came from hard work, sweat, and tears. Every baht counts. I must save and use it wisely. The only thing I’m not stingy about is food because my body is what I work with to earn money and support my family through hardship. If I neglect my body, it will deteriorate quickly and not serve me well, which is unacceptable. Most importantly is mindset—I don’t think, “I’m bad off, why me?”.
Called "an ugly duckling," becoming one of the first single mothers—how does she handle stress?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: I don’t stress because everyone faces all kinds of experiences in life. I consider stress a poison to the body. I love my body. Stress leads to illness and much loss. If you give stress importance, you must say, “It can’t do anything to me.”
Does Mae Yo have her own space with art, painting, knitting blankets?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: Yes, I read books, do crafts, or make things in Japanese or any language, not necessarily Thai. I look at pictures and patterns, and when I can do it, it brings focus and great happiness.
Is she afraid of aging and how does she cope with bodily decline, an inevitable nature?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: Not afraid. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are unavoidable. If you fear it, you can’t escape it. The only way is to make the most of it—do what makes you look good, keep strong. But nature is nature; you can’t fight it. You can only resist by cosmetic surgery, just to look better, feel refreshed, and more beautiful. But deep down, you must know you had surgery to be beautiful. When people are happy inside, it shows on their skin and face. But no matter how beautiful the outside is, if the mind is always negative or critical of others and the world, your appearance and skin will not look the same.
Myth about the elderly as influential modern seniors?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: Maybe because I love children and enjoy being around them, I can talk with kids of any generation and get along with them. I don’t act like an adult who demands silence when entering. Sometimes I’m even funnier than they are. Kids like to ask and talk to me. I’ve never thought, “Oh, I’m old now; I must sit still and let my children and grandchildren take care of me.” No, I’ve always done everything myself. Even now, I still drive myself.
Why refuse retirement and still have continuous work without fear of unemployment?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: I’ll keep working until I can’t or my body no longer allows it. I’m never afraid of having no work because work has always come. It’s not that I’m talented; I have to make myself someone people want to work with. I take responsibility for every role I accept to deliver the best performance and ensure the productions I join come out well. I’ve never been late on set or caused problems. My work discipline is impeccable because no one should have problems because of me; that keeps work running smoothly and makes people want to work with me. No one says, “Don’t hire her; she’s difficult, problematic, late.” Absolutely not.
How does she view aging when many see it as worrying, but she sees it as a privilege?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: Reaching 70 is a special opportunity, a gift from heaven—not easy at all. I have a lot of experience. Do you have as much knowledge as I do? I was born earlier and have seen many things. The truth of the world is “change.” Uncertainty is the only certainty. So, we must live with the world’s changes. Times change quickly—now even faster, almost hard to keep up. But if we panic, we fall further behind. We must keep up happily and study to understand.
Never invested in stocks—her secret to stable money management to this day?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: I don’t know how to play the market. I just don’t spend much. If I don’t have money, I don’t spend. I don’t buy brand-name goods. I’m proud to buy cheap things; when people say, “That’s beautiful,” I say, “It was very cheap.” I don’t feel inferior. I think brand-name products are overpriced beyond reason. Why buy a bag costing hundreds of thousands? I’m financially stable enough that when I die, I won’t cause trouble or worries. I’ve prepared everything. If anything happens, my only child will be comfortable.
Her child doesn’t feel burdened and can pursue their dreams?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: Yes, they can. But they’re also a loving child who takes care of me when I’m sick. They know when interviewed about caring for me, they care accordingly. But I never ask for money because they have their own income.
How does she manage suffering on disappointing days using mindfulness and posture changes?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: As I said, don’t let it control you. Stress is poison to the body. If you can’t manage or clear the suffering, don’t dwell on it. You must quickly use mindfulness to face it, think carefully about the cause, analyze reasons, and find solutions. If it can’t be solved, I let it go and find another way, not giving it importance. Don’t justify yourself too much; prepare for disappointment. Just comfort yourself that everyone experiences joy and sorrow. If you just think “Why me?” your suffering worsens. It’s better to analyze and find solutions than sit and ask, “Why me? Why must I face this? Why do they do this to me?” which never ends.
When she cries, how does she stop?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: I cry, then look at the time and say it’s time to sleep—not that I have to sleep, but tomorrow is another day. It’s not time to cry. Not listening to bad feelings sometimes keeps you from sinking. Changing posture lets the body lead the heart because the heart is hard to control. I postpone feelings with the body, and when I have strength, I check how my heart feels.
How does she handle injustice, gossip, and heartbreak?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: Often. When someone tells me gossip, I listen and might feel a little hurt but don’t give it much importance because I didn’t hear it directly. It may or may not be true. Whatever is trash, I don’t keep it—it’s useless and poisons the body. When disappointed in love, I think maybe I wasn’t careful enough. Do I still love him a lot? Can I live without him? Can I quit? Yes, I must let go. Then I think: if I stay with him, how much suffering versus happiness is there? Suppose suffering is greater—then I lose out again. While I’m crying and lamenting, he might be happy elsewhere. I lose again.
When she learned she was pregnant, how did she handle social pressure and support from close friends?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: At first, I didn’t know I was pregnant. When I found out, I was very happy but also knew problems would follow. I wasn’t afraid then. I was ready to face everything. How strong or light things get depends on us. When the news broke, I didn’t cry but kept filming movies. The public saw me as an actress pregnant before marriage; the man already had someone else, which was partly true and partly not. But I was ready. If it’s a problem for you, you don’t have to be part of it. I can take care of my child happily and without fear. My close friends were important—they encouraged me, sometimes scolded depending on their personalities. For example, Orasa would say, “You!” Duangjai would soothe me gently. Mayurachat, my older sister, gave advice and support. Jim helped me see a doctor and hide from reporters.
Her small daily goals and long-lasting friendships?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: Sometimes I think about where to eat something delicious tomorrow and invite friends or my child. Being able to eat what I want, buy what I want, and go anywhere without bothering anyone is part of my happiness. I have friends who understand, help, and always have kindness. We still joke as before. We know each other’s personalities—some words can be said to some, not to others.
At this age, what do they talk about when they meet?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: It depends on health at the moment. If many illnesses, we talk about doctors. If healthy and happy, we invite each other to eat delicious food or meet in groups. But at a very old age, meetings become less frequent. We want to stay home, watch series, or do small crafts at home we earned ourselves. We are happy at home, taking care of it.
Mental health leading physical health and small social bonds are keys to longevity?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: Inside, I’m still the same person because I’m still strong and healthy. I maintain my inner feelings that I’m strong and try to keep my mind bright, joyful, and light always so the body doesn’t drift away. If our mind is happy, happiness is a medicine giving power inside the body. Happiness makes all body systems comfortable and active like a powerful machine.
“Don’t be harsh on yourself” to people of all ages fearing aging?
Mae Yo Tatsanawan: I want to tell everyone, “Don’t be too harsh on yourself.” Aging has been with us since we opened our eyes to the world. Why run or despise it? Now that we are old, accept that our body is old but the mind doesn’t have to be. We can still do a lot and help others, be givers abundantly. We don’t stop at the word old nor are we narrow-minded. Aging with value, being a giver without causing trouble or expecting anything, will bring you much happiness. We were born in a time without online systems, so learning new things is harder than for kids born with everything ready. Now we must admit we have to ask our children and grandchildren.
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