Areeya Chumsai

Infobox Person
name = Areeya Chumsai


image_size = 220px
caption = Areeya attends the press screening for the film "Ploy" in June 2007 in Bangkok.
birth_date = birth date and age|1971|6|28
birth_place = Ann Arbor, Michigan
death_date =
death_place =
education = Michigan State University
occupation = Film director-producer
spouse =
parents =
children =

Areeya Chumsai (Thai: อารียา สิริโสภา; nicknamed "Nong Pop", born June 28 1971) is a Thai model, teacher and filmmaker.

Biography

Early life and education

Areeya Chumsai was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the United States, the daughter of Thai immigrants. She spent her childhood and adolescent years in the state of Michigan and received a degree in journalism from Michigan State University in 1993.

Her original surname was changed in USA to the prestigious Chumsai surname. More recently, the true Chumsai family demanded she change it as Thai surnames are unique by family, and the Chumsai extended family felt that Areeya was passing herself off as being part of a high society family when she had no actual connection. She has since changed her name to Areeya Sirisopha.

Miss Thailand

Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she traveled to Thailand to visit relatives and found a side job as a model for various fashion magazines. Within a year, she qualified for the Miss Thailand pageant and won the crown in 1994. She went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant held in the Philippines, placing 13th overall; she did not return to Thailand empty-handed, however, being the recipient of the "Best Kodak Smile." The Thai people were quite taken by Miss Chumsai, the 2nd visible Western-influenced and educated winner of the Miss Thailand pageant, following from the success of Miss Universe Winner Porntip who was also full Thai but educated in USA. Pop's popularity soared and she became a media sensation working as a model, actress, and emcee.

Unlike many other models, Pop also used her education to break into writing, journalism and teaching.

Teaching career

Upon completion of her reign as Miss Thailand, Areeya went on to teach English and writing to Thai students at Bangkok University and later Chulalongkorn University. In 1995, she became a military officer at the Chula Chom Kiao Military Academy ranked as a 2nd Lieutenant while teaching English to Thai soldiers. Her experiences in the military were later described in her book "Bootcamp." She also kept herself busy writing a column for the Thai fashion magazine "Praew" and continued to model. In 1999, she worked as a spokesperson/model for Hitachi, Ltd., appearing in both print and television advertisements. Her visibility and recognition within the country helped Hitachi sales double to ฿ 3 billion by 2002. In 2000, she became the first Thai woman to receive the 13th Tokyo Creation Award, awarded for her social service.

Filmmaker and current activities

In 2005, she co-directed alongside Nisa Kongsri the film "Innocence" ("Dek toh"), which documented the schooling and everyday struggles of the hill tribe children in northern Thailand. Areeya and Nisa lived among the Hill tribe people for months as teachers and students lived together growing crops, cooking meals, and continuing the education process. The film opened to positive reviews and has been shown in several film festivals throughout the world, receiving several accolades including most recently the EIDF2006 "Spirit Award" in Korea. Its impact can be seen on both a regional and national level. All proceeds from the film have gone to the Hilltribe children; in addition, Areeya and Nisa have continued to raise awareness across the country and through their charity work have contributed thousands of dollars. Furthermore, the Thai Ministry of Education contributed by increasing its funding for the region. Areeya has discontinued to model for L'Oréal products but signed a new endorsement contract with "Trident Chewing Gum", she currently resides in Thailand.

External links

*Brown, Samantha: [http://www.fourelephants.com/people.php?sid=65 Beauty and brains: Areeya 'Pop' Chumsai] (interview), 2005. Retrieved November 27, 2006.