Sonia Couling (also spelled Sonia Cooling, Sonya Couling or Sonya Cooling) (Thai: ซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง; June 18, 1974 in Bangkok, Thailand), nickname Pim (Thai: พิม; RTGS: Phim), is a Thai model, actress and television personality.[2][3][4][5] She has appeared in many Thai films and TV shows, been a VJ for MTV Asia, been a host for HBO Asia[6] and has produced and hosted Thailand's Next Top Model in 2005.[6] Couling has also acted in Hollywood and French productions. She is of English and Thai descent.
Sonia Couling | |
---|---|
ซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง | |
Born | |
Other names |
|
Education | Bachelor of International Business, European Business School London (EBS London)[1] |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1989–present |
Known for | |
Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1] |
Spouse |
Paul-Dominique Vacharasinthu
(m. 2007) |
Children | 1 |
Biography
editEarly life
editCouling is Eurasian or Luk khrueng, with an English father and a Thai mother;[5][7] fluent in Thai, English and French.[3] She also speaks German and Italian. She attended St Michael's all-girls boarding school in Surrey, England and studied German literature at University College London. She graduated from European Business School London (EBS London) with Bachelor of International Business in 1998.[1][5][8]
Career
editCouling started her modeling career in a Seven Up advertisement when she was 13.[2][5][6][7] While attending boarding school and university in the UK, she worked with Storm modeling agency in London.
Once back in Asia she settled into a supermodel role,[7] she has been the face of beauty products over Asia,[3] like L'Oreal Asia, Olay Asia, Nivea Visage, Eucerin, 1st Asian Ambassador for Rado watches, Clairol Worldwide and plenty more.
In 1998 Couling became VJ for MTV Asia, based in Singapore. She was the first Thai woman to .[7][8][9]
In 1999 Couling was voted Thailand's sexiest woman by FHM.[5] The UK magazine FHM chose her as number one sexiest woman in Thailand and second in Asia and 10 sexiest women in the world.[10] In 2016 she was chosen as the most beautiful Thai actress.[11][12]
In 2002 she won Best Actress in a Lead Role at the TV Gold Awards (Thai television awards) for her performance as Phitawan Satchamat in Thai TV series Maya (2001).[13][14]
Couling also works behind the cameras producing TV show Thailand's Next Top Model (2005)[6][15] and internationally as the executive producer on A Stranger in Paradise (2013).[6]
In addition, Couling has starred in international films and TV series, including The Mark, The Mark: Redemption and Strike Back : Legacy[6][16].
In 2018, she appeared on The Face Thailand season 4 All Stars[17] and The Face Men Thailand (season 2)[18] as a mentor and The Next Boy/Girl Band Thailand as a producer.[19]
The face of Muay Thai
editCouling, who is Thailand's number one international celebrity and has been involved in many Muay Thai projects, has been chosen to be the face of Muay Thai.[20][21]
Her in-depth experience with Muay Thai, includes having been an English announcer in Jao Muay Thai Fight at Siam Boxing Stadium on Thai TV3[22] for 3 years, hosted and MC'd The 2010 King's Cup and The 2010 Queen's Cup and plenty more. She, moreover, appeared on The Challenger Muay Thai (2011) on AXN as a ring announcer,[23] and hosted Muay Thai Premier League (2012) on FOX.[20][24]
Personal life
editOn 8 September 2007, Couling married Paul-Dominique Vacharasinthu, who is Thai-French.[25] They have a son, Pasha-Dominic Vacharasinthu (b. 21 October 2015).[26]
Couling flies single engine planes, reserve pilot for the Royal Thai Air Force[1] where she was a guest pilot on the F5 and F16 fighter planes.[6] She is also a horse rider[6] and female polo player.[3][27]
In January 2023, she was a guest at the royal wedding of Princess Azemah of Brunei.[28]
Filmography
editFilms | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Studio | Notes | Notes #2 | With |
1997 | Destiny Upside Down | Chik | Five Star Production | Lead Role | Thailand | Jesdaporn Pholdee, |
2003 | Final Combat | Butterfly | Lead Role | Hollywood | Tonny White | |
2007 | History | Lead Role | Thailand | Prinya Intachai | ||
2011 | Largo Winch II : The Burma Conspiracy | Wang | Pan Européenne | Guest Role | France / Belgium / Germany | - |
2012 | An Ordinary Love Story | Winnie | Magical Love | Lead Role | Thailand | Billy Ogan |
Blood and High Heels | Rose Red | Dotkom Media | Lead Role | Hungary | Iván Kamarás | |
The Mark | Dao | Pure Flix Entertainment | Lead Role | Hollywood | Craig Sheffer | |
2013 | The Mark: Redemption | Dao | Pure Flix Entertainment | Lead Role | Hollywood | Craig Sheffer |
A Stranger in Paradise | Chris | Cinema Management Group | Supporting Role | Hollywood | - | |
2014 | Glory Days | Tammy | Radical Entertainment | Guest Role | Hollywood | - |
2019 | Paradise Beach | Aom | 7e Apache Film | Supporting Role | France | Tewfik Jallab |
General Commander | Sonia Dekker | Saradan Media | Main Cast | Hollywood | Steven Seagal | |
TBA | Al B. and the Concrete Jungle | Jayla | One Ocean Productions | Supporting Role | Hollywood | Alejandro Santoni |
Television
editTV series
editTelevision | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes | With |
1994 | Sonthana Prasa Chon | Duaenden | Channel 5, Thailand | Lead Role | Sanya Khunakon |
1995 | Chaopo Champen | Natcha | Channel 5, Thailand | Lead Role | Jetrin Wattanasin |
1996 | Yiam Wiman | Waeophloy | Channel 3, Thailand | Lead Role | Johnny Anfone |
1997 | Tawan Yo Saeng | Tawan Yosaeng Dechabodin | Channel 3, Thailand | Lead Role | Sarunyoo Wongkrachang |
Lueatrak Lueatritsaya | Channel 3, Thailand | Lead Role | Kanchai Kamnoetploy | ||
1998 | Khwamrak Kap Ngoentra (Love and Money) | Irin | Channel 3, Thailand | Lead Role | Billy Ogan |
1999 | Phreng Ngao | Miriam (Muk) | Channel 3, Thailand | Lead Role | Thanakorn Poshyananda |
2001 | Maya | Phitawan Satchamat | Channel 7, Thailand | Lead Role | Thiraphat Satchakun |
2002 | Nang Miao Yom Si | Girl | Channel 3, Thailand | Guest Role | Aphinan Praseritwatnakun |
Chaochai Huajai Ken Roi | Princess Minya | Channel 7, Thailand | Guest Role | Patiparn Patavekarn | |
2003 | Phayakrai 6 Phandin (Asian King) | Pinpak | Channel 3, Thailand | Lead Role | Dom Hetrakul |
2009 | Susan Phutesuan | Golden Lotus (Mataenai / Nithithepin) | Channel 3, Thailand | Main Cast | Chatchai Plengpanich |
Sood Sanae Ha | Sophita "Ta" Jarukorn | Channel 3, Thailand | Main Cast | Willy McIntosh | |
2010 | Fai Amata (Be A Better Man) | Kelly Yao | Channel 9, Thailand | Lead Role | Shahkrit Yamnam |
2012 | Nuer Mek 2 | Police Major Rawi Ingkhaphat | Channel 3, Thailand | Supporting Role | Chatchai Plengpanich |
2015 | Ugly Betty Thailand | Alisa "Alice" Phalakon | Thairath TV, Thailand | Main Cast | - |
Phoeng Dao | Rada Sasirada | PPTV, Thailand | Lead Role | Thana Iamniyom | |
Strike Back : Legacy | Lawan | Sky One (UK), Cinemax (US) | Supporting Role | - | |
2018 | My Hero : Matuphoom Haeng Huachai | Madam Maytu A | Channel 3, Thailand | Main Cast | Shahkrit Yamnam |
TV Program
editTelevision | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Network |
1998-2000 | MTV Asia | VJ | MTV Asia |
1998 | Zoom | herself/ as host | Channel 5, Thailand |
2000 | Asian Television Awards | herself/ as host | |
2002-2005 | Jao Muay Thai Fight | herself/ as Announcer | Thai TV 3, Thailand |
2005 | Thailand's Next Top Model | Presenter & Headjudge | Thai TV 3, Thailand |
2005 | Miss Universe 2005'; Costume Events | herself/ as host | NBC, Telemundo, Channel 7 |
2007 | Asian Television Awards | herself/ as host | |
20?? | HBO Central | herself/ as host | HBO Asia |
2010 | The Price of Beauty[29] | Beauty Ambassador | VH1, United States |
The One | herself/ as host | Channel 9, Thailand | |
2011 | Miss Earth 2011 | herself/ as host | ABS-CBN, Philippines |
The Challenger Muay Thai | herself/ as Ring Announcer | AXN, United States | |
2012 | Muay Thai Premier League | herself/ as host | FOX, FOX sport |
2013 | Miss Grand International 2013 | herself/ as host | Channel 7, Thailand |
2014 | Miss Grand International 2014 | herself/ as host | Channel 7, Thailand |
2017 | The Face Thailand season 3 | herself/ as guest mentor | Channel 3, Thailand |
Beauty Battle Thailand | herself/ as host | One 31, Thailand | |
2018 | The Face Thailand season 4 All Stars | herself/ as mentor | Channel 3, Thailand |
The Next Boy/Girl Band Thailand | herself/ as producer | Channel 7, Thailand | |
The Face Men Thailand (season 2) | herself/ as mentor | PPTV, Thailand |
Production
edit- Thailand's Next Top Model as Executive producer
- A Stranger in Paradise as Executive producer
Endorsements
edit- Seven Up (1989, Thailand) (debut)
- Coffeemate (1992, Thailand)
- Kotex Soft Dry (1995, Thailand)
- Nissin Cup Noodle (1996, Thailand)
- Spy Drinks (1999, Thailand)
- Honda City Type-Z (2002, Thailand)
- Sony Vega TV (2005, Thailand)
- Ricoh Printers (2005, Thailand)
- AIS GSM (2006, Thailand)
- Olay Total Effects (2007, Thailand)
- Ocean 1 Tower (2008, Thailand)
- Eucerin (2012, Thailand)
- Sunsilk (Thailand)
- Nivea (Thailand)
- Doritos 3D (Thailand)
- Kodak Film (Thailand)
- Christian Dior; J’adore L’or (2018, Thailand)[30]
- Clairol Shampoo (Worldwide)
- Olay Total Effects (Asia)
- L'Oreal (Asia)
- Rado Watches (Asia)
- Nikon Cameras (Asia)
- Secrets Deodorant (Thailand & Philippines)
- Smart Telecom (Philippines)
- Singapore Telecom (Singapore)
- Haagan Dazs (Singapore)
- Eucerin (2017, Malaysia)
Awards
editYear | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
1996 | TV Gold Awards | Best Actress in a Lead Role | Yiam Wiman | Nominated |
2002 | TV Gold Awards | Best Actress in a Lead Role | Maya | Won |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Sonia Couling, Actor, Thailand". Mandy.com.
- ^ a b THE ORIGINAL THAI SUPERMODELS - Behind the Scenes & Interview - Harper's BAZAAR Thailand March 2014, vol. March 2014, Harper's BAZAAR Thailand, 16 March 2014, archived from the original on 19 December 2021
- ^ a b c d Marengo Equestrian Shows by Sonia Couling 2017 on Paul Poole (South East Asia)
- ^ Camy, Simone (22 October 2012). "Thai Supermodel, Sonia Couling at Crabtree & Evelyn Pavilion Launch - Lipstiq.com". www.lipstiq.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Playing it Cool; Sonia Couling on cheating boy- friends, posing nude and staying out late" (PDF). 2 Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Fernandez, Nadine (21 October 2012). "Not Couling down; The gorgeous and talented Sonia Couling is still heating it up". The Star Malaysia Magazine.
- ^ a b c d e "40 Most internationally acclaimed Thais : Sonia Couling". The Nation. 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016.
- ^ a b "ซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง Next Top Model". Positioning Mag. 5 November 2005.
- ^ a b "Sonia Couling : Mannequin multi-talentueuse et star de MTV". Expatriation en Thailande (in French). 29 April 2012. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017.
- ^ "Sonia Couling". IMDb.
- ^ "Les Amis de la Thaïlande". www.facebook.com (in French). 2 March 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ "Top 10 Most Beautiful Thai Actresses in 2017 - iKHMER". iKHMER. 9 March 2016.
- ^ "จับตาตัวแม่! 7 นางแบบเด่นงานแสดง ควบสองบทบาทแซบสนั่นรันเวย์". Dara Daily. 18 August 2016.
- ^ ประวัติซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง ข้อมูลล่าสุดของซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง. www.thairath.co.th (in Thai). Thairath.
- ^ "Thailand's Next Top "PROJECT"". positioningmag.com (in Thai). 19 May 2005. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Pajee, Parinyaporn (7 July 2015). "The Kingdom Strikes Back : Thailand plays a role as Cinemax's military-action series sets the stage for it's [sic] final season". Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ Mahavongtrakul, Melalin (19 May 2018). "Second spotlight : Winner of The Face Thailand Season 4: All Stars reflects on her road to redemption and eventual victory". Bangkok Post.
- ^ "หล่อเดือดกว่าเดิม The Face Men Thailand 2 เตรียมออนแอร์ตอนแรก 7 ตุลาคมนี้ ทางช่อง PPTV". THE STANDARD (in Thai). 25 September 2018.
- ^ Mahavongtrakul, Melalin (9 June 2018). "What's trending and happening this week". Bangkok Post.
- ^ a b "Sonia Couling becomes the face of muaythai". 11 December 2010.
- ^ "Sonia Couling supports and inspires Muaythai to go to Hollywood". Elite Boxing. Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
- ^ Suksuk, Supatta (November 2003). "เมื่อลูกเกดพากย์ "ยกต่อยก" Boxing's Passion + Value". gotomanager.com (in Thai). Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ TheMPL (18 June 2011). "Ax Muay Thai / Kickboxing Forum - Mpl- Host Sonia Couling Celebrates Her Birthday Ju". Axkickboxing.com. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ "Sonia Couling supports and inspires Muaythai to go to Hollywood". elite-boxing.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
- ^ "Corsican wedding". Bangkok Post. 22 September 2007 – via PressReader.
- ^ Wedel, Jinda (28 July 2016). "Paul-Dominique: The Power of Connection". prestigeonline.com.
- ^ Sagar, Chirag (9 April 2018). "First outdoor grass polo game to be played in Las Vegas". Destination Luxury.
- ^ Burack, Emily (25 January 2023). "Brunei's Princess Azemah Ties the Knot". Town and Country Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ "Sonya Couling On Jessica Simpson's Reality Show". DIRTII Laundry. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ "Celebrates J'adore By Christian Dior". Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
External links
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