Thai actress Baifern Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul talks to BAZAAR and reflects on fame, fashion and farming.
Photographed by John Tods. Styled by Gracia Phang. Written by Parisa Pichitmarn.
Being bashful has nothing on her acting output though. Knowing that she wanted to become an actress since she was seven, Baifern went on to major in acting and directing at Srinakharinwirot University. She belongs to a limited camp of Thai starlets who value the craft of acting over becoming a well-known celebrity, and her filmography encompasses a wide range of stellar performances.
In her 16 years in front of the cameras, she has mastered comedic roles as much as the volatile ones that spark national conversations. She pinpoints playing a transgender woman in The Leaves (2019) as one of her most demanding roles to date, but dreams of even more difficult performances. “I would love to play a handicapped person or a drug addict,” the actress enthuses, despite knowing how unglamorous it would be. “I feel that it challenges you to completely change your nature and to put yourself into new shoes. Like with a blind person, you wouldn’t be moving certain muscles and I’m keen to practise new skills I’ve never tried before.”
Later this year, she will star in the fifth remake of Thailand’s popular melodrama, Rang Ngao. An iconic and career-defining role for the truly brilliant, Baifern will play twins Munin and Mutta— the former being the fiercer twin who returns to avenge her sister, who was wronged by a womaniser. “It’s big pressure because this soap [opera] is really famous,” Baifern, which means ‘fern leaf’ in Thai, says. “But in the end, that pressure and how seriously I take it turns into dedication for the project, so it’s a good energy to have.”
Producer: Nina Simpson
Production Management: Tharida Diloksongtham
Hair: Sirikan Chantanayingyong
Make-up: Sapsiri Siriwong
Photography Assistants: Audomsak Aemausin, Danuwat Benjakhan, Wanlop Banchuen
Styling Assistants: Phi Ritwiwat, Patipan Limsuwech
Clothes & accessories: LOEWE
