Humorous host

Madame Mod runs the show

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

Popular TV host Madame Mod became widely known with her entertainment programme Pasa Plaza (Language Plaza), in which the energetic host has fun with words. Madame Mod charms and amuses with the way that she pronounces words like "Narak Ahh (Cutie)" or "Ja Dee Roe? (Should I?)," which are then widely imitated by viewers.

With the great success of Language Plaza, the 27-year-old host was given her own show. Amazing Mod features three sections — Language Plaza, Madame Mod Theatre and Madame Mod Diary, which offers daily activities.

Student Weekly recently met up with Madame Mod at the Play Channel office. She wouldn't tell us her real name, but the normally vigorous host was surprisingly relaxed as she told us about her studies, her fun show and her eye-catching eyelashes.

Student Weekly: Have you enjoyed performing since you were a child?

Madame Mod: I always liked to perform in the classroom when I was a student. I like to act and dance, but I'm not good at singing. At university, I acted in comedy and fantasy stage plays every year.

Student Weekly: How did you manage to do so well in your studies?

Madame Mod: I concentrated a lot on studying. I knew what I liked and what I was good at. I was happy studying math and languages, so I focused on those areas and achieved good results.

Student Weekly: Do you have any tips for gaining good English pronunciation?

Madame Mod: Thai students should study phonetics so that they can learn how to pronounce each word properly. If a student wants to be able to speak English, they should listen to English conversations often and try to put themselves in an environment that forces them to speak English. I have foreign friends, so I always have to speak English with them.

Student Weekly: Why did you decide to wear such colourful eyelashes?

Madame Mod: My look on the first programme was plain, but now it has developed and become more colourful. My make-up also became brighter. I wasn't comfortable the first time I wore long eyelashes, but I'm used to it now.

Student Weekly: What do you think about words you use in Language Plaza catching on with young viewers?

Madame Mod: I'm impressed. Some people think our show is a language programme, but it's really just entertainment. We don't encourage viewers to use inaccurate language, but some slang words are OK to use at the right time and place.

Student Weekly: How do you feel about the fact that third gender entertainers are usually restricted to comedy in Thai media?

Madame Mod: I understand the attitude behind that kind of stereotype, but the third gender is similar to other genders. Aside from being funny, we can be anything else, too. I wish people would focus on ability rather than gender.

Student Weekly: Is it true that you'd like to host dharma programme in the future?

Madame Mod: I'd like to provide information that encourages people to do good things. I'm interested in dharma because it's part of my life. I believe that we should try to help others in society.