Sonia Couling

Sonia Couling
ซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง
Sonia Couling at The Face Men Thailand press conference in 2018
Born (1974-06-18) June 18, 1974 (age 50)
Bangkok, Thailand
Other names
  • Pim (พิม)
  • Sonia Couling Vacharasinthu
EducationBachelor of International Business, European Business School London (EBS London)[1]
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
  • VJ
  • polo rider
  • pilot
  • MC
  • producer
Years active1989–present
Known for
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Spouse
Paul-Dominique Vacharasinthu
​
​
(m. 2007)​
Children1

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.

Biography

Early life

Couling 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]

[7][9]

Career

Couling 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 [th] (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

Couling, 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

On 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

Films
Year Title Role Studio Notes Notes #2 With
1997 Destiny Upside Down Chik Five Star Production Lead Role Thailand Jesdaporn Pholdee,

Shahkrit Yamnam

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

TV series

Television
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

Television
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

Endorsements

  • 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

Awards
Year 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

  1. ^ a b c d "Sonia Couling, Actor, Thailand". Mandy.com.
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ a b c d Marengo Equestrian Shows by Sonia Couling 2017 on Paul Poole (South East Asia)
  4. ^ Camy, Simone (22 October 2012). "Thai Supermodel, Sonia Couling at Crabtree & Evelyn Pavilion Launch - Lipstiq.com". www.lipstiq.com.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b "ซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง Next Top Model". Positioning Mag. 5 November 2005.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Sonia Couling". IMDb.
  11. ^ "Les Amis de la Thaïlande". www.facebook.com (in French). 2 March 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Top 10 Most Beautiful Thai Actresses in 2017 - iKHMER". iKHMER. 9 March 2016.
  13. ^ "จับตาตัวแม่! 7 นางแบบเด่นงานแสดง ควบสองบทบาทแซบสนั่นรันเวย์". Dara Daily. 18 August 2016.
  14. ^ ประวัติซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง ข้อมูลล่าสุดของซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง. www.thairath.co.th (in Thai). Thairath.
  15. ^ "Thailand's Next Top "PROJECT"". positioningmag.com (in Thai). 19 May 2005. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "หล่อเดือดกว่าเดิม The Face Men Thailand 2 เตรียมออนแอร์ตอนแรก 7 ตุลาคมนี้ ทางช่อง PPTV". THE STANDARD (in Thai). 25 September 2018.
  19. ^ Mahavongtrakul, Melalin (9 June 2018). "What's trending and happening this week". Bangkok Post.
  20. ^ a b "Sonia Couling becomes the face of muaythai". 11 December 2010.
  21. ^ "Sonia Couling supports and inspires Muaythai to go to Hollywood". Elite Boxing. Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ TheMPL (18 June 2011). "Ax Muay Thai / Kickboxing Forum - Mpl- Host Sonia Couling Celebrates Her Birthday Ju". Axkickboxing.com. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ "Corsican wedding". Bangkok Post. 22 September 2007 – via PressReader.
  26. ^ Wedel, Jinda (28 July 2016). "Paul-Dominique: The Power of Connection". prestigeonline.com.
  27. ^ Sagar, Chirag (9 April 2018). "First outdoor grass polo game to be played in Las Vegas". Destination Luxury.
  28. ^ Burack, Emily (25 January 2023). "Brunei's Princess Azemah Ties the Knot". Town and Country Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  29. ^ "Sonya Couling On Jessica Simpson's Reality Show". DIRTII Laundry. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  30. ^ "Celebrates J'adore By Christian Dior". Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.