Government House was in festive mood on Tuesday as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and several cabinet ministers took turns at the microphone alongside Phuket rocker Nene Royal, ahead of her upcoming appearance on ‘America’s Got Talent’.
The 16-year-old musician – real name Rattikarn ‘Praew’ Umloy – arrived around 11am, shortly before the weekly cabinet meeting. The occasion was a publicity event arranged by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to showcase the young talent who has captured international attention.
The government has named Nene as a tourism ambassador to help showcase and promote Thailand to the world. It also announced that it would cover all her expenses related to her participation in America’s Got Talent.
Also present at Tuesday’s event were Deputy PMs Ekniti Nitithanprapas and Yodchanan Wongsawat, and ministers Prasert Jantararuangtong, Varawut Silpa-archa, Julapun Amornvivat and Nikorn Soemklang.
Nene performed Thai rocker Sek Loso’s hit Somsan as the group clapped along, with the microphone passed between the prime minister and ministers to sing verses in turn.
Next up was a guitar solo followed by her inimitable version of Zombie, the Cranberries song that earned Nene four ‘yes’ votes in the first round of the 21st season of America’s Got Talent.
Mr Anutin presented her with an Amazing Thailand pin and souvenir set, praising her talent and pledging government support as she advances in the competition.
Mr Anutin presented her with an Amazing Thailand pin and souvenir set, praising her talent and pledging government support as she advances in the competition.
‘She has brought pride and recognition to Thailand,’ Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said of Nene.
‘Simply by appearing on one of the world’s biggest talent shows, she has already helped promote Thailand. Going forward, we want her to help showcase Thailand’s tourism, culture and soft power because she has talent in many areas.’
Speaking to reporters, Nene thanked her supporters and asked people to continue following her social media channels and cheering her on throughout the competition.
She admitted she was still adjusting to her sudden rise to fame.
‘I still don’t realise how famous I’ve become. Everything happened so fast,’ she said. ‘My life has changed a lot. Everywhere I go, people recognise me.
‘I can’t even go out to buy meatballs anymore.’
Anutin the sax man
For Prime Minister Anutin, the sing-along with Nene represented just one side of his musical talent. Last week, he played the saxophone as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sang along to Frank Sinatra’s My Way.
Mr Anutin’s two-day visit to Malaysia on July 9 and 10 aimed to strengthen economic cooperation and resolve an issue that had disrupted seafood trade.