Coat, Amazona 180 duffle bag, all Loewe

Sweaters, pants, Grip sneakers, Amazona 180 duffle bag, all Loewe

There once was a time where the only way to land yourself on a big screen was to become that theatre kid. Auditions, attending singing or dance classes for musical theatre pieces and even taking on that odd extras gig — these were part-and-parcel of building the material needed for your future leading role, even if deciding to enrol in professional acting school was not yet within reach.

Junior Panachai is a thespian of this cohort, just shy of a time when one’s online presence matters every bit as much as their offline one. While his journey here was not the result of manifesting childhood dreams, his trajectory is one that can only occur with an immense amount of trust and faith in one’s ability to grow. It’s already been a decade since his on-screen career took off and shows like Cherry Magic, Perfect 10 Liners and My Romance Scammer happened. It’s been a little longer since he first took to the stage in his university days and discovered the thrill of performance. But he is only just getting started; breakthroughs are something Junior has managed to make constant in his career, and at the cusp of turning 30 (in a month), is in no way pausing this streak of new beginnings, big moves and discovering whole new worlds.

Since witnessing Jack and Lazaro’s creative directorial debut at the Loewe Spring Summer 2026 show last year, fashion has become the latest chapter in Junior’s self discovery process. Below, we speak to Junior for our September 2026 digital cover story to learn more about the art of reinvention, self reflection, and his hopes for a bright, vividly coloured path ahead.

Jacket, pants, all Loewe

Hi Junior! This year marks the 10th anniversary of your on-screen acting debut. How are you feeling about this milestone?
It’s quite a paradox that I’m feeling both old and fresh at the same time. Over the past 10 years, I’ve worked both behind and in front of screens and looking back makes me feel old sometimes. But the funny thing is that I feel like I’ve only just gotten the opportunity to make use of those experiences from the past two years in recent times. I still feel fresh, almost like someone who has graduated from Hogwarts but is only using their magic for the first time (sorry for the Harry Potter reference).

What advice would you give to the Junior of 10 years ago?
If I could ever go back in time and talk to myself 10 years ago, I would give him the biggest hug and tell him that he is on the right track.

Before performing for the screen, you first performed on stage. What first drew you to theatre in your university days?
Back in the day, there weren’t too many opportunities for you to perform on-screen. Theatre is an easier platform to approach because it operates on a variety of scales and there are many genres to choose. I grew up not having a dream; I still remember having a session with my counsellor during my high school days and him asking me what I saw myself doing in the future. I told him I had no clue, but the only thing I enjoyed doing during my free time was watching movies. My dreams would change with what I watched. My counsellor then suggested I try acting. So during my first year in university, I auditioned for their yearly musical and I guess the rest is history.

Jacket, pants, Grip sneakers, all Loewe

What urged you to pursue acting full time? You’ve mentioned Martin Scorsese and his films playing a big role in your desire to grow in acting. What about him and his work inspires you?
There are many directors who have inspired me to work on my craft, but Scorsese’s films have stuck with me the most. It is probably because I grew up watching his movies. My dad was really into crime, thriller, and movies with darker themes. I remember watching The Departed when I was a kid and the ending of the movie haunted me for weeks — that made me realise the power of storytelling.

If you could work with him one day, what genre of film and what kind of character would you like to play?
I would like to see Mr. Scorsese work on a grounded, romantic drama. It would be such an honour to work with him in any way possible.

Sweater, Loewe

Faifa, Jinta, Tim, etc. — you’ve played some very iconic characters over the years. Across all your projects and roles played that were big or small, which character is most similar to who you are in real life?
Personally, I would say Faifa is a character that I resonate with the most. He is not a typical main character you would see in a Thai series. Sometimes people would find his actions and decisions weird and over-the-top, but strangely I deeply understand his trains of thought and what brought him to where he ended up. Maybe it’s because I grew up with a very similar background and we have similar personalities.

What about the most different?
Tim would be a character that is most different from me. It took me quite some time to understand him at a deeper level. The choices he makes in the series sometimes challenges me to look at the world from a different perspective.

There are also characters who also challenge actors and force them to grow in their craft. Which of your characters would most match this profile?
Nao from SPIKE! For sure, as this was my first ever TV series role.

Sweaters, pants, Amazona 180 duffle bag, all Loewe

How did playing Nao change you?
It introduced me to the world of on-screen media. When working in theatre, you have to be very expressive to convey your emotions, but working in film means the camera is always in front of you. Nao is not a very expressive character, and keeps things to himself while being quiet in most situations. This meant I was forced to discover new ways of expression that did not directly translate feeling overwhelmed into obvious exclamations or outbursts.

Another note on growth — you’ll also be turning 30 next month. What have your 20s been like, and how do you envision your 30s chapter to be the same or different?
Honestly, my 20s had many ups and downs. There were bad memories and many good ones, but I think that everything I’ve been through up till now is what has shaped me to become who I am today. I envision myself in my 30s to be more cautious, but also more well-rounded and prepared for any challenge to come.

Jacket, T-shirt, pants, all Loewe

How do you think becoming an actor has shaped who Junior Panachai is today?
It taught me to be more understanding of other people. When your job is to portray someone you’re not, it helps you understand people with backgrounds vastly different from you. It creates a nature of having empathy for many other things in life too.

Would you do anything differently if you could rewind time to 10 years ago?
No. I think all the ups and downs are what shape me to who I’ve become today.

What are some goals you hope to achieve in the next 5 years?
I would like to be in a film. This is the only thing in the entertainment industry that I’ve not done before. It would be great to check that off the list.

Sweater, Loewe

Fashion is also something you’ve expressed interest in. How would you describe your personal style?
I don’t think there’s a single word that can describe my personal style. But I do tend to pick pieces that make me feel comfortable and confident. On some days I dress more formally, but I also have days where I feel more quirky and fun and put on pieces that reflect that.

You first started working with Loewe last year, and even managed to visit Paris and Paris Fashion Week for the first time with the brand. How was that experience like?
When thinking about what brands that can represent who I am, I think of Loewe. It just fits my style perfectly. It feels like the brand presents who I am as a person, and I conversely am able to reflect the brand’s ethos very well. It was such an honour to be a guest at Loewe’s show last year. I had just gotten my big career breakthrough and Loewe had also just announced Jack and Lazaro as its new creative directors — it felt so serendipitous that both me and the brand are entering a new era together.

If you had the opportunity to travel to anywhere in the world for a week, where would you want to go and what would you like to do?
I’ve been thinking about this question a lot lately because I feel like I needed a good break from work and the only place that came to mind was Denmark. I would like to visit Copenhagen for a week just to stroll around the city, eat some good food, and enjoy some good coffee. Maybe ride around the city on a bike plus explore a few Danish brands I’ve been into lately.

Jacket, shirt, all Loewe

Last but not least, what message would you like to send to your fans?
I just want to say that thank you for all the love and support you guys have been sending me over the last few years. I never thought that one day there would be this many people caring for me and giving their best support to everything I do. I feel so grateful and thankful for the love everyday. I hope that all the love you send me goes back your way a million times more. I promise to work hard and never let any of you down.

Photography Chee Wei
Executive Producer & Styling Manfred Lu
Story Charmaine Tan
Grooming Kitti Phunsarikit 
Hair Sirasit Sirikarin
Set Design (Oey will update today)
Styling Assistant Katareeya Suksai
Production Ratchada Tuptimphet

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our September 2026 issue.