When we think of a vibrant and unconventional personality, Phannapast Taychamaythakool, popularly known as Yoon, immediately comes to mind. This vivacious Thai artist and fashion designer has an intricate love for Southeast Asian folklore and illustrations, a passion that shines through in every piece of her work.

Yoon's impressive journey took flight at Chulalongkorn University, where she earned her degree in Fashion Design. She quickly rose to prominence as the creative director of the renowned Thai fashion brand Kloset and is currently the founder, director, and artist of Rainbow of Dream Co., Ltd., in addition to serving as Design Director at TAR Gallery, a fine jewelry brand.

Yoon has made a significant impact on the art industry, making waves through her collaborations such as from prestigious global fashion house Gucci to the cutting-edge brand Swatch. She has established herself as a distinctive voice on the global art stage while her artistic presence has elevated Thailand's status on the international art map.

Some of her prominent exhibitions include her latest solo exhibition, 'I Prepared My Heart for the Next Moon’s Voyage' at River City Bangkok in 2025, and 'The Endless Swimming Pool' in 2023. With her highly anticipated jewelry collection and a special Mother’s Day line in collaboration with Jim Thompson set to launch in July, Yoon is constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

The Beat Asia had the pleasure of catching up with Yoon to uncover the roots of her fascination with Southeast Asian folklore, her creative process with various brands, and her upcoming jewelry collection and collaboration with Jim Thompson, as well as what she has in store for 2026.

What inspired you to pursue a career in illustration?

I draw inspiration from my feelings and personal story, often reflecting on the mythology and storytelling around me. I consider my art to be like a diary; it’s not just a tool to collect my emotions but a means to express who I am at that given time.

I believe my passion for drawing stems from being an only child. Growing up, I had friends at school, but when I returned home, I preferred to spend time alone, drawing. I started at the age of four, and I’ve never stopped since then.

Drawing feels like a conversation with myself. Everyone has their own way of reflecting internally, and for me, drawing is that way. In my fashion career, I apply this approach; I do not view my work as mere clothing but as a form of art. It serves as a means to reflect both my identity and that of my clients at that moment. I strive to incorporate art into everything I do because I believe art extends beyond painting; it can be found in the choices we make for ourselves. It's akin to taking a new route home, making life feel more adventurous.

What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

I believe my work is a reflection of myself—my thoughts and interests at the time.

Even when collaborating with a brand, I always incorporate my unique perspective into the project. I don't fully adopt the brand's vision; rather, I invest a significant portion of my own creativity—usually more than 70%—to highlight the aspects that genuinely interest me.

I never regard my work as just another client task. Instead, I weave storytelling and art direction into my projects, sharing my vision with my clients. My goal is to demonstrate how our project can provide value to everyone who engages with it.

Where do you find inspiration for your illustrations?

I find inspiration everywhere. Sometimes it comes from my current situation, other times it's related to my feelings, and occasionally it’s about the people around me. For example, my latest work, 'Moon Messages,' featured at the Hotel Art Fair in KROMO Bangkok, explores my relationship with myself and the concept of time.

I believe that art has the power to visualize things that are invisible or intangible, such as emotions or the act of making a wish. When we describe ourselves as angry or happy, we often use just one word, but most people can't truly grasp the depth of those feelings. Through art, not only can others understand our emotions better, but we also gain a deeper understanding of ourselves. It captures the actual feelings we experience at any given moment.

In my artwork, I find it challenging to visualize time. The concept of time in art and ancient religions is often represented by a figure carrying a heavy load of rope, with their face obscured as we follow them. What I visualize is my message to time: I trust it, just as I trust myself. The world is vast, and everyone seems to have their own deadlines, pushing us to finish tasks quickly to feel like winners. However, I believe life is about taking the time to explore ourselves.

Consider love; it, too, takes time. It’s a journey with many layers to understand and reflect upon, including the importance of trusting time. There’s a reminder in this to take things slow, much like how flowers bloom. The message from time is that the seeds we sow will blossom at the right moment. This approach serves as my inspiration for all my art. It’s not just about the final pieces showcased in exhibitions but also about the creative process itself while I work with different brands.

What was your vision for 'Moon Messages'?

there are so many elements in the artwork. It is a portrait of myself, but I didn't create it because I like myself so much that I want to draw my own portrait. Rather, I wanted to explore a different aspect of my identity.

For example, I held an exhibition titled “The Endless Swimming Pool” in 2023 at River City Bangkok, which focused on creating a space for interpretation through my body of work. During that time, I was interested in Carl Gustav Jung's theory of the collective unconscious.

He discussed how our collective unconscious can influence our thoughts and lives, often without us realizing it. In this theory, he introduced the concept of active imagination, which helps individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves as if they are conversing with and visualizing another version of themselves. As a result, one may discover multiple facets of their own character.

When I want to reflect on myself, I express my thoughts through drawing my other self. In 'Moon Messages,' you can see me depicted as a caterpillar or as a bird, which symbolizes a messenger. This represents transformation, much like the spiral in a shell, allowing for exploration from the outside to the inside.

Can you share more about your 'Create Your Universe' magnet board/collection—what's the concept behind it?

"Create Your Universe" was recently launched, focusing on how to balance the elemental aspects within ourselves. It encourages individuals to discover which element resonates with them best, drawing from the beliefs of Thai and Chinese cultures. These elements include gold, water, wood, and others.

It features an AI tool that helps users identify their dominant element and determine which element they need more of to achieve balance. This collection celebrates the power of art and encompasses concepts of luck and the manifestation of nature. Sometimes, it can be challenging to visualize our intentions without expressing them through drawing or writing. So, this collection aims to simplify the process for my clients, providing them with a medium to visualize their wishes and make them come true.

In Buddhism, the Buddha statue serves as a medium to connect individuals with their wishes, as people often make wishes while in its presence. However, Buddhism encompasses much more than simply making wishes; the ultimate goal for Buddhists is to attain Nirvana. In Thailand, the Buddha statue symbolizes the possibility of making wishes for health, success, and wealth.

I believe this illustrates how we have a way to visualize our desires, even when they are intangible. This collection, "Create Your Universe," represents the idea that you can choose what you want for yourself to fulfill your feelings. When the time comes that you feel fulfilled, then, I believe, is the right moment to make a wish.

Many of your artworks frequently showcase mythology and nudity as compelling visual metaphors for emotional vulnerability and self-discovery. Can you elaborate on these themes?

I believe this topic relates to our collective unconscious. Sometimes, when I draw, people can see my work and relate to the mythology I've incorporated. I draw upon myths that resonate with me personally.

This connection is fascinating; for instance, if you look at Carl Jung's paper on the collective unconscious, it highlights the similarities across various cultures, religions, and storytelling traditions.

Take sugar cane, for example. It is sweet and often symbolizes love. During Mid-Autumn Festival, when we see the moon, we think about making wishes. In Chinese culture, there's a tradition of creating a sugar cane doorway that allows people to pray to the moon. Similarly, in Hinduism, Kamadeva, the god of love, carries a bow made of sugar cane, which symbolizes the essence of love.

These examples illustrate the connections among different cultures, which is why I find mythology so captivating. It suggests that ancient beliefs still influence us today.

Can you tell us about your collaboration with Swatch for "THE WANDERER" in the Swatch Destination Art series?

This project is called Swatch Destination Art, and it’s exclusively available in Bangkok. In this artwork, I portray [the Hindu god] Hanuman as a protector. In the Ramakien, he is known for protecting Rama and Lakshman during their journey to rescue Sita. I have used his character as a protective amulet, which resonates with the Thai love for amulets. Many people in Thailand cherish items they can pray to for protection while traveling. This watch features various protective symbols and patterns.

When Hanuman yawns, he exhales stars and moons from his mouth. In this artwork, the moon and star patterns are included because they are considered protective symbols from a traditional Thai art style known as Lai Pracham Yam. This style features a four-petaled geometric flower pattern common in Thai art. My goal was to create an amulet that brings happiness to everyone who wears it during their journey in Thailand.

What was the creative process like collaborating with another popular brand, Wacoal?

For Wacoal, my creative process was quite different, as I handled everything from start to finish. This included the artwork, art direction, and designing the clothes. I also considered the styling and potential locations for shooting the collection. The goal of this collection is to bring good fortune and success to those who wear it during Chinese New Year.

The collection features a blend of auspicious colors such as red, pink, and green, and offers a variety of styles, including sleepwear and loungewear, as well as trousers, skirts, and robes. It aligns perfectly with the celebration of the Chinese zodiac.

For instance, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, 2025 is the Year of the Snake, and this year [2026] is the Year of the Horse. When designing a collection for Chinese New Year, it's essential to consider the occasion, as my clients will wear these pieces while gathering with family, such as when visiting Chinatown to make wishes.

We’re excited to learn about your first jewelry collection launched this year at the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair 73rd, 2026. What makes this collection special?

Jewelry is completely new territory for me. Currently, I have a showcase, but the actual collection hasn’t been launched yet. I’m still in the process of designing a box for my rings, and it’s not finished. I have been very busy with the collection, and I want to take the time to consider what I want to convey through it.

The collection is titled "Not Really Cute." For example, the rings are inspired by Niwa, a goddess from Chinese culture who is half-human and half-snake. I want to create pieces that are oddly lovable, playful, and cute, as I have a fondness for the unconventional.

In Thailand, I often see precious gemstones worn on fingers, but I believe that sometimes, you need a small sculpture on yourself as well. I don’t just view my designs as jewelry; I see them as miniature sculptures to adorn the body. This will be the direction of my jewelry, starting with the goddess Niwa, who will help shape my jewelry world.

Which of your artworks resonates most deeply with you, and what makes it significant?

It has to be my portrait [Moon Messages] because, as I mentioned before, I create portraits to explore more of who I am. People often misunderstand my motivations, thinking I draw portraits because I like myself so much, but that’s not the case. When I’m drawing my portrait, it becomes a process of self-discovery, which is why it holds such importance for me.

Sometimes we believe we know ourselves well, but we may uncover aspects of our identity that we weren't aware of. It’s like discovering the depths of the ocean. Life encompasses more than just work; we also have relationships and various other commitments to navigate.

Many people advocate for reasoning and logic when making choices for ourselves, often urging us to set aside our emotions. However, I believe that we should and can trust our feelings, as sometimes logic alone may not always be true.

What intrigues you most about Asian mythology and culture, and in what ways do you bring these elements to life in your work?

I believe my passion for vintage porcelain and ceramics stems from its connection to my life and my emotions. Since childhood, I have been attached with these items, largely because of the wonderful collection of Chinese ceramics I encountered during visits to my grandma's house. In fact, I know many pieces from that collection actually belonged to my mom.

One piece that holds special significance for me is a nude Chinese angel that my mom gifted to me. It is the most beautiful ceramic piece I have ever seen. While I enjoy collecting vintage and antique items, this particular piece is unlike anything else I’ve come across. When I was younger, I often thought the angel’s face resembled my mother’s. She told me that this was one of her favorite pieces. After marrying my father, she brought only this pair of angels from her collection to our home, and eventually, she gave it to me.

Since I was young, I never saw my mom buy anything. She believed that, as she was starting a new family, she needed to save money and avoid shopping for any sort of collection. Because of this, I didn’t realize that my mom loved ceramics too. Whenever I brought ceramic items home, she would always tell me to stop buying them because I already had too many. Now, I understand that my passion for collecting these beautiful pieces comes from my mom.

We both enjoy learning about the items and the stories behind them, which is why I believe these stories provide meaningful reflections in our daily lives.

Can you share some of your experiences as a queer artist? How has this shaped your art?

My perspective is shaped by my experiences. When I was young, my family accepted me as I am. However, I often struggled with my self-identity. I believed that if I wanted to be a woman, I had to transform everything about myself, including taking hormones and undergoing surgery to become a "real" woman. Thankfully, the world has changed in many ways since then.

However, on social media, you still see those negative comments. It's evident that many people still don’t understand what the queer or LGBTQ community is all about, nor do they grasp the journey of transformation that many individuals go through. We need to respect each other and honor everyone’s gender identity.

Everyone has the right to explore their identity and experiences. There’s no need to limit oneself to a single label like "gay" or "lesbian."

Your journey can encompass everything. You don’t owe anyone an explanation or a definition of who you are. 

In my art, some of my characters possess both male and female physical body parts. This representation reflects my own identity. I don’t feel the need for any surgical transformation to feel complete.  I have reached a point in my life where I feel okay and free—it's the freedom I feel since I turned 30.

I've given myself the freedom to dress and express myself in whatever way I choose. I believe it’s a significant opportunity for everyone to explore their identity beyond traditional gender boundaries. There's no requirement to fit into a specific category or to confine oneself to a single label.

What are your views on LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand? What does queer visibility mean to you, both personally and professionally?

I believe society still needs time to fully understand these issues.

Those who have never experienced challenges related to gender identity may not grasp the pain we often discuss. For example, something as simple as titles like "Mr" or "Miss" can become problematic for ladyboys. People who have not faced this issue will struggle to understand its significance.

While LGBTQ rights are more open now and have become more recognized, there is still a need for deeper exploration and education.

Everyone in this world deserves the freedom to be treated equally. If some individuals have concerns about health or related matters, we can find solutions to address those issues. However, there is no need to reject ideas outright. We should focus on coexisting and finding ways to live together harmoniously.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists looking to turn their passion into a career?

Giving advice can be challenging because everyone has their own unique journey. However, I enjoy listening to people’s stories, as I can reflect on aspects of their experiences.

That said, we can’t apply everything from someone else's journey to our own. Ultimately, we each need to explore our paths independently; this exploration is vital for fulfilling our lives.

It’s important to keep things simple rather than complicating them. Focus on actions that lead to a peaceful night's sleep, and remember not to rush the process.

This interview was edited for length and clarity. 

Follow Yoon on Instagram and visit her website to stay updated on the official launch of her jewelry collection, latest projects, and more.

Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Artist Spotlight profiles here.