Sky's the Limit When traveling is about overcoming the limits of Gulf Kanawut Traipipattanapong

Living this “back-to-back flights” life isn’t easy, but Gulf Kanawut believes he’s cracked the code: “The first step is having a manager!” he says, laughing. “My manager arranges the schedule and balances everything. Of course, I also have to plan what to do and where to go myself; I can’t just spring it on them but having a team helps me put things into motion.”

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More seriously, and despite being only 27, Gulf Kanawut has established the boundaries he needs to set to feel energised. “I’m lucky to be someone who feels rested just by doing nothing,” he says. “When I go out to work, I give my full energy and all my positive vibes to my fans; but once I get back to my room, I just focus on my cat and my home comforts. It’s a safe zone that recharges me, giving me the energy to spread happiness to my fans another day.”

This surprisingly simple attitude is also reflected in his approach to packing. Despite being an ambassador for and friend of global fashion brands, when travelling, he says, “There’s almost nothing I feel I can’t do without, because every day is about going to work and doing my best. I hardly even think about packing. Some people might have scented candles or a specific scent that reminds them of home, but I think about and am fully immersed in what I encounter and the experience right in front of me.”

And if you think that he’s grown so accustomed to luxury when it comes to seeing the world, think again. One of his favourite travel memories is of a trip he took with friends to Phu Kradueng, a mountain in Loei province, eight hours from Bangkok. “It was the first time I had taken a long-distance bus from the bus terminus. I barely thought about comfort: we had to take a pick-up truck, then for three days and two nights, we walked all day and covered many kilometres, dealt with dust and dirt, and slept in small tents on the mountain. It’s a memory I still cherish to this day.”

That’s not to say he’s beyond appreciating the comforts and exceptional service when he’s flying. “When I travel [for work] or with my parents, the airline we consistently choose is Thai Airways,” Gulf Kanawut says with a smile. “I like that they have direct flights [to many destinations], which makes it incredibly convenient, especially for long-haul journeys or when I’m with my parents. There’s no need for tiring layovers.

“The service and care from the cabin crew are truly unique. From the minute you board to moment you disembark, you feel their attentiveness and warmth, making every journey feel like we’re not far from home.” It also helps, of course, that, after a long trip overseas, he can enjoy a taste of home on his journey back. “I always look forward to the Thai food on Thai Airways, especially on the return leg. After working abroad for so long, what I crave most is to get home and eat Thai food. [The onboard meals] are a signal that I’m almost home.”

Gulf Kanawut’s entrance into showbiz began when he was still in his teens—a time when one is still learning about one’s place in the world; having to be alone and away from home as a young adult could have disrupted that growth, but fortunately, he says, “Travel has taught me many things. Before, we only held fan meetings in Thailand, but getting to fly and meet fans around the world, learning new cultures, encountering new languages and other things I’d never experienced in daily life—all these things have made me learn and pay attention.”

Travel has had a clear impact on his self-development. “Take language, for example: when I was younger, I only knew enough to get by, but after meeting fans who communicate in English, I wanted to use English to talk to them. I wanted to be able to express my feelings authentically. This made me work harder at learning the language so I can interact with them, something I might not have been interested in if I hadn’t taken on this job.

“My role as an artist has opened me up; if I hadn’t pursued this career path, I wouldn’t have had such opportunities to travel abroad, and to encounter new things and new cultures. So, I feel that becoming an artist has allowed me to experience and learn new things, and I have learnt a lot from that.”

Like many of us, Kanawut has a travel bucket list, featuring dream destinations that reflect both his personal passions and his desire to fulfil the dreams of his loved ones. Switzerland is at the top. “I really want to go because I’m incredibly impressed by the images I’ve seen of it on social media,” he says. “Most importantly, it’s a place my parents have dreamt of visiting for a long time. I want to take them to fulfil that dream together—especially the beautiful mountain village [of Grindelwald]. It truly looks stunning in every season—snowy mountains in winter,  and lush green mountains in summer.” 

He also hopes to get to the US. “My friends and I are planning to go for one to two weeks next year because I want to watch the World Cup,” he says, referring to the massive football event that will take place in 16 US cities over a month next summer; Kanawut is a huge Chelsea fan. “I want to experience the World Cup live at least once.” And finally, he’s looking forward to experiencing Indonesia’s best known island. “I want to go to Bali. I’ve heard people talk about it for so long and it’s not too far from Thailand, but I haven’t had the chance to go yet.”

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