From screen icon to global phenomenon, Sarocha Chankimha—or Freen Sarocha, as she is better known—continues to redefine the boundaries of Thai entertainment.

Sarocha Chankimha, aka Freen Sarocha (an endearing combination of her nickname and given name), walks into the studio for this cover shoot without a trace of fanfare. No grand entrance, no entourage, no fuss—just her and her manager, offering polite smiles as the Thai actress settles into her seat. If you were not paying attention, you might not even realise that the star of the show has arrived. And perhaps that is the essence of Freen: She carries herself with the kind of quiet confidence that does not need to take up all the space in the room. She listens more than she speaks, never rushes through an answer, and when she laughs, it is warm and infectious. She is the type to take directions on set with patience and to thank every crew member after a long shoot. It is no wonder she has garnered so much love from fans—because for all her success, she still carries herself as someone simply grateful to be here.

Freen’s gratitude is deeply felt. She has barely been able to process her ascent in the industry, a journey she believes will make more sense in the rearview. “Being where I am now feels like a dream come true,” she shares. “I used to see other celebrities in this position and never thought I’d get [here]. When you’re doing what you love, time flies. I feel so honoured to be where I am, and it’s beyond anything I dreamed of.” And to think that a few years ago, she had not even considered acting. She reveals that she once imagined herself in a completely different industry. But fate—often serendipitous as it is—had other plans. Her participation in Miss Teen Thailand during her high school days led to a feature in the music video for Thai singer and rapper The Toys’s Before Rain, which brought about a revelation: She loved being on camera. “After the music video feature, I acted in an advertisement. I enjoyed trying new things and the more I worked, the more I realised I liked acting,” she says, expounding that she uncovered a love for not just the performance, but also the craft; the challenge of making an audience feel something real. “I became more interested [in acting] and wanted to get better at it. I want to make the audience feel the character. At first, I didn’t think I could do it,” she admits. “But looking back, it’s amazing how far I’ve come.”

Freen’s breakthrough came in 2022 with Gap: The Series, a show that not only established her as a formidable actress, but also positioned her as one of the most recognisable faces in Thailand’s burgeoning Girl’s Love (GL) genre. The series, which aired from November 2022 to February 2023, was adapted from a novel and features Freen as Sam, a CEO whose cold exterior melts when she meets Mon, a sweet and bubbly new hire. The show was a sensation, amassing millions of views, and earning Freen widespread fame and multiple awards. She and her on‑screen partner, Rebecca “Becky” Armstrong continue to be shipped today as “FreenBecky”.

For Freen, playing Sam, a character both formidable and vulnerable, was no small feat. She shares that she struggled to connect with the character initially. “At first, I didn’t understand why she acted the way she did,” she says. “But as I spent more time with the role, I began to [relate drawn to playing extreme characters precisely because they allow her to explore.

Through Gap: The Series, Freen has become an emblem of representation in the GL genre. As Thai dramas—in particular Boy’s Love (BL) and GL series—gain international traction, she acknowledges the impact of these stories on the global stage. “The GL industry is definitely growing and becoming more accepted, and I’m honoured to be a part of it,” she says. “I’m proud of myself and everyone in the industry. It’s an important step forward, and it helps people see that love is love, no matter the gender. I believe the industry can continue to grow and become even more accepted.” Her advocacy for inclusivity is as natural as her charisma as she expounds: “For me, labels like ‘GL’ or ‘BL’ shouldn’t even exist. It’s not about boy love or girl love—[love is] just love. This openness is changing society in a great way, and with things like same‑sex marriage being legal [in more countries] now, it feels like we’re moving in the right direction.”

Since her breakout role, Freen has pushed her artistic boundaries with every project. From the romantic sci‑fi film Uranus 2324 to the period drama The Loyal Pin to the romantic horror comedy Rider, each project brings a new layer to her evolving craft as an actress. “Every character I play is different and brings its own adventure. I need to prepare myself for each role, and I’m constantly trying to understand the character from different perspectives,” she reflects. “Sometimes, I have to balance working on multiple projects at the same time, which means separating [multiple] characters, and knowing how to get into the mindset [of each] and act differently for each. It’s challenging, but I enjoy it.”

Freen’s influence extends beyond the screen; her personal style has captivated fans just as much as her acting has. Last year, the actress made her Paris Fashion Week debut at the Valentino Spring/Summer 2025 show. Earlier this year, she was named as the brand ambassador of Valentino—making her the first female brand ambassador from Thailand. “I’m not sure if my style is liked by everyone,” she says humbly, “but I definitely love it.” With a keen eye for fashion, she embraces clothing as an extension of her identity. “I wear what makes me feel good. Confidence is key,” she shares, adding that when you feel good inside, it shows on the outside.

Despite the spotlight, Freen remains grounded. “Overall, I’m a positive person who’s strong emotionally, but I’m not afraid to show vulnerability,” she shares openly. Her connection with her fans is deeply personal, built on authenticity and mutual support. “I believe my fans know me very well. I share both my happy moments and my sad ones because that’s part of being human. Sometimes, I have tough days, but I try to be open with my fans about both [the good and the bad in] my life. They’re like my family and I’m honest with them. They understand how I feel and I think that makes our connection even stronger.”

Even now, with a fan base that hangs on to her every word, Freen still hesitates when asked about her impact. “I don’t know if I’ve done enough,” she says, measuring her words carefully. “I just hope I make people happy.” It is a disarmingly humble response from someone who has had fans tell her she changed their lives. Mention this, and Freen flips the narrative: “I think they’ve changed mine,” she says, the sincerity in her voice leaving no room for doubt. “I never imagined I’d have international fans, and I’m thankful for them. Language barriers don’t stop us. Even though my English isn’t perfect, [they] always try [to understand what I’m saying], and that means a lot to me.”

At just 26, Freen has already accomplished more than she ever imagined. She lets on that she does not measure success by societal standards. “I don’t think age [is a determining factor in] success. Right now, I’m content with where I am,” she says, “and that’s what feels like success to me. You can’t force yourself to follow someone else’s timeline. It’s about doing your best and being happy with what you’ve achieved. I try to stay focused on the present, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.”

Which is why, when it comes to the future, Freen remains open to all possibilities. “There are more exciting fashion projects and other opportunities coming up this year,” she teases when asked about her future plans. “In terms of acting, I’m open to playing all kinds of characters. Even the easier ones can be enjoyable. But I do tend to get the harder ones!”

Whatever comes next for her, one thing is certain: Freen Sarocha is here to stay. And she is just getting started.

Photography: Mark Kawinkrua
Creative Direction & Styling: Kelly Hsu
Hair: Sittipong Metha
Makeup: Yostana Thongmanee
Producer: Thad Piyasoontorn
Set Design: Yukon Boonprasart
Fashion Assistant: Poonsiri Sanubol
Makeup Assistant: Pea Peeranat
Photography Assistants: Narisa Songkhramsri, Pongtorn Bua-Im, Chisanupong Pansap

READ MORE

Bay Doucet’s Love in the City

Supatsara “Kao” Thanachat is Keeping It Real

Prim Patnasiri is in the Flower of Youth