Rojjana 'Yui" Phetkanha

Rojjana 'Yui" Phetkanha is a well-known name in fashion industry is due in part to the fact that her story represents a classic rags-to-riches fairytale.Back in her glory days,she was an inspiration for all Thai models hoping to break onto the global scene.And today,Rojjana remains the only Thai ever regarded as a top international success in the highly-competitive business.

She was first recruited by Storm Models,the same agency that represented Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford.After Rojjana graced a Vogue Singapore cover and was featured in several other issues,

she was chosen to represent the face of Chanel’s Allure perfume.Rojjana was the first Asian ever hired by the French fashion powerhouse for such ad campaigns.

Isan [North East of Thailand]  girl whose life took an unexpected turn in 1994 when she won the Supermodel of Thailand contest.The girl who had once raised water buffaloes and who dropped out of school after Grade 6 earned some 50 million baht  a year at her peak.But sadly,Rojjana glamorous life came crashing down due to a cocaine addiction.Today 37-year-old former model’s life continues  to both inspire and serve as warning to many people.

The Feedback from her appearance on the popular programme [in May 2010] was so strong that other  types of support have also poured in, usually in the form of kind words,food and sometimes clothes and shoes.Meanwhile her longtime fans have never left her side.

"Beautiful memories of my past were a life's bonus.But they're gone now,so I have to look at the present.I'm starting anew,but I've definitely passed the 'zero' level." Rojjana said.

Her Fanclub created  Rojjana Yui Phetkanha Fanpage  to post old pictures of Rojjana and provide updates on her current work.

credit : Themagazine ISSUE 175 11 November 2010 Story : Siriwat Pokrajen