Thai actress Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, also known as Aokbab, became the first Thai actor ever to win an International Emmy Award. The 28-year-old won an award for best performance for her role in “The Film.” hungera Netflix original film that captivated audiences worldwide with its powerful storytelling.

In Hunger, Chutimon plays Aoy, a talented street food chef who is mentored by the tireless chef Paul, played by Nopachai Jayanama. Aoy’s journey is one of ambition and resilience as she navigates the grueling culinary world to prove herself not only to her demanding mentor, but also to her family.

The film, which premiered in April 2023, was both a critical and popular success. It received a rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.6 on IMDb.

hunger was written by Kongdej Jaturanrasmee and directed by Sitisiri Mongkolsiri. The film also received recognition at the 2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards, winning Best Feature Film and other awards.

Chutimon’s Emmy win is a milestone not only for her career, but also for Thai cinema on the world stage. She triumphed over strong competition, including Adriana Barraza (Where the tracks end), Sara Giraudeau (Everything is OK) and Jessica Hynes (There she goes).

In her heartfelt acceptance speech at the ceremony in New York City, Chutimon thanked the cast, crew and those who supported her journey.

“Thank you very much, that means a lot to me. I would like to thank the Academy for this recognition,” she said. She also thanked the chefs who inspired her character, adding, “Their support has brought my character to life.”

This is not the first time that Chutimon has received international recognition. She made her film debut in 2017 Bad geniuswhich earned her the Screen International Rising Star Asia Award at the New York Asian Film Festival.

This year’s International Emmy Awards, hosted by Indian comedian Vir Das, honored nominees from 21 countries, with Singapore and Thailand representing Southeast Asia. Chutimon’s historic victory marks a new chapter for Thai actors in global cinema and cements them as a trailblazer in the industry.