Bright news

Newscaster talks current affairs

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

As a co-host with top newscaster Sorayuth Suthassanachinda on the morning TV news programme Rueng Lao Chao Nee, Pitchayatan Chanput (Bright) has been one of the most popular anchors on TV since 2011. On the show, the 31-year-old Bright is always sharp and informative on any issue that Sorayuth brings up.

Last March, Bright received the Thep Thong Award, arranged by the Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters under Royal Patronage, for being an outstanding newscaster.

Student Weekly recently met up with Bright at Channel 3 after the filming of the morning show. The friendly newsreader told us all about her interesting job.

Student Weekly: How do you feel about receiving the Thep Thong award?

Bright: I feel honoured. The award encourages me to continue to work hard and happily. I never would have received this award if I didn’t have Sorayuth and our great crew to support me.

Student Weekly: When did you first realise that you wanted to be a newscaster?

Bright: I wasn’t interested in the news when I was younger. Whenever my parents watched the news on TV, I wanted them to change to another channel! [Laughs.] I became interested in the current affairs when I was a university student.

I later passed an audition for Teen News At Noon on ITV, and then applied to be a sports anchor on the same channel. I was happy learning about sports, and I enjoyed being on TV.

Student Weekly: What was it like when you first started working with Sorayuth on Rueng Lao Chao Nee?

Bright: My first time on the show was January 3, 2011. I felt tense, as anybody would. Sorayuth is the top news host in Thailand. He looks serious on TV, but he’s a kind person.

Student Weekly: How have you improved since you started?

Bright: As a co-host, I learned about the right moments to speak up. Some viewers think that we have a script that specifies when Sorayuth and I speak, but there’s no script. I have to keep up with the latest news every day so that when Sorayuth brings up any new issues, I can help to tell the story.

Student Weekly: Are there any types of news stories that you’re particularly interested in?

Bright: All news is interesting, and we can learn a lot from the news. But I’m particularly interested in social issues because I can relate to them easy. For example, news about a bad guy attacking a woman in a parking lot reminds us to be careful and to try to avoid that kind of situation.

Student Weekly: How do you think people should deal with all the information that we get from social networks?

Bright: A good side of social networks is that news and information can spread widely and quickly. But before we share any news, we should make sure that the information is true. Sharing news through social networks can affect a lot of people. There have been cases where people panic because of false rumours about earthquakes and tsunamis on social network sites.

Student Weekly: As a public figure, how do you feel about online sellers advertising their shops on your Instagram account?

Bright: I understand that they do what they can to increase their income, and I sometimes click on their posts to see their shops. But sometimes there are so many adverting posts that I have a hard time finding comments posted by my fans. When there are too many, I delete adverting messages from my Instagram account.

Student Weekly: What’s the best thing about being a newscaster on Rueng Lao Chao Nee?

Bright: It’s just a great opportunity that doesn’t come often or easily, so I try to do my best.

Student Weekly: Is there anybody that you would particularly like to interview?

Bright: I’d like to interview Sorayuth and ask for his comments about me. But if that really happened, it would be awkward because I don’t usually interview people that I know personally. We’d probably just laugh at each other!

Student Weekly: Do you have any advice for aspiring newscasters?

Bright: A newscaster isn’t just somebody with nice make-up, sitting at a desk and reading the news. You have to let news be a part of your life. You should be really interested in current affairs and keep up to date. You also have to be able to speak clearly so that the viewers can understand you easily.

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