Viral Thai star Aon Somrutai eyes Philippine entertainment career
By Ian Ureta
Thai internet sensation Aon Somrutai is looking to build a bigger career in the Philippines following her first visit to Manila.
The influencer behind the viral catchphrase “Thank you, Kateyki!” recently arrived in the country as part of a new partnership with Universal Records Philippines and GLXY Talent Management, a move that signals plans to establish a stronger presence in the local entertainment industry through content creation, music, and collaborations with Filipino creators.
Speaking to Manila Bulletin, Aon said she hopes to return more often as she expands her reach in the country.
“I hope I can come back here more often, and I’m looking forward to even more collaborations in the future,” she said.
Known for her upbeat online persona, Aon said her content has always been driven by one goal: making people smile.
“I think people always see me as someone who’s happy,” she shared. “That’s why I always try to create content that makes people feel happy. Today, there’s already so much bad news and negativity in the world. I want my social media space to be a place where people can find positive energy.”
The Thai content creator said the chemistry she shares with her team—including her now-famous bodyguard Kateyki and the rest of her entourage—is genuine and plays a big role in the content that resonates with millions online.
“For me, creating content with my entourage is really fun,” she said. “Imagine waking up, dressing up, choosing beautiful outfits and just enjoying those moments together. Sometimes real life isn’t always like that, but creating something a little extraordinary can make people happy.”
That same philosophy led her to music. Rather than chasing a conventional pop career, Aon said she wanted to turn the viral success of “Thank you, Kateyki!” into a song that fans could enjoy together.
“I saw that ‘Thank You, Kateyki!’ became a trend, so I wanted to make a song that people could sing along to and enjoy,” she explained.
She said she worked closely with songwriters, contributing ideas and refining the rhythm until the track reflected the cheerful energy she envisioned. Although initially unsure how audiences would respond, Aon said she was surprised by its popularity.
She also revealed that a new single is already in the works and is expected before the end of the year, promising it will carry the same upbeat spirit that has become her trademark.
Aon ended the interview by thanking Filipino fans, saying she constantly notices their support whenever she posts online.
“From Thailand, I can feel all the love from you,” she said. “Every day I post, I see your comments and your support."