9 inspiring Thai elderly couples
Creating a safe and healthy environment in a relationship where both parties can express their feelings can make a huge contribution to long-lasting romantic partnerships.
One simple way to build such a healthy relationship is to learn how to make each other feel loved and emotionally connected, but besides that, being faithful and trustworthy are also essential.
If you’re wondering how powerful these tips are, then see for yourself. We’ve curated a list of elderly couples who have been together for decades and their secrets.
Here are nine Thai elderly couples that will inspire you to give long-term relationships a chance.
More articles about inspiring people:
1. Somchai Sookthamwong & Natrada “Tukta” Sookthamwong – TikTok famous fitspos
Somchai Sookthamwong and Natrada “Tukta” Sookthamwong, are fitness idols who became viral on TikTok with over 73.3K followers on the platform.
Image credit: ณัฐรดา สุขสุธรรมวงศ์
Prior to being fitness celebrities who have inspired many people of all ages to exercise and embark on healthy lifestyles, Somchai and Tukta were employees who didn’t have much time to take care of their health.
This all changed when they started to experience the early signs of health issues.
Upon noticing these symptoms, they decided to hit the gym and started their fitness journey together.
GIF: @Krutookta_
They can be seen enjoying a variety of exercises including bodyweight workouts, cardio, dance, and yoga.
Their dedication to exercising inspired them to elevate their commitment to their health to another level by producing TikTok videos where they share their workout tips.
Image credit: ณัฐรดา สุขสุธรรมวงศ์
Their strong commitment for good health also encourages their own children to begin their healthy lifestyles. While their daughters enjoy aerial yoga and pole dancing, their son loves lifting weights and playing football.
Image credit: ณัฐรดา สุขสุธรรมวงศ์
Now that we’ve seen these net idols, let’s move on to the next couple who met in the old-school entertainment industry.
2. Charin Nuthanakorn & Petchara Chaowarat – singer & actress
Charin Nuthanakorn and Petchara Chaowarat are one of Thailand’s most famous couples.
Back in 1965, Charin was a famous artist and Petchara was a famous actress. Though, they didn’t run in the same circles, until they worked together on a Thai movie called “Money Money Money”.
Image credit: OK Nation
After that, the two decided to go on a date.
In 1965, Charin’s best friend helped him win over the actress by composing a song called “Ngard Petch”, the drop of diamonds, which pays homage to Petchara’s name. The song later became a classic hit about their love story.
Petchara and Charin got married in 1975 and have been living together since.
Image credit: Sanook
In 1981, Petchara lost her vision. However, Charin has never left her alone and often reiterates to her, “Please remember, I won’t leave you.”
Despite her long disappearance from the screen, Petchara is still being recognised by many people as a legendary actress and was honoured by the National Artists in 2019, where Charin sang her their anthem.
Image credit: Tnews
Charin doesn’t only sing Ngard Petch to remind his wife of how much he loves her, but he also organises a birthday party for his wife every year.
For more inspiring pairs that prove fate is no match for true love and care for each other, read on.
3. Pongpat “Aof” Wachirabunjong & Thanya “Daeng ” Sophon – Thai series directors
Pongpat “Aof” Wachirabunjong and Thanya “Daeng ” Sophon, famous Thai TV series producers who have been together for 30 years.
Image credit: Dara video
Daeng and Aof are praised as the pinnacle of couples who have worked alongside each other for more than 10 years.
In fact, they are the masterminds behind the success of many Thai TV series such as Nakee, KrongKam, and Tong Neu Gao.
Image credit: @Thanya.wachi
Before the two took on the role of TV series producers, Aof used to be a popular singer & actor while Daeng was a famous actress/model.
However, their life wasn’t all glitz and glamour.
Image credit: @Thanya.wachi
In 2018, Aof was diagnosed with a Brain Infarction and had to stop working. However, with assistance from his wife, Aof recovered from his condition quickly and is now able to walk and speak again.
Aof and Daeng have proven that sharing a passion and taking care of one another help them to overcome obstacles.
If you need further proof that there are couples who are able to persevere through whatever life throws at them, then you’re on the right listicle.
4. Rong Kaho Mulkadee & Patumwadee “Tum” Sopapan – “I am a body, you are my heart”
Rong Kaho Mulkadee, a voice actor and Patumwadee “Tum” Sopapan, an actress, are another duo who never let go of one another’s hands throughout lifes’ ups and downs.
Image credit: Sanook
Their romantic relationship started when Rong decided to ask Tum to marry him in front of their friends in a restaurant.
Tum responded by challenging him to ask for her father’s approval first. Since then, Rong visited Tum’s house every day until Tum’s father approved.
Image credit: The Bangkok Insight
After 37 years of marriage in 2005, Tum started suffering from Thyroid disease and the last stages of ALS and was told by the doctor that she may have not been able to live longer.
Nevertheless, with encouragement from her husband and daughter, Tum was able to stay with them for another eight years before passing away in 2013.
Image credit: @Rong_kao
Everyday before he went out to work, Rong always told his wife that “I am the body, and you’re my heart” and reminded her to always be with him.
Even though Tum now rests peacefully in heaven, for Rong, death never tears them apart because he views them as the same person.
We really appreciate and highly adore the power of love Rong and Tum had for each other. Similarly, for this next couple, with love, any difficulty can be easily conquered.
5. Noppon “Tu” Gomarachun & Preeyanuch “Nuch” Panpradub – legendary series producers
When we think of couples who always stay side by side through both the best and worst moments of life, this couple is one of the first pairs we think of.
Noppon “Tu” Gomarachun & Preeyanuch “Nuch” Panpradub are Thai series directors/producers who are highly respected by other members in the industry.
Image credit: ป๋าเถิก เปิดกรุ
After Tu graduated from Middlesex Polytechnic in north London and Nuch finished her studies in Russia, the former pursued his acting career while the latter joined the beauty pageant competitions and was crowned Miss Asia Pacific in 1988.
Destiny eventually brought them together when Tu and Nuch played the leading roles in a 1992’s Thai series, Lod Lai Mung Korn, and agreed to spend their time together in real life from then on.
Image credit: Khaosod
Later in 1998, they decided to open a company, Pau Jin Jong.
Even through the difficult times where they both experienced economic downturn and Nuch suffered from several diseases, they overcame those obstacles side by side and often hugged each other to give one another encouragement.
Image credit: Paujinjong
The couple is also part of a musical volunteering group that entertains patients at many hospitals.
During their free time, they’re also spotted making merit and donations. For example, in 2017, they presided over the opening ceremony of the 77th Buddha statue at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Woramahawihan, Phitsanulok.
Image credit: Khaosod
The twosome plan to retire in the next three years and live peacefully with their beloved pets in Chiang Rai.
For us, the story of this couple is a great inspiration for others to achieve what they desire in life.
Now, scroll down to get to know another sweet couple who believes that marriage is not the only answer to a decades-long relationship.
6. Setha “Toy” Sirachaya & Aranya “Peuk” Namwong – Artist & Miss Thailand
Setha “Toy” Sirachaya is well known as a lead vocalist of The Impossible, a Thai band that was popular in the 60’s-70’s while his wife, Aranya “Peuk” Namwong, is famous for being a popular actress and second runner up of Miss Thailand in 1964.
Image credit: Thairath
The pair first met each other in a movie set of 1979’s film, Chuen Rak. Their relationship became the talk of the town among people because at that time, Peuk and another famous actor, Sombat Metanee, were a famous movie-couple thought to get married by many fans.
Image credit: POST TODAY
Peuk revealed the reason why she dated Toy is that he was a steadfast and very funny person.
The two recently registered their marriage on Valentine’s Day in 2018 and shared their sweet photo of their celebration on a balloon online, according to POST TODAY.
Image credit: Springnews
The pair has been together for more than 40 years. Now, they reportedly live happily with their daughter, son-in-law, and little grandson.
Living happily as a family might be the main goal for some couples and that’s what we admire about them, like this pair below.
7. Sombat & Kanchana Metanee – faithful actor and trustworthy partner
Sombat Metanee was one of the most famous Thai actors who has starred in over 617 movies.
Fun fact: this actor married his wife, Kanchana Metanee, in 1959 and had six children before he embarked on his entertainment career.
Image credit: Khaosod
The twosome were neighbours and played with each other when they were kids, but never imagined that they would wind up getting married.
Sombat was the first person who made a move by writing her a poem, which did win over Kanchana, who was captivated by his prose.
Image credit: KKnews
During the peak of his acting career, Sombat had to keep his relationship with his wife a secret.
However, Kanchana never lost her trust in him because Sombat has always been faithful to his wife.
Image credit: MATICHON ONLINE
This couple revealed that the secret behind their long-lasting relationship is that they always trust and respect each other.
Image credit: Nineentertain
They are also conscious of the fact that one of them has to be gone in one day, so they often hold hands when sleeping and spend time doing romantic activities together with their children while they’re still breathing.
In fact, Sombat used to be ranked No.1 in the poll of role model fathers of the year in 2015.
Speaking of making the best of moments you have together, the next couple shows the importance of taking the time to relax and unwind as a team.
8. Jakree Munkong & Charao Munkong – Travelling couple
If travelling across the country is your ultimate goal for your retirement, this couple is a good example of how to achieve that aim.
Jakree Munkong and Charao Munkong are the owners of the Facebook page: แม่อยากได้รูป 1 คอลเลคชึ่น, where they post pictures from their trips throughout Thailand.
Image credit: แม่อยากได้รูป 1 คอลเลคชึ่น
Their inspiration to open a Facebook page came from their daughter, Ging, who wanted to see her parents enjoy their retirement.
Image credit: แม่อยากได้รูป 1 คอลเลคชึ่น
The family often goes on a trip together when they have free time. Actually, Ging also helps her parents with their costumes for each trip and teaches them how to strike a pose when taking photos.
With many fabulous looks and excellent snapshots, their page attracted a lot of interest from many netizens and garnered over 18K likes.
Image credit: แม่อยากได้รูป 1 คอลเลคชึ่น
Throughout their travels, the couple also discovered that they are very happy to be retired as they can spend more time with each other.
Their page also inspires and encourages other elderly couples to discover and follow their passion.
Image credit: แม่อยากได้รูป 1 คอลเลคชึ่น
If going on trips with bae sounds ideal, but not exactly enough, then read on to see how this couple takes “travelling together” to the next level.
9. Worakit & Jirawan Kittikasemwong – van travellers
There are many couples who share the same interests and go on journeys together, and this duo, Worakit and Jirawan, is one of them.
These two have lived and travelled together in a van for seven years.
Image credit: Manoottangwai
The idea to live in the van came from Jirawan, who was diagnosed with cancer.
After a long period of time fighting with the disease, Jirawan finally recovered after which he and Worakit decided to build a van for them to travel together.
Image credit: วรวิทย์ กิตติเกษมวงศ์
The 70 year-old couple has been together for more than 40 years and are still very much in love. For them, love means spending time taking care of each other until the last day of their lives.
Image credit: วรวิทย์ กิตติเกษมวงศ์
The couple has already visited almost all national parks in Thailand and still keeps paying a visit to gorgeous places together.
So, if you need inspo – whether travel or love related – do give this couple a follow.
Love knows no time
These nine elderly couples do not only prove that love can last long, but also teach other couples that respecting and trusting one another are keys to maintaining a healthy relationship.
Once they learn to understand each other’s needs, they will be able to maintain their love without having to go on extravagant dates, but rather by simply being happy together.
With that, they will find themselves falling for each other over and over again.
Also, no matter what they encounter, they will be able to go through them and finally have a happy ending.
Cover images adapted from (L-R): วรวิทย์ กิตติเกษมวงศ์, แม่อยากได้รูป 1 คอลเลคชึ่น, ณัฐรดา สุขสุธรรมวงศ์
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