Editors Pick Nothing is impossible for a woman – Piliwan Pimpoolad

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“When I was a girl, I was bullied from head to toe; for my square face, my flat nose and my dark skin. People back in my hometown consider my face to be ugly, but I never fought back. I just smiled, kept calm, and told myself that, one day, I will prove to you all that this kind of face will make me powerful, but I just didn’t know when.”

 

A “coconut girl” with big dreams

 

Piliwan Pimpoolad, also known as “Pili Opal”, is a Thai model who has challenged the Thai beauty standards and climbed her way to success on the international stage. Among her most notable works is being one of the models for David Beckham’s “Respect” fragrances campaign, which was launched in numerous countries.

 

Born in the north-eastern province of Udon Thani, Pili revealed that she wasn’t born into wealth, and therefore, her parents could not afford the best education for her. The only way to make ends meet was to help her parents sell coconuts on the streets. Nevertheless, she strongly believed that education was the only thing that could change her life.

 

“So I kept going, trying to apply for scholarships and attending every education contest, in order to win awards and prizes. That was a fun experience at that time.”

 

Initially, Pili’s options for further education were limited. Apart from chasing after scholarships and educational prizes, the only choices she could see were to either go to university in her hometown or nearby provinces, such as Khon Kaen or Maha Sarakham. It was not until she applied for a scholarship to study at the Faculty of Law at Thammasat University that her life changed completely.

 

That, however, was not the end of the story. While she was studying in Bangkok, Pili discovered a modelling contest “by accident”, something that would never be possible in her hometown.

 

By Nad Bunnag, Thai PBS World

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-09-22

 

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[ezzra]

Good for you dear, you were the lucky one, but many women will argue differently...

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

Good for you dear, you were the lucky one, but many women will argue differently...

Some girls use their brains to get to the top, others use what they're sitting on.

Either way most girls who want riches find them one way or another.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Nothing is impossible for a woman –

Try getting one to  put toothpaste back into the tube......