Thai Star Paopetch, Of Netflix's The Believers, Led Basketball Team To Singapore For Red Bull x Anta Hoopfest 2024
The question is, how far did the tasty Thai actor-singer advance in the shoot-out?
Presented by Red Bull Singapore
You may recognise Paopetch Charoensook from The Believers, the Netflix Original series about three adventurous entrepreneurs who run a dubious (but totally legal!) charity scam. But did you know that the Thai singer-actor is also an avid basketballer who captains his own basketball team?
When Red Bull organised the recent Red Bull x Anta Hoopfest 2024 in Singapore, Paopetch enthusiastically signed up with his Team Sathu (Sathu is the Thai name for The Believer). The annual basketball competition was held at Hougang Community Club on Apr 27 and 28.
Role play: Paopetch Charoensook in civvies and in character as (not-very-trustworthy) Monk Ekachai in The Believers.
Paopetch’s squad, which includes the series’ director Wattanapong Wongwan, flew down specially for it. We scored an exclusive interview with the busy multiple hyphenate to find out what keeps him pumped. By the way, Paopetch's team failed to qualify for the playoff. Well, it was still a win for the thirsty fans watching courtside.
8 DAYS: As a basketball fanatic, how often do you play? Have you ever played competitively before?
Paopetch: I play at least two or three days per week! I represented my school when I was young, so I had the opportunity to compete very often — like two or three times a year for school-level competitions.
You assembled a basketball team for Red Bull's Hoopfest 2024 and flew down to Singapore for the competition end April. How did you get wind of a competition that happened in Singapore?
Paopetch: Nattawat Chantanapokul, the Senior Business Development Manager from Red Bull Thailand, is my good friend. He called me to inform me that Red Bull Singapore would like to extend a special invitation to our team as they heard that I’m a basketball fanatic. It took us by surprise. We were really excited to compete in Singapore and gain competitive experience as a team.
Your team includes Wattanapong Wongwan, who happens to be the director of your Netflix series, The Believers. Who else is on your team?
Paopetch: Our team has my director Wattanapong, Nattawat, and my brother. We used to play together every week for the last two years.
Hoop dreams: Paopetch shows off his moves on the court, while The Believers director Wattanapong Wongwan (seated) watches his back.
Did you do anything special to prepare for the game?
Paopetch: This is our first official competition as a team. We didn’t have much time to practise because everyone was busy with work. But we are quite familiar with one another's playing style and there is good chemistry and coordination within the team. Lastly, we can shoot really well.
How does drinking Red Bull help you to improve your game?
Paopetch: I’m not really an energy drink person but when the Red Bull team sent me the drinks, I tried them before my workout and training. I realised that I had an energy boost in my performance and endurance level. I do believe that Red Bull will help me to get ready for the any game or sports.
The Red Bull Plus specially formulated for the Singapore market has no sugar and has 50% more vitamins than regular Red Bull. Have you tried it yet? Share your review with us.
Paopetch: Of course, I’ve tried it, and I really like the zero-sugar formulation! I wish that I can still have it back in Thailand but it’s only available in Singapore. I will try to bring more back to Thailand.
The recently-launched Red Bull Sparkling is also of a different formulation compared to the one available in Thailand. How did you like it?
Paopetch: I've tried it and it tastes so different! The sparkling taste is so refreshing and fruity. I think during the day when I'm tired from work and the weather is hot, it is the perfect drink to add energy and vitamins to my body.
It’s a rare treat for your Singapore fans to see you in Singapore — even rarer to watch you work up a sweat shooting hoops! Any special message for them?
Paopetch: Yes! My latest work, the Netflix Original series The Believers, was well-received in Thailand. I sincerely hope all Singaporeans will watch and enjoy the drama too!
What’s Your Drink?
Red Bull Singapore recently launched the new Red Bull Sparkling to tantalise energy drink lovers’ taste buds. The Red Bull Plus has also been winning fans over the years. Both SG-exclusive formulations are rated Nutri-Grade B and are compliant with Singapore’s Health Promotion Board’s Healthier Drinks Policy guidelines. But which is the one for you? Paopetch Charoensook shares his take.
RED BULL PLUS
“If I'm working out indoors, like in the gym, I’d prefer Red Bull Plus. It recharges my energy level but has zero sugar, and 50% more vitamins!”
Red Bull Plus is available at all supermarkets and retail outlets island wide.
RED BULL SPARKLING
“If I’m exercising outdoors, I’d drink Red Bull Sparkling as it is more refreshing. Yet, it still gives me an energy boost.”
Red Bull Sparkling is exclusively available at all 7-Eleven outlets. Only the Apple & Muscat Grape flavours are in stores now but look out for exciting new flavours coming soon.
Did you know?
The Red Bull drinks for our Singapore market are formulated with a special recipe to suit our local tastes! You can recognise these SG-exclusive energy drinks by checking the Nutri-Grade logo printed on the can. (All parallel import versions are in a foreign language with a Nutri-Grade sticker pasted on the can.) Do look out for the original SG-exclusive recipe formulated for our local market.
Photos: Paopetch Charoensook, Red Bull Singapore, Netflix
Presented by Red Bull Singapore
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