With his “dogter” Lily by his side, Richie Kul is on a mission to show the beauty and benefits of the vegan life one Instagram post at a time

At a glance, Richie Kul’s instagram feed seems to chronicle the sunny adventures of a good-looking dude (often in a state of certain undress) and his cute white dog, Lily. But Richie is more than just another influencer, he’s a vegan one. The Thai-born American model-activist dedicates his platform to planting seeds of awareness to the countless benefits of cruelty-free, compassionate living. Returning to his birthplace a year ago, after a long time away, we caught up with him to learn more about him and his lifestyle, debunking a few myths and gaining a few insights about veganism along the way.

Photo by Wendy Loke

Tell us about your vegan journey—when did you go vegan and what was the reason?

Like most people, I’ve always loved animals and abhorred violence. From a very early age, I began to notice a glaring disconnect between my thoughts and actions. So, at 13, I went vegetarian despite stiff resistance from my parents and relentless teasing from kids at school. And for a long time I was convinced this youthful act of rebellion was enough—that I was no longer contributing to needless suffering. I realize in hindsight that perhaps I’d tuned out a little too much. After 20 years as a vegetarian, I’ve been vegan now for 8 years. My only regret is not having made the transition sooner.

What’s the difference between being vegan and plant-based?

The distinction can be quite subtle and oftentimes they’re one and the same, but for me, the term “plant-based” is largely dietary. The way it’s often employed here in Thailand generally indicates a proclivity but not an exclusivity, meaning that many people who have a herbivorous meal once or twice a week will often consider themselves plant-based.  Veganism tends to be more comprehensive in scope and touches on our relationship with animals and a desire to not see them exploited in any shape or form.  It entails a stricter adherence and an abstention from not only meat, eggs, and dairy but leather, wool, fur, honey, silk and animal-related entertainment attractions as well.

How has veganism changed your life?

Profoundly and irrevocably. It has instilled in me a greater humility to know that we, as humans, are just one of many species on this earth and that we ought to be compassionate caretakers rather than ruthless exploiters of our fellow living beings.

What are some misconceptions about vegans?

Regrettably, it’s still commonly assumed that vegans are malnourished, emaciated and protein-deficient. I think these are deeply-entrenched myths that the meat and dairy industries are very much invested in perpetuating. Thankfully there are more and more hard-hitting, information-packed documentaries, like What the Health and The Game Changers, that help to set the record straight for mass audiences. Actors, athletes and public figures are also showing the world that you can live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives without harming animals and the planet.

What does being a vegan influencer or vegan model mean to you? How is it different from being just an influencer or model?

For me it means being hyper accountable and making sure I walk my talk. There are many methods to exposing the virtues of vegan living, but I think one of the most effective and sustainable is being visible, transparent, and setting an example through my daily actions and choices. I try as much as possible to “show not tell” and let folks see for themselves that you can still be strong and healthy without harming others. The concept of masculinity has also evolved so much in recent years, to the point where more and more people are recognizing that a “real man” protects rather than exploits the most innocent and defenseless among us.

We’ve got to talk about you and Lily. When did you meet and what do you enjoy doing most with your girl Lily?

Lily came into my life when my sister launched a personal crusade to save the world one rescue dog at a time. When she spotted Lily at a local animal shelter in Las Vegas many years ago, she knew instantly that we would forge a strong, unbreakable bond. She was right.

Besides cuddling, I love taking Lils on daily adventures around the city and road trips across the country. We actually just got back from two months in Koh Phangan and Koh Samui where we visited so many beaches, temples, and vegan restaurants and had so much fun together. Seeing her joy is the greatest source of happiness for me.

What do you think about the vegan scene in Bangkok or Thailand?

In the past two years, the vegan scene here in Bangkok has grown leaps and bounds. A confluence of people and events have helped make that happen. Local influencers like PlanV, Vegan Calendar, Vegan Matters, and Tita Veganista, for instance, sharing regularly how accessible the lifestyle can be has inspired many to reduce their meat intake. Joining them in making the movement more accessible are a host of new entrepreneurs opening up exciting new restaurants. There are also new players leading the charge, like Maria Poonlertlarp and Singh Prasertkul. All of this is taking place against the backdrop of a post-Covid world, where people are more conscious of the impact of their daily choices and more mindful of the precarious state of our planet. 

What advice or tips do you have for people who are contemplating going vegan?

If we tell ourselves that something is too difficult or too inconvenient, and continually reinforce that belief, life has a way of fulfilling our prophecy. But if we step back and recalibrate our way of thinking, and tell ourselves that we’re not giving anything up we ever needed, veganism becomes a lot more manageable, joyful and deeply fulfilling. When we shift our mindsets and recognize that we’re all in this together, that animals are here with us and not for us, an inclusive world of limitless possibilities suddenly opens up, and it can be downright magical.