Cultural Happenings
Celebrity Valentine’s Day Picks: Chocolate, Flowers and Romantic Favourites
Valentine’s Day is here! Koktail rounds up some favourite picks from celebrities–chocolate, ...
Love is a fundamental part of life for most. Whether it comes from family, friends, partners, or even the little moments of kindness from strangers, people seek love in all its forms. But let’s not forget one of the most underrated—and dare we say fabulous—types of love: self-love!
Self-love is the foundation upon which all other forms of love thrive. It’s about recognising your worth, treating yourself with kindness and embracing both your strengths and imperfections.
One way to nurture self-love is by seeking support through therapy or engaging in activities that promote mental well-being. Pataradanai “Koen” Setsuwan is a content creator dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and providing support through social media. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Koktail shares the heartwarming story of Koen and his journey to becoming a mental health advocate, using his platform to inspire self-love and emotional well-being.
His Journey Begins in a Chaotic Yet Loving Home
Pataradanai Setsuwan, or Koen, is a familiar name to many during the 1990s in the music industry. He was a member of the popular boy band K-OTIC, which debuted in 2007 alongside four other members. However, the band disbanded in 2012, with each member pursuing individual paths. Koen’s career in entertainment continued until 2016 when he decided to shift his goal and pursue a Master’s degree in applied psychology at Middlesex University in London, completing his degree in 2017.
But why did Koen suddenly change his path? At one point, he found himself questioning his own worth, wondering if people would only remember him as a former boyband member—and if he wasn’t that anymore, then who was he? That existential crisis led him to take a step back and reflect on what truly mattered to him.
A big part of that reflection came from his own family. Koen’s mum had a second child—him—because she wanted someone to help take care of his older sister, who has autism. Growing up, he was influenced by his sister’s journey and learned to understand autism from a young age. On top of that, his mum was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which meant he was surrounded by mental health issues.
All of this shaped his perspective on mental health. He started researching and realised how important it was—especially at a time when it wasn’t widely talked about. When he took his mum to seek medical support, it became a turning point, giving him firsthand experience of how crucial mental health awareness and support really are. That journey is what led him to pursue psychology and become an advocate for mental well-being.
Learning Self-worth
During his time in London, Koen had the opportunity to explore his life even further, including his sexuality and clothing choices. In his own words, he realised that if he felt masculine on a particular day, he would wear a suit. On days when he felt more feminine, he’d put makeup on or wear a dress and skirt. He embraced it all by wearing clothes that were genderless, free from the constraints of traditional gender norms. Despite receiving a lot of negative feedback from the internet, Koen realised that being himself and accepting who he is holds far more value. He can honestly say that he has never been happier.
By understanding his own worth, he’s been able to fully express himself in ways that feel true to who he is. This journey has also led him to want to support others in his community or anyone struggling with self-love. Koen’s mission is to help others discover their own worth, just as he has, and to live authentically embracing who they truly are.
The Start of JOODPAKJAI and the Future of Helping Others
Koen came to understand the importance of accessible mental health services during his time in the UK as a volunteer therapist, which gave him a real sense of fulfillment. There low-cost or even free therapy was easy to access with minimal waiting times. The system was so well-established that even though sometimes patients may have to wait for around three weeks to a month, they understood it was because the system was looking for the right therapist.
“Mental health is a normal thing. We shouldn’t be ashamed because it’s not you. It’s a part of you.”
Inspired by this, he wanted to bring the accessibility of therapy to Thailand and start his own mental health support projects. Koen mentions that growing up, when he took his mum to see doctors, it cost around THB 4,000-5,000 per visit. It wasn’t cheap and getting an appointment was difficult. So he decided to challenge himself and bring his skills back to Thailand, launching a project called JOODPAKJAI.
The JOODPAKJAI project involves setting up signs explaining the service at busy areas without doing any promotions or advertisements. Koen’s intention is always to keep it simple. He explains that his goal is to offer valuable support to people in those areas and communicate that mental health care can be found anywhere, not just in hospitals. It’s about creating a space where people can seek help in a comfortable environment.
When people who see the sign stop by, they are handed a card. On the card is an assurance that everything discussed is confidential—nothing will be shared, written about or passed on. The card also offers flexible time slots, allowing people to choose how long they want to talk—anywhere between 10 to 50 minutes. Over time, the project grew and expanded into different initiatives, including Call Me When You Need Me, where Koen posts phone numbers around the areas for those who need someone to talk to. Now, there’s also a JOODPAKJAI creative space to continue offering support in a welcoming open environment.
Koen’s journey might be a bit unconventional, but it’s one of self-discovery and a deep commitment to mental health. He encourages others to stand up for who they are, helping them understand the importance of self-acceptance. Through his JOODPAKJAI project, he provides a safe space for individuals to rest, reflect and receive the mental health support they need, fostering a community of care and understanding.
