She’s graced magazine covers, walked red carpets, and captured hearts on-screen, but on a warm April afternoon in Bangkok, Praya Lundberg—Thai-Swedish actress, model, and humanitarian—stood before the press with a different purpose: to speak for those without a voice. Known for her roles in Thai dramas and the hit series White Lotus, Praya (also known as Praya Suandokmai) has become just as celebrated for her work off-screen as the UNHCR’s first Goodwill Ambassador from Southeast Asia and now as an advocate for animal rights with PETA.
Born Nataya Lundberg on 28 March 1989 to a Swedish father and a Thai mother, she grew up in Bangkok and attended International School Bangkok (ISB), later earning a bachelor’s degree from Oxford University in the UK. Her acting career began at a young age in Thai television dramas, where she quickly gained popularity, and she has since appeared in both Thai and international films, as well as on the covers of top fashion magazines around the world.
Beyond the glamour, Praya is deeply passionate about humanitarian causes, including education, gender equality, and refugee rights. Appointed as the first Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR in 2017, she has continued to use her voice to make a difference. A strong advocate for a healthy lifestyle, she often participates in charity runs and wellness events and launched her own wellness brand, “Nola’s Health,” in 2015.
During the press conference on 24 April at the elegant Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok, I had the chance to ask Praya if she spoke Swedish. She smiled and answered, “No, I don’t understand or speak Swedish, but I’ve visited Sweden.” Interestingly, she addressed the media entirely in Thai, which I must admit I didn’t fully understand, but her main message came through clearly: don’t buy pets—adopt them instead.
I had imagined her arriving dressed like an angel from a Victoria’s Secret show, but she appeared casually in jeans and a T-shirt bearing the PETA logo. Still, two large posters featuring Praya dressed as an angel with her dog, Pirate Arthur, were displayed on stage. Pirate Arthur, however, stayed home that day.
In 2023, Praya married Vietnamese-American businessman Quoc Cao at Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, a match made through her mother. The wedding, attended by 200 guests from around the world, saw her wearing a Valentino wedding gown and a Vivienne Westwood dress for the reception. In lieu of gifts, the couple asked for donations to the “I Stand With My Pack Dog Rescue” charity. They plan to have one child in the future—and, no doubt, many adopted dogs.
At the press event, Praya was introduced by Khun Paul Narula, a PETA representative who has worked with the organization for 20 years. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is an American animal rights group advocating for better legal protection and treatment of animals worldwide.
The audience was mostly Thai media—I’m fairly sure I was the only non-Thai journalist present. A delightful vegetarian and vegan buffet was served, prepared by a German chef formerly of the magnificent Hotel Bürgenstock in Lucerne, Switzerland. While waiting for some media colleagues who had mistakenly gone to the other Kempinski hotel near Siam Paragon, I had the pleasure of chatting with the chef in German.
I must confess, I’m probably one of the few who haven’t seen White Lotus, but after meeting Praya, I’m curious—I just might have to watch it now.
