Chanasinj Sachdev

Pronto Denim creative director and host of Pint and Shoot YouTube show

His impact

I grew up quite out of touch with “Thainess” so I was never into Thai TV or Thai history. I didn’t read much about the king or study what he did. The impact he’s had on my life comes indirectly, from my family — more specifically, the uncontainable joie

de vivre that bubbled up inside them every time news about him appeared on TV.

How he inspired us

With my career, his impact comes through my elder brother and business partner, Dan. The late king was quite the style icon and that inspired the items Dan selects for our stores from brands all over the world. Not only that, but the king’s ac- complished works in music and the arts can be seen and heard in our office and stores. There’s also a huge cabinet at the back of the meeting room with vintage photos of the king when he was younger. The king literally permeates every aspect of our stores.

The fondest memories of him

The memories of me as a child, hanging out with the family at my maternal grandfather’s place, listening to his stories of the king. Actually, it was evident that my grandfather’s whole being was fuelled by the late king. He ran a Buddhist comic book printing company and operated a super-cheap food stall for the poor in front of his house; he also engaged in countless charitable projects all over Thailand and was a Thai-national tennis player! He met the king on many occasions. My grandfather was larger than life, and he was so devoted to the king. And that is my fondest memory of the king, how he inspired my grandfather.

His legacy

He is Thailand. It’s an undeniable truth. Regardless of where you are on the ideological spectrum, it’s undeniable that his life and legacy has resonated in some way with everyone. Directly and indirectly. The story of the God-like late king inspires the inspirational. His legacy is a force of good that lives in the back of everyone’s mind in this country.