Charnkiat “Boyd” Mahantakhun is studying for his PhD at ChulaJongkorn University in Educational Technology, while at the same time working at the family owned, high-end jewellery shop, Bee Bijoux.
The 32-year-old has been help ug his mother, Suwaluck, with the jewellery business for two years and has created his own jewellery range called Proud Line, offering necklaces, earrings, rings, pendants, bracelets and cufflinks.
The line recently received the Design Excellence Award at the Prime Minister’s Export Awards.
Mr. Charnkiat’s jewellery is entirely handmade, and uses contemporary niello work designs depicting Thai motifs.
“My inspiration actually comes from ancient Thai handicrafts even if I look like a modern person,” said Mr Charnkiat, who could indeed be described as an “ultra trendy” dresser.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Oregon University, majoring in computer information science. He obtained a scholarship by serving as the Thai representative to provide the university, as well as the community, with an “international cultural service”
“My university was located in small town in the middle of nowhere. The town favours diversity, and would like to spread it among the community.”
The role required Mr.Charnkiat to be a Thai cultural emissary. He visited nursing homes and middle and high schools, performed Thai classical dance and brought in Thai food and explained the ingredients and how they are cooked.
It was partly from this experience that Mr.Charnkiat decided to use classical Thai patterns for his master degree’s work, also at Southern Oregon, in multimedia and computer science. This led to the inspiration for his jewellery line today.
“In multimedia, I did everything from movies, computer graphics and music to still shots. I sometimes applied classical Thai designs.”
Why didn’t Mr.Charnkiat take up jewellery design at university?
When I was young, I was always taught that the best occupations to be were engineer, doctor and businessman, so I decided to take up business courses at university.”
Mr.Charnkiat graduated with a 3.9 grade point average (GPA) for his bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) and a 3.8 GPA for his Master’s degree (cum laude).
“I’m happy to create multimedia works. When I sit and look at my work, I just feel happy that I’ve created all of it.”
Back home in Thailand, Mr.Charnkiat interned at the respected Workshop and Studio production house for a year.
“It was a lot of fun. I also learned a lot because the job was very detailed. Then I felt it was time to help my mother with the family business. It was the most logical choice at that time. I wanted to gain outside experience first, and I had. It was finally time for me to further develop the family business.
When Mr.Charnkiat first started with Bee Bijoux, he concentrated on the area that he knew best, which was media.
“I first oversaw our catalogue, brochures, print ads, logos and such.”
Besides jewellery design and his PhD coursework, Mr.Charnkiat also freelances as a web designer and produces slide show presentations
“The further I got from the multimedia world, the more I missed it. I’m the type of person who can sit in front of my computer all day.”
Referring to his PhD. Charnkiat said: “I like to study and learn new things I feel I’ve gain a lot from it. My PhD is in educational technology, while stresses making the most educational use of media.
“I want the media to bend society. For my final dissertation I am going to work on an educational video game because I always liked to play video game ever since I was little, I believe that video games can serve as a tool to sharpen brains when used the right way, for cognitive development.
Other than multimedia, jewellery and his 20 cichlid fish, Mr.Chankiat’s passion is dancing
“It all started when I went to a gala dinner with my mother when I was 18. There was Kinaree contemporary dance show. It impressed me, and I never forgot it.”
In Oregon, Mr.Charnkiat joined the Moment in Time Dance Company. He received free training in exchange for performing the company, which he did for two years before returning to Thailand.
“I was the only Thai in a small company of around 10. We were so close that we could dance in synch even without the music on. Sometimes I would do a Thai contemporary dance piece.
Today, as activities directors for the Royal Bangkok Sports Club’s physical fitness committee, Mr.Charnkiat has started five group exercise classes including hip-hop and belly dancing.
“When I dance, I tend to forget everything around me. Everyone in the class is in one good energy burst moving in the same direction.”

By Panpimol Krishnamra

Bangkok Post