Panicha Saengthongaram

In Bangkok, freelance illustrator Beya Panicha Saengthongaram — Beya — draws cultures and cuisines until the table feels shared. Colour first. Then the meal. Then the people still talking.

Beya's artistic journey began at the Faculty of Visual Communication Arts at Assumption University in Bangkok, where she earned her bachelor's degree. Her academic prowess was quickly recognized, and she transitioned into a role as a junior designer at Happy People Studio, where she honed her skills for two formative years. This period laid the groundwork for her career, blending her academic knowledge with practical experience.

Beya's talent has been acknowledged with a plethora of awards that speak to her creative prowess and the impact of her work. Among her most notable achievements is the World Illustration Award for 2023 in the Publishing Category, where she emerged as the Professional category winner. The prize records what the pages already do: carry a story that a reader wants to sit with.