Cindy Sirinya Bishop’s Inspiring Journey: From Thai Star to Leading Feminist Activist

Model and activist Cindy Sirinya Bishop, standing resolutely to the left of the stage, shared her compelling narrative alongside the dynamic actress and advocate Surisa Suzana Renaud, radiant and optimistic on the far left. Completing this quartet of inspiration were the insightful model and influencer Kanticha Chumma, standing second from the right, and the engaging moderator Risa Honghiran, positioned to the right. This event, captured beautifully by Pattarapong Chatpattarsill’s photograph, was more than just a meeting—it was a powerful gathering of minds at the Bangkok Post’s Women Vision event, an awe-inspiring testament to the resilience and determination of Thailand’s prominent feminists.

These remarkable women took center stage on a Thursday, discussing their relentless advocacy for women’s rights, menstrual health, and their staunch opposition to sexual violence. Cindy Sirinya Bishop, a household name in Thailand—a multi-talented actress, model, and one of the nation’s most passionate activists—captivated the audience with her evolution from glamorous star to fervent feminist leader and author.

“Becoming a women’s rights activist wasn’t a role I initially sought,” Cindy revealed earnestly during a riveting panel discussion on the theme of “Inspiration”. “It was something that happened almost overnight.”

The story of Cindy’s metamorphosis is nothing short of inspiring. In 2018, her campaign “Don’t Tell Me How to Dress” emerged as a courageous rebuttal to the narrow-minded notion that a woman’s attire is to blame for sexual violence. Recounting a deeply personal story, Cindy spoke candidly about her own experience with sexual assault at 17, amidst the wild celebrations of Songkran on Khao San Road, a dark moment experienced under the blinding light of day.

Driven by a wave of headlines dictating dress codes for women during Songkran, Cindy’s frustration spilled over. “I felt an overwhelming sense of anger,” she recalled. In a moment of raw authenticity, she recorded a video on Instagram boldly declaring, “Don’t tell me how to dress.” The response was electric—her message went viral, and within a blink, the hashtag #Don’tTellMeHowtoDress swelled into a movement of empowerment.

“With this movement came responsibility,” she acknowledged. “It was a pivotal moment. How could I let such an opportunity slip by when no one seemed to be discussing this issue, not even a so-called beauty queen?” she expressed passionately.

Confronting the deeply ingrained belief that women are mere objects owned by men, Cindy took another bold step by authoring a children’s book, “My Body, My Rules”. “At that time, there wasn’t a single book in Thai discussing consent and bodily autonomy for children,” she explained, pointing to an urgent gap in literature.

The former Miss Thailand didn’t stop there. She tirelessly spearheaded programs focusing on menstrual health—educating over 3,000 young girls about the profound changes of puberty, thus filling a vital void in health education.

Next, Ticha Kanticha Chumma, distinguished actress, model, and influencer stepped up with her own tale of transformation. Ticha admitted, “Reaching celebrity status made me ponder my next steps.” She noticed the pervasive silence around sex in Thailand—a topic often treated as taboo, especially for role models. “I felt compelled to tackle it. But how could I make a conversation about sex appealing?” she wondered.

With her impressive following of 1.6 million on Instagram, Ticha crafted an inviting digital space where people can candidly discuss sexuality, covering everything from consent to safety and shared experiences. “It’s a realm of connection; I call it sex ‘edutainment’—merging education with entertainment,” she explained. “I’m fueled by the trailblazing women before me who shattered barriers and paved new paths. We owe it to them and future generations to continue this essential journey,” she stated with conviction.

Surisa Suzana Renaud, an actress and model, with a spark of audacity, leapt into the Miss Universe Thailand 2024 pageant—a contender without prior experience but with unyielding determination. At age 31, she earned the esteemed title of first runner-up.

“I wasn’t the frontrunner, and winning wasn’t my ultimate goal,” Surisa reflected. “I wanted to represent women of my age group in this new era where age barriers have been lifted. If I could do it, it served not just me, but also others, as a testament to what’s possible,” she declared candidly.

In a humorous revelation, she added, “When I wasn’t crowned Miss Universe, my immediate thought was, ‘Thank goodness, I can finally get a good night’s sleep’,” she chuckled. “Reality is, we’re much like each one of you—all charting our unique paths while soaring forward in unity.”