BANGKOK — Thailand is celebrating a historic global entertainment milestone after 16-year-old Phuket musician Nene Royal became the first Thai contestant to win America’s Got Talent.
Born Rattikarn “Praew” Amloy, Nene captured the 2026 title and the show’s US$1 million prize after a standout run that took her from a young musician in Phuket to an international television audience.
Her victory has since sparked celebrations across Thailand, with businesses, fans and public officials joining in to recognize the teenager’s achievement.
Central turns its screens into a celebration
To mark Nene’s historic win, Central Pattana is displaying congratulatory messages across digital screens at its shopping centres nationwide.
At CentralWorld in Bangkok, visuals celebrating Nene are being shown across the mall, including its large interactive Panoramix screen. Other Central shopping centres around Thailand have also joined the celebration.
The campaign turns one of Thailand’s biggest commercial networks into a nationwide digital celebration of a young performer who has put Phuket and Thailand on a global entertainment stage.
From Phuket to the AGT crown
Nene’s AGT journey began with an audition that quickly attracted international attention.
She performed a rock version of The Cranberries’ “Zombie”, earning four yes votes from the judges. She later advanced through the competition with performances that showcased both her vocals and guitar skills.
Her performance of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” during the live quarterfinals earned a Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B, sending her directly into the finals.
For the final competition performance, Nene performed “Seven Nation Army”, before returning for the results show and sharing the stage with Linkin Park.
She ultimately received enough audience support to claim the season’s championship.
A $1 million victory — and a first for Thailand
Nene’s victory carries significance beyond the prize money.
She became the first Thai winner in America’s Got Talent history, a milestone highlighted by Thailand’s government and international media.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul congratulated Nene, describing her achievement as a source of pride for Thailand and highlighting her ability to bring Thai talent to an international audience.
The victory also comes with a potential platform for Nene’s professional career, including the opportunity associated with the show’s prize package and international exposure.
The journey started long before AGT
Nene’s rise did not begin on American television.
She started playing guitar at seven years old and developed her skills through years of practice. Before her AGT breakthrough, she performed in Phuket, including as a musician at local night markets.
That background has become an important part of her story: a young musician from Phuket who eventually stepped onto one of the world’s most watched talent-show stages.
After her victory, Nene returned to Phuket to a large public welcome, including a parade through Phuket Old Town.
Thailand’s celebration is only getting bigger
The reaction to Nene’s victory has extended well beyond television audiences.
Her AGT win generated more than 105 million social-media engagements in Thailand, according to a separate Bangkok Post report, underscoring the scale of public attention surrounding her victory.
For Central Pattana, the nationwide celebration is also a way of recognizing a young Thai performer whose success has resonated far beyond the country’s borders.
From a guitar-playing teenager in Phuket to the winner of America’s Got Talent, Nene Royal has now added a historic chapter to Thailand’s presence on the global entertainment stage.
And after conquering AGT at just 16, the biggest question may now be what Nene Royal does with the global spotlight that comes next.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
