Narilya Gulmongkolpech: Thailand’s Rising Star in Horror and Drama
In the lively world of Thai entertainment, not many actors have been able to hold audiences’ attention like Narilya Gulmongkolpech has. This 25-year-old powerhouse, known professionally as Yada and affectionately as Benz, has gone from supporting roles in youth dramas to chilling leads in international horror hits. She is now one of Thailand’s most promising talents. Gulmongkolpech became famous around the world after her breakout role in the 2021 movie The Medium. She keeps growing as an actor, combining deep emotional depth with a magnetic screen presence. As of 2025, her star is still on the rise, with nominations, musical collaborations, and upcoming projects that show off her many talents.
Life and Schooling in the Beginning
Narilya was born in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 26, 2000. Her birth name was Natthida Trichaiya. She was the youngest daughter in her family and had one older brother. Her family was very supportive of her artistic interests from a young age. She was given the nickname Benz when she was young, but later changed her name to Narilya Gulmongkolpech, which is a Thai name that means “prosperity and fortune.”
Gulmongkolpech followed her love of the arts in school and got a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Rangsit University. Her studies not only improved her media and performance skills, but they also gave her a strong base to start her career in the competitive Thai entertainment industry. She is 164 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall and has a calm, graceful presence that hides her Aries fire—energetic, bold, and unapologetically real.
Starting a Career
Narilya’s showbiz career took off early on. She made her acting debut in 2014 as Pam in Love Sick Season 2, a popular Thai BL series that gave her a loyal fan base. She quickly got roles in projects aimed at teens, like Pancha in the 2016 movie Sugar Café and Money in the 2018 drama Make Money. These early roles showed off her natural charm and sense of humor, but it was when she played more complicated characters that people started to see how deep she could be.
By 2020, she was playing investigative roles like Ployfon in The Gifted Detective, which showed that she could handle suspense. In 2021, Sweet Secret was a big turning point for her. She played Chocco, a role that mixed sweetness with mystery and made her even more well-known in lakorn (Thai dramas).
Breakthrough and Important Parts
The Medium (2021), a Thai-Korean co-production directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun and produced by Na Hong-jin (The Wailing), was Gulmongkolpech’s real breakthrough. In this great found-footage horror movie, she played Mink, a young woman who was cursed by her family and haunted by evil spirits. Despite pandemic restrictions, the film’s raw portrayal of shamanism and possession drew in more than 769,000 viewers in Korea alone. It was Thailand’s entry for Best International Feature at the 94th Academy Awards. Everyone, critics and audiences alike, praised Gulmongkolpech’s haunting transformation. She gained weight for the early scenes to show innocence, then lost 10 kilograms for the possession scenes, all with the help of professionals to keep her mental health safe. Her performance was more than just physical; it was a psychological tour de force that mixed fear and vulnerability in a way that stayed with you long after the credits.
She signed with Channel 3 in 2022, building on this success. She made her debut in high-profile lakorns like Duangjai Dhevaprom and Suphapburut Juthathep. Her dramatic range was shown in roles like Nudee in The Wife (2022) and Jane in Coin Digger (2023). She also kept her in the thriller space with smaller roles like Nual in Mayhem! (2023) and Postman (2023).
Her lead role as Khaimuk (or Kaimook) in Netflix’s Master of the House, a seven-episode psychological thriller directed by Sivaroj Kongsakul, changed everything in 2024. The series, which looks at power dynamics in a corporate cult, has gotten an impressive 8.9/10 rating from viewers. Gulmongkolpech’s portrayal of a cunning survivor has been praised for its intensity. Since July 18, 2024, it has been available to stream on Netflix. It was her first big international lead role, which helped her reach more people around the world.
More than acting: music, modeling, and activism
Gulmongkolpech is good at a lot more than just acting. She has worked on fashion spreads and musical projects as a model and singer. In late 2024, she sang on Ice Sarunyu’s song at the Thailand Music Countdown. It was a mix of her singing skills and pop music. Earlier that year, she was in the music video for LYKN’s song “ความรักไม่ได้น่ากลัวขนาดนั้น” (TRUST ME) with Chokun Puttipong Jitbut, where they showed off their dance moves and chemistry on screen.
Gulmongkolpech has come out as gay and is now a quiet advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility in Thai media. She uses her platform to promote authenticity and inclusivity. She has more than 63,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), where she shares behind-the-scenes looks, interacts with fans, and sends subtle messages of empowerment.
Recent News and Upcoming Projects
Gulmongkolpech’s momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing down as of October 2025. In February 2025, she was nominated for Best Actress at the KAZZ Awards, alongside stars like Engfa Waraha and Baifern Pimchanok. This shows how much power she has in Thai entertainment. The Medium is still on lists of the best horror movies in 2025 because it set the standard for scares in its genre.
In the future, she will star in Nak Rak Mak… Mak Mak as Nak and The Crawling Beast of Prey, both of which are thrillers that haven’t been announced yet but promise to explore her horror roots even more. With Channel 3’s support and Netflix’s worldwide reach, this Aries dynamo will likely keep pushing the envelope in her performances.
Narilya Gulmongkolpech is more than just an actress; she’s a force that is changing Thai storytelling with every terrifying look. Her dedication to her work, whether she’s possessed by spirits or navigating corporate shadows, inspires others and shows that true stardom comes from being yourself without fear.