Nene, who won international acclaim after performing ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries during her audition, met the Prime Minister at Government House in Bangkok yesterday morning (July 14), accompanied by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Panjaroenworakul.
During the meeting, PM Anutin presented Nene with an Amazing Thailand souvenir set and a commemorative pin before praising her talent, determination and dedication in bringing international recognition to Thai youth.
The Prime Minister also watched Nene perform ‘Zombie’ live while accompanying herself on guitar, before joining her in singing the Thai song ‘Som San’ in a light-hearted moment.
The government said it would support Nene throughout the next stages of the competition by covering her expenses and encouraging the public to vote for her. Officials also announced plans to appoint her as a tourism promoter to help showcase Thailand internationally.
The meeting came as Nene’s audition continues to gain extraordinary attention online.
The official ‘America’s Got Talent’ TikTok video of her performance surpassed 100 million views by July 12, while attracting more than 13 million likes and over 1 million shares.
Nene, from Phuket, received four ‘Yes’ votes from the judges after her powerful rendition of ‘Zombie’, earning praise from judge Mel B, who described her as ‘a rock star’.
After her America’s Got Talent audition introduced Nene’s exceptional talent to audiences around the world, hundreds of fans packed Phuket’s Naka Market last weekend (July 11-12) to watch the 16-year-old perform her regular evening concerts.
The normally modest performances became impromptu celebrations as locals and visitors gathered to cheer on the island’s newest international music star.
Speaking in Phuket after the audition aired, Nene said performing on ‘America’s Got Talent’ had been a childhood dream.
She revealed that ‘Zombie’ was also the first song she ever learned to play on guitar, making the performance especially meaningful.
Her father, Narong Amlai, said the family had prepared the audition themselves without hiring a professional production team, with Nene handling months of intensive practice before appearing on the international stage.
Nene, whose correct Thai nickname is ‘Praew’, credited her father for introducing her to rock music while growing up. Although no one in the family was a professional musician, he had once dreamed of performing on stage himself.
Looking ahead, Nene said she hopes to write and perform her own music and become an internationally recognised artist, citing Thai stars Lisa and MILLI among her inspirations.
Her father, Mr Narong, said the family is already preparing to release several original rock songs written by Nene.