Kanaphan Puitrakul (Thai: คณพันธ์ ปุ้ยตระกูล; born 3 September 1998) nicknamed First (Thai: เฟิร์ส)[1] is a Thai actor, model and host. He is best known for his roles in the BL series Not Me (2021), The Eclipse (2022), and Only Friends (2023).
Early life and education
First was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. He has an older and a younger brother. His parents nicknamed him "First", so that he could achieve many things in his life.[2] He completed his secondary education at Suankularb Wittayalai School. In 2021, he graduated with second-class honours from Srinakharinwirot University with a bachelor's degree in Cyber Business Management.[3][4]
Career
In 2016, First started his acting career at the age of eighteen. He auditioned for The Assassin (ฆาตกร), a movie produced for Children's Day, and was selected for the main role out of a pool of 100 teenagers.[5][6][7] In 2017, he participated in the "Cool Man Good Man" competition and entered the Top 4.[8] Later that year, he was hired by KA Cosmetics, together with Poompat Iam-samang, for a yaoi television advertisement which went viral years later.[9][10][11]
In 2018, he joined the production and talent agency GMMTV and made his television debut with a supporting role in Wake Up Ladies: The Series. In the same year, he became one of the hosts of GMM25's popular travel-based show Toe Laew. In 2020, he reprised his role as host in the show's second season.[12][13] First has been a regular guest on Thai variety and game show School Rangers since he joined GMMTV. He became one of the main hosts of the show in 2022.[14]
In 2019, First had a main role in the series Wolf and Blacklist.[15][16] The following year, he starred in The Shipper[17] and reprised his role as Ryu in the sequel series Wake Up Ladies: Very Complicated. In 2021 played the role of Yok in Not Me.[18]
In 2023, First starred as Alan in the Midnight Series: Moonlight Chicken.[25] The show won Best LGBTQ+ Programme Made in Asia at the Content Asia Awards 2023.[26] He also reprised his role as Akk in Our Skyy 2, for the series, First and co-star Thanawat Rattanakitpaisan, nicknamed Khaotung, released the single ฟังดีดี (Your World, My World) under GMMTV Records.[27] Later in 2023, he played Sand in the ensemble series Only Friends.[28]
In 2024, First starred as Kant opposite Khaotung in the series The Heart Killers, which also starred Joong Archen and Dunk Natachai in lead roles.[29] He is set to star in the 2025 series Cat for Cash, with Khaotung.[30][31]
First has participated in the GMMTV two-day concert Love Out Loud Fan Fest in both 2023 and 2024.[32][33]
Personal image
First has his own clothing brand "Momento".[34] By November 2024, he had over 3.1 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million followers on X.[35]