When asked about her work, Khun Aom (Sornchart Krainara) playfully responds that she does everything – except three things. Then, with a mischievous smile, she lists three outrages sections of the Criminal Code.

Like many great jokes, this one holds a grain of truth. Anyone involved in event management or truly connected to Phuket knows a deal about juggling a thousand moving pieces at once.

Despite her deep-rooted influence on the island’s creative scene, Khun Aom is not originally from Phuket – or even Chiang Mai, where she spearheaded the Hot Air Balloon Festival, Viva in the Air, and Chiang Mai Fest. A former supermodel and now Vice President of the Thai International Events and Festivals Association (TIEFA), she spent her childhood in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a province that still marks her car’s license plate.

Her portfolio is too vast to summarize in a single article and ranges from festivals to Royal Development Project in northern Thailand. In Phuket, her name is linked to the success of Blue Tree, Project Artisan, and Sound Gallery House.

While her Living Art Festival deserves its own feature, a few key highlights help define her success. An Australian university degree, impeccable English, an extensive network, and an enviable combination of experience and charisma – these qualities have made Khun Aom one of Thailand’s most sought-after consultants.

When it comes to large-scale productions, the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) was this year’s top event in Phuket so far. Naturally, Khun Aom played a key role behind the scenes.

“They threw it to me like a hot potato!” she laughs.

She admits that in 2018, she had planned to step away from organizing major festivals: “I simply didn’t have the energy to create everything from scratch and oversee every single detail anymore.”

Yet, after relocating to the island, she quickly found herself immersed once again in the world of creative production. Her signature project, The Living Art, was reborn, cementing her presence in Phuket’s cultural and artistic community. Today, many locals recognize Sornchart Krainara as the face of Living Art Gallery.

For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting Khun Aom, consider this your introduction to one of the driving forces behind Phuket’s most inspiring events.