Nene Royal visits Government House, PM sings along

Government House was in festive mood on Tuesday as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and several cabinet ministers took turns at the microphone alongside Phuket rocker Nene Royal, ahead of her upcoming appearance on “America’s Got Talent”.

The 16-year-old musician — real name Rattikarn “Praew” Umloy — arrived around 11am, shortly before the weekly cabinet meeting. The occasion was a publicity event arranged by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to showcase the young talent who has captured international attention.

The government has named Nene as a tourism ambassador to help showcase and promote Thailand to the world. It also announced that it would cover all her expenses related to her participation in America’s Got Talent.

Also present at Tuesday’s event were Deputy PMs Ekniti Nitithanprapas and Yodchanan Wongsawat, and ministers Prasert Jantararuangtong, Varawut Silpa-archa, Julapun Amornvivat and Nikorn Soemklang.

Nene performed Thai rocker Sek Loso’s hit Somsan as the group clapped along, with the microphone passed between the prime minister and ministers to sing verses in turn.

Next up was a guitar solo followed by her inimitable version of Zombie, the Cranberries song that earned Nene four “yes” votes in the first round of the 21st season of America’s Got Talent.

Mr Anutin presented her with an Amazing Thailand pin and souvenir set, praising her talent and pledging government support as she advances in the competition.

Last week, Mr Anutin played the saxophone as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sang along to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” Mr Anutin’s two-day visit to Malaysia on July 9 and 10 aimed to strengthen economic cooperation and resolve an issue that had disrupted seafood trade.