Meet Newsan, Mr. Bear Bangkok 2024

21st December 2023 John Hernandez

On November 24th the Mr. Bear Bangkok competition was held. Months of intense preparations culminated in a showdown among 30 finalists who underwent a series of challenges including auditions, photoshoots, and online tasks. The final competition day was a showcase of creativity and confidence that honored the 30 brave and handsome participants.

During the final, contestants flaunted their ingenuity in the national costume competition, narrating Thai heritage and tales of Thai fighters through fabrics and accessories. The active swimwear segment highlighted contestants’ confidence, while the ‘Hot Nerd’ Smart Casual Wear competition by GQ Apparel celebrated inclusivity across sizes. A tuxedo formal wear walk and a Pageant Question round, featuring queries from prominent Thai figures, including movie directors, singers, politicians, and TV hosts, followed culminating in the final question posed by Anchilee Scott-Kemmis, Miss Universe Thailand 2021 and advocate for #RealSizeBeauty.

When all was said and done Nadol Na Bangchang, also known as Newsan emerged victorious. Get to know more about him below.

BWM: Can you tell us a bit about your background?

Newsan: Hello, My name is Nadol Na Bangchang or you can call me “Newsan” (aka Newsan.thebear). I was born in Bangkok in 1990 and then grew up and graduated high school in Chiang Mai, North of Thailand. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Mass Communication, Majoring in Broadcasting Television.

I have made appearances in 70 game & reality TV shows in Thailand such as The X Factor Thailand and Dance Your Fat Off. My most successful work was ‘Triage: The Series’ which won the silver award from ” Asia Content Awards 2023″ and I gained lots of fans in Thailand and Asia. Now, I work as an actor, plus-size model and bear Influencer.

BWM: What drew you to the bear community? At what age did you know you were attracted to bears?

Newsan: I first got into the Thai bear community by visiting a bear bar in Silom, Bangkok when I was 20 years old. It was very warm and impressive. I felt that the Bear people were very charming. Not just in Thailand though, I once went to Rockbar NYC, and I was very impressed. I experienced the warmth and love of bear culture and felt a part of the Bear brotherhood.

BWM: What made you want to compete for this title?

Newsan: I decided to compete in Mr. Bear Bangkok 2024 because this was one of my biggest dreams. I would like to have more opportunities to work with brands and teams that support body diversity, plus-size people, and the bear community that I belong to. Also, I want to have more chances to spread positive energy, self-confidence, and self-love and make people see the importance of loving themself through Mr. Bear’s platform.

Thai Fighter round of the Mr Bear Bangkok competition

BWM: How was your experience competing? What did you have to do?

Newsan: It was a great competing experience for me. Throughout the competition, I enjoyed the fun and challenge of the various campaigns that I had to complete together with the other contestants who later became my friends. Every single task was a new experience for me because there were so many things I’d never done before. I had to compete in a sales competition, a VDO clip-creating competition and even a sports competition. Then of course, there was ‘The Final Show’. It was very grand and memorable.

There were many rounds in the finale like ‘Thai Fighter’ national costume runway, swimsuit, smart casual wear or ‘Hot Nerd’ by GQ (Thailand’s all-size friendly apparel brand), formal wear and most importantly, the final question round. It was a competition where I pushed myself to be better and I will never forget.

BWM: Can you tell us about the gay bear scene in Bangkok and the rest of Thailand? What do you want people to know about it?

Newsan: For the gay bear scene in Bangkok, we have quite a few bars for bear people. But we also have quite a lot of events throughout the year. During the New Year holidays, Songkran Festival, and Pride Month, there will be bear events. One of the recommendations that I don’t want any bears to miss out on is ‘Kuma City Camp’. It’s like a hidden place for bears. What’s interesting is that they continuously serve free food before closing at 3 AM on Fri and Sat. Sometimes, they will even turn the camp into dark or EDM mode with a DJ.

Thai Bears are super ready to give you a warm welcome. So I would like to invite all the bear friends around the world to visit us and you will have a great ‘Bear Experience’ here.

BWM: What are the responsibilities associated with your title?

Newsan: My responsibilities are to be the spokesperson of Mr Bear Organisation, telling the world about ‘Body Positivity’ and ‘Bear Brotherhood’ along with being the presenter of Mr Bear Merchandises. Also, I will join Mr Bear International 2024 as Thailand’s representative. I will do my best because this is my once-in-a-lifetime chance.

BWM: What are your goals for your title year? Will you be attending other bear events? Will you compete for any more titles?

Newsan: My goal for my title year is that I want to work with many brands that are plus-size and diversity friendly. I want to promote plus-size people in Thailand so that they gain more self-confidence and self-love. And of course, I will represent Thailand in Mr Bear International 2024 next year on the 13th of April here in Bangkok, Thailand. Please come and join us in one of the most amazing bear world competitions in history!

BWM: What are some important issues you feel that need to be addressed in the bear community?

Newsan: I want the people in bear society to accept more diversity and stop judging others by deciding whether they are ‘Bears or Not’. Bears come in different shapes, sizes, races and colours. We are all human. We should just love and respect each other and live together in happiness.