Marilag Odtohan

‘UK vs the World’ champion Gawdland wants their win to inspire Asian queer kids to ‘dream big’

Gawdland wants to inspire and be an example for Asian queer kids to dream big, even when the world feels limiting.

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ABS-CBN News

<p>Days before the finale of “UK vs the World” season 3, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/3/18/thailand-s-gawdland-wins-uk-vs-the-world-season-3-ends-uk-s-winning-streak-1133" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thai drag artist Gawdland</a> returned to the Philippines for a show at Rampa Club in Quezon City. Their comeback was greeted not only by fans and fellow artists, but also by queer kids selling sampaguita, lined along the street, while moving to the beat of their original track, “Firecracker.”</p><p>The kids danced between passing cars and clusters of clubgoers, turning the sidewalk into their own stage. </p><p>For Gawdland, that moment felt something had come full circle — that maybe, somewhere between a global television show and a city street in Quezon City, something had clicked for these kids.</p><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2032589925812674847&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-03-27T05%3A08%3A37.868490%3A84f80cd3-a29b-407a-bf6c-0ce422b14f77%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=95b0655c91f1732e38a07da2bdbcaa03e4b5345e&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:550px;height:753px;display:block;flex-grow:1" data-tweet-id="2032589925812674847"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><p>In many ways, something had clicked for Gawdland, too, years before they ever stepped onto an international stage.</p><p>Their journey into the drag universe was, in their words, an accident. A teacher once put them in costume for a school performance, asking them to step into a role for a simple activity. What could have been a fleeting moment instead sparked an instinct for entertaining — a sense of self that had been waiting to surface.</p><p>&quot;Since then, I discovered that I love being a performer, I love being watched and be the entertainer to everybody. That sparks me as a little kid and I keep performing and performing from school until I was legal to perform at a bar as a drag queen. Then, &#x27;Drag Race Thailand&#x27; happened, then &#x27;UK vs the World&#x27; happened,&quot; Gawdland said.</p><p>For a queer kid still figuring things out, drag became both a refuge and a release. It gave shape to emotions that had no language yet, and eventually, even a name. “Gawdland” was born from their given name, “Tharathep,” which translates to “God of the Land.”</p><p>That early spark followed them into adulthood. When they were finally able to pursue drag professionally, they stepped into Thailand’s drag scene, carving out a space for themselves among seasoned performers.</p><p>It was there that they encountered the many realities of drag — the artistry, the labor, and the lack of recognition it often receives. For Gawdland, it became clear that drag, especially within the Thai community, deserved far more appreciation than it was given.</p><p>“To be honest, we need a lot more appreciation from Thai people [for the] drag culture. Because like when you compare it to the Philippine scene, I feel like Philippine queens are really lucky to have the fans [who] support them, see them, and appreciate their drag. Looking back at my scene, we try to convince the people to love us more, because we deserve the love,” Gawdland pointed out.</p><p>That belief continues to shape how they moved through the world, carrying the message of supporting drag artists in whatever ways they can. Tipping, when possible, is one way — but so is showing up, cheering, and respecting the craft. For many performers, drag is not just a passion but a livelihood — their bread-and-butter. And while no one is forced to give, every gesture of support matters.</p><p>As Gawdland navigated life in Chiang Mai, a new opportunity emerged: the long-awaited return of &quot;Drag Race Thailand&quot; after a five-year hiatus. The casting call alone required courage and applying meant confronting their own doubts. When Gawdland was accepted, they entered the competition with a clear intention — to tell their story.</p><p>Gawdland was candid about not feeling entirely ready. But they would learn that readiness is sometimes secondary to courage.</p><p>“I feel so nervous because in my previous season, I don’t feel that ready to compete, to be honest. Looking back, I’m proud of it, but it was a rough journey, but I’m also so happy that I got the callback [for “UK vs the World],” they shared.</p><p>Week after week, Gawdland grew — pushing through challenges, learning from critiques, and ultimately securing a place in the finale with two challenge wins. The crown may have remained out of reach, yet endings in drag are rarely final.</p><p>In fact, while the show was still airing, just as the second episode dropped, Gawdland received an invitation to join &quot;UK vs the World.&quot; Although the shock was immediate, hesitation never entered the picture and they accepted the offer.</p><p>“I was so gagged because I got the call when the ‘Drag Race Thailand’ season 3’s episode 2 was still airing. It feels so early, I know this is gonna happen someday, but I don’t think it’s gonna be early, but I immediately say yes. This is my dream and I want to meet RuPaul,” Gawdland shared.</p><p>Gawdland joined the growing roster of Asian artists making their mark in the global spin-off competition — a kind of dream that they had long manifested.</p><p>For several contestants, re-entering the competition demands reinvention. But for Gawdland, it became a chance to show what they had learned from earlier missteps and to approach things differently this time.</p><p>“I did a lot of mistakes from my [journey in] ‘Drag Race Thailand’ and I learned a lot from them. Even though I cry for those mistakes, I learned what I can improve and where I can be better than my yesterday self. If you think that I’m good in ‘UK vs the World’ it’s because I did a lot of mistakes during ‘Drag Race Thailand’ and I learned so much,” Gawdland reflected.</p><p>Carrying Thai drag and culture was no small responsibility. Yet once the cameras began rolling, Gawdland chose to let go of rigidity. They allowed themselves to be present — to be funny, spontaneous, and fully immersed in the moment. All of this mattered especially for someone carrying the hopes of their community.</p><p>Behind the scenes, preparation had been intense. With guidance from “Drag Race Thailand” hosts Art Arya and Pangina Heals, they entered the competition with a stronger sense of direction.</p><p>“I have to thank Pangina Heals and Art Arya [for] mentoring me since the day 1 of the journey. We take this seriously, like we got a meeting call [to plan] the strategies, characters, runway looks — it’s teamwork.”</p><p>That collaboration paid off, as Gawdland quickly found their footing in the competition.</p><p>Gawdland delivered consistent performances, earning top placements and collecting two gold RuPeter badges. One of their most memorable performances came during Snatch Game, where their portrayal of Cardi B secured a win — and, to them, felt like a confirmation that they meant to go all the way.</p><p>“To be honest, I feel this when I won my Snatch Game, my second [RuPeter] badge [and a] back-to-back win. It seems at that moment like, am I RuPaul’s favorite, right now? Because everything that I say, RuPaul laughs out loud,” Gawdland giggled after sharing.</p><p>Their eventual victory marked the culmination of years of persistence, risk, and belief. In winning “UK vs the World,” <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/3/18/thailand-s-gawdland-wins-uk-vs-the-world-season-3-ends-uk-s-winning-streak-1133" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gawdland made history as the first Asian to take the crown</a> — a win long manifested and deeply felt.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWAO8huEwao/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A383924.5%2C%22ls%22%3A383585.09999990463%2C%22le%22%3A383912.7000000477%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Yet for them, the title is only part of the story. What Gawdland also treasures are the connections formed along the way. Queens they once watched from afar became collaborators, friends, and chosen family. </p><p>Among them is Minty Fresh, with whom they share a particularly strong bond. Minty was also among those present, alongside Art, Pangina, Frankie Wonga, and other personalities, when Gawdland was crowned.</p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWBYjYQDx1g/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A407818.7999999523%2C%22ls%22%3A383585.09999990463%2C%22le%22%3A383912.7000000477%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Gawdland wants to inspire and be an example for Asian queer kids to dream big, even when the world feels limiting.</p><p>“In Thailand, we don’t have big scenes, and we don’t have much representation on the global stage. So, being here is really, really important to me. I want to make my country proud, I want to show how we do drag in Thailand, and in Asia.”</p><p>Gawdland added, “When you’re on national television, you’re not only doing drag for yourself, but also for the people watching you. And I hope that no matter what happens, I really want this moment to be an example, especially for Asian queer kids to dream big.”</p><p>And perhaps, just outside Rampa Club in Quezon City, the queer kids dancing to “Firecracker&quot; are already carrying that dream forward.</p>

<p>Gawdland wants to inspire and be an example for A<i>sian </i>queer kids to dream big, even when the world feels limiting.</p>

Gawdland wants to inspire and be an example for A sian queer kids to dream big, even when the world feels limiting.

‘UK vs the World’ champ Gawdland wants to inspire Asian queer kids to ‘dream big’

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‘UK vs the World’ champ Gawdland wants to inspire Asian queer kids to ‘dream big’

Marilag Odtohan,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 27, 2026 02:23 PM PHT

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