Thai illustrator Tanakan Bangnoi, professionally known as 'Think like a moustache,' has built a successful career transforming ordinary moments into satirical fantasies, but his journey began with crippling self-doubt. Despite growing up in a creative family where both his grandfather and father were talented artists, Bangnoi initially lacked confidence in his abilities and never dared to show his drawings to anyone.
Bangnoi's artistic passion was first sparked as a teenager through illustrations in English vocabulary books. However, it wasn't until university that he found the courage to share his work publicly. Using Facebook as a testing ground, he began posting illustrations of ordinary Thai life infused with humor and satirical edge. The encouraging response gave him enough confidence to make a permanent commitment to his artistic identity – he tattooed the words 'Think like a moustache' on his arm as a reminder of creative courage.
"Sometimes, it's not your lack of skill that holds you back, but yourself," Bangnoi reflects on his early struggles with confidence. His breakthrough came when his weekly illustrations shared across Facebook art groups caught the attention of major Thai music labels, leading to lyric video commissions and collaborations with renowned singers.
By 2019, Bangnoi's career was gaining significant momentum. His selection as one of 200 illustrators for the Thailand Illustration Fair in 2020 confirmed his ascending trajectory in the art world. However, disaster struck twice in quick succession. First, the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled projects across the industry, devastating his income. Then, hackers destroyed his Facebook page, wiping out years of audience building and follower relationships.
"I felt like I lost everything I had built," Bangnoi recalls of the devastating period. "People who once followed my work just disappeared." For over a month, depression took hold as he faced a choice between surrendering his artistic dreams or starting over from scratch.
Drawing on his love for illustration and support from people around him, Bangnoi chose renewal over defeat. "I decided to start fresh, launching a new page and updating my work regularly on Instagram," he explains. The experience taught him valuable lessons about perfectionism and authenticity. "Nothing in life is ever truly perfect," he says. "The most important thing is just to be yourself."
Now residing near Cincinnati, Ohio, Bangnoi creates illustrations that celebrate the everyday moments many people overlook. His philosophy centers on finding joy and humor in ordinary life, especially during challenging times. "I believe there's always something fun, or a little funny, in day-to-day life," he explains. "The world is getting harder to live in, and people, including me, often pressure themselves about their future. But we shouldn't stress too much. Life always has its little jokes, mixed with a touch of fantasy."
Bangnoi's storytelling approach deliberately avoids heavy-handed messaging while still addressing various problems and situations. "I try not to make people feel overly stressed or anxious when experiencing my work," he continues. Drawing from his Thai cultural background, he notes that "many unusual things happen all the time in Thailand; sometimes so strange that people just laugh about them. Thai people often adapt by treating these situations lightly, so life doesn't feel too overwhelming."
A distinctive feature of Bangnoi's work is his use of the treasure hunt principle, similar to filmmakers hiding Easter eggs in their movies. He deliberately plants small, playful details throughout his illustrations, a technique stemming from his love of films and games. "When people look closely at my illustrations and then come back to tell me, 'Oh, I saw that little thing you put in there!' – that moment makes me really happy," he smiles.
Bangnoi draws inspiration from diverse sources, including H.R. Giger's biomechanical concepts and the golden age of practical effects in films like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and The Lord of the Rings. "That was a time when people really paid attention to details – concept art, set design, costumes – all filled with charm," he enthuses. These influences shaped his meticulous attention to detail and world-building approach.
For artists facing their own setbacks and challenges, Bangnoi offers hard-won wisdom based on his journey from self-doubt to professional success. "I believe that if you truly love something, you'll always find the time to do it; no excuses," he advises. "Even if only one or two people appreciate your work on a given day, that alone can make your day feel worthwhile." His story demonstrates how creative careers rarely run smoothly, but resilience and a positive outlook can help turn even devastating setbacks into new opportunities for growth.
