Nene Royal's viral guitar solos fuel Thai tourism hopes
Sixteen-year-old Thai guitarist Nene Royal has gone viral on America's Got Talent with more than 200 million views, and Thai officials now hope her fame can help draw tourists and refresh the country's global image through Amazing Thailand tourism campaigns. She heads into AGT live quarterfinals as shops report a guitar-lesson boom at home.
Key Takeaways
- Nene Royal's AGT clips have topped 200 million views—more than any other act this season.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hosted her and urged tourism officials to explore support.
- Officials have discussed featuring her in "Amazing Thailand" marketing.
- CP Group put her on a Times Square screen ahead of the live shows.
- Thai guitar shops and music schools report a clear spike in interest.
Who is Nene Royal and why is she suddenly everywhere?
Rattikarn Amloy, known as Nene Royal, is a 16-year-old Phuket rocker who once busked at night markets. She broke out on America's Got Talent with a swaggering take on The Cranberries' "Zombie," then kept momentum with Muse's "Hysteria" at Judges' Callbacks.
According to Bloomberg, her AGT appearances have drawn more than 200 million views across official platforms—more than any other act this year. She has told Thai television she hopes to become a global artist with her own tour, and her Facebook page now tops 3.1 million followers.
How could a teen guitarist help Thailand's tourism push?
Thai officials welcome her rise and hope the profile can bolster tourism promotion. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul instructed tourism authorities to explore ways to support her after seeing her perform, then hosted her at Government House, where she accompanied him on a Thai rock song.
The government has also discussed featuring her in "Amazing Thailand" campaigns. Officials see her rock image as a younger, more contemporary face for the country—beyond beaches, food, and traditional culture already familiar overseas.
The timing matters. Thailand welcomed about 20 million foreign visitors through Aug. 22, roughly 3% fewer than a year earlier, and annual arrivals still trail the 2019 record of almost 40 million.
What happened in Phuket and Times Square before the live shows?
Before flying to the U.S., Nene and her band Ozone packed Phuket's Naka Weekend Market for a Sunday night set on the same circuit where she once busked. Fans heard English-language rock staples, including "Zombie," and she thanked supporters for backing her AGT run.
Charoen Pokphand (CP) later lit up a giant Times Square LED with "Thailand's Pride Nene Go Go" after she locked a live-show berth. Thai fans also welcomed her and her mother at Los Angeles International Airport on Aug. 19. She was set for AGT's live quarterfinal on Aug. 25 on NBC; supporters in Thailand can watch but cannot vote, since voting is limited to the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Back home, guitar shops already feel the buzz: one Bangkok-area dealer sold two electric guitars in two weeks after once struggling to move one a month, and music schools report more inquiries from young players inspired by the viral solos.