Pavarisa Phenjati, whose posh family has ensured that she knows her way around high society, is fairly new at show business, but she's got a heck of a job - she's the "ambassador" for Rain, the South Korean pop phenomenon.

Just the same, she still wants to work for the United Nations.

A lively personality with eyelashes that go on forever, 22-year-old Pavarisa - family and friends call her Noo Whan - has been riding the celebrity rocket.

She's hosted five television shows: "Jamook Mod", "UBC Inside", "Trendy TV", "Koo Khonla Kua" and something vaguely to do with Paris Hilton.

This year she's got two more coming out, plus a film - a romantic comedy for which she also sings on the soundtrack. And she writes a column for Women magazine.

That really ought to be enough for any one person, but then Noo Whan interviewed Rain for "Jamook Mod", and in the process became a huge fan of the young singer.

One thing led to another, and now she's in charge of keeping his name - Rain, not his real moniker, Ji Hoon Jung - in the Thai headlines.

She's a great choice for the job, saying right off the bat that Rain absolutely deserved to be named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people last year.

"Rain has a very charming and caring personality, apart from his talent at singing and dancing," she says.

"I didn't know who he was until I had to interview him for my show, but I was touched by his work attitude, dedication and modesty."

Noo Whan is also into the swing of her ambassador's job when she points out that Rain's concerts are always frenzied successes, including the one last year at New York's Madison Square Garden, and more mayhem is expected when he returns to Bangkok next month.

Noo Whan reckons her show business career is good for a few more years, but she has loftier ambitions. Her dream is to be in a position where her decisions will really make a positive difference in a lot of people's lives.

"I might enter politics when I reach 40. And I'd love to gain more experience with an international organisation, the UN in particular. But before that I want to get my master's degree before I'm 24, and a doctorate before I'm 30."

Degree-wise, Noo Whan has a bachelor's in economics from Chulalongkorn University's International School, and while studying was a trainee at the UN.

She acknowledges that, at least partially, she's enjoyed considerable success already because "I born with lots of privileges.

"But I grew up playing with street children and the maids' children because I'm an only child. Some of these kids were quite intelligent, but they couldn't afford a higher education. They had to quit school at an early age and join the workforce.

"So if I ever have the authority, educational development will be my first priority. I really want good education for all areas and all people, and it should be free."

Noo Whan also believes that Thai women need an image boost on the international stage because it's currently too negative, and she wants to promote energy saving in the home and community.

Virtue, she believes, will protect her against corrupt politics.

"I have a lot of self-confidence," she says. "I've never been like anyone else. If I decide on something that I think is best and it doesn't cause trouble for other people, that's the path I'll follow."

Noo Whan's good looks and hi-so connections give her a certain aura that not everyone will admire, but she believes that fans of TV's "Joh Jai" show who saw her doing a good deed in one episode know the real Pavarisa.

The episode was about her ongoing work helping street dogs with sterilisation and vaccination programmes, and raising money for food and shelters.

"I'm not afraid of the stereotype image," she says. "I think show business has advantages. You get the wide recognition and a good path to future careers.

"Different people perceive me differently, but usually they see my good intentions."

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation