Daou Pittaya is entering the race to become Thailand’s first representative at Eurovision Song Contest Asia.

The Thai singer and BL actor will compete alongside MANG of bamm as one of 10 acts announced for Thailand’s Chosen One, the national competition that will determine the host country’s entry for the inaugural pan-Asian contest.

Thailand’s national final will stream live on Sunday, September 27 at 6:00 p.m. ICT. The winning act will represent Thailand when the first Eurovision Song Contest Asia takes place in Bangkok on November 14, 2026.

Daou returns to his music competition roots

Although Daou has become widely recognized internationally through his BL projects with Offroad Kantapon, his entertainment career began in music.

Daou competed in the One31 survival program LAZ iCON, finishing first and earning a place in the five-member group LAZ1. Offroad also qualified for the group, marking the beginning of the professional partnership that would later expand into acting.

After LAZ1 concluded its activities, Daou launched his solo career with “Would You Mind?” in 2023. He has continued releasing solo music and series soundtracks while developing his acting career.

Daou and Offroad made their first appearances as BL leads in Love in Translation before reuniting in Century of Love and The Wicked Game. They are also attached to the upcoming period BL Mon Merng Mang.

His participation in Thailand’s Eurovision Asia selection therefore represents a return to the kind of televised music competition that first introduced him to a national audience.

MANG and Daou already share a creative connection

Daou will not compete alone. He has been announced as part of a joint entry with MANG, a member of the Thai co-ed group bamm and an established solo performer.

This will not be their first project together. Daou and Offroad previously appeared in the official music video for MANG’s 2024 solo single “Stay Strong”.

A title or further details about MANG and Daou’s competition song have not yet been revealed.

Who is competing in Thailand’s Chosen One?

Thailand’s national selection brings together established vocalists, bands and performers from a newer generation of T-Pop.

The 10 competing acts are:

Daou is the only contestant in the Thai lineup whose acting career is primarily associated with BL, but he is not the only participant with connections to the genre.

Jetset’er performs “La La La La”, the ending theme for the 2026 Thai BL Love of Silom.

Zom Marie has also contributed music to several BL productions. Her credits include “More Painful” from Step by Step and the recently released “Your Third”, the title song for the Max Kornthas and Nat Natasitt series of the same name.

Another BL actor is competing in South Korea

Daou is not the only BL actor participating in the wider Eurovision Asia national-selection season.

South Korean singer JUNHEE is one of eight artists entering Korea’s Next Wave on September 4. Previously known as Jun while promoting as the leader of K-Pop group A.C.E, JUNHEE starred as Eunho in the 2021 historical Korean BL Tinted With You.

The series followed a modern student who is transported into a painting and sent back to Korea’s past, where he develops a relationship with the exiled Prince Heon. JUNHEE later spoke about the role and his support for LGBTQ+ fans.

The Philippines’ selection also includes singer Jason Dy, who previously released a Filipino-language cover of “Kan Goo,” the theme from the Thai BL 2gether. However, unlike Daou and JUNHEE, Dy is not primarily connected to BL through acting.

Which countries are participating in Eurovision Asia?

The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia was officially announced in March as the first multi-country Asian expansion of the long-running Eurovision format.

The current participating lineup includes:

More participating countries may still be announced.

Bhutan became the first country to select its entry, choosing Nyendra to perform “Lhayi Semo.” Malaysia subsequently selected Aina Abdul, whose competition song will be revealed later.

Other countries will choose their representatives through national competitions scheduled throughout August, September and October.

How to watch and vote for Thailand’s selection

Thailand’s Chosen One will stream internationally through the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel on September 27.

National selections for Eurovision Asia will incorporate a Rest of the World vote, allowing viewers outside Thailand to participate in choosing the country’s representative. More detailed voting instructions are expected closer to the broadcast.

The winning act will advance to the Eurovision Song Contest Asia grand final in Bangkok on November 14, where Thailand will compete against entries from across the region.