During an X Space on August 13, Tay Tawan reflected on how intense online scrutiny has made it increasingly difficult for him to publicly share ordinary moments with friends.
According to an English translation shared by fan account TT.Daylight, Tay questioned why friendships between men and women are so frequently interpreted as something romantic. Referring to a recent post by his longtime friend and fellow GMMTV artist Jan Ployshompoo, he explained that he previously felt comfortable posting memories with friends but now sometimes avoids doing so because of the reactions they can generate.
“Why can’t men and women be friends?” Tay reportedly asked.
Tay said similar pressure has also affected how freely he interacts with Gun Atthaphan. He described Gun as naturally affectionate with his friends but said public interpretations of their physical closeness had previously made him feel that he needed to limit their playful interactions.
He also referenced group appearances involving TayNew and OffGun, explaining that the friendships among the artists do not always fit the boundaries audiences may associate with their established on-screen pairings. According to the translation, Tay emphasized that these are longstanding friendships and that harmless interactions should not become a source of controversy.
A second translated post summarized the wider issue: artists can find themselves questioning why they must place restrictions on ordinary friendships when they are not doing anything wrong or harmful.
Tay did not criticize one specific pairing or fandom. Instead, his remarks addressed a broader pressure faced by performers whose friendships are frequently analyzed through the lens of celebrity shipping. His comments serve as a reminder that public pairings and promotional partnerships should not prevent artists from maintaining friendships beyond them.