There are long relationships, and then there are 14-year love stories that started with a BlackBerry PIN.
Thai actress Mint Chalida Wijitwongthong and businessman Phupha Techanarong have officially added an engagement to their very long relationship timeline, with Phupha proposing to Mint during their recent trip to Kyrgyzstan. And judging by the photos, he picked a backdrop that is almost offensively beautiful.
With towering mountains, rocky peaks and a striking turquoise alpine lake behind them, the couple marked the moment in a way that feels very them: intimate, personal and far removed from the usual proposal setup.
And after 14 years together, there is quite a story behind that ring.
Long before the engagement photos, Mint and Phupha's relationship began with a very 2010s form of flirting: BlackBerry Messenger.
Phupha initially reached out to Mint asking for her BBM PIN so they could continue talking. Eventually, the two arranged to meet in person. Their first date was hardly the smooth, cinematic beginning you might expect from a couple who would eventually spend more than a decade together.
Mint was reportedly three hours late after getting caught up in a car accident, then proceeded to approach the wrong table when she arrived. Phupha eventually had to wave her over with a very simple, "I'm here."
Somehow, the awkward introduction worked.
As their relationship developed, Mint also met Phupha's family and friends, who initially had questions about whether the young businessman might be something of a flirt. Instead, Mint found him consistent, and that consistency became one of the foundations of their relationship.
For the first year, he remained present and dependable, and the pair continued building their relationship away from the spotlight.
Fourteen years together does not mean fourteen years without complications.
After six or seven years of dating, the couple went through a period of separation when Phupha went to ordain as a monk. Mint was unable to do the same because of her filming commitments.
When Phupha eventually returned, their relationship entered a difficult period. He became distant and stopped contacting her, and Mint learned that he was still processing his experience in the monastery.
When they spoke, Phupha expressed that he wanted time alone. Mint, unwilling to remain in an undefined situation, asked whether they were continuing their relationship. When he suggested they stop talking for a while, she decided to end things.
They spent around eight months apart before eventually finding their way back to each other, with friends and family reportedly encouraging a reconciliation.
Apparently, the story wasn't finished yet.
Fast-forward to September 1, 2026, and Phupha had a very different question for Mint.
The couple was traveling through Kyrgyzstan when he proposed, with Mint's younger brother, Mon Thanatchai, also joining the trip.
The engagement photos are less traditional proposal setup and more alpine adventure meets low-key bridal editorial.
The couple appears together on a rocky mountain landscape overlooking an almost surreal blue-green lake, with rugged peaks stretching across the horizon. Mint kept things relaxed in a dark brown jacket, white ribbed crop top and black trousers, while Phupha wore a brown jacket, black trousers and a distinctive gold-toned traditional-style head covering.
Then came the veil.
Mint paired her casual travel look with a voluminous white tulle veil, complete with a bow at the back. It billowed dramatically in the mountain wind, instantly turning what could have been a simple travel photo into an engagement shoot.
The effect is surprisingly charming. There is no elaborate floral installation or candlelit dinner in sight. Just the couple, a veil, a ring and one extremely impressive mountain range.
Naturally, the close-up photos make one thing very clear: Mint's engagement ring is not exactly shy.
The ring features a prominent oval or elongated oval-shaped centre stone with a bright, brilliant appearance, set on a delicate-looking band. In the photos, the stone catches the natural light particularly well, standing out against Mint's otherwise understated outfit.
Its proportions give it that classic elongated silhouette while the slim band keeps the overall look clean and elegant. It is also a fitting contrast to the surroundings. Against all that rugged rock and dramatic scenery, the ring brings a polished little flash of glamour.
The photos also show Mint proudly holding up her hand, making sure there is absolutely no ambiguity about what happened on this trip.
She's engaged.
The engagement also comes after years of public curiosity surrounding when, or whether, the couple would marry.
In 2024, Phupha faced online criticism from people questioning why the pair had been together for so long without getting married. Mint responded at the time that she was not yet ready for marriage, explaining that the decision depended more on her.
Two years later, it appears that the answer has changed.
And perhaps that's one of the sweetest details of this particular engagement. After 14 years, there was clearly no need to rush the timeline. They had already experienced the early awkwardness, the years together, a separation and reconciliation, public speculation and plenty of life in between.
Now, they get to add another chapter.
A proposal can be as personal as the relationship behind it, whether that means a grand gesture in the mountains or an intimate moment somewhere that means something to you.
Wedded Concierge helps you find trusted jewellers, proposal planners, venues and wedding experts matched to your vision, destination and personal style. Whether you're dreaming up an adventurous proposal like Mint Chalida’s or planning something closer to home, the right support can help bring every detail together.
Search real weddings, venues and vendors from around the world.
Search Wedded Wonderland
