The 'Three Lady Cooks' canned fish brand has been a staple in Vietnamese meals for decades. The image of three smiling women on sardine and mackerel in tomato sauce cans has become a part of many generations' memories. However, the story behind the real people in this iconic photograph remained a mystery until recently.
The secret came to light when TikTok user picha966 posted a comparison of the woman in the logo with her mother, accompanied by the caption: "The one in the middle is my mother."
 |
The 'Three Lady Cooks' canned fish brand has been a familiar food for Vietnamese people since the early 2000s. Photo: @picha966 |
The 'Three Lady Cooks' canned fish brand has been a familiar food for Vietnamese people since the early 2000s. Photo: @picha966
Picha confirmed her mother is Runglawan Sripatimakoon. The photo was taken more than 50 years ago when she was 28 years old. At the time, she accepted the advertising modeling job for the brand for a fee of 500 baht. In the early 1970s, this was a significant sum, equivalent to a month's salary for many general laborers in Thailand, not a small amount compared to current exchange rates.
Runglawan cherished this youthful memory, enlarging the photo and displaying it in her living room for many years.
 |
Runglawan Sripatimakoon is the woman in the middle of the 'Three Lady Cooks' canned fish brand logo. Photo: @picha966 |
Runglawan Sripatimakoon is the woman in the middle of the 'Three Lady Cooks' canned fish brand logo. Photo: @picha966
Rewinding to 1972, Runglawan was not an unknown model. She was a "Nang Songkran" (Songkran beauty queen)—a symbol of beauty during the traditional water festival—and actively worked as an actress, model, and television host in Thailand, the Land of Golden Temples.
Regarding the identities of the other two women, her family stated they were models hired for the same photoshoot. One is believed to be Rotjana Namwong, the sister of Thai movie star Aranya Namwong. However, this information has not been verified with the same certainty as Runglawan's case.
 |
Runglawan Sripatimakoon at 81 years old. Photo: @picha966 |
Runglawan Sripatimakoon at 81 years old. Photo: @picha966
Currently, at 81 years old, the former "girl" lives peacefully with her children and grandchildren in Chanthaburi province. Due to her age, she faces health issues such as high blood pressure and joint pain, making movement difficult.
Despite her declining health, she maintains an optimistic spirit. After her story was shared, her daughter expressed emotion at the affection shown by the online communities in Thailand and Vietnam for the "old acquaintance" on those canned sardine labels from years past.
Minh Phuong (According to Tnews, Thaihitz)
