Hot off the heels of her jaw-dropping performances opening for legendary rock band Placebo at London’s iconic Shepherd’s Bush Empire and international festivals, 14-year-old Thai rock sensation Vimolwan Saisathit, known by her stage name PETCH, has dropped her latest single, Ultraviolet.
Why the name PETCH? In Thai, it means “Diamond”—and just like a diamond, this young prodigy is tough, unbreakable, and shines brighter with every note she plays. From busking on the streets of Bangkok to taking the stage at world-renowned venues, PETCH has forged her path with remarkable grit and talent. She first captured the public’s attention at just eight years old when she competed on Asia’s Got Talent, where 16-time Grammy-winning judge David Foster predicted she was “destined for great things.”
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, PETCH refined her sound, blending rock and metal influences into something uniquely her own. A cover of Deep Purple’s Smoke On The Water brought her to the attention of Riverman, the management team behind Nirvana’s European breakthrough and Placebo’s fierce panda records debut. Now, her rise seems almost destined, like the perfect convergence of talent and opportunity.
On July 16th, 2024, PETCH opened for Placebo at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, marking a key moment for her career. The concert was a charity event to raise funds for the Mercy Centre, supporting underprivileged children in Bangkok—a cause close to PETCH’s heart. She kicked off the evening with an explosive four-song set, which included a blistering cover of Metallica’s Enter Sandman, immediately electrifying the crowd. The audience’s roaring approval confirmed what many already knew: PETCH is a force to be reckoned with.
Her latest single, Ultraviolet, continues to build on her previous releases, following the menacing Hatemail, the grungey anthem 9 Volter, and the brooding alt-rock of Black Neon. With Ultraviolet, PETCH draws inspiration from the moody melodies of Evanescence and the angst-filled energy of Linkin Park. The song captures the essence of modern melodic rock, with haunting riffs and a powerful vocal delivery that makes it one of her most compelling tracks yet.
“Kill the light and follow the ultraviolet light that glows. It will get you where you deserve and want to be,” PETCH explains, hinting at the song’s deeper message of trusting your instincts and embracing the darkness to find your path. It’s a mature and introspective theme for someone so young, but PETCH’s experiences and meteoric rise have clearly given her a unique perspective on life.
From her humble beginnings to becoming an unstoppable force in rock, PETCH is showing the world exactly how “diamonds” are made—under pressure, with determination, and by harnessing raw talent. As she works on co-writing and recording her debut album, with a full European tour planned for 2025, it’s clear that PETCH’s star is only just beginning to rise.
Brace yourselves—this diamond is dazzling, and there’s no stopping her shine.