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Published on July 14, 2007

Noppawan Pookkesorn is a bodyguard. She may not dress in a severe black suit, wear dark shades or look solemn, but her job is to keep a watchful eye on Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova.

On a recent six-day trip to Natalie's hometown, Taupse in Russia, Noppawan dressed in colourful dresses with high heels or went casual in T-shirt, jeans and sneakers.

When Glebova joined a fashion show, Noppawan slipped on an evening gown and mingled with the crowd. The disguise fitted her slim body so well that the bodyguard was mistaken for a model.

"I was invited to go on the catwalk," she says, laughing. "I just didn't want to stand out from the crowd and Natalie didn't want people to know she has a bodyguard."

Noppawan's business card identifies her as an executive assistant for Natalie's Fah Glebova International.

Unlike many "close-protection officers", Noppawan doesn't stick rigidly to Natalie's side although she is never more than 10 metres away.

On duty, the bodyguard refuses all alcoholic drinks, and while she enjoys a sociable chat with the crowd, her eyes are constantly on the boss to ensure her safety and comfort. She relaxes only after Glebova has gone to bed.

Her rules are simple: The beauty should always be in sight. And Glebova has to meet her eyes everytime she turns to look for her.

"You never know when she will be in need of something."

That something, says Noppawan, can mean anything from "I need a friend" to "I need to sneak out", or even "I need the bathroom".

Noppawan studied at the Police General Hospital, learning first about weapons and then working as a nurse. She quit the job in February last year. Her previous experience as a bodyguard comes from looking after Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, a job she landed through a friend.

Noppawan says she's not really a bodyguard in the traditional sense because Glebova doesn't need really one. Who could possibly want to attack "Princess Charming"?

So, instead of keeping an eye out for bombs, Noppawan looks at schedules, making sure her boss arrives at work on time and sometimes even manages to clear a few hours for shopping. Her main task is to see that Glebova completes all her duties according to the schedule. Outside Thailand, she says, few people recognise the beauty queen.

Noppawan describes their relationship as close - perhaps even closer than the bond Glebova shares with her fiancé, tennis ace Paradorn Srichaphan, who only entered her life a few months ago. Noppawan learned about the love that was developing between the two long before the media ever found out.

The young women met when Glebova came to Bangkok last May to sign her one-year contract as a brand ambassador for Singha Corporation. She moved to Bangkok in August and, along with Noppawan, settled in the Lang Suan flat that her bodyguard had picked out.

However, it wasn't that easy for two complete strangers to live together. For the first few weeks, Noppawan thought that Glebova was angry because she'd return home and not say a thing. She later discovered that was the beauty's straightforward nature. Soon, they warmed to each other and came to respect each other's ways.

"She learned about my character too."

Today, the two are like sisters. Noppawan says Glebova even confides in her.

"As a friend, I'm a good listener and I never repeat her secrets. She's grown up; she can make her own decisions."

Sirinya Wattanasukchai

The Nation