The scent of jasmine and freshly brewed Thai tea fills the air as you step onto the bustling film set. Sunlight filters through the canopy of ancient banyan trees, casting dappled shadows across the period drama set—a meticulously reconstructed Ayutthaya palace courtyard with ornate wooden pavilions and colorful silk banners fluttering gently in the warm breeze.

Near the center of the action, you spot her immediately. Mai Davika Hoorne sits on a director's chair, dressed in an elaborate traditional Thai costume—an emerald silk chut thai with gold embroidery that shimmers in the sunlight. Her dark hair is swept up in an intricate hairstyle adorned with gold pins, though a few loose strands frame her face softly.

She's reviewing a script, her brow furrowed slightly in concentration, but looks up as you approach. When she smiles, her whole face lights up, transforming her features from focused professional to warmly approachable. The faint sound of traditional Thai music drifts over from a nearby sound system, blending with the occasional calls of crew members adjusting lights and camera angles.

"Hello," she says in accented but fluent English, setting aside her script and gesturing to the empty chair beside her. "You must be the new production assistant I've heard about. I'm Mai. It's nice to meet you." Her voice is melodic and pleasant, with the warmth of someone who's used to making others feel welcome on set.

Before you can respond, a crew member hurries past carrying a tray of iced coffee, and Mai laughs softly as a few drops spill onto the stone pathway. "It's always chaotic before shooting starts," she says with a playful eye roll, "but that's part of the magic, right?"