Have you ever wondered what your bum would look like when it gets hit with a stick in slow motion or how the 7-Eleven staff would react when presented with a bag full of satang coins? Of course not. But if you are now, search My Mate Nate on YouTube to find out.
Photos: My Mate Nate
Nathan Bartling, better known as My Mate Nate, is a popular and prolific YouTuber whose channel has amassed nearly one million subscribers with his funny videos in Thai language.
In his recent video, 23-year-old Nate, showed how easy it was to persuade young Pokemon Go players to follow a stranger with a promise of finding a rare Pokemon to highlight the game's potential danger. It went viral with over a million views on YouTube in one week and received some media attention. We chatted with Nate about his online success as a farang YouTuber in Thailand.
What were you like as a child?
I grew up in California, did a lot of sports as a kid, ran around the neighbourhood, terrorising my neighbours and having fun like a child should. My first noteworthy "prank" was at my high school graduation. When they called my name, I ripped off my gown to reveal a Superman outfit underneath and started flexing. The graduating class gave me a standing ovation while I was escorted out of the ceremony.
How did you end up living in Thailand?
I first came here as a Mormon missionary and taught English for free. After I finished two years of volunteer service, I went back home. I didn't feel like college was for me so I moved back to Thailand to work as an English teacher and started my own YouTube channel.
When did you decide to do a YouTube channel?
It started out just for fun with a few of my travel videos around Thailand. Then I did a few prank videos on Thais and received great feedback. After having a few hundred followers, I decided to make videos regularly. Things slowly took off from there. In the past eight months, the number of subscribers has skyrocketed from 40K to almost one million. I will also soon start another channel which I can't tell you much about right now but it's gonna be good.
What can people expect from your channel?
My videos range from pranks on the Thai public, social experiments, travel, vlogs and whatever feels right to me. Wouldn't you like to know how people would react when I ask them if I can feel their nom (milk or breast in Thai) or kai (egg or testicle in Thai)? I also have some of the more serious videos where I explore different aspects of Thai culture too. I'm pretty sure you should be able to find something you like there.
Did you ever think your channel would become this big?
I always hoped that it would be big, but I never thought it would reach this scale so quickly. I think Thais really enjoy my work because it's something new to them and I bring in a foreigner's perspective. Another big thing I think makes people enjoy my videos is that they can see that I genuinely love making them and that I don't do them just to get paid by sponsors.
What's a kind of dream prank that you would like to do someday?
A large scale zombie infestation would be cool.
What do you find to be the rewarding aspects of being a YouTuber?
When I talk about my life motivation in my vlogs, I like to think that I help people ignite that "fire" to make their dreams come true. I've made it to where I came from nothing but hard work. I tell my young and older followers that all the time. It's always nice to receive messages from fans who tell me that I've inspired them. On the flip side, I have received negative and rude comments from people who tell me to go back to my country or that I don't belong here. It comes with the job.
Any tips for those who want to become a YouTuber?
Be yourself and keep making videos. Things may start off slow, but if your content is good, people will find their way to your channel. Before you know it, you'll have hundreds of thousands of followers. The best thing about social media is that anybody can make a name for themselves. You don't have to go through all the agencies and do what they want you to do. When I think something is ready, I don't have to have it approved by anyone else. I have complete creative control over what I do. And what a great opportunity to be living in this age where you can use technology to benefit yourself in so many great ways. All you have to do is to be willing to work hard to get somewhere.
