Chiquita

Chiquita's full name is Riracha Phondechaphiphat (ริราชา พรเดชาพิพัฒน์). She was born on February 17, 2009, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, making her the youngest member (maknae) of BABYMONSTER. Source: KProfiles / BABYMONSTER Wiki

She is the younger sister of Copper Dechawat, a member of the Thai boy group BUS, making them one of the few sibling idol pairs currently active in Asia. Source: KProfiles / BABYMONSTER Wiki

Before joining YG Entertainment, Chiquita was a member of the Thai dance cover team RedRose, where she gained attention for covering BLACKPINK and other K-pop artists. Source: KProfiles

Chiquita joined YG Entertainment in March 2021, giving her the shortest trainee period in BABYMONSTER at just one year and nine months before debut. Source: KProfiles / kpopping

She auditioned for YG by performing "In the Name of Love" by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha. Source: KProfiles

Chiquita became the third member officially introduced during BABYMONSTER's pre-debut rollout in January 2023. Source: KProfiles / BABYMONSTER Wiki

During YG's final debut evaluation, Chiquita finished 3rd overall, demonstrating remarkable growth despite having trained for less time than the other members. Source: KProfiles

She became the second Thai idol to debut under YG Entertainment, following BLACKPINK's Lisa, alongside fellow BABYMONSTER member Pharita. Source: KProfiles / Wikipedia

Lisa has been one of Chiquita's biggest inspirations since childhood. Watching Lisa succeed at YG Entertainment motivated her to pursue the same dream. Source: KProfiles

Chiquita speaks Thai and English, and has steadily improved her Korean since moving to Seoul. Source: KProfiles

Her specialty is playing the flugelhorn, an instrument she began learning when she was just six years old. She also briefly trained in Taekwondo as a child. Source: KProfiles

According to fellow member Ahyeon, Chiquita is always the last member to wake up, which is why she sets multiple alarms every morning. Source: KProfiles

Chiquita absolutely loves ramen—so much that her mother once banned her from eating it because she ate it too often. Chiquita later admitted she secretly continued eating ramen anyway. Source: KProfiles

She loves plushies, and the members have joked that her dorm room is practically filled with stuffed animals. Source: KProfiles

During an interview with Teen Vogue, the members shared that Chiquita's cheerful personality helped create a warm atmosphere in the dorm despite being the youngest member of the team. Source: Teen Vogue

Chiquita and Ahyeon are known as one of BABYMONSTER's closest friendships. The two are roommates and frequently appear together during behind-the-scenes content. Source: KProfiles

She enjoys Twilight, Harry Potter, and Mean Girls, while her favorite song at the moment is Little Mix's "Secret Love Song." Source: KProfiles

Fans often praise Chiquita for her expressive facial expressions and confident stage presence, especially considering she debuted at only 14 years old, making her one of the youngest idols ever to debut under YG Entertainment. Source: BABYMONSTER Wiki / KProfiles