Thailand's love for all things romance, drama and action has produced a generation of outstanding performers who can do it all. Check out Thailand's leading gentlemen, who range from determined campaigners to lifelong martial artists, worldwide playboys to engineers. Here, we present to you the ten hottest men in the Thai Film Industry.
1. Tony Jaa
Tony Jaa, born Phanom Yeerum, is one of Thailand's most decorated and colourful celebrities. His impressive resume includes his work as a Thai martial artist, action choreographer, stuntman, director, actor and Buddhist monk, to name a few. Jaa, who grew up in rural Thailand, studied Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li films when they were presented at local temple festivals. He began training with a stuntman and action film director Panna Rittikrai at 15. He worked tirelessly for years before obtaining his breakthrough part in Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior. He continued to be a mainstay in Thai action films until his narrative came full circle and he was cast in Rush Hour 3 by Jackie Chan.
2. Jesdaporn Pholdee
Jesdaporn, better known as Tik, began his career in entertainment as a TV commercial presenter while studying at the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce. A filmmaker noticed his potential and approached him soon after to cast him in the film Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters, which critics credit for re-energizing the Thai film industry. Since then, Tik has worked as a model, actor, and brand ambassador for several companies, as well as a host and producer of The Navigator, an ecotourism show for which he received an Honorary Degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resources from the Rajamangala University of Technology.
3. Prin Suparat
Mark, a Chiang Mai native, is recognised worldwide for his long reign as the prince of lakorns, or Thai "soap operas." His breakthrough part came in Ngao Ruk Luang Jai, and he is set to feature in Kom Faek 2018 later this year. He's recently made national news for his romantic relationship with his on-screen lakorn sweetheart, Kimberly Ann Voltemas. Mark also has a judo black belt. Although he is still very much present in the continuing Thai drama industry, most notably 'My husband in-law' on Channel 3, his major parts that lead to 'Thai superstardom' were in 2015 (Ab Ruk Online), 2010 (Thara Himalaya), and 2016 (Buang Athithan).
4. Theeradej Wongpuapan
Theeradej was destined for success as the son of actor Weeraprawat Wongpuapan and scriptwriter Kanchana Wongpuapan. The actor and activist, who also goes by the name Kane, was found by a producer at a friend's wedding and swiftly rose to prominence in lakorns and films such as Go Six and Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story. In 2012, Theeradej was admitted into Thailand's Most Popular Star Hall of Fame after repeatedly being chosen "Most Popular Thai Male Star" by an official national Thai survey. He still acts in popular lakorns and works as a Thai ambassador to UNICEF, where he campaigns against domestic abuse and for Thailand's social stability.
5. Mario Maurer
This in-demand actor, who recently completed his master's degree in political communication, got his start in the entertainment industry at the age of 16 when a modelling agent contacted him at Siam Square. The part-Thai, part-Chinese/German model got the major role in Love of Siam after a long list of commercials, music videos, and picture sessions. Following a couple more significant appearances in Thailand, including the huge success Pee Mak, his celebrity spread to the Philippines, where he co-starred in the film Suddenly It's Magic. Since then, he has appeared in Thai media in several capacities, including TV dramas, ads, and as a presenter and TV host. Mario is a member of the '4+1 Channel 3 Superstar' group, which includes Nadech Kugimiya, Prin Suparat, Pakorn Chatborirak, and Phupoom Pongpanu, among others.
6. Nadech Kugimiya
Nadech Kugimiya, a Thai actor and model of Thai and Austrian origin, is well-known in Thailand. After his mother's death, he was adopted by a Japanese man and his biological aunt, which contributed to his allure and mystique among Thai media consumers. Nadech is currently one of Thailand's highest-paid performers and celebrities, and as a result, he appears in a seemingly limitless number of commercial campaigns. He is known in Thailand as the 'King of Presenters,' and has supported a number of prominent Thai businesses, including Shopee, OPPO, 7-Eleven, Air Asia, Daikin, and TrueMove, to mention a few.
7. Weir Sukollawat Kanarot
Weir is a well-known Thai actor who is frequently featured in Thai media. He appears in television shows, films, advertising, commercials, and presentations. Weir got his start in the Thai show business at a young age, thanks to the efforts of his now-manager, who discovered a photo of him and travelled to his hometown of Khon Kaen. Weir was still in school at the time, so he had to acquire his parents' permission to pursue it. Since breaking into the Thai media landscape in 2006, Weir has amassed an amazing number of accolades that would amaze even the most talented Thai performers, including 'Male Superstar of the Year' and 'Best Asian Actor.'
8. Chakrit Yamnam
After years of gaining a local reputation as a lakorn and sitcom actor, the legendary playboy made his international debut in Belly of the Beast, starring Steven Seagal, and then in the 2008 adaptation of crime thriller Bangkok Dangerous, with Nicolas Cage. Soon after, Chakrit, also known as Krit, returned to Thai television as the presenter of Iron Chef Thailand, and he returned to his lakorn origins on episodes such as Duen Pradab Dao and the forthcoming Koo See Pee Meu Bprab.
9. Ananda Everingham
Before he was even born, this Laotian wonder was a part of an international love tale. After the communist regime took over Laos in the late 1970s, his father, a well-known Australian photojournalist, was expelled. In 1983, an NBC movie starring Michael Landon roughly described his visit to Thailand to bring his Lao sweetheart back to Thailand by scuba diving beneath the Mekong River. Ananda claims that his father forbade him from seeing the film because he thought it was a one-dimensional romance that didn't properly relate to the issues that were raging in Laos at the time, thus he only viewed it after obtaining a DVD in his teens.
10. Pachara Chirathivat
This young actor, affectionately known as "Peach," has risen to stardom quickly owing to his part in the famous Hormones TV series. He's since started a music career with the independent label Small room and acted in Thai films including The Billionaire and SuckSeed. In 2017, he returned to his TV origins as a coach on the inaugural season of Thailand's reality modelling shows The Face Men.
