Nowadays, Thai actors are gaining popularity besides Korean and Indian actors. Their charm, ageless beauty, talent, and dedication to their job have made them known worldwide. The greatest of actors with exceptional achievements make them legendary. Promoting their culture globally by breaking records and gaining recognition makes them a legend of all time. From veteran actors to young rising actors, lists go on and on. Here are some of the top ten legendary actors of Thailand for you to know:
1. Tony Jaa
Tatchakorn Yeerum, formerly known as Phanom Yeerumborn on 5 February 1976, is known internationally as Tony Jaa, and in Thailand, Jaa Phanom is a martial artist, stuntman, actor, action choreographer, director, and traceur. He is a multi-talented artist known for his work in Furious 7, Ong-bak 1 and 2, SPL lI: A time for consequences. Coming from a rural area, he watched Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, who inspired him to learn martial arts. He was a stuntman for 14 years when he entered the industry which led him to his first acting role. Rest is history.
2. Mario Maurer
He is a Thai actor from German-Chinese cultural background. He gained popularity in a 2007 movie called ‘The Love of Siam’ and a 2010 movie ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love.’ He was the main lead of Thailand's most grossing film of all time Pee Mak. He won the Best Actor award in the Starpics Thai Films Awards and nominee in the Bangkok Critics Assembly and Star Entertainment Awards. He did many endorsements with brands like Pepsi, Dutchmill, and Sony. He is one of the young successful actors of the Thai industry and has a one-of-a-kind charm. He is one of the most famous faces of Thailand.
3. Prin Suparat
He is known as Mark Internationally. He is a Thai actor and model and often appears on Channel 3. He is a member of a show called 4+1 Channel 3 superstar alongside Mario Maurer and others. He is known for his role in ‘Ngao Ruk Luang Jai.’ He has done tons of endorsements in many different brands such as Vaseline, Samsung, and many more. However, he was born in 1997 and is only 25 years old one of the greatest actors of Thailand.
4. Nadech Kugimiya
Nadech is known as the ‘King of Presenter.’ He is a Thai actor and model and nickname as Barry. Born in 1991, he started his modeling career at the age of 17. In 2010 he debuted in acting with the leading role in a series called ‘Ngao Ruk Luang Jai.’ He is also a member of 4+1 Channel 3 Superstar alongside Mario Maurer. He also has an exclusive contract with Channel 3. He is also an environmental conservationist. He also made a short film on deforestation to spread awareness. He is one of the highest-paid actors in Thailand.
5. Mum Jokmok
Petchtai Wongkamlao is known by his stage name Mum Jokmok. He is a Thai comedian, actor, and film director. He is a popular television personality. He started doing stand-ups in cafes in Bangkok and little restaurants. His best acting roles are in Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior as comic relief, Ong-Bak 2 he plays a part of a cop. He was the writer, director, and actor of the bodyguard, a comedy-action movie. He has his TV show called Mum Show which comes every Saturday.
6. Theeradej Wongpuapan
Known as Kane, he is a Thai actor, model, and presenter. He is the son of the actor Weeraprawat Wongpuapan. Theeradej is the most famous actor in Thailand. His popularity started when he played a role in a series called ‘Song Rao Nirun Dorn.’ Since then, his fame has been rising. He has been appointed as Thai ambassador of "UNICEF" since 2008 and a presenter of the "White Ribbon Year Project", which campaigns the violence against children, feminine, and families. His role in the Bangkok traffic love story was the highest-grossing film of that year.
7. Shahkrit Yamnam
Shahkrit is a Thai actor and television actor. He gained fame by being in many sitcoms and lakorn. His nickname is Krit. He was noticed on international radar starring opposite Steven Seagal in ‘Belly of the Beast’ and then with Nicolas Cage in the 2008 remake of a crime thriller movie called ‘Bangkok Dangerous.’ He has also hosted some shows in the '90s like teentalk and e for teens. He was casted in many hit dramas, movies, and TV shows.
8. Pong Nawat Kulrattanarak
He has been considered one of the A-list stars of Thailand. Pong is an actor and model. He is working in the Thai industry for the past 21 years. His 2008 movie ‘Song Kram Nang Fah’ earned him his first nomination in acting. This role got him recognized in the industry. In 2013 he did a movie called the second slight, which is one of the best-known works to date. He has done tons of dramas as well, and that list goes on and on.
9. Num Sornram Theappitak
Num is a Thai actor, pop singer, model, screenwriter, football player, and director. He has appeared in many lakorns and is known as the legend of lakorns. He is one of the highest-paid actors in the Thai industry. His work includes ‘Dao Pra Sook,’ ‘Prissana,’ ‘Ban Saithong,’ ‘Maya Tawan.’ He is known for his lakorns like Poh Rub-Jang (Daddy for Hire) and Duang Jai Patiharn (Miracle of the Heart). He has also served Royal Thai Army from 2000-2002.He has been nominated in many categories and won several awards, including a Mekhala Award for Best Actor for his Outstanding Performance, and as Popular Actor.
