Great actors, singers, and directors have shaped the Thai entertainment industry. From the legendary Sombat Metaneeto Sayan Sanya, here are some Thai celebrities who haveetched their names in the sands of time:
1. Sombat Metanee
Legendary actor, director, singer, and politician Sombat Metanee once held the GuinnessWorld Record for playing the most leading roles in 617 movies. He produced almost2,000 films and television episodes. He was named a National Artist in 2016. He was alsoa member of the Senate of Thailand. He died in his sleep in August 2022. His death was asignificant loss to the Thai industry.
2. Suthep Wongkamhaeng
One of the most prominent male vocalists of the 1950s luk krung genre was Thai singerSuthep Wongkamhaeng. He died on 27 February 2022. As a performer and singer ofcontemporary Thai songs, he was recognized as a National Artist in 1990. About 5,000 ofthe songs he produced are now considered timeless classics. He was also elected manytimes to the House of Representatives.
3. Sorapong Chatree
On March 10, 2022, renowned Thai actor Sorapong Chatree died of lung cancer atBumrungrad Hospital. Having appeared in over 500 films and television shows over fivedecades, he was one of the country's most celebrated leading actors; he had starred inover 500 movies and TV shows. In 2008, he was nameda national artist in the field ofperforming arts, marking the peak of his career and one of the highest awards bestowedupon a Thai artist.
4. Suraphol Sombatcharoen
One of the first and most prominent figures in Thailand's country music genre, LukThung, was known as the "King of Luk Thung" and the "Thai Elvis”. He wasassassinated in Nakhon Pathom after a live performance on 16 August 1968. His first hitsaw the rise of luk thung, a Thai version of crooning genres like Indonesian kroncong andJapanese enka. By the 1960s, Suraphol Sombatcharoen became the most popular Thaiperformer.
5. Setha Sirachaya
Setha was renowned as the charismatic lead singer of the storied pop group The Impossibles, which is no longer active and had a long list of hits. He also owned a production firm, worked as an actor and hosted shows for many different programs. Hewas appointed chairman of the Foundation for the Welfare of Senior Actors,establishedin 2002 to assist actors after their careers had ended. In2001,he received the NationalArtist honor. He passed away on 20 February 2022.
6. Pumpuang Duangjan
The symbol of Thai song culture, Pumpuang Duangjan or Pueng, is recognized fortransforming the genre of Phleng luk thung (Thai country music), into a danceable form(electric luk thung). She was a renowned singer, model, and actress. She conveyed thestruggles of the marginalized through her music. Her managers, promoters, and loversdestroyed Pumpuang's singing career by cheating her out of her earnings to the pointwhere she was unable to pay formedical care for a blood condition that ultimately provedfatal for her on June 13, 1992, when she was 30 years old.
7. Mitr Chaibancha
Mitr Chaibancha is regarded as a film icon of Thai cinema’s Golden Age.While filming astunt for the movie Insee tong's closing sequence, he passed away after falling from ahelicopter on 8 October 1970. He produced several box office-busting films during thezenith of his career in the 1960s. In this period, he appeared in nearly half of the 75 to100 films the Thai film industry made each year.
8. Sornphet Sornsuphan
After a protracted abdominal ailment, Sornphet Sornsuphan, a legendary luk thung singerfrom Thailand, passed away on 8 January 2022. His song"Khao No Khai," whichreceived the Golden Antenna Award for Outstanding Singer, was a turning point in hiscareer.
9. Sayan Sanya
Born Sayan Deesamer, he is best known by his stage name “Sayan Sanya”. He was acountry music icon best recognized for his quirky vocals and folkloric compositions. Heunderwent throat surgery in 1982, which left him hoarse. At the age of 30, he passedaway from cancer. This was yet another significant loss to the industry
10. Tangmo Nida Patcharaveerapong
Nida Patcharaveerapong was a well-known Thai actress best recognized for playing thelead in various Thai dramas. She died as a result of her tragic fall from a motorboat. Herbody was recovered from the Chao Phraya River in February 2022. Her mysterious deathhas left a void in the industry.
