Movies

King of comedy

By Tatat Bunnag

Mum manages manic multitasking

Thai TV and cinema wouldn't be what it is without melodrama, slapstick, ghosts, ladyboys and martial arts. We're personally hoping for an all-star flick that combines all those elements into one great movie - the heartbreaking yet zany tale of a lovesick boy who must learn kickboxing in order to defend his would-be girlfriend from a gang of ladyboy ghosts.

To help get that dream project off the ground, Student Weekly picked our favourite entertainers to fill the roles.

Petchtai Wongkamlao, better known as Mum Jokmok, isn't just a comedian - he's a gifted all-round entertainer who succeeds as a stage comedian, model, actor, producer and film director.

Mum kicked off his career as a stand-up comedian in the Bangkok caf? and restaurant scene when he was 16 years old. Within a few years, he was a well known celebrity hosting popular TV shows. Since then, it seems that everything Mum touches turns to gold.

Now the 44-year-old Mum is back on the big screen with his latest hit comedy film, Wongkamlao. Student Weekly recently asked Mum to tell us about his busy life as Thailand's No. 1 funnyman.

STUDENT WEEKLY: How does it feel to be such a popular comedian?

MUM: There are so many great comedians around, so it's great to know that people still think I'm special.

STUDENT WEEKLY: How do you maintain your phenomenal success?

MUM: There's no real secret to being a comedian. You just need to have the ability to entertain. Sometimes you need to come up with ideas that nobody else has thought of. Everything you do should be done with your heart.

STUDENT WEEKLY: Why did you originally decide to become a filmmaker?

MUM: I love watching movies. It's advantageous to become director after gaining a lot of acting experience. I started to have my own ideas after acting in a lot of films. Eventually I had enough knowledge and ideas to direct a movie myself.

STUDENT WEEKLY: What made you decide to name your new film after your family name?

MUM: It's a catchy name that people can remember. It will probably make people wonder what kind crazy guy would use his family name for a comedy movie! [Laughs.] The characters in the film are all fictional, though.

STUDENT WEEKLY: Do you consider yourself to be successful?

MUM: No, not yet. Success means that you don't have to do anything anymore because you've done it all. I'm still working hard.

STUDENT WEEKLY: What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

MUM: I'll probably work a bit less and try to spend more time with my family.

Top comedians

Kohtee Aramboy

With horror-comedies being so popular here in the Land of Smiles, our Top 40 list wouldn't be complete without the king of the genre, Kohtee Aramboy.

Kohtee has lent his childlike look and hilarious humour to countless movies, soap operas, TV shows and concerts over the years. Recently, fans were thrilled to catch Kohtee's first-ever stand-up comedy show, Kohtee Cafe on Stage. The success of the big event proved the ongoing popularity of this pint-sized comedian.

Nose

Udom Taepanich (Nose) is a multi-talented entertainer. In recent years, people probably recognise him most for his funny roles in movies like E Tim Tai Nae, but he's also been one of Thailand's most prominent stand-up comedians for more than a decade.

Nose always attracts large audiences with his unpredictable mix of whimsical humour and sarcastic comedy. So far, the hard-working comedian has made seven stand-up comedy shows, five feature films and written more than 10 books. No wonder he made it onto our list of top entertainers!

Sena Hoi

Over the past 10 years, Kietisak Udomnak (Sena Hoi) has become well-known as a part of the long-running candid-camera TV programme Saranae Show, along with his friends Willy McIntosh and Ple-Nakorn. The show was recently expanded into a feature movie called Saranae How-Peng, which made more than 100 million baht at the box office within weeks of opening.

Sena Hoi's success on the Saranae Show allowed him to pursue his other love - singing. He has released two romantic pop albums so far, and both have had plenty of good feedback from listeners.

	manic (adj): full of activity, excitement and anxiety all-round (adj): with a wide range of skills or abilities maintain (v): to make something continue at the same level, standard, etc. phenomenal (adj): very great or impressive advantageous (adj): good or useful in a particular situation fictional (adj): not real or true; existing only in stories pint-sized (adj): small prominent (adj): important or well known whimsical (adj): unusual and not serious in a way that is amusing pursue (v): to do something or try to achieve something over a period of time