Music

Top actors

Ananda Everingham

At just 27, Ananda Everingham has become one of the kingdom's most prolific actors. Ananda hasn't looked back since his acclaimed role in the 2004 horror classic, Shutter.

Last year, the hot actor starred in no less than seven movies, including the romantic drama Happy Birthday, for which he won the best actor prize at the 2008 Subhanahongsa Awards.

Ananda shocked his fans when he was injured in a motorcycle wreck last November, but he has recovered and is geared up to appear in Insee Daeng (Red Eagle), a remake of the classic Thai superhero film. - TB

Arak Amornsupasisri (Pae)

The 23-year-old musician-turned-actor Arak Amornsupasisri (Pae) stands out with his good looks, artistic character and natural acting ability. Pae's first role was in the 2007 horror hit, Body.

Last April, Pae had a big break when he starred with popular actress Aum Patcharapa in the TV comedy Jaeo Jai Rai Kab Khun Chai Taewada (Mean Maid and Snobby Boss). The show was a huge hit, and Pae was propelled into the league of Thailand's top actors. - SC

Mario Maurer

Our top entertainers list had to include model and actor Mario Maurer. In just two years, Mario has become a well-known celebrity heart-throb in both Thailand and abroad.

After being discovered wandering around hip hangout Siam Square a few years ago, Mario shot to fame with his role in the 2007 teen romance drama, The Love of Siam.

Tony Jaa

Thailand's very own martial arts superstar is now a worldwide phenomenon. Hailing from Surin province, Tony Jaa has studied Muay Thai and many other kinds of martial arts. His incredible fight sequences in action-packed films like Tom Yum Goong and Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior are performed without the use of CGI, wires or stunt doubles. - TB

Chermarn Boonyasak (Ploy)

Best known for playing the sexy female ghost in the Buppah Rahtree horror series, Chermarn Boonyasak (Ploy) started out as a teen model a decade ago. Now 26, Ploy's popularity continues to grow as she regularly appears in films and soap operas.

Ploy's personal life might be more famous than her films, since she seems to be in the newspapers and gossip magazines almost every day with stories of romantic links with stars like Dome-Pakorn Lum and Golf Pichaya. - TB

Pattarasaya Kruasuwansiri (Peak)

Pattarasaya Kruasuwansiri (Peak) has a lively and witty personality that makes her a natural for comedies. But the 23-year-old rising star can also handle dramatic roles well.

In 2007, Peak played a pretty, material girl in the comedy movie The Bedside Detective. She then transformed herself into a cancer patient who sacrifices her happiness for her best friend in the 2008 drama The Last Moment.

Peak now pops up in music videos, commercials and TV dramas. Recently, Peak performed in the drama series Love Beyond Frontier with pop duo Golf-Mike. - SC

	prolific (adj): producing many works, etc. gear up (phrasal v): to prepare yourself to do something league (n): a level of quality, ability, etc. material (adj): connected with money, possessions, etc. rather than with the needs of the mind or spirit