Petchara Chaowarat
Encyclopedia
Petchara Chaowarat is a Thai film actress who starred in around 300 films from 1961 to 1979. An icon of the "Golden Age" of Thai cinema
, she was known for her round, pool-like eyes and elaborate hairstyles.
Her first film and starring role was in Banthuk Rak Pimchawee (Love Diary of Pimchawee), in 1961. She co-starred with popular leading man, Mitr Chaibancha
, and they proved to be popular pair, starring together in more than 150 films.
One of their most popular films was 1970's Monrak luk thung
, a musical rhapsodizing Thai rural life.
In 1964, Petchara was named best actress by the Thailand National Film Awards committee for her role in Nok Noi, and received the award from the hands of King Bhumibol
.
After Mitr's accidental death on the set of Insee tong in 1970, Petchara continued to act in films.
She starred in the 1971 musical comedy Ai Tui (Mr. Tui), in which she co-starred with Sombat Metanee
, who became a popular leading man after Mitr's death. Her last film was Ai Khuntong, which was released in 1979.
Her public appearances have dwindled over the years, attributed to her near blindness, thought to have been caused from her many hours of working in front of the bright lights on film sets.
In 2004, performance artist Michael Shaowanasai
co-directed and starred in the film, The Adventure of Iron Pussy
, in which he portrayed a transvestite secret agent. The character's hairstyle, clothing and demeanor were based on Petchara. The film was co-directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
.
More Petchara homage came in 2005, with the film Yam Yasothon
(Hello Yasothon), a musical-comedy directed by comedian-actor Petchtai Wongkamlao
that was set in the 1960s and captured much of the colorful spirit of the Mitr-Petchara era.
Cinema of Thailand
The cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
, she was known for her round, pool-like eyes and elaborate hairstyles.
Her first film and starring role was in Banthuk Rak Pimchawee (Love Diary of Pimchawee), in 1961. She co-starred with popular leading man, Mitr Chaibancha
Mitr Chaibancha
Mitr Chaibancha was a Thai film actor who made 266 films from 1956 to 1970....
, and they proved to be popular pair, starring together in more than 150 films.
One of their most popular films was 1970's Monrak luk thung
Monrak luk thung
Monrak luk thung is a 1970 musical-comedy-romance film directed by Rungsri Tassanapuk and starring Mitr Chaibancha and Petchara Chaowarat. Released on May 15, 1970, the film was an enormous hit, playing in Thai cinemas for six months....
, a musical rhapsodizing Thai rural life.
In 1964, Petchara was named best actress by the Thailand National Film Awards committee for her role in Nok Noi, and received the award from the hands of King Bhumibol
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
.
After Mitr's accidental death on the set of Insee tong in 1970, Petchara continued to act in films.
She starred in the 1971 musical comedy Ai Tui (Mr. Tui), in which she co-starred with Sombat Metanee
Sombat Metanee
Sombat Metanee is a Thai actor and film director. At one time he held the Guinness World Record for most film appearances . By his own count, he's made more than 2,000 films and television shows, including lakorns...
, who became a popular leading man after Mitr's death. Her last film was Ai Khuntong, which was released in 1979.
Her public appearances have dwindled over the years, attributed to her near blindness, thought to have been caused from her many hours of working in front of the bright lights on film sets.
In 2004, performance artist Michael Shaowanasai
Michael Shaowanasai
Michael Shaowanasai, , is a Thai-American artist and actor who lives in Bangkok. His works includes performance art, photography, video, film and installations....
co-directed and starred in the film, The Adventure of Iron Pussy
The Adventure of Iron Pussy
The Adventure of Iron Pussy is a 2003 Thai musical-action-comedy film written and directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Michael Shaowanasai and starring Shaowanasai as the main protagonist – a transvestite Thai secret agent whose alter ego is a gay male 7-Eleven clerk...
, in which he portrayed a transvestite secret agent. The character's hairstyle, clothing and demeanor were based on Petchara. The film was co-directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Apichatpong "Joe" Weerasethakul is a Thai independent film director, screenwriter, and film producer. His feature films include Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, winner of the prestigious 2010 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or prize; Tropical Malady, which won a jury prize at the 2004...
.
More Petchara homage came in 2005, with the film Yam Yasothon
Yam Yasothon
Yam Yasothon is a 2005 Thai musical romantic comedy film, written, directed by and starring Petchtai Wongkamlao.-Plot:...
(Hello Yasothon), a musical-comedy directed by comedian-actor Petchtai Wongkamlao
Petchtai Wongkamlao
Petchtai Wongkamlao, , is a Thai comedian, actor and film director. He is best known in Thailand by his stage name, Mum Jokmok ; and is a popular Thai television personality...
that was set in the 1960s and captured much of the colorful spirit of the Mitr-Petchara era.