And the Oscar goes to Ying Rhatha's throat

One of them would have the “starring” role, making Angelina Jolie appear fluent in Thai.

   “Maleficent” explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the 1959 classic “Sleeping Beauty” animation. The dark fantasy film reveals the elements of the vindictive fairy’s betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. 

   Jolie plays Maleficent and shares acting credits with Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville. Jolie’s daughter Vivienne Jolie-Pitt appears as Young Aurora.

   Weeks of speculation among fans ended when Disney Thailand officially announced that singer-turned-actress-model Ying will overdub the Thai lines for Brad Pitt’s gorgeous wife. “The moment” she found out, says Ying, “I was extremely excited because I’ve been a Disney fan since I was a kid – I grew up with Disney’s cartoons and movies. And I felt doubly lucky because    I always wanted to be a voice actress!” Make that triply lucky, because Angelina Jolie “is my all-time favourite actress”. 

   “Having a chance to voice for Angelina Jolie’s character is like a dream come true. Both Disney movies and Angelina Jolie are the loves of my life.”

“Maleficent” hits theatres on June 12.

 

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Sharp curve and Nadech ahead

Caretaker Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt has done it again – made his Facebook followers laugh out loud with another wonky innovation.

   Chadchart recently introduced a new and improved “Sergeant Choei” – the life-size plastic traffic policeman. This one is certainly way more handsome than its predecessor and might even do a better job of slowing down speeders on the highway, who’ll want to get a good look at him. Let’s just hope they’re not so distracted that they crash into anything.

   Dubbed the “Nadech Edition” after heartthrob model and movie star Nadech Kugimiya, this Sgt Choei is tall and slim and not only wears that cool highway-cop uniform but also a yellow reflective safety vest. 

   The first “Sergeant Nadech” off the assembly line is now keeping an eye on a sharp curve along Highway 12 up north, between Tak province and Mae Sot. As your headlights round the bend, watch for him perched beneath a tree. 

   Highway 12, despite being only 85 kilometres long, is quite dangerous all the way because it hugs a mountain range. Two recent accidents there claimed 45 lives all told. Can a plastic cop help save lives, even a “better-looking” one? Sergeant Choei’s record suggests not.

   The model policeman first appeared on a Thai street in 2007, outside Vibhavadi Hospital in Bangkok. The original idea was to find another way of reminding motorists to obey the law when the real police were busy directing hectic traffic. Just as a scarecrow wards off birds from crop fields, Sergeant Choei was expected to give commuters second thoughts about doing something stupid. 

   Sadly, Sergeant Choei didn’t get any respect. Motorists tended to regard him as a joke, honking their horns at him mirthfully. It’s to be hoped that Sergeant Nadech’s basic training included a course in putting up with ridicule.