Chompoo's tears for New Year's

But this year’s offering is pretty special, says the director of those box-office bonanzas, Rerkchai “George” Puangpetch. He’s persuaded small-screen leading lady Araya “Chompoo” A Hargate to bring her talent to the big screen with “Khun Nai Ho”. It marks another major career move for Chompoo, who made her stage debut earlier this year in “Reya: The Musical”.
George was at first nervous about approaching her.
“It’s my first film that really focuses on a woman and my inspiration comes from my direct observation that a woman can express all kinds of feelings through tears.” (Ho is the Thai word for crying voice.)
But Chompoo readily agreed, and even made the drastic change in appearance, chopping her long hair.
She also has to cry – a lot – but that’s no big deal for the soap star.
“My production crew said it was as if they had a remote control – press the button and she starts weeping,” says George.
Although “Khun Nai Ho” is a comedy, George warns audiences to have their hankies ready, because they are going to be weeping right along with the star.

Careers come first
With their wedding reception on Saturday, political scion Surabot “Pluem” Leekpai and fiance Mallika “Taptim” Jongwattana are being nagged to reveal their post-nuptial plans. Honeymoon? Children?
Neither says Pluem, who co-hosts the “VRZO” cable-TV and Web programme with his bride.
“After our wedding, the next day we will be shooting for ‘VRZO’ and the day after I’ve got meet a client,” Pluem said on Modernine’s “VIP” show.
They’ll take that honeymoon when they have a bit of money saved. Children will come six or seven years from now, adds Pluem.
“I want to have a girl. My idols are all women, including my mum. They have to be ‘supermen’ to bear children and raise them.”
However, Taptim prefers a boy. So perhaps the couple will compromise and have one of each.
“I don’t want more than two, because I’m worried that I won’t get my figure back,” she said.
Pluem, smiling broadly, seemed to agree.