Welcome to Thailand, nothing to be alarmed about
Even if you're half-Thai, the old beliefs that linger in this country can throw you for a loop.
Thai-Danish singer-actor Peter Corp Dyrendal grew up in Denmark, though that’s probably still not the best excuse for being taken aback when Thais described his newborn baby as nakliad na chung, which translates as “ugly and loathsome”.
Peter was in understandable bliss when his son (with the decidedly unconventional name Panther) arrived last month and keen to show him off on Instagram and other media. The baby has a marked resemblance to his old man, and Peter’s a good-looking guy, so he doubtless expected compliments. Not, you know, “ugly and loathsome”.
Peter’s Thai friends had to take him aside and explain that, like all those other unfortunate nicknames hung around people’s necks, nakliad na chung is a trick. The idea of bestowing these cruel monikers is to fool any hovering evil spirits into thinking this kid is so grotesque that there’s nothing to be gained in snatching it from its parents.
So it’s actually a compliment in reverse. A very upset Peter took some convincing, though. And anyway, he asked, why do ghosts want to steal babies? Well, that’s another scary story.
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Grown into the role
Actress Sinjai Plengpanich, celebrated star of the small screen, was actually big in films back in the ’80s and ’90s. Her memorable roles include Naulchawee, and there was a series of collaborations with director ML Bandevanov“Mom Noi” Devakula, such as “Plerng Pitsawas”, “Changman Chan Mai Care” and “Mahassajan Hang Rak” (“Miracle of Love”). Their last effort together was “Anda Kab Fah Sai”, 17 years ago.
Versatile Sinjai moved comfortably into TV after that and, wish as they might, they never had a chance to reunite until Mom Noi decided to remake “Plae Kao” (“The Old Scar”) – and he wanted her in the picture.
Had they done the remake while Sinjai was still in her 20s, she would have been great as the female lead. But since she’s in her late 40s now, the most suitable role is that of Khunnai Thongkamplew, the society matron who turns simple country girl Riam (played instead by Davika Hoorne) into a sophisticated urban woman.
The film finds Khunnai Thongkamplew as a Bang Kapi landlady who’s pining for her long-lost daughter. Enter young Riam, who even looks like her daughter, and the older woman perks right back up again. She teaches her everything and even fixes her up with her daughter’s former fianc
