Winning sights and sounds

There were few surprises at the 11th Kom Chad Luek Awards on Wednesday night, at least in the film category, with the indie movie “Tang Wong” once again taking top honours with the prize for Best Picture after sweeping the Subhanahongsa national film awards, the Bangkok Critics and the Thai Film Directors’ awards.

“Thanks to ‘Puk’ Pantham Thongsang who came up with the idea for this project, to [Thailand’s Culture Ministry’s permanent secretary] Prisana Pongtatpitakkul for her support and to Tik Kanyarat Jirarachakij of North Star Production who transformed the script into a film,” said a delighted Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, who also won Best Screenplay.

The low-budget film satirises Thai culture through the story of four working-class Bangkok teenage boys who have to learn a traditional dance in return for their prayers at a spirit-house shrine being answered.

Other jury favourites “Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy” and “Khoo Kam”, also did well with the first scooping Best Actress and Best Director for Patcha Poonpiriya and Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit and “Koo Kam” earning Best Actor for Nadech Kugimiya as well as Popular Film.

“Thanks to all our production team, who worked so hard together even though they knew we were taking a risk and to all of you who saw it,” Nawapol said in his acceptance speech, while a tearful Patcha promised to work hard and improve her acting skills.

The Best Supporting Actress and Actor awards in the film category went to Thitirat Rojsangrat for “Love Syndrome Rak Ngo Ngo” and to Kittisak Patomburana for “Grean Fictions”.

The top winner of the night, however, was “Thong Nuea Kao”, directed by Pongpat Wachirabunjong, which swept five awards in the television category. In addition to young Yongsilp Wongpanitnon’s win for Best TV Actor, Channel 3’s drama also won Best TV Screenplay, Best TV Supporting Actress, Best TV Supporting Actor and Best TV Drama.

“Thank you to Channel 3 for giving me this chance, as well as to Act Art Generation and all the cast for bringing the characters to life, and of course to Botan the author,” said Yingyos Panya, who wrote the screenplay. 

“It is all about hope as we face up to the reality of our political situation and social problems. It taught me too that the family is the principal institution for the socialisation of children.”

“I need this award very much,” said Natthawut Skidjai, winner of the Best TV Supporting Actor prize. 

“Thanks to my wife and child and also my parents for teaching me how great love is.”

Channel 3’s hit series “Suphab Burut Juthathep” was also recognised, picking up Best TV Actress and Best TV Director, as well as Popular TV Series.

Pongpat, who directed one of the segments, was back on stage to accept the award.

“This trophy is for only one person, but today’s victory is for everyone,” he said to loud applause.

In the Thai pop music category, veteran Chiang Mai vocalist Soontaree Vachanont went home with the awards for Best Female Artist, Best Album for her latest “Pleng Klom Loke” and Best Song for “Pee Joom”, a song from the album.

“I never expect to win any award. Thank you so much,” said the mother of Lanna Commins, who was also nominated for Best Female Artist.

Others winners were Passakorn Morasilpin’s “My Diary” (Best Instrumental Album), Abstraction XL (Best New Artist), Jirasak Panphum (Best Male Artist) and Desktop Error (Best Duo & Group).

Young Jirayu “James” Tangsrisuk was as expected as a shoo-in for Popular Actor, with Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund taking home Popular Actress and Napat “Gun” Injaieua Popular Artist.

In the luk thung category, Chatchai Keeleksee picked up Best Rising Male Star and Moddang Jiraporn Best Rising Female Star, Monkaen Kaenkoom’s “Nak Rob Huang Fan” was named the Best Timeless Song by Male Artist while Tai Orathai’s “Sao Loei Yang Ror” was given the female equivalent. 

Noi Nopakao’s “Pan Thi Rub Kwan Khue Ban Khong Thai” won Best Lyric and Ked Paradee’s “Jai Mod Rak” Best Arrangement while Santi Duangsawang was recognised as Best Male Artist, and Baitong Channagm as Best Female Artist.