The hot and the handsome

Fans buying tickets for last Saturday’s “Give Me 5: Concert Rate A” show at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani knew they were in for a treat but it’s doubtful any of them expected that the spectacle would kick off with A-list actors Phupoom “Ken” Phongpanu, Sukollawat “Weir” Kanaros, James Ma, Mario Maurer, and Nadech Kugimiya floating above their heads as they performed The Bottom Blues’ “12345 I Love You”.

The five, whose safety wires returned them to terra firma for the follow-up cover of Justin Bieber’s “Baby”, might not have been fantastic singers but they certainly delighted the audience as they performed both singly and in pairs with such established vocal stars as Marsha Wattanapanich and Tata Young.

Thai-Hong Kong actor James Ma was the first to go, singing Sukrit “Bie” Wisetkaew’s “I Need Somebody’s Love” and Anuwat “Boy Peacemaker” “Nuea Khoo” (“Soul Mate”) before admitting to his lack of vocal capacity. Boy Peacemaker though was on hand to help and shouted out to fans to wave their hands. James also told the audience before taking on Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre’s “Thammai Tong Ther” that he loved the lyrics and the emotions in the song but couldn’t express them as well.

Ken Phupoom was next up, performing Tanatat “Kangsom” Chaiyaat’s "Khun Lae Khun Thao Nan" before playing out his role of a lover to actress Pichukkana “Namtarn” Wongsarattanasin on Channel 3’s recently ended drama “Dao Kiang Duen” to the strains of Marsha Watttanapanich’s “Music Lover”. Ken closed his show with Singto Numchok’s “Yoo Tor Loei Dai Mai”.

Weir Sukollawat who, at 29 was the oldest actor in the concert, drove his motorbike on to the stage and started his solo segment with Big Ass’s “Yang Noi” and Cocktail’s “Khuk Khao” before duetting with actress Pechaya “Min” Wattanamontri on Big Ass’ “Lom Plien This” and Nakarin “Pang” Kingsak’s “Phumi Phae Krungthep”.

The next segment, “Secret Files at Phi A’s Home”,  saw the actors chatting about their manager, Supachai “A” Srivijit, who was sitting in the audience, and expressing their appreciation to him.

“It would been good to be an engineer but it’s better that I’m an actor,” said Weir, who has also played music at a pub. 

“My life has been like passing through a dark tunnel towards a bright light. Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” said Nadech.

“We feel like relatives, and Phi A is a great manager,” said Mario, while Ken thanked Supachai for believing in him, and James credited him with instilling in him a sense of self.

The five capped off their tribute by serenading Supachai with Bodyslam’s “Khwam Chuea” (“Belief”).

After a short intermission, it was Mario’s turn to appear on stage, joining up with his mates from “Pee Mak Phra Khanong” on a rendition of J Jetrin’s “Yung Na”.

For his part, Nadech again took to the air, flying back and forth over the crowd on Tik Shiro’s “Manut Khang Khao” (“Batman”) and going belly-up in the wire sling. He shouted to the audience to hold up their mobile phones then swung into Boyd Kosiyabong’s “Chao Ying”. His special guest was actress Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund and they joined voices for Tata Young’s “Prung Nee Mai Sai Thi Ja Rak Kan” and “Chan Rak Ther”.

Surprisingly the audience showed little reaction to the dance section of the show, which saw James Ma team up with Tata Young on “Sak Ka Nid” and “Malang”, Ken with Marsha in “Khwam Don Thurang Soong” and “Taek Hak”, and Weir with Billy Ogan in “Ao Arai Ma Laek Kor Mai Yom” and “Jon Tae Jeng”. They did however get up on their feet to dance with Mario and Joey Boy on “Yok Mue Khuen”, “Salawan” and “Khid Thueng Jangwa”, and witj  Nadech and Mai Charoenpura in “Klub Duek” and “Sud Rit Sud Dej”.

The five were back on stage together for the finale, singing “Sud Sud Pai Loei” and “Faak Wai”.