From boys to men

Popular singers Aof Pongsak, Pop Calories Blah Blah and Wan Thanakrit returned to the stage of Royal Paragon Hall last weekend for a third episode in their series of annual concerts that offers these good-natured lads the chance to amusingly badmouth a variety of people.

This year, the “victims” ranged from their colleagues and friends to those in the political and entertainment world. Even their boss, music giant GMM Grammy’s chairman Paiboon Damrongchaitham, wasn’t spared. Nor for that matter was the ruling junta’s leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha, although the trio made an effort to conceal his identity.

In addition to people, the trio also joked about some high-profile events and products as well as online exchanges between showbiz figures. For them, the word HD in GMM Grammy’s set-top box product does not come from “high definition”, but rather from “hidden signal”. Pop offered some funny English translations of some Thai words – based on their pronunciations rather than the actual meanings – and teased Aof, an out-of-the-closet gay, about his new relationship.

Sunday’s sold-out show, dubbed “Sam Yaek Pak Wan, Episode 3”, which translates as the junction of bad-mouths, drew laughter for its hosts’ occasionally dirty and cruel jokes and funny sketches, and loud applause for their singing performances.

The concert, which lasted more than three and a half hours, started with Aof and Wan emerging above the stage in a sling while the plump Pop made his entrance on a small bicycle. They were joined by a group of dancers for the opening number, Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre’s “Fan Ja” (“My Fans”) and the thunderous applause and cheers nearly brought the house down.

Old hands at keeping their audience on its toes, the three quickly had fans singing along to a range of hits. For their part, the fans were happy that the long wait was finally over and that this round of concerts hadn’t, like two earlier scheduled dates in December and February respectively, been postponed.

The singers performed a few of their own songs and covered over 20 other hit numbers, both individually and together, among them a medley of 12 in celebration of GMM Grammy’s 30th anniversary that included “Kon Mai Mee Sit” (“Man with No Rights”), “Chan Roo” (“I Know”), “Foon” (“Dust:), and “Kwam Rak Tham Hai Kon Ta Bot” (“Love Makes You Blind”). 

A highlight was what the three singers called “copy shows”, which involved them dressing like their selected singers while performing their hits, often with hilarious results. Wan performed Kaengsom Thanatat’s “Khun Lae Khun Thaonan” (“Only You”), and Pop amused the audience with his rendition of Tata Young’s “Sexy Naughty Bitchy”. 

Another high point was the trio’s performance – complete with peacock feather headdresses – of  a jazz version of last year’s mega luk thung hit “Kor Jai Ther Laek Ber Tho” (“Your Heart for My Number”) and their brilliant send up of the “breast-bouncing” dance routine from the song’s official music video, which garnered more than 117 million views on YouTube.

Backed by the Extra Band, three chorus singers, and dancers from the D-Dance Troupe, the lads’ guest list included Bow Sunita, the T-Skirt girl trio of the mid-1990s, and comedian-actor Tuck Boriboon.

Of the three, it must be said that Aof was the outstanding performer of the night, mesmerising the audience with his powerful voice and energetic performance. The way he ended every of the songs performed – with distinct quavers and warbles – did not fail to impress. He even joked that he felt it was his concert and the two others were his guests.

Aof, Pop and Wan closed out the show as they started, with another Thongchai hit “Duai Rak Lae Pookpan” (“With Love and Affection”). And as they came down from stage to greet the audience and pose for photos, everyone was sincerely hoping that next year will bring a fourth badmouthing “episode”. Stay tuned!