Por's face could soon be inescapable on TV

Unexpectedly he’s emerged as the most likely candidate to replace Patchata “Rome” Nampan in the upcoming Channel 3 period drama “Nang Tas”. Rome has pulled out as the TV series’ leading man because he wants to spend time with his father, now in the final stages of cancer. 

Por has heard that his name’s being bandied about, but tells Thai Rath Online that he’d prefer to get a call from the producers confirming the casting. On the other hand, he says, “I guess it’s 80-per-cent possible.”

Por is currently working on the series “Tang Pan Kammathep”, but he’s definitely ready to make time for another show if the producers and Channel 3 want him. On the other hand, he admits, “It would be exhausting doing two series at the same time!”

He’s 40, which isn’t all that old. In fact it seems to be the ideal age in terms of his appeal because a lot of people are looking to hire him. Por also has a good chance of replacing Peter “Mr Being Difficult” Corp Dyrendal on the forthcoming series “Sailab Rak Puan”, though he’s dismissed that possibility and thinks a third role really would be too much for him. 

But whatever the channel assigns him to, he says, he’s willing to give it a go.

 

Bird likes his new roost

Singing-acting superstar Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre, at the magnificent age of 56, accepts that he has to shoulder some criticism after returning to the small screen following a 17-year absence. He’s starring in another Channel 3 series, “Kon Kimono”, opposite Araya “Chompoo” A Hargate and Phupoom “Ken” Pongpanu, and they’re both about half his age. 

Bird says he’s okay with the criticism about his acting that’s tossed around on the social media (along with much praise, it should be added). Fussy viewers have crabbed about his “unnatural” facial expressions and perhaps gone too far in blaming them on Botox. 

Bird’s response is to tell the same joke – that he’s a “new face” on television (relatively speaking after 17 years) – and pointing out that making the series was no walk in the park. “It was rather tough because the filming took seven months,” he says. “I was slim at some points and gained weight at others.”

That should hardly be an issue with viewers, given that his character ages 400 years in the course of the series. “If I’m that old and still look like this,” he says, “I think I’m okay with it!”

 

Stick that in your pipe

Last time Soopsip wrote about selfie sticks being banned in all sorts of places because people waving them around to take pictures can obstruct other folks’ views and, you know, poke somebody’s eye out, we hadn’t yet heard from Wimbledon. 

But, yes, the All England Lawn Tennis Club has joined the many other sports organisers barring selfie sticks, saying they won’t be allowed at the world’s preeminent tennis competition held each May and June. The equipment “interferes with spectator enjoyment”, it says. And, completing its impersonation of a scolding mother, it warns that you could poke somebody’s eye out with one of those things. Putting people’s eyes out at Wimbledon is the sole preserve of players with shotgun serves.

This follows on a ban in at least six Premier League football stadiums and at London’s National Gallery, the O2 arena and the Royal Opera House.