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ChatriChalerm Yukol
ChatriChalerm Yukol (1942) - ชาตรีเฉลิม ยุคล
This ChatriChalerm Yukol movie page contains 23 records.
Year: 2007
Thai title: ตำนานสมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช
English title: King Naresuan
Rating: 4/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Chatchai Plengpanich,Phairoj Jaising,Santisuk Promsiri,Manop Aussawathep,Nopachai Chaiyanam,Somphob Benjatikul
Main actress: Paweena Chareefsakul,Deuan Tem Salitul
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This movie is made in three parts and relates the story of the greatest hero in Thai history, i.e. King Naresuan who was born in 1555. At the age of nine, he had been taken as hostage to Burma for 6 years to ensure Phitsanulok's loyalty to Burmese kingdom. In Pegu, Naresuan is treated as a son of the Burmese king, Bayinnaung, and is afforded all the respect due to a prince. Naresuan is ordained as a novice monk in a Buddhist temple under the supervision of the monk, Khanchong. There he became acquainted with sword fighting and methods of war. As his sister is also held hostage, Naresuan decided it is time for him to return to Siam. He attracted a band of loyal fellows and made his escape back to Phitsanulok.
Year: 2007
Thai title: ตำนานสมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช
English title: King Naresuan 2
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Chatchai Plengpanich,Nopachai Chaiyanam,Somphob Benjatikul,Kom Akadej
Main actress: Intira Jaroenpura,Paweena Chareefsakul,Deuan Tem Salitul
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Naresuan was sent back to Pegu to represent his father in paying homage to King Nandabayin, who had succeeded Bayinnaung, who passed away in 1581. Naresuan participated with his troops in a Burmese expedition against a Shan state and succeeded in taking a city after the Burmese crown prince and another prince had failed to do so. Naresuan thereby gained the jealous animosity of the crown prince, who plot various attacks against him. Naresuan proclaimed independence from Burma. When crossing River Satong, Naresuan had his forces under attack. With his army across, Naresuan is given a long rifle by his tutor, the monk Khanchong. Naresuan takes aim at the Burmese General across the mile-wide river and fires, killing the man and causing the Burmese troops to loose their morale and cease to follow. In 2009 King Naresuan 3 and 4 are being filmed with government financial support. The Ministry of Culture prioritises its financial support to films that deal with promoting loyalty to the pillars of nation, religion and monarchy. We are back to old times under Thanin Kraivichian's government (1976-1977), where Thai people were tought to be afraid of communism and that the way to survive was already to protect the nation, the religion and the monarchy.
Year: 2003
Thai title: ความรักครั้งสุดท้าย
English title: Last Love
Rating: 3/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor:
Main actress:
It relates the story of Ros, an art lecturer at Silpakorn University whose married life falls apart. The mother of three then falls in love with Chidchuea. But their love comes to an end when he refuses to accept her kids. Later Ros loses her children in an accident and receives a goodbye letter from Chidchuea. Pat, a young friend who once acted as matchmaker, comes into her life. Pat's sister is against their relationship and tries to separate her younger brother from Ros. When Pat leaves to study abroad, Ros can no longer bear the pain of her losses and decides to end her life. The director ChatriChalerm Yukol had done a remake of his own 1974 movie. In 1974 it was a then-scandalous story of a love affair between an older woman and a younger man.
Year: 2001
Thai title: สุริโยไท
English title: Suriyothai
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Sombat Methanee,Chatchai Plengpanich,Phongphat Wachirabanjong,Saranyu Wongkrachang,Ron Rittichai
Main actress: Mai Charoeunpura
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It is about a legendary Thai princess who died fighting the Burmese on elephant-back. The film required five years of research and two-and-a-half years of shooting. It has broken almost every record in Thai film history. It is the most expensive at 400 million baht, the most star-studded, with a cast of 2,000 extras and more than 50 elephants and 70 horses. It has the longest shooting time and the longest screening time, i.e. three hours and five minutes. In 2003, an updated five hours version was released. In 2003, the film was also released in the United States with a shorter running time. This version was edited by Francis Ford Coppola, an old classmate of ChatriChalerm Yukol. Reigning monarch Queen Sirikit instigated this movie, financed most of it, arranged for palaces and historic sites to be opened to a film crew for the first time. The Culture Ministry registers 25 Thai classic films each year at the National Film Heritage Registry. This movie is part of the 25 films heritage list announced on 04 October 2015, which is Thai Movies Conservation Day.
Year: 1996
Thai title: เสียดาย 2
English title: Sia Dai 2
Rating: 3/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree
Main actress:
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This second release deals about Aids. This movie shows the Thai society rejection and fear towards HIV people. The film has a informative goal as it shows a rich family confronted to Aids due to contaminated blood transfusion. It demonstrates that Aids is not limited to drug users and sex workers. It emphasizes the family love towards sick people. Sia Dai 1 (about urban teenagers and drug abuse) earned more than 50 million baht, while Sia Dai 2 (about Aids and discrimination) brought in less than 10 million baht.
Year: 1994
Thai title: เสียดาย
English title: Sia Dai 1
Rating: 4/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Krailat Kriengkrai
Main actress: Sinaporn Philailak
The movie title means "What a pity!". It shows the useless life of teenagers, who are addicted. Most of them come from problematic families. They start sniffing glue, then switch to heroin. Some girls are even selling their body to get money to buy drugs. Some die due to overdose. Whith their parents' help and not rejection, they can hope to go back to a standard life. This movie got 10 distinctions at Thai awards. Sia Dai 1 (about urban teenagers and drug abuse) earned more than 50 million baht, while Sia Dai 2 (about Aids and discrimination) brought in less than 10 million baht.
Year: 1991
Thai title: เฮโรอิน
English title: Powder Road
Rating: 4/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Chatchai Plengpanich
Main actress: Sinjai Hongthai
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It is a Japanese co-production. The heroin "road" actually starts in Chiang Rai, comes down the Mekong hidden in ice blocks, and from the ice, the drug gang operates on Pattaya transvestites by putting it into their tits. The movie also raises environmental issues by referring to a Japanese factory, which causes rice field dryness in a village, forcing inhabitants to work in Pattaya.
Year: 1991
Thai title: มือปืน 2
English title: Salween (Gunman II)
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Chatchai Plengpanich,Ron Rittichai,Sor Asanajinda,Suchao Pongwilai
Main actress: Paweena Chareefsakul
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After WorldWar 2, Burma got its independance from England but the Karen minority problem was left unsolved. So an independance war between Karen and Burmese started. This movie takes place around Salween river, which the border between Thailand and Burma. Aound this area, there is no law, only guns decide. Different protagonists take part: a policeman acting like a outlaw and wishing to revenge his wife killed a few years ago, a young policeman coming from Bangkok with no experience in such difficult area, a Thai deceitful merchant playing Karen against Burmese in order to have access to rich forests full of teak logs, a Burmese general wishing to destroy the Karen stronghold around Salween river, a Karen captain wishing to defend his stronghold and giving in a wrong alliance with the Thai deceitful merchant. The war between Karen and Burmese is still going on and many people call it the forgotten genocide against the Karen people in Burma.
Year: 1990
Thai title: น้องเมีย
English title: Song for Chao Phraya
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Chatchai Plengpanich
Main actress: Passorn Boonyakiat,Sulaleewan Suwanthat
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The director ChatriChalerm Yukol had done a remake of his own 1978 movie. New actors are playing and a similar scenario is used. This movie got three Thai awards. Four members of a family are living on a sand barge (เรือทราย). They navigate between provinces. Saeng, young man, is married to Plang. They have a young baby. Taptim is the young 15 years old sister-in-law. They are boat people (คนเรือ) since generations. The barge arrives in Bangkok. Plang is fed up with her life on the boat. She is still young and wants to have fun. She threathens Saeng to choose between his sand barge and her. She would like to sell the sand barge and change their life. Saeng bought the sand at high price but the Bangkokian trader only proposes a low price. The boat is leaking and needs repair. He refuses to sell as it means losing money. Plang believes she can be an actress (ดารา). Plang meets in a hair-dresser shop a gentle lady called Mrs Aree, who proposes to help her. Due to her provincial accent, Mrs Aree understands immediately who is Plang and sell her dreams. Mrs Aree is in fact a mama-san (มาม่าซัง). Taptim refuses to join Plang as she is afraid to become a prostitute in Bangkok. Plang quits the barge. Saeng is shocked and finally sells the sand at lower cost to have money and to look for his wife in Bangkok. Bangkok is so big. He walks bare foot alone through the streets, markets and malls to no avail. Taptim has to take care of the baby as both parents are out in Bangkok. Saeng meets the taxi driver who brought his wife to the hair dresser. The taxi is his home same as the boat is Saeng's home. There is mutual understanding between the two men (คนบ้านนอก). Aree is said to be working in a Patpong gogo bar. There are dozens of bars in Patpong. Mrs Aree is now said to be a woman recruiting girls for Chao Praya massage parlour. Saeng succeeds to get Mrs Aree's address but has spent a lot of money. Being drunk, he falls in the river while boarding the boat and so loses his money. Saeng has to sell his boat for 100 000 baht but once debts are paid, there is a few money left to buy a small boat. In Bangkok, business is business. The taxi driver is not as friendly as in first opus and will not transport Saeng for free. Saeng continues to walk and walk many days around Sukhumvit area but cannot find Plang. Meanwhile Plang is still dreaming. Mrs Aree introduces an old rich man to Plang. She is the birthday gift of a movie producer. It is a financial transaction. After a diner, Plang is drunk and sent to a motel. Meanwhile Saeng finds Mrs Aree but then there is a fight with the condominium guard. He is beaten and sent to jail. Realizing that the older man is trying to rape her, Plang fights back and flees but Mrs Aree's ruffians beat her. Taptim pays for Saeng's bail so that he can exit from jail. Saeng wishes to get Taptim as new wife. They all go back to countryside. Anyway they are reunited as a family. When aims are too high, the fall is tough. Bangkok is a symbol for poor up-country people, i.e. dream of wealth. Some people dream to get rich there but many of them come back home without money. Some countryside people arrive in Bangkok and get abused by Bangkokian people.
Year: 1987
Thai title: คนเลี้ยงช้าง
English title: The Elephant Keeper
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Ron Rittichai
Main actress: Duangdeuan Jithaisong
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It is about forest exploitation by rich people. Boonsong is an elephant keeper, who is having debts with a local and influent pawner. The pawner is supported by a local corrupted police officer. Kamroon is a ranger fighting against illegal loggers in order to protect the forest. Some gunmen try to get rid of Kamroon but Boonsong helps him. Boosong has to do illegal logging in order to pay back his debt to the pawner. Kamroon wants to help him but is killed by the corrupted policeman, who also wants to suppress Boonsong... This movie puts the stress on forest diminishing size due to overexploitation and illegal logging, elephants lacking work as the forest is getting smaller, corrupted policemen, influential people escaping troubles, illiterate poor people exploited by rich Chinese pawners, companies possessing official logging concessions and cheating by adding illegal logging, the helplessness of the simple people as well as the animals caught up in this struggle. The film failed at box office and lost around 7 millions baht. The long history of debate around the Chinese control over business in Thailand is one of the most deep and daring assertions in this movie. This movie touches deeply controversial issues such as the Thai state failing to protect its people against illegal interests. During the filming in the Northeast of Thailand local gangsters, probably working for illegal logging interest, attacked the film crew and one member was killed. The Culture Ministry registers 25 Thai classic films each year at the National Film Heritage Registry. This movie is part of the 25 films heritage list announced on 04 October 2014, which is Thai Movies Conservation Day.
Year: 1986
Thai title: ครูสมศรี
English title: Somsee
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sor Asanajinda,Settha Sirachaya,Ron Rittichai,Sor Asanajinda
Main actress: Chalita Puttamapun
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It is about a big company, which wants to expel slum inhabitants in order to build a modern complex. A young teacher called Somsri is representing the slum and is fighting against the company. This movie shows the power of big Thai companies over slums, Thai rich people power over poor people and the Thai useless bureaucracy. Hopefully a Thai official and a lawyer are helping the teacher Somsri as the slum inhabitants are fully in their rights. Unfortunately, the big company doesn't hesitate to use strong ways such a fire, threats and gunmen. The slum finally wins but the lawyer and teacher Somsri lose their life. The movie is based on an activist teacher in the Klong Toei slum area. The idea on which the movie was based is the real life of teacher Pratheep Ungsongtham. She was called the slum angel.
Year: 1985
Thai title: อิสรภาพของ ทองพูน โคกโพ
English title: Freedom of Citizen (Citizen II)
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Suchao Pongwilai,Krailat Kriengkrai
Main actress:
It is the second opus of the movie Citizen. As the Citizen I movie's main actor has died, Sorapong Chatree was used instead. It is about Thongpoon Khokpoh, a convict going out of prison, and looking for his son. His son refuses to meet him as he was left over many years. His father was in prison and his mother lives abroad with a foreigner. Thongpoon wishes to get reunited with his son. The movie deals about the lack of freedom about ex prisoners, i.e. difficulty of reinsertion, difficulty to find a job, bad image - an old convict will always be a bad man. He sympathizes with a young girl, who is a pickpocket. People don't trust Thongpoon as he is former convict but he is also not trusting the young girl when she brings back money, thinking she has stolen it. A pickpocket will always be a thief. Thongpoon is a nice guy, never wishing to break rules, never lying or doing something against law. So people call him stupid or buffalo! Thongpoon has difficulty to find a job as he is too honest and always says he is a former convict. Once you're in jail, you're always in jail, in this society. Once you get out of jail, you are still branded by the evidence. He is still an outsider. Through a misunderstanding, he is also confronted to bad policemen (Suchao Pongwilai) who don't believe Thongpoon can seek redemption but the head of police trusts Thongpoon. When a car bumps him, he refuses to sue the car driver and blames his own careless mistake. Finally the car driver seeing his kindness recruits him in his restaurant for tourists. Unfortunately one of his former inmates abducts his son and threatens Thongpoon to hurt his son if Thongpoon doesn't kill his boss, who has an issue with local mafia. Thongpoon's choice is difficult and is put in analogy with an ongoing Ramayakian dance (Rama facing demons) in the restaurant. Finally Thongpoon simulates his boss' murder in order to be reunited with his son and has to work hand in hand with the policeman, who formerly looked down on him, to stop the gangsters. The policeman acknowledges his misjudment on Thongpoon. Thongpoon, his son and the young girl are leaving to Udon Thani. This film highlights conflicts between poor people (Thongpoon, the pickpocket girl), the government officials (policemen) and wealthy influential businessmen.
Year: 1983
Thai title: มือปืน
English title: Gunman I
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Krai Kanchit,Ron Rittichai
Main actress: Chalita Puttamapun,Janthana Siriporn
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It is about the story of Sommai, a barber, who is acting as a gunman ("MEU PEUN" - มือปืน) in order to get money to cure his sick boy. He is an veteran soldier who has fought in Laos but was left behind by his superior Tanu after saving his life. Now his previous superior is a policeman involved in gunman investigations. Tanu has a reputation for killing criminals. Applying gratitude ("KATANJOO" - กตัญญู) towards his previous mate, the investigation is going slowly until a younger policeman gets involved... This film highlights conflicts between poor people (the gunman and his family), the government officials (policemen and soldiers) and wealthy influential businessmen. This movie has received 5 Thai awards. The opening scene in Gunman I, when the camera moved along and made viewers feel as though they were riding on a motorcycle with the lead character, has remained famous.
Year: 1981
Thai title: ถ้าเธอยังมีรัก
English title:
Rating: 3/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree
Main actress: Naowarat Yooktanun,Tukata Jindanuch
Cheut is a man deceived by love and women. He buys a car to go to South of Thailand with two friends he met by chance. One lady is called Nut, who has been deceived by a man also. Reung is a man who just exits from prison and goes back to the South, hoping his former wife is still loving him. Many funny experiences happen to them during their journey. During the progress of the journey, they start to forget the past and look to the future with hope.
Year: 1980
Thai title: อุกาฟ้าเหลือง
English title: The Yellow Sky
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sor Asanajinda
Main actress:
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ChatriChalerm Yukol portrays environmental problems in this movie about the sea overexploitation in South of Thailand. Sam is a young fisherman living with an old man. Sam has a lazy girlfriend called Boonta. The old man has also adopted a young girl, Dookmai, 10 years ago when her parents died in a forceful storm over the sea. Such forceful storm accompanied with a yellowing sky is called อุกาฟ้าเหลือง. The old man lives in harmony with the sea and blames fishermen who uses grenades to catch fish. These grenades kill many fishes and destroy the coral, which hosts fishes. Once the coral is dead, fishes disappear. It is an easy way to get immediately many fishes but without thinking about the future impacts. It is forbidden by law but a local politician with the fishermen boss is preventing any changes. Boonta wants a better life and convinces Sam to leave the old man in order to work with other fishermen and earn more money. Sam is working hard on a big drifter with huge nets that catch big, small fishes and even species that are not edible. if fishermen catch small fishes, those small fishes can never grow and reproduce them-selves. The old man successfully succeeds to have the sea police to capture a fishboat using grenades to catch fishes. One fisherman group leader promises to get his revenge. Meanwhile the local politician and the fishermen boss have arguments. The local politician hires a hitman to kill him. The hitman knows Boonta since her youth. Boonta is seduced by the man as he is offering to her an opportunity to leave the South and go to Bangkok. They become lovers. The fishermen boss is killed but before his death tells everything to Sam. Sam repeats to Boonta, who then tells her lover, the hitman. Following a tragic chase in the mangrove, the hitman kills her and decides to get rid of Sam also. Followed by the hitman and the fisherman group leader, Sam, who is injured, take refuges in the old man's house. The old man, knowing that another forceful storm is coming, goes to face the hitman in order to slow him down. He dies but both the hitman and the fisherman group leader disappear within the sea due to forceful storm. Those who hurted the sea have been punished by the sea. It is certainly Sor Asanajinda's best role ever as an old fisherman respecting the sea.
Year: 1978
Thai title: กาม
English title: Kama
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Manop Aussawathep,Sorapong Chatree,Dam Datsakorn,Nirut Sirijanya,Adul Dulyarat,Somsak Chaisongkram
Main actress: Piathip Kumwong,Monrudee Yamaphai,Wiyada Umarin,Metta Roongrat
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Chet (Sorapong Chatree) performs love scene with Manvika (Piathip Kumwong) in front of cameras. Manvika (ดาวโป้) is a sex movies star. Veena (Monrudee Yamaphai), her teen daughter, feels ashamed. Manvika draws a line between public life and private life. She works hard to pay her daughter’s studies. There is a crazy painter called Marut (Manop Aussawathep) living near their home and drawing big vagina, i.e. his vision of a mother, or big penis (พระเจ้า), i.e. his vision of the humanity creation. The art critic doesn't understand him and sees him as a sex maniac only. The artist is seen as obscene (ลามก) by his neighbours. Veena gets interest in this artist and also starts to draw similar vagina during school art lessons. She is studying in a catholic private school. Next week is Veena's birthday. Veena has feelings that her mother doesn't spend enough time with her and more time with other men while playing movies. A journalist called Surasak keeps harassing the mother. As a vengeance as Manvika slapped him, the journalist publishes picture of her daughter Veena presented as a new star (ดาวรุ่งดาวใหม่). Despite not being aware, Veena is threatened to be expelled if it ever happens again as her school can only accept good mindset lady (สุภาพบุรุษสตรี). Society doesn't make a difference between a job and real personality of people. They all believe Manvika can only be an easy woman. The artist is also despised as sexual representations cannot be art according to society prejudices. While going back from restaurant, Veena's friend car hits the artist. Veena helps to bring him back home safely. The journalist is still angry and writes devastating reviews about Manvika. He is also a corrupted guy accepting money to write good reviews. Veena understands the artist motivations and doesn't believe what he is drawing is dirty as it is the origins of our world. People start to gossip, including Surasak the journalist, as Veena visits him every day. Neighbours believe a sex maniac artist and a daughter of porno star can only do bad things together. Veena wishes the artist to draw mountains or sea and he follows her advice. Following Surasak’s pressure, Manvika is downgraded to second role by movie director (Adul Dulyarat). One evening, the artist wishes to draw a nude painting of Veena. Afraid she starts shouting and fighting back. Surasak following them secretly takes pictures to be published on Thairat newspaper’s first page and pretending a rape. The artist is beaten by the mob. Nobody talks anymore to Veena (คนเลว) at her school. Manvika tries to get help from other newspapers but with no avail. Veena is fired from her school. Surasak’s wife (Metta Roongrat) asks him to consider how he would react if his own daughter was tarnished the same way. Nobody comes to Veena’s birthday (รังเกียจหนู). Newspapers can shape belief of people as even Manvika doubts about her own daughter. Only the artist understood her, so she leaves her home to find him in Koh Samet (เข้าใจกันดี). Following Manvika's tearful pleas, Surasak recognizes his mistakes and promises not to write about her and her family anymore. Being recognized on Koh Samet island, police and her mother are coming to get Veena back. Veena doesn't want to go back with her mum and be called as sex star daughter (ลูกสาวดาวโป้) again. Marut, the artist, gets shot by the police. Only the crazy artist was understanding Veena. This movie กาม includes strong critique of newspapers living on scandals (ข่าวเป็นข่าว), strong critique of society preconceived opinions on art and people public life. Many famous Thai actors have a cameo appearance in this movie.
Year: 1978
Thai title: น้องเมีย
English title: Sister-In-Law
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Thuam Thoranong
Main actress: Lalana Sulawan,Wiyada Umarin,Chosri Misommon
Four members of a family are living on a barge and carrying goods between provinces. Saeng, young man, is married to Plang. They have a young baby. Taptim is the young sister-in-law. Taptim is working hard but her elder sister is lazy. Saeng shouts after Taptim but remains silent with his wife. The barge arrives in Bangkok. Plang is fed up with her life on the boat. She is still young and wants to have fun. She sees herself having no future with Saeng. Taptim believes Plang doesn't love Saeng but married him to go away from her parents. Saeng doesn't believe Taptim. Saeng needs to sell 5000 watermelons. He only gets an offer of 20000 baht only. He refuses to sell. Plang believes she can be a country music (ลูกทุ่ง) singer. Plang meets in a hair-dresser shop a middle age gentle lady, who proposes to help her. Taptim refuses to join Plang as she is afraid to become a prostitute in Bangkok. Plang quits the barge. Saeng is shocked and finally sell the watermelons 12000 baht to have money and look for his wife in Bangkok. The trader knows that Saeng needs money urgently so he gives him a very low price (ขี้โกง). Bangkok is so big. He goes in every singing entertainment places to find her the whole day and night. Hopefully a taxi driver helps him (คนบ้านนอก). Saeng doesn't know how to read. He drinks too much and leaves his 12000 baht in a restaurant. Taptim has to take care of the baby as both parents are out in Bangkok. The taxi driver is a nice and honest guy as most of the taxi drivers come from Isan (อีสาน). Saeng sells his boat for a small amount and buys back a smaller boat. He finally finds Plang when she was ironically singing "chai dio rak dio" (ใจเดียวรักเดียว - one heart one love). Plang is performing in a drinking joint which offers live entertainment. Customers can invite singers to chat with them. Saeng and the taxi driver get beaten by the guards. The old woman introduces an old rich man to Plang. It is a financial transaction. Understanding that the man brings her to a hotel, she flees. Saeng loses his money again. Saeng stops looking for Plang having lost everything. The only money that is left is from Taptim as she forces the trader to give a higher compensation for the watermelons. Finally Saeng regrets not to have married Taptim as she has a better mood and behavior than Plang. Saeng wishes to get Taptim as new wife. It happens... When Plang decides to come back, it is too late to get back Saeng. She comes to get back her child. Nobody wishes to stay in Bangkok. They all go back to countryside. Bangkok is a symbol for poor up-country people, i.e. dream of wealth. Some people dream to get rich there but many of them come back home without money. Some countryside people arrive in Bangkok and get abused by Bangkokian people.
Year: 1977
Thai title: ทองพูน โคกโพ ราษฎรเต็มขั้น
English title: Taxi Driver (Citizen I)
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Jatuphol Poopirom,Pinyo Parnnui,Somsak Chaisongkram,Boo Wibunnan
Main actress: Wiyada Umarin,Marasri Isarangkul
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Thai movie ทองพูน โคกโพ ราษฎรเต็มขั้น / Taxi Driver (Citizen I) was released in year 1977. Thongpoon (Jatuphol Poopirom) is a Thai farmer coming from Udon Thani and going to Bangkok. Thongpoon sold his rice field in Udon and has spared money during five years to buy a taxi. This taxi represents the future for him and his young son. It is his dream to have his own taxi. Thongpoon is gullible. Rich Bangkok people cheat him by claiming having no change but Taen, a kind-hearted prostitute, gives him a note without asking change back. Her name is Taen (Wiyada Umarin) and she has issues with Somsak Chaisongkram (แมงดา) as she is pregnant. Thongpoon helps chasing Somsak away and becomes her regular taxi driver. He picks up her at her working place (อาบอบนวด). Thongpoon proposes to Taen to take care about his son but not easy to stop such job well paid. Thongpoon meets also Pinyo Parnnui, who claims to be a Thai soldier having fought in Vietnam and now being paralyzed. When his taxi get stolen by bad boys, his life alters. As they also steal his money, he is expelled from his home by his landlord (Marasri Isarangkul) as he cannot pay the rent. He ends up working on a construction site. His goal is to get back his taxi by all means. Pinyo brings him where the ruffians mingle but he gets beaten again. A business card lost allows to identify Boo Wibunnan as garage owner. He then forgets Taen and son. He refuses money from Taen to buy a new taxi as he doesn't want to be a pimp (แมงดา). He storms Boo’s garage and kill the ruffians trying to stop him. This madness leads him to prison. This movie highlights the impossible fight between poor and rich influential people, the analogy between the buffalo and the taxi for poor Isan people in Bangkok. Jatuphol Poopirom got a Thai award for his performance. It was his first movie. Sorapong Chatree was supposed to play the main role of Thongpoon but he was not available for the shooting so new comer Jatuphol Poopirom replaced him. As Jatuphol Poopirom died during a car accident in 1981, Sorapong Chatree played the main role in Citizen II. ChatriChalerm Yukol drove around Bangkok for weeks with cab drivers gathering anecdotes for "The Citizen".
Year: 1976
Thai title: เทวดาเดินดิน
English title: Grounded god
Rating: 4/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Boo Wibunnan,Kanchit Kwanpracha
Main actress: Wiyada Umarin,Namgneun Boonnak,Marasri Isarangkul
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Thai movie เทวดาเดินดิน / Grounded god was released in year 1976 and lasts 2h24mn. It was released under VCD format by Solar company and lasts 2h10mn. The cable TV version lasts 2h24mn (but some parts are censored through pixelation). It was remastered by Five Star production in the decade 2010s. It was also released through a Thai TV series in 2001. Movie director is ChatriChalerm Yukol. Thai actors and actresses are Sorapong Chatree, Boo Wibunnan, Wiyada Umarin, Namgneun Boonnak, Kanchit Kwanpracha, Marasri Isarangkul, ต่อลาภ กำพุศิริ, กิตติ ดัสกร. This movie mirrors the youthful chaos of the year 1976. The movie was shot at the time of the 1976 violent crackdown on leftist students and protests that occurred in Thammasat university, bangkok. This movie reminds of Stanley Kubrik's violent "Clockwork Orange'' movie and Bonny and Clide story. It is unofficially claimed that Oliver Stone was inspired from this Thai movie for his controversial "Natural Born Killers'' as many parallels are seen. Two young guys including Sorapong Chatree and Toi (ต่อลาภ กำพุศิริ) are dealing with heroin. The police led by inspector Adul (Kanchit Kwanpracha) fail to catch them. He promises to catch them within 15 days. A journalist takes pictures. Young lady Viyada is robbing malls. The two guys take refuge in Viyada's home as Sorapong knows Viyada. They are modern Thai hooligans. The three young hooligans are living thanks to small thefts (stealing goods, wallets...). They are in rebellion with society (ปัญหาสังคม), i.e. they like damaging public installation, breaking windows, frightening and robbing middle class people, eating in restaurants without paying. Toi is keen on drugs also. Police inspector Adul has never had time for his family even on wedding day or children's birthdays. Journalists called them เทวดาเดินดิน (Grounded gods) as they can do whatever they want, they always escape, and nobody can catch them. They have nothing to lose and know they will die sooner or later. When robbing a house and neutralizing the occupants, they get a gun. While stealing a car, they face a strong foreign owner, who fights against them. He is shot dead by Sorapong so they flee to Southern provinces by train. Sorapong, one of the hooligans, is rebelling against the system as when he was a soldier, he was told to kill communist villagers but those people were good people worshipping the King of Thailand so he lost faith in Thai official institutions. Adul was Sorapong former military superior so it is becoming a personal affair. They become more and more violent. They are caught in a whirlpool. They rob banks and shot policemen. Followed by police, they finally find refuge in the South of Thailand around Yala where they continue their bank robbing. Boo (Boo Wibunna), an ordinary bank staff, decides to join them. They get too much media coverage. Surrounded by the Police, they hide in the jungle and are captured by a Muslim community. Wiyada is injured in the leg. The community is fighting against Thai institutions also but have real motives. It is precursory regarding current violent events happening in South of Thailand. Helping during a fighting where the village is attacked, they are allowed to quit the muslim community. Back in Bangkok, they try to get help from their drug dealer, being an old woman, but they get expelled. Wiyada's injury is getting worse. Wiyada wishes to die in Pattaya near the sea. Chased by the police, they end up in a high tower. The hooligans finally die under Thai Police bullets. This movie also highlights criticism of newspapers looking for scoop and raising them as heroes.
Year: 1974
Thai title: ผมไม่อยากเป็นพันโท
English title: I Don't Want To Be a Lieutenant
Rating: 3/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Somphob Benjatikul
Main actress: Naiyana Shewanan,Sasima Singsiri
It deals with the story of Phanto, a member of Thai secret service, who goes to Cambodia to be a spy. He is looking for informations useful for Thai security and has to face many threats especially from the "red communists".
Year: 1974
Thai title: เทพธิดาโรงแรม
English title: The Angel
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Somphob Benjatikul
Main actress: Wiyada Umarin
It is about Malee, a Thai country girl, coming to Bangkok and forced to prostitution. She is the hotel angel as she is very kind to everybody. This movie shows the difficult life of prostitutes, i.e. being beaten by pimps, visiting unofficial abortionist in order to terminate unwanted pregnancy, committing suicide, being forced and humiliated by customers, fearing Police, difficulty to have a stable relationship with a man, getting deadly diseases, being denigrated by Thai society. Three girls are depicted. One girl, Malee, all you have to do is give her one smack and she's willing to be a prostitute. She said it's better than working in the fields. The phrase "มาลีเป็นกะหรี่ที่สวยที่สุด" (Malee is the most beautiful prostitute) remains one of the most famous iconic sentence from this movie. It is said by Malee's pimp (Sorapong Chatree). Another girl, you have to beat her up quite a bit before she's willing to be a prostitute. And the last one, the third girl, no matter what you do she won't be a prostitute. She'll jump down, kill herself, but you can't change her. Malee continues to stick to this life because she can have a place to live, food, money to send to her parents in order to build a house. In a famous movie sequence, Malee opens her blouse many times to show her nudity to customers and then her father in the same gesture opens his new home windows paid by Malee hardship. But Malee understands that she has no future as her youth is rushing away. She is not interested by becoming a pimp and grab younger girls so she decides to study tailoring. Being cheated by her boyfriend but having her diploma, Malee can hope for a brighter life and quit this job. Finally she reclaims her dignity. ChatriChalerm Yukol lived for nine months in a brothel when he was writing "The Angel". During the popular uprising on October 14 1973, ChatriChalerm Yukol was shooting this movie, then took the camera out and filmed the demonstration on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The footage was inserted in the film and was a big success when the movie was shown. This movie has also been registered as National Heritage per the 2016 list released by the Thai Film Archive.
Year: 1973
Thai title: เขาชื่อกานต์
English title: His name is Karn
Rating: 5/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree
Main actress: Naiyana Shewanan
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Dr. Kan gets married with a Bangkokian lady called Areutai. They go to countryside in Phitsanulok where Dr. Kan has been assigned. Areutai knows that her husband is poor but appreciates his maturity despite having the same age. Areutai's mother complains that in province Dr Kan will become rich slowly (รวยช้า). How can poor people find money to pay medicine? There is no way to become rich. On the oppositive in Bangkok, he could be rich in one day. Anyway it will be a lesson of life for Areuai (ชีวิตบ้านนอกมันเป็นอย่างไร). They arrive in Amphoe Babadan through oxcart riding. There is no doctor in the district so local people need to go to provincial centre or to contact a local shaman (หมอผี) or someone unaccredited as a doctor (หมอเถื่อน). There is at least a dispensary (สถานีอนามัย). Areutai is a romantic lady and able to do many things by herself but she doesn't want to be poor her whole life. Before Dr Kan, she met Moon, who is a rich man. He wanted to marry Areutai but was too slow to ask. Dr. Kan faces his first serious case when a man is bitten by a snake. It is too late to cure so the patient dies. Some local people complain on modern doctors (หมอสมัยใหม่) believing that any medicine injected can cure. Dr. Kan decided to come to the remote area to help poor people (คนน่าสงสาร). Dr. Kan and Areutai are having happiness (ชีวิตเป็นสุข) the first months but then Areutai wants to work. She is lonely. They don't have enough money to bear a baby. Dr. Kan is very busy (งานยุ่งมาก). Areutai is fed up. She decides to takes a break and goes to Bangkok. Moon still misses her. In Phitsanulok, it is already the rainy season (น้ำท่วม) so there is more work for Dr. Kan. Areutai is hoping for a letter from her husband to go back. Meanwhile she is out (เที่ยวทุกวัน) every day with Moon. She has a car accident with Moon as he doesn't want to let her go back to Phitsanulok. The district officer doesn't like Dr. Kan as he refused to give some free medicine stock for the district officer relatives' personal usage. Dr. Kan discover that a casino (บ่อน) is running at night time. The district officer is using his influence (อิทธิพล) to protect it (คลุม). Police cannot interfere. A fight happens inside the casino. A relative of the district officer is injured. Dr. Kan cannot help (ช่วยก็ไม่ได้) as the patient needs urgent blood transfer in hospital. He is not a god (ไม่ใช้หมอเทวดา). Some local people think that Dr. Kan refuses to help relatives of the district officer. The relative dies. Learning that Areutai is at hospital, Dr. Kan needs to go back urgently to Bangkok. Dr. Kan is confused. He thinks about opening a cabinet doctor in Bangkok. Moon wishes to talk with Dr. Kan. There are harsh words between the two men. Dr. Kan needs to choose between offering happy life to his wife or helping poor people. Moon tries to have Dr. Kan sent abroad. Dr. Kan goes back to Phitsanulok and faces death intimidations threats from the district officer's relatives (หมอกานต์ในบ่อน่ไม่ยอมลงให้กู - คนเก่งอยู่ไม่ได้). As Areutai's memory is back, he decides to go abroad to gain more money to make his wife happier. He goes back to Phitsanulok a last time to wrap up his activities. His police friend can do nothing against the district officer. He drinks alcohol to forget his uselessness (this was a taboo in Thai movies before). The district officer is under investigation and will likely be condemned to jail. Dr. Kan is witness of the district officer's illegal activities. His relatives belief that Dr. Kan is the one who discloses the whole story to authorities during his trips to Bangkok. Dr. Kan is shot dead by them during a storm. He was a good person (เขาเป็นคนดี). ChatriChalerm Yukol criticized the Thai bureaucracy and presented the problems of rural area. The film was successful at box office and received good reviews. As the district officer was a corrupted character, the movie has difficulty passing the film censorship committee. ChatriChalerm Yukol showed the film to Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and then the film passed approval. It is likely that if ChatriChalerm Yukol were not the great-grandson of King Chulalongkorn, the film wouldn't have passed the censorship committee as he couldn't have met the Prime Minister. The movie is based on a novel from Suwannee Sukontha written in 1970. The movie "เขาชื่อกานต์n" actually threw away all the main characters of the Thai classical drama (clown, maid of honor...) so it was an unconventional movie compared to the 1960s Thai movies standards. Main actor Sorapong Chatree got a golden statuette (ตุ๊กตาทองดารานำชาย) for his interpretation as Doctor Kan.
Year: 1971
Thai title: มันมากับความมืด
English title: Out of the Darkness
Rating: 3/5
Director: ChatriChalerm Yukol
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Kom Akadej,Rujira Isarangkul,Dam Datsakorn,Surasit Sattayawong,Tawan Siriwat
Main actress: Naiyana Shewanan,Chosri Misommon,Marasri Isarangkul
A mysterious object fall in the sea. Two scientifists from Bangkok come to the South of Thailand looking for the mysterious object. The local villagers worship what they believe to be a god. But a mysterious creature start to kill villagers at night time. The scientifists have to help the villagers to get rid of this mysterious objet. It was the first Thai science-fiction movie but it was not successful at the box office. In his first film, ChatriChalerm Yukol used new actors, whereas other filmmakers used established superstars.
