Thailand

Buakaw Banchamek

Professional Boxer

Buakaw Banchamek is a Thai welterweight Muay Thai kickboxer, who formerly fought out of Por. Pramuk Gym, in Bangkok, Thailand under the ring name Buakaw Por. Pramuk. He is a former Omnoi Stadium champion and two time, 2004, 2006 K-1 World MAX champion.

Tatchakorn Yeerum

Martial Artist

Japanom Yeerum, formerly Tatchakorn Yeerum or Panom Yeerum. Better known in the West as Tony Jaa, in Thailand as Jaa Panom, is a Thai martial artist, physical educator, actor, choreographer, stuntman, director, and spent time as a Buddhist monk. His films include Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, Tom-Yum-Goong, Ong-Bak 2: The Beginning, and Ong Bak 3.

Mario Maurer

Actor

Mario Maurer is a Thai-German model and actor. Starting off a career as a model at age 16, he later became best known for his lead role in the 2007 film, The Love of Siam and the 2010 sleeper hit, First Love. He also the lead star of Thailand's highest grossing film of all time, Pee Mak Phra Khanong. He is also part of a group called 4+1 Channel 3 Superstar with Nadech Kugimiya, Prin Suparat, Pakorn Chatborirak, and Phupoom Phongpanu.

Thaksin Shinawatra

Politician

Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai business tycoon turned politician. He founded Advanced Info Service, Thailand's most successful mobile phone operator. He founded the populist Thai Rak Thai party in 1998 and became Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 until 2006 when he was overthrown in a military coup. Thaksin has since lived in exile except for a brief visit to Thailand in 2008. He was convicted by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions of abusing his power to help his wife buy public land at an auction, and was sentenced to two years in jail. Various criminal charges await him if he returns to Thailand. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, however, is the current Prime Minister of Thailand.

Chulalongkorn

Monarch

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua, or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang. He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam. His reign was characterized by the modernization of Siam, immense government and social reforms, and territorial cessions to the British Empire and French Indochina. As Siam was threatened by Western expansionism, Chulalongkorn, through his policies and acts, managed to save Siam from being colonized. All his reforms were dedicated to Siam’s insurance of survival in the midst of Western colonialism, so that Chulalongkorn earned the epithet Phra Piya Maharat.

Tammy Duckworth

US Congressperson

Ladda Tammy Duckworth is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district since 2013. A Democrat, she is the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress in Illinois, the first disabled woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first member of Congress born in Thailand. Duckworth previously served as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs from April 24, 2009 to June 30, 2011, and as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs from November 21, 2006 to February 8, 2009. An Iraq War veteran, Duckworth served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot and suffered severe combat wounds, losing both of her legs and damaging her right arm. She was the first female double amputee from the war. She continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard along with her husband, Major Bryan W. Bowlsbey, a signal officer and fellow Iraq War veteran.

Ratchanok Intanon

Olympic Badminton Player

Ratchanok Intanon is a female badminton player from Thailand. She is the current women's singles World Champion and holds the distinction of being the youngest singles World Champion ever.

Yingluck Shinawatra

Politician

Yingluck Shinawatra, or nickname Pu, is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, the 28th and current Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election. Yingluck is Thailand's first female Prime Minister and at 45 is the youngest Prime Minister of Thailand in over 60 years. Born in Chiang Mai Province into a wealthy family of Chinese descent, Yingluck Shinawatra earned a bachelor's degree from Chiang Mai University and a master's degree from Kentucky State University, both in public administration. She became an executive in the businesses founded by her elder brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, and later became the president of property developer SC Asset and managing director of Advanced Info Service. Meanwhile, her brother Thaksin became Prime Minister, was overthrown in a military coup, and went into self-imposed exile after a court convicted him of abuse of power and corruption. In May 2011, the Pheu Thai Party, which maintains close ties to Thaksin, nominated Yingluck as their candidate for Prime Minister in the 2011 general election. Peua Thai campaigned with a slogan of "Thaksin Thinks, Peua Thai Does". She campaigned on a platform of national reconciliation, poverty eradication, and corporate income tax reduction, but the ruling Democrat Party claimed that she would act in the interests of her exiled brother. The Pheu Thai Party won a landslide victory, winning 265 seats in the 500 seat House of Representatives of Thailand, It was only the second time in Thai political history that a single party won a parliamentary majority, the first party was her brother's party, Thai Rak Thai Party.

Jacques Vergès

Lawyer

Jacques Vergès was a lawyer who earned fame continually from the 1950s, first as an anticolonialist communist figure and then for defending a long string of well-known clients, from an anticolonialist Algerian militant, Djamila Bouhired in 1957–1962 to former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan in 2008. His clients included both leftwing and rightwing terrorists, war criminals, and militants, including Holocaust denier Roger Garaudy, Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, and international terrorist Ilich Ramírez Sánchez a.k.a. Carlos the Jackal. In 2002, Vergès offered to represent former Serbian President Slobodan Milošević, although Milošević declined any legal advice from any party. The media sensationalized Vergès's activities with the sobriquet "the Devil's advocate", and he himself contributed to his "notorious" public persona by such acts as titling his autobiography The Brilliant Bastard and giving provocative replies in interviews. He claimed that when asked if he would have defended Hitler, he replied, "I'd even defend Bush! But only if he agrees to plead guilty."

Paradorn Srichaphan

Tennis Player

Paradorn Srichaphan is a retired professional tennis player from Thailand. He was the highest ranked men's singles player from Thailand and Asia in history, reaching a career high world no. 9. His nickname is "Ball".

Sirikit

Noble person

Sirikit, born 12 August 1932 as Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara, is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand. She met Bhumibol in Paris, where her father was the Thai ambassador. They married in 1950, shortly before Bhumibol's coronation. Sirikit was appointed Queen Regent in 1956. Sirikit produced one son and three daughters. As the consort of the king who is the world's longest-reigning head of state, she is also the world's longest-serving consort of a monarch. Sirikit suffered a stroke on 21 July 2012 and has since refrained from public appearances.

Van Tuong Nguyen

Man

Van Tuong Nguyen baptised Caleb, was an Australian from Melbourne, Victoria convicted of drug trafficking in Singapore. A Vietnamese Australian, he was also addressed as Nguyen Tuong Van in the Singaporean media, his name in Vietnamese custom. Drug trafficking carries a mandatory death sentence under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act, and despite pleas for clemency from the Australian government, Amnesty International, the Holy See, as well as other individuals and groups, he was executed by hanging at 6:07 am SST on 2 December 2005 at Changi Prison.

Tata Young

Pop Artist

Amita Marie Young, better known under her stage name Tata Young, is a Thai singer, model, actress and dancer. She gained prominence when she placed first in a national singing contest at age 11, subsequently signing a record deal and releasing her first album Amita Tata Young in 1996. Within five months, the album had sold over one million copies. Since then, Young has released eight studio albums, three in English and five in Thai. Her most recent album is Ready for Love, released on August 25, 2009. Young has acted in three films, The Red Bike Story, O-Negative and Plai Tien a TV drama Wick of the Candle. She sang "Reach For The Stars" at the Bangkok opening ceremony for the 13th Asian Games in 1998 and also sang Dhoom Dhoom, the English version of the title song for the 2004 Bollywood movie Dhoom.

Plaek Phibunsongkhram

Politician

Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, contemporarily known as Luang Pibulsonggram, often as Phibunsongkhram or simply Phibun in the West, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.

Vajiralongkorn

Noble person

Somdet Phra Boromma-orasathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayammakutratchakuman is the only son of Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, and Queen Sirikit. He is the current Crown Prince of Thailand and heir apparent to the throne. In 1972, at the age of 20, the king gave him the title "Somdech Phra Boroma Orasadhiraj Chao Fah Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman", making him the Crown Prince and heir-apparent to the throne. He later graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra, Australia. An officer in the Thai military, he trained with the Australian, British and United States armed services. He is a qualified military pilot and helicopter pilot. He took an active part in military operations against the Communist Party of Thailand during the 1970s, and also led combat operations against a Vietnamese military incursion across the border from Cambodia.

Eric Koston

Skateboarder

Eric Koston is a Thai American professional skateboarder and company owner. He has been featured in the Tony Hawk video game series, and the Electronic Arts video games Skate 2 and Skate 3. Koston co-owns both Fourstar Clothing and the skatepark/website "The Berrics".

Vajiravudh

Monarch

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua, or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua, or Rama VI was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death. King Vajiravudh is known for his efforts to create and promote Siamese nationalism. His reign was characterized by Siam's movement further towards democracy and minimal participation in World War I.

Yodsanklai Fairtex

Man

Yodsanklai Fairtex a.k.a. Yod is a Thai kickboxer and the former super welterweight WBC Muay Thai World champion at 154 lb and former three time Lumpinee Stadium champion in the 112 and 147 lb weight classes. He trains out of Fairtex Gym in Pattaya, Thailand and is the first champion of The Contender Asia. He was nicknamed "The Boxing Computer" by Thai sports newspapers as a testament to his perfect fighting technique.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Film Director

Apichatpong "Joe" Weerasethakul is a Thai independent film director, screenwriter, and film producer. His feature films include Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, winner of the prestigious 2010 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or prize; Tropical Malady, which won a jury prize at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival; Blissfully Yours, which won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard program at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival; and Syndromes and a Century, which premiered at the 63rd Venice Film Festival and was the first Thai film to be entered in competition there. Working outside the strict confines of the Thai film studio system, Weerasethakul has directed several features and dozens of short films. Themes reflected in his films include dreams, nature, sexuality, and Western perceptions of Thailand and Asia, and his films display a preference for unconventional narrative structures and for working with non-actors. Cinephiles affectionately refer to him as "Joe".

Boonsak Ponsana

Olympic Badminton Player

Boonsak Ponsana is a male badminton player from Thailand. His younger sister Salakjit Ponsana is also part of the Thailand badminton team.

Nadech Kugimiya

Actor

Nadech Kugimiya is a Thai model and actor of Thai and Austrian descent.

Bodin Isara

Olympic Badminton Player

Bodin Isara is an athlete.

Teerasil Dangda

Footballer

Teerasil Dangda is a Thai footballer, currently playing as a striker for Thai Premier League club Muangthong United and the Thailand national team.

Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym

Man

Saenchai, formerly known as Saenchai Sor. Kingstar, is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer. He won the Lumpinee Championship title in four different weight divisions, along with the WMC and WBC World titles, while mostly fighting above his natural weight; therefore he is considered one of the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighters in the world. Saenchai often gives up 5 lbs. + in weight to find worthy opponents in Thailand. Against foreigners the gulf in skill is so great he will go up as high as 147 pounds, which is 15+ pounds above his best weight. He is known for having excellent ring vision and speed.

Teeratep Winothai

Soccer Midfielder

Teeratep Winothai, nicknamed Leesaw is a Thai footballer playing as a striker or a winger for a Thai Premier League club Bangkok Glass. He previously spent his youth career with England's Crystal Palace and Everton.

Pimchanok Leuwisetpaiboon

Actor

Fern Pimchanok Leuwisedpaiboon is an actress.

Tao Ruspoli

Musician

Tao Ruspoli is an Italian American filmmaker and musician.

Naresuan

Monarch

Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharat or Somdet Phra Sanphet II was the King of the Ayutthaya kingdom from 1590 until his death in 1605. Naresuan was one of Siam's most revered monarchs as he was known for his campaigns to free Siam from Burmese rule. During his reign numerous wars were fought against Burma, and Siam reached its greatest territorial extent and influence.

Sukrit Wisetkaew

Pop Artist

Sukrit Wisetkaew, commonly known by his nickname Bie, is a Thai pop singer and actor. He was discovered on the third season of a Thai television talent contest The Star. After winning the position as the first runner-up in The Star 3, Bie became one of the hottest rising singers and gained immense popularity after his debut single I Need Somebody. He is well known as Bie The Star. Besides his career as a singer and an actor in TV drama and sitcom, he was also trained to be a stage actor in several musicals. Behind the Painting is one of his musical master pieces in which he acted as one of the leading roles. In 2008, after under 2 years in the entertainment business, Bie became one of The Most Influential People in Thailand, according to a poll by the Thai Positioning magazine and Siamrath.

Birabongse Bhanudej

Racing driver

Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh, better known as Prince Bira of Siam or by his nom de course B. Bira, was the only Thai racecar driver to race in Formula One. He raced in Formula One and Grand Prix races for the Maserati, Gordini, and Connaught teams, among others. He also was an Olympic sailor in the Melbourne Olympics, 1956 in the Star, Rome Olympics, 1960 in the Star, Tokyo Olympics, 1964 in the Dragon and the Munich Olympics, 1972 in the Tempest. In the 1960 Games he competed against another former Formula One driver, Roberto Mieres, who finished 17th and ahead of the prince in 19th. Birabongse was the only Southeast Asian driver in Formula One until Malaysia's Alex Yoong joined Minardi in 2001. Prince Bira was not only a racing driver, he was also an excellent pilot of gliders and powered aircraft. In 1952 he flew the remarkable distance from London to Bangkok with his own twin engine Miles Gemini aircraft.

Chakrit Yamnam

Actor

Shahkrit Yamnam is a Thai film and television actor. His films include O-Negative with Tata Young, directed by Yuthlert Sippapak. His latest film is Bangkok Dangerous with Nicolas Cage. He has acted in numerous popular lakorns, sitcoms and commercials. He is also credited under the stage names Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charkrit Ngamengarm and Krit.

Samak Sundaravej

Politician

Samak Sundaravej was a Thai politician who briefly served as the Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defense in 2008, as well as the leader of the People's Power Party in 2008.

Mantak Chia

Author

Mantak Chia is a Taoist Master. He is best known for his teaching Taoist practices under the names of Healing Tao, Tao Yoga, Universal Healing Tao System and Qigong. Throughout decades of teaching, he has run numerous workshops, written a series of books, and published a number of training videos. For this reason, some people call him an author, a teacher or a healer. He views himself primarily as a teacher, "who helps his students empower themselves through cultivation of their qi energy."

JeeJa Yanin

Martial Artist

Yanin "Jeeja" Vismitananda, née Nicharee Vismitananda, is a Thai actress and martial artist. She specialises in Taekwondo. She is credited as Yanin Mitananda in Chocolate.

Ann Thongprasom

Actor

Anne Thongprasom is a Thai film and television actress, hostess and a producer. She was the lead actress in many Thai series in the 2000s, and had the lead role in the 2004 romantic melodrama, The Letter: Jod Mai Rak.

Ajahn Chah

Philosopher

Chah Subhaddo was an influential teacher of the Buddhadhamma and a founder of two major monasteries in the Thai Forest Tradition. Respected and loved in his own country as a man of great wisdom, he was also instrumental in establishing Theravada Buddhism in the West. Beginning in 1979 with the founding of Cittaviveka in the United Kingdom, the Thai Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah has spread throughout Europe, the United States and the British Commonwealth. The dhamma talks of Ajahn Chah have been recorded, transcribed and translated into several languages. More than one million people, including the Thai royal family, attended Ajahn Chah's funeral in 1992. He left behind a legacy of dhamma talks, students, and monasteries.

Saralee Thungthongkam

Olympic Badminton Player

Saralee Thungthongkam is a female badminton player from Thailand. Thungthongkam competed in badminton at the 2004 Summer Olympics in women's doubles with partner Sathinee Chankrachangwong. They defeated Denyse Julien and Anna Rice of Canada in the first round and Chikako Nakayama and Keiko Yoshimoti of Japan in the second. In the quarterfinals, Thungthongkam and Chankrachangwong lost to Zhang Jiewen and Yang Wei of China 15-2, 15-4. Thungthongkam also competed in mixed doubles with partner Sudket Prapakamol. They had a bye in the first run and were defeated by Frederik Bergstrom and Johanna Persson of Sweden in the round of 16.

Noppawan Lertcheewakarn

Tennis Player

Noppawan Lertcheewakarn is a Thai professional tennis player. At Wimbledon 2009, she won the junior singles title. Lertcheewakarn has a highest rank on the WTA singles tour of 149 and doubles tour of 97.

Pachrapa Chaichua

Actor

Patchrapa Chaichua, or nickname Aum, is a Thai actress. She entered the entertainment industry in 1997 after she won a beauty and talent contest called HACKS. The TV series that put Aum Patchrapa in the spotlight was So Sanae Ha in 2003. She played the lead role of Pralee. Aum won the 2003 TOP Award for Best Leading Actress. She won her second TOP Award in 2005 for Pleung Payu which also starred Tana Suttikamol. Since then she has been the highest paid actress in Thailand. Aum Patchrapa once again was nominated for the Top Awards in 2006, as Best Leading Actress for the lakorns Pin mook and Song Sanae, but the award went to Ann Thongprasom for the lakorn Oum ruk. Besides her talent in acting, Aum Patchrapa was voted FHM sexiest woman for three consecutive years but in 2007 she was beaten by May Pichanart. She also has business interests; Aum and a few other friends have a restaurant called D-Wa and an accessorie shop called Buon Fi-ne'. She launched her own perfume in August 2009: SEXY ME by Patchrapa. SEXY ME By Patchrapa is the first Thai celebrity perfume made in France.

Sirindhorn

Author

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is the second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Her full ceremonial title is “Somdet Phra Theppharatratsuda Chao Fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Ratthasimakhunakonpiyachat Sayamborommaratchakumari”, which was bestowned upon her on December 5, 1977. Thais commonly refer to her by reducing such title to “Phra Thep”, meaning “princess angel”. Her title in Thai is the female equivalent of the title held by her brother, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. The Thai constitution was altered in 1974 to allow for female succession, thus making her eligible for the throne. As the eldest female child of the royal family, her position is equivalent to a princess royal.

Phillip Lim

Fashion Designer

Phillip Lim is an American fashion designer of Thai Chinese descent. Lim co-founded and worked at the Los Angeles based fashion label Development from 2000 to 2004. In the fall of 2005, he co-founded 3.1 Phillip Lim with friend and business partner Wen Zhou, becoming the company's creative director. Lim has garnered both critical and commercial success with his eponymous line. The Council of Fashion Designers of America awarded Lim the 2007 award for Emerging Talent in Womenswear for his work at 3.1 Phillip Lim. In 2012, he was awarded the Council's Swarovski award for Menswear.

Kiatisuk Senamuang

Soccer Forward

Kiatisuk "Zico" Senamuang is a Thai football manager and a former footballer who played between 1989 and October 2007. He played as a striker and scored 551 goals from 339 appearances throughout his 18 years career. The former legendary striker played for clubs in Malaysia, Singapore, England and Vietnam as well as his homeland's clubs. Kiatisuk also earned 131 caps and scored 70 goals for the country between 1992 and 2007. In 1996 while playing for Raj Pracha FC scored a total of 127 goals scored in 71 games, achieving record top scorer in a calendar year Kiatisuk is the current head coach of Thailand and the Thailand U-23 teams.

Emmanuelle Arsan

Novelist

Emmanuelle Arsan, the pen name of Marayat Rollet-Andriane, born in 1932 as Marayat Bibidh, also known as Marayat, Marajat, Kramsaseddinsh, Krasaesundh, Krassaesibor, Virajjakkam, Virajjakam, Virajjakari, Rollet - Andriane, Bibidh is a French novelist of Eurasian origin, best known for creating the fictional character Emmanuelle, a woman who sets out on a voyage of sexual self-discovery under varying circumstances.

Ananda Everingham

Actor

Ananda Everingham is a Lao-Australian film actor who was born in Thailand. Working primarily in Thai films, he is best known for his lead role in the 2004 horror film, Shutter.

Urassaya Sperbund

Actor

Urassaya Sperbund is a Thai/Norwegian model and actress.

Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke

Monarch

Phraphutthayotfa Chulalok, born Thong Duang and also known as Rama I, was the founder and the first monarch of the reigning House of Chakri of Siam. His full title is Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramoruraja Maha Chakri Borommanat Phraphutthayotfa Chulalok. He ascended the throne in 1782, after defeating a rebellion which had deposed King Taksin of Thonburi. He was also celebrated as the founder of Rattanakosin as the new capital of the reunited kingdom. Rama I was born from a Mon family where his father served in the royal court in the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, and had served King Taksin in wars against the Burmese Konbaung dynasty and helped him in the reunification of Siam. During this time he emerged as Siam's most powerful military leader. In 1782, he took control of Siam and crowned himself as the monarch. The most famous event in his reign was the Burmese-Siamese War of 1785, which was the last major Burmese assault on Siam. Phraphutthayotfa Chulalok was also the first Somdet Chao Phraya, the highest rank the nobility could attain, equaled to that of royalty.

Thongchai Jaidee

Golfer

Thongchai Jaidee is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the Asian Tour and the European Tour. On the Asian Tour, he holds the record for the most career earnings and is second in victories with 13. He has won the Order of Merit on the Asian Tour three times. Jaidee did not start playing golf until he was sixteen, and he later went into the Royal Thai Army where he was a paratrooper. Jaidee did not turn professional until he was thirty years old, but he soon achieved success on the Asian Tour, topping the tour's order of merit in 2001 and 2004. He first played in a major championship in the 2001 U.S. Open and finished tied 74th. In February 2004 he became the first Thai to win a tournament on the European Tour by winning the Carlsberg Malaysian Open, an event which was co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour. In 2005 he successfully defended his Malaysian Open title. In 2006 he received a special invitation to play in the Masters Tournament. He was the second Thai to play in the Masters after Sukree Onsham, who did so in 1970 and 1971, and by doing so, he became the first Thai to play in all four major championships. After his victory in the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2006 he reached 75 in the Official World Golf Rankings. His best year-end ranking on the European Order of Merit has been 19th in 2009. He topped the Asian Tour order of merit for a third time in 2009.

Sanchai Ratiwatana

Tennis Player

Sanchai Ratiwatana is a professional tennis player from Thailand. He turned professional in 2004. In 2007, Sanchai and his twin brother Sonchat Ratiwatana won their first ATP doubles title in Bangkok. They won their second title at the Chennai Open in India in 2008. He reached World No. 39, his best doubles ranking, on 28 April 2008.

Chatrichalerm Yukol

Film Director

Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol, or usually known by his nickname Mui, is a Thai film director, screenwriter and film producer. A prolific director since the 1970s, among his films is the 2001 historical epic, The Legend of Suriyothai. A member of the Thai royal family, his official royal title is Mom Chao, or M.C., the most junior title still considered royalty. For Suriyothai as well as his 2007 historical epic, King Naresuan, Chatrichalerm was backed by Queen Sirikit. Four of his films have been submitted by Thailand for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film: The Elephant Keeper, Song for Chao Phya, Daughter 2 and King of Fire. In 1981, he was a member of the jury at the 31st Berlin International Film Festival. In June 2012, he was adjudged bankrupt, causing his ongoing film project to be halted indefinitely.

James Ma

Actor

James Ma was born on July 3, 1993 in Thailand. Ma is a half-Thai-half-Hong Kong actor and model.

Kesarin Chaichalermpol

Pornographic actor

Kesarin Chaichalermpol is a Thai actress who has acted under a number of stage names, particularly Nong Natt and Natt Chanapa.

Kaoklai Kaennorsing

Man

Kaoklai Kaennorsing is a Thai light heavyweight Muay Thai kickboxer. He is also the winner of K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Seoul tournament, and the former champion of Rajadamnern Stadium at two weight divisions, and the current world champion of WBC Muay Thai at light heavyweight. At the time of his K-1 debut, on July 17, 2004 in Seoul, Kaoklai weighted 78 kg, the lightest and youngest fighter ever to win a K-1 Openweight tournament. His name Kaoklai means in Thai "to have a good future".

Yasmin Lee

Pornographic actor

Yasmin Lee is an American transsexual pornographic film actress and model. She is of Thai, Cambodian, Chinese, and Brazilian heritage. Her family moved from Thailand to the Philippines before finally settling down in Orange County, California. She joined the U.S. Navy at age 18, but left soon after due to sexuality-based harassment and pursued a career as a drag entertainer and make-up artist. She worked as a make-up artist for Hollywood actresses and music video sets. After beginning to transition, she left her job as a make-up artist due to fear of transphobic discrimination and began work as an assistant on pornography sets. She then worked as a casting director on porn films until she took the place of a woman who did not show up and began her career as an actress in adult films. Her pornography career features dozens of feature titles as well as work on the internet. She has twice been nominated for an AVN Award for her work in transsexual pornography. She has made her way into mainstream roles with special appearances in various TV shows including The Maury Povich Show and The Tyra Banks Show. Additionally, she has acted in a few non-pornographic films, such as the 2011 horror release Red Ice and the hit 2011 comedy The Hangover Part II. In January 12, 2010, she announced in her blog that she will have two surgeries in 2010; one for enhanced breast-cup size, from 34C to D, and another for circumcision.

Sonchat Ratiwatana

Tennis Player

Sonchat Ratiwatana is a professional tennis player from Thailand. In 2007, Sonchat and his twin brother Sanchai Ratiwatana won their first ATP doubles title in Bangkok in their home country. In the final, the team beat 2007 Wimbledon men's doubles winner Michaël Llodra and 2007 U.S. Open men's doubles semifinalist Nicolas Mahut in the final. He reached his highest doubles ranking at world number 39 as of 28 April 2008. The right-hander turned professional in 2004. He visited newly opened and popular sports complex, "Sports and Spa" at its grand opening ceremorny in October. He, along with his brother went down to the courts and greeted the youngsters waiting anxiously for them for hours. He and his twin brother played in the Grand Slam for the first time during the Australian Open 2008 where they lost to the eventual finalist pairing of Arnaud Clément & Michaël Llodra.

Maneepong Jongjit

Olympic Badminton Player

Maneepong Jongjit; is a badminton player from Thailand. Maneepong Jongjit began to attract attention when he competed as a junior with Bodin Issara in Men's Doubles. Together they made the transition to Doubles as senior competitors. Their top result to date came at the 2012 India Open where they defeated Ko Sung-hyun and Yoo Yeon-seong in the final. In Mixed Doubles Jongjit competes with Savitree Amitrapai, but they have yet to reach a Super Series final.

Treechada Petcharat

Actor

Saknarin Marnyaporn, better known by the names Poyd or Treechada Petcharat is a Thai actress and model. Assigned male at birth, Poy underwent sex reassignment surgery at age 17.

Pridi Banomyong

Politician

Pridi Banomyong was a Thai politician. He was a Prime Minister and senior statesman of Thailand, and was named one of the world's great personalities of the 20th century by UNESCO in 2000.

Keni Styles

Pornographic actor

Keni Styles is a British pornographic actor of Thai origin.

Jirayu La-ongmanee

Actor

Jirayu "Kao" La-ongmanee is a Thai actor and singer. He has starred in several Thai soap operas and films, and has done advertising and modelling work as well.

Prajadhipok

Monarch

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua, also Rama VII, was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political and social changes during the Revolution of 1932. He is to date the only Siamese monarch to abdicate.

Buddha Loetla Nabhalai

Monarch

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Borommarajabongjet Mahesvarasundorn Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai, or Rama II, was the second monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1809–1824. In 1809, Itsarasunthon succeeded his father Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, the founder of Chakri dynasty, as Buddha Loetla Nabhalai the King of Siam. His reign was largely peaceful, devoid of major conflicts. His reign was known as the "Golden Age of Rattanakosin Literature" as Buddha Loetla Nabhalai was patron to a number of poets in his court and the King himself was a renowned poet and artist. The most notable poet in his employ was the illustrious Sunthorn Phu, the author of Phra Aphai Mani.

Witwisit Hiranyawongkul

Actor

Witwisit Hiranyawongkul in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a Thai actor and singer.

Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee

Man

Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer and the reigning Thailand and World Kickboxing Network Muaythai Welterweight world champion.

Laila Boonyasak

Actor

Laila Boonyasak, or formerly Chermarn Boonyasak, born September 15, 1982 in Bangkok, Thailand, is a Thai film and television actress and model. She is well known for her role as June/Tang in the movie The Love of Siam. Her other film roles have included the title ghost character in director Yuthlert Sippapak's horror-comedies Buppah Rahtree and Buppah Rahtree Phase 2: Rahtree Returns. She was also featured in Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's Last Life in the Universe, in which she portrayed the younger sister of the character played by her real-life older sister, Sinitta Boonyasak. Sunisa Jett

Theeradej Wongpuapan

Actor

Theeradej Wongpuapan, is a Thai actor, model and presenter. His father is one of the top actors in Thailand who persuaded him to start his career in acting. Ken is currently one of Thailand's most popular actors. He gained immense popularity after his work in the series called Song Rao Nirun Dorn. All his projects from that point on, TV dramas, movies and even TV commercials, have become popular among Thais. According to the Suan Dusit poll, Ken Theeradej was voted the most popular Thai male star five years in a row from 2006 to 2010. He received the Golden Television Awards for Best Leading Actor a record four times for his work in Ey Mah Lek, Song Rao Nirun Dorn, Sawan Biang and Sood Sanaeha.

Matt Sharp

Bassist

Matthew Kelly Sharp is a founding member and former bassist for the band Weezer. In 1994, he started a band called The Rentals and released their debut album shortly after Weezer's first release, their second album in 1999, and an EP in 2007. In addition, he has released one full length album and one EP as a solo artist. During his time with Weezer he was known for his warm and fuzzy tone of his bass guitar and his falsetto background vocal abilities. During live performances he was the one that usually moved around on the stage the most, performing jumps, dances and slides. Sharp is left handed but plays bass right handed.

Sayan Sanya

Singer

Ratthapark Wilairot

Man

Ratthapark Wilairot is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from Thailand. He joined the 250cc World Championship in 2007 as a member of the Thai Honda PTT-SAG team. Wilairot competed in the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix as a wild-card and finished a respectable 10th after qualifying in 14th place. In 2006 he was runner-up in the challenging Japanese national Championship. Ratthapark Wilairot is the eldest son of Thai veteran racer Christmas Wilairot. He began junior road racing at 5 years old and first won a 50cc motocross trophy at the age of ten. Ratthapark has a younger brother Ratthapong Wilairot who is competing in the Asia Road Racing Championship SS600 class. Wilairot currently competes in the Moto2 World Championship, with a best result of fourth at the 2010 Dutch TT. Wilairot had qualified on the front row for the first time, and challenged for the lead with eventual race winner Andrea Iannone. Title challengers Toni Elías and Thomas Lüthi later demoted Wilairot to just off the podium. On 31 July 2013, Wilairot took a sabbatical from racing professionally and became a rider coach for his replacement in the Thai Honda PTT Gresini Moto2 team, Thitipong Warokorn.

Datsakorn Thonglao

Soccer Midfielder

Datsakorn Thonglao is a Thai footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Thai Premier League club Muangthong United and is a regular member of Thailand national football team. He was known for his deadly free kicks and setpieces.

Paul Vergès

Politician

Paul Vergès is a Réunionese politician. Born in Ubon Ratchathani, Siam, Vergès founded the Communist Party of Réunion in 1959, a party which he led until he retired in 1993. He made a political comeback at the 2004 European Parliament elections, when he was elected as the third candidate on the list of the French Communist Party, which is part of the European United Left–Nordic Green Left group. Vergès sat in the European Parliament's Committee on Development. He was MP in National Assembly of France from 1956 to 1958, 1986 to 1987, and from 1993 to 1996. He was senator in French Parliament from 1996 to 2004 and again since 2011. Member of European Parliament from 1979 to 1989 and from 2004 to 2007. He had been President of the regional council of Réunion from 1998 to 2010. Regional councillor since 2010. Mayor of Le Port from 1971 to 1989. General councillor of La Réunion from 1955 to 1967, and again from 1985 to 1998. In the European Parliament he was also a member of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, a substitute for the Committee on Regional Development, vice-chair of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and a substitute for the delegation for relations with the countries of Central America.

Nattasha Nauljam

Actor

Natasha Nauljam is a Thai actress. She is known for the role of Ern in SuckSeed. She was educated at Vocational Branch 3 Computer School of Technology Pattaya, Now she studies in Communication Arts, Rangsit University.

Srirasm

Noble person

Princess Srirasm of Thailand, or Srirasm, Princess of Thailand, is the consort of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. Born to a family of modest means, she entered the service of the Crown Prince at the age of 22. She married the crown prince in February 2001.

Chulabhorn Walailak

Noble person

Princess Chulabhorn Walailak of Thailand or Chulabhorn in Bangkok, is a Princess of Thailand, the youngest daughter of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand. As royal princess, she is styled Her Royal Highness.

Bongkoj Khongmalai

Actor

Bongkoj Khongmalai, nickname "Tak", is a Thai film actress. Films she has appeared in include Tom-Yum-Goong. She portrayed a young Thai woman forced into prostitution in Australia who comes to the aid of the film's hero, Tony Jaa. Alternate spellings of her name include Bongkot Kongmalai and Bonkoch Konmalaï. Her first film role was in Tanit Jitnukul's historical epic about the battle of Bang Rajan. Tak's major debut as a dramatic actress was in 2004's Ai-Fak, based on the S.E.A. Write Award-winning novel, Kham Phiphaksa, by Chart Korbjitti. She portrayed a mentally ill young woman who is married to a much older man. When her husband dies, her care is entrusted to the man's son, Fak, who is then ostracized by his fellow villagers because they believe he is having sexual relations with his stepmother. Tak was at the center of a controversy when nude photos of her, taken on the set of Ai-Fak, appeared on the Thai Internet forum, Pantip.com. Police were able to track the uploader down and the man was arrested. Tak asked that charges against the man be dropped after he issued a public apology, and she said she did so because the man hadn't smuggled the photos from the film set. A complaint was also filed against the film's production company for taking the photos.

Nangklao

Monarch

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Nangklao Chao Yu Hua or Rama III was the third monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 21 July 1824 to 2 April 1851. He succeeded his father, Buddha Loetla Nabhalai, as the King of Siam. His succession was unusual according to the traditions because Nangklao was a son of a concubine rather than a queen. His accession was perceived by foreign observers as having usurped the prior claim of Prince Mongkut, who was a legitimate son of Buddha Loetla Nabhalai born to a queen, Srisuriyendra. Under the old concept of Thai monarchy, however, a proper king must emulate Maha Sammata in that he must be "elected by the people." Ironically, Prince Mongkut may have later contributed to this misconception, when he feared that his own accession might be perceived by foreign observers as a usurpation. During Nangklao's reign, the military hegemony of Siam was established by putting down the Laotian Rebellion, the Siamese–Vietnamese War, and the Siamese-Vietnamese War fought in Cambodia.

Chantavit Dhanasevi

Actor

Chantavit Dhanasevi is a Thai model, actor and screen writer. He is best known for his lead role in the 2010 film Hello Stranger and 2012 film ATM: Er Rak Error.

Jintara Poonlarp

Phleng Thai sakol Artist

Jintara Poonlarp is a Thai mor lam, luk thung and pop music singer. She is one of the most popular and prolific of the artists in the mor lam and luk thung genres, having released 40 original albums as well as many compilations. She records roughly equal amounts of mor lam and luk thung, but two of her best-known songs are the string hits "Ma Tammai" and "Faen Ja," recorded with Bird McIntyre. She is also sometimes known by her nickname Jin or the epithet sao siang pin.

Parinya Charoenphol

Model

Parinya Charoenphol or Parinya Kiatbusaba, more popularly known as Nong Thoom, Nong Toom or Nong Tum, is arguably the best-known kathoey in Thailand. She is a former Muay Thai champion and has also worked as a model and actress.

Siriporn Ampaipong

Singer

Siriporn Ampaipong is a mor lam and luk thung singer from the Isan region of Thailand. Siriporn Ampaipong was born into a family of mor lam singers in Udon Thani Province. Most of her songs are sentimental ballads. She has released eight hit albums between 2001 and 2004, and is regarded as one of Thailand's most popular folk singers.

Prin Suparat

Actor

Prin Suparat is a Thai actor and model. He is seen in Channel 3.

Sunthorn Phu

Author

Phra Sunthorn Vohara, known as Sunthorn Phu, is Thailand’s best-known royal poet. He authored during the Rattanakosin era. Phu's career as a royal poet began in the reign of King Rama II, and when the king died, he resigned from the role and became a monk. Twenty years later, in the reign of King Rama III, he returned to court as a royal scribe, where he remained for the rest of his life. Phu was especially renowned for composing verse, and his conventions in epic poetry are popular in Thailand to the present day. His canonical works include Nirat Phukaothong, Nirat Suphan, and the Phra Aphai Mani saga.

Nattaporn Temeerak

Actor

Nattaporn Temeerak, nickname Taew, is a Thai actress working for TV3.

Kawin Thamsatchanan

Soccer Goalkeeper

Kawin Thamsatchanan is a Thai footballer who plays for Muangthong United as a goalkeeper. He has represented his country at U-23 and main level respectively. Kawin's nickname is "Flying Kawin" due to his spectacular flying saves.

Khaosai Galaxy

Professional Boxer

Khaosai Galaxy is a former professional Thai super flyweight boxer and Muaythai kickboxer. Khaosai defended his WBA world title 19 times in seven years, winning 16 of his title fights by knockouts. A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame he is widely considered as one of the greatest boxing champions of all time. He is listed #19 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

Saprang Kalayanamitr

Politician

General Saprang Kalayanamitr is a retired officer of the Royal Thai Army, Assistant Secretary-General of the Council for National Security, Commander of the junta's 14,000-man anti-protest force, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Airports of Thailand, and also Chairman of the Boards of TOT and CAT Telecom, two major Thai state-owned telecommunication companies. Saprang grew up in an aristocratic military family and graduated from the 7th Class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and the 18th Class of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. He served for nearly three decades in the Army cavalry corp, and was promoted to 3rd Army Region Commander in 2005. He was a key leader of the September 2006 coup that overthrew the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Saprang is one of the fiercest critics of Thaksin Shinawatra, calling him a "traitor" and claiming that he should be "banished to live forever in the jungle." Upon appointment to chair Airports of Thailand and TOT, he purged the management, initiated investigations into the overthrown government, and donated 200 million baht of the agency's funds to the Army. He fired the President of TOT for questioning an 800 million baht donation that the agency made to the Army. As head of CAT Telecom, he was accused of blocking attempts to launch People's Television, a new television station founded by ex-leaders of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party.

Tai Orathai

Singer

Tai Orathai is a Luk thung singer from Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand. She was born on March 27, 1980. She graduated from Ramkhamhaeng University in 2009. She was the first Luk thung singer to sell 1 million albums.

Seni Pramoj

Politician

Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj was three times the prime minister of Thailand and a politician in the Democrat Party. A member of the Thai royal family, he was a descendant of King Rama II.

Prachya Pinkaew

Film Director

Prachya Pinkaew is a Thai film director, film producer and screenwriter. His films include Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior and Tom-Yum-Goong, both martial arts films starring Tony Jaa.

Somchai Wongsawat

Politician

Somchai Wongsawat is a Thai politician, a Prime Minister of Thailand in 2008 and a former executive member of the People's Power Party whose political rights have been disfranchised by the Constitutional Court for five years. Prior to entering electoral politics, he had served civil service and judicial service, having been appointed Permanent Secretary of Justice in 2000 by the government of Chuan Leekpai. Following his retirement from office in 2006 owing to the pensionable age, he entered politics after the 2006 coup unseating the government of his brother-in-law, Thaksin Shinawatra. He joined the PPP which won the December 2007 parliamentary elections, becoming Minister of Education and Senior Deputy Prime Minister. After the premiership of Samak Sundaravej had been terminated by the ConCourt for contravening the conflict of interests law, Somchai was successfully nominated Prime Minister. His government had to deal with the 2008 Thailand political crisis as well as the global financial crisis of 2008, and the PPP was eventually dissolved by the ConCourt and its executive members, including Somchai, were prohitibited from politics for five years for vote-buying committed by Yongyuth Tiyapairat.

Penpak Sirikul

Actor

Palmy

Pop rock Artist

Eve Pancharoen, better known by her stage name Palmy, is a Thai-Belgian pop singer. She has recorded and released several albums including concert DVDs on the GMM Grammy label beginning with her self-titled solo debut, Palmy, in 2001. Palmy has explored a variety of popular music styles on each of her four solo albums, and has collaborated with the Thai ska band T-Bone to create experimental renditions of her hits Though her solo recording was Beautiful Ride in 2006, she continues to perform live with T-Bone, and appears as a guest vocalist at other concerts and music festivals. She is primarily successful in Asian countries, but she has also performed in Australia and the UK.

Bui Simon

Model

Porntip Bui Simon is a Thai beauty queen who has held the title Miss Universe 1988. She became the second woman from Thailand to win the Miss Universe crown, the first being Apasra Hongsakula in 1965. Bui Simon is a philanthropist and founder of the Angels Wings Foundation. She also is on the Board of Governors for the Dream Foundation and on the Board of Regents of Pepperdine University.

Buddhadasa

Monk

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu was a famous and influential ascetic-philosopher of the 20th century. Known as an innovative reinterpreter of Buddhist doctrine and Thai folk beliefs, Buddhadasa fostered a reformation in conventional religious perceptions in his home country, Thailand, as well as abroad. Although he was a formally ordained ascetic, or "monk," having at the age of twenty years submitted to mandatory government religious controls, Buddhadasa developed a personal view that rejected specific religious identification and considered all faiths as principally one. His ground-breaking thought inspired such persons as French schooled Pridi Phanomyong, leader of Siam's 1932 revolution, and a group of Thai social activists and artists of the 1960s and 70s.

Anuwat Kaewsamrit

Man

Anuwat Kaewsamrit is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer and a former Lumpini and four time Rajadamnern Stadium champion who used to fight out of Kaewsamrit Gym in Bangkok. Anuwat is known for his powerful hands, he’s often referred to as “The Iron Hands of Siam”.

Thakoon Panichgul

Fashion Designer

Thakoon Panichgul is a Thai-American fashion designer.

Namthip Jongrachatawiboon

Actor

Namthip Jongrachatawiboon, or nickname Bee, is a Thai film and television actress and pop singer from Exact.

Tanawat Wattanaputi

Actor

Tanawat Wattanaputi is a Thai actor and model.

Rasri Balenciaga

Actor

Peeranee Kongthai

Actor

Peeranee Kongthai is a Thai actress and model of Norwegian descent.