Chalong Pakdeevijit

Early life Pakdeevijit was born into a filmmaking family. His father was a director and producer, and his brothers are all in the movie industry. He started as a cinematographer in 1950 and directed his first film in 1968.

Career In 1973, he released the film Thong to Thailand and foreign countries. The film introduces foreign actors to lead in Thai cinema, such as Greg Morris and Thẩm Thúy Hằng. Foreign actors, such as Jan-Michael Vincent, Christopher Mitchum and Olivia Hussey, sometimes take the lead roles.

His last film was Sud Keed: Mungkorn Chao Phraya 2 (transl. Chaophya Dragon 2) in 1996. In 1998, he turned to producing and directing a TV series for Channel 7, starting with Raya, with lead roles by Pete Thongchua and Chatmongkol Bumpen.

In 2013, he was appointed National Artist of Performing Arts (film & television – director & executive producer) by the Ministry of Culture.

Chalong has created, produced, and directed more than 60 movies and T.V, shows. His films include Fhon Tai (1970), Fhon Nuea (1970), Thong (S.T.A.B.; 1973), Thong 2 (Gold Raiders; 1982), Thong 3 (The Lost Idol; 1988) and Thong 4 (In Gold We Trust; 1990).

Chalong transitioned to television and started to produce action miniseries exclusively for Channel 7, with the top-rated television debut Raya ('; 1998). He earned the nickname "Action Film Tycoon", by his style of films, called in Thailand Raboet Phukhao Phao Kratom (ระเบิดภูเขา เผากระท่อม; ).

Pakdeevijit died from a pulmonary edema at the Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok, on September 13, 2024. He was 93.