Sarunyoo Wongkrachang

Sarunyoo Wongkrachang or spelt Sarunyu Wongkrachang (Thai: ศรัณยู วงษ์กระจ่าง; nickname: Tua–ตั้ว; October 17, 1960 in Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand – June 10, 2020), was a Thai actor, singer, host, activist, screenwriter, director and producer. He was a producer of Thai TV dramas and reached his peak as Thailand's top actor during 80s–90s, best known for his various hugely successful TV drama roles, including Gao Ee Kao Nai Hong Dang, Massaya (1985), Baan Sai Thong (1987), Jaosao Kong Arnon (1988), Rattikarn Yod Rak (1989), Wanalee (1990), Roymarn (1990), Wanida (1991), Tawipop (1992), Mon Rak Look Thoong (1995), Duay Rang Atittarn (1996) and Nai Hoy Tamil (2001).

Sarunyoo acted in more than 50 TV dramas, 20 films, and 20 stage plays, including legendary Mon Rak Look Thoong which became the 3rd most-watched TV drama of all time in Thailand with viewership rating of 36%. He won a Mekhala Award for Best Actor for his role in Tawipop.

Under Saman Karn Lakorn company, Sarunyoo directed, screen-wrote and produced a stage play named Langkha Daeng and TV dramas for Channel 7 including Suparb Buroot Look Puchai (2003 and 2013), Hua Jai Tuan (2014), Roy Rak Rang Kaen (2015), and Ballang Hong (2016).

Early life Sarunyoo was born in Kradangnga, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram Province. His four siblings include famous singer and actor Thaneth Warakulnukroh but Sarunyoo was adopted by his own aunt whose surname he has been using ever since.

Sarunyoo completed his high school at Suankularb Wittayalai School Batch 92 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in architecture from Chulalongkorn University. He decided against pursuing an architectural career, telling BK in an interview that "The architecture faculty's acting club introduced me to what ultimately became the biggest part of my college life. After my third year, I knew that I didn't want to be an architect."

Sarunyoo played numerous main parts in "Lakorn 'Tapat" or Faculty of Architecture stage plays during his time in college, as well as in a few Faculty of Arts stage plays. In addition to his acting abilities, his attractive appearance drew a lot of fangirls, and "Lakorn 'Tapat" became a must-see for both urban workers and high school and college students. Sarunyoo became a college sensation as rugby player and theatre actor.

Career

His first public appearance in Thailand's entertainment scene might be as a 'famous' pin-up in an issue of "Dichan" magazine, Sarunyoo posed for many magazines during his early career. After graduation, Sarunyoo did many TV dramas, films, stage plays and he sang a lot of drama songs. Besides, he also joined his seniors from the Faculty of Architecture in a cult TV comedy show called "Petchakart Kwarm Kriad" televised on Channel 9.

Sarunyoo's TV drama debut was Kao Ee Kao Nai Hong Dang on Channel 3. Only that he looked very young in the TV drama of teen problems, his acting skill is considered worth noting.

Politics and activism He was interested in politics since childhood. Since the incident on October 14, 1973, and in the incident of the Black May 1992, he joined the protest.

In 1998, when Thaksin Shinawatra founded the Thai Rak Thai party, he was one of the 100 party committee members. He proposed a policy to Thaksin, but his policy was not accepted.

In 2006 and 2008, he participated in the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) or Yellow Shirts, especially in 2008, becoming one of the leaders of the PAD.

Legacy and impact Because of his participation in the protest his life was affected, by being removed as a television host and from TV drama roles.

Personal life Sarunyoo married a famous radio DJ, and businesswoman Hattaya Katesang who was raised in London and came back to Thailand after graduation working for her mother's business as well as being a radio DJ. However, Hattaya met Sarunyoo who she co-starred with in the drama Dok Fah Lae Dome Pu Jong Hong (1989). They had twin daughters, Supara Wongkrachang (Look Noon) and Seetala Wongkrachang (Look Nang).

Seetala Wongkrachang was a member of the South Korean girl group H1-KEY from January to May 2022, when she left the group due to personal reasons.

Filmography

Television

Film

Title Year Credited as Note Role(s) Yah Bork Wa Ter Barb 1987 w/ Sinjai Hongthai Goai 1989 Hua Jai See See 1989 Watchara w/ Lalita Panyopas Kor Sheu Suthee Sam See Chart 1989 Suthee Len Gub Fai 1990 Prai w/ Lalita Panyopas Tan Khun Noi Noi Hang Siam 1993 Blackbirds at Bangpleng 1994 Bin Laek 1995 Mahasajan Haeng Rak 1995 Pat w/ Sinjai Hongthai Ruan Mayura 1996 Khun Pra Nai w/ Nusaba Wanichangkul Sa Tang 2000 The Legend of Suriyothai 2001 King Maha Chakkraphat w/ Girl's Friends 2002 Tim's Father Soom Meu Peun 2005 Ith Umpawa 13 Beloved 2006 Surachai The Passion Ammahit Pitsawat 2006 Chai The Legend of King Naresuan 2007 King Maha Chakkraphat Salad Ta Diow Gub Dek 200 Ta 2008 Captain Rith Ong Bak 2 2008 Lord Jom Rajasena The Manitou Vanquisher 2009 Wa-yib Ong Bak 3 2010 Lord Jom Rajasena Kon Khon 2011 Tootsies & the Fake 2019 Win's Father (final film role)

Stage Production Year Theatre Role / Credited as Soo Fun An Ying Yai (Man of La Mancha) 1987 The National Theatre Miguel de Cervantes / Don Quixote Rai San Sook 1987 The National Theatre Pan Tai Norasing 1989 Chalermthai Theatre Pan Tai Norasing Prat Ya She Wit (The Prophet) Sang Aroon Art and Cultural Center Almustafa Sunya Luerd Sunya Rak (Dial M For Murder) 1991 A.U.A. Theatre Cinderella 1991 The National Theatre Prince Philip Tuen Tuek 1992 A.U.A. Theatre Mongkol / Mong Talui Muang Tukkata 1992 The National Theatre Jing Jog Lork Lai (Little Foxes) 1992 A.U.A. Theatre Talui Muang Tukkata 1993 The National Theatre Tootsie 1993 A.U.A. Theatre Michael Dorsey / Dorothy Michaels Tootsie 1993 Bangkok Theatre Michael Dorsey / Dorothy Michaels Hamlet 1995 Thailand Cultural Centre Amadeus 1996 Bangkok Theatre Nang Paya Ngoo Kao (Legend of the White Snake) 1999 Bangkok Theatre Fahai ART 2000 Bangkok Theatre Black Comedy : Ruang Lub Lub Ton Dub Fai 2004 Bangkok Theatre Wiwa Cabaret 2006 Bangkok Metropolis Theatre Paen Din Kong Rao 2015 Rachadalai Theatre

Discography

Solo Album

1992 Krang Neung (Once) 1995 Hua Jai Look Thoong

Compilation Album

1995 Mon Rak Look Thoong Original Soundtrack Vol.1 & Vol.2 2001 Nai Hoy Tamil Original Soundtrack Vol.1 & Vol.2

Awards

Mekhala Awards

Golden Television Awards