> top actors (thai)
Ranked list of the strongest Thai actors (in my opinion), including the works I've seen and thoughts on their acting styles/strengths.
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Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat
Thais
Seen In: Not Me, Home School, Theory of Love, Midnight Museum, The Trainee
I absolutely adore how well Gun can hold incongruity in his acting. Constantly working against what would be his type cast, he brings a huge amount of energy and power into his roles. His range and the growth of his characters are really beautiful to watch, with each character becoming a true individual. I'm not even close to bored yet!
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Babe Tanatat
Thais
Seen In: The Sign
What really impresses me about Babe's acting is how holistic and natural his characterization of Tharn (The Sign) manages to be. Before watching interviews/content with the cast, I was definitely under the impression that this was simply the way Babe moves and speaks. The completeness of his character is extraordinary and I can't wait to see what he does next.
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Mix Sahaphap Wongratch
Thais
Seen In: Moonlight Chicken, A Tale of a Thousand Stars, Cupid's Last Wish, Fish Upon the Sky, Only Friends (cameo)
Whenever I am looking for a show that will make me feel, I reach for Mix. Though he seems to attract rather understated, quiet, and/or realistic scripts, his performances are always absolutely stunning. Mix has a wonderful talent for managing a balance between a youthful, lively character and a deeper melancholy lurking beneath the surface. I love to watch him.
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Up Poompat Iam-samang
Thais
Seen In: My Stand In, Hoon Payon
Comparatively, Up is a very refined actor. Though he makes it seem easy and natural, it's plain to see he's put an incredible amount of thought into his character. Ming bounces between playful, grief-stricken, and genuine with a constant undercurrent of childishness that's not easy to balance. I love the subtlety and care Up brings to his role.
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Dech Narongdet Rungarun
Thais
Seen In: Playboyy
I really cannot say enough good things about his performance of Nont/Nant (Playboyy). Tackling twin roles, a highly stylized production style, numerous intimate scenes (and partners), and an emotionally heavy script in his first (?) true role was insane and he absolutely nailed it. He better be booked and busy in the years to come.
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Build Jakapan Puttha
Thais
Seen In: Kinnporsche (La Forte)
One of the easiest types of scenes to overdo in acting is a character hitting rock bottom and exposing their softest, most vulnerable interior. Combined with the intensity of Pete's (Kinnporsche) journey, Build's performance was one of the most expressive and believable breakdowns I've seen. It was truly a pleasure to watch.
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Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat
Thais
Seen In: Kinnporsche (La Forte), ManSuang, The Hidden Character (judge)
The physicality Apo brings to his roles is an absolute joy to watch on screen. His characters come alive and take up space, injecting an infectious energy into even the shakiest of scripts. The contrast when he pulls back and softens delivers a powerful emotional performance. Of course, Apo is hands down delivering the absolute best action sequences in Thai BL.
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Billy Patchanon Ounsa-ard
Thais
Seen In: The Sign, GAP (cameo)
Billy is such a charming actor to watch work. With an easy smile and great comedic timing, he pulls off an easy-going heart-on-his-sleeve type with an earnestness that set The Sign up for success. I was pleasantly surprised to reach the darker portions of the show and find a truly nuanced vulnerability as his world comes crashing down around him. With a bit more experience under his belt, I think he'll really be something remarkable.
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Fluke Natouch Siripongthon
Thais
Seen In: Until We Meet Again, Between Us, 609 Bedtime Story
Fluke would be on this list for the finale episode of UWMA alone, where he delivered a phenomenal performance sitting quietly on the floor with no lines, but the rest of his work is really solid as well! I don't really enjoy the roles he takes on (in terms of genre and story type), so it's a testament to his performance that I always walk away charmed.
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Phuwin Tangsakyuen
Thais
Seen In: We Are, Never Let Me Go, Summer Night, Fish Upon the Sky, Hoon Payon
I've seen your comments and I couldn't disagree more. Phuwin has an addicting delicacy to his expression that delivers his character's thoughts clearly and evokatively. I enjoy the range he commands, excelling with both youthful exuberance and more mature emotion , though his youth sometimes shows in bridging the two. Particularly, I think he has a compelling gentleness to his performance that feels quite unique.