Sarunyu Wongkrajang The veteran actor/director recently appeared in Salad Ta Diew Kab Dek Song Roy Ta. Just as famous for his involvement in anti-Thaksin demonstrations, he speaks to BK of politics and entertainment.

I prefer being an actor because I always have fun getting to know and interpreting my new character. As a director, I have to look at the big picture, envision how the fi lm will look and feel. But as an actor, I just focus on my role and thoroughly study it.

 It’s essential for an actor to be on the same page as the director and to be able to share thoughts and ideas with him. Pued [Salad Ta Diew’s Thanit Jitnukul] and I belong to the same generation and we speak the same language.

You either love kids or you don’t like them at all. Some people can’t stand being around kids, let alone working with them. Me, I love them! Since university, I’ve performed in many plays for schoolchildren. Whenever I see a kid’s eyes brighten, I’m thrilled.

I like fun movies. By fun, I don’t mean only in a light, humorous kind of way. Being scared, thrilled or even sad can be fun. I just want to experience feelings I can relate to.

I got here thanks to Prof. Sodsai [Pantoomkomol]. I was lucky to have her as a mentor. She taught me a lot more than just how to act. She taught me how to be a good person, too.

To act is to capture and portray the lives of people and the ways of the world. There are millions of characters that can be built from our seemingly ordinary lives.

It’s a pity for actors and actresses in this country that scripts are written only for starlets. But just imagine—a 20-year-old is forced to leave his hometown to fi ght in a battlefield. A 25-year-old couple marries too soon and faces relationship issues. A 45-year-old widower is looking for a new love, while a penniless retired 60-year-old goes on a treasure hunt. See what I mean? Every stage of life comes with its own stories to tell.

The entertainment industry just doesn’t want to look beyond 20-year-olds because they think only pretty faces can sell.

The only diff erence between fi lm and TV is the size of the screen. In the end, what matters most is the message you try to communicate.

In some countries, theater is a culture. But here, going to a play is simply a special occasion that allows the wealthy to show off their new gowns. I took my kids to see Cats. I had a blast even though it was my second time watching the musical. It is a classic that stands the test of time.

Films and TV dramas are virtual brochures to boost tourism. Look at Korea. They use TV series and music to promote their culture and history and to draw tourists to their country. Next thing you know, Thai kids will speak Korean and eat kimchi instead of namprik.

A bright future for Thai entertainment? Impossible, hopeless, unattainable. Choose whatever word you want. We’ll never get anywhere without government support and with their constant censorship and harassment.

Politics are not as highbrow as some people think. Politics are our everyday life. We shouldn’t let corrupt people who call themselves politicians rob and sell the country.

Staying put, doing nothing is just as bad as being actively corrupt. We managed to sack Thaksin but then wasted a whole year as the military did nothing for Thailand. Meanwhile, our neighbors were developing their economy, raising their standards of living. And now? Well, we are back into the same shit again.

I don’t want to be a politician. Our politics are such a mess. No matter how great a politician might be, what can he do working with the present clique of politicians? I can do a better job helping society from the outside.

Love your country. If you love Thailand, if you love your hometown, you won’t do anything to harm the motherland.

My life is centered on family and work. When I’m not working, I dedicate my time to my children. I want to be a part of every phase of their lives. I believe that if you want to teach
or establish ideas and attitudes in your kids, you have to be with them, spend time with them, exchange ideas with them while playing tennis, having dinner, etc. It’s a 24/7 learning progress, not just a one-hour tutorial.

I somewhat indulge myself. I choose to work only on projects I am really passionate about. I can’t tell when my next directorial project will be. I want to take time accumulating experiences until I feel that I have a story to tell.

Acting is the only thing I can do. It’s also the only thing I love to do. Interview by Nuttaporn
Srisirirungsimakul