Lor Tok
Encyclopedia
Lor Tok was a Thai
comedian and actor. He was named a Thailand National Artist
for performing arts in 1995. With an acting career that stretched from the 1930s into the 1980s, Lor Tok had roles in more than 1,000 films, among them Ngern, Ngern, Ngern (Money, Money, Money, 1983 version), for which he received an award for best actor at the Thailand National Film Association Awards
.
, Lor Tok was the third of five children of an orchard
ist. As a boy, he climbed coconut trees and learned to play traditional Thai musical instruments
.
He attended Wat Nuan Noradit School until Mattayom 3
(the equivalent of ninth grade
) and then went to work on the family orchard. After floods wiped out the orchard, Lor Tok worked on a river pier, helping to moor ferry boats. Other occupations included boatman on the Pasi Charoen canal, a trishaw driver in Nakhon Ratchasima
and professional boxer
. He is said to have often walked from Nakhon Ratchasima to Bangkok on foot, a journey that took three days. He also served in the Royal Thai Army.
His film debut was in 1933 in Wan Chakayan. Other films were Panan, Yod Phi, Hong Fah, Phra Apaimanee and Roy Khan.
Among his more famous roles were in the in 1985 remake of the musical comedy Ngern, Ngern, Ngern (เงิน เงิน เงิน), for which he won best actor at the Thailand National Film Association Awards
. He portrayed an unscrupulous moneylender whose son falls in love with a debtor and ends up taking sides against his father. He had also had a smaller role in the original 1965 film. Lor Tok won a Tuktathong ("Golden Doll") award for his role as a Chinese merchant in Go Hub. He played the lead role in the 007
spoof, James Band and was the title character in the comedy horror, Dracula Tok. In the early 1980s, he acted in the acclaimed Luang ta duology, in which he portrayed a wise Buddhist
monk.
He established his own production company in 1969 called Tok Boom Parpayon. Among the films he directed was Luk Kuey, which starred Mitr Chaibancha
and Petchara Chaowarat
. He was popular on television in the 1980s, appearing in the shows "Nateethong" and "Traduduang".
. His good humor won him an admirer in Somjit, a statuesque actress, model and beauty contest winner. They married and had three children.
At the end of his life Lor Tok suffered from emphysema
due to smoking. On April 28, he was admitted to Sotharavej Hospital in Chachoengsao
after collapsing while rehearsing for a khon masked dance
performance, and he died at the hospital the next day.
Shortly after his death, a cartoon series based on his Dracula Tok character was developed.
Thai people
The Thai people, or Siamese, are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia as well as southern China. Their language is the Thai language, which is classified as part of the Kradai family of...
comedian and actor. He was named a Thailand National Artist
Thailand National Artist
The National Artist is a title given annually by the Office of the National Culture Commission of Thailand, recognizing notable Thai artists in literature, fine arts, visual arts, applied arts and performing arts .Since 1985, the honors have been presented on...
for performing arts in 1995. With an acting career that stretched from the 1930s into the 1980s, Lor Tok had roles in more than 1,000 films, among them Ngern, Ngern, Ngern (Money, Money, Money, 1983 version), for which he received an award for best actor at the Thailand National Film Association Awards
Thailand National Film Association Awards
The Thailand National Film Association Awards is a Thai film industry ceremony held annually by the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand...
.
Early life
Born Sawong Supsamruay (สวง ทรัพย์สำรวย) in Ban Suan Klong, Bangkok YaiBangkok Yai
Bangkok Yai is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Neighboring districts are Bangkok Noi, Phra Nakhon , Thon Buri, Phasi Charoen, and Taling Chan.-History:...
, Lor Tok was the third of five children of an orchard
Orchard
An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit or nut-producing trees which are grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, where they serve an aesthetic as well as a productive...
ist. As a boy, he climbed coconut trees and learned to play traditional Thai musical instruments
Music of Thailand
The music of Thailand reflects its geographic position at the intersection of China and India, and reflects trade routes that have historically included Persia, Africa, Greece and Rome...
.
He attended Wat Nuan Noradit School until Mattayom 3
Education in Thailand
Education in Thailand is provided mainly by the Thai government through the Ministry of Education from pre-school to senior high school. A free basic education of twelve years is guaranteed by the constitution, and a minimum of nine years' school attendance is mandatory.Formal education consists of...
(the equivalent of ninth grade
Ninth grade
Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school....
) and then went to work on the family orchard. After floods wiped out the orchard, Lor Tok worked on a river pier, helping to moor ferry boats. Other occupations included boatman on the Pasi Charoen canal, a trishaw driver in Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima or is a city in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district...
and professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. He is said to have often walked from Nakhon Ratchasima to Bangkok on foot, a journey that took three days. He also served in the Royal Thai Army.
Comedy and film career
Lor Tok joined a comedy troupe and began performing with another popular comedian of the day, Jok Dokchan. He was acclaimed for his stage performance in the comic play, Klai Glua Kin Dang (Near Good Salt, Eat Bad Salt). Due to this role, a senior actor gave him his stage name.His film debut was in 1933 in Wan Chakayan. Other films were Panan, Yod Phi, Hong Fah, Phra Apaimanee and Roy Khan.
Among his more famous roles were in the in 1985 remake of the musical comedy Ngern, Ngern, Ngern (เงิน เงิน เงิน), for which he won best actor at the Thailand National Film Association Awards
Thailand National Film Association Awards
The Thailand National Film Association Awards is a Thai film industry ceremony held annually by the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand...
. He portrayed an unscrupulous moneylender whose son falls in love with a debtor and ends up taking sides against his father. He had also had a smaller role in the original 1965 film. Lor Tok won a Tuktathong ("Golden Doll") award for his role as a Chinese merchant in Go Hub. He played the lead role in the 007
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
spoof, James Band and was the title character in the comedy horror, Dracula Tok. In the early 1980s, he acted in the acclaimed Luang ta duology, in which he portrayed a wise Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
monk.
He established his own production company in 1969 called Tok Boom Parpayon. Among the films he directed was Luk Kuey, which starred Mitr Chaibancha
Mitr Chaibancha
Mitr Chaibancha was a Thai film actor who made 266 films from 1956 to 1970....
and Petchara Chaowarat
Petchara Chaowarat
Petchara Chaowarat is a Thai film actress who starred in around 300 films from 1961 to 1979. An icon of the "Golden Age" of Thai cinema, she was known for her round, pool-like eyes and elaborate hairstyles.Her first film and starring role was in Banthuk Rak Pimchawee , in 1961...
. He was popular on television in the 1980s, appearing in the shows "Nateethong" and "Traduduang".
Personal life
Lor Tok was described as short and dark skinned, with black hair and often sported a pencil moustacheMoustache
A moustache is facial hair grown on the outer surface of the upper lip. It may or may not be accompanied by a type of beard, a facial hair style grown and cropped to cover most of the lower half of the face.-Etymology:...
. His good humor won him an admirer in Somjit, a statuesque actress, model and beauty contest winner. They married and had three children.
At the end of his life Lor Tok suffered from emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
due to smoking. On April 28, he was admitted to Sotharavej Hospital in Chachoengsao
Chachoengsao
Chachoengsao ) is a town in central Thailand, capital of the Chachoengsao Province. It is located on the bank of the Bang Pakong River. It occupies the tambon Na Mueang and parts of Ban Mai, Bang Tin Pet, Wang Takhian and Sothon of Mueang Chachoengsao district...
after collapsing while rehearsing for a khon masked dance
Dance of Thailand
Dance in Thailand is the main dramatic art form of Thailand. Thai dance, like many forms of traditional Asian dance, can be divided into two major categories that correspond roughly to the high art and low art distinction....
performance, and he died at the hospital the next day.
Shortly after his death, a cartoon series based on his Dracula Tok character was developed.