Kong, Phiwit: Setting new standards

Two men hugging for what seems an age on Thai TV?

No, never!

And yet in this prime-time drama it has happened.

Last night the aspiring gay romance between Kong and Phiwit in the Channel 5 drama, Tomorrow, I’ll Still Love You (พรุ่งนี้ก็รักเธอ), took another big leap forward.

Kong and Phiwit are played by Fluke Pachara Thammon (ฟลุค พชร ธรรมมล) and Oh Anuchyd Sapanphong.

The two have met at the local hospital, where Kong’s mother has been admitted for care.

Mum is out for the count. Kong, sitting alone by her bedside, is finding life hard to take without her.

In tears, he implores his mother to come back to him.

Phiwit turns up by his side to comfort him.

Kong rushes into Phiwit’s arms – and lucky Phiwit holds Kong for what must be the longest man hug in Thai television history.

He rubs his back furiously to show that he is merely consoling the young man, not making a pass at him (sorry if I have spoiled the moment).

Kong is upset about his Mum, of course. Emotions are taking over.

But Phiwit is nonetheless taken aback when Kong declares that he and Phiwit can never meet again.

'I am scared...scared...scared that Mum will find out who you are, and something else will happen to her.'

Phiwit is unfazed.

'Can you really expect me to abandon you at a time like this?'

'You can't worry about something which hasn't happened yet,' he says.

'Even if people find out, they won't think ill of us...they will understand.

Don’t worry...I will never let anyone hurt you or your family. I am here for you,’ vows Phiwit, giving his back another furious rub. 'I promise!'

Kong's Mum doesn't yet know that Phiwit is brother to the poisonous snake of a man who killed her daughter (Kong's sister).

Kong is afraid that his Mum will take another turn for the worse if she finds out, so is eager that their secret not be revealed.

They have struck up a friendship in spite of themselves. Initially, Kong was keen that Phiwit keep his distance, for the sake of his family.

Now, he's worried about how others will react if they find out who Phiwit really is.

Family ties have brought these two young men together, but at any moment also threaten to drive them apart.

In fanciful gay moments, I like to imagine, however, that Kong is also referring to the fledgling gay relationship which has developed between them, though this being a straightlaced Thai drama, he probably isn't.

At the Pantip webboard, Thais are impressed by Fluke’s performance as Kong. They also like the sound of his voice: that's him singing at the tail end of the hospital scene.

‘He displays a maturity well beyond his years,’ says one.

Agreed! Actor Fluke slips into his role effortlessly. It is an impressive, even stunning performance for this young actor.

In behind-the-scenes clips on set, Takonkiat 'Boy' Weerawan, head of Exact Entertainment, directs the young men with painstaking care to detail. 'If Kong does that, Phiwit is likely to react this way'...and so on.

Yet I bet even he can't believe his luck. In Fluke, he has found an actor who does all the work for him. He can turn mere words on a page into feelings on screen which seem so real they almost jump out at you.

He is neither self-conscious, nor awkward, even when the script fails to rise to the occasion, as it does at times (this is a soap opera, after all).

The original soundtrack, Rak Deow, Jai Deow is by Thanapol "Sua" Intarit (เสือ ธนพล รักเดียวใจเดียว).  It's here.