Bangkok History Highlight: The Amazing Career and Tragic Death of Mitr Chaibancha [Season 3, Episode 53]

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In a continuation of the series on Thai history, Greg and
Ed discuss the fascinating career and tragic death of Mitr
Chaibancha, perhaps Thailand's greatest movie star. From his
early days growing poverty to a promising career as a lightweight
Muay Thai fighter, to an Air Force flight at Don Meuang Royal
Thai Air Force base, Khun Mitr's life was interesting from the
start.


After a chance meeting, Khun Mitr met a film producer and
was cast in his first small movie role. From there, his career
took off, and he would eventually star in an insane 266 films
over a 14 year career (averaging one every three weeks!).
Specializing in both romance and action, most of his films were
made on a small budget but were a hit across the country as his
legend grew.


Unfortunately, Khun Mitr's last film, The Golden Eagle
(don't miss the awesome plot summary by Greg), would end in
tragedy as his refusal to use a stuntman would result in his
untimely death. His cremation was mobbed by hundreds of thousands
of fans, something that the Bangkok Post called "The
most riotous and trouble-plagued funeral rite in living
memory". Click here to see a documentary on Mitr (in
Thai), including footage of his cremation.


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