Chalong Pakdeevijit (; ; born Boonchalong Pakdeevijit () (March 18, 1931 – September 13, 2024) was a Thai film and television director, producer, cinematographer, and voice actor. In February 2023, he was certified by

Guinness World Records ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a British reference book published annually, list ...

as the Oldest TV Director for his work on the mini-series ''The Maekhong Connection'' for Channel 7 HD. Dubbed 'King of Action,' Chalong is best known for having created, directed, and produced action films and TV shows. He was known as 'Ar Long', and internationally as Philip Chalong or P. Chalong.

Early life

Pakdeevijit was born into a filmmaking family. His father was a director and producer, and his brothers are all in the movie industry. He started as a cinematographer in 1950 and directed his first film in 1968.

Career

In 1973, he released the film ''Thong'' () to Thailand and foreign countries. The film introduces foreign actors to lead in Thai cinema, such as

Greg Morris Francis Gregory Alan Morris (September 27, 1933 – August 27, 1996) was an American actor. He was best known for portraying Barney Collier on the television series '' Mission: Impossible'' and Lieutenant David Nelson on ''Vega$''. Early lif ...

and Thẩm Thúy Hằng. Foreign actors, such as

Jan-Michael Vincent Jan-Michael Vincent (July 15, 1944 – February 10, 2019) was an American actor. He emerged as a leading man in the 1970s, playing notable roles in films like '' Going Home'' (1971), which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Sup ...

Christopher Mitchum Christopher Mitchum (born October 16, 1943) is an American film actor, screenwriter, and businessman. He was born in Los Angeles, California, the second son of film star Robert Mitchum and Dorothy Mitchum. He is the younger brother of actor Jame ...

and

Olivia Hussey Olivia Hussey (; 17 April 1951 – 27 December 2024) was a British actress. Her awards included a Golden Globe Award and a David di Donatello Award. The daughter of Argentine tango singer Osvaldo Ribó, Hussey was born in Buenos Aires but spen ...

, sometimes take the lead roles. His last film was ''Sud Keed: Mungkorn Chao Phraya 2'' (transl. Chaophya Dragon 2) in 1996. In 1998, he turned to producing and directing a

TV series A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming platf ...

for Channel 7, starting with ''Raya'', with lead roles by Pete Thongchua and Chatmongkol Bumpen. In 2013, he was appointed

National Artist National Artist is an honorary title issued by some states as the highest recognition of artists for their significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the nation. An equivalent title, People's Artist, has been known in countries of the ...

of Performing Arts (film & television – director & executive producer) by the

Ministry of Culture Ministry of Culture may refer to: * Ministry of Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Youth and Sports (Albania) * Ministry of Culture (Algeria) * Ministry of Culture (Argentina) * Minister for the Arts (Australia) * Ministry of Culture (Azerbaijan)Ministry o ...

. Chalong has created, produced, and directed more than 60 movies and T.V, shows. His films include ''Fhon Tai'' (1970), ''Fhon Nuea'' (1970), ''Thong'' (S.T.A.B.; 1973), ''Thong 2'' (Gold Raiders; 1982), ''Thong 3'' (The Lost Idol; 1988) and ''Thong 4'' (In Gold We Trust; 1990). Chalong transitioned to television and started to produce action miniseries exclusively for Channel 7, with the top-rated television debut ''Raya'' ('; 1998). According to AC Neilsen, published on WTFintheworld.com, he is the only director in Thailand with two entries in the top 10 of the Thailand Highest Rating Television Miniseries of All Time. These two Channel 7 miniseries include ''Chumphae'' (; 2007) and ''Sao Har'' (; 2011). He earned the nickname "Action Film Tycoon", by his style of films, called in Thailand ''Raboet Phukhao Phao Kratom'' (ระเบิดภูเขา เผากระท่อม; ).

Personal life and death

Chalong Pakdeevijit married Sumon Pakdeevijit in 1966, and the two remained married until her death from cancer in 2014. On December 28, 2014, he married for the second time to a 38-year-old bride. Pakdeevijit died from a

pulmonary edema Pulmonary edema (British English: oedema), also known as pulmonary congestion, is excessive fluid accumulation in the tissue or air spaces (usually alveoli) of the lungs. This leads to impaired gas exchange, most often leading to shortness ...

at the Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok, on September 13, 2024. He was 93.Chalong, ‘Thailand’s King of Action Films’, dies at 93
/ref>

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Pakdeevijit, Chalong 1931 births 2024 deaths Chalong Pakdeevijit Chalong Pakdeevijit Chalong Pakdeevijit Chalong Pakdeevijit Chalong Pakdeevijit Chalong Pakdeevijit Deaths from pulmonary edema