Lakorn

Lakorn ( _th. ละคร), while usually meaning play in the Thai language, is also the term for dramatic television serials (soap operas). Lakorns are usually shown every night at primetime on Thai television channels and start at 20:30. An episode of a prime-time drama is usually two hours long (including commercials). A lakorn usually is a finished story, unlike Western "cliffhanger" dramas, but rather like Hispanic telenovelas. A series will run for about three months. It may air two or three episodes a week, the pattern usually being Monday-Tuesday, Wednesday-Thursday or Friday-Sunday. A channel will air three lakorns simultaneously at any given time. Because they attract the most viewers, each channel competes for the most popular stars. While the "best" lakorns are shown at night right after the news, there are ones with smaller profiles (and shorter run time) in the evenings at around 5 to 6 pm. In some cases, primetime lakorns are also shown on re-runs a couple of years after their initial release, in the afternoon.

Characteristics

Lakorns have very distinctive characteristics. Though some stray from these set rules, most adhere to them, especially ones that are very popular among Thai viewers.

*They are always about achieving a perfect ending in which the leading characters would marry their soulmates and live happily ever after.
*The two main lovers are established as soon as the lakorn starts. Viewers have no difficulties singling them out of the crowd for they tend to be the most popular soap-opera stars of the moment.
*The presence of a "bad" female character, sometimes more, is a must. This is the person who is totally in love with the male lead and will do all that is necessary to stop the two would-be lovers from fulfilling their destined ending.
* In the end, all conflicts in the story must be resolved. Everyone forgives each other. The "bad" guys receive their punishments and the "good" guys receive their rewards.
*The more melodramatic it is, the better. This is why situations are grossly exaggerated, actions are overly theatrical, and screams and shrieks (from the bad female) numerous.

The negative influence of Lakorn

The problem of Lakorn aired during prime time is it undermines the existence of common sense and common human wisdom in its attempt to create dramatic show down between main protagonists. Several Lakorn simply adhered to this method which in tern, over an extended period of time, causes viewer to lose touch with reality. The political problems in Thailand at the current stage could be attributable to the negative influence of Lakorn in part. It is the disregard of common sense and common human wisdom that causes people to fade away from thinking critically, resultantly becoming prone to manipulation.

Evolution of lakorns

Most lakorns portray the upper class of Thai society, usually through the male lead, but sometimes from both leads. He is rich, like Phak in "Dao pra sook". Early on, the male leads were nobility, usually junior princes, such as a Mom Chao, because, back then, these were the rich people in Thai society. The rich male has since evolved into businessmen from influential families. This change mirrors the change in Thai society with the upper class now filled with business people and not so much from the royal and noble classes.

Lakorns from novels

Most, if not all, lakorns are based upon novels. Romance abounds in Thai literature scenes and most have the perfect boy-meets-girl scenario. The ever famous, "Dao pra sook", is also a novel.

Lakorns in Classic version

Not all of Lakorns are set in the mordern times.Many Lakorns are set in the old time as about Hundred or Thousands years ago.Thai people always call this Lakorn Lakorn Boran (ละครไทยพื้นบ้าน), Means Classic plays.Most of Lakorn Boran are based upon Thai folk tales and tell about the adventure and fantasy things,such as Nang Sib Song, Kaki.

Actors and actresses in lakorns

Actors and actresses, referred to in Thai language as dara (stars), are usually cast in the same roles over and over again. An actress who plays the lead female would assume the same role.

Suvanant Kongying from "Dao pra sook" still plays the female lead. The same goes for other roles, such as the friend of the main leads, the bad characters, the servant characters, the mother characters, etc. An "upgrade" or "downgrade" does occur, such as when a female lead assumes the role of the mother, but is quite rare. Num Sornram Theppitak still plays the leading male character. Kob Suvanant Kongying and Num Sornram Theppitak are now the highest paid lakorn actress and actor in Thailand. They have done many lakorns together ,also with other lakorn actors and actresses over the past years.

This trend causes a lot of problems for the daras in the leading roles as they age, especially for actresses. Thai audiences seems to like their leads young and beautiful and many past female daras have disappeared from the screen once they reach the age of 30 or so. A few defy this norm, such as Marsha Wattanapanich, and even then, she is gradually disappearing.

This problem is not as bad for actors, as can be seen in the prolific career of veteran actor Chatchai Plengpanich. His wife, the once famous Sinjai Plengpanich, has all but disappeared, except for the few commercials seen in primetime.

List of lakorns

*Prissana (1987) - Chatchai Plengpanich and Lalita Panyopas
*Koo Kum (1990) - Bird McIntyre and Komolchanok Komolthiti
*Wanida (1991) - Sarunyu Wongkrajang and Lalita Panyopas
*Nai Fun (1992) - Chatchai Plengpanich, Warut, Sinjai, and Lalita Panyopas
*One Nee Tee Raw Koy (1993) - Bird Thongchai McIntyre and Siriam Pakdeedumrongrit
*Tawipob (1994) - Sarunyu Wongkrajang and Siriam Pakdeedumrongrit
*Yam Mur Lom Pat Huan (1994) - Jay Jetrin Wattanasin and Lalita Panyopas
*Took Ka Ta Lung Labum (1994) - Joe Wattanasin and Lalita Panyopas
*Dao pra sook Morning Star(1994) - Sornram Teppitak and Suvanant Kongying
*Prasard Mued (1994) - Willy McIntosh and Lalita Panyopas
*Prik Key Noo Kub Moo Ham - Saharat Sangkapreecha and Lalita Panyopas
*Fai Tang See (1995) - Willy McIntosh and Lalita Panyopas
*Sai Lohit Bloodline(1995) - Sornram Teppitak and Suvanant Kongying
*Sai See Pleng (1996) - Willy McIntosh and Lalita Panyopas
*Tam Hua Jai Pai Sood Lah (1997) - Willy McIntosh and Lalita Panyopas
*Fai Luong (1998) - Willy McIntosh and Tao Sarocha
*Hong Neu Mangkorn (2000) - Marsha Wattanapanich and Saksit Tangtong
*Mae Nak (2000) - Pachrapa Chaichua and Pete Thongjeur
*Jao Kum Nai Waen (2001) - Lalita Panyopas and Pip Ravit
*Sapai jow (2002) - Saharat Sangkapreecha and Sunisa Jett
*Roy lae sanae rai (2002) - Jesdaporn Pholdee and Phiyada Akkraseranee
*Leurd kuttiya (2003) - Jesdaporn Pholdee and Phiyada Akkraseranee
*Mae ai sa eun (2005) - Veeraparb Suparbpaiboon and Woranut Wongsawan
*Saung sanaeha (2005) - Veeraparb Suparbpaiboon and Pachrapa Chaichua
*Gularb see dum (2005) - Chakrit Yamngam and Lalita Panyopas
*Duang Jai Patiharn Mircale of the Heart (2005)- Num Sornram Theppitak and Kob Suvanant Kongying *Oum Ruk Chain of Love (2006) - Teeradeth Wongpuapun and Ann Thongprasom
*Kaew Tah Pee (2006) - Tik Jesdaporn Pholdee and Cherry Khemupsorn Sirisukha
*Lady Maha-chon (2006) - Paula Taylor and Erich Fleshman
*Bua prim num (2007) - Tiksadee Sahawong and Rujira Chuaykuer
*Theptida kon nok (2007) - Janie Tienphosuwan Pornchita Na Songkla Tai Natapon
*Ram Pissawad (2007) - Pattarapol Silpajarn and Napapa Tuntrakul
*Pleng Ruk Rim Fung Kong (2007)- Alexandra Bounxouei and Sukollawat Kanaros
*Rahut Risaya (2007) - Pattarapol Silpajarn and Woranut Wongsawan
*Fah Mee Tawun Hua Jai Chun Mee Tur (2007) - Sornram Teppitak and Warattaya Nilkuha
*Nong Miew Kearl Petch (2007) - Savika Chaiyadej and Siwat Chotcharin
*Dang Duang Harutai (2007) - Sukollawat Kanaros and Usamanee Waitayanon
*Rak Nee Hua Jai Rao Jong This Love Belongs to Our Heart (2007)- Ken Teeradeth Wongpuapun and Janie Tienphosuwan
*Jam Loey Rak Defendant of Love (2008)- Aum Arichart and Aff Takasorn
*Sawan BiangParidise Diversion (2008) - Teeradeth Wongpuapun and Ann Thongprasom
*Tueng Rai Kor Ruk (2008) - Paul Pattarapon and Namfon Patcharin
* [Ba Darn Jai] Nether Heart (2008) - Aum Atichart and Margie Rasee

List of Lakorn Borans

*Nang Sib Song (2002)
*Prasuton Manorah (2002)
*Uttai Tawee (2003)
*Thep Sarm Rudoo (2005)
*Gomin (2006)
*Pra Tinawong (2007)