Akom Preedakul (, , ; 5 January 1958 – 30 April 2021), known by stage name Kom Chuanchuen (, , ), was a Thai comedian and actor best known from comedic, supporting roles in Thai movies and television. Originally a nightclub comedian, Kom made a breakthrough in movies after starring in Heavens Seven (2002). He solidified his movie career with a performance in Saep Sanit Sid Saai Naa (2006), and went on starring in more than 80 Thai films such as See How They Run (2006), Sudkate Salateped (2010), Khun Nai Ho (2012), Bikeman Sakkarin Toodmuek (2018), Bikeman 2 (2019) and E Riam Sing (2020). He was also the main cast of the sketch comedy show Borisat Ha Mai Jumkud between 2015 and 2021. Despite being

illiterate Literacy in its broadest sense describes "particular ways of thinking about and doing reading and writing" with the purpose of understanding or expressing thoughts or ideas in written form in some specific context of use. In other words, hum ...

, Kom was highly praised for his ability to understand scripts and unique improvisation skill which led up to working opportunities with a vast array of directors such as

Poj Arnon Poj Arnon ( th, พชร์ อานนท์; formerly spelled: พจน์ อานนท์) is a Thai film director. He is best known for his 2007 film '' Bangkok Love Story'', that won him the Grand Prize (International Competition) at ...

, Rergchai Poungpetch, and

Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit ( th, นวพล ธำรงรัตนฤทธิ์, ; born 4 February 1984) is a Thai writer, screenwriter and film director. His notable work are "Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy" and "Heart Attack" which has won ...

. At the time of his death, Kom was one of the most respected and sought-after Thai comedians. After his death, Suneta House's Krungsri Auto ad series, in which he participated, won the Cannes Lions Bronze Award in the Entertainment category from Cannes, France.

Early life and nightclub comedian career

Kom was born in Ratchaburi Province to a

Likay Likay ( th, ลิเก, , ) is a form of popular folk theatre from Central Thailand (not in Bangkok, where Teochew opera are folk theatre.). Its uniqueness is found in the combination of extravagant costumes with barely equipped stages and vagu ...

theatre worker family. Due to family circumstances requiring travel with the theatre, he was forced to quit formal education at grade 1. He worked in a Likay theatre for several years, taking several roles such as a joker and

taphon 200px, ''taphon'' The taphon ( th, ตะโพน, ) is a traditional drum of Thailand. It is barrel-shaped with two heads, and is played by the hands and fingers of both hands, much like the more popular congas. Originally called the Sa Phon ...

drummer which was the basis of his comedy career like many of his contemporaries. Kom later moved from his hometown to

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estima ...

with childhood comedian friend Bamroe Pong-insi, later known as Note Choenyim. Their time in Bangkok was a hard one, they had to rotate their only pair of trousers and were oftentimes homeless. He worked with Note in Note's comedy troupe Choenyim for some time, performing in nightclubs around Bangkok before splitting up due to incompatible comedy style. He was later invited to join Chuanchuen troupe.

Transition into movies

Kom's first foray into movies was the film Art Fundamental in 1996. But his breakthrough role came later in 2002 after he starred as Juk Biewsakul, a brash

grenadier A grenadier ( , ; derived from the word '' grenade'') was originally a specialist soldier who threw hand grenades in battle. The distinct combat function of the grenadier was established in the mid-17th century, when grenadiers were recruited fr ...

who dearly loves his mom in the film Heavens Seven which became successful and gave him national recognition. Due to a decline in nightclub comedy shows in Thailand, Kom transitioned more to a movie role. He formed a working relationship with the director Rergchai Poungpetch, starred in the films such as Pa Yuk Rai Sai Na, Saep Sanit Sid Saai Naa and Sudkate Salateped which cemented Kom's role as a supporting, often scenes-stealing role in Thai cinema. This partnership continued until Kom's death. Mainly a comedic actor, he also played more serious role such as a

homophobic Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred or antipathy, m ...

former soldier in Khun Nai Ho and an ageing musician in

's Die Tomorrow.

Illness and death

Previously diagnosed with

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

and stroke, Kom was tested positive for

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...

on 10 April 2021 and was hospitalized two days later. On 29 April 2021, his condition became critical as he suffered organ failures and was at risk of cardiac arrest. On 30 April 2021 Kom was confirmed dead due to complications from

, making him the first Thai comedian and actor who died from COVID-19 during the third wave of the

COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand The COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 () caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (). Thailand was the first country to report a case outside China, on 13 January ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chuanchuen, Kom 1958 births 2021 deaths

Kom Chuanchuen Akom Preedakul (, , ; 5 January 1958 – 30 April 2021), known by stage name Kom Chuanchuen (, , ), was a Thai comedian and actor best known from comedic, supporting roles in Thai movies and television. Originally a nightclub comedian, Kom made ...