On Saturday, 25 Apr 2026 GMT+7 at 13:00, the Film Archive held an event inviting "Mam Jokmok" to imprint his hand and footprints at the Star Plaza of the Film Archive as the 208th star on the plaza. He shared his experiences in the Thai film industry and the event included a screening of the 35mm film "Cheum," in which Mam starred alongside "Noon Woranuch Pirompakdee." The event attracted a large crowd of fans and interested attendees.
"Mam Jokmok," or Petchthai Wongkamlao, is one of the most significant comedic stars in the Thai film industry today. Born on 24 June 1965 in Yasothon Province, he began his career as a café comedian during the 1990s, a peak era for that comedy scene. Gradually, he rose to become one of Thailand's top comedians, gaining fame not only in cafés but also on television, especially as a member of the popular "Gang Sam Cha" alongside Teng Terdthong and Nong Chachacha, which was widely loved nationwide.
Mam Jokmok has been passionate about films since childhood, which sparked his dream of becoming a comedian due to his admiration for comedic actors in both Thai and international films. As he gained fame, he became a comedic star during a period rich with comedy, horror, and youth films such as "Jui" (1989), "Krobkarn Achan Koi" (1991), "Song Ton" (1991), "Jakoo Rak... God Nong Hai Kong Lok" (1992), "Sayong Geuns" (1993), "Koohoo Kooha" (1993), "Kong 100 501 Rim Daeng" (1993), "Kwam Rak Khong Khun Chui Part 2" (1993), and "Ban Phi Pop 11" (1994).
Entering the 2000s, as the Thai film industry advanced with new creative directions, Mam Jokmok became more intensively involved. He starred in "Gunman/World/Moon/Day" (2001), directed by Yuthlert Sippapak, which broke the traditional image of café comedy in Thai cinema. He also had a prominent role in "Ong-Bak" (2003), the internationally famous Thai action film by Prachya Pinkaew, which gave him the opportunity to deeply study film production. This led him to create his own film, directing and starring in "Bodyguard Na Liem" (2004), which was highly successful.
In 2005, Mam Jokmok had two landmark films: "Cheum," directed by Kongdej Jaturanrasmee, where he played a taxi driver with a private world who falls in love with a masseuse he sees every night—a dramatic role that earned critical acclaim and is still remembered today; and "Yaem Yasothon," a film blending retro style, musical elements, and the roots of his Northeastern homeland with vivid colors, which was well received and spawned two sequels. Over the following 20 years, Mam Jokmok has continued to enliven the industry with his passion and dedication to Thai cinema, appearing in diverse works such as "Bodyguard Na Liem 2" (2007), "Wongkamlao" (2010), "Pote Tak" (2010), "Umong Pha Muang" (2011), "Tas Rak Asun" (2014), "Som Pak Sian" (2017), "LOVE Loei 101" (2022), as well as streaming projects like "Merder Heu? Murder Ih Ya Wa" (2023) and "Khao Chum Thong Kanong Chum Chon" (2025), collaborating with director Wisit Sasanatieng, who is also a fan of classic Thai cinema.
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