The entertainment industry was abuzz after the teaser for the drama "Raeng Ngao 2026" was released. "Raeng Ngao 2026" on One31 channel features the veteran leading actor Por Natthawut Sakidjai in a challenging role as the new version of Director Janphop — sharp-tongued, harshly critical, and starring in the most intense love scenes of his 26-year acting career!
Recently, Por Natthawut opened up about this pivotal role in his life and addressed all the online drama and comments, saying:
Is Director Janphop in the 2026 version very sharp-tongued?
"The role is very exciting and unlike anything I've done before. But it all stems from intense workshops and personal preparation, which helped us understand why he is so sharp-tongued and combative. It's not just surface-level insults; there's a background story."
Were you shocked when you first saw the script?
"Definitely shocked. Once you watch it, you'll realize just how intense it is. It felt like breaking free from chains. I have to thank One31, P'Boy, P'Pon, and P'Goo because for over 20 years, I've played the typical hero roles with limits — being good, speaking politely. But this role is like unleashing a tiger into the wild, and I just discovered how far I can go."
Do you like it?
"I do. I keep adding to it. I asked P'Goo if I could do more, and he said yes. Sometimes I jokingly push it, worried the director might scold me, but P'Goo encourages me to keep it up. For example, the line about why protect the marriage certificate when you can't even use it to wrap sanitary pads — that has even more to it, much heavier (smiles)."
Do you feel awkward saying those lines?
"Not at all. I'm an engineering student, a cheeky guy from Phetchaburi, born in the year of the Tiger. But it's like a tiger that was caged and chained. Once in the wild, I realized I could play this role. The modern world allows for much more openness."
Have you ever cursed at your wife at home like this?
"No, because she fights back. But she said the character has a background. We did many workshops to genuinely believe why Director Janphop hasn't divorced Noppanapa, and why Mutta is important."
Sharp tongue isn't enough; the love scenes are spicy too?
"Director Janphop is suppressed; Noppanapa controls everything. In the workshop, P'Goo explained that Janphop has no right to choose time or place — can't eat at certain restaurants or travel to Japan, while Noppanapa goes to Korea. He is like someone with no rights or value, constantly dominated by his wife. Then he meets Mutta, who worships him. From being lowly, he rises to the top; she cares for him well. So he wants to keep both of them."
Never seen you do so many love scenes before?
"What you see in the teaser is still very little. The series has much more — full body, top to bottom. You can ask the director if it will even be allowed to air."
Are you okay with such intense filming?
"Once the tiger is in the wild, anything goes. This project unlocked a lot for me. I changed many things — controlling diet, losing weight, weight training. I dared to do things I hadn't done in over 20 years. After being bored and burned out playing the same hero roles, One31 and 'Raeng Ngao' completely changed my work attitude. It’s not that the old hero roles were bad, but now I want to see how far acting can take me."
With such scenes, does your wife watch?
"Better not. She should just cut the internet. She shouldn't watch the love scenes. And she shouldn't watch the insults either, or she'll ask how she raised me to be so rude (laughs). She's really stressed because the role is so intense, but she actually supports me. She said she’s never seen me this excited about acting before. Usually, acting is routine work, but this time I want to go to the set. I read a scene over ten times, rehearsed repeatedly, yelled at Benz until I was hoarse, and at Nont until he couldn’t remember. The director kept telling me to do it again."
Were you nervous filming love scenes with Baifern?
"She is one of Thailand's top actresses. I'm a man who usually doesn’t do many love scenes. In the workshop, I asked her how far she could go, and Baifern said ‘Go for it, P'Sonyuk, do even more.’ Hearing that, my passion for acting surged (laughs). But everything must be realistic with respect and no crossing boundaries. We rehearsed carefully and coordinated clearly. She's so committed that, as a man, I have to protect her."
How did you prepare for the role of the director? Should he be handsome, smart, and irresistible to women?
"P'Goo wanted the director to be like a real-life current director — maybe not very handsome, in his 50s. Just look at the director next door or in various ministries to see what they look like. You can't expect him to be very handsome. The role has completely changed. That’s an old mindset from over ten years ago. Some directors next door are even balding."
"So don’t expect me to be a handsome prince. We're human. If I got fillers, people would say my face is too tight; if too much Botox, they’d complain about that too. So I let it be natural and rely on acting. The role helps a lot, so I don’t worry about looks."
Some might see your look as warm rather than flirtatious?
"That depends on perspective. Some crew said I fit this role well. As for netizens’ criticism, it’s okay; I can endure it. Do I feel it? Of course, I do. After the teaser was released, some said I fit, some disagreed, but only one person said I don’t (laughs)."
Do you feel bothered by such comments?
"Not bothered, but I wonder if I did something wrong. If you want to know why I’m cast, ask Boy Takonkiet or Pon Nipon. The executives chose me. The casting team called me asking if I wanted to be in 'Raeng Ngao' and to guess my role. It’s probably not Weekit or Noppanapa — just kidding. They offered me Director Janphop’s role, and if I didn’t take it, I’d regret it for life."
"I apologize if anyone dislikes it or it doesn’t meet expectations. Please watch 2-3 episodes first. If you like it, please give praise; if not, criticism is fine. The executives and director loved the footage. P’Pon said it’s funny and extremely intense (laughs). I understand some still hold onto my 26-year image as a hero, but after watching this, that image will surely fade."
So this role is like a new version of Por?
"Yes, a new version. All chains are broken. I entered the wild and realized there’s so much more I can do in this world."
If you can do so much, are you interested in acting in a boys’ love series?
"Absolutely. Contact me anytime. Nowadays, actors hardly have work, so you take what you can get. If I can do 'Raeng Ngao,' I can do anything. I’m currently working on another series, playing a father (smiles)."
Do you want to play a main male lead?
"I don’t know. How should I answer that? Male or female lead? I guess I’d try. (Do you want to ship with anyone?) Maybe P’Pong Kapon. How about that? It’d be thrilling. Who else would have something with a rental ship? A long mustache reaching here. P’Pong, you’re invited—let’s be male and female leads together. Target audience could be a retirement home or ghost genre. We sneak into a cemetery and meet, maybe find love there, and share a kiss in the graveyard."
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