"Benz Pornchita" accompanied by "Mik Boromwut" openly discuss and clear up family problems that almost led to divorce. Mik was even allowed to buy a sex doll. They update on their three adorable children. "Nong Prim" 10 years old "Nong Prang" 8 years old "Nong Prem" 6 years old. Mischievous and playful, each with a different character. Benz is very proud of the popular drama "Raeng Ngao" after returning to acting after 10 years, which has become a widespread meme, discussed on the show "Kui Zab Show" on One31, hosted by "Chompoo Konbai" and "Peggy Srithanya."
"Raeng Ngao" craze?
Benz: Many people like it, some laugh, some say 'Oh my, how do they keep falling two or three times?' For me, I intended it as a meme. I wanted people to talk, like 'What the heck? Falling down the stairs three times, where's the sense?' Once would be enough, right?
This version has a slap, then falling on an escalator, then slapped again. People joked if this is the Indian version of "Raeng Ngao." Was filming difficult?
Benz: Very hard. When falling, a stunt double usually helps. But director P'Goo felt sorry for the stunt double because the escalator is metal and would hurt. So, they made it look like I almost fell but didn't. The rolling fall was done separately by a stunt double and edited in, since filming it all in one day would take too long.
Foreigners have taken many scenes from "Raeng Ngao" and it's become very popular?
Benz: That makes me happy. When reading the script, I asked if it was really necessary to fall three times. I laughed reading it, but they said one fall isn't satisfying enough, she must fall three times.
Ten years without acting, was P'Mik keeping you like a precious bird in a golden cage?
Mik: I didn't keep her. I told her to go work, but she refused because she was attached to the kids.
But now that she returned, are you satisfied?
Mik: Every time Bai Fern fell and rolled, the camera didn't cut, so I called and said, 'Again, again!' Actually, it was just once.
Was that your order?
Mik: Yes, I called and asked for another take.
Benz: (laughs)
Another scene where a neck brace is put on, arguing with the principal until he says he doesn't want to be principal anymore and would rather be a janitor?
Benz: Yes (laughs). I want everyone to watch P'Por because this version of the principal is unlike any seen before.
Was the janitor scene in the script or improvised?
Benz: It wasn't in the script (laughs). He had fun with his role. At first, he wondered if it was really okay to say that much—do people really scold their wives that harshly? But after playing for a while, he enjoyed it and let loose, thinking 'This is who I am, so what?'
When you say he enjoyed it, is it like P'Por releasing pent-up feelings here?
Benz: (laughs) Wanting to scold the wife? His wife is lovely and not like that. But in acting, this role is fun. He kept adding lines, sometimes asking if he could add something or say things differently. He was into the role, feeling it and wanting to scold more.
After 10 years away from acting, your wife stars in the top-rated drama. How do you feel?
Mik: Proud. When she decided to return, it was always our agreement. Over the past 10 years, when people contacted Benz for acting, she always asked if she wanted to do it, and I said yes. But if she takes a role, the family must sacrifice a lot because someone must be with the kids. We told the kids if Mom gets a great role, to hold hands and not fuss, so Mom can work. Then she got "Raeng Ngao." Reading the script, she began doubting herself, asking if she could do it, if she'd be like this or that, if she could get into the role. I told her not to worry, it would come like riding a bike.
There was pressure since P'Tanya played "Raeng Ngao" before and it was hugely popular. Was this very stressful?
Benz: Very stressful, but I wanted to do it because I knew the role was good. I'm still impressed by P'Yaya's performance. How can I play over her so people forget her? It's hard. When I met P'Yaya, she said she did great. I felt it was hard to follow her. Also, when I started acting, not scolding a lot or fast or using words that didn't suit me was hard. It felt like the character wasn't fully formed and I needed a workshop.
On the first day filming the teaser earlier this year, you told P'Goo you felt small and not ready since your character is a powerful minister. He said he saw you weren't 'there' yet. How did you take that?
Benz: I thought it was good he saw that. It wasn't about being able to act but knowing in my heart I couldn't do it. P'Goo said it's okay, he saw it too. After workshops and finding the character, filming made me feel that after 10 years away, I could still come back. That meant a lot.
Returning as the number one rated drama, some scenes received criticism for being illogical or over-the-top. Thoughts?
Benz: I also thought so during filming. I asked if it was really like that. P'Goo told me to just enjoy the show. If you let go and just enjoy, it's fun.
Mik: From the first scene, like when the coffin appeared after death, we wondered where it came from. But if we let go and just enjoy, it's fun. Mainly, it's about changing our mindset.
Is it true the actors agreed to emphasize the meme aspect?
Benz: Yes, the director P'Goo said this was written and directed by gay people for a gay audience, so just relax and enjoy. There's a lot more that will become memes and talked about. There's so much more.
So this is just the beginning, with much more to come?
Benz: Correct.
Are there any feelings of jealousy about P'Por Nattawut?
Mik: Nothing at all. We're close with P'Por. We know there's nothing. But since I've been with my wife alone for so long, when P'Por touched Benz's cheek in the teaser, I felt a little jealous (laughs), but not angry. I thought, why did you let him touch your cheek? Strange feeling, but I know it's P'Por. Not mad, not upset.
Benz: Normally, I never see jealousy.
Mik: He hasn't let anyone kiss him for over ten years.
Benz: (laughs)
Mik: At first, I didn't dare say anything, afraid she'd lose confidence filming. I waited until she said there would be certain scenes. I told her, but inside I was worried if I could accept it. Then after the teaser was out and the show aired, I told Benz I was secretly jealous when P'Por touched her cheek. I didn't say it before, afraid she'd hesitate to act.
How did Benz feel?
Benz: I laughed. It's funny (laughs). Why would Dad be jealous?
Mik: Not jealous, just felt, 'Hey, that's his.'
Your home is very warm, but there was a time when the marriage almost broke because Mik longed for his wife but she wouldn't cooperate?
Mik: Yes (laughs). Everyone is my advisor. Nowadays, wherever I go, people ask if Benz is better. She seems to lack confidence in herself. Since having kids, she complains she can't be touched, hugged, or kissed.
When you touch her belly, it goes on for a long time?
Mik: Ovulation passed two days ago, she said. I asked if she wanted a second child. I said yes, but I wasn't really planning to because I knew ovulation had passed. I just wanted to try once, and she got pregnant. In four years, two attempts were enough. Then with Prem, it was like putting the egg in, done.
Benz: Sounds pitiful, had the doctor do it (laughs).
How many years did you not touch your wife?
Mik: Almost 10 years, 3-4 times a year at most. But those few times were by request, and she seemed to pity me.
One day Benz stayed in the bathroom a long time. Did you suspect she was hiding from you? What was she doing in there?
Benz: When you don't want to do anything, you find excuses. When I put on makeup and look good, he says I'm beautiful today, so I think, 'Okay, I'll go home and wash my face' (laughs).
Mik: Do you understand her? Have you understood that meaning? 'I want to hurry home to wash my face first, so I can survive.'
Benz: Sometimes I just stay long in the bathroom, confusedly looking at my phone.
Mik: Over an hour passed. Eventually, I started feeling sorry for her, from being angry at why she was hiding. I went in and said, 'I'm going to exercise now, so you know I'm not focusing on that. I'll do something else. You don't have to hide in the bathroom. Come out and be with the kids. Please come out.'
But you're still holding hands like this because you found a solution, allowing Mik to buy a sex doll?
Benz: At first,
Mik: Do you still buy one now?
Benz: No, it's forbidden now. I really considered it before, to have an outlet instead of sitting stressed at home. This might be a safe and easy way.
Cost about 300-400 thousand baht?
Benz: I still want one though.
Mik: No more. Dressing like that and getting a sex doll is crazy.
How did you manage to reconnect and care for each other to become a spicy couple again?
Mik: At some point, I began disliking myself. As I said, I tried to find ways out, tried calling friends, thinking of running away or buying a condo and hiding. Then I thought, I don't like these thoughts, why make excuses for myself? So I told her honestly, like stripping myself bare, that I had these thoughts but I don't like them. I started thinking about calling someone to escape, but I didn't want that.
Why did you dare to tell your wife about your dark thoughts when some men don't say but act?
Mik: I stand by the example of my parents who at 80 still hold hands, sleep hugging, and kiss daily. That's the love I've seen since birth. So if I choose someone, I want to be with them for life. If I didn't want to stop, I wouldn't have married. That means I wanted to enjoy life fully. But since I chose her, I want to make it the best. If I were to have someone else, I'd divorce first then move on, rather than staying and hiding.
How did she react hearing your dark side? What did she feel?
Benz: At first, I was stunned and silent. When he speaks seriously, I don't reply immediately because his mind must be in a bad place. If I said something wrong, it could be the last straw. So I needed time to think about how to respond so he understands my perspective. That night, I asked to think first and talk later. If he couldn't say it directly, there had to be a way to make me understand his side.
That night you talked and apologized for not paying attention or caring, thanking him for waiting. You explained your thoughts and asked him to consider your side too. You said you'd try to improve. How was that?
Benz: I tried. At least it was good that he spoke honestly about his feelings and thoughts. We discussed how to handle it.
Did you lose confidence after marriage and childbirth? You were beautiful before marriage and even more so then, but after kids, everything changed including your confidence to be naked in front of your husband?
Benz: True. Some might not think about this, but I felt I changed. I used to take care of myself and was pretty. Then one day I gained 33 kg.
Mik: I gained weight too.
Benz: But I like my chubby guy since dating—he's always been that way. Understand? His body is a bear type, warm and cuddly. I like that. I don't feel strange about him. But I gained over 30 kg, multiple times. For women, when you neglect yourself, it's bad. I felt uncomfortable being touched. No touching, no hugging, no kissing. It wasn't okay and it affected us.
Now you're both looking great with a new look. Do you pamper each other often?
Mik: Much better than before.
Benz: The one who scolds me is P'Ning Panita. She says, 'Benz, you're fat again. You're beautiful; how can you let yourself go like this?'
Update on the kids?
Mik: This year, Prim is 10, Prang is 8, Prem is 6.
Do their personalities differ?
Mik: Totally different. Prim lacks confidence and clings to Mom mostly. But he clearly wants to be a swimmer. He wakes at 5 a.m. to train and study more. He's become the school's swimming athlete. We think that's amazing—from a kid with no confidence to someone who found his passion. He grew up fast.
Benz: I'm close with him and feel he's the same but more understanding.
Mik: Suddenly he grew up in the last couple months, which is strange. Before, Prim wouldn't share or ask for help. Now, when Mom teaches baking or Dad offers help, he thinks of us. He matured.
What does Dad feel neglected about?
Mik: I feel neglected because I raised Prim alone with Benz since birth. He's called 'Mik Noi' because he looked like me as a kid and we were close. But as he grew, he barely pays attention to me, only Mom, because she doesn't scold. I have to be the strict one, wanting him to be good. Mom never scolds; she just lets things slide. I want discipline, but Prim distances himself from me. I hope one day he'll understand my strictness was for his good. For now, I'm willing to suffer alone.
What about Prang?
Mik: Prang is the best. She hugs and kisses Dad often. I feel fulfilled because of her. I can say 'Prang, my daughter' because I raised her. When Prang was born, Benz was still breastfeeding Prim and holding him. When Prang woke, I put her to Benz to breastfeed, held Prim, then took Prang out to change diapers and soothe her. Prang suddenly said she wanted to be a swimmer, and now she is a school swimming athlete too.
Is this one difficult to raise with a strong personality?
Mik: Not really hard if you understand him. But he's the extreme—either the most adorable or the most stubborn. Easy to talk to but also hard to handle. At school, he even spits water on himself (laughs). He's charming and makes friends quickly. He's sweet, and makeup artists love him because he asks for help to do his makeup.
The youngest child?
Mik: This one belongs to both of us. When Prim gets close to Benz, he says, 'This is Mom's kid.' When Prang gets close to me, he says, 'This is Dad's kid.' When Prem was in the womb, we said, 'You'll be our child,' and he really is. He's very charming, winning over grandparents and relatives. Always smiling and helpful. When we scold all three, he's the first to raise his hand and say, 'Dad, I won't do it again.' He behaves well.
Recently you argued about this child too?
Benz: About his hair. His hair was long, and we planned to style it Korean-style for cuteness. I took Prim and Prang out and asked Mik to take Prem for a haircut. He came back with a high undercut, which upset me.
His hair was originally long?
Mik: Cool haircut. He said, 'P'Kluay, cut Prem's hair like Dad's.' He asked for it. The cute part is when he came home happy with the haircut, but Mom saw it and freaked out about how short it was. Prem then asked, 'When will my hair grow, Dad?' trying to please Mom even though he liked it. It'll grow back soon.
Mik: (kiss on cheek, teasing) Just opening the door a little, I'll handle it.Watch the clipClick to read
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