Colourful comedy

Yam’s gang returns

By Tatat Bunnag
Photographs courtesy of
Sahamongkol Film International

Fans of funny films will be happy to hear that comedian and director Petchtai Wongkamlao (Mum Jokmok) is back with the third chapter of his hit Issan comedy movie franchise, Yam Yasothon.

Yam Yasothon 3 is another spicy Issan comedy that mixes ’70s-style fashion with a chaotic story about up-country farming families.

As with the first two films, Mum Jokmok wrote, directed and produced Yam Yasothon 3, while also starring as Yam. Mum Jokmok’s real-life son, 18-year-old Phetai Wongkamlao (Mick), also returns in the role of Yam’s son Kampan, while 21-year-old actress Rattiyaporn Pakdeelon (Beauty) also joins the cast, playing the part of Kampan’s girlfriend, Rampoey.

Student Weekly recently caught up with Mick and Beauty at a press conference to ask them about the making of Yam Yasothon 3, which opens in cinemas this week.

Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your characters in the new film?

Mick: I play Kampan once again, but in this film he’s a bit older and starting to like girls. Kampan still a headstrong kid who never listens to his parents.

Beauty: I play Rampoey, the youngest daughter of the village sheriff. She’s a good-natured girl who falls in love with Kampan, despite the fact that their families are enemies.

Student Weekly: Mick, is that true that you co-wrote the script of Yam Yasothon 3 with your father?

Mick: I can’t really say that I co-wrote the script. My dad wanted the film to focus on a love story between young people in the village, so he asked me questions about modern teen relationships.

Student Weekly: Beauty, how did you become involved in the film?

Beauty: One of my friends told me that they were looking for a new actress for the next Yam Yasothon movie, so I went to the audition and got the part. This was my first acting experience, so it was really exciting. It wasn’t too hard because the character of Rampoey is quite similar to me. I’m also from Ubon Ratchathani, so speaking in Issan dialect wasn’t a problem.

Student Weekly: Were you a fan of the first two movies in the series?

Beauty: Absolutely! I’ve seen them many times. I like them a lot because of the Issan dialogue and funny jokes. I used to quote lines from the films with my friends at school all the time.

Student Weekly: Did you guys enjoy working together?

Beauty: Mick is playful, funny and talented, exactly like his father. It was really fun and stress-free working together.

Mick: Beauty is very nice and friendly. She’s very pretty too! [Laughs.]

Student Weekly: Do you guys have a favourite scene in the film?

Mick: I like the scene where Kampan is flirting with Rampoey. He climbs up a long ladder to Rampoey’s bedroom window in attempt to sing to her. I was really scared of falling off the ladder! [Laughs.]

Beauty: The crying scene after the argument with my parents was really tough. I had to sit alone by the river thinking about problems that would make me cry. It took me a while to build up enough emotion.

Student Weekly: Why should everybody go to see Yam Yasothon 3?

Mick: Anybody who has seen first two Yam Yasothon films won’t want to miss this one. The film has great humour and a unique, colourful look.

Beauty: As well as all the jokes, there’s also a touching message in the movie. It teaches you to be proud of your heritage and not to forget your language or where you came from.

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