Among the Thai classical literature that has been adapted for TV, one of the most popular is W.N. Pramuanmak's Prissana. A dramatic story set in the reign of King Rama VIII and Rama IX, the story centres on a pretty, perky and smart young lady who was raised in the US and returns to Bangkok with a Western attitude. She becomes a strong-willed woman at a time when women are supposed to be quiet. Prissana's love story with an aristocratic man, set amid the hi-society milieu, has sent audiences swooning over the past 30 years.
Prissana has been made into a film and three TV series. The first TV series, and very successful one, was in 1982 starring Lalita Panyopas in the title role. Taya Rogers reprised the role in 2000, and now it's the turn of Susama Kitiyakara Na Ayudhya, a classy 19-year-old Oxford history student, to play the beloved character. This latest remake is directed by MR Srikhumrung Yukol, and is on-air on cable PPTV.
Susama's background as an English-educated woman from a respected family prepared her for the role. She never thought of becoming an actress, much less being in a lakorn. Susama decided to audition as Prisana has been one of her favourite characters in Thai literature since she was a child.
"I fell in love with her because I found myself having so many similarities, plus the story is so well-written," she said. "I think I understand her point of view. When other characters say, 'Why did you do this? You're so strange' — I think, 'No! She's not'."
Susama's parents weren't initially keen on her acting and wanted her to focus on her studies. "I had to beg them for this!"
Susama Kitiyakara Na Ayudhya.
After she got the part, Susama had intensive acting lessons, including horse-riding classes. Every time Prissana is remade, the vintage feel and old-fashioned glamour are always the appeal that captures audiences' interest, and Susama found herself driving an old-fashioned car and learning to tango.
"I had to reread the book and practice using royal language and old-fashioned words," she said.
"As I said, I think Prissana and I have something in common. She's friendly and lovely but also has a serious and determined side. Like me, I'm quite a nerd but I'm doing charities at school. However, I see her as an exaggerated version of me — and more like a foreigner, because she grew up in the US but I grew up here, so I understand Thai customs more than her." Besides, Susama believes Prissana had feminist ideas ahead of her time.
"I think the stereotype of 'a feminist' is often misrepresented. However Prissana represents a headstrong and independent person who isn't afraid to be herself. I respect that. She shows that men and women can be friends without the girl having to dress up to impress the guy. And though things in her life aren't perfect, she's able to be happy."
As Susama was studying at Oxford, the shoot meant she had to manage her time expertly.
"I took my studies seriously. Students there either work super-hard or are super-smart. So what I did was I turned on the actress mode when I was on the plane, reading the script. I filmed Monday to Wednesday then flew back to the UK on Thursday and did intense reading on my weekly reading list.
"I had a strong sense that they chose me as I was determined," she said, adding that she's aware of the double pressure from the series audiences and readers' expectations. Her strategy, and a wise one, is to refrain from going online and letting negative comments disturb her.
"I wanted to focus and do well in work and study," She smiled. "I put all of my energy into acting and just did my best." As an enthusiastic reader, Susama believes in the virtue of transforming classical literature into drama.
"It's a reintroduction and of literature to a wider audience, since not everyone is a fan of books and prefers television."
It's now her final year at Oxford, and Susama is doing her best in class, while the new venture into acting has been an experience that opens up her future possibilities.
"Many people have asked my mum if I'm still interested in acting, which I am. But if I come back and play a lakorn, it wouldn't be the only thing I do."
