From local creations, such as Master Key Vethee Jaeng Gerd, Mike Thong Khum and Banlang Sieng Thong, to adaptations of foreign formats such as La Banda Thailand, The Voice Thailand and The X Factor Thailand, the surging number of singing contests has been apparent in the Thai television industry.
The competitions are designed to be a platform for new talents to shine, and they have discovered rare gems, which are hidden here and there in the country.
But contestants are no longer the only magnet for those shows, which would definitely fall short of fun and excitement without the judges and commentators.
The panel features familiar faces -- leading artists, songwriters and producers in their respective musical genre -- whose chemistry and conflict makes the show an engaging watch, while helping rake in the ratings.
Life talked to three popular commentators about their roles on talent shows.
Note Chern-yim, Maneenuch Smerasut and Jatupon Chompoonit in Dundara along with TV host, Wittawat Soonthornvinet.
Maneenuch 'Kru Ouan' Smerasut
After three to four refusals, Maneenuch eventually accepted being a judge on Dundara and assumed the role for over a decade, along with comedian Note Chern-yim and motivational speaker Jatupon Chompoonit.
"I refused, thinking that my character and academic approach would be austere rather than entertaining," she recalled. "Another reason, back then criticising others was not the norm in Thai society, which liked hearing only compliments."
The celebrated singing teacher, who goes by her nickname Kru Ouan, experienced that herself when she opened a school in the late 1980s. Her students and their parents were not happy about her critique on their performances.
"Nowadays, I find it comfortable being a commentator because Thais are more open to critique while viewers actually enjoy hearing what we have to say about each contestant," she said. "With my academic background, I tend to make my comments educational but now much more in a light-hearted way."
Initially a part of the Tee Sib programme, the Dundara talent show evolved in various versions then separated as its own entity. Its reinvention, Dundara Gold, premiered last Sunday on Channel 3 but without the lively Maneenuch on the judging panel.
Kru Ouan in We Kid Thailand.
But we still get to see her changing hairdos and fashionable outfits, and delivering comments on other singing competitions and game shows, such as I Can Hear Your Voice Thailand, The Mask Singer Thailand, We Kid Thailand and Bao Young Blood.
Maneenuch was once a contestant who got her big break winning the Thailand Amateur Singing Contest followed by the Asian Amateur Singing Contest in 1980.
In those days, there were only a few contests whereas today, television alone has many local and foreign formats providing a stage for wannabe singers.
"There might seem to be excessive TV singing competitions, but they have diversified with the various formats bringing new variety to the small screen," said Maneenuch.
Nitipong Honark with fellow judges in The X Factor Thailand.
Nitipong 'Dee' Honark
The songwriter behind a long list of smash hits, Nitipong now appears on a number of TV shows and was one of the foursome hitting the buzzer in Thailand's Got Talent, seasons four to six.
Since the airing of The X Factor Thailand in September, he's part of a new quartet of judges -- the other three being Jennifer Kim, Saksit Vejsupaporn and Chalatit Tantiwut.
"The judges may have different musical tastes but that doesn't mean conflict and our diverse opinions make a nice balance, whereas if we all agree it would make The X Factor Thailand a monotonous show," said Nitipong.
The judges' three main duties, he added, are identifying strengths and weaknesses, advising contestants on how to improve, and as important, entertaining TV viewers.
"We need to clearly explain our assessment of contestants whether it's under or above the standard.
"The comments, however, need to be delivered in a witty and entertaining way," said The X-Factor judge. The original British format developed by Simon Cowell seeks to find talented singers with the "X factor", referring to undefinable star quality, while posing different challenges for both contestants and judges. Monday's episode, for instance, put Nitipong under pressure in eliminating nine contestants and selecting four for the next round.
Nitipong Honark with fellow judges in The X Factor Thailand.
The intense "Four Chair Challenge" ended with the last contestant in the over-30 group bursting into tears as Nitipong's verdict had her replacing a fellow contestant previously seated on one of the four chairs.
Such drama is anticipated from a singing competition mixed with the reality show element.
Nitipong's remaining 30-something contestants will have to contend with younger female and male solo acts as well as groups mentored by the three other judges.
"There's a Thai saying, mai kae dud yark, referring to how older people are harder to change but it's my job to draw out their talents and help put them on the winning track," he said.
While The X Factor in the UK is already in its 14th season, the Thai adaptation is a new programme on Workpoint 23. The global TV market still offers a myriad of singing competitions of which more might be adapted into a Thai version.
"Talent shows will always be attractive following demand and supply. As long as there are viewers, producers and sponsors, we can't get enough of them," Nitipong added.
Chaiya Mitrchai, Siriporn Eiamsook and Cathaleeya Marasri in Master Key Vethee Jaeng Gerd.
Siriporn 'Tuck Leela' Eiamsook
From the morning Master Key Vethee Jaeng Gerd on Channel 3 to late-night Kik Doo Songkram Pleng on Channel 7, Siriporn takes her seat as the amusing judge.
She's a familiar face generating laughter on many other talent shows too, particularly luk thung competitions.
"TV producers select commentators of different styles and I just happen to be the sought-after stress-buster," she joked. "Viewers don't want a stressful watch and our role as entertainers is to put a smile on people's faces."
Her sense of humour is coupled with knowledgeable comments in helping contestants improve their singing while using lay language so that viewers can easily understand what's being said.
"Other commentators may use technical or English terms, but the masses watching TV don't have a music background, and I prefer to make things simple for them," she said.
Siriporn is joined by Chaiya Mitrchai and Cathaleeya Marasri on the panel of Master Key Vethee Jaeng Gerd, a long running talent variety show by TV Thunder production house. The hard part of the job is finding the right words when eliminating a contestant, especially youngsters, without hurting their self-esteem.
Chaiya Mitrchai, Siriporn Eiamsook and Cathaleeya Marasri in Master Key Vethee Jaeng Gerd.
"Children are not yet immune to rejection and they end up in tears. We can't bluntly eliminate them, and indirectly handle the situation and help them get through it," she said.
Likewise, with adults she avoids harshness, combining praise with helpful critical comments, and encourages contestants to move on.
"I know how it feels to be in that position because I was a contestant before," said Siriporn, whose powerful voice earned her the outstanding singer title from the Siam Kolkarn singing contest in 1989.
The native of Nakhon Sawan then became a recording artist, who later discovered her calling as a comedian.
"Many people dream of being singers and have a shot at the many talent shows," she said. "Not all winners reach stardom, even though he or she has an amazing voice. I think that those who do make it are born to be, as it's written in the stars."
