Thongchai McIntyre | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Albert Thongchai McIntyre |
Also known as | Bird Thongchai McIntyre |
Born |
Bangkok, Thailand |
December 8, 1958
Genres | Thai pop |
Occupation(s) | singer, actor |
Years active | 1986–present |
Labels | GMM Grammy |
Thongchai "Bird" McIntyre (Thai: ธงไชย แมคอินไตย์, pronounced [tʰōŋ.tɕʰāj]) (born Albert Thongchai McIntyre, December 8, 1958) is a Thai pop singer who released his debut album in 1986. He is also sometimes known as Bird Thongchai, Phi Bird ("elder brother Bird") or simply Bird.
Considered to be Thailand's No.1 superstar, he is one of the most successful singers in Thailand's history, having sold more than 25 million albums. He is best known for his string (Thai pop) and luk thung music. He has also acted in numerous films, on television, musicals, and in commercials.
In 1958, Thongchai McIntyre was born in one of the slums inside Bangkok to parents James and Udom McIntyre. His birth-name was Albert McIntyre with the nickname of "Bird." Born as the 9th child of 9 siblings, his life in the slums did not give him much of a head start, thus his childhood was filled with struggle to supplement the income of his family. As a child, he sometimes taught English to other children in the slum in exchange for 5 to 10 baht. He got high diploma management major from Dhonburi Commercial College, Raised in a music-loving family. Bird loved to sing and dance, school stage was the first place that his talent shined. His father died when Bird was still a child, He then started working as a bank officer.
While still working as a bank officer, he met the famous Thai TV producer "Kai Varayuth" who recognised Bird's talent. Bird débuted in his first TV series with the help of Kai. His most memorable role was that of Captain Kobori in the 1990 television series Khu Kam, a tragic love story about a Japanese soldier (Bird) and a local Thai girl during World War II. He reprised this role in the 1996 film adaptation, Sunset at Chaophraya.