When he was last on screen, he played a karmic policeman who dishes out justice against hooligans, including one played by American actor Ryan Gosling. This time around, Vithaya Pansringarm plays a legally appointed killer in Petchakart (The Last Executioner), a part for which his soulful performance won the Best Actor prize at the recent Shanghai International Film Festival in China, where the film premiered.
Vithaya Pansrigarm with his Best Actor award.
The Last Executioner was directed by Bangkok-based filmmaker Tom Waller. The film tells the true story of Chovaret Jaruboon, a musician-turned-prison guard who was promoted to the firing squad, in which he served until Thailand changed its execution method to lethal injection in the early 2000s.
Vithaya became well-known after starring in Only God Forgives opposite Gosling. He also has had supporting roles in several foreign productions shot in Thailand, including The Hangover 3 and Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear.
The Last Executioner opens in Thailand on July 3.
