Anyone who has read the story of Phing Lumphapherng's marriage will be wondering if he is telling his own story in his directorial debut, "Kort Rak Eng Loei" ("Loveaholic"), which opens today at cinemas nationwide.

The movie tells the story of Rong, a screenplay writer (Udom "Note" Taepanich) and his wife Dang (Visa Sarasas). The romance has gone out of their marriage and they are both looking to other avenues for excitement.

Rong is a regular at a massage parlour, while Dang is having an affair with a gentle gynaecologist Raksa (Phutthichai Amatayakul) and has asked for a divorce.

After a fight, Dang is killed in a car accident and Rong is inconsolable. Alone in his house, Rong finds things have been moved as if his wife were back in the house.

Phing's real life story is very similar. He lost his wife in a car crash at a time when they were facing problems. He's never recovered from the tragedy and has spoken openly about his grief on TV talk shows and interviews.

"You know why the Taj Mahal was built? Well, I think I'm building my Taj Mahal," is the director's only comment on why he is putting the story on the big screen.

"A member of my crew told me: 'You are not making a movie, you're travelling back through your memories, which is very selfish, because only you can make that journey'."

Phing's celluloid monument has been built on a foundation of both joy and tears. He cried while directing the break-up scene, and admits to weeping whenever he sings the main soundtrack "Khian Tueng Khon Bon Fah".

"But it's not just about my life. Ask any couple. When the romance has died and love no longer exists, life becomes very tedious," says the single father, who now lives with his son and his mother.

"Women need words to confirm their love. Men prefer expressions."

Phing has dreamt for years about becoming a director. Yet his ambition doesn't stem from a love of filmmaking or even from a passion for movies.

He just wants to be famous.

"You don't believe me? I've dreamt of people staring at me and saying, "isn't that the director of 'Kort Rak'? I think about it all the time."

However, he insists that the fame must come from his talent.

"I don't want to be more famous than my movie. My reputation has to come from my product, not from myself," he says.

After graduating from Bangkok's Poh Chang College, Phing and his wife went to the US, where they found work washing the dishes in Thai restaurants.

After returning to Thailand, Phing pursued his dream and presented his project to several film companies only to be met with rejection.

Undeterred, he started writing scripts for TV soaps and struck gold, becoming one of the most successful writers of recent years with such top-rated series as "Phookong Yod Rak". Before long he was in the director's chair. He also tested his talents with stand-up comedy and as a TV show host.

Then he returned to his love of screenplay writing, and last year presented "Tom Yum Goong" director Prachya Pinkaew with his completed script.

"It's a strong romantic story that filmgoers will find moving. He knows what he's doing," says Prachya.

Phing was also able to convince stand-up comedian Udom "Note" Taepanich to return to the big screen after his debut "Klong" ("Box"), directed by MC Chatrichalerm Yukol, bombed nine years ago.

"He is suitable for the male lead, who is not a handsome man but very charming, the kind of guy that people love," says the director.

It helped, too, that the two are old friends. They graduated from the same college and shared a flat before they hit the big time.

Note was also by Phing's side during the dark days following his wife's death.

"He knows what went on in my life, so it didn't surprise him when I cried on the set," Phing explains.

Note plays opposite newcomer Visa, who was chosen when Phing was unable to find to cast an actress he felt was right for the role.

"Dang's character has to carry the story. She has to make audience love her within the first 15 minutes, otherwise the audience won't understand her behaviour," he says.

Directing, he says, is tougher than scriptwriting. "Writing is difficult, but directing is even tougher, as you have to deal with so many people on the set."

And even though he may achieve his dream of fame, he isn't giving up his day job as a scriptwriter.

Phing is currently working on his new movie "Dej I-Tia", which is now in the pre-production phase. He is also intending to try his hand at acting.

Parinyaporn Pajee

The Nation