Let's help the guy out

Thep Po-ngam has spent half of his 60 years in entertainment, as a comedian, singer, actor, film director and TV host. Now, finally, he's got a stage show of his own, "Phud Ja Phasa Thep", set for next month.

Not least because he's bankrupt at the moment, Thep is hoping to match the live success of his fellow comics Mum Jokmok and Kotee Aramboy.

"Mum's five shows all sold out," says Thep, who joined his pal onstage.

He reckons he can clear his debt with the bank. "Very little remains," he says, possibly kidding, "Bt5 million out of more than Bt10 million."

Cash for laughs

Giving Thep a leg up is a financier who's invested Bt4 million in the show.

"I want a big screen as a backdrop to maybe show movies or something while I tell jokes," Thep says. "I'm writing some songs with my daughter and son." That's Nichapa, nicknamed "Toffy", and Tanapol, who's called "Tight". "But I can never remember the words."

The family will be joining him onstage, including sister Noi Po-ngam, plus a bunch of other comedians - expect to see Mum, Note Chern-yim and Chuan Chuen - and Moderndog, Four Mod and Joey Boy, who can remember the words to their songs.

Thep will have people hawking goodies for him too: a Bt500 package of five of his movies on DVD and a 10-track CD.

"I intend to launch it at this show to beat the pirates," he says. "The package will be on sale for two months, and then each of DVDs and the CD will be sold separately."

 SPARE SOME CHANGE?

>> "Phud Ja Phasa Thep" is on October 18 at 2 and 7 at the Thunder Dome at Impact in Muang Thong Thani.

>> Tickets are Bt500 to Bt2,000.

 >> Call (02) 262 3456 check www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.