Thai-Russian Stars Perform in 'Thai Dictionary' at RTIF 2026 Forum
Thai and Russian stars staged the trilingual play 'Thai Dictionary' at the Russian-Thai Investment Forum 2026 in Bangkok. Inspired by Chekhov, the production featured actors performing in Thai, Russian, and English simultaneously without subtitles. The closed performance attracted top officials and business leaders from both nations.
Thai actor John Chindachot and Russian actress Irina Starshenbaum star in 'Thai Dictionary,' a theatrical collaboration inspired by Anton Chekhov's 'The Lady with the Dog' and 'The Cherry Orchard.' The play reimagines the classics in a contemporary setting, following a Thai man and a Russian woman who meet by chance at a resort. Despite differences in nationality, language, and lifestyle, the 70-minute performance gradually reveals deep, unexpected connections between them and the audience.
A unique feature of the production is its simultaneous use of three languages — Thai, Russian, and English. Each actor speaks their native tongue, yet director Pavel Rachkovskiy's clever staging ensures everyone understands everything without surtitles, mirroring the characters' own mutual understanding.
John Chindachot, one of Thailand's most popular actors, called the experience a great honor and a meaningful new chapter, noting the rare chance to work closely with Russian artists and discover shared humanity across cultures. Director Pavel Rachkovskiy added that the production was created especially for RTIF 2026, echoing Chekhov's goal of bringing strangers together to truly listen to one another — on this night, three languages shared one stage, and no one in the audience needed a translator.
The performance was a closed event for high-ranking government officials from both countries, diplomats, top executives from leading corporations, and prominent Thai and Russian business leaders, making it a rare cultural highlight within an international business forum.
