Veteran Thai Actress Namngern Boonhak Dies at 86
Veteran Thai actress Namngern Boonhak, a celebrated performer with a 70-year career spanning film, television, and voice acting, died peacefully at age 86. She won multiple Golden Kinnaree Awards and famously voiced Grandmother Willow in Di
The entertainment world mourns the loss of acclaimed veteran actress Namngern Boonhak, who passed away peacefully at age 86. With an extensive filmography in television and cinema, she was celebrated for her exceptional acting talent and beloved by performers and crews across generations.
Namngern Boonhak, born Suang Charuwijit on January 24, 1940, entered show business in 1955 with encouragement from Songsakangkhak Tikamphon. Her first film was "Sapassuwan" in 1956. She rose to prominence through the 1958 film "Chati Suea," co-starring Mit Chaibancha and Rewadee Sirivai, followed by numerous subsequent works.
She received a Prasatsurussawadee Award (Golden Kinnaree) for Outstanding Supporting Actress for "Miss Poradok" in 1965 and a Golden Kinnaree Award in the same category for "Kaweaw" in 1966 from the Royal Bestowment. She gained renewed recognition as Krasue Yai Sai in the 1994 Channel 7 series "Krasue" and as Khun Khon in the 1995 Channel 7 drama "Monruk Luk Thoong."
Beyond acting, Namngern achieved notable success as a voice actress, famously voicing Grandmother Willow in Disney's animated films "Pocahontas" (1995) and "Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World" (1998). She retired from acting in 2025 after her final performance in the Channel 3 HD drama "Saen Rak," concluding a 70-year entertainment career. She later faced health challenges and received medical support from the Sala Chalermkrung Foundation before her passing on July 9, 2026, at age 86.
