Thongchai McIntyre (Thai: ธงไชย แมคอินไตย์, pronounced [tʰōŋ.tɕʰāj mɛ́k.ʔīn.tāj]; born Albert Thongchai McIntyre; 8 December 1958) is a Thai singer, actor and 2023 National Artist Performing Arts. He is also sometimes known as Bird Thongchai, Phi Bird ("Older brother Bird") or simply Bird (Thai pronunciation: [bɤ́ːt]). He finished high diploma management major from Thonburi Commercial College.

Thongchai McIntyre

ธงไชย แมคอินไตย์
Born
Albert Thongchai McIntyre

(1958-12-08) 8 December 1958 (age 65)
Other namesBird
EducationHigh Vocational Certificate
Alma materThonburi Commercial College
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
Years active1983–present
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Musical career
Also known asBird Thongchai
Genres
  • Dance-pop
  • electronica
  • electropop
  • pop
  • pop rock
  • R&B
LabelsGMM Grammy

Considered to be Thailand's No.1 superstar,[1] he is one of the most successful singers in Thailand's history, having sold more than 25 million albums.[2] He is best known for his string (Thai pop) and luk thung music. He has also acted in numerous films, on television, musicals, and in commercials. He is of Mon, Scottish and Thai descent.

Early life edit

 
Bird Thongchai in Concert

McIntyre was born in Bangkok's Wat Nimmanoradi neighbourhood to parents Udom and James McIntyre. He was the youngest of nine siblings, and his life in the slums did not give him much of a head start, thus his childhood was filled with struggle to supplement the income of his family. As a child, he sometimes taught English to other children in the slum in exchange for 5 to 10 baht. Raised in a music-loving family, Bird McIntyre loved to sing and dance, and showcased his talents in school.[3] His father died when Bird was still a child.[4][5] He began working as a bank officer.

Career edit

While still working as a bank officer, he met the famous Thai TV producer Kai Varayuth, who recognised Bird's talent. Bird débuted in his first TV series with the help of Kai. His most memorable role was that of Captain Kobori in the 1990 television series Khu Kam, a tragic love story about a Japanese soldier (Bird) and a local Thai girl during World War II. He reprised this role in the 1996 film adaptation, Sunset at Chaophraya.

He reached the height of his musical career in the early nineties. Among his best-known songs are Duay Rak Lae Pook Pan, Koo Gud, Sabai Sabai and Kob Jai Jing Jing. His popular singles released recently include luk thung singles Mah Tummai (with Jintara Poonlarp), Fan Ja (with Jintara and Jarin B. (Joey Boy), Nat Myria Benedetti, and Katreeya English), Lao Su Kan Fang, and Yak Tham Kor Tob and Mai Kang Ying Pae from his album "Volume One". In the mid-nineties, he became the first Thai artist to receive an International MTV Award for his performance in Sunset at Chaophraya.

He was featured on CNN and in Variety magazine. An award-winning documentary of his life entitled Crossing Borders, directed by Phanjanit Garnploog, can be seen at St. John's University in New York. In 2010, Bird made his first international tour in Los Angeles and the 50th Anniversary of Lincoln Center in New York.

In late 2007, he released another album entitled "Simply Bird", which features songs such as Chuay Rap Tee and Mee Tae Kid Tueng.

Discography edit

Albums and singles edit

Year Album Name Special albums Concert
1986 Hard-Sai Sai-Lom Song-Rao (Beach, Wind, and two of us) - Sudchevit Thongchai (All of Life "Thongchai") / Babb Bird Bird Show No. 1
1987 Sabai-Sabai (easy-easy) Babb Bird Bird Show No. 2 (Another)
1987 Rub-Kwun-Wan-Mai (Blessing for a new day)
1988 Sor-Kor-Sor (Greeting Card) Thongchai 2501 Soup with no Bean sprouts concert / Bird-perd-sa-card
1989 - Babb Bird Bird Show No. 3 (Fly to herizon)
1990 Boomerang Concert Boomerang man / Babb Bird Bird Show No. 4 (It's in the Boomerang man hand)
1991 Prik-Kee-Noo (Bird Chilli) Babb Bird Bird Show No. 5 (Happies and our memories never end)
1992
1993
1994 Tor-Thong (The Flag) Wan-Nee Tee Ror-Koy (TV drama Soundtrack) TorThong and Torther (that you)/Babb Bird Bird Show No. 6 (Dream & Reality)
1995 Dream Kon-nok-kab-Dok-Mai (Feather & Flowers) Dream concert
1996 Feather & Flowers concert
1997 Niramit (TV drama soundtrack) Green concert no.3 Singing Bird
1998 Thongchai Service Thongchai Special Service Concert Thongchai service / Concert Thongchai special service
1999 Tu-Pleng Saman Prajam Barn (The Everyhouse Jukebox) Babb Bird Bird Show No. 7 (Aroka)
2000 100 Pleng Rak Mai Roo Job (100 everlasting love songs)
2001 Thongchai Smile club Bird Love Beat 1 & 2 Smile club concert
2002 Chud Rab Kaek (Welcome, Guests!) Concert For Fans by Thongchai McIntyre
2003 Babb Bird Bird Show No. 8 (TOGETHER)
2004 Bird-Sek with Sek Loso Bird-Sek concert
2005 Bird Volume 1 Volume 1 concet Oh la nor My Love
2006 Thongchai Village Bird Perd Floor Concert Bird Perd Floor
2007 Simply Bird -
2008 - - Babb Bird Bird Show No. 9 MAGIC MEMORIES
2009 Fancy fans zone concert
2010 Bird Asa sanook
2011 - Bird Asa sanook concert
2012 Secret garden Babb Bird Bird Show No. 10 (Our day is still)
2013 Feather & Flowers Secret garden
2014 Kolkimono (TV drama soundtrack) -
2015 Feather & Flowers The Original Returns
2016 Romwong THONGCHAI concert
2017 -
2018 Bird mini marathon Babb Bird Bird Show No. 11 "DREAM JOURNEY"
2019 SINGING BIRD CONCERT BY REQUEST
2022 22 (Twenty Two) SINGING BIRD #2/2022 LIFETIME SOUNDTRACK CONCERT

Original soundtrack edit

TV dramas edit

Year Title Native title Role
1983 Namtan Mai น้ำตาลไหม้ Ae
1984 Muer Ruk Rao เมื่อรักร้าว
Baan Soi Dao บ้านสอยดาว Pawuti
Kamin Gub Poon [th] ขมิ้นกับปูน Tanpan
1985 Ruk Nai Sai Mok รักในสายหมอก
Pleng Haeng Cheewit เพลงแห่งชีวิต Nat
Benjarong 5 See เบญจรงค์ห้าสี Chanayu
Plub Plerng See Chompoo พลับพลึงสีชมพู Witsarut Marupong
Wong Wien Hua Jai [th] วงเวียนหัวใจ Tos Kanaphan
1986 Majurat See Nam Pueng มัจจุราชสีน้ำผึ้ง Prawut Thraipolrachata
Nuer Nang เนื้อนาง
1987 Duang Fai Yai Mai Song Chun ดวงไฟใยไม่ส่องฉัน
1989 Takai Dao ตะกายดาว Guest Role (Ep.2)
1990 Khu Kam คู่กรรม Kobori
1993 Wan Nee Tee Ror Khoi วันนี้ที่รอคอย Chao San
1997 Niramit [th] นิรมิต Jao Phuwong / Pangkee / Taiwan
1998 Kwam Song Jum Mai Huajai Derm ความทรงจำใหม่หัวใจเดิม Dieow
2015 Kol Kimono [th] กลกิโมโน M.R. Hochinoji / Hoshi
2016 We Were Born in the 9th Reign เราเกิดในรัชกาลที่ ๙ เดอะซีรีส์ Mor Don

Awards edit

 
Bird and his awards
The best of Thongchai
*1984 Siam-Kollakarn Contest: The Best Singer Thai Music for See Wit Lakorn and Chud Hmay Play Tang, The Special from Dr. Thaworn Pornprapa *1986 Mekala: The Best Man Presenters
*1987 The office of national young people or Sor Yor Chor: The Best Artist ) *1990 Coke Music Award: The album was a success for Boomerang
1991
* Mekala: The Best Man Actor for Sunset at Chaopraya (TV Lakorn) * TV Golden: The Best Man Actor for Sunset at Chaopraya (TV Lakorn)
* MTV Asian Viewer's Choice Award * NCSWT: The Outstanding child
1993
* 1993 Vote Award: The Best Man Actor for Wannee Tee Raw-Koy (TV Lakorn) *1994 TV Golden: The Best Man Actor for Wannee Tee Raw-Koy (TV Lakorn)
*1995 Saraswati: The Best Man Actor for Sunset at Chaopraya (Movie) * 1995 Saraswati: The Best Movie music for Thoe Khon Diaw (Music)
*1995 Vote Award: The Popular Man Actor for Sunset at Chaopraya * 1996 Billboard Viewer's Choice Award first in Asia
* 1997 Ganesha Golden: The Special Creative Music for Ton Mai Khong Por
2002
* 2002 Seesun Award: The Best Song for Lao Su Kan Fang *Top Awards: The Best Singer (2002)
* 2002 Top Awards: The Best Singer for Lao Su Kan Fang * 2002 Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards: The Popular Man Artist Music video for Lao Su Kan Fang
2003
*Top Awards: The Best Singer (2003)
*Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards: The Best Music video for Fan Ja (2003) *Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards: The Popular Artist (2003)
*Diamond Siam: The Sampler for Promotion of Thai arts and culture (2003) *MTV Asia Awards: The Favorite Artist Thailand (2004)
*Top Awards: The Best Singer (2004) *Top Awards: The Best Singer (2005)
*Annual Chalermthai Awards: The Thai Artist of the year (2005) *Oops! awards: The Popular Man Singer (2005)
2006
*MTV Asia Awards: The Inspiration Award (2006) *Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards: The Popular Music video for My love (2006)
*Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards: The Popular Artist (2006) *Virgin Hitz Awards: The Achievement Awards (2006)
*FAT award: The Best Music video of the year for My love (2006) *Sor Nor Chor: The Popular Man Artist of the year (2006)
2007
*Top Awards: The Best Singer (2007) *Star Entertainment Awards: The Popular Man Singer (2007)
*In Young Generation Choice: The Long man acting actor of the year (2007) *TVPool Star Party Award: The Artist in heart (2007)
*Seed AWARDS: The Popular Man Artist (2007) *Seed of the month awards: The Popular Man Artist for November (2007)
2008
*Ministry of Culture: The Gratitude (2007) *Top Awards: The Best Singer (2008)
*Seesun Award: The Best Song for Nam Ta (2008) *Star Entertainment Awards: The Best Man Singer (2008)
*Nine Entertain Awards: The Man Singer of the year (2008) *In Young Generation Choice: The Long man acting actor of the year (2008)
*TVPool Star Party Award: The Popular singer for people (2008) *Seed AWARDS: The Quality artists (2008)
*Pet Nai Plang: The Outstanding singing in the Thai language for Me Tea Kid Thung (2008)
2009
*Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards: The Thai invention for Babb Bird Bird Show Concert (2009)
*Annual Chalermthai Awards: The Song of Thai Film of the Year for Chadaimailumkan (2009) *In Young Generation Choice: The Long man acting actor of the year (2009)
*TVPool Star Party Award: The Popular singer for Superstar (2009) *Pet Nai Plang: The Outstanding singing in the Thai language for Pai Thew Kan (2009)
*TV INSIDE HOT AWARDS: The King of Hot (2009)
2010
*Prakaipet: The Outstanding Thai Artist (2010) *Thailand National Film Association Awards: The Best Movie Music for Chadaimailumkan (2010)
2011
*Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards: The Popular Music video for Too Much so Much Very Much (2011) *Seed AWARDS: The Inspirational artist (2011)
*Ministry of Culture: The Virtuous artist promotes Buddhism of Thailand (2011) *SiamDara Star awards: The Popular Thai singers (2011)
*Bang Awards: The Dead dance music for Too Much so Much Very Much (2011) *Intensive Watch: The Popular Song for Yatamyangnee Maiwakapkai Kawjaimai (2011)
*Gmember Awards: The most beloved artist (2011) *Top Awards: The Best Singer (2011)
2012
*TVPool Star Party Award: The Popular for people (2012) *Pet Nai Plang: The Outstanding singing in the Thai language for Tam Roi Pra Racha (2012)
*SiamDara Star awards: The Popular Thai singers (2012) *SiamDara Star awards: The Siam Dara Star for People (2012)
*Gmember Awards: The most beloved artist (2012) *MThai Top Talk-About: The most talked-about singer (2012)
*Shining star: The Successful artists and social activities (2012) *Office of the Secretary of the Supreme Patriarch: The benefit of Buddhism (2012)
*Tara Award: People with a Bodhisattva Heart, which is beneficial to society (2012) *TV Golden: Best voice cartoon actor Bird: The Flying With Byrd (2012)
2013
*SiamDara Star awards: The Superstar Forever (2013) *Shining star: The Successful artists and social activities (2013)
*Kinnara: Good people think good society Follow the Royal footprint (2013) *Daradaily Award: The Best Person (2013)
*9 people prototype Steps to the king project: The Best singer (2013) *CROW Awards: The Best singer (2013)
2014
*TVPool Star Party Award: The Popular for people (2013) *Shining star: The Successful artists and social activities (2014)
*Japan Tourism Award: The special award for People who play an important role To travel to Japan (2014) *SiamDara Star awards: The Star Idol (2014)
*GMM Digital Domain: Top Load via *123 for Kon Pea Timaimee Namta (2015) *KPN Award: The Lifetime Achievement Award (2016)
2018
Joox Icon Award from JOOX Thailand Music Awards 2018
2023
*2023 National Artist (Performing Arts)[7]

Covers by other artists edit

In 2012, the popular Japanese girl group Berryz Kobo released a song titled "Cha Cha Sing" as a single. The title track is a cover of the song "Row Mah Sing" by Bird Thongchai. The first coupling track "Loving You Too Much" is also a cover of a Bird Thongchai's song, "Too Much So Much Very Much". Both were translated into Japanese.[8] The single debuted at number 6 on the Japanese Oricon weekly singles chart. In 2013, Japanese girl group Berryz Kobo released a single titled "Asian Celebration". The coupling track of the Limited Edition B and Limited Edition D, "I like a Picnic" is a cover of a Bird Thongchai's song, "กอดกัน(Gaud-gun)".

Royal decorations edit

 
Bird Thongchai on graduation rehearsal in 2022

Tongchai has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:

References edit

  1. ^ "เบิร์ดนักร้องยอดนิยม เป็นระดับแนวหน้าของเอเชีย จากการจัดระดับโดยนิตยสารเอ็นเตอร์เทนเมนต์วีกลี่".
  2. ^ "นิตยสาร Forbes ปี 2009,นิตยสารธุรกิจและการเงินของสหรัฐอเมริกา,จัดอันดับศิลปินที่มียอดขายสูงสุด เบิร์ดติดอันดับ 2 ของเอเชียตลอดกาล".
  3. ^ "ประวัติ ธงไชย แมคอินไตย์ (พี่เบิร์ด)". Archived from the original on 8 January 2016.
  4. ^ Napier-Bell, Simon (19 March 2006). "Bang pop!". The Observer. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  5. ^ Thongchai McIntyre's Family Archived October 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "เบิร์ด-ธงไชย ถ่ายทอดความรักเหนือกาลเวลาผ่านบทเพลง "รักเอ๋ย"". one31.net (in Thai). 22 August 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Thai pop singer 'Bird' named as national artist". Bangkokpost. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  8. ^ เบอร์รี่ซ์ โคโบ แถลงข่าวเปิดทัวร์คอนเสิร์ตเมืองไทย มี.ค.56 – ข่าวไทยรัฐออนไลน์. Thai Rath (in Thai). 17 November 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012.

External links edit