On March 20, 2024,Thai actor Winai Kraibutr, known for his roles in the films Nang Nak and Bang Rajan, has passed away at the age of 54. He had been battling a rare skin disease called bullous pemphigoid for five years.
Kraibutr’s wife, Orachanya Kraibutr, announced his death on social media on March 21. She said that he died peacefully from low blood pressure and a bloodstream infection at Saimai Hospital in Bangkok.
Kraibutr was born on June 16, 1969, in Krabi Province, Thailand. He began his acting career in the early 1990s, appearing in several television dramas and films. His breakthrough role came in 1999, when he starred in the horror film Nang Nak. The film was a huge box office success, grossing over 150 million baht (US.2 million) and making Kraibutr a household name.
The following year, Kraibutr starred in the historical film Bang Rajan. The film was another box office success, grossing over 100 million baht (US.8 million). Kraibutr’s performance in the film earned him critical acclaim and further cemented his status as one of Thailand’s leading actors.
Kraibutr continued to act in films and television dramas throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He also appeared in several stage productions. In 2019, he was diagnosed with bullous pemphigoid, a rare skin disease that causes blisters to form on the body. He underwent treatment for the disease, but it eventually took a toll on his health.
Winai Kraibutr’s most notable films
- Nang Nak (1999)
- Bang Rajan (2000)
- The Legend of Suriyothai (2001)
- 7 Days (2008)
- The Ghost of Mae Nak (2013)
Winai Kraibutr’s awards and nominations
- Best Actor Award at the Thailand National Film Awards (2000)
- Best Actor Award at the Star Entertainment Awards (2000)
- Best Actor Award at the Bangkok Film Festival (2001)
