Thongchai McIntyre

Early life

Thongchai McIntyre was born in Bangkok. His English name is Albert McIntyre, which led to his nickname "Bird". He is the ninth of ten children born to James (Jimmy) McIntyre, a medical corpsman in the Royal Thai Army of Scottish-Mon descent, and Udom McIntyre. He was raised in a relatively poor family. During his childhood, Thongchai helped support the household by folding paper bags, selling lottery tickets, collecting and selling milk cans, and sewing traditional hats. He also occasionally earned a small income by teaching English to children in the Bang Khae slum, receiving 5 to 10 baht depending on donations.

From a young age, he had a passion for singing and frequently participated in temple fair singing contests, occasionally winning prizes. He practiced singing with his family and was largely self-taught. Seven of his siblings were also musically talented, and together they formed a family band called "Mong Doo Lian".

Thongchai completed his primary education at Wat Nimmarnoradee School, where he volunteered to assist teachers with music and dance activities and was known for being cheerful and expressive. He later attended Panyaworakun School for secondary education and obtained a Higher Vocational Certificate (Por Wor Sor) in Management from Thonburi Commercial College.

After achieving widespread success in the entertainment industry, Thongchai was awarded two honorary degrees by Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi. His first was an honorary bachelor's degree in Performing Arts and Music in 2002, followed by a Doctor of Education (Honoris Causa) in International Music Studies in 2022.

Entertainment Industry

Early Days with GMM Grammy and Initial Acting Career

While Thongchai was working in the International Department of Kasikorn Bank, Tha Phra Branch, he also took on side jobs such as modeling, appearing in commercials, and working as a doorman at a discotheque called Flamingo at the Ambassador Hotel. There, he met drama producer Warayut Milinthachinda, who was a guest there. Thongchai entertained guests by singing and dancing, which led Warayut to invite him to act in the television drama Nam Tan Mai (1983). Adul Dulyarat served as his acting coach. This was Thongchai’s first acting role, and he was nominated for the Mekhala Award for Best Supporting Actor. As a result, he gained recognition and was acclaimed as a promising new actor.

Thongchai showed a natural talent for singing and participated in the Siam Kolakarn singing contest in 1984 — a significant milestone in his music career. In that competition, he received the "Outstanding Singer" award for his performance of the song "Cheewit Lakorn" (Life is a Drama), along with two additional special awards from the judging panel. His success in the contest led to a recording contract with Siam Kolakarn. Later, Rewat Buddhinan, founder of GMM Grammy, recognized Thongchai's potential and approached Khun Ying Porntip Narongdej, then managing director of Siam Kolakarn, to negotiate his transfer to GMM Grammy. This marked the beginning of Thongchai’s professional singing career with the label.

While waiting for the completion of his debut album—a process that took two years—Thongchai starred in his first leading film role in Duai Rak Kue Rak (1985), alongside Anchalee Jongkadeekij, directed by Mom Chao Thipyachat Chatchai. Their on-screen chemistry was noted by the press, making them one of the most iconic romantic pairs in classic Thai cinema. That same year, he also appeared in the television dramas Ban Soi Dao and Phlapphlung Si Chomphu, among others.

In 1986, Thongchai was selected to host the Miss Thailand pageant finals for both 1986 and 1987. He also became the first co-host of the live music program 7 See Concert with Mayura Thanabutr, forming a popular hosting duo. He won the Mekhala Award for Best Male Host that year.

That same year, he released his debut album, Hat Sai Sai Lom Song Rao, which was recognized as the best male artist album of the year. He also became the first male artist under Grammy to sell 500,000 cassette copies. The first song he recorded was "Phan Ma Phan Pai", followed by hit singles such as "Duai Rak Lae Phukphan", "Fak Fah Thalay Fan", and "Banthuek Na Sutthai", all of which gained widespread popularity. Due to the album’s success, many of its hit songs were later featured in the film Duai Rak Lae Phukphan, which was filmed in Switzerland.

1987–1996

In 1987, Thongchai released the hit album Sabai Sabai, which was named Album of the Year by his record label. Featuring several popular tracks, including "Sabai Sabai," "Muean Pen Khon Euen," and "Fak Jai Wai," the album retained the easy-listening style of his debut. It became the best-selling record of the year and played a major role in establishing Thongchai as one of Thailand’s top superstars. Its sales more than doubled those of his first album, and although it did not reach one million copies, it set a new standard for the Thai music industry with its high production quality and strong artistic performance, earning widespread acclaim from fans nationwide.

Thongchai's popularity extended beyond Thailand, as "Sabai Sabai" brought him international fame. The song was officially licensed and adapted into multiple languages, and was also featured in the film Rang Kha Daeng, in which Thongchai starred. The song won Best Original Song at the Golden Suphannahong Awards, presented by the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand.

Later that year, he released the album Rap Kwan Wan Mai (Blessing for a New Day), a celebratory follow-up to Sabai Sabai, which included hit songs such as "Man Khoi Dulae Lae Raksa Duang Jai" and "Khob Jai Jing Jing." The album continued his success with several chart-topping tracks. In the same year, he also held his second Babb Bird Bird Show No. 2.

In early 1988, he held two major concerts: Kao Lao Thongchai (Mai Ngok) and Bird Pert-sa-kad Concert. He also released special albums including Thongchai McIntyre B.E. 2501 and Sor-Kor-Sor, which featured "Chap Mue Kan Wai", a signature track of the Babb Bird Bird Show. He also held the Babb Bird Bird Show No. 3 in early 1989.

In 1990, during the height of the "Bird Fever" phenomenon—a term referring to the widespread popularity of Thongchai McIntyre—he starred as Kobori, a Japanese soldier stationed at a base in Thailand during World War II, in the drama Khu Kam. Kobori falls in love with a Thai plantation girl, played by Kamolchanok Komoltithi, in a romance marked by hardship and unfulfilled hopes. This adaptation became one of the most successful Thai dramas of all time, achieving a record-breaking rating of 40. For his performance, Thongchai received the Best Actor award at the 10th Mekhala Awards and the Best Leading Actor award at the 5th Golden Television Awards.

1997–2006

After completing the filming of the drama Niramit, Thongchai entered the monkhood on 8 December 1997, as an act of gratitude at Wat Phra Si Mahathat Wora Maha Viharn. He received his robes from Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali and the monastic requisites from Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana. He was given the monastic name "Apichayo", meaning "the one with great victory." He spent his monkhood in Chiang Mai province.

Between 1998 and 2001, Thongchai released three consecutive albums, each selling over one million copies. These included Thongchai Service (1998), which featured hit songs such as "Som Dai", "Bok Wa Ya Narak", "Kor Lerk Gun Laew", and "Tarn Fai Gao". That year also saw the release of a special album, Thongchai Service Special, the television drama Kwam Song Jum Mai Hua Jai Derm, and a series of concert performances.

In 1999, he released the album Tu-Pleng Saman Prajam Barn, which featured tracks like "Long Si Ja", "Glub Mai Dai Pai Mai Teung", "Pit Trong Nai", and "Tummai Tong Tur". During the same period, he also hosted the Babb Bird Bird Show No. 7 (2000) and released the compilation album 100 Pleng Ruk Mai Roo Job (100 Endless Love Songs).

Thongchai’s mother, Udom McIntyre, died in Chiang Rai province on 9 March 2001. The royal cremation ceremony was held on 31 July and was presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, along with three other members of the royal family, who bestowed the cremation rites as a special honor.

Later that year, Thongchai released the album Smile Club, which his record label recognized as its best album of the year. The album featured popular tracks such as "Lao Soo Gun Fang", "Kon Mai Mee Faen", and "Khu Tae". The song "Lao Soo Gun Fang" received multiple accolades, including Best Song at the 14th Season Awards and Most Popular Male Artist Music Video at the inaugural Channel V Thailand Music Video Awards. A concert to launch the Bird Smile Club album was also held.

According to the 2001 annual public impression survey by ABAC Poll, and the annual survey by Suan Dusit Poll, Thongchai was named the most impressive Thai male singer of the year.

2007–2016

In 2007, Thongchai held the Bird Perd Floor concert, and later that year released the album Simply Bird, which included popular songs such as "Chuaay Rap Tee," "Mee Tae Kid Tueng," and "Namta." The song "Namta," written by Apivatch Eutthavornsuk, received the Best Song award from the Season Awards, while "Mee Tae Kid Tueng," written by Nitipong Honark, received honorable mention for excellence in Thai language lyrics.

In 2008, Thongchai performed in the Babb Bird Bird Show No. 9, titled Magic Memories: The Miracle of Memories That Is Us... Forever, which drew a total audience of 120,000 people across 12 shows. In 2009, he was selected on two occasions to serve as a presenter for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, leading campaigns titled "Teaw Thai Kruek Khruen Setthakit Thai Khuek Khak" and "12 Months 7 Stars 9 Suns," and performed the promotional theme song "Pai Teaw Gun." That same year, he also released the special single "Ja Dai Mai Luem Gun" as part of the soundtrack for the film Short Memory... Long Love, and staged the concert Thongchai Fancy Fanson... Rong Ten Len Taeng Tua in four performances.

In 2010, Thongchai released the album Asa Sanook, his first full-length studio album in three years, which recorded the highest sales and digital downloads of the year. The album featured popular tracks such as "Yuu Khon Diao," "Yaa Tham Yang Nee Mai Waa Kab Khrai... Khao Jai Mai," "Too Much So Much Very Much," and "Rao Ma Sing." The latter two songs were later licensed and adapted into Japanese-language versions.

In 2011, he staged the major concert Bird Asa Sanook at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, which was recognized as one of the most notable concerts of the year. That year, Thongchai was also selected as the character for the animated series Birdland Daen Mahatsachan (Birdland, the Land of Wonders), for which he provided the voice of the character "Pee Bird" and performed the series’ theme song. Additionally, he recorded the special Japanese-language charity single "Thai for Japan," dedicated to the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

In 2012, he performed in the Babb Bird Bird Show No. 10, titled "Wan Khong Rao: Young Yoo," commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Babb Bird Bird concert series. The event sold over 100,000 tickets in a single release. The following year, he took part in the Khon Nok Kab Dok Mai Concert No. 2: Secret Garden (Feathers and Flowers: Secret Garden).

2017 – present

Thongchai is regarded as the last artist to perform a royal tribute song to King Rama IX, having sung the song "The Reason of the Father," which was released on 11 October 2016, just two days before the death of King Rama IX. After this event, Thongchai took part in several royal tribute projects. In November 2016, he appeared as a guest actor in the special drama We Were Born in the Reign of Rama IX The Series, portraying a volunteer doctor. In 2017, he was a guest singer at the concert Our Land. On 26 October that year, he was among a few artists who attended the royal cremation ceremony of King Rama IX as a civilian in an official attendance role.

In May 2019, he was invited to perform in the play In the Dream Garden, United in Loyal Devotion at the 2019 Royal Coronation celebrations of King Rama X at Sanam Luang. He performed the traditional Thai song "Lao Kham Hom." The month prior, he contributed vocals to the special song "Volunteer Spirit (จิตอาสา)," produced by GMM Grammy, which encouraged Thais to do good deeds by volunteering for social and national development, continuing the royal initiatives of King Rama X.

In early 2018, Thongchai launched a special project titled Bird Mini Marathon, collaborating with eight emerging artists. That same year, he received the honorary Joox Icon Award for Lifetime Achievement Artist at the 2018 JOOX Thailand Music Awards. He also held his Babb Bird Bird Show No. 11 concert, titled DREAM JOURNEY, at IMPACT Arena, which continued into 2019. The concert series totaled seven shows. Additionally, he held three more shows under the Singing Bird concert series, which took place at Royal Paragon Hall.

In 2021, he joined the "Power from the Sky Hospital" project, promoting clean energy for 77 hospitals across Thailand. The project was organized by the Energy Regulatory Commission in 2020. He participated by performing the song "Let the World See (Thai Kindness)." This song earned him the Outstanding Singing Award in Thai Language for the Male Vocal Performance in Thai Pop Music category at the 2021 National Thai Language Day. The award was presented by the Department of Literature and History, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture.

Later that year, he released the song "Who Misses You," the soundtrack for the drama Wiman Sai, and the song "Every Day, Is It Possible," a with Naphasin Saengsuwan (Noom, formerly of Kala). He was subsequently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing success and inspirational influence in the music industry at the TOTY Music Awards 2021.

Notable Works and Reception

Commercial Success

Thongchai has released a number of studio and special albums, with cumulative sales exceeding 25 million copies, ranking him among the best-selling artists in Asia. He has nine albums that each sold over one million copies: seven studio albums — Boomerang (1990), Prik Kee Noo (1991), Thor Thong (1994), Thongchai Service (1998), Tu-Pleng Saman Prajam Barn (1999), Smile Club (2001), and Chud Rab Kaek (2002) — and two special albums — Khon Nok Kab Dok Mai (1995) and Bird-Sek (2004).

He also holds records for having four best-selling albums of their respective eras. Among male solo albums, Prik Kee Noo was the highest-selling of the 1990s, while Chud Rab Kaek dominated the 2000s. In the special album category, B.E. 2501 led the 1980s, and Bird-Sek topped the 2000s. In 2017, his album Asa Sanook (2010) was recognized as one of the 50 best-selling and most downloaded albums of the digital era (2010–2017).

His most successful album, Chud Rab Kaek (2002), made history as the best-selling album in Thai music history. According to a 2002 survey of Bangkok residents’ favorite songs, the track "Fan Ja" ranked first with 34.3% popularity, followed by "Ma Tummai" at 7.2%.

Media Recognition and Cultural Impact

Thongchai’s enduring popularity has earned him many honorific nicknames from the media, most of which reflect his sustained fame. In 2002, Ramkhamhaeng University conducted a study titled "Bird: Why Does He Remain a Superstar After 20 Years?" The top reasons cited included his gratitude toward others, vocal ability, self-development, and his charisma as an entertainer.

In 2016, the entertainment media outlet Sanook analyzed the reasons for Thongchai’s status as the most successful Thai artist in the past 30 years and as a national superstar. Key factors include his early start as an actor — beginning with the TV drama Nam Tan Mai (1983), which earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Mekhala Awards. He later became a GMM Grammy artist via the Siam Kolakarn singing contest in 1984, and gained recognition as a host of 7 See Concert (1986), winning a Best Host award. His popularity grew internationally with the release of Sabai Sabai (1987). Notable milestones in his career include the Boomerang album and the legendary drama Khu Kam (1990), as well as achieving million-selling albums during the economic crisis between 1997–2001: Thongchai Service (1998), Tu-Pleng Saman Prajam Barn (1999), and Smile Club (2001). His historic Chud Rab Kaek album (2002), hit special albums Khon Nok Kab Dok Mai (1995), Bird-Sek (2004), and his record-breaking concerts — especially Babb Bird Bird Show No. 9 — further cemented his legendary status. He has also been a prominent performer of royal tribute songs on national occasions.

In 2022, Bangkok Biz News described Thongchai as the No. 1 superstar in Thailand over the past four decades. In addition to reaffirming earlier assessments, they highlighted his debut album Hat Sai Sai Lom Song Rao (1986), which sold over 500,000 copies — a record for a male Grammy artist at the time. Prik Kee Noo was noted as the highest-selling album of the 1990s, and Babb Bird Bird Show No. 5 set the record for most concert performances in a single run. His album Asa Sanook also led digital-era sales and downloads between 2010 and 2017.

Workpoint Today cited Thongchai's influence, calling him "the ultimate superstar" in the Thai entertainment industry. Over the past four decades, he has sold nearly 30 million albums. During the first two decades of his career, his rise sparked the "Bird Fever" phenomenon across music, television, musical theater, and film. He has remained relevant despite changes in global and domestic music trends by collaborating with modern songwriters and producers, adapting his style while preserving his identity.

Discography

Original soundtrack

Song name "Rak oei" (รักเอ๋ย), opening theme The Bride of Naga

Covers by other artists

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. 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

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

"'1991"' – Commander (Third Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant

"'2005"' – Silver Medalist (Seventh Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn

"'2012"' – First Class (Gold Medal) of Red Cross Medal of Appreciation