Likay Likay

The economic downturn affects every corner of the country. Businesses large and small are facing losses, including the SME business of the father-son duo, Phongthep and Prompong. Their situation is so dire that Prompong has to resort to using the services of a loan shark he has known for a long time.
Sia Tek, a bloodsucking loan shark, charges exorbitant interest rates. If anyone defaults, Sia Tek sends his henchmen to beat them to a pulp until their faces look like smashed cakes, terrifying all the debtors. The auspicious number representing Prompong's debt to Sia Tek—principal plus interest—totals several million baht. Prompong has no money to pay and keeps asking for deferments. Sia Tek growls and threatens to send his men to beat Prompong up.
Phongthep is a model of a grateful son. He peddles goods in factories, working tirelessly every day without a break to earn money to pay off his father's debts, but sales are stagnant.
Meihua, Sia Tek's daughter, gets pregnant without having a boyfriend. Afraid of her father's scolding, she asks Phongthep to help her run away from home. Sia Tek misunderstands, thinking Phongthep got Meihua pregnant. Furious, Sia Tek threatens to stomp Phongthep to death right there. Lianhua, Sia Tek's wife, stops him, saying, "Ah Tee is the father of our grandchild, Sia." Sia Tek then demands that Phongthep marry Meihua to take responsibility.
Prompong, Phongthep's father, is overjoyed as if he won the lottery. "Hooray! We're going to be in-laws with Sia Tek! I won't have to pay!" But Phongthep declares loudly, "I won't marry her! I haven't even touched Meihua's toenail!" Sia Tek issues a decree: "You must marry her! If you don't, your father dies!"
The wedding day arrives quickly. Phongthep tries to beg his father to believe him that he had nothing to do with Meihua. Prompong doesn't know and doesn't care; whether it's true or not is irrelevant to him. He only wants to be related to Sia Tek to clear the debt. Phongthep is deeply hurt that his father values money more than his son. When the time comes for the traditional engagement ceremony, Phongthep can't stand being a forced husband anymore, so he decides to flee.
Phongthep breaks tradition and runs away from the wedding. His father chases him. Phongthep stumbles and gets clipped by a car. The driver, afraid of being blamed, speeds off. Phongthep isn't dead, just hurt a little like an ant bite. He jumps into the back of the pickup truck that hit him, hoping to survive wherever it takes him. The truck belongs to a Likay troupe and takes him to their home. There, Phongthep experiences love at first sight with a beautiful woman. "Wow... a girl from Bang Sai. She is truly beautiful."
Jomnang, the beautiful Likay heroine, sees the stranger looking at her flirtatiously and gets annoyed. Phongthep lies to Kru Thiam, the head of the "Thiam Fah Suwansin" Likay troupe, claiming he lost his memory when the troupe's truck hit him. He acts confused, asking how he got on the truck. He lies because he doesn't want to go back to Bangkok to get married and because he has fallen for Jomnang, Kru Thiam's granddaughter.
Kru Thiam examines Phongthep. He looks clean-cut with good skin, unlikely to be an illegal immigrant or a violent criminal, so he allows Phongthep to stay. Jomnang complains to her grandfather, "You're too kind! You take in any stray that wanders in." Phongthep feels a twinge—is this beauty talking about a person or a dog?
Phongthep pretends he can't remember his own name. "Did I brush my teeth this morning? I forgot." Jomnang gives him a new name: Lhong (meaning "Lost" or "Stray"). Phongthep cheekily flirts with Jomnang, asking, "Lhong as in 'Lhong Rak' (Falling in Love), right?" Jomnang looks at a dog and says, "No, I named you after the dog." Phongthep laughs, liking her even more. A woman who is beautiful and has a sharp tongue—he loves it! Jomnang acts like she hates Lhong's face, but secretly, she has fallen for him too. As a provincial girl, she has a weakness for Bangkok boys. Just like the song "Pee Pang loses to Bangkok," Jomnang loses to Bangkok guys too. Lhong's style is clearly from the city—he looks good and smart, even if he is a bit of a smooth talker. Lhong is exactly Jomnang's type.
Kru Thiam's "Thiam Fah" troupe has been established for decades, since Kru Thiam was young. Many troupes from his era have disappeared, but his remains. Kru Thiam's style is not the common Likay found everywhere; it is Likay Song Krueng (Fully Dressed/Royal Style Likay). The actors dance gracefully like classical dancers, the lyrics and dialogue are poetic and beautiful, and the makeup and costumes are not as gaudy as regular market Likay. Likay Song Krueng is delicate and artistically beautiful. Kru Thiam intends to preserve this art form for future generations.
Lhong's duty in the troupe is to help with miscellaneous tasks, or simply put, he is a lackey. He becomes close with Ko, the original lackey of the troupe. Lhong likes to tease Ko for fun. Ko is naive and believes whatever Lhong tells him. Jomnang schemes to catch "Brother Lhong" in a lie about his amnesia, but Lhong is quick-witted and survives every trap. Kratae, Jomnang's cousin, whispers to Lhong that Jomnang is an "influential figure" backstage, much like a local mafia don.
Lhong is very pleased with Jomnang. Beautiful, feisty, and spirited—just his style. However, Lhong realizes that his charm has caused dissatisfaction for Fah Prathan, the handsome lead actor (Phra Ek) of the Thiam Fah troupe. Fah Prathan has disliked Lhong since they first met, simply for the crime of being... handsome. Fah Prathan has always been "The Special One," surrounded by girls in the troupe. Today, Lhong has stolen the spotlight. A top-tier handsome guy like Fah Prathan must be number one only. Two handsome gods cannot live in the same cave! Fah Prathan tries to bully and harass Lhong in various ways, hoping Lhong won't be able to take it and will leave. However, Lhong is thick-skinned. "Bully me all you want, I can take it."
Fah Prathan is frustrated by Lhong's endurance. If Jen Yantip or Riew Jit Sampat (famous Thai psychics) looked into Fah Prathan's eyes, they would see eyes filled with resentment. Fah Prathan has never loved anyone in his life, not even Kru Thiam who raised him. He only thinks of himself. He plans that once he is more famous, he will leave to start his own troupe, become as famous as Chaiya Mitchai, and become rich with a big house and luxury cars. He doesn't want to live in Kru Thiam's house or ride the troupe's old bus—it's too "low-so" (low society).
Kru Thiam watches the friction between Lhong and Fah Prathan but sees it as just guys disliking each other, nothing fatal. Worried about his father, Lhong tries to find out news from home. Has his father been killed by the loan shark yet? Lhong borrows a mobile phone from someone in the troupe to call his dad. His dad answers. Lhong is relieved; his father is still breathing. Prompong frantically asks where his "damn son" disappeared to, saying Sia Tek threatens him every day that if the son isn't found, the father will be burned in a tire.
Prompong and his friend Jeng launch a "Mission Impossible" to find Phongthep, driving around every alley near their home, but there is no sign. Prompong has no relatives upcountry, and after graduation, Phongthep didn't keep in touch with friends because he worked all the time. Where could he be hiding? Meanwhile, Sia Tek orders his henchmen, Berm and Pol, to hunt Phongthep down. "Drag him to me to be stomped on for getting my daughter pregnant and running away."
The hunt for Phongthep is intense. Prompong and Jeng search relentlessly. Sia Tek and Lianhua have their men searching everywhere—even if he's in an igloo, they must find him.
Lhong sneakily goes back to check the situation in Bangkok and finds that Sia Tek is still determined to make him marry Meihua. His own father is also hunting him. Lhong is hurt that his father doesn't trust his own son's word and listens to others instead. Lhong didn't touch Meihua. Knowing that both his father and Sia Tek's family are still hunting him for the marriage, Lhong decides to hide out in Bang Sai indefinitely. Besides, the weather upcountry is good, and people are sincere, unlike Bangkok people who smile while hiding a knife.
One day, Lhong accidentally ends up performing Likay as a substitute due to necessity. Kru Thiam sees potential in Lhong and decides to mold him into a Phra Ek (lead actor). Kru Thiam wants to try polishing this "diamond in the rough" that fate sent him. Likay? Lhong has never sung Likay before. But since he loves singing, he thinks, "Whatever, singing Likay isn't that different from singing songs." Lhong starts learning to dance, taught by Na Kamjai. Lhong isn't great at dancing, but his voice is good, which satisfies Kru Thiam to a level. As for dancing, he can practice slowly.
Fah Prathan sees Kru Thiam paying attention to Lhong, seemingly grooming him to be the lead. Fah Prathan starts acting out to get attention. He wakes up late, comes to practice late, practices briefly and takes breaks, and makes sarcastic remarks that Kru Thiam has forgotten him.
Kru Thiam loves all his troupe members equally, whether leads, villains, musicians, or small staff. He calls Fah Prathan to talk, explaining he doesn't love Lhong more, but pays attention to him because Lhong is a beginner, whereas Fah Prathan is already skilled.
Kru Thiam's explanation doesn't satisfy Fah Prathan. He wants to be the most beloved disciple, the most handsome lead, the most perfect man. In the future, he wants to be the most famous and wealthy. Kru Thiam knows Fah Prathan well because he raised him. This kid is ambitious and insatiable. Kru Thiam prepares himself for the day Fah Prathan might abandon the troupe.
Prompong tracks his son down to Bang Sai and forces Lhong to return to Bangkok to marry Meihua. Lhong refuses to go back even if it kills him. So, Prompong rents a house near the Likay house to harass his son, hoping to pressure Lhong into returning to Bangkok. Jomnang and the Likay troupe don't know Prompong is Lhong's father.
Fah Prathan has been leeching off Jay Song-Ngam for years. The iPhones and iPads he shows off are all gifts from her. Fah Prathan is skilled at manipulating women; as long as he hasn't slept with Jay Song-Ngam, she keeps spending on him. Today, she buys him a second-hand car so he can drive to performances instead of squeezing into the troupe's bus. The troupe is amazed; the car even has a CD player. Fah Prathan is very possessive of the car and rarely lets anyone ride in it.
Jomnang despises Fah Prathan. Kru Thiam raised him, fed him, housed him, yet he never thinks of repaying the kindness. He even demands higher pay than others. Kru Thiam has come to terms with it; gratitude cannot be forced, and he never expected anything in return. Jomnang hugs Kru Thiam, feeling lucky to have such a kind grandfather. Kru Thiam starts having Jomnang practice romantic scenes with Lhong. Lhong is delighted and takes the opportunity to flirt with Jomnang, only to get hit back by the feisty girl. Kru Thiam stays silent about Lhong flirting with his granddaughter, but if he crosses the line, he'll get a kick.
In Bangkok, Meihua has severe morning sickness. Sia Tek realizes they can't delay; friends and relatives are starting to gossip that Meihua is pregnant. Sia Tek orders his men: "I give you 3 days. If you don't find Phongthep, don't come back." Phongthep (Lhong) is tracked down by Berm and Pol to Bang Sai. Lhong has to hide and begs his father not to reveal his location. Prompong starts to bond with the Likay household and decides not to hand his son over to Sia Tek.
Fah Prathan worries about the financial status of the Thiam Fah troupe and quits to start his own. Tum follows him. Their secret is revealed: Fah Prathan and Tum have been secretly sleeping together for a long time. Tum loves him enough to be his mistress. Fah Prathan moves in with Jay Song-Ngam, who invests in setting up a Likay troupe for him. Tum moves in too, creating a chaotic love triangle in the house.
After Fah Prathan quits, Lhong is pushed up to be the lead actor. Kru Thiam gives him the stage name Theptong Suwansin. Kru Thiam's troupe competes against Fah Prathan's troupe. Thiam Fah loses badly; the audience flocks to Fah Prathan. Thiam Fah performs the slow-moving "Likay Song Krueng," while Fah Prathan's troupe performs "Likay Luk Bot," which is fast-paced.
Lhong finds a way to save the troupe. Since locals don't favor the traditional style, they must perform as a "Likay Show." Likay Song Krueng is a rare art form, interesting to those who value culture. Lhong finds work performing for foreign tourists in hotels. Foreigners love the traditional style. The troupe starts getting jobs, mostly hotel shows. The troupe members, who had struggled for years, start living well and credit Lhong. Jomnang admires Brother Lhong for being smart, handsome, and good-natured—flawless. Lhong's life is booming in work and sparkling in love. Jomnang has feelings for him, and they make sweet eyes at each other until the troupe teases them.
Fah Prathan's troupe fails miserably. Jay Song-Ngam catches him embezzling money and kicks both Fah Prathan and Tum out. Kru Thiam takes them back. Lhong happily returns the lead role to Fah Prathan because the Thailand Likay Championship is coming up, and Fah Prathan should be the lead. Kru Thiam and Jomnang appoint Lhong as the troupe manager, in charge of finances and finding work, which is his specialty.
Sia Tek finds out Lhong is at the Likay house and comes to capture him. The troupe helps save him. Lhong tells the troupe Sia Tek is chasing him for debt, hiding the pregnancy accusation because he fears Jomnang will be angry. Suddenly, Lianhua brings the 7-month-pregnant Meihua to the Likay house, pointing at Lhong and accusing him of abandoning her. Jomnang is heartbroken, while Kru Thiam is skeptical. Lhong is captured and locked in Sia Tek's house to await the wedding.
Lhong's wedding day coincides with the Thailand Likay Championship. Jomnang prays to "Por Kae" (the Teacher Spirit) for strength to compete. Prompong learns from Lhong that Meihua's real boyfriend is a famous singer named Pete. He drags Pete to marry Meihua. Sia Tek is stunned to realize he misunderstood and hunted Lhong for months. He apologizes profusely. Lhong forgives him, ending their conflict.
The Thiam Fah troupe competes. Lhong arrives in time to see Jomnang perform. Meihua brings her real boyfriend to explain that he is the father, not Lhong. Kru Thiam and the troupe believe him. Lhong goes on stage, declares his love for Jomnang, and proposes. The audience cheers for her to accept. Jomnang agrees to marry Brother Lhong but asks him to wait 3 years to be sure. Lhong loves her truly and can wait.
Kru Thiam is happy to have Lhong as his future grandson-in-law. Lhong has proven himself to be a good person, and most importantly, he has absorbed the love for Likay Song Krueng from the master. It is certain that in the future, Lhong will help Jomnang preserve the art of Likay Song Krueng.
Watch "Likay Likay" every Wednesday - Thursday at 8:20 PM on TV5. "Likay Likay" premieres on Thursday, October 2, 2014.