Sorapong Chatree

Sorapong Chatree (Thai: สรพงษ์ ชาตรี ; born Pittaya Tiamswate; 8 December 1950 – 10 March 2022) was a Thai film actor. He had frequently starred in the films of Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol, as well as in Cherd Songsri's classic romance, Plae Kao.

He was born in Tambon Tha To (later separated into Tambon Ban Mai), Maha Rat district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. He was the youngest of three children and had an older brother and an older sister. In the past, his house was regarded as the only house in the community with a television set.

Chatree became one of the top male stars by the mid-1970s, eventually displacing the older Sombat Metanee from the lead position. As he aged, he retained his popularity until the end of his life, he maintained his popularity and was known as a key supporting actor.

Apart from acting, he also released five studio albums with two major labels, RS Promotion and Nititad Promotion, between 1990 and 1997.

In 2001, construction began on Wat Luang Phor Toh in Sikhio Town. Chatree provided major funding for the temple and participated in many of its Buddhist engagements.

He was named a National Artist of Thailand in 2009. His hometown was transformed into a museum and cultural tourism destination, which exhibits his life.

Chatree died from lung cancer at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, on 10 March 2022, at the age of 71.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the international rights to many of films featuring Sorapong were obtained by the Hong Kong production companies IFD and Filmark. The films were then edited and newly-shot footage added (often featuring ninja directed by Godfrey Ho) to produce a movie more easily marketed to the Western market. In general IFD productions credit Sorapong and no other Thai actors, while Filmark's credit only the western actors, although more than two-thirds of the film is of Thai origin.

Sorapong was appointed Member (Fifth Class) of the Order of the Crown of Thailand in 1981 and Companion (Fourth Class) of the Order of the Direkgunabhorn in 2009.