Men of the Hour

Fresh off the success of their drama, 4MINUTES, Thai actors Bible Wichapas Sumettikul and Jespipat Tilapornputt are on the cusp of international stardom.

- NAVIN PILLAY

It takes more than a pretty face to stand out in the Thai entertainment scene. Aside from dedication and passion for the craft, the stars must be aligned. Though their career trajectories differ, actors Wichapas Sumettikul (or Bible, as he’s better known) and Jespipat Tilapornputt (Jes) have found this to be the case.

Bible’s rise to fame was swift, propelled by a meaty role and the pandemic-driven boost in entertainment consumption that led international audiences to discover Thai dramas. Contrary to popular belief, the 26-year-old didn’t come from a wealthy background, even though he did go to an international school in his hometown of Chiang Mai. Motivated by a desire for financial independence, Bible took up all kinds of jobs, from modelling to working as a translator to being a ball boy at a rugby tournament. He says, “I didn’t know myself well back then. But I knew I wanted to lessen the load on my parents and help them. That’s why I said yes to everything, even if it meant attending countless modelling auditions and castings.”

It eventually led him to his first acting gig in KinnPorsche: The Series (2022), the hit Thai boys’ love drama thrust him into the limelight. Playing the role of Vegas, the manipulative and complex heir to a crime family, Bible captivated audiences with his intensity and vulnerability. Reflecting on his journey, he says: “I never planned on becoming an actor. I was more comfortable behind the camera, doing subtitles and storyboards. But when the opportunity came, I took it. You never know where life will take you.”