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Actor

1958-12-08 · Phasi Charoen, Bangkok, Thailand · Male

4 series in the catalog

Thongchai McIntyre (Thai: ธงไชย แมคอินไตย์, pronounced [tʰōŋ.tɕʰāj mɛ́k.ʔīn.tāj]; born Albert McIntyre on 8 December 1958) is a Thai singer, actor, and 2023-batch National Artist of Thailand. Nicknamed Bird (Thai: เบิร์ด, pronounced [bɤ́ːt]), he is among the most commercially successful singers in Thai music history, with over 25 million albums sold.

Thongchai holds the record for the most solo studio albums in Thailand to exceed one million copies in sales—seven albums, along with two additional special albums that also surpassed one million in sales. His most iconic milestones include the album Boomerang (1990), which made him the first GMM Grammy artist to sell over two million copies. That same year, he starred as Kobori in the drama Khu Kam (1990), which became the highest-rated Thai television drama at the time. This double success gave rise to what became known as the "Bird Fever" phenomenon, which significantly influenced both the music and television industries in Thailand.

Following this success was the album Prik Kee Noo (1991), which sold more than 3.5 million copies, becoming the best-selling Thai album of the 1990s. Later, the album Chud Rab Kaek (2002) achieved over five million in sales, setting the all-time record for album sales in Thailand.

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.

Following this success, Thongchai resigned from his full-time job and officially entered the entertainment industry, with Pornpichit Patthanathabutr as his personal manager. He also held a concert to promote his debut album, titled Sud Cheewit Thongchai Concert. In the same year, the Babb Bird Bird Show No. 1 was launched, marking the first concert ever organized by GMM Grammy.

1987–1996

Album Sabai Sabai

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.

Khu Kam Drama and Boomerang Album

In 1990, during the height of the "Bird Fever" phenomenon—a term referring to…