Mik Boromwut Reflects on Family Crisis: Dark Thoughts Nearly Led to Divorce from Benz Pornchita - Thairath English

Benz Pornchita accompanied by Mik Boromwut open up about nearly breaking their marriage, allowing Mik to buy a sex doll, and update on the adorable antics of their three children. Prim 10 years old Prang 8 years old Prem 6 years old – mischievous and playful, each with different personalities. Benz is delighted by the strong buzz around "Rang Ngao" after returning to acting after 10 years, which has generated countless memes across social media. This was shared on the "Kuy Zab Show" on One31 channel, hosted by Chompoo Konbai and Peggy Srithanya.

Benz: Many people like it, many laugh, and some say, "Why does she fall so many times?" I intended to make it meme-worthy. I wanted people to talk and ask, "What’s going on? Falling down the stairs three times, where’s her mind? One fall should be enough, right?"

This version shows her being slapped, falling down an escalator, then getting slapped again. People joked if this was the Indian version of Rang Ngao. Was filming difficult?

Benz: Very difficult. Normally, a stunt double helps with falls, but the director, P'Goo, felt sorry for the stunt double because the escalator is metal and would hurt. So, they made it look like I almost fell but didn’t fully, and the rolling fall shots were done separately by the stunt double and combined later. Filming it all in one day would have taken too long.

Foreigners have talked about many scenes from Rang Ngao, causing a big stir?

Benz: That makes me happy. When I read the script, I asked, "Really? Falling three times?" I laughed reading it, but they said one fall isn’t satisfying enough—you have to fall three times.

You haven’t acted in dramas for 10 years. Did Mik keep you like a bird in a golden cage?

Mik: I never kept her. I told her she could go back to work, but she didn’t want to because she was attached to the kids.

But now that you’re out, are you satisfied?

Mik: Every time Bai Fern got slapped and rolled down, the camera didn’t cut. I called and said, "Again! Again!" Actually, it was only once.

Mik: Yes, I called and told them to do it again.

Another scene where she wears a neck brace and argues with the director who says he doesn’t want to be a director anymore, he’d be fine being a janitor?

Benz: Yes (laughs). I want everyone to watch P'Por because this is a version no one has ever seen before—this director’s version.

Was the part about bringing a mop and wanting to be a janitor in the script or improvised?

Benz: Not in the script at all (laughs). He enjoyed it, really. At first, he wondered if people really speak to their wives like that, cursing so much. But after acting a bit, he thought it was fun and just let go—"I’m like this, so what? Take it or leave it."

Does saying "it’s fun" mean P'Por was releasing some bottled-up feelings here?

Benz: (laughs) Maybe he wanted to curse his wife, but his wife’s sweet. But with this role, it’s fun. He’s always adding lines. Sometimes when the script is done, he asks if he can say or add something else. He enjoys the role, is very into it, wanting to curse more.

After 10 years away from acting, your wife is starring in the top-rated drama. How do you feel?

Mik: Proud. When she decided to return, it was always our agreement. Over the past 10 years, people offered roles, and she asked me if she should do it. I said yes, but if she does, the family has to sacrifice a lot because she’s been building everything around raising the kids, needing someone with them all the time. We told the kids if Mom gets a great role, to support her and let her go to work. Then the Rang Ngao script came along, and she went for it. When she first read it, she felt unsure after such a long break. "Can I do this? Will I be okay?" She wasn’t sure or connected at first, but it came back like riding a bike.

There’s pressure because the previous Rang Ngao starring P'Tanya was hugely popular. That’s a big pressure?

Benz: Very pressured, but I wanted to do it because I knew the role was strong. I still think about P'Yaa’s version. I wondered how to play it so people would forget hers. It’s hard. When I met P'Yaa, I told her she did great. I felt it was hard to continue after her. Would people like my version? Also, when I started, not swearing much or fast or using words that don’t fit me was tough. It felt like the character wasn’t fully there yet and needed workshops.

On the first day filming the teaser earlier this year, you told P'Goo you still felt small and not ready. The role is a powerful minister, but the inner feeling wasn’t there, and your eyes didn’t reach it. P'Goo said it was okay and saw the same. How did that help you?

Benz: I thought that was good. It showed the problem clearly. I knew I couldn’t do it yet, but P'Goo’s understanding helped. Then after workshops, I found the character, and when filming for real, I felt that even after 10 years away, I could still come back. That meant a lot.

Back as the top-rated drama, some scenes get criticism for being illogical or over the top. Any comments?

Benz: I also thought the same during filming. I asked if it really happens like this. The director told me to just let go and enjoy the drama. If you let go, it’s fun.

Mik: From the first scene, when she dies and suddenly there’s a glass coffin, where did that come from? But if you relax and just enjoy it, it’s fun. Mainly, it’s about changing your mindset.

Is it true the actors talk about focusing on memes too?

Benz: Yes, they purposely did. The director said, "Remember, this is written and directed by gay people for gay viewers, so just enjoy it." There will be many memes and things to talk about. It’s that big.

So it’s just the beginning, and more is coming?

But some people feel a little jealous of Por Natthawut?

Mik: Nothing at all. We’re close with P'Por and know there’s nothing. But since I’ve only been with my wife for so long, when P'Por’s teaser showed him touching Benz’s cheek with his nose, I felt a bit jealous (laughs). Not angry, just wondering why he had to do that. Strange feeling, but I know it’s P'Por. No anger or complaints.

Benz: He’s never shown jealousy before.

Mik: That’s because she hasn’t let anyone kiss her in over ten years.

Mik: At first, I didn’t dare tell her, afraid she’d feel insecure filming those scenes. I waited until she said there would be scenes like that. I was worried if I could accept it. I kept quiet until the teaser aired. Then I told her I was a bit jealous when P'Por touched her cheek with his nose. I didn’t say it before, afraid she wouldn’t want to act.

Benz: I laughed. It’s funny (laughs). Why would Dad be jealous?

Mik: Not jealous, just felt, "Hey, that’s his territory."

There was a warm moment when your marriage almost broke because Mik longed for his wife but she was uncooperative?

Mik: Yes (laughs). Everyone is my adviser. People ask if Benz is better because she seemed unsure of herself since having kids, especially the 10-year-old. She wouldn’t let me touch her or hug or kiss.

And even when touching her belly, it would last a long time?

Mik: Ovulation had passed two days. She said it was over. I asked if she wanted a second child; she said yes. Actually, I wasn’t eager because I knew ovulation was gone two days earlier. We tried once, and she got pregnant. Two times in four years, that’s all. Then came Prem, which we planned carefully and succeeded.

Benz: Saying it like that sounds pitiful. We had a doctor help (laughs).

How many years did you go without touching your wife?

Mik: Almost 10 years, no more than 3-4 times a year, and those were times I asked for it, and she felt sorry for me.

One day, Benz stayed in the bathroom a long time. Mik wondered if she was hiding from him. Why did she stay so long?

Benz: When I don’t want to do anything, I find excuses to go. When I put on makeup nicely, he’d say I look beautiful and I’d think, "Okay, I’m going home and washing my face now" (laughs).

Mik: Do you understand that feeling? Like, "I want to get home quickly to wash my face so I can survive."

Benz: Sometimes I’d stay in the bathroom long, scrolling confused on my phone.

Mik: Hours passed, and after a while, I started feeling sorry for her instead of angry. I walked in and told her I was going to exercise, so she’d know I wasn’t focused on that anymore and she could come out and be with the kids. Come out, please.

But you still hold hands because you found a solution — allowing the purchase of a sex doll?

Benz: No, it’s forbidden now. I really thought about it back then. At least it was a way out, not just sitting stressed at home. It might be a safe and easy method.

Mik: No more. Come on, with all the dressing up, a sex doll would be crazy.

How did you manage to reconnect, take care of yourselves, and become a more exciting couple?

Mik: There was a point when I started disliking myself. Like I told everyone, I was looking for ways to escape, thinking about calling friends, wanting to go astray, even considered a brothel or buying a condo, wondering how others do it and how to hide it. Then I realized I hated those thoughts. Why should I make excuses for myself? So, I told her everything honestly, like stripping myself bare, showing all my thoughts. I told her I didn’t like these dark thoughts and that I was starting to think about running away. I don’t like it.

Why did you dare tell your wife you had these dark thoughts when some men never say but just do?

Mik: I stand by what I said. My good example is my parents, who at 80 still walk hand in hand, sleep hugging and kiss every day. That’s the example of love I’ve seen since birth. So, if I choose someone, I want to be with them for life. If I’m not ready to stop, I wouldn’t have married. That means I can still have fun like before. Since I chose her, I want to make it the best. If I were to have someone else, better to divorce first, then move on, rather than stay married and cheat.

How did Benz feel hearing your confession of dark thoughts?

Benz: At first, I was stunned and silent. When he speaks seriously, I don’t reply immediately. He must have been in bad mental shape. If I said one wrong thing, it might have been the last straw. So, I needed time to think about how to respond so he’d understand my perspective. That night, I told him, "Let me think about what I should say, and we’ll talk later." If he couldn’t say it directly, he needed a way to make me understand his view too.

That night, you talked and apologized for not paying attention or caring, thanked him for waiting, and explained your feelings. You acknowledged your exhaustion raising kids but promised to improve. You said it was good he spoke honestly and shared his feelings so you could work on it?

Did you lose confidence to be naked in front of your husband after having children and gaining weight?

Benz: True. Some might not think about this, but I did. I felt I wasn’t the same. I used to take care of myself and was beautiful. Then one day, I gained 33 kg.

Benz: But I like my chubby Mik. Since we dated, he’s always been chubby—manly and warm. I like that. I don’t think he’s strange; I like his roundness. But I gained over 30 kg several times. When a woman neglects self-care, it’s bad. I felt like I didn’t want to be touched, not even lightly. It felt wrong and affected me.

Now your new look is handsome and beautiful. Do you pamper each other often?

Benz: The one who scolds me is P'Ning Panita, saying, "Benz, you’re fat again. You’re beautiful; how can you let yourself go like this?"

Mik: This year, Prim is 10, Prang 8, Prem 6.

Their personalities are very different?

Mik: Totally different. Prim is not confident and clings mostly to mom but is determined to be a swimmer. She wakes at 5 am to train and study more. She became the school swimming athlete and won many medals. We thought, "Wow, she’s talented," since she used to lack confidence and never found her passion. She’s grown up fast.

Benz: I’m close with her and feel she’s the same but more aware.

Mik: Suddenly, in the last couple of months, she started growing up. Before, Prim would refuse things I asked for, saying no. Then mom taught her to bake, and dad offered things. Suddenly, she started caring about us and grew up.

What makes dad feel disappointed about her?

Mik: Disappointed because Prim and I have been raising her alone since birth. She was called "Little Mik" because she looked like me as a child, and we were close. But as she grew, she preferred mom because mom never scolded. I had to be the strict one to make her a good person, but mom never scolded, even when she misbehaved. I thought, "No, she must be strict." When I’m strict, Prim distances herself. I hope one day when she’s grown, she’ll understand that my strictness was to help her be good. For now, I endure the pain alone.

Mik: Prang is the best—always hugging and kissing dad. He feels fulfilled because of Prang. I raised her. When Prang was born, Benz was breastfeeding Prim, hugging her. When Prang woke, I breastfed her and held Prim. After that, I changed diapers and soothed Prang. Suddenly, she said she wanted to be a swimmer and became a school swimming athlete too.

Is this child a strong-willed character and difficult to raise?

Mik: Actually, not difficult if you understand him. He’s extreme—either the cutest or the naughtiest. Simple to say but hard to handle. At school, he plays with friends and spits water on himself (laughs). He’s very charming and quickly makes friends. He’s sweet. The makeup artists love him because he always wants them to do his makeup.

Mik: This one is ours. When Prim is close to Benz, she says, "This is mom’s child." When Prang is close to me, she says, "I’m dad’s child." When Prem was in the womb, we said, "You’ll be our child," and it’s true. He manages his charm well—grandparents and relatives all adore him. He’s always smiling and helpful. If we call all three to be scolded, he’s the first to raise his hand and say, "Dad, I won’t do it again." He behaves.

You recently argued about this child too?

Benz: About his hair. His hair was long, so we planned to perm it Korean style to look cute. One day, I took Prim and Prang out and told Mik to take Prem to get a haircut. He came back with a high fade. I was very upset.

Mik: Cool. He said, "Brother Kluay, cut Prem’s hair like mine," and he requested it. The cute thing is when he came home, he was very happy with his haircut. But mom saw it and freaked out, saying, "Why is it so short?" Prem turned and asked, "When will my hair grow, Dad?" Trying to please mom, even though he liked it. It’ll grow back.

Mik: (playfully kisses cheek) Just opening a channel, I’ll take care of it.Watch the clipClick to read more