Spending three years on a set working on the same project would drive most professional actors to distraction. But for Major Wanchana Sawasdi, the professional soldier turned actor who plays King Naresuan in MC Chatrichalerm "Than Mui" Yukol's new epic "Tamnan Somdej Phra Naresuan" ("The Legend of King Naresuan"), it has been an enriching period, a chance to learn a range of skills very different from those he mastered during his military career.

Dressed in an olive-green polo shirt tucked into slim-fitting jeans, Wanchana is keeping his King Naresuan hair style and moustache neatly trimmed, as he continues his odyssey through the third and final episode of the movie.

And despite a hectic schedule, travelling constantly between the set in Kanchanaburi and Bangkok to promote and take part in the activities in preparation for the launch of the first episode next Thursday, the normally quiet Wanchana is chatty and eager to answer questions.

"Before working on the set, my choice of career meant that I was always involved with people in uniform. This film has taught me to work with civilians and it has been a wonderful experience," enthuses the 33-year-old.

Raised in a military family, Wanchana          followed his father's path, graduating from Chulachomklao Military Academy and starting his career at the Surasee Army Base in Kanchanaburi.

Than Mui picked him for his distinguished looks and tanned skin, which made him suitable to portray King Naresuan, whose nickname was the Black Prince.

Wanchana was temporarily relieved from his duties for the duration of filming.

He regards acting as the best assignment of his army career, as well as one of the most challenging.

"The King is highly respected among Thais. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to portray him as well as people anticipated," he says.

Wanchana was keen to learn and kept a note of his mistakes on set, vowing to do better the next day. He also accompanied the veteran director on his surveys of historical sites and the routes King Naresuan followed as he led his soldiers into battle. Among the sites they visited was Tha Din Dang, a key army route that is mentioned in the records of several major wars. Historians have long known it was somewhere in Kanchanaburi province, but its exact location had never been pinpointed.

Than Mui and his team tracked it down using a combination of geological knowledge, aerial photography, satellite mapping and information from reliable chronicles.

"He's a great person. By putting together his knowledge of geology with his thirst for history, he was able to find a place that has escaped other experts," says the young actor.

The first episode of the trilogy - "Ong Prakan Hongsa" ("Hanthawadee's Hostage") depicts the young prince from the time he was taken as a hostage in Burma along with his sister Phra Suphan Kallaya. The first part ends as he grows up and flees to Ayutthaya.

Part 2, "Prakad Issara Phab" ("Declaring Independence"), comes to the screens on February 1, and covers the period from his arrival in Ayutthaya, his battles against Burma, and ends in 1584 when he declares independence.

The closing chapter, which is expected to arrive in theatres on December 5, will show how King Naresuan expanded the kingdom and will showcase his talents as a warrior. Filming has yet to be concluded, including the main scenes of fighting the Burmese crown prince.

So far, the film has cost more than Bt700 million.

For Wanchana, what made King Naresuan such a great leader was his bravery in freeing the Kingdom despite being at a disadvantage.

"Even though he was a hostage, he had a luxurious life as a prince in the Burmese court and he didn't have to give that up. He showed great daring in declaring independence at a time when Siam had a much smaller army than Burma.

"He wasn't just a man of words, but also of action. He fought continuously to free Ayutthaya from the Burmese and make the Ayutthaya Kingdom the strongest," he says.

After protests from both Cambodia and Laos against Thai films last year, there are concerns that "King Naresuan" might lead to a conflict with Thailand's western neighbour.

Wanchana says there are no worries on that score, as there are no bad guys in Than Mui's film.

"Everyone is the hero on their side. King Naresuan is the hero on the Ayutthaya side, and King Bayinnaung is portrayed as a great leader. They both have their own reasons for war."

One of the actor's favourite scenes is when King Bayinnaung sends a message to King Naresuan in asking him not to attack the Hanthawadee Kingdom. He explains that by earlier winning and ruling the two kingdoms, he helped keep Ayutthaya safe.

"King Bayinnaung loves the prince, as he's raised him since he was a boy. He knows Naresuan is a great warrior and he hopes that he can unify the region.

"But King Naresuan disagrees with his idea and says he must free his kingdom," he says.

After finishing the project, Wanchana will return to his army career, and start to turn the ideas playing King Naresuan has inspired in him into reality.

Now a major, he will be continuing his studies at the General Staff College later this year, as the next step to becoming a commander.

He hopes to encourage his fellow soldiers to be more attached to their oath, loyal to the country, His Majesty the King and to their religious beliefs, like their ancestors before them.

"Certainly the situation has dramatically changed. Today's military personnel no longer fight wars all the time. But we have to stick to our integrity and make Thai people to feel safe when they need us to help them in times of crisis," he says.

In 1569, Burma defeated the Ayutthaya Kingdom after a corrupt Thai civil officer Phraya Jakkree sold his country's secrets.

Corruption was also the reason given for the September 19 military coup d'etat.

"Corruption exists in every era. And when it damages the country, we as soldiers will do what is necessary to ensure that the country survives," he says.

"It's not easy to protect the country from those people. But if we Thais live in harmony and don't corrupt our country, we will survive.

"The best conclusion is to do what His Majesty the King has said, choose a good man to rule."

Parinyaporn Pajee

The Nation