Sahajak Boonthanakit
- Actor
- Producer
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Sahajak Boonthanakit spent over a decade in Nairobi, Kenya and more than 20 years in New York before returning to Thailand. His acting journey began on stage in Kenya National Theater, where he performed for four years.
In 1999, upon returning to Thailand, he landed his first film role in THE BEACH (2000) alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, followed by BROKE DOWN PALACE (1999) with Claire Danes. Since then, he has appeared in over 100 productions, most notable of which are THE LADY (2011) with Michelle Yeoh, ONLY GOD FORGIVES (2015) with Ryan Gosling, and NO ESCAPE (2015) with Pierce Brosnan and Owen Wilson.
In 2022, he portrayed the Governor of Chiang Rai in THIRTEEN LIVES (2022), directed by Ron Howard. The film, based on the true story of the Tham Luang cave rescue, starred Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton. His performance as the determined and composed governor added depth to this remarkable real-life event.
In 2025, Sahajak portrays Col. Nagg in ALIEN: EARTH (2025), with Sydney Chandler and Timothy Olyphant, directed by Noah Hawley and co-produced by Ridley Scott. His other international releases this year include NIGHT HEAT, a Korean film directed by Kim Pan Soo starring Jang Dong-Gun and Woo Do-Hwan, and a Hong Kong action thriller, THE FURIOUS, with Joe Taslim and Yayan Ruhian helmed by Kenji Tanigaki.
In recognition of his contributions to foreign films produced in Thailand, Sahajak was awarded the Thailand International Film Destination accolade in 2015.
In 1999, upon returning to Thailand, he landed his first film role in THE BEACH (2000) alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, followed by BROKE DOWN PALACE (1999) with Claire Danes. Since then, he has appeared in over 100 productions, most notable of which are THE LADY (2011) with Michelle Yeoh, ONLY GOD FORGIVES (2015) with Ryan Gosling, and NO ESCAPE (2015) with Pierce Brosnan and Owen Wilson.
In 2022, he portrayed the Governor of Chiang Rai in THIRTEEN LIVES (2022), directed by Ron Howard. The film, based on the true story of the Tham Luang cave rescue, starred Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton. His performance as the determined and composed governor added depth to this remarkable real-life event.
In 2025, Sahajak portrays Col. Nagg in ALIEN: EARTH (2025), with Sydney Chandler and Timothy Olyphant, directed by Noah Hawley and co-produced by Ridley Scott. His other international releases this year include NIGHT HEAT, a Korean film directed by Kim Pan Soo starring Jang Dong-Gun and Woo Do-Hwan, and a Hong Kong action thriller, THE FURIOUS, with Joe Taslim and Yayan Ruhian helmed by Kenji Tanigaki.
In recognition of his contributions to foreign films produced in Thailand, Sahajak was awarded the Thailand International Film Destination accolade in 2015.
