| Veerachai Duangpla | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 2, 1987 Bangkok, Thailand |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Pseudonym(s) | The Duang |
Notable works |
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Veerachai Duangpla (Thai: วีระชัย ดวงพลา; 2 May 1987), known by the pen name The Duang (Thai: เดอะดวง), is a Thai cartoonist and illustrator. He is best known for his series The Story Begins With... (Thai: เรื่องมีอยู่ว่า). The first volume won the 2010 Silver Award at the 4th International MANGA Award.[1] His works have been published by many renown Thai publishers and are popular among Thai youth.[2] The Duang also became famous after collaborating with VRZO production, one of the most popular YouTube channel in Thailand.
Son of Thai comics artist Ruangsak Duangpla, Veerachai Duangpla started drawing comics at the age of 13, influenced by the work of his father, Thai comics like Kai Hua Rau and manga such as Dragon Ball,[3] Shaman King or Flame of Recca.[4] He then decided to choose the manga One Piece as his model, considering the plot more subtle. Trying to break away from manga's influence, he later introduced some elements of Tim Burton's art into his own style.[5] He studied Visual Communication Art and Design in college[6] and continued to explore the Western comics production, borrowing visual and narrative features from Marvel Comics or French cartoonist Nicolas de Crécy to his art. His most famous series The Story Begins With... (Thai: เรื่องมีอยู่ว่า) is a compilation of short stories concerning instructive episodes and social satires of Thailand through the eyes of a Thai boy.[7] Published by Banlue Books, the first volume won the 2010 Silver Award at the 4th International MANGA Award.[8] The Duang, with other Thai cartoonists of his generation such as Puck, Sa-Ard or Note, is a regular contributor to the alternative Thai magazine LET'S Comic founded in 2004.[9]
The Duang gained popularity with Thai teenagers through his collaboration with VRZO production, one of the most famous YouTube channel in Thailand.[10] He adapted classical folk tales into animated cartoons which were meant to provide useful lessons to Thai teenagers. These animated cartoons gathered quickly more than a million views. The Duang also created cartoon characters based on the members of VRZO team such as Pluem Leekpai, George VRZO and Isara Hata.