Actor Wini Krubir passes away at the age of 54 after battling a rare illness.

Actor Wini Krubir passes away at the age of 54 after battling a rare illness.

 Bangkok - At the age of 54, Winai Kraibutr, a well-known Thai actor renowned by the moniker "The Hundred Million Actor," passed away on March 20, 2024. He had spent the last five years fighting a rare skin condition known as bullous pemphigoid. 

His wife, Orachanya Kraibutr, posted a social media announcement of his passing, indicating that he passed away at Saimai Hospital in Bangkok, peacefully from low blood pressure and a bloodstream illness. She also thanked her fans and friends for their love and support throughout his illness.

Winai Kraibutr, nicknamed Mek, fought against a bullous pemphigoid for nearly 5 years. His wife recounted his treatment journey, which began with conventional medical treatment at Chulalongkorn Hospital. He then tried various alternative treatments, including seeking spiritual remedies by asking for forgiveness from 7 karmic creditors. Several famous monks participated in the forgiveness ceremonies.

Bullous pemphigoid, the autoimmune disease from which the famous actor suffered, is caused by an abnormality in the immune system. It is a chronic skin disease characterized by the formation of blisters. With an incidence rate of 3 cases per 100,000 people, it is relatively rare.

It occurs more frequently in patients over the age of 60. The cause is an abnormality in the immune system that destroys the structures that hold the skin cells together, causing the skin to detach and form blisters and erosions. Other factors include genetics, infections and allergies to drugs and chemicals.

Winai’s wife stated that her husband’s condition began to deteriorate on March 15. He told her he was tired, very tired, but he was trying to smile and wanted her to be with him all the time. Then, on March 17, he had a seizure and lost consciousness. She took him to Sai Mai Hospital. After that, he never regained consciousness and passed away peacefully.

Winai Kraibutr rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s when he starred in several films that were huge hits at the Thai box office. Two of his best-known films, Nang Nak and Bang Rajan, released in 1999 and 2000 respectively, grossed more than 150 million baht each and cemented his status as one of the leading actors in the Thai film industry.

Nang Nak, a horror film based on a popular Thai folktale, became a cultural phenomenon and was even screened in several international film festivals. Bang Rajan, a historical epic about the Battle of Bang Rajan, also achieved critical and commercial success, and earned Winai minor international recognition.

Apart from his acting career, Winai Kraibutr also ventured into business and politics. He opened a fertilizer shop and expressed interest in running for the 2005 general election in his hometown of Krabi Province. However, he did not pursue a political career after the2006 coup d’état.