Key info
- Name: Putthipong Assaratanakul
- Nickname: "Builkin"
- Born: 8th October 1999
- Height: 178 cm
- Nationality: Thai
- Known for: actor, singer
- Instagram: @bbillkin
Early life and career
"Billkin" Putthipong Assaratanakul starred in the acclaimed Thai film How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, which received international recognition and praise from audiences.
Billkin was born on 8th October 1999 in Bangkok, Thailand. He is the youngest of three brothers. He attended Saint Gabriel's College and graduated from Thammasat University with a degree in Marketing from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy.
Billkin’s entertainment career began in 2016 with his first role as one of the main hosts in the Thai reality TV show Love Missions. The show served as a launching pad for his entertainment career. In an interview with The Standard POP, Billkin mentioned that he pursued a career in entertainment purely because he enjoys and loves it.
His breakthrough role came in 2019 as Doctor Tao, a supporting character in the drama series My Ambulance, starring Davika Hoorne and Sunny Suwanmethanont. This catapulted him into popularity, leading to his first lead role in I Told Sunset About You, where he starred alongside Krit Amnuaydechkorn, known as PP Krit. The film explores the relationship of two teenage boys as they come to terms with their identity, sexuality, and love.
Billkin and PP Krit’s on-screen chemistry extended beyond the screen. In an interview with The Standard POP, Billkin described PP Krit not only as a friend but as family, with both of their families being well acquainted.
Breakout role in How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
Billkin was praised for his performance in the breakout film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. The 2024 Thai drama film was directed and co-written by Pat Boonnitipat and starred Billkin alongside Usha Seamkhum. The film tells the story of a university dropout who volunteers to care for his terminally ill grandmother in the hopes of inheriting her fortune.
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies resonated with Thai audiences due to its cultural relevance and quickly gained popularity across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. It became the highest-grossing Thai film in 2024 and the 11th highest-grossing Thai film of all time.
The film's popularity extended globally, winning multiple awards, including the Audience Prize at the New York Asian Film Festival. It is scheduled to screen in China, North America, and Europe later this year.
Read more about Billkin’s performance here
Music career
In addition to his acting career, Billkin is multitalented, like many Thai celebrities. He sang You Are My Everything, the soundtrack for My Ambulance, which led to the release of Hug in Mind. Other notable songs include Told Sunset About You, I Promised You the Moon, and ยิ้มทั้งน้ำตา, which has garnered over 28 million views on YouTube.
Billkin and his co-star and friend PP Krit will perform at Queen Sirikit on 31st August in the upcoming concert Double Trouble.