Huang Bo in Thailand. Photo: Courtesy of Huang Bo

Wang Baoqiang in Thailand. Photo: Courtesy of Wang Baoqiang

 The 2012 comedy Lost in Thailand, directed by actor Xu Zheng, triggered roars of laughter from audiences and was hailed as "the funniest comedy ever." The popularity of the movie was unprecedented. To date, it has earned 1.26 billion yuan ($0.21 billion) at the box office with more than 39 million tickets sold, becoming the top-grossing domestic movie in Chinese history.

With 90 percent of its scenes shot in Thailand, Lost in Thailand presented a heartwarming adventure set against an exotic background. The plot follows a boisterous but good-natured set of travelers, played by Xu Zheng, Wang Baoqiang and Huang Bo, as they experience all kinds of comically embarrassing situations in tropical Thailand. Along the way, there are chase scenes, fight scenes and beautiful vistas. Ultimately, through the teary baptism of a deeply poignant choice, the characters' hearts are purified and peace of mind is restored.

Compared with other comedies made for less than 30 million yuan, Lost in Thailand achieved massive box office success and audience acclaim. In exclusive interviews with the Global Times (GT), stars Wang Baoqiang and Huang Bo both spoke glowingly of their unforgettable experience in Thailand.

GT: Which city in Thailand did you enjoy most?

Wang: I love Chiang Mai for its charming scenery and its flirtatiousness. Meanwhile, the ancient culture of the mountain tribes and their simple folk customs were very moving. When I was there, I felt like I was on a journey to appreciate my true feelings rather than simply for work.

GT: What is the most thrilling thing you encountered during the film shoot?

Wang:  Suffering a "baptism" of torrential floods. We were shooting the scene in which Xu Zheng and I were walking through a stream in the jungle. Because it had begun to rain, we had all taken shelter inside the tent. Someone started shouting but we took no notice until we heard a low rumbling. We all scrambled to climb the banks and then we saw the water coming. My heart still flutters with fear whenever I recall the experience.

GT: What was the most charming thing about Thailand?

Wang:  The most charming thing was the Thai culture, especially the national religion, Buddhism. The special devotion and respect for the religion awed me. The strong atmosphere of Buddhism and the fascinating and colorful tropical scenery made it hard for me to leave this "paradise."

GT: What left the deepest impression on you?

Huang: The kindness and hospitality of the Thai people. Many country inns impressed me with their hospitality. Even if it was a small shop on the outskirts of a city, whenever you opened the door, you were greeted immediately with sincere smiles and attentive service.

GT:  What difficulties did you face during the shoot and how did you handle them?

Huang: Overall, the shoot went well and we did not encounter any particular difficulties. However, my foot was injured by broken glass when I went swimming in the river. I had to get several stitches.

GT: Can you recommend some famous sites and authentic snacks to people who are thinking of traveling to Thailand?

Huang: I can recommend visiting Chiang Mai's weekend night market and the big market in Bangkok, where you can buy many exquisite handicrafts for your relatives and friends. As for Thai food, I like Tom Yum Goong the most. Every time I drank a bowl of it after a busy day of work, happiness arose spontaneously. As a matter of fact, if you like hot and sour flavors, every stir-fry dish will satisfy your appetite.

Wang Baoqiang was born in Xingtai, Hebei Province in 1984. He began to practice martial arts at the age of 6 and became a disciple at Shaolin Temple in Songshan Mountain, Henan Province. At the age of 16, he was plucked from obscurity for a lead role in the movie Blind Shaft, directed by Li Yang. He subsequently won awards as "Best New Performer" at several international film festivals. Since then, he has become best known for his roles in Lost on Journey and Guild Wars. In Lost in Thailand, Wang took on the role of Xiao Bao, an idealistic chef whose simple dreams cause a lot of trouble.

Huang Bo was born in 1974 in Qingdao, Shandong Province. He first gained fame for his excellent performance in the 2006 movie Crazy Stone, directed by Ning Hao. From then on, he has worked continuously, sometimes appearing in several films a year. His best known performances are in Crazy Racer and Call for Love. In Lost in Thailand, he plays Gao Bo, a scheming businessman who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.