# James Ma

James Assarasakorn (Thai: เจมส์ อัศรัสกร; born July 3, 1993), known professionally as James Ma, is a Thai actor and model. He made an acting debut in 2013 in Gentlemen of Jutathep Series as M.R. Ronapee Jutathep. He is currently working under TVS 500.

## Early life and education

Ma was born in Bangkok to a Thai Chinese father and a Hong Kong Teochew mother. He has one younger sister. Ma first attended NIST International School, but at the age of 8, his family moved to Hong Kong, where he resumed studying in Quarry Bay School. He then excelled 2 years past his usual studying year group and attended South Island School of Hong Kong. In late 2011, he was discovered by Supachai Srivijit, who then became his manager in the entertainment industry, and Ma returned to Thailand to study in Harrow International School, Bangkok. He received a bachelor's degree of Arts in Business English and a master's degree of Business Administration in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Assumption University. Before Ma decided to be an actor, he thought about being a pro golfer. He won a gold medal in the ISSFHK Golf Pairs Championship 2008 in Hong Kong and many other awards against other schools. In 2008, he auditioned for The Star (season 7), a Thai reality show and singing competition, but didn't pass through the final audition.

## Career

Ma made his acting debut at the age of 20 with a lead role in the period drama Gentlemen of Jutathep in 2013. This series was made to celebrate ThaiTV3's 43rd anniversary, which assigned five top producers to each make a period drama about the five Jutathep brothers: Khun Chai Taratorn, Khun Chai Pawornruj, Khun Chai Phuttipat, Khun Chai Rachanon and Khun Chai Ronapee. Ma's main series Khun Chai Ronapee was directed by Chatchai Plengpanich and he acted with female lead Chalida Vijitvongthong.
In 2014, Ma starred in the short film Thai Niyom: Prince Pom as Prince Pom. In the same year, Ma participated in a Give Me 5 Concert alongside Mario Maurer, Sukollawat Kanarot, Nadech Kugimiya and Phupoom Pongpanu. During the concert, he invited Tata Young and Boy Peacemaker as his special guests.
In 2015, Ma returned to TV screens with a romance action drama The King's Servant directed by Atthaporn Teemakorn. This story takes place in the era of Rama III, the third king of Siam under the House of Chakri. The story sets around the period when Britain (known as Wilat at that time) enters into a commercial partnership role with Siam. He was paired opposite Peranee Kongthai in the series.
In the same year, Ma was cast as a lead role in Just a Man, Not a Magician with Kimberley Anne Woltemas. This drama is a remake of 2001 Samee Ngern Phon, and was produced by Ann Thongprasom and directed by Kritsada Techanilobon.
In late 2015, Ma made his movie debut as a lead role alongside South Korean actress Hahm Eun-jung in a sci-fi romance movie Microlove. This movie was directed by Sathanapong Limwongthong. It revolves around an outgoing and wealthy Thai man, who works in a Korean software company that privately develops a software and catches the interest of the president's daughter
เจมส์ มาร์ ผู้ประกาศข่าว วันที่ 3 กรกฎาคม 2566 รายการ เจาะข่าวเด่น คู่กับ สรยุทธ ทุกวัน จันทร์ ศุกร์ เวลา 17:30 18:00 ช่อง 3 กด33

## Personal life

Before becoming an actor, James had dreams of becoming a golfer. While studying at South Island School in Hong Kong, he won gold medal pairing with Nicholas Woolcott-Brown in the ISSFHK Golf Pairs Championship competition in November 2008.
In 2023, James Ma announced his relationship with actress Rinrada Kaewbuasai.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2014 | Thai Niyom: Prince Pom | Prince Pom | Short film |
| 2016 | Rong Tao Kaang Sut Tai | Sattawat | Short film |
| 2017 | Microlove | Pat | Lead role with South Korea actress Ham Eun-jung |

### Television series

| Year | English title | Native title | Role | Network | Notes |
| 2013 | Khun Chai Taratorn | คุณชายธราธร | M.R., Flg.Off. Ronapee Jutathep / Khun Chai Pee | Channel 3 | Main Cast, in the series Suphapburut Juthathep (สุภาพบุรุษจุฑาเทพ) |
| 2013 | Khun Chai Pawornruj | คุณชายปวรรุจ | M.R., Flg.Off. Ronapee Jutathep / Khun Chai Pee | Channel 3 | Main Cast, in the series Suphapburut Juthathep (สุภาพบุรุษจุฑาเทพ) |
| 2013 | Khun Chai Puttipat | คุณชายพุฒิภัทร | M.R., Flg.Off. Ronapee Jutathep / Khun Chai Pee | Channel 3 | Main Cast, in the series Suphapburut Juthathep (สุภาพบุรุษจุฑาเทพ) |
| 2013 | Khun Chai Rachanon | คุณชายรัชชานนท์ | M.R., Flg.Off. Ronapee Jutathep / Khun Chai Pee | Channel 3 | Main Cast, in the series Suphapburut Juthathep (สุภาพบุรุษจุฑาเทพ) |
| 2013 | Khun Chai Ronapee | คุณชายรณพีร์ | M.R., Flg.Off. Ronapee Jutathep / Khun Chai Pee | Channel 3 | Main Cast, in the series Suphapburut Juthathep (สุภาพบุรุษจุฑาเทพ) |
| 2015 | Ka Badin | ข้าบดินทร์ | Luang Surabodin (Haym) | Channel 3 | Main Cast, in the series Suphapburut Juthathep (สุภาพบุรุษจุฑาเทพ) |
| 2016 | Piang Chai Kon Nee Mai Chai Poo Wised | เพียงชายคนนี้ไม่ใช่ผู้วิเศษ | Dr. Satawat Winwiwat / Wat | Channel 3 | Main Role |
| 2017 | Akom | อาคม | Songklod PritchametSakul (Klom) / Kim | Channel 3 | Main Role |
| 2017 | Sai Tarn Hua Jai | สายธารหัวใจ | Narang Jongsawad / Na | Channel 3 | Main Role |
| 2018 | Duang Jai Nai Fai Nhao | ดวงใจในไฟหนาว | Yiamyuth | Channel 3 | Main Role |
| 2018 | Chaat Seur Pan Mungkorn | ชาติเสือพันธุ์มังกร | Chao Pho Lim Bun Hou / Taeng Tiger / Songward | Channel 3 | Main Role |
| 2019 | Klin Kasalong | กลิ่นกาสะลอง | Pratsawin (Future) / Tin Krit (Present) / Doctor Sap (past) | Channel 3 | Main Role |
| 2021 | Song Sanaeha | สองเสน่หา | Warit | Channel 3 | Main Role |
| 2021 | Duang Ta Tee Sam | ดวงตาที่สาม | Treekarn | Channel 3 | Main Role |
| 2023 | Pror Rak (Because of Love) | เพราะรัก | Singbodin Suriyasak (Singh) | Channel 3 | Main Role |
| 2024 | My Secret Zone (Nan Fah Chalalai) | น่าน ฟ้า ชลาลัย | Nan/Nantawan Nonthakitjonan | Channel 3 | Main role |
| TBA | | | | Channel 3 |
| TBA | Jaiphisut | ใจพิสุทธิ์ | M.R., Flg.Off. Ronapee Jutathep / Khun Chai Pee | Channel 3 | Guest, in the series Duangjai Taewaprom (ดวงใจเทวพรหม) |

### Concerts

* Give Me 5 Concert with Mario Maurer, Sukollawat Kanarot, Nadech Kugimiya, Phupoom Pongpanu (2014)
* Channel 3 concert : Love is in the air (2017)

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 2013 | 11th Seventeen Choice Awards | Male Rising Star | Gentlemen of Jutathep Series | Won |
| 2013 | 8th OK! Awards | Male Rising Star | Gentlemen of Jutathep Series | Nominated |
| 2013 | Weekend Magazine Awards | Top 10 Stars | — | Won |
| 2013 | TV3 Fanclub Awards | Male Rising Star | Gentlemen of Jutathep Series | Won |
| 2014 | SeeSan Bunterng Awards | Popular Actor of the Year | Gentlemen of Jutathep Series | Nominated |
| 2014 | SeeSan Bunterng Awards | Rising Male Star of the Year | Gentlemen of Jutathep Series | Nominated |
| 2014 | SeeSan Bunterng Awards | Fantasy Couple of the Year with Chalida Vijitvongthong | Gentlemen of Jutathep Series | Nominated |
| 2014 | 3rd Daradaily The Great Awards | Male Rising Star of the Year | Gentlemen of Jutathep Series | Nominated |
| 2014 | 11th Kom Chad Luek Awards | Popular Actor Award | Gentlemen of Jutathep Series | Nominated |
| 2014 | 8th Kazz Awards | Popular Actor Award | Gentlemen of Jutathep Series | Nominated |
| 2015 | SeeSan Bunterng Awards | Best Actor | The King's Servant | Won |
| 2015 | TV3 Fanclub Awards | Most Popular Actor | The King's Servant | Nominated |
| 2016 | 5th Daradaily The Great Awards | Best Drama Actor of the Year | The King's Servant | Nominated |
| 2016 | 6th Mthai Top-Talk Awards | Top-Talk About Actor | The King's Servant | Nominated |
| 2016 | 30th TV Gold Awards | Outstanding Actor | The King's Servant | Nominated |
| 2016 | 13th Kom Chad Luek Awards | Best Actor | The King's Servant | Nominated |
| 2016 | 13th Kom Chad Luek Awards | Popular Actor Award | The King's Servant | Nominated |
| 2016 | 2nd TrueLife Awards | Leading Actor of the Year | The King's Servant | Nominated |
| 2016 | 7th Nataraja Awards | Best Leading Actor | The King's Servant | Nominated |
| 2016 | Maya Awards | Excellent Actor (Drama) | The King's Servant | Nominated |
| 2016 | Maya Awards | Charming Star (Male) | — | Nominated |
| 2016 | 11th OK! Awards | Female Heartthrob | — | Won |
| 2017 | 6th Daradaily The Great Awards | Best Drama Actor of the Year | Just a Man, Not a Magician | Won |
| 2017 | 6th Daradaily The Great Awards | Cool Guy of the Year | — | Nominated |