Elvis imitator keeps King alive in Thailand

BANGKOK, Thailand — You'll find no Heartbreak Hotel in Bangkok, but the spirit of Elvis endures in this cosmopolitan Southeast Asian capital three decades after the passing of the king of rock and roll.

Thursday marked the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death at age 42. But for many fans here, as elsewhere, it's not a time to mourn but to sing and dance.

Actually, Elvis is commemorated six days a week at Radio City, a popular bar and music haunt in Patpong, the city's famous tourist and red-light district.

Manuel Toiyibee is one of Bangkok nightlife's most magnetic draws, channeling Elvis through familiar spins, gyrations and finger snaps, luring tourists and locals alike.

"How can I explain it? I just love the music," said Nittaya Vatchpapchkiet, 35, an ardent Elvis fan, after one of Manuel's shows. "It's real rock and roll and I come to Radio City whenever I want to hear it."

For over 10 years, Monday through Saturday, Toiyibee has slipped in to one of his fifteen 1970s Elvis costumes — all tailor-made — coifed his thick sideburns and greased his pompadour hairstyle, slid on the iconic chunky gold sunglasses and hit the stage to a roaring crowd.

Toiyibee, who made his pilgrimage to Graceland only three years ago, recalled what a sensation Elvis was even in Thailand in his prime.

"We listened to Elvis all day long 40 years ago," said Toiyibee, who declined to give his age but who is at least a decade older than his hero was when he died. "Even in Thailand, it was amazing. The Thai people will never forget him."

"It's like Elvis never died," he said as he twisted one of the bejeweled rings lining his fingers. "He has something that's hard to explain."

"He's almost more famous now," he said, noting that his tunes can still be heard on local radio.

Toiyibee felt destiny calling when as a child he first saw Elvis shuffle and sway in the 1958 movie, "King Creole." He practiced his idol's hip swinging, lip trembles and vocals — though his command of English was then limited — and headed to Hawaii where he saw Elvis work an adoring crowd in 1973.

Seeing Presley perform in his waning years was not what he had anticipated.

"The whole show, he was hardly moving at all," Toiyibee said flatly. "It wasn't what I expected after seeing him in 'Jailhouse Rock' or 'Loving You,' where he danced and shook."