RELATED VIDEO CNN's John Raedler talks with the Elvis impersonator with a diplomatic flair Windows Media 28K 80K

May 24, 1999
Web posted at: 11:25 p.m. EDT (0325 GMT)

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on in Bangkok.

Vasu Sangsingkeo belts out a version of "Heartbreak Hotel" worthy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself.

But Vasu is no ordinary crooner. He holds a master's degree from Oxford University. When not moonlighting as Elvis Presley, Vasu works as a full-time diplomat at Thailand's Foreign Ministry.

He aspires to become an ambassador, not from Graceland but his native Thailand.

After a busy day at the office, the diplomat trades in his business suit for a white sequin jumpsuit.

Despite understanding little English, Vasu boasts a repertoire, he says, of more than 600 Elvis songs.

Vasu, 31, was just 10 years old when he first heard Elvis sing.

"I just knew from that moment on it's going to be my lifetime thing," he said.

Vasu visited the United States 10 years ago to study. But it was his pilgrimage to Graceland that changed him forever.

Vasu spent seven days in Memphis and called the experience "beyond my words."

From there, Vasu packed his blue suede shoes and headed home to spread the word of the King.

Correspondent John Raedler contributed to this report.