How many Thai movies have you seen?

ThaiWorldView movie database contains 510 records.

ThaiWorldView movie database is divided in following genres:

• Action - 56 movies - Click on our selection
• Buddhism - 11 movies - Click on our selection
• Comedy - 60 movies - Click on our selection
• Crime - 24 movies - Click on our selection
• Drama - 49 movies - Click on our selection
• Folklore - 29 movies - Click on our selection
• Historical - 19 movies - Click on our selection
• Horror - 79 movies - Click on our selection
• Romance - 97 movies - Click on our selection
• Sci-Fi - 6 movies - Click on our selection
• Social - 47 movies - Click on our selection
• Teen - 24 movies - Click on our selection
• Thriller - 9 movies - Click on our selection

Why Thai cinema is different from other cinemas?

Thai cinema has a complex and interesting history. Click on our Thai cinema history summary .

Thai culture, Thai history, Thai litterature, Thai society precepts and Thai Buddhist beliefs are always present in Thai movies, making them a refreshing alternative to occidental movies. Unfortunately mainly Thai actions movies and Thai horror movies are well-known outside Thailand.

We want to stimulate interests among Thai people and foreigners in regarding Thai movies as national treasures. Thai movies form a new and ongoing cultural force of Thai life, starting more than a century ago.

Who is your favorite actor?

Sorapong Chatree (1949) - สรพงษ์ ชาตรี

MC Chatrichalerm Yukol launched the career of Thailand's leading actor Sorapong Chatri. Sorapong came from a working-class background. He played roles of struggling poor people or country migrants lucking it out in Bangkok. His characters were not idealised human beings. He won praise due to his powerhouse performances in the 1970s and 1980s, especially in the films by MC Chatrichalerm Yukol. In Cherd Songsri's films he found roles of country folk that were very close to his life. He is arguably the best Siamese actor to ever grace the big screen. Sorapong represented something the audiences identified with in those days. He has played in more than 500 movies. He was named a National Artist of Thailand in year 2009. Click on our Sorapong Chatree's partial filmography (83 movies) :

Sorapong Chatree, like many Thai older actors, are less used in Thai movies but still used in Thai TV series. In foreign cinema such as French movies, older actors such Gerard Depardieu, Alain Delon, Jean-Paul Belmondon can still have the first role in a movie. Thai society like young faces in Thai movies and TV series. It is a pity that such great actor as Sorapong Chatree is not used anymore at his right value.

Which other Thai actors are famous?

• Lor Tok - ล้อต๊อก - Click on his partial filmography (24 movies) :
• Sor Asanajinda - ส.อาสนจินดา - Click on his partial filmography (23 movies) :
• Mitr Chaibancha - มิตร ชัยบัญชา - Click on his partial filmography (9 movies) :
• Chaiya Suriyun - ไชยา สุริยัน - Click on his partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Sombat Methanee - สมบัติ เมทะนี - Click on his partial filmography (42 movies) :
• Phairoj Jaising - ไพโรจน์ ใจสิงห์ - Click on his partial filmography (13 movies) :
• Manop Aussawathep - มานพ อัศวเทพ - Click on his partial filmography (12 movies) :
• Yodchai Meksuwan - ยอดชาย เมฆสุวรรณ - Click on his partial filmography (8 movies) :
• Pisarn Akraseranee - พิศาล อัครเศรณี - Click on his partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Suchao Pongwilai - สุเชาว์ พงษ์วิไล - Click on his partial filmography (17 movies) :
• Krung Srivilai - กรุง ศรีวิไล - Click on his partial filmography (14 movies) :
• Nard Poowanai - นาท ภูวนัย - Click on his partial filmography (10 movies) :
• Porjed Kaenpetch - พอเจตน์ แก่นเพชร - Click on his partial filmography (9 movies) :
• Jatuphol Poopirom - จตุพล ภูอภิรมย์ - Click on his partial filmography (6 movies) :
• Phairoj Sangwaribut - ไพโรจน์ สังวริบุตร - Click on his partial filmography (8 movies) :
• Toon Hiransap - ทูน หิรัญทรัพย์ - Click on his partial filmography (9 movies) :
• Apichat Halamjiak - อภิชาติ หาลำเจียก - Click on his partial filmography (11 movies) :
• Kriengkrai Unhanan - เกรียงไกร อุณหะนันท์ - Click on his partial filmography (12 movies) :
• Likit Eakmongkol - ลิขิต เอกมงคล - Click on his partial filmography (8 movies) :
• Thongchai McIntyre - ธงไชย แมคอินไตย์ - Click on his partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Chatchai Plengpanich - ฉัตรชัย เปล่งพานิช - Click on his partial filmography (25 movies) :
• Prompong Nopparith - พร้อมพงษ์ นพฤทธิ์ - Click on his partial filmography (8 movies) :
• Phongphat Wachirabanjong - พงษ์พัฒน์ วชิรบรรจง - Click on his partial filmography (7 movies) :
• Ekapan Banleurit - บิณฑ์ บันลือฤทธิ์ - Click on his partial filmography (11 movies) :
• Amphol Lumpoon - อำพล ลำพูน - Click on his partial filmography (8 movies) :
• Santisuk Promsiri - สันติสุข พรหมศิริ - Click on his partial filmography (21 movies) :
• Yuranan PamornMontri - ยุรนันท์ ภมรมนตรี - Click on his partial filmography (11 movies) :
• Mum Jokmok - หม่ำ จ๊กมก - Click on his partial filmography (11 movies) :
• Pete Thongjure - พีท ทองเจือ - Click on his partial filmography (3 movies) :
• Waruth Woratum - วรุฒ วรธรรม - Click on his partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Tony Jaa - โทนี่ จา - Click on his partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Jesdaporn Pholdee - โเจษฎาภรณ์ ผลดี - Click on his partial filmography (7 movies) :
• Ray McDonald - เรย์ แมคโดนัลด์ - Click on his partial filmography (5 movies) :
• Shahkrit Yamnarm - ชาคริต แย้มนาม - Click on his partial filmography (6 movies) :
• Ananda Everingham - อนันดา เอเวอริ่งแฮม - Click on his partial filmography (7 movies) :

Who is your favorite actress?

Jintara Sookkapat (1965) - จินตรา สุขพัฒน์

Children today are not familiar with "Mom" Jintara Sookkapat. They may only know her as "that lady who plays the Mom in Thai TV serie". But to those growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, she is still Thailand's sweetheart. She is the girl who touches Robin Williams' heart in 1987's Good Morning Vietnam, the heroine of the popular "Boonchu" romantic teen comedy film series and the reason to watch prime-time Thai TV serie Click on our Jintara Sookkapat's partial filmography (23 movies) :

In the 1960s-1980s, there was a booming movie business and a hysteria for screen actors (Mitr Chaibancha, Sombat Methanee, Sorapong Chatree, Petchara Chaowarat, Aranya Namwong, Jarunee Sooksawad, Jintara Sookkapat...). Today, simply switching on a TV has made soaps ("LAKORN TORATAT" - ละครโทรทัศน์) more accessible than movies. Since the 1980s Thai soap operas have been very popular by being broadcasted at prime time. By the late 1980s, Thai soap operas programs came to rival Thai films in popularity.

Which other Thai actresses are famous?

• Pissamai Wilaisak - พิศมัย วิไลศักดิ์ - Click on her partial filmography (17 movies) :
• Preeya Roongrueng - ปรียา รุ่งเรือง - Click on her partial filmography (8 movies) :
• Petchara Chaowarat - เพชรา เยาวราษฎร์ - Click on her partial filmography (11 movies) :
• Aranya Namwong - อรัญญา นามวงศ์ - Click on her partial filmography (19 movies) :
• Piathip Kumwong - เปียทิพย์ คุ้มวงศ์ - Click on her partial filmography (6 movies) :
• Mayurachath Muarnprasitivej - มยุรฉัตร เหมือนประสิทธิเวช - Click on her partial filmography (14 movies) :
• Wandee Sritrang - วันดี ศรีตรัง - Click on her partial filmography (3 movies) :
• Piyamas Monayakol - ปิยะมาศ โมนยะกุล - Click on her partial filmography (10 movies) :
• Wiyada Umarin - วิยะดา อุมารินทร์ - Click on her partial filmography (15 movies) :
• Naiyana Shewanan - นัยนา ชีวานันท์ - Click on her partial filmography (8 movies) :
• Duangcheewan Komolsen ดวงชีวัน โกมลเสน - Click on her partial filmography (6 movies) :
• Naowarat Yooktanun - เนาวรัตน์ ยุกตะนันท์ - Click on her partial filmography (29 movies) :
• Supansa Nuengpirom - สุพรรษา เนื่องภิรมย์ - Click on her partial filmography (6 movies) :
• Nanthida Kaewbuasai - นันทิดา แก้วบัว - Click on her partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Ampha Pusit - อำภา ภูษิต - Click on her partial filmography (12 movies) :
• Lalana Sulawan - ลลนา สุลาวัลย์ - Click on her partial filmography (7 movies) :
• Penpak Sirikul - เพ็ญพักตร์ ศิริกุล - Click on her partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Nardtaya DaengBunga - นาถยา แดงบุหงา - Click on her partial filmography (6 movies) :
• Jarunee Sooksawad - จารุณี สุขสวัสดิ์ - Click on her partial filmography (32 movies) :
• Apiradee Pawaputanon - อภิรดี ภวภูตานนท์ - Click on her partial filmography (11 movies) :
• Sinjai Hongthai - สินจัย หงษ์ไทย - Click on her partial filmography (14 movies) :
• Trirak Rakkarndee - ตรีรัก รักการดี - Click on her partial filmography (8 movies) :
• Passorn Boonyakiat - ภัสสร บุญยเกียรติ - Click on her partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Mai Charoeunpura - ใหม่ เจริญปุระ - Click on her partial filmography (3 movies) :
• Siriyakorn Pukkaves - สิริยากร พุกกะเวส - Click on her partial filmography (3 movies) :
• Woranut Wongsawan - วรนุช วงษ์สวรรค์ - Click on her partial filmography (2 movies) :
• Tata Young - ทาทา ยัง - Click on her partial filmography (2 movies) :
• Intira Jaroenpura - อินทิรา เจริญปุระ - Click on her partial filmography (6 movies) :

Who is your favorite director?

ChatriChalerm Yukol (1942) - ชาตรีเฉลิม ยุคล

Prince Chatri Chalerm or ChatriChalerm Yukol is best known for portraying social problems and misery of the poor and the downtrodden people on the lower rungs of society. He is also very alert and sensitive to society and tries to faithfully represent it in his films. He has directed the first Thai science-fiction film. Some of his movies dealt with work in a remote area and fights against the prevalent corruption, hit man's life, activist teacher in the Klong Toei slum area. His work always pays attention to the masses and his films are stories about unspoken issues. He was selected as National Artist of Performance Arts in 2001. In 2006, he was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the Thailand National Film Awards. Click on our ChatriChalerm Yukol's partial filmography (22 movies) :

ChatriChalerm Yukol was supposed to write a Citizen III movie. The Citizen is actually part of a trilogy, i.e. The Citizen, Freedom of the Citizen and Citizen Go Home. He has made two. He never made the third one.

Which other Thai directors are famous?

• Wichit Khunawut - วิจิตร คุณาวุฒิ - Click on his partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Cherd Songsri - เชิด ทรงศรี - Click on his partial filmography (3 movies) :
• Ruj Ronnapop - รุจน์ รณภพ - Click on his partial filmography (11 movies) :
• Piak Poster - เปี๊ยก โปสเตอร์ - Click on his partial filmography (6 movies) :
• Permpol Choei-arun - เพิ่มพล เชยอรุณ - Click on his partial filmography (7 movies) :
• Pisarn Akraseranee - พิศาล อัครเศรณี - Click on his partial filmography (2 movies) :
• Chana Kraprayoon - ชนะ คราประยูร - Click on his partial filmography (5 movies) :
• Manop Udomdej - มานพ อุดมเดช - Click on his partial filmography (3 movies) :
• Toranong Srichua - ทรนง ศรีเชื้อ - Click on his partial filmography (6 movies) :
• Bandit Ritthakol - บัณฑิต ฤทธิ์ถกล - Click on his partial filmography (13 movies) :
• Euthana Mukdasanit - ยุทธนา มุกดาสนิท - Click on his partial filmography (9 movies) :
• Surasee Phatham - ยุทธนา มุกดาสนิท - Click on his partial filmography (4 movies) :
• Sompote Sangduenchai - สมโพธิแสงเดือนฉาย - Click on his partial filmography (7 movies) :
• Thanit Jitnukul - ธนิตย์ จิตนุกูล - Click on his partial filmography (6 movies) :

What means your rating?

• 5/5 = Highly recommended (35 movies) - Click on our selection
• 4/5 = Great (77 movies) - Click on our selection
• 3/5 = Enjoyable (257 movies) - Click on our selection
• 2/5 = Below average (93 movies) - Click on our selection
• 1/5 = Forget it (47 movies) - Click on our selection

What are your top favorite Thai movies?

• The MP outside the Parliament (1983) - ผู้แทนนอกสภา
• The Angel (1974) - เทพธิดาโรงแรม
• Kha Nam Nom (1981) - ค่าน้ำนม
• Taxi Driver (Citizen I) (1977) - ทองพูนโคกโพ ราษฏรเต็มขั้น
• Nong Ma Wo (1979) - หนองหมาว้อ
• Gunman I (1983) - มือปืน
• The Overture (2004) - โหมโรง
• Freedom of Citizen (Citizen II) (1985) - อิสรภาพของ ทองพูน โคกโพ
• Butterfly and Flowers (1985) - ผีเสื้อและดอกไม้
• The Yellow Sky (1980) - อุกาฟ้าเหลือง
• The Elephant Keeper (1987) - คนเลี้ยงช้าง
• Virgin Market (1988) - ตลาดพรหมจารี
• Nang Nak (1999) - นางนาก

Why are you interested in Thai cinema?

I am interested in anything related to Thai culture and Thai society. So I love studying movies, TV series, books, photographs, newspaper articles, history, research papers regarding Thailand.

When did you start to be interested in Thai cinema?

Starting in 1998, I watched Thai TV series to improve my Thai language knowledge. The Thai first movie that I watched was "Nang Nak" in 1999. Then I started to buy Thai VCD movies everytime I went to Thailand two or three times a year.

What is your favorite film genre?

I like Social problem films (หนังสาธรสังคม or หนังสาธรปัญหาสังคม) stories as they point to injustice in Thai society. This genre is not popular among audiences because the stories do not support the law of karma. The villains are not punished. The social problem films in Thailand boomed from the 1970s through the mid 1980s. After the events of 14 October 1973 Thai people enjoyed a form of democracy that was provided with increased freedom. As a consequence, Thai people became more openly interested in politics and social problems.

Some social problem movies deal about farmers' difficult life and their migration to Bangkok. Some social problem movies deal about conflicts between poor people, government officials (policemen, soldiers, bureaucrats) and businessmen. The plots of these films usually involve the conflicts between classes such as poor people and their oppressors. Many social problem movies present the problems of poor people such as prostitutes, peasants, and slum-dwellers.

Some Thai social movies may not be at international standard levels from a picture or soundtrack point of view but their moral message given is meaningful to Thai society. Nowadays Thai audiences are not all that hungry for well-made productions with a social or moral message. They prefer simply and easy-to-digest entertainment. Social movies are no longer popular and began to disappear from the local film market in 1990s.

Why most of the movies in ThaiWorldView.com website are old movies?

Despite the popular notion that old films are outdated, irrelevant or just plain boring, there is a wealth of historical and cultural detail to be found in old film footage, without which our understanding of Thai national heritage would be so much weaker.

• Our 1960s decade (17 movies) - Click on our selection
• Our 1970s decade (72 movies) - Click on our selection
• Our 1980s decade (172 movies) - Click on our selection
• Our 1990s decade (76 movies) - Click on our selection
• Our 2000s decade (172 movies) - Click on our selection

Why most of your favorite movies in ThaiWorldView.com are old movies?

I am interested in Social problem films that raise society issues such as farmers' difficult life, corruption, injustice, migration, the problems of poor people such as prostitutes, peasants, and slum-dwellers. Such movies are no more popular in year 2000s. Hopefully they are still a few Documentary or so-called docudrama Movies.

Some people do believe that modern Thai films are much better than old Thai movies. Which modern movies would you recommend?

• King Naresuan 2 (2007) - ตำนานสมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช
• The overture (2004) - โหมโรง
• Midnight My Love (2005) - เฉิ่ม
• Mekhong full moon party (2002) - ๑๕ ค่ำ เดือน ๑๑
• Mon Rak Transistor (2001) - มนต์รักทรานซิสเตอร์
• Nang Nak (1999) - นางนาก

Who are the Thai directors famous nowadays?

• Pen-Ek Ratanaruang - เป็นเอก รัตนเรือง - Click on his partial filmography (5 movies) :
• Apichatpong Weerasethakul - อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล - Click on his partial filmography (3 movies) :
• Nonzee Nimitbut - นนทรีย์ นิมิบุตร - Click on his partial filmography (6 movies) :
• Ekachai Uekrongtham - Click on his partial filmography (3 movies) :
• Wisit Sasanatieng - วิศิษฏ์ ศาสนเที่ยง - Click on his partial filmography (3 movies) :

Which Thai movies are you still looking for?

Some old Thai movies are difficult to find. Nowadays DVD have replaced VCD. Following the few interest in old Thai movies, movies companies only make available popular old movies in DVD. Some company like "Solar Marketing", which had an important movies catalog has disappeared. It is possible to find some old stock in some online Thai store websites. Hopefully some companies like "Happy Time Marketing Co" seems to have taken over part of "Solar Marketing" titles so it is still possible to find some old interesting Thai movies in VCD format.

I am still struggling to find below movies.

• Sat Manut (1976) - สัตว์มนุษย์
• Muang Nai Mok (1978) - เมือง ใน หมอก
• The elderly (1978) - วัยตกกระ
• Sin (1978) - กาม
• On the Fringe of Society (1981) - ประชาชนนอก
• Factory angel (1982) - เทพธิดาโรงงาน
• Puen Pang (1983) - เพื่อนแพง
• The accusation (1985) - หย่าเพราะมีชู้
• Ploy Talae (1987) - พลอยทะเล

Which Thai movie has the highest number of remakes?

The movie "Mae Nak" (แม่นาค) has been shot 15 times over 50 years. It is about a love beyond death from a woman towards her husband.

Where can I download Thai movies for free?

Thai VCD are cheap. So support the Thai cinema industry by buying genuine copies.

Can I download Thai movies for free from your website?

No you cannot download any movies here. But there are a few Thai movies trailers to enjoy for free. ThaiWorldView Thai movies database includes 124 trailers.

Click on our selection of trailers

Do you sell Thai VCD or DVD?

You can buy movies from online Thai store website eThaiCD.com

Why Thai posters are so famous?

Old Thai movie posters are very colorful and look like paintings. In the past, huge painted billboards advertising Thai movies were done to boost promotion. Some Thai posters would intensify things beyond what actually happened in the movie.

Which Thai movies got award outside Thailand?

Here is a partial list.

• Santi Veena (1954) - cinematography and art direction awards at the First Southeast Asian Film Festival in Tokyo in 1954.
• The Scar (1977) - แผลเก่า - Top award at Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, France in 1981
• The story of Nampoo (1984) - น้ำพุ - Best Actor award at First Southeast Asian Film Festival
• Butterfly and Flower (1985) - ผีเสื้อและดอกไม้ - Best Picture from the Hawaii Film Festival in 1986
• Bangkok dangerous (1999) - บางกอก แดนเจอรัส - Fipresci international award
• Nang Nak (1999) - นางนาก - winning awards for the best director, best art director, and best sound at Asia-Pacific Film Festival in 1999
• 6ixtynin9 (1999) - เรื่องตลก69 - awards at Berlin and Brooklyn film festivals
• Tears of the Black Tiger (2000) - ฟ้าทะลายโจร - Dragons and Tigers Award for Young Cinema in Vancouver
• Blissfully yours (2001) - สุดเสน่หา - "Un Certain Regard" award at 2002 Cannes Film Festival
• Last Life in the Universe (2003) - เรื่องรัก น้อยนิด มหาศาล - Venice Film Festival
• Ong Bak (2003) - องค์บาก - awarded the Action Asia prize at France's Deauville Asian Film Festival
• Tropical Malady (2004) - สัตว์ประหลาด - Special Jury Prize at the Cannes International Film Festival

What are the top 15 highest-grossing Thai movies of all times?

• Suriyothai (2001) - สุริโยไท - 324.5฿ millions
• King Naresuan 1 (2007) - ตำนานสมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช 1 - 237. ฿ millions
• King Naresuan 2 (2007) - ตำนานสมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช 2 - 234.7฿ millions
• Tom Yum Goong (2005) - ต้มยำกุ้ง - 182฿ millions
• Bang Rajan (2000) - บางระจัน - 151฿ millions
• Nang Nak (1999) - นางนาก - 150฿ millions
• Bangkok's Traffic Love Story (2009) - รถไฟฟ้า..มาหานะเธอ - 150฿ millions
• The Holy man (2005) - หลวงพี่เทง - 141฿ millions
• My Girl (2003) - แฟนฉัน - 137.6฿ millions
• Killer Tatoo (2001) - มือปืนโลกพระจัน - 124฿ millions
• Phobia 2 (2009) - สี่แพร่ง 2 - 113. ฿ millions
• Shutter (2004) - ชัตเตอร์ กดติดวิญญาณ - 110฿ millions
• Ong Bak 2 (2008) - องค์บาก 2 - 10 ฿ millions
• Ong Bak (2003) - องค์บาก - 100฿ millions
• Hello Yasothon (2005) - แหยม ยโสธร - 99฿ millions

The top three movies were productions bankrolled by the government, who mounted nationwide promotional campaigns based on historical nationalism that resulted in their phenomenal revenues. Source: "The future of Thai cinema" by Sanchai Chotiroseranee.

How is Thai cinema censorship in Thailand?

Before the October 14 1973 uprising, the state and political right perceived a communist threat from the outside so was censoring films from abroad with any perceived leftist content. After the October 6 1976 massacre, the threat was internal and many social realist films were consequently banned.

Censorship undermines creativity. After many complaints and protests, the new Film Act was approved in 2008 to replace the one that had been used since 1930! In year 2009 a new ratings system was introduced. The system stipulates seven ratings: General, 13-plus, 15-plus, 18-plus, 20-plus, a ban and the "P" rating for films deserving to be promoted by the state.

Often on DVD and VCD movies, there are warning captions regarding depictions of certain dubious behaviours of Buddhist monks, alcohol and smoking bad effects.

Films that contain scenes of Buddhist monks running away from ghosts and falling into a toilet are not censored because that is not considered actually as bad publicity for Buddhism.

Any book you recommend about Thai cinema?

Yes, you can check my list about Thai Cinema Books.

Any website you recommend about Thai cinema?

• ThaiCinema is a website with English-language updated news on the Thai cinema as the Thai film industry has developed into a big hit in the recent years.
• Thai Film DB is a website containing a Thai Film database.
• The Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project is a photographic archive of derelict or converted movie theaters in Southeast Asia.
• The Thai Film Journal is a website containing regularly updated news on Thai and Asian films and culture from Wise Kwai, a Thai film fan and copy editor.
• Thai Film Foundation is a website established by film activists to promote the film culture in Thailand. Don't miss the forum section with thousands of old pictures and posters.
• Enjoy Thai Movies is a Thai Movie Blog with Reviews and Trailers from Thailand.
• CinemaThai is the first Internet website in both Chinese and English providing information specifically on Thai cinema.
• Bangkok1080 is a new Thai movies guide website.
• Best Thai Movies website includes reviews of the best Thai movies with English subtitles.

What are the last Thai movies you have seen?

You can check my RSS feed about Thai Cinema.

How many Thai movies are shot each year?

Is there a Thai museum about cinema?

There is a National Film Archive and Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์ภาพยนตร์ไทย) in Nakhon Pathom.

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