Copyright (c) 2010 ThaiWorldView. All rights reserved. http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/cinema.htm Discover our Thai movies collection en-us Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT 136 40 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/cinema.htm http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/link/thaiworl.jpg

Crazy Cops 191 1/2 (191 1/2 มือปราบทราบแล้วป่วน), Thai comedy movie (2003). Rating: 3/5
This movie uses the eternal theme of new young policeman having to work with an old style policeman. The new young policeman is just graduated. The new young policeman claims he works for the Thai society and not for himself. The old style policeman is still believing in Buddha amulets for protection, receives bribes from shops, plays snooker during working hours, protects a local gambling den and has a relax attitude. But he is a goodhearted man. Mae, a young crime journalist, is assigned to accompany them on the field. Their ways of working are completely different. The young man spends a lot of time in negotiation. The older man goes straight to the point. The older policeman has a young wife. As his young wife left him for a younger and richer man so he is in bad mood and bad shape. In parallel of this story, former Isan robbers go back home. Their father is dying and asks them to find his lost son in Bangkok. They will of course meet the two policemen during their quest in Bangkok. The movie ends up happily with the two Isan men finding their half brother, the two policemen catching a big drug dealer and the young wife coming back. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv14.php?c=3 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv14.php?c=3 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

I don't care (ช่างมันฉันไม่แคร์), Thai social drama movie (1986). Rating: 4/5
Pim is a very busy business woman. She is independent, smokes, drinks beer. She wears men clothes like suit and tie. She is a modern 1980s emancipated woman compared to Thai traditional standards. She only believes in herself. A young man called Bird and his friend are living together in a small flat. They have always no money. Pim needs a new model for an advertisement and is looking for one in Siam Square. She meets Bird in a cafe. Pim has a suitor called Komsan, who asks her for wedding. Pim is 30 years old already but she doesn't want to follow traditional ways, i.e. have husband, have children, stop working and stay home. So she refuses. Bird is recruited for underwear commercial shooting. Bird is younger than Pim. He follows Pim to a camping on Pattaya beach. Bird's mother needs 5000 baht. Bird needs to work again. He is Chippendales dancer in the "Rainbow" bar, a club for women, and then male prostitute for ladies. Bird is coming from Northeastern Thailand and has almost no studies knowledge. He is impressed by Pim (แม่โฆษณา) and her leadership. Pim considers herself same as prostitute selling her brain. Bird is fed up with his life as a gigolo. He only meets crazy ladies looking for sex only. One night, Komsan tries to force Pim but Bird chases him. They both tell their life. Pim has been traumatised by the Thai students massacre on 6 October 1976. Pim met Komsan during those events and loved him. But then Komsan changed a lot being mainly interested in money (เงิน) and power (อำนาจ). Regarding Bird, he is a farmer son and his real name is Wang. Pim has choice between Komsan, rich man and ละครพระเอก, and Bird. She is looking for a simple man (คนง่ายๆ). A love story starts between them. Bird is a good hearted man. Bird is often treated as a buffalo (ควาย) in his job as he is coming from countryside and doesn't have high studies knowledge. Bird leaves his job but then needs to do it again to get money to cure his sick friend. Pim's friend knows Bird. Due to jealousy, she announces Pim's relationship with Bird to Pim's boss and Komsan. But Pim doesn't care (ช่างมันฉันไม่แคร์). She quits her job and decides to stay with Bird despite society and family reprobation. The particular punch of this story, apart of from its depiction of low life in Bangkok, was provided by the fact that Pim has been a member of the young radicals in the 1970s. The 6 October 1976 students massacre in Thammasat University has never been fully investigated. When Pim meets old friends, they sing old songs for life (เพลงชีวิต) reminding them about the 1976 events. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv21.php http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv21.php Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

The Seed (ด้วยเกล้า), Thai social movie (1987). Rating: 5/5
After each annual Royal Ploughing Brahminic ceremony, farmers are rushing to get grains of rice paddy (ข้าวนายหลวง) as they believe they are sacred. Saokam, a farmer from Northern Thailand, has been to Bangkok to Sanam Luang (สนามหลวง) and brings back gifts and royal rice seeds for family and relatives. Saokam takes some seeds to grow in his field. He gives some to friends and neighbours including lady Buarian, the local shopkeeper and usurer, who keeps one seed for worship. Saokam has three children including one daughter called Kaew. Saokam's house is destroyed by a storm. Saokam has only one week to pay back debts. One son, Ang, wants to sell the rice fields and go to city. The debt cycle with the usurer has no end. Saokam has to sell his buffalo but it only pays the debt interests. This year following a drought there is no rain and no more water. Only the usurer has a well. There is fight over water with villagers as Buarian refuses to sell water until villagers pay back debts. Ang, fed up by this life, goes out of home and gets refuge in hill tribes (ผู้ดอย). They trade opium between Burma and Thailand. Fortunately, Saokam's second son is working with the King's project to produce artificial rain (ฝนหลวง). Big dark clouds are created and bountiful rain happens. Everybody rejoices except lady Buarian selling water. She has no mercy (เมตตา). Some farmers have to mortgage their own fields to pay debts and Buarian takes advantage of her neighbor's poverty by increasing rate. She fires some farmers from their house as they cannot pay back debts. She doesn't want to give a delay for them to plant rice as water has been plentiful. Their son, Neung, is soldier but his salary is not enough to pay debts. Villagers help each other and Saokam accommodates them in his home. Kaew is the girlfriend of the son of the usurer but he claims he cannot help as it is his mother's decision. Ang is back but his family refuses the money got from opium trade (เงินบาป). He leaves again to see his girlfriend Nacha at the Burmese border. The rice grows well. Neung is now a soldier as Burmese-Thai border. The father has to sell at low cost his rice to pay back the debt and even has to give the small amount they keep for their own consumption. The rice trader has an arrangement with the usurer. Kaew breaks up with the usurer's son. Family members help each other. In addition, Saokam's son also persuades other farmers to join the Royal Agricultural Projects and build a cooperative. The new worry is to grab Ang from the opium traders before a clash happens with army. Neung promises Kaew that he will help. During a clash with army and opium traders, Neung protects Ang but gets hurt and is responsible of one soldier's injuries also. He is fired from Army. Ang apologises for his wrongdoings. The movie ends up on a positive way. Farmers are out of debt cycle by following Royal Agricultural project, rice is abundant, Neung receives Army's appreciation by helping to catch the opium trader ring leader. Usurer gets bankrupted having no more customers and needs to leave. This movie was made to celebrate of His Majesty's 5th Cycle Birthday. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv16.php?c=2 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv16.php?c=2 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Blue Sky of Love (ฟ้าใสใจชื่นบาน), Thai comedy movie (2009). Rating: 2/5
In October 1976 a young woman Sai wishes to support the popular movement against the Thai military dictature. But her mother is against this choice. A young man called Kong helps to push her in her mother's car so that she can be safe. A few months later, a group of friends including Kong visit a country park in Northern Thailand. They are not aware that many students have fled the army repression to take refuge inside forests. They take a wrong bus. It is full of new CPT members (Communist Party of Thailand). They are taken as new recruits. Sai is part of the trainers team. This movie is based on historical facts. Many students used to urban life had difficulties adopting to the harsh realities of guerrilla struggle. Strong rules are put in place. They have to perform public work for the community. They want to escape as life is too harsh in the camp. Heavy jokes regarding food, camp doctor and the jungle life take place. They miss Bangkok booze. They volunteer to go inside the jungle to reach a village in order to get food as they ravaged the CPT rice fields by confusing rice plants and weeds. They meet government soldiers in the village so they have to flee. The team leader cowardly drops Sai but Kong helps her. They finally get captured. The military captain, who is Kong's father, releases them. Kong and Sai are then alone in the jungle. There is a mix of comedy and romance through beautiful natural landscapes (waterfalls, mountains in the mist, sunset on top of mountain). The CPT camp is finally attacked by Thai army and destroyed. All friends and Sai flee. Sai is shot in the back by her former team leader and dies in Kong's arms. This movie mixes some historical settings, comedy, romance and drama but the blending is not that successful. Regarding viewers willing to know more about this dark period of Thai history, The Moon Hunter (14 ตุลา) is a great movie to watch. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv14.php http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv14.php Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

My Ex (แฟนเก่า), Thai horror movie (2009). Rating: 3/5
Ken is a butterfly and is working in entertainment mass media. One of his former girlfriend (แฟนเก่า), Min, is savagely killed by a truck when she was calling him from a phonebooth. His new girlfriend (แฟนใหม่) is called Koi. Ken is always followed up by a paparazzi. A ghost is coming back for revenge towards Ken bad behavior with women. Scary scenes happen to Ken and Koi. Ken goes to his Hua Hin home. To his surprise a former girlfriend Mem is waiting for him at nighttime. She was previously pregnant but then Ken dropped her. She then killed herself. Same as Mae Nak story, she is a ghost looking for her husband but Ken is not aware. She disappears mysteriously when Koi arrives. The paparazzi finds than Mem ghost image is surimpressed on many pictures he took. Frightening incidents happen. Mem causes Koi to have a deadly car accident. The paparazzi warns Ken's producer as Ken is not willing to listen to anybody after Koi's tragic accident. The paparazzi dies. The producer is also killed. Mem also causes Ken to have a car accident. As he apologizes (ขอโทษ) sincerely and claims his true love to Mem, the ghost forgives and spares his life. Finally as Ken continues his butterfly behavior, he falls with his new girlfriend from his condo to his death. Mem was also responsible of Min's death. This movie highlights the paparazzi bad practices and is a gory warning to butterfly men. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv18.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv18.php?c=1 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Bangkok Traffic Love Story (รถไฟฟ้า..มาหานะเธอ), Thai romance comedy movie (2009). Rating: 4/5
Young Bangkokian woman Li is almost thirty years old and still single. She is coming from a local Thai Chinese family. They are involved in the trading. Her father is ultra protective. Her grant-mother only speaks Chinese. All her friends are now married. She often indulges in alcohols to forget her loneliness. Ped, her best friend, just gets married. That night she drinks too much again and has a slight car accident. She meets a young man called Lung for the first time. He helps her to start again her damaged car. Her father confiscated her car because it is severely damaged as she was drunk. She has to take Bangkok public transport (boat, motorbike taxi...) to reach office as taxicab is too expensive. She meets Lung again when she takes the Bangkok Skytrain. He works in Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) company at night time. She sells solar cells at daytime and has a crazy Japanese boss. Her parents still try to do the matchmakers and present her a young immature guy called Chai. During Songkran holidays her parents are going to China as usual but she is not willing to go. She tries anything to be in touch with Lung and to raise his interest. She is a a blundering lady and breaks his glasses, laptop and then his digital camera. She tries to find ways to get his mobile number. He finally invites her for Songkran festival to play water games. When a love story could really start, Li discovers that Lung is granted to study two years in Germany so he has to leave after Songkran festival. They separate as good friends. The movie ends up happily as they meet again two years later in the skytrain. Li is now working at night time as stock trader with US market. Lung invites her for the coming Songkran festival. This movie celebrates the ten years anniversary of Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) company. The Bangkok Skytrain was opened on December 1999. This movie highlights modern ways for ladies to seduce men, i.e. give her phone number, invite to go out, be a gik (กิ๊ก)... It is in opposition between traditional way and modern way to meet a husband. Nevertheless Li's mother forgets all her principles as her daughter couldn't find a mate. The romantic comedy "Bangkok Traffic Love Story" was the biggest success at 2009 Thai box office with 150 million baht. Cris Horwang was named 2009 best actress by the Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards. The movie also criticizes Thai popular Mass media. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv6.php?c=2 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv6.php?c=2 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Mae Nak Prakanong (แม่นาคพระโขนง), Thai horror movie (1959). Rating: 3/5
Every man in the village loves a young lady called Nak. Young men Mak, Tit Man and the local subdistrict headman's son are part of the suitors but Nak loves Mak. Tit Man tries to forget his discomfiture with another lady called Lamchoon but to no avail so he leaves the village. During a temple festival (งานวัด), where Nak was making merit (ทำบุญ), the local subdistrict headman's son (ลูกกำนันเศรษฐี) fights over Nak with Mak. It turns to be a general fight. Mak promises to marry Nak. On the following day a wedding procession takes place. Similar to movie "The old scar" (แผลเก่า), this 1959 version highlights the rural life with fishing in rice fields and buffaloes. The main actor is the strong and muscular สุรสิทธิ์ สัตยวงษ์. When Nak is pregnant (แผลท้อง), Mak is so happy. But he does receive a letter as he has been selected by lottery to be a soldier in Bangkok. Pa is staying with Nak. The local subdistrict headman's son tries his chance again while Mak is away but Tit Man, going back from Bangkok, helps Nak to chase him. In Bangkok, a woman Chomanak tries to seduce Mak but he is faithful to Nak. Nak dies while giving birth. In this "Mae Nak" 1959 version, the part when Nak is still human is much longer (49 mn) than other "Mae Nak" movies focusing on the ghostly part. During funerals, strong wind and dog howlings happen. People are afraid of ghosts. A local master (อาจารย์) called Thong wishes to make magic filters (ยาเสน่ห์) with Nak's corpse oil (น้ำมันพราย) as it has strong power but he gets strangled while trying to get oil by putting a candle under Nak's chin. Nak is back home waiting for Mak. Nak is now a Phi Tai Hong Klom (ผีตายโหงทองกลม), powerful spirit as it is includes the spirit of unborn baby. The local subdistrict headman's son tries his chance again but this time he loses life. Lor Tok plays a dishonest sorcerer master again asking his acolytes to wear fake ghosts clothes but of course real Mae Nak ghost is coming and all flee. Mak is back home. While preparing food for Mak, a lemon falls on below floor. Mak sees Nak's arm streching out to get the lemon. His child has a demon face. The food is only made of salted fish (ปลาร้า). As he just drank alcohol, he believes his vision is altered. During night time, Nak takes appereance of an ugly ghost again. Mak flees to Tit Man's house. Tit Man confirms that Nak is now a ghost (วิญญาณแรง). Nak is unhappy with Mak's friends as she sees them as a hindrance to her love. A new master helps to neutralize Nak. She refuses to die and birth again (วิญญาณเกิดใหม่) because she loves Mak so much. Love is not possible between ghost and human. In this Mae Nak version, the master succeeds to neutralize Mae Nak and have her spirit emprisonned in an earthen jar closed by a sacred cloth. In other versions, only a Buddhist monk can stop Mae Nak as masters are always useless charlatans. Mae Nak Prakanong (1959) starred sexy actress Preeya Rungruang, while the more recent Nang Nak (1999) featured the actress Intira Jaroenpura, thus shifting the image of female ghosts to a more realistic and humanistic one. It is a typical 1960s movie with dog howling, sorcerer (หมอผี) used, rural background. The picture is decolored and as it is a former 16mm movie, it features a dubbed soundtrack. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=10 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=10 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

The Three Cripples (เหยินเป๋เหล่เซมากูเต), Thai comedy movie (2007). Rating: 1/5
A group of Thai people include three cripples. Yot has bad teeth, Leh is cross eyed and Suey has a crippled leg. A policeman loves Suey and is ready to everything to ask for her hand. Suey is working in a market. When they see the fee (ค่าเช่า) required by the mafia to all market stalls, they wish to enter a local mafia gang to become rich. They are accepted and have to kidnap a teen but they mistake with the son of another mafia boss. To escape the boss fury, they have to hide in a Karaoke and then take refuge in a Chinese shrine. The mafia kid doesn't want to come back with his father. They finally end up in a haunted house. The movie ends up with good feelings (wedding, father and son reunited...). It is a typical comic movie of decade 2000 including many verbal and visual jokes. It is similar to a tv comic show with a drum beat for each gag. Such comedy can sell well but only at the local Thai market due to indigenous gags. There is still a market in Thailand for such simple but entertaining comedy. This movie is an low average production with a loose script and a collage of gags. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv14.php?c=2 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv14.php?c=2 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

2022 Tsunami (2022 สึนามิ วันโลกสังหาร), Thai environmental and social movie (2003). Rating: 3/5
This movie takes place in 2022 eighteen years after the 2004 Tsunami. Three young people, i.e. Phu, Cindy and Phi Phi, are working with Dr Siam. The three young people participate to events and demonstrations to enhance population awareness regarding the worrying climate changes. Doctor Siam has lost his son during 2004 tsunami. Since he has worked on an alarm system to detect tsunami and earthquakes. Phu and Cindy are traumatised by 2004 tsunami events. In 2022, the climate has changed a lot. Thailand is no more safe regarding earthquakes. Three false alarms have been already raised by Dr Siam so the prime minister is in difficult position towards his coalition partner complaining that population evacuation hurts Thailand business. His main coalition partner wishes to replace the current prime minister and his son is a corrupted real estate investor only seeing his own interest. He is selling drugs also and wishes to expel Moken people from his paradise island. Nobody can stop him as he is the son of a politician. Rawai, a Moken, warns Dr Siam, regarding separations under the sea announcing underwater volcanoes explosions. Despite the danger Doctor Siam goes to his underwater lab to get important data and sacrifices his life. There is an urgent need to evacuate Bangkok due to coming 30m high tsunami waves. The mother nature takes revenge. The movie includes references to monarchy, Buddhism and Thai nation in a way similar to 1970s movies. Big earthquakes happen. Bangkok is submerged. The Prime minister is a modern politician capable of sacrifice for his nation and people. From his helicopter, he saves children from drowning but remains stranded on their school bus as the helicopter is overloaded already. A miracle happens as the giant Buddha statue in front of Bangkok gets detached from its pedestal, floats and gets the Prime Minister in its hand preventing him from drowning. The coalition partner dies as his luxury boat is overwhelmed by the huge waves (ความดีต้องชนะความชั่ว). The Doctor Siam body is wrapped into a Thai flag. The movie plays on the environmental and disaster films wave in 2009 (Home, 2012...). It has an environmental message that we all need to change our behavior to save the planet. It raises various issues (corrupted politicians, business interest versus citizen interest, sea-based Moken minority situation, society debauchery). Effective Fx are used but not good enough to make it believable. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv16.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv16.php?c=1 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

khun chang khun paen ton prap chorakae taen kwat (ขุนช้างขุนแผน ตอนปราบจรเข้เถรขวาด), Thai folklore movie (1982). Rating: 3/5
This movie is based on the folklore story "Khun Chang Khun Paen" (ขุนช้างขุนแผน) but only on a limited part of the whole story. During Ayutthaya period, a middle age man, Master Taen (อาจารย์เถร), has strong magic knowledge (วิชา) so can seduce women through spells and can transform himself into a ferocious crocodile. His young apprentice (ลูกศิษย์) can also become a fierce crocodile. Young ladies Simala and Soifa are the wives of noble Phra Phi but Phra Phi spends all nights with Simala. Soifa becomes very jaleous and asks Master Taen to help her. Master Taen uses black magic incantations. Simala and Phra Phi get tortured like voodoo puppets. Due to incantations (พิธี), Simala gets a defigured face so that Phra Phi goes back to Soifa. Phra Chumpoon, Phra Phi's brother, tries to defend Simila. Soifa asks Master Taen for a love filter to force Simala having an affair with Phra Chumpoon so that she can be repudiated by Phra Phi. Nothing happens but Phra Phi nevertheless chases her. Phra Chumpoon asks for his father's help. The father, Paen, sees that his son is under spell influence. Soifa starts to panic. The king orders to arrest Master Taen but Master Taen and his apprentice become crocodiles to kill the soldiers. A reward is offered to catch the crocodiles. Paen searches for evidence such as wax effigy inside the bedroom. But nothing found as Soifa hides it well but Paen succeeds to find it and breaks the spell (พิธีแก้) for Simala. Master Taen sends an evil spirit to fight Paen but Paen's baby spirit (กุมารทอง) helps him. Master Taen is arrested by Phra Chumpoon. He refuses to break the spell for Phra Pi. Simala and Soifa need to show their purity (บริสุทธิ์) by walking without pain on hot charcoal. Soifa fails (ความดีต้องชนะความชั่ว) and is chased in Northern Thailand. The two crocodiles continue their rampage until they are stopped by Paen and Phra Chumpoon. Master Taen is defeated and killed by Phra Chumpoon. Characters are similar to traditional theatre "Like" (ลิเก), i.e. the leading actor (พระเอก), the leading actress (นางเอก), the jealous girl (นางเอก), the funny and hilarious supportive maids (ตัวตลก). This is another movie from famous Chaiyo productions and produced by Sompote Sangduenchai. This is the fourth movie including crocodiles killing human again. The previous movies were Crocodile (จระเข้ - 1980), Kraithong (ไกรทอง - 1980), Kraithong 2 (ไกรทอง 2 - 1985). As often with Sompote productions, it includes light salacious content, humorous dialogues and kitsch Fx (Yak flying). ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv9.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv9.php?c=1 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Baan Phi Pop 4 (บ้านผีปอบ 4), Thai horror movie (1991). Rating: 1/5
The fourth opus of "Baan Phi Pop" (บ้านผีปอบ) continues with the same characters. Some students come to stay in a countryside house taken care by Ya Yip (หยิบ) and the local sorcerer. The students almost get all killed except three who succeed to flee. In the village a lady called Mae Srinuan gets interest from a few old bachelors. She is seen as a "Phi Pop" ghost but some bachelors don't believe in it. Mae Srinuan kills a young girl, called Tien, who was waiting for her boyfriend at night time. The three remaining stranded students arrive in the village. One of the students has the same face as the young villager girl who just died so it creates confusion in the village. The students help the Bangkokian doctors coming to the village to treat local villagers. During a last fight between Mae Srinuan and the local sorcerer, the local sorcerer gets stabbed and is reduced to ashes. Nothing new in this fourth opus with similar recipes as previous movies. Old "Phi Pop" characters die and new "Phi Pop" appears. Only Ya Yip remains. Similar pursuits in accelerated motion with various gags still happen. Villagers wear armours to prevent "Phi pop" ghosts eating their intestines. Villagers also use guns loaded with syringe to put to sleep Ya Yip but they confuse anesthetic and methamphetamine (ยาบ้า) so making Ya Yip overexcited! Each movie opus brings modern items in the village such as skateboard. Sometimes the movie serie looks like a cartoon where "phi pop" ghosts chase and try to catch the villagers and Bangkokian doctors. The villagers and Bangkokian doctors have to use more and more clever tricks and technics to escape the ghosts. The ghosts also try various technics to catch them and even use modern vehicles (skateboard, flying bicycle...) to run faster. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=3 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=3 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Nai Amphoe khon mai (นายอำเภอคนใหม่), Thai social movie (1980). Rating: 4/5
In Northern Thailand, a district officer is shot in the back. He was fighting against illegal trees cut. It is the fourth officer killed on duty in five years. A new one (Sombat Methanee) is nominated. The new district officer understands very fast that a latent corruption happens and that local people (ชาวป่า) are expected to give gifts (chickens, daughter given as maid as a compensation of non paid debts...). The new district officer's adjoint is called Palat and is played by Suchao Pongwilai again with brio in the role of rogue officer. Sor Asanajinda plays the role of a brusque villager complaining indirectly regarding rampant corruption. His son Pol (Sorapong Chatree) is also very active. The minister who sent the district officer has problems with his own daughter, Nit (Jarunee Sooksawad), due to misunderstanding with his new wife. She leaves for the same village Daran Thong and becomes the local teacher. Nit has also medicine knowledge and has to face local fear of ghosts and sorcerer (หมอผี). Old people prefer using sorcerer instead of modern pills. Thanks to Nit and with Pol's leadership, the farmers ask for higher prices and debts resettlement to the trader. Local trader tries to corrupt the district officer but fails to do so. The corrupted subdistrict headman (กำนัน) and trader start to be very upset. They try to buy land as they know that a road will be built to the village but Pol asks villagers to refuse to sell. The subdistrict headman daughter Sophit is back from studying abroad. Palat is secretly fond of her. A young lady called Bukham is raped and killed by Palat. Palat accuses Pol with false proofs. Pol flees and discovers that many trees are cut illegally. Nobody speaks due to fear. The new district officer asks Pol to surrender if he is innocent. Pol's father is found hanged as he spoke too much (พูดประชด - พูดมาก) against corrupted officers. The adjoint uses local people to build the road at a cheaper price. Nit brings the villagers to the province officer to ask for full payments and she wins. Meanwhile Palat rapes the subdistrict headman daughter Sophit and strangles her. Pol's brother sees it and warns his brother. Sabin and Nit get attacked. Sabin is captured but Nit can flee. Nit and Pol come to help Sabin and bring Sophit's dead body to the subdistrict headman. This one wishes to kill Palat as revenge but gets shot before. Finally Palat gets smashed by a log in the illegal logging factory and the district officer helps to catch all ruffians. A school and hospital shall be built by the previous corrupting trader. The movie finishes happily, Nit is named school director (ครูใหญ่ใหม่), Pol is named new subdistrict headman (กำนันใหม่). This movie with social and meaningful messages also involves comedy and romance and not only pure drama. A new generation of government officials is here to replace the previous corrupted generation. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv16.php http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv16.php Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Wai rareung (วัยระเริง), Thai teen movie (1984). Rating: 3/5
Students in class 650 are teenagers. They spend time to make jokes. Their new teacher (อาจารย์) Sri Nuan doesn't understand them and only blame them. So they often flee school and spend time in Siam Square. Teachers have difficulties to educate this class. Teenager Phong uses money from his school fees to buy music instrument and doesn't wish to pursue business studies to replace one day his father as the head of recording studio company. He doesn't go to school anymore. His father is upset. Phong stops going back home and spends time playing music. His grandmother, Pradit, who is also a teacher, blames his father for not giving enough time for his son. She knows the difficulties to teach teenagers. She asks Phong and his friends to stay and play music in her backyard so that she knows where they are. She asks Phong to create a song regarding Europe countries location with a modern rock music. It is an immediate success with the teenagers. They learn and have fun at same time. The grandmother is smart. She knows that teenagers need to study what they like in order to get better results. During a school outing, one of the children of class 650 saves another teen from drowning. The teacher Sri Nuan must acknowledge her mistake and that those kids have also a positive added value to Thai society. During the year end exams, the children of class 650 have very good results thanks to the songs of teacher Pradit. The songs start to be well known but Thai kids cannot buy them. Record producers including Phong's father are queueing for a contract but the group manager is the grandmother so she knows how to defend the kids rights and interests again the business vultures. Finally the father accepts to sign a contract to avoid a competitor to get the deal. They become stars now. Finally they come back to the school year end spectacle to perform. To the puzzlement of all, they perform traditional Thai music. Elders shall respect youth aspirations but youth shall also respect elders achievements as both of them have values. It is Amphol Lumpoon's first role. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv20.php?c=2 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv20.php?c=2 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Mum Deaw (หม่ำ เดียว หัวเหลี่ยม หัวแหลม), Thai romantic comedy movie (2008). Rating: 3/5
Mam comes to Bangkok for the first time to search for a work. He can stay in the house of a relative. He come from Isan area and loves to eat Mama noodles. He wishes to learn Chinese language. One evening he found a child ghost called Dio in the house! He claims to be his son (ลูกพ่อ) but not yet born. In order to be born, he needs his father to seduce his mother! The future mother is as beautiful (งาม) as a model and is working as Chinese teacher in a language centre. Her name is Fa. Hopefully the son is helping with love letter, flowers but to no avail. Mam finally finds a job but only as manual people counter. If he doesn't succeed to seduce the mother, his son will be reincarnated into a dog. Mam tries to be a hero by helping Fa assaulted by ruffians but she punched them before he can help. He buys new clothes to be more modern. Fa only calls him "uncle" (ลุง). He is lucky to win a gold ingot thanks to Mama noodles. With the money he buys a motorbike to impress Fa and brings her home after work but as he doesn't know to drive well so she has to drive herself! One day he gives her drugged orange juice as her mother suggests her father has done this way 40 years ago to seduce her mother. Anyway when she is asleep he doesn't dare to do anything and gets drugged also by drinking the orange juice. When he wakes up, he gets punched by Fa. He finally realizes that Dio lied to him. Dio is a kid from a rich family (ลูกเศรษฐี) living in the neighbourhood and playing tricks to everybody. Mam forgives him as Dio's parents have no time to take care about him. After a Chinese opera performance, Fa's boyfriend wishes to bring her back home and tries to drug her. Hopefully Mam and Dio were passing by and help Fa. The movie finishes on good mood with Dio getting sincere interest from his busy parents and Mam having Fa as girlfriend. Mum Jokmok has already tried romantic comedies with movie "midnight love" in 2005. The issue regarding the orange juice to force a woman might prevent it to be a real family comedy. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv3.php?c=2 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv3.php?c=2 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Phrai Phisawat (พรายพิศวาส), Thai horror movie (1968). Rating: 3/5
One man called Narin and two young women have a car accident. Narin died but his spirit (วิญญาณ) is hanging around. He is in attendance to his own funeral (ยังไม่ตาย!). As he is a spirit, he is able to see that his father has a mistress (เมียน้อย) called Vilai and a son. He can see the family hidden secrets (ลับ). His mother acts as a pawner and seize belongings when people cannot reimburse. He meets an old aunt. She died 20 years ago when giving birth to a daughter. She asked him to help her daughter called Noi who is now in the ghost realms. He also visits the hell (นรก) directed by Yama (พระยม). Adultery is severely punished. Guardians stick them with forks. After checking the book of dead, Narin still has 30 years to live and duties (ภาระ) to do. He is a lawyer. He negotiates advice from Yama regarding Noi as compensation. He is sent back to human world (โลกมนุษย์) during his funeral! A middle age lady called Phayo has debts with Narin's mother. Phayo has a daughter, called Pratheuan, going to university. Narin's mother wants to exchange the debts against a wedding promise with her son. To help Phayo, Narin agrees to do a false fiancee ceremony so that Phayo can get back her debt papers but Pratheuan wishes to really marry with Narin. Narin then contacts uncle Suk, who is a sorcerer (หมอผี). They go into a remote cave to find Noi (Petchara Chaowarat). She is a ghost (ผีดิบ). Narin has to perform specific ceremonies during 7 days and Noi can become human (เป็นคน). He has to wear white clothes, should not touch any woman including his own mother during this period, eat vegetarian (กินเจ) and practice meditation. Pratheuan understands she has a risk to lose Narin so tries to entice him. Narin's mother is also aware that he is dating a ghost so decides to accelerate the wedding date. It shall happen within three days. His father has a brain hemorrhage and before dying asks Narin to help regarding his second family. As the father gives everything to his mistress in the testament (พินัยกรรม), Noi frightens the mistress Vilai so that she agrees to burn it in order to have a more equitable testament. Noi is now a human but Narin cannot marry her as he still fianced with Pratheuang. Uncle Suk gives to Narin a special temporary medicine to eat in order to appear having leprosy. Pratheuan (Preeya Roongrueng) really plays well the bad girl (ดาวยั่ว) smoking cigarette and seeing her own interest by refusing to love and care for Narin when he is disfigured. She asks to withdraw the fiancee promise (ถอดหมั้น). Narin can now happily marry Noi. There are some similarities with movie "ภูตพิศวาส" shot in 1964. Fx special effects are limited to image surimpression to simulate ghost apparition. This is an old 2 hours 30mn long movie with sometimes a decolored image and new soundtrack including Wagner famous ouvertures as many 1960s movies were shot in 16mm without synchronised sound. It is a good mood movie with 1960s Thai movies superstars. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=9 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=9 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Sawatdee mai riew (สวัสดีไม้เรียว), Thai comedy teen movie (1982). Rating: 4/5
A new teacher (ครูใหม่) called Sirin (Jarunee Sooksawad) is recruited. She notices that two students always arrive late. One is a boy called Satit coming from a rich family (ลูกเศรษฐี). One is a girl called Kalaya coming from a slum family (สลัม). The movie highlights the importance to study for teens but also the importance for teachers to keep interest from their students (รักเรียน). This school has a strict director and strict teachers keeping the same program and activities without changes over years. Sirin tries to change this mindset. In Thai schools students show respect to their teachers in the mornign and evening (ไหว้ครู) and get hit with a stick (ลงโทษ) when they fail to obey to the school rules. Sirin faces opposition from the teacher head when she wishes to punish Satit for his bad behavior. Only the poor child Boonmee gets punished. Sirin wants to have same treatment for all children either rich or poor. A fight happens between Satit and Boonmee. Satit's elder brother, called Narit, comes to complain about the new teacher at the shool. He trusts Satit and doesn't know he is behaving badly. Kalaya has no time to study. Every early morning she has to deliver newspapers. Her father is always drunk and hit his wife. Kalaya is too ashamed to say why she is late everyday. Teachers decide to buy a bicycle for her so she doesn't have to run in the morning (same as movie Walli - วัลลี). Satit keeps stealing things. This time he steals teacher belongings and accuses Boomee. Hopefully Sirin is aware of the stratagem but Narit refuses to believe that his younger brother has problems as he is coming from a rich family. Money doesn't buy happiness... Kalaya didn't come to school since many days as her father sold the bicycle to buy alcohol. She now works in a construction site. Students decide to share the workload regarding newspapers distribution so that she can be on time in school. Following a brawl, Satit is sent to Police station. Teacher Sirin confirm (รับรอง) her students integrity so that they can be released. The school is going to take part in sport competition with other schools. They have big hope in cycling with Kalaya and Thai boxing with Boonmee. Poor children train hard while rich children just enjoy beach. Sirin sees Satit stealing the director's ring. She prevents the robbing but gets injured as Satit pushes her violently. The director doesn't believe Satit could be a robber. Losing trust in her director, Sirin resigns. Students refuse to study until Sirin is back. Finally Satit tells the truth to his brother. This one asks the director to recruit back Sirin. Sirin refuses to acknowledge the director's requests but accepts when students implore her. Competition starts. The school wins in boxing and cycling. Satit becomes a good boy. Despite strange cuts in the editing, this movie is full of good feelings, i.e. school importance, teacher dedication, studies, rich and poor society opposition.. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv20.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv20.php?c=1 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Tengs Angel (เทวดาท่าจะเท่ง), Thai comedy movie (2008). Rating: 3/5
Kluey is working in a Likay theater (ลิเก) in Nakhon Pathom. One day Kluey makes an offering to a shrine spirit and invites the spirit to watch Likay. A comic deity comes every evening to enjoy the Likay performance. Kluey is single and always dreams about Fa, a Thai actress (ดารา). Kluey gets always mocked (โดนแกล้ง) by others. Only a young woman called Oum has interest in him but he is not aware of it. He is so sad that the comic deity (เทวดา) decides to help him. Kluey asks wishes to the deity. He wishes to get 500 000 baht and Fa to be his girlfriend. But the deity makes the reality different from his dreams! He has to become a robber to get 500 000 baht from a 7-11 eleven shop and has Fa as hostage. As the deity always misinterprets Kluey's wishes, it creates various humorous sequences. In one sequence, he is the monk wishing to expulse the spirit from Buppha Rahtree (บุปผาราตรี) played by Fa. It is an hommage to Thai director Yuthlert Sippapak for his Buppha Rahtree movie saga blending horror and comedy. Then in another sequence Kluey is a grandfather (ปู่) in a hospital visited by his granddaughter as he wished that Fa takes care about him. In the last sequence he wishes to be a rich star to be able to seduce Fa. Finally he understands that he has to be himself (เป็นตัวเอง). He also realizes that love was close to him with Oum. There is a happy ending. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv3.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv3.php?c=1 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

The Magnificent Five (พระ เสือ เด็ก ไก่ วอก), Thai comedy action movie (2006). Rating: 3/5
One hundred years ago two robbers (a young lady and a comic character), a false doctor and a former monk flee the police. A foreigner (ฝรั่ง) in collusion with a corrupted village head takes away the farmers' children to use them as slaves. To get back their children they need to pay a big amount of money. Farmers have heard of a local Robin Hood called Seua (เสือ). They try to contact him but meet the above quatuor but not the real Seua. They go after the kidnapers. They finally meet the real Seua. The Magnificent Five are united. They go together to search for the children but spend more time to argue on the reward sharing. The group reaches their ruffians' camp. They use Trojan horse tactic but it fails and the young lady (Paula Taylor) escapes nearly to serious problems with the camp leader. They need to reach the sea before a boat takes away the children. A fight happens. The foreigner and his ruffians are deafeated so need to flee and sail away. The young lady then decide also to neutralize the camp leader to avoid anymore kidnapping to happen. Charoenporn Awnlamai plays the comic expert in explosives. In many modern Thai movies, foreigners are often the bad guys. In old movies, the bad guys were the Burmese or the communist threat. This movie is a blending of action and comedy. Could this movie be seen as as a criticism of the foreigners stealing the Thai youth? ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv14.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv14.php?c=1 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Maya phisawat (มายาพิศวาส), Thai romance movie (1983). Rating: 4/5
Dokbua (ดอกบัว), a young lady, is hurt by Chala's car. She is a poor girl coming from Chiang Mai to Bangkok in order to work but she was told a falsehood regarding the job nature. As she has nowhere to go, she can finally stay as a maid as Chala gets pity on her harsh life. Chala's HiSo family includes various members. Pen is a middle age woman. She is the new wife of Chon, who is paralyzed. Chita is Chon's sister. She never got married. Chon has three children, Chala, Chet and Lek. There is always a bad and oppresive ambiance in the family. Chala only spends money but does not earn anything. In fact Chala gives the money to a poor family. Chet and Pen are lovers. All men in the house fight over Dokbua. Pen wants to use Dokbua to take care about her paralyzed husband ardors so that she can have more free time with Chet. Dokbua played the stupid girl but she is in fact very intelligent. Only Chala knows Dokbua has entered the house with a specific idea. What is her goal and her hidden secret? This HiSo house is same as hell (นรก). People are doing bad deeds (มีบาป). Ten years ago, Chon, the father always partied in the house and brought girls. It only stopped when the father became paralyzed. Lek, the youngest daughter, has a boyfriend called Tat. Tat also tries to seduce Dokbua. Pen has a new plan and introduces Dokbua to a rich man called Tawat. Pen gets money in exchange of providing young girls to rich men. There are arguments between Tawat and Chon. Dokbua prefers to stay with Chon. Tawat takes over Chon's company as he looses face regarding Dokbua. It causes a heart attack to Chon. Dokbua talks to Chon privately on his hospital bed while he is dying. Chon is afraid about hell (กลัวนรก) due to his previous bad deeds. Before dying he updates his testament and gives nothing for his children. Everything goes for Dokbua. Chita relates Chon's story to Chala. Chon was behaving like a ruffian when he was young. After having a second kid the father starts to misbehave again with girls so the mother called Lamyong hanged up herself. Dusit was a former business associate of Chon but they had arguments. Chita and Dusit were in a love story and Chon made it broken up. Dusit later has another wife but Chon never forgave to Dusit and Dusit was shot in the back. Dokbua is Dusit's daughter. Dusit is still alive but is paralyzed. Tat still tries to seduce Dokbua as Lek is now a poor girl. Chet also tries to be nice. This hypocrisy causes Tat and Lek to break up. Pen and Chet also break up. Pen cannot stand it. Pen shots Chet and becomes crazy. Lek behaves as a bad girl. The whole family ends up in a turmoil even if Dokbua didn't intend to be such a mess. Finally Dokbua and Chala declares their love for each other. Dokbua gives all heritage to Chita. This movie highlight the high society hypocrisy. Chana Kraprayoon is famous for directing drama / romance movies and Thai TV series. This movie was adapted in a Thai TV serie in 2007. Jarunee Sooksawad got an award for her Best Actress performance in this movie. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv15.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv15.php?c=1 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Mae Mo Nam Man Phrai (แม่หมอน้ำมันพราย), Thai horror movie (1985). Rating: 2/5
A young girl is found abandoned. She is rescued and adopted by a policeman called Wichai. The policeman is a widower and has two daughters, called Sari and Yupin. Nit is Sari's boyfriend. Nit and his friend Jem are killed by local mafia but are still alive as they have magic skills (วิชา). Local mafia was hired by a witch (แม่หมอ), who is looking to get rid of Nit. She uses the body of the young girl to spy inside the house. She needs more force (พลัง) and is trying to get Nit's heart and body. An entertainment girl, called Waddee, is in love with the father Wichai and convinces him to play big money in an underground casino. Wichai, as a policeman, is using government money to play cards. He loses everything. The dictrict officer (นายอำเภอ) gives Wichai one month to get back the money. Nit and his friend decide to help the policeman and go to play in the underground casino. Thanks to magic skills, they can see inside the dice cup. They get back one million baht. Meanwhile the witch possesses (ถูกผีเข้า) the maid Tawin and then Jin, boyfriend of Yupin. Nit has protective amulets (ของดี) so can chase the witch from their bodies. It is a typical horror movie from the 1980s with a mix of horror, a joke and a slight erotic content. Jem provides a love filter (น้ำมันพราย) for a lady to get back her husband but the thrown bottle reaches a car so creating a crazy situation where the car is in love with the woman. The witch also possesses Yupin. During a final battle with Nit, the witch is defeated. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=2 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=2 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Cheun Chun Moon (ชื่นชุลมุน), Thai teen movie (1978). Rating: 3/5
This movie is the third part of the movie serie "Wai On-la-won" (วัยอลวน). O (โอ๋) and Tam (ตั้ม) are now a happy married couple. O's father gets convinced to participate in a bus company business and has to buy shares. He needs to pay 200 000 baht. Tam is a nice husband but still likes to flirt with ladies and go for lunch with them. Sometimes he has a party with friends and his monthly salary is gone! He is so happy when he believes that O is pregnant but she has only a minor tiredness. O's father has given the money but didn't get any official reconnaissance papers as promised so got cheated (โดนโกง). Somchai, their relative (ญาติ) and domestic helper (คนรับใช้), gets biten by a fierce dog and has scars. The owner only gives 20 baht for compensation. He is the same guy who promises to sign documents regarding the loan from O's father. Tam asks for 200 000 baht compensation. Refusal is received and the issue has to be settled at tribunal (ฟ้องศาล). Tam enquiries to get proofs that the dog belongs to rich bad guy. Tam claims her relative was going to play in a movie to justify the important money amount. Trial starts but witnesses used by Tam cannot match the strong opposition from the lawyer. Family life go on for Tam and O. Tam buys a car. His musician skills are also well used in various occasions to play modern Thai music. Two songs from this movie became hits. His friends bring him to a massage parlor (อาบอบนวด). There he meets a masseuse that presents him a friend wishing to become a movie star. He convinces her to play her best performance during the trial if she wishes to get employed by his friend. It works so well! The movie highlights poor people fight against rich dishonest people. Piek poster movies reflects an image of Thai society with its good aspects and bad aspects. They are a joy to watch. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv20.php http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv20.php Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Chat Phayong (ชาติผยอง), Thai action movie (1978). Rating: 3/5
Plaew Suriyong (Sombat Methanee) is back to Thailand after many years in Chicago. His father has died. He is kidnapped by a mafia boss called Pa at the airport. He gets an offer of 1 million baht and one airplane ticket to anywhere in order to kill a politician. He shall be used as a hitman (มือปืน) and has 7 days to do the job. He still wanders who has killed his father, who was also a politician. People, who wish to hurt Thailand, killed his father. They now chase him also. Politics in Thailand is full of bad influence (อิทธิพล), corruption and murders through hitmen. A lady called Romanat helps Plaew to prepare the shooting and gets in love with him. The politician to kill is the popular Sarayut (Sor Asanajinda). Sarayut's wife was fed up with the risks linked to politics so left him 10 years ago to go to Italy with their young son. Pa lies to Plaew in order to have Sarayut killed. As Plaew's father was a politician, he should be the right scapegoat. During the political gathering, Plaew doesn't shoot Sarayut but his opponent. This causes Pa's ire and Plaew needs to flee to Malaysia. Plaew meets Lucky Jack (Jatuphol Poopirom) in Malaysia but they have to flee to Roma, Italy due to problems with police. Lucky Jack is in fact Sarayut's son. In Roma, Plaew seduces Maria that Lucky Jack also loves. As Pa threatens to kill Romanat, Plaew has 7 days to come back to Thailand. Maria loves Plaew but gets killed during a gun fight. Lucky Jack doesn't forgive Plaew. Plaew and Luck Jack go back to Bangkok to catch Pa. Pa sends Romanat as a gift to lucky Jack acting as local ruffian. Finally both Plaew and Lucky Jack love again the same woman, i.e. Romanat. Plaew learns that Sarayut is behind his father's death. Sarayut is also a nasty politician wishing to send Plaew to trial in order not to be accused of any collusion of the previous shooting done by Plaew. He pushes his own son to shoot Plaew. Finally Plaew shots Sarayut but get shot by Lucky Jack. This is a typical action movie from the 1970s highlighting the bad sides of the Thai politics. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv5.php?c=4 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv5.php?c=4 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Rahtree Revenge (บุปผาราตรี 3.2), Thai horror movie (2009). Rating: 3/5
The Buppha ghost saga continues with two new opus in 2009. In 2009, Buppha 3.1 and 3.2 were released. Buppha was the teacher when Lang was a kid. Lang still wants to meet Buppha again. He knocks at room 609 but she is not willing to teach him again (ไม่สะดวก). Police arrives in the building and enquiries on the bodies found in the underground casino. They see a jumping embalmed corpse and flee. A Hong Kong police officer is coming to help. Lang stays in the factory building because of Buppha. There is identification between Buppha and the little girl. The underground casino den is still opened. More comic customers are coming. Police comes again with the support of monk Luang Phi Teng (หลวงพี่เท่ง). Luang Phi Teng is the main character from "The Holy man" movie, which was a top hit in 2005. Luang Phi Ten is giving blessing to the police (ให้กำลังใจ - รับพร). The monk is entering the building with them. The police wishes to capture the little girl ghost but she continues her killing rampage with the policemen. The monk and remaining policemen flee also. The embalmed jumping corpse is now inside the casino den. Afraid customers are fleeing and leave their money behind. A Chinese customer uses a Chinese baby spirit (กุมารทอง) to get back the money. The Chinese spirit is not as strong as the Thai spirit and gets smashed. Lang loves Buppha, who is already dead. His soul (วิญญาณ) is gone to search for Buppha. A monk brings him back to human world. Despite advise from monk not to go to the building again, Lang flees from hospital to meet Buppha. A new exorcist master (อาจารย์) from Cambodia goes to room 609 in the building. They are all killed. Finally a traditional hermit (ฤาษี) with his hunchback is brought by Lang's friends. The comic hermit has difficulty to fight against the strong spirit (ของแรง). The father is burning (เผาศพ) the body of his small daughter causing the killings to stop. Buppha Rahtree 3.2 continues the same recipe including an unique mix of Thai comedy and gory horror. It is more fun than Buppha 3.1 ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv18.php http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv18.php Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

The Battle of Bang Rajan (ศึกบางระจัน), Thai historical movie (1966). Rating: 4/5
This movie is about Bang Rajan village. This village is located north of Ayutthaya, the old capital of Siam, predecessor state to modern Thailand. The village played a famous role related to its resistance against the Burmese in the war that saw the destruction of Ayutthaya city in 1767. Tap is a Siamese soldier leader. Siamese people have internal conflicts while they are also fighting with Burma (พม่า). Siamese soldiers kidnap two ladies, who are Tap's sister and Tap's fiancee. They are raped. Tap has the difficult task to choose between rescuing his sister and fiancee or leading the villagers far from Burmese soliders. They take refuge inside Bang rajan village. They help and support each other. Siamese from various villages lure a group of Burmese soldiers with the promise of young women and then turn upon them and kill the whole group. This event leads the whole Burmese army to Bang Rajan. Tap, after taking care of the villagers, goes to rescue his sister and fiancee. His fiancee is soiled (ตัวเสีย) so they cannot come back together. Tap forgives to the Siamese men as they promise to take care of the young ladies so they join his group in Bang Rajan. Burmese army starts to assault Bang Rajan. Burmese has guns but Siamese people have only swords. Women are fighting also. It is the duty for men to become soldier and protect the nation. Burmese come with elephants and big guns. Siamese people needs a big gun to fight back Burmese army. Ayutthaya king refuses to give them a big gun as Bang Rajan is a small village only. Ayutthaya people donate utensils for Bang Rajan to mold a big gun but it is fissured during moulding. Siamese are disadvantaged by their lack of firearms. As Burmese do not succeed to enter inside Bang Rajan with their infantry, they build forts surrounding the village. Siamese soldiers cannot destroy the forts built by the Burmese and suffered casualties from infantry assaults upon those forts. One of the Siamese leaders becomes drunk and furious. Upon a water buffalo, he takes a few men and attacked the Burmese. This event remains a forever legend and has been reused on poster of the 2000s Bang Rajan movie. He was killed and his men routed. Tap and his men succeed to neutralize the big gun before it destroys Bang Rajan walls. But they fail when Burmese use weapons similar to Katyusha multiple rocket launchers. Villagers are outnumbered and killed. Bang Rajan villagers and soldiers sacrifice their life for the nation. Tap and his new girlfriend are the only one to survive. They are rescued by future King Taksin, who liberated Siam from Burmese occupation after Ayutthaya fall in 1767. Such movies were very popular during nationalist era of Thailand, i.e. 1960s with communist threat risk and the 2000s folliwing the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. This movie highlights the sacrifice of villagers not supported by the official administrators. Sombat Methanee got a gold statuette award (รางวัลตุ๊กตาทอง) received from HM the King for his best actor work. In 1966 the government renovated Bang Rachan camp (ค่ายบางระจัน). ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv7.php http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv7.php Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Ghost Love (ภูตพิศวาส), Thai horror movie (1964). Rating: 3/5
The movie name "ภูตพิศวาส" means "ghost love". Three young men students with suitcases are looking for a place to sleep. One of them is called Marut. They stay in a temple but the temple keeper asks them not to open door or windows at night time or go out if somebody calls them. Marut doesn't listen and sees a beautiful lady. In the morning one of the three students is found dead. There is two holes in the arm as if somebody sucked his blood (ผีดิบ). The next night sounds of a lady crying can be heard. Then in the morning the second friend is found dead also. According to the temple keeper, they die because of lying and unfaithful behavior with ladies. The temple keeper is a sorcerer (หมอผี) also. Marut meets Dao (Petchara Chaowarat), who is a ghost. A love story happens between human and ghost. Marut's mother wants to fiance him with a young lady called Buma (Preeya Roongrueng) coming from a rich family. The fiancee Buma is invasive and strongly encourages Marut to kiss her. Marut presents Dao, the ghost, to her mother, who faints when understanding that Dao is a ghost. Lor Tok plays an exorcist master (อาจารย์) again. The grandmother uses him to chase the ghost. Buma supports the idea. Marut wants to bring Dao back to life (เกิดใหม่) but other ghosts try to prevent this. Marut needs to pray every night one hour during 20 days, eat vegetarian (กินเจ), drop blood drops inside the food offered to Dao. Evil ghosts prevent Marut to free Dao but the temple keeper provides support. 20 days have passed. The temple keeper does a ceremony. Dao is now an human (เป็นคน). Issue with Buma arises. Following the kiss, she complains she is soiled (ตัวเสีย) as she wants to accelerate wedding date. The wedding happens but on the night before the wedding Dao becomes Marut's real wife. Buma wants to secure Marut's love by using magic spells so she contacts again the exorcist master. This one provides love filter (น้ำมันพราย). Buma wants to chase Dao. Marut accepts as Buma uses charm filter (ถูกเสน่ห์). Finally as Dao is pregnant with Marut and being already Marut's wife, Buma has to retreat and is finally arrested by police for colluding against Dao. This old movie has an image damaged but still colorful. It also has a new soundtrack as many 1960s movies were shot in 16mm without synchronised sound. It is a pleasure to watch Thai stars Chaiya Suriyun and legendary Petchara Chaowarat. Chaiya Suriyun received a Thai oscar (รางวัลตุ๊กตาทอง) for his best actor performance. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=8 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=8 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Baan Phi Pop 3 (บ้านผีปอบ 3), Thai horror movie (1990). Rating: 1/5
"Phi pop spirit" is back! Some people are found dead without intestines. Is Kradeung really back to a normal human being or still possessed by the "Phi Pop" spirit? New characters are introduced as actors Trirak Rakkarndee and Ekapan Banleurit are no longer part of the story. The movie highlights the opposition of villagers cured by local sorcerer (หมอผีคล้าย) and villagers cured by Bangkok doctors (หมอฝรั่ง), who offer free service. The local sorcerer wants to kill Ya Yip (หยิบ), the Phi pop spirit" roaming inside the village. But the Bangkok doctors protect Ya Yip believing the local sorcerer is crazy and bring her back inside the village. There is conflict between the local sorcerer and Bangkok doctors. The local sorcerer wants to keep his influence on the villagers. The daughter of the local sorcerer helps the Bangkokian doctor. Her father has changed his behavior recently being easily angry. The local sorcerer gets issues with his own wife and daughter as he is doing more harm than good to villagers. He is diagnosing a malaria case as a spirit possession (ผีเข้า) that needs to be chased (ผีไล่). Finally the local sorcerer flees from the village after stabbing Ya Yip. He was finally also a "Phi pop spirit"...Recipes are same as the previous movies. Many continuous funny but tiring and repetitives chases happen between Ya Yip "phi pop" and the villagers. Single villagers prefer watching the lady in swimming suit than the lady in sarong. The movie is still targeted for rural audience but with more and more urban life and taste influence. Funny comedian Kiet Kijcharouen (เกียรติ กิจเจริญ) is now here. He also participated to the complete Boonchu (บุญชู) movies serie. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=7 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=7 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

chao mae takhian thong (เจ้าแม่ตะเคียนทอง), Thai horror movie (1966). Rating: 3/5
his movie takes place in 1905. Yod is a slave. His girlfriend is called Khun. The master beats Yod because he finds his new wife with Yod. The master's wife, called Nang Neuan, accuses Yod of trying to seduce her but she is the seductress offering sweets (ขนมหวาน). The daughter, called Kalong, tries to protect Yod and asks for forgiveness. Kalong's father wants his daughter to marry a noble man called Bouleut but she doesn't love him. This is the old traditional Thai way, i.e. marry first, be together and then love will come later. The daughter is not willing. Yod and Khun may have bad sins (กรรม) in their previous life as they cannot have happiness together. They have a promise of forever love in front of a Takhian tree. Nang Neuan sends a ruffian to try to rape Khun but Yod protects her. The ruffian is killed so Yod has to flee. Still wishing to hurt Yod, Nang Peuan suggests that Khun becomes the master's mistress (เมียน้อย). Nang Peuan pays mercenaries to catch Yod. They succeed to overcome him. As the next day is end of slavery in Thailand so the master wants to beat him until death today. Khun accepts to become the master's mistress in order to save Yod's life. Later on Yod rejects Khun and breaks up with her accusing her of being unfaithful (หลายใจ). Disappointed and sad over Yod's reaction, Khun hangs up herself at the Takhian tree. Once Yod understands Khun's body sacrifice to save his life, it is unfortunately too late. Kalong puts money in her hands to spend in the death world. She is buried by Yod under the Takhian tree and is not cremated. Some people hear a woman crying near the Takhian tree. Khun is back as a ghost. Villagers get tricked (โดนผีหลอก) by the ghost. The master decides to cut the Takhian tree but the ghost prevents this to happen. The master decides to use a sorcerer (อาจารย์) to cut the tree. He settles a ceremony to call for the ghost (วิธีเรียกผี) but the ghost chases them away and terrorize the master, who has a serious fever. In almost old Thai horror movies, sorcerers are useless comical characters that always fail to chase ghosts. Kalong decides to call a westerner doctor (หมอฝรั่ง) to cure her father as Thai sorcerers (หมอผี) are useless. Yod works now for the westerner doctor and has been trained to be a doctor also. He cures the master and it is a satisfaction as the slave cures his former master. But the master still hates Yod. Another sorcerer is used but he is a charlatan. He tries to catch a fake spirit (ลงหม้อ). The real ghost chases the fake one. Traditional chase in accelerated motion happens between ghost and humans. This is typical from Thai horror movies from 1960s to 1990s. The master defies Khun but gets estranged and dies. Nang Peuan decides to kill Kalong to get full heritage but Khun protects Kalong and estrangled Nang Peuan. Bouleut is in fact a bad guy that is already married but wants to marry Kalong because she is coming from a rich family. Love story happens between Kalong and Yod. The ghost Khun is now angry with Kalong accusing her to take away Yod from her. They cannot stay together (คนละโลก). A sorcerer helps to chase the ghost by performing a ceremony (พิธีสะกดวิญญาณ) and neutralizing the tree spirit. This two hours length old movie has a new soundtrack including music from Ennio Morricone. Many 1960s movies were shot in 16mm without synchronised sound. The image is damaged but still fine even if some colors are gone. As many horror movies from 1960s to 1990s, it mixes horror and comedy gags. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=6 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=6 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

gno pa (เงาะป่า), Thai romance movie (1980). Rating: 5/5
This movie takes place in a tribe located in a forest. They have all a dark skin so are called "เงาะป่า" tribe. Sompla is a young fearless man skilled in animal hunt with blowpipe and knowledgeable in medicinal herbs and plants. The tribe is wearing clothes similar to South Pacific tribes. Lamhap is the daughter of the local sorcerer (หมอผี). The local sorcerer would like Sompla to become the next sorcerer as he is going older but Sompla refuses. The tribe exchanges goods from the forest with Thai villagers at the market. The movie highlights their everyday life in the forest, i.e. getting fruits and food from the forest, be aware of danger such as snake and tiger... It is a beautiful ode to natural life. There is a contest to shoot flowers and to win ladies hearts. Jealousy happens between Sompla and the village head son as both of them love Lamhap. Lamhap prefers Sompla but the marriage decision is linked to her parents. The village head wants his son to become the next leader and wished his son to marry Lamhap. After a misunderstanding with Sompa, Lamhap accepts to marry the village head son. The wedding is beautifully shot and it reminds about the other Thai movie "The old scar" (แผลเก่า), which also features portraiture of Thai culture and way of life though a romance. Sompa ruins the wedding night by making noise and sending rocks on their home. While the village head son goes out to catch the intruders, Sompla kidnaps Lamhap. The movie includes beautiful ambient light shooting with torches as the village head family is chasing them. Sompla and Lamhap flee and go deep inside the forest. They are tracked down due their fire smoke. A fight happens between Sompa and the village head son. The winner shall get Lamhap. Sompa wins by attracting the village head son inside the deep forest instead of fighting inside a clearing. Unfortunately another fighter shoots Sompla with a deadly arrow. Sompla dies and Lamhap kills herself over Sompla's body. This movie directed by the General Major His Royal Highness Prince Bhanu Yukol, a pioneering Thai filmmaker. He is the uncle of famous director Prince ChatriChalerm Yukol. Jatuphol Poopiro receives a posthumous Thai award for his performance as he died in 1981 in a car accident. The movie soundrack mixes a traditional and entertaining music. It is based on a novel (Romance of the Sakai) by King Rama 5. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv6.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv6.php?c=1 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

luk chai cheu ai phen (ลูกผู้ชายชื่อไอ้แผน), Thai action movie (1965). Rating: 2/5
This old Thai western movie, taking place in Chiang Mai area, has a complete new soundtrack. A man is surprised sleeping in the forest. He is injured by a young lady called Chalong (Petchara Chaowarat) believing he is a thief. Nobody knows his name and why he is coming here. His real name is Pen Moradok (Sombat Methanee). In fact he is sent by central government to neutralize a local mafia head called Salapan. Pen meets many girls, i.e. Chalong, Fong and Peri, owner of a bar who all love him. Pen receives a threat to leave city within 24 hours or face death. Fights happen between Pen and Salapan's ruffians. Peri dies when helping to fight the ruffians. Finally Salapan is captured and Pen wins Chalong's heart. It is a typical 1960s movie where the leading actor seduces many actresses (James Bond syndrome?). This is a very old Thai movie compared to Thai standards. The digitalization has been poorly done. The movie is only 15 fps and some scenes are strangely cut. It should be seen for historical purpose and enjoy the chance to see famous stars Petchara Chaowarat and Sombat Methanee acting. This movie follows the Thai traditional drama precepts with a clown always following the leading actor and the leading lady having a maid of honor. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv5.php?c=3 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv5.php?c=3 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

tawan yim cheng (ตะวันยิ้มแฉ่ง), Thai comedy movie (1984). Rating: 3/5
In Nan province, animist forest people (คนป่า) are discovered. They are called "Phi Tong Leuang" (ผีตองเหลือง) or Mlabri ethnic group. They do not possess anything and share everything within the group. They are exploited by Bangkokian people to cut trees in forest. They stop to cut trees because deities (ผีฟ้า) are angry. A professor sends a group of students including a young lady called Doktawan to study and to catch a "Phi Tong Leuang" in the forest. In Ta Wa Dung village, people from Chinese origins are living. They are far from civilization and are friend of the Mlabri ethnic group. Cheng is a young man living in Ta Wa Dung village. The students mistakes Cheng as a Mlabri ethnic group member and catches him. Cheng is same as French Asterix and his magic potion. Cheng gets high strength when getting exposed to sun. As he wishes to visit Bangkok, he lets himself captured. There, he is exposed like an animal in a cage. Doktawan educates him to modern world (radio, music, dance). A romance happens between Cheng and Doktawan. The illegal logging company sends ruffians to get rid of Cheng so he has to flee. Police catches him and sends him to hospital for crazy people as he is walking half naked. Meanwhile Cheng's parents are worried and decide to go to Bangkok to search for him. They arrive in Bangkok with elephants and horses to look for him! Finally Cheng is reunited with his family but it is discovered that he is not a Mlabri so he needs to help Doktawan to find real Mlabri ethnic group members. Meanwhile the illegal logging company wants to kill all Mlabri people to be able to exploit the forest. Gun fight happens in famous Earth Pillars site at Sao Din. Police arrives on time to rescue the students and Mlabri. This is a typical Thai comedy from the 1980s decade with a "katoey" (กะเทย) in the funny and silly role, gags from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "The Gods Must Be Crazy" (1981). There is very bad taste as the illegal logging company ruffians often carry a nazi flag to emphasize their badness. In 2009 the operator of a waxworks museum in Pattaya has been forced to cover up a giant billboard of Adolf Hitler giving a Nazi salute after complaints. This movie includes first introduction of hidden advertisement with beer brand name promotion. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv3.php http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv3.php Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Nymph (นางไม้), Thai romance movie (2009). Rating: 4/5
According to Thai animist beliefs, นางไม้ or "NANG MAI" is a female spirit inhabiting a tree. The movie starts with two men chasing a woman in a jungle. The camera wanders in the jungle. Only screams from the lady can be heard. Then no sound anymore. The camera continues to wander in the jungle then reaches a waterfall where the two men corpses are floating in a pond. Nok and Mae are married since a few years. Their wedding is slowing down. They go in the jungle a few days for camping. Nok is only interested in photographing trees. He finds a specific tree and starts to caress it. Mae also wanders on her side. Nok seems to be troubled as he even lost his glasses found by Mae in the jungle. One night her husband disappears. She goes to see the national park rangers. They have no explanations on the disappearance as normally beasts don't attack humans. As she wishes to stay one more night in the jungle, a ranger gives her sacred Buddha amulets for protection. She keeps calling him on mobile phone and hears weird sounds. While searching at night time, she finds one of his slippers. She collapses and is found by the rangers at morning time. Mae's boss, Korn, arrives and brings back Mae to Bangkok. They had an affair. The same evening Korn talks to his wife Noi to announce he breaks up. But Nok miraculously comes home also. He now behaves strangely, buy many trees and immaculate Mae with soil. Mae is not in hurry anymore to break up with Nok. There is a mix between Nok and Korn presence in Mae's home. Was Nok really back? She goes back to the forest to try to cut the tree. The end is resolved by the affair between Mae and Korn ending for good as requested by the spirit. Nok goes back to the forest to stay with the spirit. This movie is about about couple relationship. Nymph movie was screened in the 'Un Certain Regard' section, a category reserved for daring or unconventional works ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv15.php?c=2 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv15.php?c=2 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

khon khwang lok (คนขวางโลก), Thai drama movie (1984). Rating: 5/5
Chun is the unique child of a rich family. His father and mother always fight. The husband is cheating his wife and asks his son to keep the secret. Nobody understands or cares about him. Chun is like a beatnik, having long hair and driving an old beetle car. Chun is studying art painting. But even judges don't understand his work. He is fed up with life and rules. Thai students are not educated to challenge rules, the system or think by themselves. Only weak people fear the settled system. Society askes him to stop involvement in politics and focus on studies. He rides a horse in Bangkok to avoid traffic jam and promote his paintings. He challenges his art teacher and makes him upset. When seeing his father doing dangerous business involving risks for the staff health in a factory, he denounces him to the press but nothing is done as they are corrupted. So he makes an union to fight for staff right. His father is disappointed that his son betrays him. His uncle has a plan to have him come back in the society standard rules and be able to take over the company as his father is going old. The uncle orders he cannot see his girlfriend Wee as he is an ungrateful son. Chun goes in gogo bar and blames everybody for the society decadence, Thai men providing young girls to foreigners, indulgence in alcohol... He is expelled by the doormen and beaten by them. He is rescued by Nao, freelance working girl, who initiates him to love. He disappears for 4 days. A love story starts between them. Nao introduces him to her younger sister, who is Wee's best friend! Chun understands that Nao is a prostitute so leaves her. Everybody is lying to him, i.e. the father indulging with young men, the mother indulging in playing cards, Nao selling her body... He gets refuge in a slum. As money runs out, he sells his paintings. Nao recognizes his paintings and finds Chun but he rejects her due to her duplicity. Nao acknowledges but she has no choice as women are puppets that men are using. She does it for her sister to study as they have no more parents. Puzzled, Chun tortures himself same as hermit (ฤาษี). He is very sick so Nao calls his parents. A fight happens ruffians sent by his parents and slum kids. Chun is sent to visit a psychiatric doctor for crazy people. Did he receive a good education from his parents? His father tries to change him so that he can work in the family factory but to no avail. He is identified himself to Van Gogh. He is forced to live a life like a prisoner with no freedom. His father wants to put in an hospital for crazy people. Chun is ready to suicide himself. His slum friends and Wee rescue him just on time. This movie is a criticism of Thai education system. People are not themselves. They need to follow society precepts and cannot challenge them. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv10.php http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv10.php Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Baan Phi Pop 2 (บ้านผีปอบ 2), Thai horror movie (1990). Rating: 1/5
The second opus of บ้านผีปอบ continues with the same characters. The hunter is killed. New murders happen and intestines are always missing inside the bodies. Those murders are done by the village head's daughter, Kradeung (กระดึง), who is possessed by a "Phi Pop" (ผีปอบ) spirit. It takes appereance of Pla Pleung to accuse her. A second "Phi Pop" spirit is also hanging around. It is the apperance of a middle age woman, Ya Yip (หยิบ). The two "Phi Pop" are fighting together over the village territory possession. Villagers now know that Kradeung is a "Phi Pop". They organize a "Phi Pop" hunt that turns to a fiasco. A powerful sorcerer (หมอผี) comes to the village. It gets rid of Ya Yip "Phi Pop" first but fails with Kradeung. Finally the doctor Ret and Pla Pleung succeed to remove the "Phi Pop" ghost from Kradeung body but the second "Phi Pop" is still hanging around... Same as the first opus, this movie mixes horror, comic and a few erotic jokes in a rural context. "Phi Pop" is a traditional ghost in villages so many gags are based on rural life, i.e. men drinking together at night time and believing ghost visions are due to alcohol, woman wearing a tight traditional sarong (ผ้าถุง) and bathing in a pond with male villagers dreaming the sarong will slip down, classic gag when actors chased by a ghost enter water jars and exit from other jars... There are always comic pursuits between ghost and actors in accelerated motion. This opus contains bad cuts or maybe some censure. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=5 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=5 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Sanja Chai Mae Nak Phrae Khanong (สัญญาใจแม่นาคพระโขนง), Thai horror movie (1992). Rating: 2/5
The movie starts in year 2411 / 1868. Lady Nak is married to Mak. Her husband Mak is away as a soldier in Bangkok. Nak dies when giving birth. The movie first part is shot in sepia color. Mak is back from Bangkok. A citrus falls on the ground while Nak is preparing food for her husband. As she extends her arm to get the citrus, Mak knows his wife is now a ghost and decides to flee from home. Villagers go to Buddhist temple to request help from the abbot. Nak's spirit is captured by the abbot, put in an earthen pot and thrown in the river. Later on a fishermen couple catches the pot in their net. By breaking the pot, they release Nak spirit. In parallel, following a sword fight, lady Champee takes refuge in Nak's house. Champee's brothers want to marry her to a rich man and not to Tui, Mak's friend. Tui is played by Mum Jokmok, famous Thai comic since the 2000s, who is starring in this movie before he becomes famous for his jokes and comic skills. Robbers kidnap Bunta, daughter of a rich merchant. As Mak is interfering, Nak protects Mak and helps him to defeat the robbers. Master Te's (อาจารย์) help is requested as news about Nak spirit is spreading fast. Nak puts him in an earthen pot as a revenge of her previous burden. Nak follows the robbers and makes them kill each other. Their leader becomes crazy. Bunta goes back to her home and invites Mak to visit her. A love story starts between Mak and Bunta. Nak comes to face Mak and Bunta. She comes to get back her husband so threathens to kill Bunta as she is now between her and Mak. Nak still remembers her love promise but not Mak. As Nak is dead, Mak believes the love promise is void. Phi Nak kinadps Bunta's father to force her to leave Mak. A Buddhist novice comes to the village and stops Nak. She finally listens to the Buddhist novice and leaves the human world. This is another typical Thai horror movies from the 1990s with the classic chase between ghosts and humans in accelerated motion with the Halloween horror movie music. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv4.php?c=1 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Raging Phoenix (จีจ้า ดื้อสวยดุ), Thai action movie (2009). Rating: 2/5
This movie features the new Thai martial arts feminine star nicknamed Jija. Jija's mother dropped her, her music band group drops her. She feels lonely and indulges in alcohol. Then she gets kidnapped by a mafia group but is rescued on time by Salim, part of drunken martial arts expert team. Their goal is to stop the kidnapping organization. They teach her but finally drop her also as she doesn't fit into their plan. She succeeds to beat the leader and gets her place back in the team. The kidnappers are looking for specific woman scent to make perfume. She acts as a bait and gets kidnapped again. She helps Salim, who is looking for his wife captured a long time ago, and defeats the gang. The movie is having a basic scenario and mixes various ambiances (Mad Max 2, Perfume - The Story of a Murderer, Hip Hop and breakdance). It is still enjoyable thanks to Jija and her partners martial arts impressive skills. The movie boasts to be the first one introducing a new form of martial arts that combines Thai boxing with breakdancing. Viewers looking for action and martial arts skills won't be disappointed. Viewers looking for a good and original scenario may take a rain check. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv5.php?c=1 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv5.php?c=1 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Luang Ta Noi (หลวงตาน้อยธุดงค์ชายแดน), Thai comedy movie (1985). Rating: 1/5
Three comics are doing shows on the street and ask for tip money. They found a suitcase full of banknotes on the street. They give it back to the owner and refuse any reward. The owner, called Truat, is impressed by their kind heart, so recruits them. Truat is sick and doctor tells him he doesn't have a lot of time left to live. He asks them to get a specific medicine for him. If they don't help him, he will give all his heritage to social organizations. He has only half of the paper giving hints on this medecine. The other part is located in Pattaya with a psychic called "Chi Fat". Then they now need to find a beggar, later on a girl named Madonna. Then they faced two brigands groups (Red versus Yellow) wishing to get their money. Then they help a man following a weird operation in hospital. They find love during their quest of the medecine paper. This is a typical Thai weak comedy from the 1980s decade with a "katoey" (กะเทย) in the funny and silly role. Sometimes the VCD cover is wrong but this time the movie is wrong. The beginning of the movie is scrapped so only the actors names are displayed and not even the movie title. Luang Ta Noi is supposed to be part of the Luang Ta movie series (หลวงตา) done by famous director Permpol Choei-arun. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv19.php?c=3 http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv19.php?c=3 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php

Paradise Island (เกาะสวาทหาดสวรรค์), Thai romance movie (1969). Rating: 3/5
Khun Pradeun, a playboy, loves to party. He doesn't work. His father has arguments over coconuts gardens in Ko Samui with another businessman. They bet who could work more successfully, i.e. the son, Khun Pradeun, or the daughter, Khun Tum. Tum is a modern Thai lady wishing to work and with no husband. Her mother wants to find one husband for her but she prefers to go to island Sawat to help her father. If Pradeun wins, Tum must marry him. If he loses, he shall give up his business to her. Similar to many movies at the end of 1960s decade, this movie is rythmed with songs. Pradeun and Tum meet each other on the boat to island Sawat. Pradeun doesn't know the real identity of Tum as he expects somebody called Tum (ตุ่ม - pimple) to be fat, stupid. But he only shows his arrogance and suffisance. Tum and his friends try everything to have Pradeun to go back to Bangkok but to no avail. In the midst of controversy, he falls in love with her. Meanwhile, she begins to be confused because she might be in love with him as well. Pradeun tries dumping tactic to prevent sales but his three thousands coconuts have disappeared. He then needs to sort the coconuts that are mixed on purpose with those of Tum. They decide to use ruffians (นักเลง) to intimidate each other. Despite a few KO, Pradeun is the last one to stand up. Finally he knows the true regarding Tum and slaps her face for her treacherous behavior (in many Thai movies or Thai TV series, violence over women is surprisingly a way for men to show their love). Love is stronger between both of them. He saves her life during a fire in the local school and they finally marry. It is a 2h30 long lovely emotions movie. In 1960s decade, 2 hours length was frequent for many movies. This movie was then successfully updated in 2000s decade as a Thai TV serie. ]]> http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv6.php http://www.thaiworldview.com/tv/tv6.php Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:13:12 GMT http://www.thaiworldview.com/thailand/book.php