War movies planned to promote patriotism

Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram (right), the Thai prime minister at the time, adorns a bravery medal on the naval jack of the 'HTMS Thonburi' warship after the Battle of Koh Chang in this undated photo first published in the Royal Thai Navy journal. (Photo from Xiengyod~commonswiki)

The Fine Arts Department will produce at least one show a year on Thailand’s war history to bolster patriotism among Thais.

The project is a directive of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, director-general Prateep Pengtako said on Friday.

He said Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome had appointed him chairman of a working committee to handle the project.

After a discussion, the panel agreed talks would be held first between officials at the Culture Ministry and the Defence Ministry about the content and budget.

He expected the project to be completed in eight months.

Based on the objectives of strengthening unity and promoting awareness of the roles of key institutions — the nation, religion and monarchy — in helping overcome crises, the committee would focus on three phases for the content.

The first involves Thailand’s engagements in world and regional wars, such as the Battle of Pork Chop Hill (1953), which is part of the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, as well as Thailand’s roles in World Wars I and II.

The second phase will tell stories about the battles with foreign invaders such as the Battle of Ko Chang in 1941 during the Franco-Thai War.

The third phase involves fights and skirmishes over ideological differences during the Cold War such as the Rom Klao (1988) and Khao Kho battle (1968).

Mr Prateep said the shows would likely be movies rather than documentaries. “They will be easy to understand so Thais have a better grasp of their history and are more patriotic,” he said.

The photo is published by Xiengyod~commonswiki under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International licence.